Natasha’s Daily Scripture, Prayer and Reflection for 9.30.11

You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.

Galatians 5:13

Father
Thank You for my freedom. Thank You for sending Christ to set me free. Thank You for freeing me from physical, emotional, financial, psychological, and spiritual bondage. Thank You for freeing me from toxic relationships and toxic situations.Thank You for pushing back my enemies so that I may be free to serve You and the least of Your children. Thank You for freeing me so that I may love fully, freely and humbly. In Your name I pray. Amen.

Reflection
You ask God for freedom but once He blesses you with it, use it wisely and humbly as a servant and not selfishly for personal gains. Allow your freedom from toxic relationships and situations give you the strength and determination to invest fully in healthy relationships and situations. Don’t take your freedom and selfishly invest into new toxic relationships–for this would be disrespectful to God, and send a message to Him that you don’t honor, love, trust, and respect Him…and in turn will not obey Him.

So be careful of what you ask for if you aren’t willing to accept responsibility for your blessings. God does not bless you to mock Him.

Love,

Natasha

Natasha’s Daily Scripture, Prayer and Reflection for 9.28.11

When he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he gave no answer. Then Pilate asked him, ‘Don’t you hear the testimony they are bringing against you?’ But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge — to the great amazement of the governor”

Matthew 27:12–14

Pray
Father, yesterday a friend sent me this passage and a prayer that declared, “today I cling to You because You are my defender! I choose to turn away from accusing voices. I choose to turn away from petty conflicts. I look to You knowing that You are leading and guiding me in paths of victory in Jesus’ name…” and it touched me so deeply that I wanted to add to this prayer, I wanted to share it with others, and I wanted it to be my reality.

So today I declare that I will not allow others to turn me from You. I will not allow others to discourage me from being who I am and forgetting who I belong to. I will not allow myself to be moved by negativity to act in a negative way. I will not allow myself to look in the mirror and see anything but the perfect reflection of You. Today I stand in the affirmation of who I am and what I know, and that is there is no greater than You and there is no other way shower than Jesus. You are the only answer and only judge Father. I will do as my shepherd Jesus did and say nothing when the hecklers have negative words about me. I will only pray for my peace and theirs. In Your name I pray as a follower and believer of You and Your son Jesus. Amen.

Reflection
It doesn’t matter what someone says about you. You know that You are God’s child and that He is Your Father-Mother, judge, and ruler. At the end of each day He is the determinant as to whether You rise the next morning. He determines whether you breathe, blink, swallow, chew, move, speak, think, act, do, and exist. Let the naysayers talk…and then say nothing in your defense just as Jesus said nothing when his accusers lied about him.

Don’t add fuel to the fire. Don’t allow them to see you upset, nervous, irritated, confused, agitated, sad, rattled, or embarrassed. With straight face say and do nothing against them or to defend your name. Allow God to handle your battles and throw water and sand on that growing flame called hate.

Lovingly,

Natasha

Copyright 2011. Natasha L. Foreman. Some Rights Reserved. All Prayers and Reflections are Copyright Protected by Natasha L. Foreman. breakingbreadwithnatasha.blogspot.com
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Natasha’s Daily Scripture, Prayer and Reflection for 9.27.11

“There is no one like you, Lord, and there is no God but you, as we have heard with our own ears.

1 Chronicles 17:20

Pray
Father You are my Lord, my God, my Heavenly Father-Mother, my provider, my comforter, my strength, my love and my joy. Father You are all in all. Nothing can, has or ever will compare to You. There is no greater power, no wider reach, no deeper knowledge or wisdom than You. There is no other light than Yours and darkness can never hide from You. There are no secrets that can be kept or hidden talents You do not know of, for You are omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent. There is no scale to balance You, for there is no counter weight that can compare. There are no other gods living or dead that come close to You and Your greatness for You are the one and only Almighty.

Every problem, issue, concern, worry, or complaint that I might have You are there with solutions before I even know that I need them. Every tear I shed You capture and restore in me as fuel to go on. When I whisper my dreams and goals it is You that is always listening; it is You that makes the possible and impossible my reality. It is my belief that no matter what others may do or say, there is no other God or power but You…they can call You whatever name they want…but it is You that makes a way, shows mercy and grace, and heals them of their inflictions.

I thank You Father for never giving up on Your children; for not cleaning our slate and starting over anew; for always believing in us and what we can do to build Your Kingdom. For You know there are more believers than nonbelievers, there are more people loving than hating, doing than thinking, sharing than taking, and caring than killing. Thank You for Your love Lord. In Your name I pray to You. Amen.

Reflection
I would rather place my hope and faith in what God can do than what an alleged god, spirit, or presence is claimed to be able to do. I would rather place my hope and faith in God’s power than cower over believing that the “enemy” has true strength to rule and have dominion over me. I would rather roll with what God is doing than what anyone and anything else out there is or isn’t doing. I’m a member of Team God and my general manager, coach and captain is Jesus. Are you?

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
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Natasha’s Daily Scripture, Prayer and Reflection for 9.26.11

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

1 Corinthians 10:13

Pray
Father thank You for keeping a close eye on me and Your hand near, to redirect my steps. Father thank You for leading me out of temptation. When the feelings to do or say something that I know goes against Jesus’ teachings, Your commands, and Your expectations for me, rise up inside of me I pray that I can overcome this test of my willpower, strength, devotion, and commitment to You.

Instead of pretending that I am free from the lure of temptation, I admit that there are seeds of weakness within that can sprout if I’m not committed and focused on You and pleasing You. Father keep my eyes on You and the path You have laid before me. Strengthen me Lord. In Your name and Jesus’ name I humbly pray. Amen.

Reflection
There is so much temptation in the world that can lead us astray, handicap us both spiritually and emotionally; and that can physically destroy us, and leave us as mere shells of who we are. Whether it be temptation to pursue or be pursued by another person for emotional or sexual pleasure; temptation by food that leads to an unhealthy lifestyle; temptation towards financial riches and wealth at all cost with no regard towards others; temptation to break God’s commandments; temptation to lie, cheat, or steal; temptation to physically or emotionally cause harm to others; or temptation to possess things of the world just because you can.

We can overcome these forms of temptation and all others. God can redirect our steps. God brings us love, joy, peace, wealth, bliss, comfort, happiness, and a high that no drug can match.

God knows your heart. He knows if you truly want to contact and meet up with that other person (knowing that you shouldn’t) knowing that by taking those steps you risk losing your relationship with the one who truly loves you…and you risk losing a part of yourself. God knows if you truly want to ‘fudge’ those numbers on your time sheet, expense report, tax return, application, estimate, or invoice. God knows if the kind or harsh words that you say about someone else is genuine. God knows your fears and insecurities, your strengths and weaknesses. You can’t hide from God. He knows all and sees all. So even if you smile inside about deceiving another person, You haven’t deceived God or Jesus.

The actions you take will have consequences eventually. How far are you willing to go and how much are you willing to risk losing?

So if you truly want to resist temptation then remove yourself from situations where you know you can, will, and are being tempted. The warning signs always appear, it is what you do afterwards that matters most. Why chase after or give in to the 20% of temporary bliss that may come from temptation, when you can get 100% joy from God?

I am frequently in a position where men are attracted to me and have no problem expressing this. I find myself being presented with business cards, in receipt of emails or other electronic messages from men who want to meet for coffee, breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, or dessert to “get to know each other better”, “to connect” or “reconnect”, or any other number of lines and excuses they throw my way. It could be very easy to give in, especially to the men that I find highly attractive; but I don’t. I lovingly decline and pray that they lovingly accept this rejection not as a personal one but one based on principles, ethics, and morals that guide me. I don’t want any visual, emotional, or other distractions taking my mind and presence away from the person that I love, and most importantly from what God has in store for me and my life. Love and salvation have no price tags, so I refuse to gamble with them. I refuse to risk one moment of temporary bliss for a lifetime of joy.

There will always be eye candy, and attractive people surrounding us–it is what we do and say that matters most. Do you give in to temptation and risk ruining your life, or do you walk away cloaked in God’s light and love?

So before you make that call, send that text, email or instant message; before you consume that tempting food or drink; make a financial decision or any decision…think about what Jesus would say and do, and what God expects and commands of you. Either be hot or cold but never lukewarm with Him for there is no room for fence straddlers. Choose to follow or not, obey or not, commit or not, try or not, believe or not–just make a decision.

Love your 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
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Natasha’s Daily Scripture, Prayer and Reflection for 9.23.11

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

Proverbs 31:30

Pray
Father You are my strength, comfort, and protector. I want to see myself as You see me. I want to focus on pleasing You and no one else. I want to live for You and no one else. My looks and intelligence are gifts from You; my wisdom I increase through knowledge and experience that You provide and I thank You. I love You Father and praise You for blessing me with my life. In Your name I pray. Amen.

Reflection
God wants us to treat our bodies like temples, remembering that they are on loan to us from Him. He does not want us overly fixated or obsessed with our looks and the look of others; for our looks may fade but what’s inside of us has the potential to get better with time. We have the tendency to be more concerned with what others think and say about us, and how they view us, rather than being concerned with living our life to the fullest as God intends and being comforted in the reality that in His eyes we are perfect.

Do not waste your life attempting to get by with your good looks and witty charm, for that road will turn to a dead end…then what will you rely on? Do not be consumed with desire for a highly attractive mate and less concerned with their spirit, soul, and commitment to our Heavenly Father. A shiny apple on the outside could be rotten to the core on the inside…until you take a bite you never know what you have, and then you’re stuck with it– unless you buy enough time until you can toss it away for something “better”.

So live well, eat healthy, exercise regularly, fuel your mind with great books–beginning with the good Book, treat others with respect and dignity, take care of yourself, appreciate every experience life brings, and devote yourself to God.

Love,

Natasha

Copyright 2011. Natasha L. Foreman. Some Rights Reserved. All Prayers and Reflections are Copyright Protected by Natasha L. Foreman. breakingbreadwithnatasha.blogspot.com
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Natasha’s Daily Scripture, Prayer and Reflection for 9.22.11

“But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you….”

Luke 6:27

Pray
Father thank You. Thank you for Your grace today and each day. Thank You for comforting me when I am down, weak, distraught, frustrated, tired, dismayed, confused, disappointed, and angered. Thank You for protecting me from people and things that could harm me. Thank You for turning away my enemies. Thank You for showing me how to protect myself rather than seek revenge.

Father I pray today for those who hate me, curse me, and mistreat me. Today I pray that You touch their hearts and minds Father, and that You hold their tongues so that they might think before they speak; think before they tell lies, cast doubt, or curse aloud. Let their held tongues cause them to recognize and repent their ways and wrongdoings that they might immediately change in Your goodness. I pray to You this day humble, grateful and faith-filled. Amen.

Reflection
An injured animal will lash out in pain. Humans do the same. When we are hurt, mad, sad, disappointed, fed up, frustrated, and in pain we lash out at others so they can feel our pain. Sometimes some people want others to feel worse than they do, so they go to the extremes to hurt others. The crazy thing is even after releasing all of that negative energy on someone else, we still don’t truly feel any better…sometimes we feel worse.

So instead of mistreating others because we don’t feel good about ourselves or what’s going on in our lives, why don’t we instead turn to God and seek His loving guidance, and then seek out positive, loving, uplifting, and enlightening people who speak peace not vengeance. Instead of hating your enemy, love them. Love them for their ignorance and fear, because you know that it is because they have closed God out of their lives that they barely survive in darkness. Pray for them that they may be whole in God’s light. Let your cup runneth over.

Loving you always,

Natasha

Copyright 2011. Natasha L. Foreman. Some Rights Reserved. All Prayers and Reflections are Copyright Protected by Natasha L. Foreman. breakingbreadwithnatasha.blogspot.com
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Natasha’s Daily Scripture, Prayer and Reflection for 9.21.11

Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.

2 Timothy 4:2

Pray
Father work on me. Mold me. I thank You now for the person You are shaping me to be. Each day I praise You. Each day I praise Jesus for his exemplary walk in Your light. I feel the presence of the two of you each day and I am comforted in knowing that through struggles and strife, through victory and celebration You and Your son are always here with me.

Father I share Your Word in recitation and through helping others as Your children (as documented by the Bible) helped those less fortunate, in harm, in need, or distraught. No matter the time of year You expect for Your ambassadors to be prepared, be full, and focused on spreading Your Word, praying for those who are in need, healing through a declaration of Your power, and having faith that You will never leave and never lead astray.

With this is a requirement for patience and understanding. Each day I wait to be paid so that I can pay my bills, my patience is tested. Each day I wait for things to turn around in my life, my patience is tested. Each day I wonder about my health, my patience is tested. Each month I wonder if I will have enough to keep the roof over my head, my patience is tested. You have never let me down. You have never left me alone. You have never forsaken me. With this understanding I shall wait…patiently! In Your name I pray. Amen.

Reflection
With just about everything in life delivered in rapid speed, we have grown to expect things to simply happen when we want them. We have dishwashers, washing machines and dryers, microwaves, remote controls, hi-speed Internet, 24/7 customer support, electric fireplaces, ATM machines, vending machines, on-demand cable and satellite movies, express lanes in the grocery store, speed pass devices to get in and out of gas stations faster, single-cup quick brew coffee makers, microwave dinners, steamable microwave bags of veggies, and so much more.

So the patience we once had to wait for things has quickly dissipated, and impatience has kicked in to full warp speed as we “want it now”.

Have you noticed that the more impatient we are the longer it seems that we wait to get what we want? It’s like watching a pot and waiting for it to boil, once we walk away moments later the water is boiling, but when we’re standing in front of it waiting it seems to take an extra 10-15 minutes for the signs of those first few bubbles. We must be patient and while we are waiting for other things to take shape and manifest, we are to be focused and busy working on other things. While waiting for that check to come in so you can pay your bills, why not work on cleaning out unnecessary things in your attic, garage, or basement–maybe you can sell something this week or next, and earn some extra money. Why not work on a project you have put off? Or help someone else reach a goal.

While you’re busy focused on taking care of other things, that check is making it’s way to your home or bank account. Before you know it you have your money and you are paying your bills…even if it’s late by your standards or your creditors standards, it’s always on time based on God’s standards. We can’t rush God. We can’t make Him do or not do something. We can’t put Him on our time table, because according to Him there is only one time table, one master calendar and schedule…His.

So let’s patiently wait on what’s to come; wait on our blessings; and know that it always comes on 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
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Natasha’s Daily Scripture, Prayer and Reflection for 9.20.11

When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.

1 Peter 2:23

Pray
Father keep me strong. Keep me on Your path. Turn my eyes and ears away from those who would insult and bring pain to me Lord. Let me instead keep focused on You and Your son Jesus, and Your purpose and plan for me. I put my trust in You that You will always watch over and protect me. With that trust I do not have to participate in the negativity of others; I do not have to retaliate when attacked; nor do I have to defend accusations made against me–for those are the actions of people walking in darkness…and I am centered in Your light. In You I put my faith. Thank You Father. Amen.

Reflection
No matter what someone does or says to you to make you feel bad or less than, know that you are God’s spiritual image and likeness and through His protection there is nothing that anyone can do or say that will turn God away from you. God said that He will handle your grievances; He will take care of those who attack and ridicule you…you just have to remain focused on doing your job as His ambassador and servant.

Ignore the gossip and rumors. Ignore the name calling. Ignore the underhanded things being done towards you. Keep your eyes, ears, mind, and heart focused on God, for He is and always will be the biggest picture in life. There is nothing in life that someone can do to you that God can’t resolve. If you buy into the hype and believe that you are defeated, then you will be defeated–for God expects your hope, faith, trust, and belief to be in Him and His ability to do anything and everything. Believe in Him. Filter that negative energy into the machine of positivity and fly high on God’s abundant supply of love.

The darkness within those people who spend their days attacking you will eventually silence them. Believe!

Lovingly,

Natasha

Copyright 2011. Natasha L. Foreman. Some Rights Reserved. All Prayers and Reflections are Copyright Protected by Natasha L. Foreman. breakingbreadwithnatasha.blogspot.com
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Natasha’s Daily Scripture, Prayer and Reflection for 9.19.11

If you falter in a time of trouble, how small is your strength!

Proverbs 24:10

Pray
Father thank You for another day. Thank You for protecting me through the night as I slept. Thank You for Your favor. Lord today I ask that You continue to strengthen me. Cover me with Your peace and loving warmth. Steady my footing when times get rough. Keep my vision sharp and clear that I might always see my goals and remain focused on reaching them. As my faith increases each day, let Your words of encouragement penetrate and destroy any encroaching fear. In Your name and Jesus’ name I humbly pray. Amen.

Reflection
We all have dreams, goals, and aspirations in life. Do you believe that one day you will get what you need and desire most? Do you believe that God will always provide for you? Then when times get tough as they most likely will, why do we throw our hands up and declare defeat? What is faith but believing strongly in the possibility of God doing the impossible…
Let’s believe.

Love,

Natasha

Copyright 2011. Natasha L. Foreman. Some Rights Reserved. All Prayers and Reflections are Copyright Protected by Natasha L. Foreman. breakingbreadwithnatasha.blogspot.com
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Natasha’s Daily Scripture, Prayer and Reflection for 9.16.11

Do not say, “I’ll do to them as they have done to me; I’ll pay them back for what they did.”

Proverbs 24:29

Pray
Father thank You for righting the wrongs, for making bad things turn out good, for re-directing the wicked, and making sure that I have always been taken care of even in the valley of the shadow of death. Father You have made crooked straight so many times that I know there is nothing You can’t do. Because of that and who You are, I never have to seek revenge for what someone has done or said against me or a loved one. I know that in Your time which is always the right time, You will make things right in my favor. I thank You Father. Amen.

Reflection

Any person trying their best to tear you down, make you beg, cry, give in and give up, feel desperate and hopeless, and feel as they do–will only fail if you instead turn over your cares, worries, fears, and anger to God. There is nothing He doesn’t see, hear, understand, or comprehend. He is all-knowing. He is the problem-solver. You just have to trust and believe that no matter how hard it gets, how rough it becomes, how brutal the psychological, verbal, physical, and financial beatings are– God has your back and His plan has been in full force long before you became aware you had a problem.

You just have to release everything to Him and have faith that those individuals who have and are causing harm to you and loved ones…will be placed in a position to make a decision about how their lives will proceed either through repentance or in total darkness. We all have choices, and even they had a choice not to take on the role of judge, jury, and executioner; and they will have a choice to give up and turn away from evil, or not. But you will play no role in that, because you will lovingly leave those matters to our Heavenly Father. So free yourself and vow to not cross into and be consumed by that negativity that breeds and grows inside of them.

Lovingly your 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
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Natasha’s Daily Scripture, Prayer and Reflection for 9.15.11

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,”Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”

Hebrews 13:5

Pray
Father I know that You will always be here for me, always protecting and watching over me, and that You will never forsake me; so I don’t have to stress over money and going without because You are my sole provider. I don’t have to feign for and desire things beyond my means, because if it’s meant for me it will be. I know that You will always meet my needs, quinch my thirst, feed my hunger, clothe me, and cover me with shelter. I thank You for taking care of me Father. In Your name I pray. Amen.

Reflection
We do not have to worry about bills when we take care of our responsibilities and have confidence in God’s ability to take care of all of our needs. If we’re going to worry then why pray to Him? Why go to church? Why read and study His Word? Why say, “God is good all the time and all the time God is good” if we don’t truly believe it and believe that He’s got things handled? So let’s do as He directs and let Him handle the rest.

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
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Natasha’s Daily Scripture, Prayer and Reflection for 9.13.11

Grace be with you all.
Hebrews 13:25

Pray
Father the dictionary defines grace in a multitude of ways, but the one I pray to address today is defined as the “disposition to or an act or instance of kindness, courtesy, or clemency”.

Father I pray for grace in all circumstances in my life. Grace under attack, pressure, pain, frustration, embarrassment and loss. I pray to be kind, courteous, and offer clemency to those who wrong me now and in the future, and for those who have done so in the past.

I forgive them for their ignorance, for the darkness that fills their hearts and minds, and the dis-ease that eats away at them. I pray that Your loving light touches them, fills them, overwhelms them, and flows through them–that their cup runneth over with goodness, mercy, love, patience, and the kindness, courtesy, and clemency of Your grace.

Father there are people who are in so much pain that they spend their waking moments plotting and planning how to make other people hurt the same way they do; they spend their sleeping moments living out their pain- waking with vengeful venom spewing out of their mouths. Father touch them with peace. Let them see the err of their ways. Let them see the path to forgiveness of others and themselves, so that they may continue forward in healing. Prepare them to be more like Your son Jesus, and in Your name and his I pray humbly today. Amen.

Reflection
We all have the ability to handle situations in life gracefully. This is not merely a characteristic assigned to women, but to all people, and it is obvious that even women need to work diligently and with great focus on living, being, and reflecting God’s grace. We need to stop seeking revenge, plotting to “get even”, and focusing all or most of our energy on negativity and drama.

There are so many shows, movies, songs, and books about the evil plots of man and woman. Our culture has bought into an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth, but have forgotten that it will leave all of us blind and in need of full dentures. I have lived my life that the best so-called “revenge” is living well.

I don’t have to pursue someone in an attempt at paying them back for wronging me, because I am too busy and focused on living my life, celebrating my blessings, being thankful to rise each day and have new experiences to value and treasure. I am too focused on what God has planned for my life and what new adventure awaits than to be caught up in what someone has or hasn’t done to me or a loved one. I let go and let God handle those battles, and guess what? He always has and always will win those battles.

There has not been one person who has wronged me or a loved one who hasn’t somehow reaped what they sowed, or later recognized and repented for what they had done, and regretted taking that negative walk; and it didn’t have to come from any effort on my part or the part of one of my loved ones. It was the prayer of freedom from the drama and negativity that kept us out of the battle, and allowed God to take charge fully without interference.

Every ex-boyfriend, business partner, colleague, friend, associate, and anyone else who spent their time hurting me on some level, eventually had a “shoulda, woulda, coulda” moment. I had already forgiven them, but had also moved on and forward in my life. It was now for them to forgive themselves for their sins.

I never had to badmouth, spread rumors, “attack”, gain allegiance from others, or attempt to destroy anyone’s reputation or character, and I never would–because that is not what I’m made of…that darkness does not exist in me. I walk as God’s child in a light that knows who I am and whom I belong. I walk cloaked and filled with grace, letting go of childish ways, and walking upright and with dignity as a woman and child of God. The pettiness and drama I used to involve myself with in my teens and twenties, I evolved and grew away from into my thirties; and as I approach my forties I smile gladly at the deeper level of growth that will come as I am faced with more challenges, opportunities, experiences, and realities.

When in pain turn to God, turn to love, turn to His light, and seek forgiveness and healing; and get the help you need from studying, learning, knowing, and living through His Word, and allow His messengers and angels to point you in the right direction. Remember it is not what people did or didn’t do to you that God will concern Himself with, but rather how you reacted, responded, and handled the situation. God deals with each person individually. Let Him deal with those people without your interference, and you just stick with doing right and demonstrating His goodness and mercy in your life.

I pray that each of you take some time out to pray, reflect, seek out God and come to a place in your mind, heart, and life to forgive yourself for taking part in your drama and for seeking revenge for being harmed, and then forgive those you believed wronged you. True freedom is letting go. True healing comes from freedom. Darkness and light cannot be one, for light always pushes out the darkness. God gave us night and day (not just one or the other) for a reason. Embrace your light. I love you all.

Lovingly your 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
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Natasha’s Daily Scripture, Prayer and Reflection for 9.12.11

To him belong strength and insight; both deceived and deceiver are his.
Job 12:16

Pray
Father I pray for strength, protection, vision, and discernment. Help me to overcome obstacles and to push through my mental block of fear so that I might stand in victory. Guide me away from those who would mislead and deceive me Father. Take my hand and lead me away from those would cause me harm. I know that You are working on them so that they may see and do right. Show me best how to handle my situation Lord, that I may act in honor of You. In Your name I humbly pray. Amen.

Reflection
God is working on you and those who would (and are) deceiving you. So pray for the strength to walk away and not give in to their lure of darkness. Instead seek Him for comfort and guidance. God will never mislead you or forsake you.

Love,

Natasha
P.S. Thank you C.M. and I.V.A.

Copyright 2011. Natasha L. Foreman. Some Rights Reserved. All Prayers and Reflections are Copyright Protected by Natasha L. Foreman. breakingbreadwithnatasha.blogspot.com
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Natasha’s Daily Scripture, Prayer and Reflection for 9.8.11

Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.” The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.

Lamentations 3:21-26

Pray
Father thank You for blessing me yet another day. Thank You for Your constant love and affection, and for bringing me joy after pain. You know that I pray for things that I deeply desire, but I know that it is only on Your time when You feel it is time that I will receive these blessings…or not. I wait for You Lord. I know that You will always provide what’s best for me and I thank You. In Your name I pray as a follower and believer in Christ. Amen.

Reflection
In our desperate need for instant gratification we oftentimes forget that we control nothing in this world. For whatever we do to cause something to happen, God already knew the decision we were going to make beforehand, and therefore already put things into play long ago. So sometimes when we desire something so much that we go after it without waiting patiently for God, we get more than what we bargained for…but don’t blame Him for it, it was your decision to rush things on your time and pace, and not allow things to unfold as He wanted. So now we must live with those consequences, learn from them and grow.

It doesn’t matter if it’s the desire for a relationship, home, job, child, car, wardrobe, shoes, money, or whatever–if we snatch the wheel from God and take shortcuts to get what we want without waiting for Him we are in no place to complain and cry to Him when the love of your life is abusive, controlling, manipulative, cheating, selfish, demanding, clingy, childish, entitled, or a total fraud; when your home or car is more than you initially thought you could afford (and now you are struggling to make payments); when the job is too demanding; when the clothes are too expensive to maintain (because you have to take them to the cleaners instead of throwing them in the washer machine); when the shoes hurt your feet or keep malfunctioning; or when more money brings you more problems.

Now you want God to step in and fix things, but why? You didn’t wait on Him to show you the house or car you could afford, or see the opportunities that would make sure you could pay your bills on time each month. You didn’t wait on Him to reveal to you the type of person you were dealing with so you wouldn’t be blindsided later; You were too impatient to wait for the right person so now you’re miserable with the wrong person. You didn’t wait on Him to reveal the right job for you or to show you how to handle the high demands of the job you desired. You didn’t wait on Him to show you how to manage the clothes, shoes, and money you felt you desperately needed…but now you have time for Him!

Isn’t it amazing how we work and the conditional relationship we have formed with God?

We must learn to patiently wait on Him to show us the way, to make things happen, and to provide what we need versus what we want (sometimes the two aren’t the same). So pray for patience, clarity, vision, hope, faith, peace, presence, and to be present. Then wait.

Love,

Natasha

Copyright 2011. Natasha L. Foreman. Some Rights Reserved. All Prayers and Reflections are Copyright Protected by Natasha L. Foreman. breakingbreadwithnatasha.blogspot.com
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Natasha’s Daily Scripture, Prayer and Reflection for 9.7.11

Never mind about your belongings, because the best of all Egypt will be yours.'”

Genesis 45:20

Pray
Father I want to let go of the excess, let go of the past, and move forward in my present so that I can have a rewarding future. I want to move forward on the path You have placed before me, so I understand that I must be willing to leave behind or let go of belongings that I have acquired over the years, because You have planned to provide only the best in abundance for me elsewhere. I am ready Lord to let go; to sell, donate, and give away that which I don’t need, so that I am free to receive the new blessings that are in store for me. In Your name I pray. Amen.

Reflection
Some of us are hoarders of the past; hoarders of junk, clothes, furniture, trinkets, and do-dads that are of no real use to us, especially not in the future. We can’t receive the blessings God has in store for us because our hands and rooms are filled to capacity with ‘stuff’. The only way to receive our blessings is to make space for them by de-cluttering our lives, getting rid of the excess, walking away from the baggage, and cleaning our mental and physical houses so that nothing is blocking the way.

Let go!

So does anyone want den/living room furniture (sofas, coffee table, and two end tables) and some book cases? I have some that I’m getting rid of this month. Contact me.

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
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Natasha’s Daily Scripture, Prayer and Reflection for 9.6.11

Stop trusting in mere humans, who have but a breath in their nostrils.
Why hold them in esteem?

Isaiah 2:22

Pray
Father I am speaking into my reality now that I put my trust in You to always provide for me when I need it, and that You will place the right people and right situations before me to help me fulfill my purpose in life. I don’t need an intermediary in man to reach You, for You are always with me listening, watching, and waiting. I thank You for blessing me with Your presence and dependable action. Amen.

Reflection
We put our trust and faith in things we can see, touch, smell, hear, and taste; yet we are easily disappointed by these things because they are not dependable and reliable, and they can and do fail. We need to put our trust in God who blesses us each day.

Our impatience and need for instant gratification cripples us, and in weakness we would rather rely on man with all of his flaws, faults, incompetencies, and hang ups, than to rely on God who is perfect in every way. We are truly works in progress. Clay that has to keep being molded during a long, drawn out process.

I hope to be where I need to be spiritually early enough in my life where I can truly value it and the process it took to get there. Why have a spiritual awakening a few breaths before your last at the age of 100 when out of commitment, trust, and faith you could experience it at or before the age of 40 or 60 and live out the last 40-60+ years in absolute bliss?

Or do some of us straddle the fence because we think that once we get to that point our human lives will end because we demonstrated the lesson, and then we are no longer expected to continue on this path and are then taken over to a spiritual level of existence?

Is it fear of human death that causes us to not commit and surrender fully to God?

Is it the examples in the Bible of all those ambassadors who committed fully to God’s mission losing their lives soon after the mission was accomplished that scares us from giving ourselves completely over to Him?

If not those things, then what? Something to think about.

Lovingly,

Natasha

Copyright 2011. Natasha L. Foreman. Some Rights Reserved. All Prayers and Reflections are Copyright Protected by Natasha L. Foreman. breakingbreadwithnatasha.blogspot.com
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Natasha’s Daily Scripture, Prayer and Reflection for 9.5.11

“‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.'”

Matthew 15:8

Pray
Father I don’t want to be a hypocrite. I don’t want to speak from my lips something I am not committed to in my heart and mind. I want to be fully committed to You and Jesus, walking in Your light and following Jesus’s teachings not the world’s.

Father I want my heart so committed that my first thoughts are to please and obey You, and then my actions follow through accordingly. I want to live out my purpose. I want to do and be all the things You have created me to be. I want to live my life peacefully in Your love, following Jesus, and not the world. Strengthen me Lord. Comfort me Father. Heal my inflictions that cause me to waver in times of stress and conflict.

I pray to You this day with the commitment to doing better and living better by Your light and Jesus’ example, and not by the example of wayward people. Amen.

Reflection
I don’t merely want to say “I want to be more like Jesus” I want to commit to living my life more like Jesus; being loving and respectful to all, regardless of how they treat me; praying for people even when they refuse to pray for themselves or me; and thinking first of our heavenly Father before speaking or acting upon my thoughts. I believe that if we think of God before we act upon our fears we can learn to overcome them.

I want to commit to my personal relationship, not just merely have an intent towards commitment and faithfulness. Commitment is defined as an agreement or pledge to do something; it is the state or instance of being obligated or emotionally compelled. So I do not want to have a casualness of intent, but no passion and drive of commitment that binds me to another person long-term. Casual parting flings are the non committals in life; they are of the world and something that I used to commit to without question, although I knew I always wanted more.

We cannot thrive in life living just by intent and no true commitment. We cannot thrive in life without the priorities of God first, family second, and career third. This is not Burger King, we can’t have it our way, so we can’t substitute something for first, second, or third place and believe that life will bring endless spiritual and financial wealth.

Even if life seems to be going great with your career in first place, God in second place, and your family in third place (or some other incorrect configuration), understand that the reality is you are running on fumes like a race car that isn’t being properly serviced…eventually you will crash and someone else will win the trophy, cash, and other incentives.

I want to be in the winner’s spot, and the only way I will is by living my life with purpose on purpose, with God laying down the track for my car to have a path, and Jesus riding as the co-pilot. Think about it, then do something to make things right… I am!

Enjoy your Labor Day and after thanking God and Jesus for all they have done in and for your life, thank those people around you who have helped support and encourage you along the way. Not the groupies, but your true supporters- the ones who have given to and invested in you to help you reach your goals.

Love,

Natasha

Copyright 2011. Natasha L. Foreman. Some Rights Reserved. All Prayers and Reflections are Copyright Protected by Natasha L. Foreman. breakingbreadwithnatasha.blogspot.com
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Natasha’s Daily Scripture, Prayer and Reflection for 9.2.11

A dream comes when there are many cares,and many words mark the speech of a fool.

Ecclesiastes 5:3

Pray
Father I have dreams both good and bad throughout the day and at night when I rest. Comfort me Lord when I’m in pain by the visions of darkness. Help me to see the right paths towards resolution.

Father help me to frame my thoughts before I speak so that I may make best use of the message, delivering fewer words with the greatest of impact. In Your name I pray. Amen.

Reflection
When you have reason to care you dream. The ones you remember may be the ones you need to examine further, or surrender quickly to God for resolution. Let us also work towards saying more with fewer words, as the longer we speak the less is retained by others and the more we seem to be on our own soapbox. Have an amazing weekend and Labor Day holiday!

Lovingly,

Natasha

Copyright 2011. Natasha L. Foreman. Some Rights Reserved. All Prayers and Reflections are Copyright Protected by Natasha L. Foreman. breakingbreadwithnatasha.blogspot.com
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Natasha’s Daily Scripture, Prayer and Reflection for 9.1.11

The arrogance of man will be brought low and human pride humbled; the Lord alone will be exalted in that day, and the idols will totally disappear.
Isaiah 2:17,18

Pray
Father today as You continue to mold me please know that I am working on overcoming my fears, and that I want to be freed from the bondage of pride and any arrogance, no matter how minor they appear to me- for they are incredibly large to You.

I want a clean heart Lord. I want to walk with my head up high humble in righteousness and not in arrogance and vanity. I know that the more crooked I walk the more times I will fall, and the harder each fall will be, which will also make it harder to rise to my feet. Help me Father. I humbly pray to You this day. Amen.

Reflection
We can’t do a thing without God. He must make a way for every thought, decision or indecision we make. If that’s not humbling I don’t know what more to say….Think about it.

Lovingly your 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