The Meals

Entrée

“Be” Where You Are

The Manna Chef

I need your attention for just a moment.  I know we are all trying to keep things moving forward in our lives, whether it’s a job promotion or a new house or car (or maybe even a new boo).  We find ourselves in a constant state of striving for something, always focusing on what’s next in pursuit of our goals and aspirations.  And that’s not a bad thing, necessarily.  I mean, you can find examples in the Word to support the act of pursuing, and it’s important to be ready to pursue.  For example, we know Philippians 3:13-14 (NKJV) says:

Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead,  I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 

We sure do know how to press, don’t we?  Many of us have had to press our entire lives.  It was necessary for our survival, but we cannot continue to operate in “survival mode” all the time.  It’s exhausting, isn’t it?  At some point, we must realize that we aren’t just survivors; we are more than conquerors!  So, I have something that may be revolutionary for some of you:  I want to encourage you to actually be still for a moment and press for His Presence not just His presents (blessings).  Just be still and enjoy the Lord, your God.

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Entrée

The Second Time Around

The Manna Chef

Jonah 1:1-3

Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry out against it; for their wickedness has come up before Me.” But Jonah arose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord.

We know this story well, don’t we?  How many of us have actually been Jonah.  He fled and made his way to a ship headed in the opposite direction.  And we also know how that turned out:  the Lord sent a storm to the sea to get that brother’s attention.  In order to save the other men on the ship, Jonah suggested they toss him from the ship.  At first, they refused and the storm got much worse.  But once they did, the storm ceased. 

It’s interesting to me that in the midst of Jonah’s disobedience, God still used him to get the attention of those around him.  Verse 16 says, “Then the men feared the Lord exceedingly, and offered a sacrifice to the Lord and took vows.”  God’s purpose will always be achieved whether you are obedient or not, just be aware that your actions do have consequences.  Jonah still wasn’t ready to do what God had instructed, so God prepared for an encounter with Jonah inside the belly of a fish for three days and three nights. (Think about the many ways God has to get our attention sometimes.) 

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Entrée

I Am Who God Says I Am

The Manna Chef

What will it take for us to really believe what God has said concerning our lives?   Think about that today, Sisters, and take a moment to look at what you have chosen to believe about yourself.

The children of Israel watched God move in miraculous fashion right before their eyes.  We know the accounts of how mightily the Lord moved on their behalf.  And yet, like us, they seemed to find themselves back in the state of displeasing God.  In fact, God had to allow them to be conquered over and over again to bring them to a place of humility and obedience.  In Judges Chapter 6, God allowed them to be conquered and ruled by the Midianites for seven years.  And then entered a man named Gideon…

The angel of the Lord sat down under the oak that belonged to Joash, Gideon’s dad, while Gideon was threshing wheat in secret to keep it from the Midianites.  The angel appeared to him and said, “The Lord is with you, you mighty man of valor.” (verse 12, NKJV)  The NIV version of the Bible says, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.”  The Amplified Bible says, “The Lord is with you, mighty man of fearless courage.”

There was no wavering in the words; they were stated as a fact.  The angel of the Lord gave a statement of identity assigned by God to Gideon.  But Gideon couldn’t fully grasp onto such a powerful description used to refer to him.  He said, “But sir, if God is really with us then why has all this happened to us?”  Anybody ever feel that way?  Chaos is all around you, and you cannot see or even feel God.  We begin to question, “Well, God are you here?  Do you hear my prayers?  Do you even care?” 

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Entrée

Selah

The Manna Chef

As we prepare to leave 2020 behind and head into a new year, it’s important to take a moment to reflect on all of the blessings that God has sent our way—yes, even in the midst of a global pandemic.  Think about is, Sisters:  we have survived a tumultuous year!  We have managed to adapt in ways that have stretched us beyond what we even knew we were capable of doing.  And we’re still here moving about our days in excellence.  Thank God for that!

As many of you know, I do not complete a list of New Year’s resolutions, and this year will be no different.  Instead of the resolution list, I make a gratitude list of all the blessings I received throughout the year.  Sisters, I encourage you to do the same, especially this year. 

I have heard many people do nothing but complain throughout most of the year.  But for me, I choose to land on grateful.  Yes, I’ve had to adapt and create new ways to be effective in my everyday life, but God has seen me through all of it.  And yes, I’ve had some tears throughout the year, but they don’t even compare to the deep belly laughs I’ve enjoyed.  So I decided, why waste my energy on everything that seemed to go wrong, when I can use that same energy to celebrate the joy that I have experienced?  (Besides, the gratitude list actually brings joy and strength since the joy of the Lord is my strength.)

Do yourself a favor today and start your gratitude list.  God has kept you, and you have made it through 2020.  And He has promised more for you in the upcoming year!  (Well, I just gave you three to start your list!)

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Ain’t No Need to Worry

The Manna Chef

Okay, I know that is a grammatical nightmare, but it was a nice Winans/Anita Baker song, and it is a great reminder for us.  What does worrying even accomplish?  Think about how much energy we waste worrying about things beyond our control.  God addresses that wasted energy in His Word.  The word “worry” is used in this passage six times.

Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?  Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?  Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?

So why do you worry about clothing?  Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.  Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?

Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek.  For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.  But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.  Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things.  Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. (Matthew 6:25-34 NKJV)

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