Scripture
Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.
1 Peter 4:10-11
Reflection
God has blessed me with the ability to write, to be creative and a visionary. He blessed me with the gift of intuition that is so strong at times it can be unnerving. He blessed me with the strength to pick myself up every time I fall down, to pick myself up every time I face loss, to move myself every time I don’t think I can take that next step, and to get out of my own way.
God has blessed me to see the goodness in people, discern the light from the dark, see the fresh ‘fruits’ from the rotten ones, and make decisions based on His truth and not my desires.
God has blessed me with the ability to still be childlike without being childish. This ability allows me to connect on a deeper level with our smallest ‘angels’ we name after ourselves and loved ones; it allows me to connect with the weak who need to hear uplifting words and see empowering images so that they are strengthened to walk, then jog, then run the full course of life without being overwhelmed with their role in it.
God has touched my life in a way that gives me constant hope for my future, and the future of mankind. God has touched my life in a way that even in loss I am secure; that even when faced with losing loved ones I am still comforted in knowing that they are still watching over me and that we will once again be reunited spiritually.
So why wouldn’t I share my gifts, talents, and blessings with the world? Why wouldn’t I find ways to express His goodness in my life so that it might touch and possibly change the lives of others?
It is the sins of arrogance, pride, selfishness and greed that convince us to hoard our gifts for ourselves and share with no one (except maybe a select few of our choosing). God doesn’t bless us for us to keep the blessings to ourselves…we are supposed to spread our wealth to and with others. So let’s look at what we are good at and thrive in, and then think of ways to share our talents with our families, community, our state, our nation, and the world…and then DO IT!
Prayer
Father, You have given me many gifts, talents, and blessings; more than I can even count. It would be a dishonor to You if I do not fully use the ones that I know of, each day.
You have blessed me with intuition which is a direct portal to You, that churns loudly when I may not hear your voice in my ear.
You have provided me with the best example of how to live, by sharing Your Son Jesus Christ with me and the world. Thank You Father. Thank You for providing me with the road map, the script, the blueprint, the outlines, the vision board, and the story board for how to live my life.
Let my thoughts, words, actions, and deeds be molded by Jesus’ example through You Lord. When I walk and speak let the world see Christ in me. Mold me Father. Smash out, snatch out, squeeze out the darkness inside me and infuse, mold, and shape Your lightness so that there is no room for anything but Your goodness.
I know this won’t be easy. I know that I will continue to be tested and tempted to stray from You and my path. I will work each day to turn my head from temptation; to not give in to communicating with a person that I know intuitively was not sent by You, and is not supposed to be a part of my life. I know that this person is a test and that every moment I spend entertaining them, conversing with them, and investing in them I am failing You and Jesus, which means I am failing myself.
Father I will work each day to overcome fleshly desires of envy, pride, arrogance, jealousy, greed, lust, fear, rage, and revenge. Instead let me turn to and be satisfied with a life of piety in Your honor, and through Jesus’ legacy. Amen.
Love always,
Your spiritual sister in Christ
Natasha
Please Note: This message was originally written and published on August 24, 2011. It has been modified to align with current standards and formatting; sections have been edited and content expanded to reflect my current thoughts.
Copyright 2011-2018. Natasha L. Foreman. Some rights reserved.
All prayers and reflections are copyright protected by Natasha L. Foreman, unless otherwise noted. Prior posts from September 2013 to May 30, 2018 are copyright protected under the name Natasha Foreman Bryant. Prior posts from 2009-September 2013 are copyright protected 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.
Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.http://www.zondervan.com the “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.
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Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.
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