Tag: speak

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Who Told You That?

The Manna Chef

I recently asked, “Whose steps are you following?” to remind you to be intentional in following the leading of the Holy Spirit.  It’s a great reminder that nothing in our lives happens by chance and that we need to be aware at all times of the effects of our actions.  But today, I want to go even deeper.  If you’ve ever had to deal with negative thoughts, then this message is for you.

I remember many years ago reading about “negative self-talk.”  At the time, I was teaching middle schoolers, and it was a message that was near and dear to my heart.  I firmly believed (and I still do) that speaking words of life into our young people is vital to their development.  But it doesn’t stop there.  We need those same words of life.  And we need to speak them constantly.  (You have power of life and death right in your own mouth, according to Proverbs 18:21.)

This pandemic has altered our daily lives.  Many of us are working from home.  Others may not be working at all, while some are working nonstop as essential staff.  Don’t believe for a second that the enemy is not waiting by to speak all kinds of lies to you.  He wants to plant ideas of hopelessness and despair.  He wants you to be paralyzed from fear and for you to succumb to the pressure that is all around you.  He wants you to be depressed from being constantly inundated with bad news and frightening statistics.  Sisters, he wants desperately to defeat you.  Remember, he has three jobs: to steal, to kill, and to destroy, so you have to be prepared to defeat him. 

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Your Words Matter

The Manna Chef

I know that we are living in challenging times, but I want to encourage you to look at the good in the midst of all of the chaos going on around us. Listen to what God is whispering to you. Is He calling you for more prayer time with Him or more time spent in His Word? Is He encouraging you to spend more quality time with your loved ones? Are you able to get some much-needed rest? Or are you on the front lines showing that God truly takes care of His own while you are demonstrating His love and power to those seeking medical care?

I need to remind you of something today: your words are important. They have power, so be careful how you use them, especially now. You can speak blessings over your life or you can speak curses. Even in the midst of all that is going on right now, you can speak life, Sisters!

Let me give you a practical example. My grandmother (one of the greatest prophets to have ever lived) never allowed us to speak words of poverty. We weren’t allowed to say things like, “I’m broke.” We learned at an early age that our words spoke life and death and that we were responsible for how we used them. Instead of saying those negative words, we learned to call on the Lord to bless us. We learned to speak blessings into our lives–and yes, even into our wallets. It was a profound lesson, and I still remind myself of the power I have in my own mouth to create and manifest results. That shouldn’t really be a surprise though, should it?

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Speak the Word Only

The Manna Chef

Let me ask you something, do you really believe the Word of God?  Do you believe that God is Who He says He is and that He will do what He said He will do?

God led me to a very familiar passage to remind me of just how effective His Word is in my life:  Matthew 8:5-13.  (I’m going to share with you a few verses at a time to paint the picture that He revealed to me.)

Verses 5-6: Now when Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, pleading with Him, saying, “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, dreadfully tormented.”

This Roman officer approached Jesus and pleaded with Him.  “Jesus, my servant is at home sick, paralyzed in terrible pain.”  He explained the condition to Jesus because He knew that Jesus could take care of the problem.  (Are we taking our problems to the One who can actually solve them?)

Verse 7: And Jesus said to him, “I will come and heal him.”  See, Jesus responded to the man’s request.  He heard the plea and was moved to act.

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