The Meals

Entrée

Thank You, Lord

The Manna Chef

Sisters, I want you to do something for me today.  You see, today it’s going to be very easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle that Thanksgiving Day may bring.  Let’s face it:  if you didn’t start last night, some of you are up right now trying to get that turkey in the oven.  Others, like me, are on the road traveling to your holiday destination.  There’s so much to do, right?  Your list may look something like:

o Clean the house.

o Prepare for guests.

o Cook a delicious dinner and dessert.

o Get the kids ready and keep them occupied.

o Do I have time for a nap?

o What am I even wearing?

o Plan for tomorrow’s (or tonight’s) shopping.

But, wait!  Have you taken a moment to just say, “Thank you, Lord”?  Did you spend some quality time with your Heavenly Father this morning?  Will you take a moment to read His Word and to talk to Him today?  Will you make Him a priority in your busy day?

Right now, take a moment to reflect on the goodness of God.  Things may not be perfect today, but the Lord you serve has everything under control.  He knows just how to take care of you and sprinkle sunshine in your life.  Don’t allow yourself to get overwhelmed in the midst of the demands that are trying to make their way to you right now.  You are a daughter of the King.  Breathe.  Relax.  Smile. Laugh—a lot!  Enjoy time spent with family and friends.

I encourage you throughout the day to simply find yourself in the place of gratitude.  Think of all of the blessings you have received just this year.  Look at how many times God has moved on your behalf and all of the ways He has made just for you.  (You know He has created a road in your wilderness and a river in your desert!  (Isaiah 43:19))  He has blessed you so many times!

And before you ask God for another thing, take the time to say, “Father, I just want to thank You!”

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He’s Still Good

The Manna Chef

Sometimes life can be tough when we get consumed in the cares of the world.  We may even find ourselves crying out to God, “Why me?”  We are hurt, and we can’t seem to move beyond our circumstances.  Let’s face it, even the strongest of the strong have their moments. 

Life is a series of cycles from suffering to overcoming.  And in the moments of intense suffering, we sometimes ask God, “Do You see me?  Are You really listening to my prayers?  Do You really know what I’m going through?”

The thing is, God heard you the moment the words came out of your mouth.  As a matter of fact, He heard them when they were still just thoughts floating around in your head.

God is trying to get us to quit focusing all of our energy and attention on our problems, burdens, tests, and circumstances – whatever it is that is causing us discomfort.  Instead, He wants us to focus on Him, the God we serve, and praise Him in the midst of it all. 

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A Moment to Be Still

The Manna Chef

He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. (Psalm 23:2 NKJV)

I don’t know about you, but I value those moments when I can “lie down in green pastures” and actually rest.  We live in a world of constant motion.  It seems as if we are multitasking so much, and it comes so naturally, that we don’t even realize it most of the time. 

I recently made a conscious effort to slow down—to slow everything down.  First of all, let me just admit that it wasn’t easy.  I’d gotten used to the hectic pace that my life sometimes seems to dictate.  But I was determined.  I cut out a constant travel schedule for a two-month period.  I removed some extra activities from my schedule, even some that I enjoyed doing—all in an effort to simply be still.  It seemed odd initially, and I felt very restless.  I mean, do you know how many things I could have gotten done during that time?  I wrestled with those thoughts, too, for a little while.  And then I decided to simply surrender to God’s instruction to rest. 

Sisters, don’t miss the significance of taking time to rest.  If God rested, how can you possibly think that you can go on and on without any rest?  So, I shut it all down, and I’d like to share a few things that I experienced.

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God Will Provide

The Manna Chef

Lately, I have been approached by many sisters who are in a season of intense struggle—the mountains they are facing seem insurmountable.  I immediately went to the Father to seek His perspective on what I’d heard, and I asked for words of encouragement and instruction for my sisters.  A few of them shared that they feel as if they are just being tossed around in a storm.  I had to sit with that for a moment because I know that feeling—the one where so much is going on but you can’t seem to get a handle on anything.  You wonder, “Do I have enough?  Am I enough?  What am I supposed to do now?  How will this need be met?”  Have you ever asked the Lord any of these questions?  I have talked to so many sisters who are in dire need of the Lord to move on their behalf right now. 

As I was reading last night, God pointed out this Scripture to me:  So they all ate and were filled. (Mark 6:42 NKJV)  I read it over and over and waited for the Lord to speak.  “Tell them, ‘I have heard your cry.  I have much more than enough to meet all of your needs.'”   Sisters, God has the capacity to take care of all of us.  Don’t lose hope because you have been waiting for so long for God to move.  (And know that there is no need to become envious when it doesn’t seem like it’s your turn yet.)

And Jesus, when He came out, saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd.  So He began to teach them many things.   When the day was now far spent, His disciples came to Him and said, “This is a deserted place, and already the hour is late.  Send them away, that they may go into the surrounding country and villages and buy themselves bread; for they have nothing to eat.”

But He answered and said to them, “You give them something to eat.”

And they said to Him, “Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give them something to eat?”

But He said to them, “How many loaves do you have? Go and see.”

And when they found out they said, “Five, and two fish.”  (Mark 6:34-38 NKJV)

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Perfect Peace

The Manna Chef

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;  and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:4-7 NKJV)

Recently, I had to hold on to those Scriptures for my sanity and my life!  My mind was all over the place, trying to figure out what was clearly beyond my own capacity to process.  So, instead of stressing myself out (I was almost in tears), I just chose to release it to God, to hand it right over.  I decided to breathe deeply and read the Word.  It was all I had really, because I had no control over what was going on around me. 

In this particular season, I have been isolated from the familiar.  I’m away from my close-knit family by divine design, I’m certain.  God has set me aside to pour into me.  Honestly, I welcome it.  I appreciate His ability to create rest for me wherever I am.  But on that day, that restful state had been under attack, and it was through someone very close to me.

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