Natasha’s Daily Scripture, Prayer and Reflection for 10.31.11

But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ. 

2 Corinthians 11:3 

Pray
Father forgive me for not beginning my day with a conversation with You.  Forgive me for allowing myself to be consumed by what’s going on in the world, by other people, other things, by drama and negativity, and by trying to help people help themselves. Today and everyday should have started with my conversation with you, and it should end accordingly.

Father I know that each day is a struggle because there is so much temptation around me; so many opportunities to do wrong, to do what feels good even when it’s bad, to turn away from Your light because it’s easier to float by in darkness. I need You Lord. I need Your son Jesus. I need guidance during my moments of confusion, humility when I begin to think of me more than You, and restoration when I have been torn down.

Father righteousness and success only comes from You, as my failure is my doing. I can have a long-lasting, healthy, joy-filled, loving, and caring relationship with the person I love by always putting You first in my life, in my relationship, in my decision-making; or I can have a draining, short-lived, miserable relationship by focusing on all of the wrong things, relying on self for all decisions, and allowing pride and arrogance consume me. 

I can selfishly be consumed and end up lonely, even when I’m not alone, or I can selflessly rely on You for Your light and never be lonely or alone again.

Father free me from the grip of stagnation, indecision, fear, pride, selfishness, bitterness, and envy. Restore me Father so that I may be totally and wholly devoted to You. In Your name I pray. Amen.

Reflection 

Since the beginning of time, beginning with the first man and woman we have strayed from God’s commands, we have allowed ourselves to be lured away by temptation, pride, envy, and arrogance. We have allowed ourselves to believe that we are separate from God and that somehow we can succeed and prosper without Him. 

If you notice success absent of God, where do you think this false reality comes from? And do you not think that God still lovingly has to allow you to experience this false reality?

Does this falsehood not come from the same serpent who convinced Eve to bite the forbidden fruit and then convince Adam to do the same? Is it not the same serpent who found a way to shame them and disappoint God? This presence comes in many forms and has many conniving ways to convince you that you don’t need God, that you can do what you want and get where you want in life by your merits and hard work alone, and not by God’s will and grace. It convinces you that God’s Mind is not the ultimate, and that you instead already possess the capabilities to do the far-reaching and unthinkable without any influence by God.

When do you need God most?

Every single second of the day. There is never a time when you do not need God’s presence in your life. There is never a time day or night that you shouldn’t be asking God for guidance even in the simplest of things; asking Him to always show you the way, give you the right thoughts, and show mercy and grace when you expect it the least. 

I need to humbly get down on my knees several times a day and just say, “thank you” in advance for the blessings that I need and that I shall receive. God blesses me and forgives me when I think I need it least and when I have difficulty forgiving myself. 

How can that type of love ever be measured? We don’t love ourselves or each other as much as God and Jesus love us. Let’s work at learning to truly love ourselves even our perceived flaws, and then let that love overflow to others–so that some day, one day, our love as a representation of God’s love, will radiate throughout the world and heal our many nations of the darkness within.

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 10.28.11

You will know that your tent is secure; you will take stock of your property and find nothing missing.

Job 5:24

Pray
Father thank You for always protecting me, watching over me, and making sure that my every need is met. I am never lost, never without, never deprived, and never alone because You are always with me. Thank You Father. I love You. Amen.

Reflection
You can’t lose what’s rightfully yours, for God is your safe and foundation.

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 10.27.11

You will eat the fruit of your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours. 

Psalm 128:2 

Pray
Father thank You for the abundance of blessings. Thank You for my life, my mind, my freedom, and the ability to work. Father I know You despise laziness, so everyday I actively take part in my life, doing and being more than the last day. Thank You for Your loving care today and always. Amen.

Reflection
If you work hard you will reap the rewards of your labor. If you do nothing you will get nothing. If you have expectations for growth and prosperity yet you do nothing to earn it, you are short-sided and will end up empty-handed. 

Today is the day I was born many moons ago and I am grateful for each breath I take, each step I make, each decision made clearly, and to be surrounded by love. I receive what I get, good, bad, and indifferent– so I strive to give goodness so that I may receive it in blessings later. I’m another year older yet I still have big dreams and goals for my life, my future, and my community.  The only person who can get in the way is me, so I must stay prayed up and never let up.

Set a goal with a date and each day work to achieving that goal. Once you have, move on to the next goal. Every day do something to better yourself, your family, and your community….eventually it will pay off and the dividends can help to better our world. God bless 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
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Natasha’s Daily Scripture, Prayer and Reflection for 10.26.11

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.

Romans 12:9 

Pray
Father touch me, warm me, fill me, and protect me from harm. Let Your light be my beacon through darkness, let Your love overrun and destroy all evil. I pray to always turn to You Father, even when I don’t know where my next step will take me. I hope to always trust that Your love will never lead me astray. I love and honor You Father. Amen.

Reflection
Always strive to do what’s right even when it’s easier to do wrong. Always strive to be loving even when it’s easier to be unkind. Always strive to be honest even when a little “white lie” seems acceptable. 

Always walk away from a situation that you know God had nothing to do with creating…and you can always tell because God would never place you in harms way, even as a way of learning a “lesson”. If you risk life, love, freedom, and piece of mind then that’s not God.

We all have choices…good or evil…what choice will you make?

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 10.25.11

Love and faithfulness meet together; righteousness and peace kiss each other. 

Psalm 85:10 

Pray
Father I pray for peace within. I pray for clarity and vision. I pray that the love I have and want is met with and joined in an everlasting embrace with faithfulness. I pray to always know, remember, express, and stand firmly in who I am as Your child. Let my words and actions always be clear, intentional, and never to cause harm. 

Let me always turn to Jesus’s example of a Christian walk; let me always have the courage to enter battle like Joshua and Caleb; let me be loyal like Ruth to Naomi; let me be as nurturing as the women who cared for and protected baby Moses; and let me live and always see the importance of being a Proverbs 31 virtuous woman. In Your name I humbly pray. Amen.

Reflection
Even if you aren’t a woman, the qualities of a Proverbs 31 woman should be within you and should be something you seek to find in others, especially the woman you want to be your wife. There are 21 verses that describe the type of woman, the type of person who is selfless, hardworking, determined, never complaining or making excuses for failure, never lazy, takes care of house, home, and family, and walks upright. This person is creative, an entrepreneur, makes a way out of no way, and sees beyond the trees while others are stuck focusing on the entrance to the forest. 

Who is virtuous?

Can you have love without faithfulness, or faithfulness without love? 
Are we hung up on words and not their meanings and sentiments? 

“I love you” is tossed around so casually like a pair of shoes, but what does love truly mean to you? What does faithfulness truly mean to you? What does loyalty, virtue, and grace truly mean to you? People fall in and out of love like a yo-yo diet. One day they love you, the next day they are cheating on you, the next day they are bad-mouthing you, and then the next day they are saying, “let’s try and make this work” and I ask, who said this is love?

To protect someone means to make sure no harm comes to them, by you or others…but how can you protect someone when you’re busy watching your own back? How can you protect someone when you are more concerned with covering your tracks? How can you love and protect someone when you are only concerned with yourself and what you’re getting out of a situation? 

We can quote phrases, scripture, passages, and verses about amazing and awesome people from the Bible, but if we aren’t living by example and emulating these great leaders, then what’s the purpose of talking about them? Your name and story will never be a part of the great Book, but your life and how you live it may be the only Bible and representation of Christ that some may see. Are we being the best example of Christians, of God’s children, that we can be?

Every day let’s strive to and do our part to be better and do better. I strive to be that virtuous woman every single day. I know she’s me!

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 10.24.11

For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. 

1 John 2:16 

Pray
Father I want to thank You. Thank You for showing and teaching me the difference between love and lust, and the difference between honor and pride. Father thank You for filling my cup that it runneth over in love and clears my eyes to see rightly the love for one without a desire to lust for another. I want to walk straight on the path You have set before me, not to stray in moments of weakness and temptation; but to stride with confidence that everything I need You have already provided.

 I walk in confidence that the person who You have placed in my life to love I have no desire to stray from, no desire to seek comfort, admiration or praise elsewhere, and no desire to seek affection, ego stroking, and understanding from anyone but the person I love and respect. I am more than satisfied where my heart and feet are, and have no intentions or expectations of allowing my heart and feet to rest anywhere else with anyone else.

It is because of You and my devotion to You that I have peace within, acceptance of who I am and what I can do, confidence in my ability to love and be loved wholly, satisfaction in where I have come from and where I see myself going, and that in matters of the heart and flesh I only need and want to be with one person. It is because of You I am pleased with falling in and staying in love with one person; committed, dedicated, faithful, honest, open, considerate, trustworthy and trusting of that one person. 

If ever I shift in my thinking due to temptation, frustration, disappointment, dismay, or confusion, and I go against Your plan for me, please steer me back on course Father for I never want to disappoint You. I want to always move forward never backwards. I always want to make progress not cause my own setbacks. I want to live in the present with hopes for the future, not dwell in the past of what once was or could have been. I want to fail from trying my best and missing the mark, not from a lack of motivation or care. So help me Father to remain focused on my mission in and for Your Kingdom, and also in my personal love life. In Your name I humbly pray. Amen.

Reflection
God gives us all choices. We have a choice to do right or wrong, turn left or keep straight, lie or be honest, cheat or remain faithful and loyal, leave or stay, curse or pray, hit or walk away, have protected sex or risk misery and pain, be a Christian or choose another faith, seek revenge or let God handle things…we have choices. 

It seems that loyalty, faithfulness and dedication are words of satire and are often one-sided labels meant for the other person we’re involved with but never for us. We want people to be loyal, honest, trustworthy, trusting, faithful, dedicated, and devoted to us and our relationships with them, but we don’t seem to have it in us to give 100% of the same to them in return. What ever happened to full reciprocity? What happened to being honorable? Have we increasingly downgraded the quality of our moral fabric? Have we decided to remain a selfish people instead of maturing in our selfLESSness? 

Have we celebrated and embraced a culture of “keeping our options open”, being “players”, and not “bringing sand to the beach” rather than the ideal of monogamy? 

If you want to live freely to do, go, say, and live as you want with whomever you want, then why pretend to commit yourself to a relationship when you can simply openly date several people, and explain to them your intentions to not commit or practice monogamy? Why must there always be lies, games, and frequent moments of deceit? Why must we say one thing yet do another? Why is there a thrill in the chase… in the risk of getting caught?

Where’s the honor and dignity?

Look closely at yourself in the mirror. Are you the type of man or woman you would want your child to date and marry? Do you treat men/women the way you would want your son/daughter to be treated? 

Let us be the change we want to see in the world…starting TODAY! Remember that “…the sins of the father will be revisited upon his son…” this applies to daughters and mothers also! Let’s think less of self and more of others, and consider what Jesus would do and say if he saw us?

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
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Natasha’s Daily Scripture, Prayer and Reflection for 10.21.11

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 

1 Corinthians 13:6 

Pray
Father since as far back as I can recall I have always prayed for the right person to come into my life and love me as they would want to be loved, to love me as they hopefully love themselves. Father You command men to love their women (wives) as they love themselves, yet I wonder how many truly do…and fully, and love themselves enough to share this same type and amount of love with a woman?

Forgive me Father for any wrong I have committed, for any lie I have told, for any manipulation I have taken part in, for my disobedience and double-mindedness, and for all the times I have been unloving. My fear and lack of faith kept me weak, but in Your truth I find strength, comfort, warmth, and love.

Father I don’t think over the years that I prayed for much except a person who is loving, kind, giving and able to receive, respectful, trusting and trustworthy, and not double-minded. I have prayed for a person who is honest, faithful in every sense of the word, committed, monogamous on every level, and dignified, leaving (or helping to restore) each person with their dignity.

Thank You Lord. Thank You for helping me to see what’s not right for me so that I can clearly focus and see what is right for me. Thank You for the trials and tribulations so that I could learn to love myself more as I loved and trusted You more. There is no clock for me to watch, for all things happen on Your time. My urgency in my twenties was silenced by You. My urgency in my very early thirties was silenced by You. Thank You for showing me that it is not for me to plan, search out, or anticipate, but rather remain focused on my mission in Your Kingdom, and when You are ready for me to have certain things in life, You will always provide right on time.

So although I have dated a long list of unfaithful, dishonest, scheming and conniving people over the years, the experiences haven’t hardened my heart, but rather they have provided wisdom and lessons to learn and grow from; my heart is warm not cold. I love and am walking in love because of Your love, because of Jesus’ love, and I thank You Father. Amen.

Reflection
Love does not cheat, lie, manipulate, deceive, harass, plot and plan, or scheme.
Love does not lead you into a relationship with someone else while you are involved with another. Love does not lead you romantically into the bed, car, or anywhere else with a person who is not your spouse/significant other. God and Jesus disapproves of liars just as much as murderers, yet our world is filled with both, which shows that God is still working on all of us knowing that we all have the ability to change, to grow, to heal, and to walk righteously in His light and love. 

If you have been wronged in the past (even as late as an hour ago), hurt, cheated on, lied to, or manipulated, the first step to your healing is forgiveness. 

First forgive yourself for not seeing the signs, for not hearing God’s voice, for not obeying His commands, and for your stubbornness in thinking you knew what you were doing and knew how to make things right. Forgive yourself for allowing your self-esteem to be chipped away and your self-worth diminished out of your carelessness. Forgive yourself for trusting someone else more than you trusted yourself, and most importantly for trusting someone more than you trusted God and Jesus. 

Then you must forgive the person who hurt you. 

You must forgive them for not seeing you as God’s child. You must forgive them for not knowing how to be loving enough towards you to not harm you. You have to forgive them for not loving and trusting themselves enough so that they could give that same love and trust to you. You have to forgive them for not respecting themselves enough to respect you. You have to forgive them for thinking that loving through action was purchasing  you material gifts, rather than the action of pure love by never causing you pain, especially through neglect and betrayal.

You have to forgive them for every lie they told, for every mean thing they said, for every cruel name they called you, for cursing at, to, and about you, for every scheme they pulled, and for every unkind thing they did. You have to forgive them for hurting you even when they have convinced themselves they have done no wrong and never meant to harm. You must forgive them for not seeing and respecting your value and worth, so they could raise you up in love, and not tear you down in fear. 

Until you can first forgive yourself and then forgive the person(s) who have wronged you, you will not be in a position to heal, grow, and move forward. You are also in no position to ask God for forgiveness, for you are not walking in His truth but in a distortion of your own, which has no value except to you. So today take that first step towards healing, that first step into God’s truth, and embrace the future you can have–filled with all of the blessings that God has in store, waiting for you!

I love you all. God bless you and have an amazing day and weekend!

Lovingly, 

Natasha 
P.S. My apologies for not posting yesterday, I thought I did. Hopefully today’s message touches your heart and helps to bring about the action that makes up for the missed message of yesterday.

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 10.19.11

In my distress I groan aloud and am reduced to skin and bones.

Psalm 102:5

Pray
Father I pray that even in times of pain, frustration, grief, and anger, that I never forget that I am the perfect reflection of You; that I am a spiritual being having a human experience and not a human being having a spiritual experience; and that as a spiritual being living in and of Your Spirit, the distress I feel is temporary and actually nonexistent.

By giving in to the distress and allowing my hope and faith to wane I reduce myself to mere flesh and bone and forget the demonstration that I am supposed to be having while on Earth. Help me to get and stay focused Father. Help me to see and always remember my purpose here, and to never ever ever give up on life, living, and serving You and the least of Your children, and doing so humbly and graciously.

In Your name I pray and give thanks. Amen.

Reflection
When we think that the pressure has become too great for us to bear, we yell and cry out in pain. At that moment we have forgotten our true existence and forgotten to Whom we belong, and Who’s children we are.

When times get tough as they always will, force a smile on your face as you remind yourself that you are God’s child and no matter what you go through, He and Jesus will always see you through. Keep saying it until you feel it deep inside, until you are declaring it firmly, intensely, and with a power and passion that can’t be rocked.

Say it with me, “I am God’s child and no matter what I go through, God and Jesus will ALWAYS see me through,” now say it again with a smile on your face. Say it until you believe it, and then live each day demonstrating this belief through action.

I love you all and I pray that through thick and thin you always keep your eyes and heart focused on God and Jesus.

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 10.18.11

Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.

2 Thessalonians 3:16

Pray
Father fill me with your peace so that I might walk straight regardless of the circumstances that come my way. Let me be humble and more like Jesus as I face daily challenges, and deal with people who at times can be unloving and unkind. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Reflection
Let God make you whole. Let Jesus show you the way. Pray for the stillness of peace and let that peace comfort you in your times of need.

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 10.17.11

All those who were in distress or in debt or discontented gathered around him, and he became their commander. About four hundred men were with him.

1 Samuel 22:2

Pray
Father I pray that You place before me and show me the answer to my distress, discontent, and debt. Father help me to remedy my situation so that my life has more balance. Help me so that my debts are forgiven as I have forgiven my debtors. Provide me the tools, resources, and path out of this stressful circumstance, so that I may have a clear mind focused solely on You and not on me and my family. Father heal me of my inflictions. Make me whole in Your sight and reality, disproving human naysayers, and turning miracles into moments of ‘it is because He is’ for every day and every moment is a miracle…and it is because You make it possible.

Remove this fear Lord. Remove the fear of losing something. Remove the anxiety caused by fear. Remove all fears. Remove the pain and discomfort. Remove the shame and guilt. Free me Lord. In Your name I pray. Amen.

Reflection
We’re approaching the holidays and this becomes a time when more people gain the most weight, stress out even more than any other time of the year, health concerns rise, and when debt collectors turn up the heat and get busy harassing and scaring you the most. This is the time when appliances start to give out, your car seems to have the most issues, your utility bills increase, and your patience runs thin. This is also the time when you need to bear down, kneel down, and pray to God and Jesus for strength, clarity, vision, patience, and the understanding to not only get through these times but to overcome and thrive above them.

Let’s be grateful for our blessings and experiences. Let’s pray for our ability to see and use the provisions God has provided us, and pray for healing from sin, sickness, and disease.

Today I send an extra prayer to a family friend, Thomas who has fallen into a diabetic coma. I pray that God restores him so that he and his family and friends might get through this and enjoy this holiday season together now, and for many years to come. I pray that whatever keeps them apart today will be cast from their thoughts and hearts, so that they might live in the joy of tomorrow. I stand firm in my conviction that God is good all the time and He has the power to heal immediately, effortlessly, and completely. I pray for God’s grace and mercy for Thomas and others with health concerns.

I pray for those who have recently passed, and their family and friends. I pray for a dear woman, who passed last week who touched my heart so deeply that I will never forget her…Lessie after 80 years you have been promoted!

I love you all and pray you find the peace within to shine as perfect reflections of God.

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 10.14.11

So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

Matthew 7:12

Pray
Father thank You for another day of life, freedom, peace, and a chance to make a positive difference in my life, someone else’s life, in my community, and in the world. Father add an extra layer of strength to me today and these next few days as I face challenges head on that I have been able to avoid for some time, or that never resurfaced until now. Father touch my heart so that in each circumstance I treat others as I would want to be treated, emulating Your son’s walk through life. In Your name and his I pray. Amen.

Reflection
The very things you want in life, the very things you hope to receive in an exchange with your fellow man and woman, and the very way you expect to be treated is how you should be in return. If you want respect give it. If you want to be left with your dignity then leave others with theirs. If you want someone to treat you with grace, be graceful. If you want fairness, be fair.

If you want someone to be on time to meet you, be on time to meet them and others. If you want faithfulness and loyalty, then be totally faithful and loyal. If you want extra money, then try donating and tithing a portion of what you have, so that you can receive ten-fold back. What you want you will only receive when you first put it out there. Make sense? Now let’s get out there and create a world of positive reciprocity!

Love always 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 10.13.11

When a country is rebellious, it has many rulers, but a ruler with discernment and knowledge maintains order.

Proverbs 28:2

Pray
Father I pray today for my community, my state, my country, and the world. I pray that the pain, chaos, conflict, fear, hate, and rebellion would cease to exist. I know that is a far-fetched request in a land that is so troubled we love our Presidents before we elect them and after they are out of office, but while they serve our country we criticize, ridicule, threaten, and disrespect our worldly leader.

I know this a far-fetched dream in a land where we discard our elderly in facilities where they just wait until they take their last breath. Father I know this is far-fetched in a land where we have more jails and prisons than high-performing schools; more liquor stores, check-cashing centers, and payday lenders than property owners and business owners.

But I still pray Father. I still have hope. I still have faith in You and Your ability to warm every heart, lift every spirit, heal every wound, cure every disease, make the crooked straight, and bring order to mania. So today just like everyday I pray and believe in a better tomorrow, a better world, with better opportunities…in Your name I pray. Amen.

Reflection
We elect officials to help govern this land from a human perspective, to provide a human touch to life’s circumstances that we created generations before and we make worse for generations to come. Yet, we only support these officials in the early days or when our specific needs are met consistently. We don’t consider the thousands and millions of individuals this official must take into consideration with every decision made, because in our twisted minds he or she should be able to do all things for all people, starting first with us.

We create messiahs and forget that only God can do all things, be all places, see all things, and has the power to change the impossible to possible. Our lack of commitment and devotion to God clouds our thinking and our understanding of human government, and that man is limited even as a pure reflection of God. If we want to see change in our neighborhoods, communities, cities, counties, states, regions, countries, and throughout the world we must be the change and bring about the change we want to see.

To keep this reflection short, because it is about to be quite lengthy- I am going to continue this line of thinking over at my other blog natashaforeman.com where you can read more about being the ambassador for Christ you want to see in the world, and acknowledging through action that servitude is exactly why God placed you here. So feel free to read today’s post and share your feedback here, and also read my entire full-length reflection at http://natashaforeman.com

God bless you all!

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 10.12.11

Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

1 John 4:1

Pray
Father-Mother God please continue to bless with me the gift of discernment, increasing my ability to see and understand the differences in and of the world, and Your light and Word through the clutter. Father I want to focus on doing right each day, not selfishly for myself and my salvation, but for Your Kingdom and in my devotion to You.

Lord I know each day I am tempted by thoughts, voices, and words in books, magazines, newspapers, and online, but I know that my discernment will help me to connect with You and disregard the rest. Lord I pray for the discernment to see and learn my lesson at the rate and pace You expect, and not at the delayed contemplative pace I would prefer out of comfort and convenience. I want to know sooner than later which person is right for me to walk beside, to trust, and to continue building a relationship with.

Let me rely upon Your Word, not numerology, tarot cards, horoscopes and other astrological mumbo jumbo–even when concepts seem to connect the dots, for the only way to put the puzzle of life and love together is through, by, and with You Father. Do not allow entertainment to conveniently become my learning tool, guide, and answer to life and what I need and want from it. Let my relationship with You and Jesus be all that I need for spiritual comfort, enlightenment, and guidance. Thank You Father. Amen.

Reflection
There are a lot of false prophets, false images, false paths to enlightenment and salvation, false testimonies, false servants, and false tools and resources that are placed before us as a test of discernment, faith, belief, understanding, love, devotion and loyalty to God and His son Jesus. Can you tell the real from the fake? Can you tell God’s angels from pseudo manifestations? Can you discern God’s voice from other voices? Can you tell when God is directing your path and when you have strayed and began following the lead of another?

Are you following God’s Word or words created by man who map out stars, planets, symbols, and numbers as a prophecy of your future? No one can tell you what’s in your future but God. No one can tell you the right person to love, date, or marry but God. No one can point you in the right direction and keep you there except God. We have a choice given to us by God, follow Him and His Word, or follow mortal mind the “enemy”. The choice is ours. This isn’t a Coke and Pepsi challenge…there is most definitely a distinct and clear difference!

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 10.11.11

Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again.

Exodus 14:13

Pray
Father today I pray for deliverance. Deliverance from fear, pain, rejection, betrayal, ignorance, lies, deceit, and negativity. Father free me from bondage and restore me to my rightful place. Free me from the grip of those who use me for their own personal gain. Free me from those who selfishly keep me at arms length giving my all to them but they never fully give of themselves in return. Open my eyes Lord so that I can evolve from merely looking to actually seeing what’s before me. In Your name I pray. Amen.

Reflection
The bondage of today will be freedom tomorrow as long as you turn your cares, worries, and fears over to the Lord to handle. Let Him change those who attempt to stunt your growth or control you by either touching their hearts or removing them from your space and place. What is rightfully yours will be yours, and you can never lose what is rightfully yours. What is meant to be God will bring to fruition without your doing, persuasion, manipulation, or bargaining.

Look at your current situation and if it needs improvement, even drastically, know that God has it handled, and it was taken care of long before you became aware of the circumstances. Everything we need in life God has already provided, we just need to see them and embrace our blessings as they are delivered before us.

Last night I tossed and turned, and woke this morning troubled by my dreams, but was reminded by a loving and dear friend that the discomfort I felt was not the Lord, but the enemy attempting to stir up some trouble in my life, and this was not the time to fret and cry, but the time to dig down even deeper in my faith and reach my hands to the Lord for deliverance from the grip of darkness caused by fear. After working out in the gym for an hour or so listening to gospel music my mind was clearer, the pit of my stomach became full of love and care, and the weight that seemingly (metaphorically) hunched my back earlier was gradually releasing the pressure from me.

How long? Not long.

Not long before I am delivered from these shackles of fear, pain, guilt, sorrow, and frustration. Not long indeed, for God has already worked things out for me…I just have to open my eyes and look through the lens of faith to see clearly that I am already free!

Lovingly I share this message with all of you today. I hope that something you read and/or recited has touched your heart, opened your eyes, and shed light on your today and tomorrow. We must let go of thinking about yesterday and what woulda, coulda, and shoulda happened had we done this or that. We must let go of the past and what someone did or didn’t do to us, and live in the present of what God is providing for us today. We are free my brothers and sisters. We are free!

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 10.10.11

“One thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead”

Philippians 3:13

Pray
Father, this message came in this morning from a dear friend, named Kenya. It was as though it was meant for me, but I couldn’t selfishly keep it to myself, so I share it today with my brothers and sisters in Christ and to those who have yet grown to fully believe in You and Your Word. Father You know that I have had my share of ups and downs over the days, weeks, months, and years. You know that each time I fall down whether on my knees or on my face, with Your help, I’ve always gotten back up on my feet.

Father as I walk through the forest of fear I have to remain focused on what is in front of me and not behind me. Lord today I recite the prayer sent by my friend Kenya that says, “I humbly come to You today. I choose to let go of the past. I choose to release those who have hurt me so I can embrace the best that you have for me. Help me to forgive, help me to love, and help me to stay on the good path You have for me in Jesus’ name….” Father allow me to be free. Allow me to move forward, to heal, to grow, and to be released from feelings of guilt, shame, pain, and disappointment. In Your glorious name I pray. Amen.

Reflection
We will always be faced with experiences and situations of discomfort, as long as we walk this Earth in human form. It is what we do, how we respond, what we think, and what we say during these moments that will either deliver us or push us farther in the depths of darkness.

As my friend said today, “Get past the past by choosing right thoughts because God has victory and blessings in store for your future” and if you truly believe that God will never forsake you, never leave you, and never put more on you than you can handle, then you should always keep your eyes on the prize with images and sounds of victory flowing through your mind. Let God handle those who have mistreated you, lied to you, misled and deceived you, harmed you, and betrayed you.

It is not your will but His that makes all things possible. I must remind myself of this daily as each step I take something unexpected comes my way. I must pause from time to time and close my eyes as I pray for God to make things right. I sometimes sit in silence, in deep prayer and reflection, tuning out the rest of the world and focusing on Jesus and God, and what they would expect of me. It is not wise to always speak your first or even second thought. It is not wise to always react immediately when a situation arises. There must be a balanced approach of thought without analysis paralysis. Remember that what we say and do cannot be erased or changed once the trigger has been pulled. It is not the quickness of our response, but the thoughtful intentionality of how we respond to circumstances that matter.

Don’t let fear control you. Don’t let the past haunt you. Don’t let someone else’s image of you dictate how you see yourself. How does God see you? That should be your point of focus.

I love you all…and thank you Kenya for sharing this poignant message today!

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 10.7.11

I will break down your stubborn pride and make the sky above you like iron and the ground beneath you like bronze.

Leviticus 26:19

Pray
Father thank You for making the necessary adjustments in my life, even those that caused me discomfort. Thank You for chipping away at my rough sides and anointing me so that my heart may soften to Your molding. Father I do not want to be stubborn, prideful, arrogant, or bitter. Touch me Lord. In areas and ways that I displease You, make me right and whole. In Your name I pray. Amen.

Reflection
Don’t be so full of pride that you refuse to ask for or receive help. Don’t be so full of pride that you stubbornly live within yourself and never live freely in the world. You cannot hide from God. You can’t hide your fears, disappointments, anger, frustration, pain, sorrow, resentment, pride, love, joy, happiness, desires, envy, jealousy, greed, contentment, irritation, goals, dreams, or ideas. So stop trying to be something and someone you’re not with God and with the rest of the world. Open up, reveal yourself, and humbly ask the Lord to make you whole. Ask God to make the crookedness in your life straight, the bumpiness smooth, the torn mended, and ask for help to be all that you can be.

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 10.6.11

And God spoke to Israel in a vision at night and said, “Jacob! Jacob!”
“Here I am,” he replied.

Genesis 46:2

Pray
Father I want to always be in tune with you, connected, and ready every moment of my days for whenever You call on me faintly or boldly. While I sleep I pray that I might always hear You, let my dreams work through any issues and let them plant the seeds of innovative and bold thinking. Lord I want to thank You for all that You are doing to change me, to mold me, to make me the best person that I can be. Thank You for the provisions that have sustained and nurtured me. Thank You for the lessons that once learned have provided me with great wisdom to pass on. I see a great legacy beyond my time here and it can only be possible with, through, and by You. Thank You Father. Humbly I pray to always see Your lighted path. Amen.

Reflection
When you hear that voice telling you to do something great, or not do something foolish, do you listen and obey? When you hear your name but no one acknowledges that they called on you, do you stop and pray for God to continue His call on you?

When you are awakened late at night or early morning by a voice, a shift, a stir– yet no one is there to awaken you, do you stop and pray for God to reveal what He wants you to see or hear?

Do you acknowledge that it is not your mind but His Mind that makes all things possible in your life? Do you acknowledge that the grace and favor in your life is not by your doing, but by God’s? Do you acknowledge that the gentle yet firm voice you hear pointing you in the right direction is not yours, or mortal mind’s (the “enemy”) but God’s?

Do you acknowledge that only through His son Jesus Christ will you find your way, know the truth, see the correct model to replicate, and reach the promised land of eternal life?

If you have doubts about any of this then you must prepare yourself for the next level of faith that Jesus and God will guide you through. If you are a non-believer you must prepare to walk into the understanding of belief. If you are a conditional believer you must prepare to walk into the understanding of God’s unconditional love and your complete belief in Him and what He has, is, can, and will do for you. If you are a believer you must be prepared for an even greater level of walking by and in faith without question, hesitation, second-guessing, manipulation, or backing down.

Are you ready for the next level?

Are you ready to tune out or silence through love those who are not yet at your level and do not understand that just as God spoke to His children thousands of years ago, He speaks to each of us–and has spoken to you? Are you ready to demonstrate and testify to your healings and revelations through Christ? The most difficult thing is not saying you’re a Christian, it’s openly and willingly testifying to and demonstrating through love, healing and care, God’s power, dominion, will, and grace over and in your life.

Are you ready?

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 10.5.11

For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of man.

2 Corinthians 8:21

Pray
Father let me see the truth in all things in every way. Father let me speak the truth and do what’s right in Your eyes and in the eyes of man so that my fellow brothers and sisters also participate in the exchange of honesty. Father realign any plans that are not developed with the intent to be honest, fair, and forthright with others; balance these plans so that all may walk in dignity. Show me Lord how to be the best ambassador in Christ. In Your name. Amen.

Reflection
Strive to give and be your best, doing what’s right, and with the intent to never harm another. Do so to please and honor God. Do so to set the example for others to follow and rely upon. Ask yourself if your actions, words and thoughts serve as a good example of what a righteous Christian is and should be, if not, then what changes in your life should you work to improve?

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 10.4.11

“For God’s gifts and his call can never be withdrawn”

Romans 11:29

Pray
Father, today I borrow a prayer from a dear friend, Kenya, who sent it to me yesterday. The prayer and scripture touched my heart and has shown me the realities of my life because of You. Father “thank You for the gifts and dreams You’ve placed within me. Today, I release my cares and concerns to You. Give me the strength, wisdom and clarity to keep moving forward so I can boldly embrace the good things You have in store for my future in Jesus’ name”. Amen

Reflection
My friend Kenya sent a message to me that said, “When God created you, He deposited seeds of greatness inside of you” and with this knowledge consider the endless possibilities that are brought forth by God’s gifts. We each are filled with greatness and brilliance to bring about positive change in our lives and the lives of our fellow brothers and sisters around the world.

Instead of focusing on what we think we can’t do, instead of focusing on our weaknesses and limitations–why not focus on our strengths and gifts? Instead of focusing on what things we can’t take care of due to financial constraints, let’s look at what can be rectified each month. Why not pray to our Heavenly Father for the gifts and guidance to make things in our life as He sees fit? What you have no control over you must let go and let God handle.

Let go of your cares and concerns and hold on to your faith and love.

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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