Tag: strength

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His Strength Is Perfect

The Manna Chef

“I have to be strong!”  How many times have you said those words?  We ignore how we really feel for the benefit of those around us.  But is that really beneficial?  Is ignoring your feelings helping you grow or heal?  Probably not.  Society teaches us that we have to always be strong, even to the detriment of our well-being.  And we see that message everywhere, teaching us to bury our feelings and not truly process our emotions.  But Sisters, that does not help you at all.   

I’m going to let you in on a little secret.  You don’t have to be strong.  You already are strong because the God you serve is Omnipotent.  He is all-powerful, and you have access to His strength.  I want you to stop trying to be anything—just be who you are.  If you are feeling sad today, feel sad.  If you are angry, be angry (and sin not!).  If you are frustrated, that’s okay, talk to God about whatever is on your mind.  But stop trying to be so strong. 

Now, let me clear, I’m not telling you to forget to put on the whole armor of God.  He instructs us to “be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.” (Ephesians 6:10)  But did you notice that He instructs us to be strong in the Lord.  He’s not expecting you to meet today’s challenges in your own strength.  That’s why Jesus came to restore our relationship with God—to give us access to Him. 

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We Still Thrive

The Manna Chef

My heart has been aching, and the pain is just unbearable today.  I have literally cried out to God on behalf of all of my brothers and sisters.  It seems as if being Black in this country has placed us on an endangered list.  Every time I turn around, someone is being killed, falsely imprisoned, or brutalized for no other reason than, by the very color of our skin, we are perceived as a threat.  I have cried, “Why in the world are we being killed, Father?  Why is hate running rampant in this world?” 

I am not even going to get super-spiritual right now, because my conversations with God are real and raw.  I know the enemy is trying to steal, kill, and destroy, seeking whom he may devour.  I know that.  I have that Scripture memorized.  But I’m talking about right now today, at this moment; I needed to hear from God. 

I needed a word to settle my spirit, so I started with Psalm 27:1-4.

The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear?  The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?  When the wicked came against me to eat up my flesh, my enemies and foes, they stumbled and fell. Though an army may encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war may rise against me, in this I will be confident.

I don’t know about you, but I need God’s strength right now at this very moment.  I need some light in this very dark time.  But, even after reading that powerful Scripture, I still needed more.

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Unafraid

The Manna Chef

Recently, I was telling a dear friend about my Florida vacation with my husband last year.  There were many highlights, but one really stood out as I was recalling the events of our trip.  Honestly, I didn’t even realize how profound it was until she responded with amazement.

I had decided that what I really desired was to see was an alligator in the wild (which I did)!  My husband and I went on an airboat adventure, a first for us both, and what I witnessed left me in awe.  As we enjoyed the breeze and talked among the other guests, we noticed cows grazing on grass that was growing up from the marsh.  Cows right there in the water—the same marsh where alligators were swimming?!  I’d never seen cows in the water like that, and I was fascinated that they didn’t seem the least bit phased by the predators lurking around. 

As tourists do, we began to take pictures and flooded our captain with all kinds of questions.  He explained, “Oh, the cows aren’t afraid of the alligators because those cows are huge.  They don’t see the alligators of too much of a threat.  It would take so many alligators to harm even one of them, and the alligators don’t even approach the cows.  The cows just keep their young from coming out too far into the water.”  Mind. Blown!  I mean, think about it.  How could anything not be afraid of an alligator?

Well, the captain told us:

  1. The cows knew how big and strong they were.
  2. They knew the behavior of the alligators.
  3. The cows stayed in groups and shielded their young.

That got me thinking, of course.  Sisters, do we really know who we are (and Who we serve)?  Have we equipped ourselves with the Word of God so that we know how to prepare ourselves for any attack the enemy may try to bring? 

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Why Is This Fire Seven Times Hotter?

The Manna Chef

Have you ever experienced a time when you stood up for what you knew was right and you were walking in obedience to the Lord, and things still seemed like they were getting worse?  Like every time you turn around, something is happening that you have little or no control over?  Or maybe it’s the Job moment when all of the news is bad news at one time?  Those experiences can be very disheartening; I’m not going to even pretend that they aren’t.  But God promised to be with us always.  And He is not a man that He should lie. 

Life is composed of twists and turns that can really take our breath away, but God promised that all things will ultimately work out for our good.  It’s so important to fully grasp onto that.  Sometimes things don’t feel good, but God is good.  When things go awry, and at some point they will, know that God is good and that He has the final say—always.  Recently, I talked to God about the Hebrew boys and the fiery furnace, and I’d like share a few things with you and hopefully encourage your spirit today.

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