Natasha’s Daily Scripture, Prayer and Reflection for 8.31.11

When you make a vow to God, do not delay to fulfill it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow.

Ecclesiastes 5:4

Pray
Father I pray to rid myself of my affliction of procrastination; putting off for tomorrow what I can do today is ignorant, foolish and costly. I also pray for the right thinking to keep my vows to You and not procrastinate on fulfilling them. I don’t want to disappoint You Father.

Procrastination is connected with laziness and I know You don’t like the former and detest the latter. So I will make every effort to focus on fulfilling my vows to You with a sense of urgency, as I would hope and pray that You would in blessing me. I thank You now Lord. Amen.

Reflection
We cannot move slowly on our vows and promises to God, yet have expectations of His blessings arriving on time…our time.

Love,

Natasha

Copyright 2011. Natasha L. Foreman. Some Rights Reserved. All Prayers and Reflections are Copyright Protected by Natasha L. Foreman. breakingbreadwithnatasha.blogspot.com
breakingbreadwithnatasha.wordpress.com

Natasha’s Daily Scripture, Prayer and Reflection for 8.30.11

In his pride the wicked man does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God.

Psalm 10:4

Pray
Lord I want to do right by You. I want my days consumed with the principles You possess and share with Your children. I want my beginning, middle, and end to be about reflecting, expressing, demonstrating, and representing You as Your ambassador in Christ. I don’t want to try to make time for You, try to make time to pray, or try to make time to study Your word; the world is to wait as I find time for it, because You are to be my everything. Mold the weakness of pride out of me Father. Replace it with honor and righteousness in Your light Lord.

Father when I lean to read another book before Yours, remind me. When I go to turn on the television before giving thanks to You, remind me. When I go to connect on the Internet before connecting with You, remind me. When I allow my day to go by without studying Your word which is my road map, my compass, my life plan and contingency plan, Lord remind me.

Remind me of my desire to be more like Jesus. Remind me of my desire to walk through my fears like Daniel, David, Joshua, Moses, and so many others. Remind me of my hope to live eternally by Your side with my loved ones. Remind me of my dreams to raise and nurture healthy and loving children who respectfully and humbly fear displeasing You. Remind me Father. In Your name I do humbly pray and ask for Your guiding love today and every day. Amen.

Reflection
Pride will leave us blind, deaf, and in a manic, crippling state as we spend our time consumed by thoughts of us, them, and we, and not of God and His expectations and desires for us. We can’t say that we don’t know what God wants for us. His Word is clear, and even if you have doubts because the good Book was drafted by men, then trust your gut; your intuition is a compass directly connected to God.

You KNOW when you are doing right and wrong. You know when you aren’t supposed to be speaking with someone, spending time with someone, doing certain things, or saying certain things. You know. Every time we ignore our intuition we ignore God.

Our pride and arrogance tells us that we know what we’re doing, but then we stupidly look around for God to help us when everything goes haywire. Lovingly He helps us on His time, which is the right time, but we don’t even recognize the abundant love He has for us to reach out and restore us even when we blatantly disrespect and disobey Him.

We need to place God first in our lives. Starting our days with Him, pushing through our days with Him, and ending our days with Him. Our mention of Him shouldn’t just be in need, during grace before we eat, before we sleep (when we remember), in church Sundays and Wednesdays (when we go), and definitely not coupled with profanity. What if God only provided for us and answered our prayers during these moments (minus the profanity)? What if He said, “I will let you breathe on the days you live righteously” or, “I will make sure things go right for you when you pray to Me”?

Who would survive?

God loves us unconditionally. We love Him with the strongest of conditions. Then we wonder why we have so much imbalance in our lives. Just a thought.

Lovingly,

Natasha

Copyright 2011. Natasha L. Foreman. Some Rights Reserved. All Prayers and Reflections are Copyright Protected by Natasha L. Foreman. breakingbreadwithnatasha.blogspot.com
breakingbreadwithnatasha.wordpress.com

Natasha’s Daily Scripture, Prayer and Reflection for 8.29.11

Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.
Proverbs 16:18

Pray
Father I want my strength to come from faith in You, not in pride or arrogance which only weaken me. Open my eyes to see and acknowledge how pride is self-destructive and the reasons for many of my failures in life. In times when I should be asking for assistance or direction, but my pride stands in the way, remind me of the blessings I am blocking in my stubbornness. Free me from my personal bondage Lord. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Reflection
Pride always leads to destruction. Pride will always block our blessings. When we are too prideful to say we need help, we won’t get the help we need. I have allowed my pride to completely contaminate my space and environment to the point that I have lost at times more than others may ever gain. Is that not ridiculous to visualize? My pride kept me from maintaining or developing further something I already had in my possession. How ignorant is that?

My pride has kept me from asking other people who could help me for assistance; not wanting to appear weak actually weakened me.

We must push pride out of our thinking and doing just as we would fear (the root of pride), arrogance, and any other sin. Push it out. Get out of your own way and allow the blessings God has in store for you to flow in through whatever channel and path that He has established. God’s busy trying to provide us with opportunities to thrive and we’re busy blocking them with our pride, to the point we at times struggle to survive. You never know who God has placed in your life to help you reach your goals and fulfill your purpose in life. Let go and let God!

Love always,

Natasha

Copyright 2011. Natasha L. Foreman. Some Rights Reserved. All Prayers and Reflections are Copyright Protected by Natasha L. Foreman. breakingbreadwithnatasha.blogspot.com
breakingbreadwithnatasha.wordpress.com

Natasha’s Daily Scripture, Prayer and Reflection for 8.26.11

When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered, I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you. Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. Whom have I in heaven but you?And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Psalm 73:21-26

Pray
Lord no matter what I do or say, no matter how I act or think, You have always been my comforter, my rock, my fortress, my protector, my Father-Mother…my beginning, middle, and end. Thank You.

Thank You for restoring me when I am beat down, worn out, and don’t know where to go or what to do. Thank You for mending my broken heart each time someone took advantage of me, played games on me, felt empowered to tell me lies while ‘stabbing’ me in my back, and looking in my eyes claiming to love me while they lusted after another. Thank You for lifting my head, wiping my tears, strengthening my back, and taking my hand as I learned to walk on a new path with increasing confidence.

Thank You Father for making a way out of no way, for making sure that bills were paid when they were supposed to, for healing me when man said only through his medicine could I be healed, and for showing me how to run the marathon called life. Thank you Lord. In Your son Jesus’ name I humbly pray to You. Amen.

Reflection
We can look around and see family members, our significant other, friends, associates, and acquaintances, but the only Love that is unconditionally guaranteed is God’s. The only source for eternal Life and Truth is God. The only solution to our problems is God. Salvation can only come by way of God, so why not put our trust in Him? We expect Him to be there for us, but how dependable are we to have complete and total faith in Him? Where’s our unconditional love for Him?

Love,

Natasha

Copyright 2011. Natasha L. Foreman. Some Rights Reserved. All Prayers and Reflections are Copyright Protected by Natasha L. Foreman. breakingbreadwithnatasha.blogspot.com
breakingbreadwithnatasha.wordpress.com

Natasha’s Daily Scripture, Prayer and Reflection for 8.25.11

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. 

And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen. 

1 Peter 5:6-11

Pray 
Father as You know I am going through many tests right now and there are times when the pressure seems unbearable, but I grit my teeth, bear down, and breathe as I exhale and put my faith in Your protection and guidance. There are times that I want to cry because I feel like I have ‘bitten off more’ than I can ‘chew’ and the only way to turn back is to simply fall on my face, lay there and fail. I don’t want to fail Lord. I don’t want to be a disappointment to You, Jesus, myself, or to my family. So each day I pray to You for the strength to not only make it through but to see the possibilities for tomorrow.

 I know that I’m not alone in this; I know that there are other believers who struggle with the same issues, more issues, or worse issues. We all must carry the cross to make our demonstration and to reach salvation.

I know that the enemy in its limited capability hides around the corner waiting to ambush me and knock me off my path with lures of temptation and traps of fear, but I declare that each day I will pray for the strength and conviction to overcome temptation and fear, defeat mortal mind, and take one step closer towards fulfilling my purpose in Your Kingdom. It is because of You that I live, survive, thrive, am blessed, and am a blessing to others. In You I place my anxieties for only You can destroy them. Only You can make wrong right, turn darkness to light, solve the insolvable, and do the impossible. In Jesus’ name I pray to You Lord. Amen.

Reflection
There are times when it feels beyond difficult to breathe, think, or act. There are times when fear takes you hostage and you feel as though there is no ransom that will release you from imprisonment. You have more bills than bucks, more month than money, more debtors demanding payment than people repaying their debts to you. You can’t remember your last vacation, but you know you’re long overdue. 

Your vehicle seems to have something wrong with it every 90-120 days which makes matters worse since you have a car note that you risk or already have fallen behind on paying (on time or at all); an appliance (AC, heater, refrigerator, stove, etc) at your home seems to go out when you most need it, every 200 days it seems; you seem to have some weird ailment, injury or pain you can’t shake off every 6 months, and your body weight keeps yo-yo’ing throughout the year. 

But what if we started each day praying to our shepherd Jesus Christ, and to his and our heavenly Father-Mother? What if we prayed for the strength to endure, vision to see, the auditory skills to hear, the ability to move swiftly, think with precision, and act efficaciously? What if we released the things we are not (or not yet) capable of handling and instead focus on those issues that through Jesus as the wayshower we can resolve?  

What if we did our best in every aspect of our life and relied on Jesus to show us the way, and relied on God to make the way possible? What if we stopped talking and thinking about what we can’t do and instead focus on what we can do? What if every day we took one step closer towards the unknown, knowing that God is right there and visualizing Jesus holding our hand?

What if….

Think about it.

I love you all. I pray that we’re all strengthened by God’s Word and Jesus’ walk. I pray that those warriors and ambassadors we read about in the Bible give us the extra ‘pep in our step’ to declare, “yes I can” and then we do it with passion and purpose. Pray for me as I pray for you. 

Natasha 
P.S. If you feel this message or any other are too long, is that your true thinking produced and influenced through God? Or is that mortal mind’s influence, attacking and convincing you that there is a time limit for receiving God’s message in whatever vehicle it is delivered? If you don’t have 2-7 minutes to take in scripture and to pray and reflect, then why should God take time to heal you, resolve your issues, or take care of your needs? I’m just saying…

Copyright 2011. Natasha L. Foreman. Some Rights Reserved. All Prayers and Reflections are Copyright Protected by Natasha L. Foreman. breakingbreadwithnatasha.blogspot.com
breakingbreadwithnatasha.wordpress.com

Natasha’s Daily Scripture, Prayer and Reflection for 8.24.11

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. 

1 Peter 4:10, 11

Father
You have given me many gifts, talents, and blessings; more than I can even count. It would be a dishonor to You if I do not fully use the ones I know of each day. You have blessed me with intuition which is a direct portal to You, that churns loudly when I may not hear your voice in my ear.

 You have provided me with the best example of how to live, by sharing Your son Jesus Christ with me and the world. Thank You Father. Thank You for providing me with the road map, the script, the blueprint, the outlines, the vision board, and the story board for how to live my life. 

Let my thoughts, words, actions, and deeds be molded by Jesus’ example through You Lord. When I walk and speak let the world see Christ in me. Mold me Father. Smash out, snatch out, squeeze out the darkness inside me and infuse, mold, and shape Your lightness so that there is no room for anything but Your goodness. 

I know this won’t be easy. I know that I will continue to be tested and tempted to stray from You and my path. I will work each day to turn my head from temptation; to not give in to communicating with a person that I know intuitively was not sent by You, and is not supposed to be a part of my life. I know that this person is a test and that every moment I spend entertaining them, conversing with them, and investing in them I am failing You and Jesus, which means I am failing myself.

Father I will work each day to overcome fleshly desires of envy, pride, arrogance, jealousy, greed, lust, fear, rage, and revenge. Instead let me turn to and be satisfied with a life of piety in Your honor, and through Jesus’ legacy. Amen.

Reflection
God has blessed me with the ability to write, to be creative and a visionary. He blessed me with the gift of intuition that is so strong at times it can be unnerving. He blessed me with the strength to pick myself up every time I fall down, to pick myself up every time I face loss, to move myself every time I don’t think I can take that next step, and to get out of my own way. God has blessed me to see the goodness in people, discern the light from the dark, see the fresh ‘fruits’ from the rotten ones, and make decisions based on His truth and not my desires. 

God has blessed me with the ability to still be childlike without being childish. This ability allows me to connect on a deeper level with our smallest ‘angels’ we name after ourselves and loved ones; it allows me to connect with the weak who need to hear uplifting words and see empowering images so that they are strengthened to walk, then jog, then run the full course of life without being overwhelmed with their role in it.

God has touched my life in a way that gives me constant hope for my future, and the future of mankind. God has touched my life in a way that even in loss I am secure; that even when faced with losing loved ones I am still comforted in knowing that they are still watching over me and that we will once again be reunited spiritually. 

So why wouldn’t I share my gifts, talents, and blessings with the world? Why wouldn’t I find ways to express His goodness in my life so that it might touch and possibly change the lives of others? It is the sins of arrogance, pride, selfishness and greed that convince us to hoard our gifts for ourselves and share with no one (except maybe a select few of our choosing). God doesn’t bless us for us to keep the blessings to ourselves…we are supposed to spread our wealth to and with others. So let’s look at what we are good at and thrive in, and then think of ways to share our talents with our families, community, our state, our nation, and the world…and then DO IT!

Love always,

Your spiritual sister in Christ

Natasha 

Copyright 2011. Natasha L. Foreman. Some Rights Reserved. All Prayers and Reflections are Copyright Protected by Natasha L. Foreman. breakingbreadwithnatasha.blogspot.com
breakingbreadwithnatasha.wordpress.com

Natasha’s Daily Scripture, Prayer and Reflection for 8.23.11

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.

1 Peter 4:8

Pray
Father there is no doubt that I have sinned, even this week…even today. I sinned by giving into fear, jealousy, envy, and even other weaknesses that You despise- this we both know. Lord I want to be overwhelmed with the fill of love for You, for myself, for my loved ones, and for the world that I do not give in to the luring of sins that wait for me.

Let Your love through me blind the darkness that would creep inside of and overtake me; for You are most powerful, most present, most loving, most healing, and the ultimate giver of gifts and blessings that no other presence can compare; knowing that I should never be weakened by another presence if I’m totally filled with Yours.

Father I am working each day to be strengthened in Your Word so that in times of possible doubt I will push through and prevail in and through love, and not fear; through love and not envy; through love and not jealousy; through love and not insecurity; through love and not lust; through love and not greed; through love and not lack.

In Your name I pray as a follower and believer of Christ. Amen.

Reflection
When we think of God first and His presence and love in our life then how can we not overcome our fears, insecurities, and fleshly desires? We can, but we put flesh above spirit the majority of the time and that is why we cowardly give in to the darkness that enshrouds us, cripples us, and pushes us farther off our path that God has placed before us. God IS Love so let us rely on and live in that love to strengthen us and make us better people, better leaders, better followers of Christ, and better children of the Lord.

Why don’t we try telling ourselves silently and aloud, “God loves me and that’s all that I need” before we make any tough decision in life? Before we allow darkness to creep in and take over our minds and hearts let’s say with truth, conviction and complete belief that, “God loves me and that’s all that I need” and then watch as darkness pulls back and love’s light consumes. Jealousy, envy, lust, greed, arrogance, pride, and all of the other sins will not have the strength to consume you when you declare that God is all that you need…and you believe it!

Let’s try that today….

Loving you always,

Natasha
P.S. My apologies for the technical glitch that caused the mis-post.

Copyright 2011. Natasha L. Foreman. Some Rights Reserved. All Prayers and Reflections are Copyright Protected by Natasha L. Foreman. breakingbreadwithnatasha.blogspot.com
breakingbreadwithnatasha.wordpress.com

Natasha’s Daily Scripture, Prayer and Reflection for 8.22.11

that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father, who sent him.

John 5:23

Pray
Father I honor You. I respect You. I love You. I value You. I honor Your son, my shepherd, Jesus Christ. I honor and respect his walk directed by Your light, his direction steered by Your commands, his love for all people as You first loved us. Father through Your son I see the example of how I am to live, behave, think, respond, react, speak, heal, save and be saved. Thank You Lord for my blessings and for the gift You delivered in and through Jesus. In Your name and his I pray. Amen.

Reflection
Father and son are one. You cannot love and honor one without the other. You cannot despise and disobey one and not the other. You cannot follow one without also following the other. Let Jesus, the exemplar in Christ show you the way to righteousness, to eternal life, and everlasting peace and joy.

Love,

Natasha

Copyright 2011. Natasha L. Foreman. Some Rights Reserved. All Prayers and Reflections are Copyright Protected by Natasha L. Foreman. breakingbreadwithnatasha.blogspot.com
breakingbreadwithnatasha.wordpress.com

Natasha’s Daily Scripture, Prayer and Reflection for 8.19.11

Although most of the many people who came from Ephraim, Manasseh, Issachar and Zebulun had not purified themselves, yet they ate the Passover, contrary to what was written. But Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, “May the Lord, who is good, pardon everyone who sets their heart on seeking God—the Lord, the God of their ancestors—even if they are not clean according to the rules of the sanctuary.” And the Lord heard Hezekiah and healed the people.

2 Chronicles 30:18-20

Pray
Father I love You. Thank You for accepting me while still molding me to be the best spiritual reflection of You. Thank You for allowing me to eat, drink, and live life even if I haven’t fulfilled my obligations to You, obeyed all of Your commands, or walked the path that You have laid. You are loving, kind, gracious, giving, forgiving, understanding, and the provider of anything and everything that I could ever want or need. Thank You Father. I love You. Amen.

Reflection
Even those who were “unclean” were still healed by God. There is hope for all of us. Set your heart and mind on God, pray for forgiveness, enlightenment, strength, guidance, and sustenance. Pray for healing. Pray for the ability to heal. Pray for blessings. Pray to be a blessing to others. Now go touch another’s life in a positive and loving way.

Love you all,

Natasha

Copyright 2011. Natasha L. Foreman. Some Rights Reserved. All Prayers and Reflections are Copyright Protected by Natasha L. Foreman. breakingbreadwithnatasha.blogspot.com
breakingbreadwithnatasha.wordpress.com

Natasha’s Daily Scripture, Prayer and Reflection for 8.18.11

Humility is the fear of the Lord; its wages are riches and honor and life.

Proverbs 22:4

Pray
Father there is nothing or no one I should fear but You respectfully. There is no greater power or presence than You. There is no source capable of providing me with everlasting joy, happiness, love, and life than You. I cannot thrive, gain riches and wealth, or grow without You. I cannot be in perfect mental, physical, spiritual, and emotional health without You. I humbly surrender to You Father. I humbly admit that without You there is no me. Without You I have no home. Without You I cannot eat or drink. Without You there is no purpose. You are everything and my everything.

I fear not pleasing You. I fear losing Your favor. I want to serve You and be the best ambassador that I can be as an example for Your children- my brothers and sisters in Christ. Show me the way Lord. Show me how to serve You best. Show me how to humble myself to Your liking. Show me how to best be receptive to You Father. I want to see what You have before me. I want to hear Your voice, even at a whisper. I want to feel Your touch, even if it’s like a light breeze. I want even the most bland of food and drink to taste so rich and satisfying that I never have room to complain because I am full. I want to smell the slightest scent and be delightfully overwhelmed with the aroma.

This can only happen with You Lord and through Your son Jesus. Show me how Father. Show me how. I love you. Amen.

Reflection
If humility is the way to riches, honor, and life then why are we not surrendering? Are you ready to surrender?

Love always,

Natasha

Copyright 2011. Natasha L. Foreman. Some Rights Reserved. All Prayers and Reflections are Copyright Protected by Natasha L. Foreman. breakingbreadwithnatasha.blogspot.com
breakingbreadwithnatasha.wordpress.com

Natasha’s Daily Scripture, Prayer and Reflection for 8.17.11

He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life.

Revelation 21:6

Pray
Father there is no life, truth, or love without You. My day can not start or end without You. Everything I am capable of doing is because of You. I cannot breathe, speak, see, feel, taste, move or think without Your will and grace making these things possible. My ideas are not mine, but Yours. The things I possess are only temporary gifts and loans from You. I thank You Father. In You I put my trust. Amen.

Reflection
How much clearer does God need to make it for us to see that without Him there is no us? We can work as hard as we want, we can plan out our life daily, we can dream the biggest of dreams, but without a genuine commitment to serve Him and only Him, nothing that we work, plan,and dream for will come to fruition and last without His “hand” blessing it. Seems simple when you say it, but yet we struggle to fully commit to this life as He sees fit. We’re all works in progress. All pieces of clay being molded slowly into the perfect examples of His spiritual likeness. Keep praying for the molding!

Love,

Natasha

Copyright 2011. Natasha L. Foreman. Some Rights Reserved. All Prayers and Reflections are Copyright Protected by Natasha L. Foreman. breakingbreadwithnatasha.blogspot.com
breakingbreadwithnatasha.wordpress.com

Natasha’s Daily Scripture, Prayer and Reflection for 8.16.11

Now this is what the Lord Almighty says: “Give careful thought to your ways. You have planted much, but harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it.”

 Haggai 1:5-6 

Pray
Father I pray for satisfaction in the seeds that I sow. If I only give half effort then I should be satisfied with those results; silence me Father when I begin to whine or complain about things not going right in my life, about my overdue bills, mounting expenses, incessant calls from debt collectors, my body that is carrying around excess weight, a house that’s not a home, a car with a title I don’t own and possess, or my inability to travel at my leisure. For if I never do what I’m supposed to do in life I will never get out of it what I truly desire.

 I desire a hearty harvest, a full stomach, to never thirst, adequate clothes that fit properly, keep me cool in the heat and warm in the cold, and a disciplined mind where I earn enough wages to budget wisely, pay my bills on time, save enough for emergencies and special moments, and invest responsibly to provide for my future and my legacy. I can only do these things through and with You Father, and the example set by Your son Jesus Christ. In Your names I pray. Amen.

Reflection
We get out of life what we invest in it. We get out of life the deposited emotions and perceptions we foresee. If we live in doubt we receive the negative investment we made. If we live with feelings and perceptions of lack, we face days of minimalism. If we give partial effort, we live in mediocrity. 

How does that make us spiritual reflections of God, if He is none of these things? 

If we are to honor Him and serve as His ambassadors, representing Him to the fullest, we must stop living our lives small and start walking tall with large strides; thinking big; and expressing ourselves on the grandest of scales…while remaining humble and dignified as our shepherd, Jesus exemplified. Let’s go for it and live our lives with purpose as God intends!

Loving you all!

Natasha 

Copyright 2011. Natasha L. Foreman. Some Rights Reserved. All Prayers and Reflections are Copyright Protected by Natasha L. Foreman. breakingbreadwithnatasha.blogspot.com
breakingbreadwithnatasha.wordpress.com

Natasha’s Daily Scripture, Prayer and Reflection for 8.14.11

Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. This is how we know that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence: If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. 

Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from him anything we ask, because we keep his commands and do what pleases him. 

And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us. The one who keeps God’s commands lives in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us. 

1 John 3:18-24

Pray
Father fill me with Your love and peace, that I might love Your children, all of Your children equally and without hesitation or judgment as You have commanded. Teach me Father how to be accepting and loving of each and every one of my fellow brothers and sisters as Jesus does. Let me see them as You do, and let me see myself as You see me. 

Father You know me better than I will ever know myself. You know my strengths and weaknesses, some I’ve acknowledged and some I’m still clueless or in denial about, but even in my imperfections I am perfect in Your sight as Your spiritual reflection. I want to be a better person Lord. I want to lead a better life where nothing and no one takes the place of You, comes before You, has more power over my life in my mind than You. I want my crooked walk to be straightened. I want my life to be filled with more peace and joy as I bring more peace and joy to others lives. 

I know that nothing and everything takes place by Your will and grace, and there is nothing that I can do to change this, to change You, or to change Your Mind- for You are the ultimate and only decision maker. Father I don’t want to disappoint You, even when I do, and even when later today I probably will- that is not in my heart Lord and You know this. Help me to discern truth from fiction, light from dark, love from fear, transparency from manipulation, real from fake, and know that no matter what I go through You will always be here and there for me. In Jesus’ name I pray to You this day and everyday. Amen.

Reflection
Every day we start anew with a hoped for understanding that we can make our own choices in life, but God is the ultimate and true decision maker. We have the choice to do right or wrong, to be loving and kind or cruel and selfish. 

But at the beginning, middle, and end of each day (and every second in between) God still makes the decisions whether we walk, talk, think, breathe, move, blink, swallow, live here on earth or pack our spiritual bags and move on to another level of existence. 

God still determines whether my bills are paid on time or whether I graduate from my PhD program on time or at all. God determines whether I will get the remaining money I need by tomorrow’s deadline, or whether I face the facts that it didn’t happen and that is just an “is” in life. God determines whether I get married and have a healthy, joy-filled, honorable, faithful and loving marriage, or whether I remain single for the rest of my days here. God determines whether I give birth to healthy children, become an adoptive parent, foster mom, or only pour my love on my Godchildren and my friends children as “auntie Tasha”. God determines whether I live to be 120 or if I leave here before my next birthday in two months. 

He knows everything. He sees and hears everything. There are no closets for us to hide our skeletons and truths from Him. 

We need to stop pretending and start getting right with God. We need to stop playing games as though we have a trump card that can overrule God, and start realizing and acknowledging that He holds every card to every deck, and knows every move we’re going to make (or think we’re going to make) before we do. 

I pray to be a little less selfish each day so that I may be more selfless in my walk, because this has nothing to do with me and everything to do with Him. I love you all, and I open myself up to prove in my actions not just my words that my declaration is truthful and not just “catchy” and sweet. Enjoy your Sunday and welcome your Monday…and thank God for each day!

Love,

Natasha 

Copyright 2011. Natasha L. Foreman. Some Rights Reserved. All Prayers and Reflections are Copyright Protected by Natasha L. Foreman. breakingbreadwithnatasha.blogspot.com
breakingbreadwithnatasha.wordpress.com

Natasha’s Daily Scripture, Prayer and Reflection for 8.13.11

Fools fold their hands and ruin themselves.

Ecclesiastes 4:5

Pray
Father, never do I want to be closed off from You, closed off from knowledge and wisdom, and the right way to live my life. Father I never want to be stubborn and set in my ways where I never consider and accept alternative avenues shared by other people to reach my goal.

Lord I always want to have a “can do” attitude even in a situation that may at first and throughout seem impossible to complete, overcome, or achieve. I’m not a quitter Father, and You know this more than I do- keep showing me the possibilities and potential that I have. Keep blessing me Lord. Keep my mind and heart receptive and open to You and Your children Lord. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Reflection
Crossed arms leave you closed off to receiving God’s blessings, and incapable of being a blessing to others. Ever try walking, jogging, or running with your hands or arms interlocked? Eventually you WILL lose balance and you run the risk of falling flat on your face. Why purposely subject yourself to that? Always keep your hands and arms open and free to receive and give. I love you all.

Natasha

Copyright 2011. Natasha L. Foreman. Some Rights Reserved. All Prayers and Reflections are Copyright Protected by Natasha L. Foreman. breakingbreadwithnatasha.blogspot.com
breakingbreadwithnatasha.wordpress.com

Natasha’s Daily Scripture, Prayer and Reflection for 8.11.11

Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions.

Proverbs 18:2

Pray
Father thank You for such knowledge and wisdom, and the gift of discernment where I have the intelligence to think before I speak, the courage to stand up for what’s right, and the understanding to know not to argue with fools for they know not what they speak. Father hold my tongue when I feel the need to tussle verbally with an individual who obviously doesn’t walk in Your light. I thank You now for redirecting me from those who would waste my time blabbering rhetoric, and instead for pointing me in the direction of enlightenment where I may serve Your Kingdom most effectively. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Reflection
Don’t argue or debate with a person who has clearly shown themselves to be a fool…what does that then say about you? I used to debate tirelessly with fools and after much time I realized that I was serving their purpose but not God’s. Where in the Bible can you find passages of any ambassador of God’s, a devote leader and follower of Christ, arguing with a complete fool? I haven’t found one yet…there is a reason for that. So let’s follow this model and pray for fools, but don’t argue with them or try to change them…they love the darkness of ignorance.

I love you all!

Natasha

Copyright 2011. Natasha L. Foreman. Some Rights Reserved. All Prayers and Reflections are Copyright Protected by Natasha L. Foreman. breakingbreadwithnatasha.blogspot.com
breakingbreadwithnatasha.wordpress.com

Natasha’s Daily Scripture, Prayer and Reflection for 8.10.11

Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God.

When all the people saw him walking and praising God, they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him. When Peter saw this, he said to them: “Fellow Israelites, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk?

Acts 3:6, 8-10, 12

Pray
Father thank You for the ability to reflect You, to heal the sick, feed the hungry, clothe the naked, give drink to the thirsty, uplift the hopeless; and share in Your grace and mercy to build faith in those who doubt Your power and presence.

Thank You for showing me daily what You can do, and what I can do through You. Thank You for providing me with endless examples of Your love. Thank You for showing me how I can do Your work, how I can bring nonbelievers to a place where they want to believe and form their own personal relationship with You. Thank You for my blessings and gifts Father. I humbly pray for Your continuous guiding light. In Jesus’ name Amen.

Reflection
Don’t be shocked when you receive or see a healing…rejoice, but don’t be surprised…praise God, but don’t be amazed at the blessing. Embrace God’s light and healing presence, and be a blessing to others.

Love,

Natasha

Copyright 2011. Natasha L. Foreman. Some Rights Reserved. All Prayers and Reflections are Copyright Protected by Natasha L. Foreman. breakingbreadwithnatasha.blogspot.com
breakingbreadwithnatasha.wordpress.com

Natasha’s Daily Scripture, Prayer and Reflection for 8.8.11

By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed him, as you can all see.

Acts 3:16

Pray
Father I know that through Your son Jesus Christ, the wayshower, I find my way to where You expect me to be. It is through him I receive my training and development to see how I am supposed to serve You, live my life, treat myself, and treat others. I want to build my faith in knowing that I am never separate from You or Jesus. I want to build my faith that all crooked ways will be made straight, that all debts will be paid to me and by me to others.

I want total faith that I am always whole, complete, healed, and at-one with You and Your son, Father. I want total faith to see through my spiritual eyes, hear through my spiritual ears, and feel, smell, and taste through my spiritual senses. I declare that I am Your child and Jesus is my shepherd. I declare that I am a believer, a practicer, and a follower of Christ. I declare that I am Your ambassador and servant Father, and that it is my purpose to serve all of Your children– even the non-believers– so that every day the essence of Jesus, and Your light exudes from me, and brings them closer to You both.

In Jesus’ name I pray to You Father. Amen.

Reflection
Faith is believing in the unseen, the unknown, the immeasurable, and the inconceivable. Faith is walking even when you don’t see the path ahead. Faith is believing in and opening yourself to seeing, hearing, tasting, smelling, and touching using your spiritual senses and not with your human senses (which are limited). Faith is knowing that there is a “there” even when you aren’t sure where “here” is.

God created us out of His spiritual image and likeness and has equipped us with the ability to heal, grow, and experience things beyond our comprehension– it is our limited thinking that prevents us from doing it. Expand your thinking and vision. Look beyond the weeds and trees, and obvious things surrounding you and in front of you. Connect with your spiritual foundation and then hold on for the ride, because it’s going to be exciting and euphoric.

God bless you all. I love each and every one of you!

Natasha

Copyright 2011. Natasha L. Foreman. Some Rights Reserved. All Prayers and Reflections are Copyright Protected by Natasha L. Foreman. breakingbreadwithnatasha.blogspot.com
breakingbreadwithnatasha.wordpress.com

Natasha’s Daily Scripture, Prayer and Reflection for 8.5.11

I will praise the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.
Psalm 146:2

Pray
Father everyday I praise You. Everyday I testify to healings and blessings from You. As long as I live I will praise You for all you have done, are doing, and will do- because only You can take care of my every need. Through good times and bad, You are my constant provider, healer, protector, nurturer, encourager, and shelter Lord. Thank You. I love You Father. Amen.

Reflection
No matter what your day looks like you should spend it praising God for being alive to experience LIFE and all that it brings! Enjoy it, love it, embrace it, and never forget who blessed you with it.

Love always,

Natasha

Copyright 2011. Natasha L. Foreman. Some Rights Reserved. All Prayers and Reflections are Copyright Protected by Natasha L. Foreman. breakingbreadwithnatasha.blogspot.com
breakingbreadwithnatasha.wordpress.com

Natasha’s Daily Scripture, Prayer and Reflection for 8.4.11

But as for me, I am filled with power, with the Spirit of the Lord, and with justice and might…

Micah 3:8

Pray
Father thank You for blessing me with strength, power, wisdom, courage, humility, joy, love, laughter, humor, and the ability to care and empathize. In You do I put my trust. In You am I strengthened and know the truth of my walk with Your son Jesus, and my purpose in Your Kingdom. There is nothing and no one who can stand in the way of our relationship Father. There is nothing and no one who can block my blessings Lord. Thank you. In Jesus’ name I pray to You Father. Amen.

Reflection
You are strong.
Say it. Claim it. Know it. Believe it. Be it….and thank God for your strength and blessings, for it is in, by and through Him that you have these things.

Love,

Natasha

Copyright 2011. Natasha L. Foreman. Some Rights Reserved. All Prayers and Reflections are Copyright Protected by Natasha L. Foreman. breakingbreadwithnatasha.blogspot.com
breakingbreadwithnatasha.wordpress.com

Natasha’s Daily Scripture, Prayer and Reflection for 8.3.11

And if by grace, then it cannot be based on works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace.

Romans 11:6

Pray
Father it is Your grace and will that provides for me, that shelters me from harm, that guides me through darkness, that heals my inflictions, and comforts me in times of pain and loneliness. Father it is Your grace and not my works, why I am who I am, and have what I have. I thank You.

Reflection
Work hard, then thank God for His grace- and the opportunities that He will provide now and in your future.

Love,

Natasha

Copyright 2011. Natasha L. Foreman. Some Rights Reserved. All Prayers and Reflections are Copyright Protected by Natasha L. Foreman. breakingbreadwithnatasha.blogspot.com
breakingbreadwithnatasha.wordpress.com