For their rock is not like our Rock,
as even our enemies concede.
Deuteronomy 32:31
Pray
Father You know what I’m going through and what I’m up against, so I leave to You my cares and fear, and trust that You have everything figured out for me.
You are my rock, my protector, my fortress, and my strength. Nothing and no one can harm me, nothing and no one can take away from me and to whom I belong. My relationship with You will not be disturbed, tarnished or broken. For it is the only constant in my life.
I know that anyone or anything that is formed to harm me will be stopped dead in their tracks or left to anguish in their careless decision.
With this wisdom I know that only through sharing love will I receive it, and by giving anything other than love I will receive everything but love.
So I give freely without needing credit or praise. I give freely without need for competition or with hopes of its elimination. I give freely without reminding others of the love I give them or the ways in which that love is expressed.
I will not accept from others less than what I give in return. I will not expect from others more than what I’m willing to give. I will not manipulate, play games, abuse, take advantage of, compete for or against, reduce myself, lay down or sell out for anyone. I am who I am because of Whom I belong to, so the light that people see in me is You Father, and the fear of anything else coming from me is only the essence of what they see in themselves.
I am Your child and I will carry myself with courage and conviction; with my head up high, back tall and strong, and a declaration that I will not be moved or weakened by any person or force; for You are my supplier and foundation. I thank You Father for always reminding me who is King, Lord, Almighty, and God!
I humbly bow to You and simply but passionately say, THANK YOU!
Reflection
I missed sharing a message with you during the beginning of the week so it was on my heart to share one today.
Last night I went to a friend’s church. God touched her and gave her the loving push to invite me. She was concerned I would be turned off by its location and physical conditions, but was shocked when I reassured her there has been no location in God’s land that I feared entering.
God called me to speak to His children and especially the least of his children when I was a little girl, and that meant going into neighborhoods and situations that were plagued by crime, poverty and fear.
I have always trusted God to protect me in all situations, and He has. He’s protected me when a gun was pointed to my head and the trigger was pulled (but the bullet was jammed). He protected me when someone pulled out a knife with the threat of stabbing me, and instead moments later that person retreated. He protected me as gun shots rang out during a drive by.
He has protected me in so many instances that I can’t even recall, so no, I have no issues or qualms with going to the ‘hood’, any ‘hood’, for wherever God’s children are I need to be in and of service.
So last night I went to an area that she was also shocked to know I’ve volunteered in several times, and intend to return for years to come. As we entered her church we sat and listened to young women (none over the age of 27) share their fears with more seasoned older women (over the age of 45) who also shared their fears that they are working to overcome.
God brought all of His daughters together to discuss the why and how of letting go and letting Him handle their issues; and remembering that faith without action is dead– so through application of the principles they have been and are being taught, they know that they are doing their part as they walk the path God has set for them.
God doesn’t do lazy, so even in prayer He expects to see you working!
One major thing I took away from last night is how inter-connected we all truly are. It doesn’t matter your religion, nationality, race, color, sex, educational background, or socio-economic history, we all face the same fears and issues.
We all want to be loved, appreciated, valued and respected. We all want someone to trust and to be trusted. We all want greatness in our lives.
What separates us is us.
It’s our egos and prideful thinking that places up barriers. It’s our conditional mindset that says, “I love you but….” There are no ‘buts’ in and through God’s love. He loves ‘because’… as should we.
It is my intent to return to this group and possibly serve as a mentor to one or more of these young ladies. It is amazing and a blessing that this relationship comes on a more spiritual level where God is acknowledged for having His hand all over it, and where we can speak freely of and to Him without issues of “separation of church and state” that you must deal with in a school setting.
I took the time last night to admit silently to myself that one of my biggest fears is answering my call to serve on a greater level, in a ministry beyond (but still inclusive of) these daily scriptures. For years people have said, “God is calling you to minister on another level Natasha” and I argued myself out of those conversations.
Today I say with both feet planted, that if it is God’s plan and will for me to serve on a broader level, to serve beyond the limits I have comfortably placed, then I accept that walk. For I have been serving His children since I was 13, volunteering in schools and organizations, and I will continue to serve on this land until I take my last breath.
Who are you serving each day? Are you following God’s plan or are you navigating in the direction that feels most comfortable and safe for you?
You can’t be a control freak and servant leader. No matter what your career, job title, or credentials, you must relinquish your belief in and possession of control in order to empower others. That’s what Jesus did. He placed and declared that all power and control came from the Father, not him.
Can you do the same?
Lovingly your sister in Christ,
Natasha
Copyright 2012. Natasha L. Foreman. Some Rights Reserved. All Prayers and Reflections are Copyright Protected by Natasha L. Foreman. breakingbreadwithnatasha.blogspot.com
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