The Meals

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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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Whose Steps Are You Following?

The Manna Chef

The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, And He delights in his way. (Psalm 37:13)

God promised to lead and guide us each day.  That’s why He sent the Holy Spirit; it’s one of His functions.  When we encounter darkness, the Word is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our pathway.  The Word shows us the way to go, and Jesus is the Light of the world.  When we are surrounded by darkness, we need only keep focused on Jesus to lead us in the way we should go.  And we bring delight to God as we walk in the steps that He provides.  He delights in His way because His way is the right way.  His way is a reflection of His righteousness.

We have been taught that all we need to do is follow Jesus, right?  So then, I wonder at times in the midst of dark, confusing moments in my life, “How can I know God like I do and still end up here?”  You see, I have had many moments in my life when I seemed to go the total opposite of where I should have gone.  Thank God for His infinite grace and mercy!  I have walked with the Lord for a really long time and still manage to fall short daily.  But I have also learned that there is a purpose to everything I have ever experienced—good and bad.  And even in those moments when I decided to take another path, God has always been right there to steer me back on track.  I know God’s hand is upon my life.  He shows me every single day—even when I fall short. 

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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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Act Like it

The Manna Chef

We pray and seek direction from God daily.  We read and study His Word, and we truly believe that His Word is true.  And we apply His Word to our lives, right?  Well, God is saying to us that it’s time to really claim His promises and live the way He has called us to live. 

The Holy Spirit recently challenged me to walk in faith concerning something God had said to me.  “If you really believe Me, then act like it.  Don’t allow anything to take your focus away from Me and what I have said concerning you.  You say daily that I have the final say and that I am in control of all things at all times.  Well, if you really believe that is true, then ACT like it.”

I’ll admit, I had to marinate on that. God was reminding me of Who He is to me and who I am to Him and in Him.  Had I really claimed the promises that God has made to me?  If so, what is keeping me from really walking in them?  And then I wondered, “Am I really encouraging the people around me to walk in the promises of God for real?  Am I leading by example?”

God is not slack concerning His promises and He is certainly not a man that He should lie.  If He said it, it’s a done deal.  And then a thought popped into my head to justify my responses:  I’m only human, right?  Well, actually that’s not right.  That’s a copout.  I am human, but I’m not only human.  I carry the Spirit of the Living God on the inside of me.  Favor precedes me daily.  Goodness and mercy are right behind me.  I’m NEVER alone, even though I experience bouts of loneliness sometimes.  I am human, but I am one of God’s chosen vessels.  So, when the enemy feeds me that garbage to make me wallow in self-pity and despair, I just have to tap into the Holy Spirit.  He reminds me that I am more than a conqueror.  I am the head and not the tail.  I am the apple of God’s eye.  God has angels encamped around me daily.  (and I sure do need them!) 

I wish I could just tell the people of God, if God has blessed you, then ACT like it.  If God has healed your body, claim your healing and act like you are healed.  When pain hits your body, don’t ignore it.  Address the pain, do what you need to do, and remind God of His Word concerning you.  Recite healing Scriptures.  Remind God of what He said.  Whatever you have placed before the Lord, seal it with a Scripture.  Ask God that His will be done—and then prepare yourself for it.  And then when He answers, believe it and actually claim it.  Don’t get all hyped (accepting it only on pure emotion) and then forget to allow it to take root in your soul.  Allow that seed to be firmly planted so that your fruit will not only be produced, but that it will remain.  And know this, you will need to be reminded of that Word, trust me on that! 

God had to remind me that I have the authority to speak directly to the storm, to remind the winds that they are subject to Him.  And I am a vessel for His use.  I need to act like it. 

We, the people of God, have forgotten who we are.  We are walking around as if we have no authority. 

God has done so much in our lives, but for some reason we have forgotten that too.  The Bible says, “Let the redeemed of the Lord say so.”   I think we need to do a better job of that.

We can no longer allow the enemy any room to wreak havoc in our minds, our homes, our marriages, or our jobs.  None of that!  We know what God said.  Now we have to act like it.  We have to stand firmly on God’s Word like we know that we know it’s the truth.  If we really believe Him, I mean REALLY believe that God is Who He says He is and that we belong to Him, then it’s time to act like it.

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The Way You Move

The Manna Chef

Sisters, today I want you to tune in to your body’s natural rhythm—and not the one that kicks into high gear when you hear your favorite song.  I’m talking about that inner voice that directs your steps at the actual pace that comes naturally to you. You’re going to have to be very intentional in your listening, too.  You see, we tend to wear ourselves out when we are not listening to what our bodies really need (the Presence of God, love, acceptance, rest, inspiration, nutrition, peace, reassurance, exercise, etc.).  As women, we are wired to do many things well, and we tend to do them at a break-neck pace.  But it’s not wise to constantly overload yourself.  There is value to slowing down.  Take your time, Sister!

Stop for a moment.  Breathe.  Listen.  Your spirit will lead you.  And for you deep sisters, I’m not talking about being moved by your flesh and yielding in directions that you know are contrary to where God is leading you (and to what His Word says).  I’m talking about following your spirit because it desires to be intimately connected to your Father.  Jesus said, “The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Mark 14:38)   Your spirit knows how to line up with the Father even when your flesh wants to do its own thing, including causing you to take on more than what you were called to do.  When you choose to listen to God’s voice, your spirit will lead you in right direction. 

So, sisters, quit being so hard on yourself when you feel like you missed the mark.  Who set the bar—you or God?  We have a tendency to push ourselves before we even ask the Lord for guidance.  Then, when we are exhausted, overwhelmed, and frustrated, we turn to Jesus for help.  And He is so gracious that He picks us up and restores, replenishes, and revives us, even when we have not listened to Him at all.  The Lord is right there waiting for us to turn our hearts back to Him. 

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