The Meals

Entrée

Just as He Said

The Manna Chef

How many of you read Matthew 28:5-6, as we all prepared to celebrate Resurrection Sunday?  And for anyone who didn’t, you can read it right here:

The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.  He is not here; He has risen, just as He said.  Come and see the place where He lay.”  (NIV)

It’s a very familiar passage, describing the moment that Mary and Mary Magdalene search for the body of Jesus at the tomb—only to find that He really did rise from the grave, “just as He said.” 

Sisters, this is not a Resurrection message—well, not directly.  Every day, we should celebrate the fact that Jesus volunteered to walk in the flesh, die a horrific death on the cross, and then rise with all power to restore our relationship with the Father.  Jesus took my place and yours on that cross, and He finished what He came here to do.  (Go ahead and praise Him right there!)

But what I want to bring to your attention are those four words in verse 6:  just as He said.  Jesus did everything that He said He would do.  Go back and take a look through Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.  He healed the sick, raised the dead, restored what was lost, and set free those who were bound.  And He didn’t allow Himself to be restricted by the confines of rules and traditions.  As a matter of fact, He moved in a way that was revolutionary at the time.  He hung out with people who were undesirable.  He healed on the Sabbath.  He spoke and moved in ways that were untraditional.  And when it was all said and done, He did what He said He would do.  When Jesus spoke, circumstances changed.  Don’t believe me?  Remember in Mark 4:39 when Jesus simply spoke to the storm and told the waves to be still—and immediately the stormed calmed?   

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Entrée

The Right Way

The Manna Chef

This morning, as I was studying Psalm 107:1-9 (NKJV), the Holy Spirit pointed something out that has blown my mind today.  First, let’s take a look at the passage of Scripture:

Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!
For His mercy endures forever.
2Let the redeemed of the Lord say so,
Whom He has redeemed from the hand of the enemy,
3And gathered out of the lands,
From the east and from the west,
From the north and from the south.

4They wandered in the wilderness in a desolate way;
They found no city to dwell in.
5Hungry and thirsty,
Their soul fainted in them.
6Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble,
And He delivered them out of their distresses.
7And He led them forth by the right way,
That they might go to a city for a dwelling place.
8Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness,
And for His wonderful works to the children of men!
9For He satisfies the longing soul,
And fills the hungry soul with goodness.

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Grace, Prayer

Prayer for Calling

The Manna Chef

Father God, today I simply want to say thank You for the gift of Your Presence, Your Son, and Your Holy Spirit.  Lord, You are Awesome, and You never cease to amaze me.  Thank You for Your continued faithfulness and Your direction each and every day.  God, please remind Your daughters that they have been called for such a time as this, and that You have already prepared them for the journey.  Thank You, Jehovah Jireh.  We will stand boldly on Your Word to do what we’ve been called to do.  In the Mighty name of Jesus Christ I pray.  Amen.

Entrée

God Is Our Source

The Manna Chef

I was sitting here reflecting on the many ways God continues to provide for me, many times without me even realizing it.  I have experienced some difficult seasons in my life, like times when the bills totaled more than my actual income, and it seemed like I was buried in debt.  But God continued to provide for me.  (He always has.)  It was pretty humbling.  I went from being able to write checks to help folks meet their needs to having to borrow a dollar on more than one occasion.  I found myself on the receiving end, and it was really a season of growing in humility.  I simply didn’t have what I desired, and I certainly didn’t have the surplus I was used to having, so I had to allow others to bless me.  

I’ll be honest; that wasn’t easy.  I have always been a giver; turns out, I needed to learn how to receive.  And I had to learn how to trust God to get me through those times.  He continued to take care of me while teaching me how to allow Him to provide and show up in my life and how to make room for others to experience the joy of being a blessing to me.  Whether it was a golden handshake (when God leads someone to place a monetary blessing in your hand) or someone showing up at my door with groceries, God took care of me.  Other times, He allowed income opportunities to make their way to me.  Out of nowhere, there were tutoring jobs and singing gigs, anything to create room for God to provide for His daughter.  You know what?  God always takes care of His own.  Think about the many ways God has provided for you throughout your life.

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Entrée

Chosen

The Manna Chef

Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love.  (Ephesians 1:4)

Even before God made the world, He already loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy, without fault, in His eyes.  That is amazing to me because I have fallen short so many times.  We are not saved because we deserve it, nor did we do anything to earn it.  We are saved by the grace of God.  He freely offers salvation to us.

God had the plan of your life from the beginning.  How about this?  He had the plan of your life before the beginning.  That’s deep!  He’d planned you before He even formed the world. 

Sometimes it’s hard to imagine how God could love such imperfect people.  I’ll admit, I’ve even asked Him, “Why do You love me so much?” 

He answered, “I have always loved You, daughter.  You are indeed the apple of my eye.”  Wow!  Sisters, God has always loved you, too!  Always!  He looked past your sins, your mistakes, your past—even those shady things in your present, just to love you.

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