Scripture
He who loves [and takes more pleasure in] father or mother more than [in] Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves [and takes more pleasure in] son or daughter more than [in] Me is not worthy of Me; And he who does not take up his cross and follow Me [cleave steadfastly to Me, conforming wholly to My example in living and, if need be, in dying also] is not worthy of Me.
Whoever finds his [lower] life will lose it [the higher life], and whoever loses his [lower] life on My account will find it [the higher life].
He who receives and welcomes and accepts you receives and welcomes and accepts Me, and he who receives and welcomes and accepts Me receives and welcomes and accepts Him Who sent Me.
And blessed (happy, fortunate, and to be envied) is he who takes no offense at Me and finds no cause for stumbling in or through Me and is not hindered from seeing the Truth.
Matthew 10:37-40 AMP; Matthew 11:6 AMP
Pray
Thank You Father for this day, another day of life to serve and try to reflect You. You know my heart and what I’m trying to do. You know my desire to commit fully to You, and not waiver. Help me Father to see how to learn and live by Your Son’s words and ways, as You taught Him, so that I may do right by and for You. As a believer in Jesus Christ and a tested, yet struggling, follower of Your Word—I give You all the glory. Amen.
Reflection
The biggest hurdle as a Christian is letting go of our human ways, wants, desires, and connections—and seeking out only the spiritual life that only God can provide. Our love for our children is the love God has for us, but we’re to love Him more than our children. We’re to love Him more than our spouses, parents, and other family members. We’re supposed to cleave to Him, not them.
God sent so many men and women before Jesus, to prepare the people for Jesus—just for the people to reject or not protect Jesus. Consider had the masses turned on the human power structure that called for Jesus’ crucifixion, and instead loudly and broadly declared Jesus as the Son of God—how would life have been at that time? How would life be now?
By accepting and believing both Jesus and God, His Father, our Father, there would have been generational acceptance and embrace that would have changed how people interacted, dealt with issues and disputes, handled crime (which would’ve been lowered significantly), worshipped, and so much more.
Jesus sacrificed for us, but what have we done for Him and God? Turn on local, national, and global news stations and see for yourself.
Questions of the Day
1. What do you think of today’s message?
2. What would you like to add to today’s message?
3. What are your biggest struggles within your relationship with Jesus and God?
Feel free to share your answers, prayers, comments, and reflections in the comment section below. You can also send me an email at: breakingbreadwithnatasha@gmail.com
Please also feel free to share this post with others. We’re never quite sure who needs to hear and see what, and when! It would be awesome if whenever you run across a prayer, message, or scripture that moves you, you would kindly share it with the rest of us. You can post it on this blog or send me an email.
Love always,
Natasha
Copyright 2013-2014. Natasha Foreman Bryant. Some Rights Reserved. All Prayers and Reflections are Copyright Protected by Natasha Foreman Bryant, unless otherwise noted. Prior posts from 2009-2013 are copyrighted under the name Natasha L. Foreman. breakingbreadwithnatasha.com
Scripture quotations taken from the Amplified® Bible,
Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation Used by permission.(www.Lockman.org)
Scripture taken from the Common English Bible®, CEB® Copyright © 2010, 2011 by Common English Bible.™ Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. The “CEB” and “Common English Bible” trademarks are registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Common English Bible. Use of either trademark requires the permission of Common English Bible.
Scripture quotations marked HCSB are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Holman CSB®, and HCSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.
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