Natasha’s Daily Scripture, Prayer, and Reflection for 9.23.16

September 23, 2016Natasha Leave a comment

Scripture

Psalm 97:10

Pray

I rebuke evil in all forms. I pray for the courage to keep my mind and heart focused on You, so that I don’t give in to the wicked. Protect me Father. Amen.

Reflection

We can’t do evil things and then call ourselves followers of Christ. When you see evil things and say nothing to right the wrong, then aren’t you an accessory after the fact? When you see a crime take place (or know the details of one) and you don’t notify law enforcement, doesn’t that mean you condone the act of the wrongdoer? You can’t love God and embrace evil. Rebuke the evil.

Questions of the Day

1. What would you like to add to today’s prayer and/or reflection?

2. What are your thoughts about today’s message?

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 2013-2016. 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 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

Natasha’s Daily Scripture, Prayer, and Reflection for 9.22.16

September 22, 2016Natasha Leave a comment

Scripture

Proverbs 4:23

Pray

I pray for a humble and warmed heart. I don’t want it to become cold, dark, and hardened. I promise to protect it with love Father. Amen.

Reflection

If you heart is filled with love then your path will be filled with optimism. If your heart is hardening from the pain caused by rejection and attacks from others, then your path will be lined with skepticism. Your heart guides you. Your inability to forgive means you hold on to energy that eventually drains you. There’s no way to be physically, mentally, and spiritually healthy if your heart is cold. Protect your heart.

Questions of the Day

1. What would you like to add to today’s prayer and/or reflection?

2. What are your thoughts about today’s message?

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

Love always,

Natasha

Natasha’s Daily Scripture, Prayer, and Reflection for 9.21.16

September 21, 2016Natasha Leave a comment

Scripture

Romans 8:26

Pray

You know my needs Father. I turn my concerns over to You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Reflection

Jesus said that the Holy Spirit would come to bring us comfort. You don’t know what God wants you to pray for, so why not turn to His Word, and let the gaps fill at His will. Stand out of the way. Let go of the steering wheel. Shorten your prayers as Jesus instructed. Let God do what only He can.

Questions of the Day

1. What would you like to add to today’s prayer and/or reflection?

2. What are your thoughts about today’s message?

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

Love always,

Natasha

Natasha’s Daily Scripture, Prayer, and Reflection for 9.20.16

September 20, 2016Natasha Leave a comment

Scripture

Proverbs 3:11-12

Pray

I pray for peace even in turmoil. I know that Your discipline is for my best interest. Redirect my steps so that I may honor You.

Reflection

Recall those moments throughout childhood when you were disobedient and did not do what your parents told you to do. Most likely you were disciplined for your disobedience. Through your tears you may have heard the words, “this is for your own good” or “I’m doing this because I love you.”

You didn’t believe it at the time, but eventually–maybe once you became an adult–you had to admit to yourself that your parents were right and the discipline was for your own good. I know I did some really stupid things as a child. I know that there were times I was blatantly disobedient. When my parents disciplined me I thought they were being cruel and far from sensible. I’ve grown to learn that they weren’t being cruel and had they simply let me do whatever I wanted, my life could have really spiraled out of control.

Hopefully at some point we will look back and reflect on the discipline that we have received, and we will admit that our disobedience was the reason. Hopefully we will embrace the discipline as a sign of God’s love.

Questions of the Day

1. What would you like to add to today’s prayer and/or reflection?

2. What are your thoughts about today’s message?

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

Love always,

Natasha

Natasha’s Daily Scripture, Prayer, and Reflection for 9.19.16

September 19, 2016Natasha Leave a comment

Scripture

“Inasmuch then as we [believers] have a great High Priest who has [already ascended and] passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession [of faith and cling tenaciously to our absolute trust in Him as Savior]. For we do not have a High Priest who is unable to sympathize and understand our weaknesses and temptations, but One who has been tempted [knowing exactly how it feels to be human] in every respect as we are, yet without [committing any] sin. Therefore let us [with privilege] approach the throne of grace [that is, the throne of God’s gracious favor] with confidence and without fear, so that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find [His amazing] grace to help in time of need [an appropriate blessing, coming just at the right moment].”

‭‭HEBREWS‬ ‭4:14-16‬ ‭AMP‬‬

Pray

Father, You know the sins that I’ve committed and all that I’ve tried to hide from others, and even deny to myself. You know my weaknesses and the areas where I’m most tempted. Strengthen me Father. Fill those gaps that are exposed. Help me Father. I pray to You as a believer and follower. Amen.

Reflection

God sent us Jesus, as the way shower. Jesus understood temptation because he had been tempted. He understood fear because he had been afraid. He understood pain, because it had been inflicted upon him. Jesus was not exempt from feeling all degrees of discomfort, rejection, frustration, sadness, and loss. Knowing what little that we have read about Jesus, we can gather that through his tests and tribulations, he still dug deep and chose to walk on the side of Light. It wasn’t easy and on the surface, his ultimate sacrifice wasn’t worth it, because he sacrificed his life for us and we still won’t do right by God. However, Jesus knows what God told and promised him, and he obeyed. We believe that there is an existence that is better than life here on Earth. Some even believe in places called heaven and hell. So if the path to heaven is paved by how much we align our ways to Jesus’s footsteps, then many of us have to face the fact that our diverted walk won’t lead us to our fantasizes pearly gates. What is our contingency plan? If you don’t believe in life after here, then I guess it doesn’t matter what you do in the now. Just be free. Thank God that He gives us choices and free will.

Questions of the Day

1. What would you like to add to today’s prayer and/or reflection?

2. What are your thoughts about today’s message?

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

Love always,

Natasha

Natasha’s Daily Scripture, Prayer, and Reflection for 9.14.16

September 14, 2016Natasha Leave a comment

Quick Announcement:

I want to wish my husband, John Hope Bryant, a happy anniversary. Here’s to three years of marriage, six years of love, and a long and bright future together. I love you!

Natasha (“Effortless”)

Now to resume our breaking bread experience…

Scripture

2 Timothy 3:10-15

Pray

I pray for strength, conviction, courage, and humility. Father let me see and avoid the manipulator, the con, the deceiver, and the cheat. Point me in the right direction. I pray to remain centered in You. Amen.

Reflection

We turn on the television and surf online, and we hear and see toxic messaging from people who are more deceived than those they lead astray. Can you see what’s happening? Can you see the false messaging? Can you see the deception unfolding? If not, then you’re most likely in line to be deceived. Pray to God for discernment, clarity, vision, and the courage to walk away from the deceiver.

We have to stop supporting and voting for politicians who are benefitting from our blind loyalty. We are not cattle waiting for slaughter. Rise above and see the ploy. Cast your vote for the honorable doer, not the all smiles double-talker. Our loyalty should be to God. Pray to Him and He will make things clear.

Questions of the Day

1. What would you like to add to today’s prayer and/or reflection?

2. What are your thoughts about today’s message?

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

Love always,

Natasha

Natasha’s Daily Scripture, Prayer, and Reflection for 9.13.16

September 13, 2016Natasha Leave a comment

Scripture

2 Timothy 3:6-9

Pray

Guide me to Your Truth Father. I pray for discernment to see and know the Truth. Amen.

Reflection

Jannes and Jambres were Egyptian con artists who challenged Moses, and their hoax was eventually discovered. Imagine if they had succeeded to discredit Moses.

There are countless people who are set on misleading and taking advantage of you. If you’re naive and gullible then you’re easily prey. If you lack hope and faith, then you leave yourself exposed and vulnerable to attack. Be careful and cautious. Follow your gut instinct. That’s God’s faint voice guiding you.

Questions of the Day

1. What would you like to add to today’s prayer and/or reflection?

2. What are your thoughts about today’s message?

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

Love always,

Natasha

Natasha’s Daily Scripture, Prayer, and Reflection for 9.12.16

September 12, 2016Natasha Leave a comment

Scripture

2 Timothy 3:1-5

Prayer

Keep my eyes locked on You Father. Help me remain strong.

Reflection

There’s so much temptation in the world. We have to fight the lures that can lead to our destruction. Fight the baiting of those who aim for your failure. Turn away and focus on God’s voice.

Questions of the Day

1. What would you like to add to today’s prayer and/or reflection?

2. What are your thoughts about today’s message?

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

Love always,

Natasha

Natasha’s Daily Scripture, Prayer, and Reflection for 9.9.16

September 9, 2016Natasha Leave a comment

Scripture

Leviticus 19:18

Pray

Father turn me away from the darkness that celebrates inflicting pain on others, and the constant self-infliction that comes as a penalty. I do not need revenge, I just need You. I don’t need to hold grudges, I just need You. Help me Lord to let go of the grievances. Help me to love others with the same depth and intensity of love that I have for myself. Fill my heart Father. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Reflection

A trigger pulled may lead you to pull one in return. A blade cuts deep, both ways, and you have a choice between letting go and pursuing with the intent of gaining the upper hand on your enemy. Jesus said to turn the other cheek. Modern man says with a smirk, “Jesus didn’t say what to do after that other cheek was slapped”. It was implied, that we’re to keep turning the other cheek–I guess until the person slapping it grows tired and stops.

I’ve been weak in this area. You slap me and I defend to prevent the next slap, or we’ll just be two slapping fools. But I know what Jesus taught and I know what God expects.

I always remind people that I’m a Christian-in-Training, a mound of clay that God’s constantly molding. Perfect I am not, except in God’s eyes, as His reflection. But my walk has at times been reckless. Thank goodness He loves and forgives me anyway.

I used to hold on to grudges for years until my dad opened my eyes to a reality. He said something to the effect of, “while you’re busy holding on to a grudge, the person you’re fixated on doesn’t even remember or care about the issue you’re still harboring resentment over”. I reflected on that for quite some time, and then I gradually began to let go of grudges I had been holding on to, and I reflect on those words now to keep myself from holding on to grudges.

In love relationships I adopted the saying, “the best revenge is living well”, so I was never the type of person to seek revenge as the scorned lover. If someone doesn’t love me I move on. I’m not about to destroy property, act a fool, and risk jail time or my life trying to get revenge.

The question of crime always comes up when we discuss revenge. If a person commits a crime against you and/or a loved one, when you call for justice, what is the justice that you seek? If a death occurred do you expect death as the penalty for the crime? Will it really bring you peace within? It definitely won’t bring back to life the person who was slain. But somehow we think it evens the field. But if you still don’t have peace, the scoreboard still has you behind by one or more points.

What would you want if the tables were turned? That’s something to think and pray about, and work towards.

Questions of the Day

1. What would you like to add to today’s prayer and/or reflection?

2. What are your thoughts about today’s message?

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

Love always,

Natasha

Natasha’s Daily Scripture, Prayer, and Reflection for 9.9.16

September 9, 2016Natasha Leave a comment

Scripture

Psalm 16:11

Pray

You have shown me the path Father and I intend to honor You by obediently following that path, and living life to the fullest, as You would desire. Thank You Father for this gift and for this opportunity. I pray that I don’t squander it. Humbly I accept.

Praising You today and always. Amen.

Reflection

God has laid out the path and the plan. Like the forest that has been gracefully hollowed out where animals pass through without much delay, there is clearance for us to walk on this journey designed by our Heavenly Father. Take the step forward and finally begin living your life, fully, purposefully, and intentionally. Step now.

Questions of the Day

1. What would you like to add to today’s prayer and/or reflection?

2. What are your thoughts about today’s message?

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

Love always,

Natasha

Natasha’s Daily Scripture, Prayer, and Reflection for 9.8.16

September 8, 2016Natasha Leave a comment

Scripture

Hebrews 12:14

Pray

Fill me with Your peace Father, so that I might reflect Your light outward to touch others in love. I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Reflection

Peace comes from within, so we must turn inward, pulling out and bestowing upon others this gift. The scripture says to “work at living in peace with everyone”. That first word is “work”, which means that it won’t be easy, but it’s always worth it. That last word is “everyone”. It didn’t say “someone” and it didn’t say, “your loved ones”. It said that we have to work at loving every single human being, and it doesn’t matter their gender, sexual orientation, religion, socioeconomic status, hair texture, skin color, ethnicity, race, tribe, nationality, education level, capabilities or limitations. We’re supposed to live in peace with every single person.

There’s a level of effort that we need to invest in order to make this process possible.

Sometimes we won’t feel like sharing much or any space with others, but we must work at it, not for (or just for) their sake but for our own. You can call it a positive selfishness, if you want. The only way we will have peace within is by doing our part to declutter and detox the environment around us. There’s no way to have peace within if you’re mad at someone else. There’s no peace when you’re plotting and planning chaos towards others. We can’t cause strife and then think we will have internal peace. It’s just not possible.

Work each day to reflect God’s light, His love, His joy, His steady calm.

Pause and reflect before speaking, making sure the words you use are intentional and come from the heart. This is something I’m working on. Oh how I can let the venom flow, slicing and dicing at rapid speed. It takes great effort to be a jerk. It’s much easier to be loving.

If all you know is arguing and fighting, and you spend a great part of your life with your face in a frown and your heart rate sky high, what peace could you possibly relish here on Earth? So when that day comes that you transition from this level of existence, what do you think the next level is going to be like? If you’re a hell raiser here, what are you going to be there? I recommend you get things right this go around so you don’t face an even tougher uphill battle in the next round. Just a suggestion!

Questions of the Day

1. What would you like to add to today’s prayer and/or reflection?

2. What are your thoughts about today’s message?

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

Love always,

Natasha

Natasha’s Daily Scripture, Prayer, and Reflection for 9.7.16

September 7, 2016Natasha Leave a comment

Scripture

Psalm 55:22

Pray

I’m letting go of certain things Father. I know that only You can handle this burden. You know that I will foolishly hold on to some other things that I ignorantly think I can figure out, but You also know, that eventually I will let go and let You do what You do best. Forgive me Father for this long route I keep taking. My little bit of knowledge has me thinking I’m wiser than I am. Laugh as You always do, in love. Amen.

Reflection

It may be difficult to see ahead because your path is clouded by your impaired judgment. Your fears could be handcuffing you to the past or to a merry-go-round that’s taking you no where, very very slowly.

If you feel like you keep walking into metaphoric walls, you probably are, and at what point will you stop and say, “enough’s enough” and truly mean it?

Let some things go. Turn them over to God. Let the Master navigate the ship, that you merely admire, but don’t have the skills to properly steer through life’s storms. God never intended for us to take the reigns from Him. We keep snatching at them like anxious children trying to prove ourselves. For what? I don’t know.

I do it so often that I laugh thinking how amusing I must be to God. When will I concede to the fact that it’s not my job and I am best staying in my lane, doing as He says? I’m sure I will reach that point in my life. Right now, I’m still the hardheaded child writing repeatedly on the chalk board the lesson that I’ve learned for being foolish and disobedient. What a visual, huh? Yeah, that’s how I feel sometimes, so it’s fitting.

Try not to join me in this boat. Cast away your fears, stressors, and burdens. Embrace instead the peace!

Questions of the Day

1. What would you like to add to today’s prayer and/or reflection?

2. What are your thoughts about today’s message?

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

Love always,

Natasha

Natasha’s Daily Scripture, Prayer, and Reflection for 9.6.16

September 6, 2016Natasha Leave a comment

Scripture

Psalm 119:143

Pray

No matter what I go through, Father, I will still smile, even through my tears and pain, and give thanks for each day You bless me with life. I praise You!

Reflection

We all go through trials and tribulations, ups and downs, heartaches and heartbreaks, disasters and tragedies. But there’s one constant in our life that there’s no denying–if you’re a believer–and that’s God’s love. He’s provided a road map, commandments to be kept, and opportunities to redeem ourselves in His eyes. So when you find yourself face down, don’t stay there for long–pick yourself up, brush off that grime, wipe those tears, and smile your way through. God’s got you!

Questions of the Day

1. What would you like to add to today’s prayer and/or reflection?

2. What are your thoughts about today’s message?

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

Love always,

Natasha

Natasha’s Daily Scripture, Prayer, and Reflection for 9.5.16

September 5, 2016Natasha Leave a comment

Scripture

Colossians 3:1-2

Pray

Father thank You for this day. My life is a blessing because You made it so. I pray to keep me eyes, mind, and heart focused on You and those things that You desire me to invest my time in, rather than being focused on those things that are temporal. Return my focus Father. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Reflection

Look around you at all of the things that consume your time each day. Are they eternal or temporal? Are they bringing you closer to God or creating a greater wedge? Are they highlighting Him or just giving you more face time? Our days and decisions should start, be centered on, and end with God in mind. When in doubt, ask yourself, “what would Jesus do?” That’s something to consider.

Questions of the Day

1. What would you like to add to today’s prayer and/or reflection?

2. What are your thoughts about today’s message?

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

Love always,

Natasha

Natasha’s Daily Scripture, Prayer, and Reflection for 9.2.16

September 2, 2016Natasha Leave a comment

Scripture

1 Peter 2:9

Pray

Father please open my eyes so that I can always see Your light even in darkness. I will always lean towards Your light.

Reflection

You wake from the darkness of nightmares to the light of God’s Truth. Embrace that peace.

God’s light always shines, like a beacon–just watch and look—and then you will see. Walk towards it. Seek it out. Never give up. Never turn away. Never fear losing it. When you ask, He will reveal and lead you along the way. In His light is Love, Life, and Truth.

Questions of the Day

1. What would you like to add to today’s prayer and/or reflection?

2. What are your thoughts about today’s message?

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

Love always,

Natasha

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Month: September 2016

Natasha’s Daily Scripture, Prayer, and Reflection for 9.23.16

Natasha’s Daily Scripture, Prayer, and Reflection for 9.22.16

Natasha’s Daily Scripture, Prayer, and Reflection for 9.21.16

Natasha’s Daily Scripture, Prayer, and Reflection for 9.20.16

Natasha’s Daily Scripture, Prayer, and Reflection for 9.19.16

Natasha’s Daily Scripture, Prayer, and Reflection for 9.14.16

Natasha’s Daily Scripture, Prayer, and Reflection for 9.13.16

Natasha’s Daily Scripture, Prayer, and Reflection for 9.12.16

Natasha’s Daily Scripture, Prayer, and Reflection for 9.9.16

Natasha’s Daily Scripture, Prayer, and Reflection for 9.9.16

Natasha’s Daily Scripture, Prayer, and Reflection for 9.8.16

Natasha’s Daily Scripture, Prayer, and Reflection for 9.7.16

Natasha’s Daily Scripture, Prayer, and Reflection for 9.6.16

Natasha’s Daily Scripture, Prayer, and Reflection for 9.5.16

Natasha’s Daily Scripture, Prayer, and Reflection for 9.2.16

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