Natasha’s Daily Scripture, Prayer and Reflection for 7.31.12

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Matthew 6:33 NIV

Pray
Father thank You for today, for my gift of life and health. Today I pray for more patience and understanding. I pray that I am slow to anger or get frustrated, and that I carry myself with dignity and grace in all circumstances.

I strive to do better to get better, and pray that as a result I am blessed more. I seek You and I pray to seek You always. Amen.

Reflection
No matter what life brings or how others treat you, seek God first and always. Push past the feelings of doubt, hesitation, fear, frustration, and anger—and reach inside for the goodness that only God can create, provide, and replenish. This has nothing to do with others, and everything to do with you.

The most important part of healing is adjusting your thinking first, believing you are whole and complete, and that as God’s child you are free from any sickness or disease. Your mind is more powerful than your body ever could be—the next step is to watch as the part of you that wasn’t aligned properly, begins to heal and become whole.

We either believe in God or we don’t. I believe and I seek Him.

How about you?

Love,

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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Natasha’s Daily Scripture, Prayer and Reflection for 7.30.12

And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.

1 John 5:11, 12 NIV

Pray
Father thank You for this day. Thank You for the light I see and feel. Thank You for my beating heart and other healthy organs. Thank You for my family and friends, and for my spiritual family around the world.

Most importantly, thank You for Your Son Jesus who has walked with me and shown me the way to You. I know that Jesus is the wayshower and Your Truth.

I pray for those who have gone to the next level of existence knowing Jesus as their Savior, and You as their Father-Mother. I pray for those still here on earth living each day confused. I pray that they turn to You and Jesus, and embrace Your blessings.

I know Who’s child I am. I know Who my leader is. I praise You and Jesus each and every day. Amen.

Reflection
Some people live their entire lives in limbo and chaos, not quite sure what to believe and stand for. Some people don’t make a decision until on their death bed. Some never make a decision at all. Either you believe or you don’t.

Either you believe in eternal life through God and Jesus Christ, or you don’t. You either believe that God is the only God that can create, remove, re-imagine, heal, complete, birth, and protect—or you don’t.

When I was very young my parents instilled in me the importance of my relationship with my Father and His Son. My dad used to be a Sunday School teacher and leader within our church, and I enjoyed taking part in Bible study with him. He was a believer and follower. Yes, he was human and had faults—but his heart was warm and his intentions were good. Sometimes his transparency and vulnerability allowed others to take advantage of him and our family, but my dad never stopped believing in God’s power and Jesus’s footsteps to make things right.

As my dad predicted a short life for himself, God made sure my dad made a huge impact on every life he encountered—and a testament to this fact was not just the large number or people who came to his funeral (even the paramedics and firefighters who came to his home the day he passed were at his funeral) but the words of appreciation that were shared then and now.

A testament to this fact were the people who apologized or showed remorse, because they either harmed my dad in someway or felt they were harmed by him and now saw things in a different light. When the veil is removed you see things clearly.

We have a choice to either accept and embrace God’s Truth or the enemy’s lie.

I truly believe that my dad’s belief in and strong understanding of God and Jesus not only blessed him with eternal life, but also the opportunity to still be a blessing to others even today. His loving presence is still felt by all those who knew him, respected him, appreciated him, and loved him.

It’s been 11 years today since he passed and no one has stopped sharing their memories about my father, dad, and friend. We miss him yet you can’t help but smile when you think of the good he continues to do, and how great it will be to reunite with him one day and hear all of his stories and experiences. I believe this, I don’t just wish or hope. I believe.

I believe that life does not end when I take my last human breath. For I know I am a spiritual being here in human form, experiencing life in a different way so that I can be prepared and learn to appreciate my planned life on the next level.

Our life here on Earth is about lessons, love, embracing and expressing God, our humbleness in our blessings, taking care of the least of God’s children, making decisions, learning from our experiences, touching lives, utilizing our talents and strengths, being receptive and open to others, connecting the dots between the old and wise and the young and wise, and turning knowledge into wisdom that can be passed down generationally. It’s about seeking and knowing the Truth, and being free in this Truth.

God is Father. Jesus is Son.

Love always,

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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Natasha’s Daily Scripture, Prayer and Reflection for 7.27.12

Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.

Psalm 55:22 NIV

Pray
Father I am grateful for the smile You put on my face each day when I wake up and experience all that life has to offer. This smile develops more when I look into the eyes of a child, hear the laughter of a baby or an elder, and when I see Your children serving You by serving others.

I smile when I have the chance to sit down and listen to the words of the wise. I smile when I notice another blessing that I overlooked or didn’t see coming, and when an obstacle is cleared out of my path through Your will and grace.

I smile when I see Your healing in action, and when I see Your work that others would say could only be a miracle of the universe–or the luck of the draw—but ignorantly don’t give You the credit and the glory—I still smile though, because You and I know the truth. This truth saves me and frees me to be me! Thank You Father. I love You!

Reflection
When you believe more and more each day in God and His ability to heal all, save all, solve all, and create opportunities when others only see barriers—then you see His light everywhere—even in the darkest of places and spaces.

When our trust in God is securely ‘there’ we can never be shaken or disturbed, and nothing can make us deter from our paths. When we are truly ‘there’ with God we begin to skydive and soar freely—we are totally free and at peace.

It does not make sense to only conceive of or experience being at peace when we leave this level of existence and leave behind our human shells we call bodies. Peace and joy can be experienced now. We just have to let go and take that step! I’m getting closer each day…..

Love your sister,

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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Natasha’s Daily Scripture, Prayer and Reflection for 7.26.12

“Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.”

Matthew 6:1 NIV

Pray
Father all that I do and all that I am is for You and because of You. I do not claim my Christian life to satisfy or impress others. I do not pray, worship, meditate, praise, and spread Your Word to prove to others that I’m a Christian and follower of Christ. These things I do to build upon my relationship with You, and to strengthen our bond. As a result, by praising You and sharing with others Your Word and the blessings You have given me, I have been blessed once more to bless others.

Let my service never be under false pretenses, for I promise that I give freely what I have received. Bless You Father. Amen.

Reflection
Some folks parade their Christianity around like it’s a new car, but will be the first to slap you, curse you, or gossip about you if given the chance.

Have you seen a person driving a car with the Christian fish symbol on the trunk? Have you ever accidentally irritated them while driving? What reactions have you received? More than once I have been cursed out or given the middle finger because I did something to upset one of these Christian drivers. I have never been appalled by the reaction in general, but I have looked in amazement when I see these reactions from Christians who advertise their faith, religious beliefs, and alleged commitment to be a follower of Jesus—like they advertise their favorite sport.

Overt public displays of your beliefs and commitments says a lot about a person, and the perception is that people who advertise their Christian beliefs would also be active practitioners—being and showing love to all, even in times of stress, or when the love isn’t returned.

Jesus said not to practice righteousness to get and keep an audience, because it’s not their opinion or accolades that matter—what matters is what God says, thinks and does in response to our actions.

If you wear a cross to let others know you are a believer, then you might as well take it off because your motives are self-serving. The cross is not a symbol to be used like a membership card. It is a reminder of the sacrifice Jesus made for us, the lessons he taught, and the responsibilities that we bear when we commit to our lifelong journey.

Walk for God. Walk for Jesus. Walk for yourself. Don’t walk or profile like you are just to get noticed. Or you will get noticed by God.

Have a beautiful day family. Remember to put God first, family second, and your career third. In that order all things are possible and balance is present.

Lovingly yours,

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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Natasha’s Daily Scripture, Prayer and Reflection for 7.25.12

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

Matthew 5:8 NIV

Pray
Father You give me the freedom to make choices, and never force me to do anything. But I know in my heart when I do wrong, when I speak unkind words, when my thoughts are poisoned, and when I’m not being a true ambassador for Your Kingdom.

I want to always reflect You and serve only You. When I give in to temptation I have chosen to serve the enemy, but I know I cannot serve two masters. Father touch me so that I always choose what is right, and that I always follow Your light. Touch me so that I choose my words wisely and know an appropriate word to use, rather than harshly or lazily choosing profanity or something as equally idiotic. I say that I am wise, I want to show that wisdom by making wise decisions and walking the walk as a genuine ambassador for Christ. I humbly pray for strength, patience, courage, and understanding. Amen.

Reflection
When you speak are they your words as a human following the world, or are they the words of one of God’s ambassadors? Do you speak positively even in the darkest of moments, or are you quick to be fearful, cynical, and negative?
Can you easily lift others spirits up but then dwell on your own challenges?

Do you constantly compare your burden with others, telling them that what they are going through is nothing like what you are going through? Do you think the cross you bear is larger and heavier than others? Do you see yourself as the ‘only one’ carrying such a cross?

Do you raise your voice, yell, curse, talk down to, and demean others? Do you place demands on others because of your role, title, or position?

If your thoughts, speech, and actions are not aligned with God’s then you are following the world not Him.

If you find the cross you bear so much of a burden that you compare it with others, complain about it, and think that you are the only one carrying such a heavy load—then you are not aligned with God and His plan and purpose for you. You have missed the lesson and missed the ‘boat’.

If the words that come out of your mouth and the actions you take cause harm to others, it is not their fault and it is not their inability to deal with life or others, but rather it is your negativity and inability to be more like Jesus. Your words and actions are of the enemy and not of God. Cursing is ignorance, not of God. Cursing at someone or using curse words negatively when addressing someone is an action fueled by the enemy, not God. The same is true when we talk down to others, call them names, trigger them to cry or withdraw. We are serving the enemy and not God.

So I pray for forgiveness when I am negative and when I use profanity. I know better. I know I can use different words when excited, angry, sad, or afraid. I know that I’m always to look for God’s light and have faith in His ability to right all wrongs. When I give in to negativity, I am doubting God and failing to serve Him.

Let’s pray for each other today and everyday, that we watch our thoughts, our speech, and our actions—for someone may be watching and saying, “so that’s what it means to be a Christian!”

Love always,

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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Natasha’s Daily Scripture, Prayer and Reflection for 7.24.12

“Those who cling to worthless idols turn away from God’s love for them. But I, with shouts of grateful praise, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good. I will say, ‘Salvation comes from the Lord.'”

Jonah 2:8, 9 NIV

Pray
When I turn to anyone or anything else other than You and Jesus, I have chosen to have a conditional relationship with You Father. I pray for a relationship with You that honors You always. I pray to always put You first and to always seek Your light. As You mold my clay, squeeze out those things that displease You. In Your son’s holy name I pray to You. Amen.

Reflection
Jonah was in the mouth of a whale declaring God’s strength, power, and glory. He did not give up and accept defeat, but rather knew that only God could determine his fate. He prayed for God’s will to be done. His faith and commitment during the darkest of moments showed Jonah’s true character, and because of this God released Jonah from the whale.

How many of us can say that if we were in the same situation we would think, respond, and pray as Jonah did that day? Jonah was less focused on himself and totally focused on God. There is an amazing quote by Beth Moore that truly highlights this relationship that Jonah had with God, and the type of relationship that we should all strive to have, “Spiritual worship is focusing all we are on all He is.”

Think about that—if we only focused on our connection to and with God, and saw ourselves only as He sees us—how would our lives change for the better? What types of obstacles could we overcome when our vision is never limited?

We should all pray for this type of focus.

Love always 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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Natasha’s Daily Scripture, Prayer and Reflection for 7.23.12

Honor the Lord with your wealth,
with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.

Proverbs 3:9, 10 NIV

Pray
Father I have placed other things before You. Today I didn’t start my day with You as my center, and throughout my day I didn’t place You as my top priority.

If it weren’t for You I wouldn’t be blessed and have the gifts that surround me each day, so to honor You I will not allow anything or anyone to distract me from praying and meditating each morning and each night. I will watch how I speak, control my thoughts, and consider the outcome before I act.

I give my time first to You Lord. Amen.

Reflection
The busyness of life can sometimes throw us off track consuming us with human priorities, as we quickly forget our spiritual ones.

There are days when instead of starting my day reading my Bible, praying, reflecting, and writing this blog entry–I instead trip into something else that I know is less important and meaningful. Those days I am weak.

So I pray to God for the strength to remain focused on learning and sharing God’s Word, and being the best servant that I can be. I also pray that God strengthens you, guides you, and opens your eyes to the numerous possibilities that life has to offer. I am grateful that He has brought us together.

Together let’s lovingly encourage each other to put God first as our day begins and ends, in all of our decisions, and in every relationship.

Have a blessed evening!

Love always 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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Natasha’s Daily Scripture, Prayer and Reflection for 7.19.12

John answered, “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.”

Luke 3:11 NIV

Pray
Father am I doing enough for others? If I’m not please show me the areas and opportunities I need to jump both feet into. If I am, please keep filling my cup so that I can bless even more people. I humbly and sincerely pray this to You today. Amen.

Reflection
I give until it hurts and then I give more. I don’t feel the pain in the ways most would or expect, for it isn’t a burden but rather a blessing.

When I say I give until it hurts, I mean that my body may be running on ’empty’ out of exhaustion from going nonstop at times helping people and those within underserved communities.

But even when I’m clearly exhausted, I still have a smile on my face and a pep in my step, and I get up again the next day to do it again. It is an honor and privilege to do so.

I am blessed and highly favored and I know it. I know this to be true because even in days when I had no money in my bank account, God has provided. When no health insurance meant high medical bills, God sorted it out and I didn’t have to pay a penny.

When I didn’t think I had the energy to get out of bed some days, or stay up late to get work done, God gave me the fuel. God has fed me, clothed me, healed me, nurtured me, and picked me up off my face when I have fallen.

So why would I keep this testimony to myself? Why would I not be a blessing to others? Why would I not be a true servant to others? So yes, I go into neighborhoods where crime rates are higher, poverty is suffocating, and hope is dwindling—and I roll up my sleeves and get to work. Because writing a check or making an in-kind donation is nice but it’s also passive. On-the-ground, getting your hands ‘dirty’ work is active service—it’s how Jesus served.

Jesus washed his disciples feet first! Jesus didn’t ‘train’ people and then say after, “ok now you go out there and serve the poor and shut-in, while I work over here on the administrative, bureaucratic stuff,” no Jesus did it all and taught his followers how.

There are two amazing quotes that I just read that I could not wait to share with you:

“The Christian gives all she knows of herself to all she knows of God and continues to grow in the knowledge of both.” -Gladys Hunt

“A cup that is already full cannot have more added to it. In order to receive the further good to which we are entitled, we must give of that which we have.” -Margaret Becker

Both of these quotes reflect what I see in my life and they reinforce why I do what I do–without hesitation, question, doubt, frustration, or fear. My faith is secure that what I do I am supposed to do, and with joy and gladness in my heart. So I pray that God continues to show me where help is needed, and I pray that I am able to serve all of the days of my life.

Are you seizing your opportunities to give and express God’s blessings to the least of His children? If not, ask Him how.

Love always 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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Natasha’s Daily Scripture, Prayer and Reflection for 7.18.12

For I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess.

Deuteronomy 30:16 NIV

Pray
Father I am trying. You know my heart. Thank You for loving me as I struggle with getting out of my own way, and living as You command. I love You. I need You. Amen.

Reflection
God always shows us and protects us. We must take that step forward and never look back. We must learn to obey—yes, always—even when we don’t understand. This is our continued struggle. But we are designed to succeed.

Love always,

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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Natasha’s Daily Scripture, Prayer and Reflection for 7.17.12

“Sacrifice thank offerings to God,
fulfill your vows to the Most High, and call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me.”

Psalm 50:14, 15 NIV

Pray
Father thank You for my blessings. Thank You for the paths You place before me, and thank You for all of the people who You place in my life. Thank You for my guardian angels, even though I may never recognize them and what they do in each instance. I will never take for granted what You have done and are doing for me. In Your name I pray. Amen.

Reflection
God is always with us to guide us, protect us, and to catch us. He has always had a guardian angel watching out for you, and He has surrounded you with people who will help you reach your goals. Why wouldn’t we praise each day?

Thank Him. Each time you take notice of His gifts to you, thank Him.

Love always,

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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Natasha’s Daily Scripture, Prayer and Reflection for 7.16.12

You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word.

Psalm 119:114 NIV

Pray
Father I never want to doubt You or Your Word. Never have You left me alone, exposed to harm, or without life’s necessities. You have always been here for me, protecting me, nurturing me, and feeding me. I am blessed and it is only because of You that I have any joy, peace, love, respect, dignity, happiness, passion, or hope.

When my life is chaotic it is always because I chose to make a decision not guided by You; during those moments where fear, doubt, or arrogance consumed me, and I turned inward rather than open my arms to Your embrace—I have found myself in pain and miserable.

Father I want to get to a place in my life where I do and say as You command without hesitation. Mold me Father. Give me the strength and courage to let go.

Reflection
I wonder how my life would be if only I surrendered 100% to God.
Have you stopped and reflected on that for your own life. What if you stopped, let go, surrendered, and obeyed from this point on—how would your life be?

I’m praying for the strength and courage to let go and skydive with my eyes wide open into the life I’m supposed to be living.

Love,
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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Natasha’s Daily Scripture, Prayer and Reflection for 7.13.12

That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

Philippians 3:10 KJV

Pray
I want to be more like Jesus. How I speak, think, behave, treat others, live, and reflect Your wondrous light.

I want to know Jesus intimately. I want to follow him always on the paths You lay. Here I am Father, surrendering.

Reflection
There is no better example of the way to live than Jesus. We imitate others, we “fake it til we make it”, yet we don’t put in the same energy and attention to imitate Jesus.

Why do we find it so hard to love others as we love ourselves? Why do we struggle with being selfless? These are characteristics and actions of Jesus.

Works in progress we are. Praying for God’s molding each day.

Have a blessed day and weekend.

Love,
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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Natasha’s Daily Scripture, Prayer and Reflection for 7.12.12

I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.

1 Corinthians 1:10 NIV

Pray
Father when I slip I pray that You catch me before I hit the ground. I want to dedicate each day to worshipping and praising You, and sitting back in prayer conversing about my next steps. I want to see the blessings in the worst situations. I want to feel You even when I’m being beaten down by the world. I want to hear Your voice in the midst of chaos, and answer You by doing what You have called me to do.

Father keep redirecting me so that I align myself with other followers of Christ, and please quiet those who out of confusion would come to me to cause frustration and drama. Let both sides quickly nod in agreement to take a step back, rather than go into a battle that is not ours. I want to unite with other believer-followers so that I can continue to join in celebrating and spreading Your good Word. I ask these things in Jesus’s name. Amen.

Reflection
I read two awesome quotes that made me want to share them with the world, so here you go:

“It is wonderful to have all kinds of human support systems, but we must always stand firm in God and in Him alone.” – Joyce Meyer

“Only when we realize that we are indeed broken, that we are not independent, that we cannot do it ourselves, can we turn to God and take that which He has given to us, no matter what it is, a create with it.” – Madeleine L’Engle

I look at these quotes and the more I recite them the more I see how lovingly dependent I am upon God, and that my human interaction is only another way of seeing and experiencing Him through others—not a substitute but rather a reinforcer—so that is why Jesus encouraged that we align with other believers so that in each other we can see pure reflections of God and His magnificent light. When we are associating with people who spew from their mouths and pores messages and energy that is dark, we don’t see a reflection of God that is nurturing. If we don’t run away we end up being sucked into a vortex of fear.

We are broken. We are not independent. We cannot do this by ourselves. But we do have God. Let’s turn to Him always. Let’s lean on Him as He can bear all weight, rather than constantly leaning on other humans whose shoulders can only handle so much. I love you all and pray for your continued peace and rejuvenation.

Lovingly,

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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Natasha’s Daily Scripture, Prayer and Reflection for 7.11.12

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 NIV

Pray
Father I pray that as You are molding me, that You continue to mold my thoughts and speech. Stop me before anything but Your goodness manifests from my thoughts into words or deeds.

Warm my heart and fill it to the brim so that I’m always looking for solutions, not overwhelmed by problems, and constantly lifting others up regardless of their behavior.

Let me always share the love Jesus shared, even when he was putting people in their place—he did so with love. Let me handle every situation with grace, remove myself from drama, rebuke the lies and ignorance that attempts to betray me, and let me repeat these steps effortlessly each and every day. I give You all the glory. I love You Father. Amen.

Reflection
If we are not lifting each other up in praise we are either letting people fall, or we’re pushing them down.

It doesn’t matter what someone else does or says, do not lower yourself to their level and standards–but rise higher beyond their reach and declare to God your commitment to serve respectfully as His ambassador–and then do exactly that.

When you rise above situations you can easily remove yourself, and walk away with dignity and grace—leaving even your adversary standing with their dignity unharmed by you.

We must consistently and passionately praise our loved ones so that even when times get tough and they are drowning in doubt, your praise can be the life raft that helps to save them and see Jesus’s strong hand. We cannot complain that our loved ones are causing us emotional strain, for Jesus never gave up on his family or his disciples—even when he knew one would betray him and more than one would deny being his follower.

Remember with family, friend or foe it’s not about them, but it’s all about you and how you speak, think, and behave. Let’s rise up and be the ambassadors we are called to be.

Share your testimony of rising above negativity or fear by posting a comment to today’s post. You will see a comment tab beneath this post that will allow you to post comments. I and we would love to hear your story.

Love,

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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Natasha’s Daily Scripture, Prayer and Reflection for 7.9.12

The Lord approves of those who are good, but he condemns those who plan wickedness.

Proverbs 12:2

Pray
Father protect me from myself when I turn inwards and don’t reflect Your goodness. Protect me from those moments when I don’t speak up but should, and as a result I am hurt. Protect me from others who plot and plan against me. Protect Your other children so that they do no harm to others and receive no harm in return.

Prepare and protect those coming into this world through birth, and prepare and protect those leaving this world to go to the next level of existence. Let us all see, gravitate towards, and choose to embrace and reflect Your light rather than dig our heads inside holes of darkness.

Forgive me for my sins, and forgive those who have sinned against me. Amen.

Reflection
You are not responsible for others actions or lack thereof, but you are responsible for yourself, what you do, how you behave, and how you speak to yourself and others.

You have a choice to rise above situations or lower yourself to sling mud like a wild animal. You have a choice to do the right thing or give into the enemy’s plan. You have a choice to help others and be an asset, or you can be a liability through your selfishness, self-centeredness, and pride.

You can use your intelligence for the greater good or to plant and cultivate the seeds of evil. When you plan to do harm either through action or inaction, you are working as a servant of the enemy, not for God.

You have a choice, that’s the beauty and blessing of being God’s creation. We can choose. We also must deal with the consequences of our choice.

Love,

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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Natasha’s Daily Scripture, Prayer and Reflection for 7.3.12

…Jesus told him, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.”

Mark 5:36 NIV

Pray
Father I have to believe that You will protect me from harm, that You will guide me down the right paths, prepare me for what’s ahead, and that You will always make a way out of no way. I have to believe that if I have the knowledge then I can jump into any waters and come up unharmed. I have to believe that if I face any real or psychological storms, that You will calm them just as You did through Jesus during the storm in Galilee.

Father I’m praying for my release from fear. I’m praying for the ability to not be afraid even when facing death, and I have to admit that I’m no where close to being there. Day by day remove my fear so that I can, through You, replace it with complete faith in You. I pray these things with the deepest of sincerity. Amen.

Reflection
Let me first start off by wishing my late, great father, Robert Foreman, a very happy 59th birthday. Eleven years ago this month he passed away abruptly and without warning. The last three years I have done better coping and managing my loss, reminding myself that my dad always said never to mourn those who have passed–that it’s our selfishness and not our obedience to God and to those who have gone on to the next level of existence, that we hold on to and harbor these depressing feelings about that person leaving.

My spiritual side gets it; my human side wants my dad here to sit down and chat with me, get my sister aligned, and encourage my mom to reach out and grab those dreams. My human side wants my dad here to walk me down the wedding aisle, to hold his grandchildren, to trash-talk me through my gym workouts, and to help me see clearly through business deals to see past my fears. My spiritual side knows that he is definitely in a better place with God and our loved ones. My human side misses him and cries out from time to time.

This is where my faith needs strengthening. This is where my human side must align with my spiritual side if I am going to make that next step on my journey as an ambassador for Christ. I must walk the walk.

I must face and overcome my fear of loss, failure, too much success, death, not becoming a wife and mother, and not thriving on every level of my life. I must face my fears and overcome them if I truly want to live. I must rise each day with conviction, purpose, and a plan—and then run like crazy to make things happen each and every day. If I don’t face my fears then they will hunt me down and turn my nightmare into a reality. My fears will lead to my demise. How ironic is that? A fear of death leading to death. Wow!

What are your fears?Where are you in your life at facing down those fears? Are you sick and tired of coming up short in so many areas of your life? Do you know this is only happening because of your lack of faith in God? Are you ready to take that first step towards stomping on one of your fears? Then let’s do this! I want to live a long, loving, joyful, healthy, rewarding, successful, wise, and prosperous life, how about you? So let’s open our eyes and take that first step today!

Love,

Natasha
P.S. Happy birthday dad. I will get this right and make both of us proud! 🙂
Happy belated birthday Johnnie Smith! Keep doing in your 80s what some can’t do in their 60s!

Copyright 2012. Natasha L. Foreman. Some Rights Reserved. All Prayers and Reflections are Copyright Protected by Natasha L. Foreman. breakingbreadwithnatasha.blogspot.com
breakingbreadwithnatasha.wordpress.com

Natasha’s Daily Scripture, Prayer and Reflection for 7.2.12

…in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you.

Titus 2:7, 8 NKJV

Pray
Father I understand that I may be the only example of a Christian that some have encountered, I may be the only Bible they have ever heard, and I never want to set a bad example that will turn potential followers away.

Let my thoughts, speech, and actions be that of a dignified and loving ambassador representing Your Kingdom. Mold me Father. In Your name I pray. Amen.

Reflection
When you know right you should live right. You should be the same person in church as you are in the streets. You should be the same person you are with strangers as you are with friends and family. We shouldn’t be speaking one way yet doing another. It should be consistent and irrefutable. Naysayers shouldn’t be able to dispute you and knock you down.

A great quote shared by Corrie ten Boom, helps to balance us in our confusion and worry about living right :

“Don’t worry about what you do not understand. Worry about what you understand in the Bible but do not live by.”

How deep and moving is that message? Some things we just don’t understand, and for those things we shouldn’t rack our brains trying to figure it out—for God will bring the knowledge in due time.

But for those things we do know and understand in the Bible, if we aren’t obeying what God and Jesus instructed then we should be more than alarmed—we should be working aggressively to make things right in our life.

We should be praying to God to release us from our self-inflicted bondage.

We should remove what’s wrong in our lives and replace it with what’s right. Our thoughts, speech, dress, habits, obsession with material possessions, false need for instant gratification, and our issues with honesty and loyalty—should all be purged and replaced by examples we would want Jesus to see and commend.

Each day we can work on ourselves. Each day we can embrace more love and pour into others more love. Each day we can rely less on man and human expectations, and lean more on God—and use Jesus’s example to think, speak, live and do BETTER!

Love,

Natasha

Copyright 2012. Natasha L. Foreman. Some Rights Reserved. All Prayers and Reflections are Copyright Protected by Natasha L. Foreman. breakingbreadwithnatasha.blogspot.com
breakingbreadwithnatasha.wordpress.com