Breaking Bread For 10.29.20

October 29, 2020Natasha Leave a comment

Scripture

You will know that your tent is secure; you will take stock of your property and find nothing missing.

Job 5:24

Reflection

You can’t lose what’s rightfully yours, for God is your safe and foundation. He is your guarantor.

Prayer

Father thank You for always protecting me, watching over me, and making sure that my every need is met. I am never lost, never without, never deprived, and never alone because You are always with me. Thank You Father. I love You. Amen.

Love,

Natasha

Breaking Bread For 10.28.20

October 28, 2020Natasha Leave a comment

Scripture

You will eat the fruit of your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours.

Psalm 128:2

Reflection

If you work hard you will reap the rewards of your labor. If you do nothing you will get nothing. If you have expectations for growth and prosperity yet you do nothing to earn it, you are short-sided and will end up empty-handed.

Yesterday is the day I was born many moons ago and I am grateful for each breath that I take, each step I make, each decision made clearly, and to be surrounded by love. I receive what I get, good, bad, and indifferent—so I strive to give goodness so that I may receive it in blessings later.

I’m another year older yet I still have big dreams and goals for my life, my family, and my community. The only person who can get in the way is me, so I must stay prayed up and never let up.

Try something:

Set a goal with a date and each day work to achieving that goal. It doesn’t have to be a big goal, or it can be. Just make sure it’s reasonable and attainable. Saying you want to travel to Mars next week just won’t “cut the mustard” as the saying goes.

Maybe the goal is:

Lose 20 lbs by February 2021
Start writing a book and have it self-published by October 2021 or by a publishing house by June 2022.
Take a management course by January 2021
Organize my closets and the cabinets in each room by December 2020
Switch to a lifestyle of daily clean eating and exercising 5x per week beginning December 1, 2020
Beginning November 8, 2020, switch to eating a plant-based diet 3x per week and the other 4 days making my fruits and veggies the largest portion on my plate.

These are just some examples. Do you see that they are both challenging and attainable? The challenge puts some intensity under you, while the realization that it’s feasible motivates you to get the job done.

The reason I said to attach a date to the goal is because it further motivates you to press forward and keep your foot on the throttle. It also holds you accountable, especially if you share your goals with other people who want to see you succeed.

A goal without a date attached is a dream. Sometimes we get lazy and passive with our dreams. We don’t pursue them like they are meant for us. Now don’t confuse dreams with visions and prophesy. That’s for another conversation. But let me quickly say, visions and prophesy have a sense of urgency or concreteness a dream may not. Until you make that dream a serious focus you will regard it with casualness.

God puts ideas out in the atmosphere just like the stars we see in the sky. As I mentioned last night during my book release slash birthday party, if you don’t embrace and run with the idea, someone else will. That’s why we have that dumb and confused look on our face when we see a total stranger prosper from the same idea we had. My friends, they saw the star too, the difference is, they made something of that opportunity and you chose to do other things.

So back to your homework assignment…

Set a goal with a date and work towards accomplishing it. Once you have, celebrate it, praise God for helping you, and then when you’re called to move on to the next goal, don’t delay—do it! Every day do something to better yourself, your family, and your community—eventually it will pay off and the dividends can help to better our world.

Make today a super awesome day. It’s your choice to see the dark clouds or the light shining through them. Work like you love it. Work like your purpose is to glorify God and have the best relationship you can with Him, because guess what? That’s exactly what you’re supposed to be doing. God bless you all!

Prayer

Father thank You for the abundance of blessings. Thank You for my life, my mind, my freedom, and the ability to work. Father I know You despise laziness, so everyday I actively take part in this life you have given me, doing and being more than the last day. Thank You for all of the resources that You have provided. I pray to not waste or abuse them. Thank You for Your loving care today and always. Amen.

Love always,

Natasha

Breaking Bread For 10.26.20

October 26, 2020Natasha Leave a comment

Scripture

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.

Romans 12:9

Reflection

God doesn’t do fake, halfway, or some timey (yep, it’s a word 🙃). God is always sincere, always honest, and never deceptive. God is a straight-shooter and not a game-player. He is not a hypocrite or liar. He is love and His love is sincere. It’s not conditional. He still loves us when we screw up. He still loves us when we doubt and question Him. He wants to have a better relationship with us, a more intimate one, where we can share more and receive more.

We should model this.

Always strive to do what’s right, even when it’s easier to do wrong. Always strive to be loving, even when it’s easier to be unkind. Always strive to be honest, even when a little “white lie” seems acceptable. Don’t be a hypocrite. Always walk away from a situation that you know God had nothing to do with creating and maintaining.

How do you know that God isn’t in it? Is the situation:

Toxic?
Unloving?
Chaotic?
Draining your “light”?
Seeming like a win for satan?
Built on confusion and lies?
“Hardening” your heart?
Opposite of what God and Jesus spoke of?
Challenging your gut reaction?

None of those things are of God. You’re on the wrong path heading the wrong way. You need to reach out to God to be pointed in the right direction.

If you aren’t sure how to talk to God, or what exactly to say, tap into the Holy Spirit. We’re told to pray in the Spirit (Ephesians 6:18) as the Spirit intercedes for us (Romans 8:26).

Speak to God through the help of the Holy Spirit. Simply say, “Holy Spirit please intercede so I may speak clearly with my Heavenly Father”. Then begin speaking to God, and let things naturally flow and unfold.

Don’t stand in the way of the Holy Spirit. Don’t ration or block what flows from you. I do that a lot and I know better, because it restricts the conversation and blocks perfect understanding and direction. Imagine what you aren’t experiencing, receiving, hearing, and seeing, because you aren’t having regular, unfiltered conversations with God.

We don’t see pitfalls until it’s too late. We don’t see the warning signs until it’s too late. That’s because we aren’t constantly tuned in to God.

If we spent more time chatting with God and Jesus, than posting on social media, gossiping with friends and watching TV, we would have richer and more rewarding lives. We would see the pitfalls before we approached them. We would see solutions sooner. We would learn without painful lessons.

Family, we all have choices—good or bad, pure or evil, right or wrong, rewarding or destructive. What choices will you make? What source will influence your decisions, God or satan? If you aren’t listening and obeying God’s voice, then who are you listening to and obeying?

We don’t have to learn lessons the hard way. We choose to! Think about that.

Prayer

Father touch me, warm me, fill me, and protect me from harm, negligence, and ignorance. Let Your light be my beacon through darkness, let Your love overrun and destroy all evil.

I pray to always turn to You Father, even when I don’t know where my next step will take me. I pray for discernment and clarity, to always hear Your voice and obey. I hope to always trust that Your love will never lead me astray. I love, value, appreciate, and honor You Father. Amen.

Love,

Natasha

Breaking Bread For 10.23.20

October 23, 2020Natasha Leave a comment

Scripture

But the end of the charge is love out of a pure heart and a good conscience and faith unfeigned:

1 Timothy 1:5

Reflection

We’re to love without hesitation or doubt. We’re to love fully, not rationing it out like payments. God doesn’t ration out His love to us, so why do we think it’s okay to ration it to others? Why do we think it’s okay to ration it to Him? Why do we convince ourselves that our conditional faith in Him is acceptable?

A good conscience is only achievable when we aren’t participating in questionable activities. When your focus is on speaking, thinking, and doing good, then your conscience is always clear.

Let’s lift each other up. Let’s share our heart with others. Living a dignified life and sharing dignity with others should be your daily walk.

Prayer

Father touch my heart. There are times when I may not think before I speak, but You know my heart. Father I want to love genuinely, deeply, and with an intensity that is impossible to measure. I want to love during good times and bad. I want to love passionately, even when times would dictate otherwise. I want to love my neighbor as I love You. I want to learn how to love myself better so that I can love You and others better.

I want to live without guilt, do right and do good, and not just when it is convenient, but at all times. And let my faith never sway, but stand firmly knowing that You are always here for me— not just in good times, but also in times of pain, loneliness, and frustration. In Your son, Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Bless all of you. Enjoy your day, and share your heart with someone today!

Love,

Natasha

Breaking Bread For 10.22.2020

October 22, 2020Natasha Leave a comment

Scripture

I am the Alpha and the Omega, saith the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.

Revelation 1:8 NIV

Reflection

No matter where we are, what we’re doing, and what we’re going through—God is there. He has always been there, here, everywhere—and He always will. No one and nothing can separate us from Him and His love. Turn to Him to have truth revealed, realized, and embraced. Turn to Him for all of your needs.

Prayer

Father, You are the beginning and the end, the first and the last, the past, present and future. You are my everything. Father I thank You because when I can’t count on anyone or anything to be what they appear, I can always count on You.

Father, I am praying for Your comforting touch to see me through. The only truth that I need comes directly from You, Lord. There is no other truth, no other light, no other answer, and no other way. Thank You for Your constant presence in my life. Thank You for blessing me every single second of every day. In Your name I pray and praise. Amen.

Bless you all and have a beautiful day!

Natasha

Breaking Bread For 10.21.20

October 21, 2020Natasha Leave a comment

Scripture

And he said unto them, It is not for you to know times or seasons, which the Father hath set within His own authority.

Acts 1:7

Reflection

We are an impatient species. The Bible is thousands of years old, and within those pages we find countless stories of impatient people, always questioning God as to when, how, why, where, who, and what.

We are the exact same way.

Instead we should be focused on being ready, appreciative, disciplined, and focused. We wear watches, but are late. We have calendars, and still miss important dates. We’re so busy doing one hundred things at once, that we forget some of the most important things. We want to know when we’re going to get that raise or commission at work, get the new car or home, get married, get pregnant, and get the vacation.

We’re so focused on dreams and goals, yet we don’t make the time to spend with God. We want faithful partners so we can be in committed relationships, yet we aren’t faithful and committed to God. We are easily distracted by thoughts and things of the world, yet we want God to be focused on us. How can He trust us when we can’t trust ourselves and others? How can we want from Him what we don’t freely give to Him?

The more we push God for results, the more He makes us wait. The more we interfere, the more things get derailed.

My Impatience

I was a very impatient person. I’m still working on my patience, but years ago, my impatience was embarrassing. I wanted things before I even finished conceptualizing what it was I actually wanted. I couldn’t wait for a person to finish their sentence, because in my mind they were thinking and speaking too slowly. So I either rushed them through or finished it for them.

I bought in to the fast-food, microwave-quick, way of life about everything in my life. My one, five, and ten-year plans were not to be messed with. They had to take shape at the designated times, and no later.

Some of My Past Goals

I was determined as a teen to have my first car at the age of 16, and it had to be a Ford Mustang with a red or pink bow on it. I remember in my early 20s I said that I had to be married with children by or before my 30th birthday. I remember that I was adamant that I graduated by or before I was 21. It didn’t matter that I changed my major twice.

So What Happened?

Well…I never got a car at age 16 and still haven’t gotten a Mustang. Matter of fact, I didn’t even get my driver’s license at age 16. My dad said I hadn’t passed his driver’s test yet. I didn’t get married in my 20s. It happened in my late 30s and I was divorced by age 41. Oh, and I still haven’t had children. I did graduate before I turned age 21, however, almost 10 years later I found out that there was one or two classes missing from my record that had to be completed for my degree to be officially conferred.

What I’ve Learned and What I’m Still Learning

Many of the dates and deadlines I created over the past 30 years have been elaborate, ridiculous, and stressfully draining. Some things I accomplished, and a great deal more I did not. The more I pushed, the more I expected, the more God showed me that nothing takes place before He makes it happen. I look back on things now, and I am so grateful that certain career and relationship goals I established never came to fruition. I either wasn’t ready or they simply weren’t a good fit.

God has plans for me, and just because He isn’t showing me His outline, doesn’t mean I’m supposed to make my own decisions in hope of speeding up His plan. It also doesn’t mean that I push past Him and come up with my own plans and deadlines, as though I can overrule and circumvent His plans.

Some people mold faster than others. Some people need longer because we resist Him so much and so often. I know that I’m the latter. What about you?

Over the past two years I have noticed that I am more patient, less focused on time and beating some invisible clock, and more focused on pleasing God. Why? Because I’m being forced to face some harsh realities that have humbled me to my rightful place.

I’m learning that it is He that I serve, not the other way around. And this place and space was created and made possible by Him, and I’m here because He too made that possible. I’m also learning that it is not for me to know the times or seasons. I’m only to be ready, appreciative, disciplined, and focused.

What about you? What have you learned? What are you still learning? Are you ready, appreciative, disciplined, and focused?

Prayer

Father, Your son, Jesus, made it clear that we are not to be concerned with what time of day or year that You will show favor upon us.

You are the ultimate authority.

You make the decisions, and determine when something will or won’t take place, and when something will or won’t be done.

Father, being in (or maybe admittedly of) the world, I have become dependent upon clocks, watches, calendars, and seasonal changes. I have developed a certain expectancy, and because of that I haven’t realized that You reign supreme over all time, place, person, thing, and circumstance.

Things will happen when You say so. Father, show me how to free myself from my ignorance, and dependence upon the concept of time, and how I believe it impacts my life. I pray for the patience of Jesus. I pray for his humbleness and meekness. Thank You Father for answering my prayers. Amen.

Have a blessed day family!

Love,

Natasha

Breaking Bread For 10.19.20

October 19, 2020Natasha Leave a comment

Scripture

In my distress I groan aloud and am reduced to skin and bones.

Psalm 102:5

Reflection

In Hebrew, “atzmot” means both essence and self (or bone). Context matters when the word is used.

When we think that the pressure has become too great for us to bear, we yell and cry out in pain. At that moment we have forgotten our true existence (and essence) and forgotten to Whom we belong, and Who’s children we are. We are reduced to the shell we walk in.

Be sure that when you cry out, it’s to God. Our relationship with Him is strengthened each time we seek Him for insight, clarity, answers, reflection, comfort, and to praise Him, show gratitude, and give thanks. God is joyful when we come to Him wanting nothing but to have a conversation about our day—like we would a family member or friend.

Seek Him through the Holy Spirit, your Comforter.

When times get tough as they always will, force a smile on your face as you remind yourself that you are God’s child and no matter what you go through, He and Jesus will always see you through. There is a rainbow on the other side of that storm.

Keep saying it until you feel it deep inside, until you are declaring it firmly, intensely, and with a power and passion that can’t be rocked. Keep saying it until you not only believe it, it becomes a part of you, without question or wavering.

Say it with me, “I am God’s child and no matter what I go through, God and Jesus will ALWAYS see me through. There is a rainbow on the other side of this storm.”

Now say it again with a smile on your face. Say it until you believe it, and then live each day demonstrating this belief through action.

I love you all and I pray that through thick and thin you always keep your eyes and heart focused on God and Jesus.

Prayer

Father I pray that even in times of pain, frustration, grief, and anger, that I never forget that I am the perfect reflection of You; that I am a spiritual being having a human experience and not a human being having a spiritual experience; and that as a spiritual being living in and of Your Spirit, the distress I feel is temporary and actually nonexistent.

By giving in to the distress and allowing my hope and faith to wane I reduce myself to mere flesh and bone and forget the demonstration that I am supposed to be having while on Earth. Help me to get and stay focused Father. Help me to see and always remember my purpose here, and to never ever ever give up on life, living, and serving You and the least of Your children, and doing so humbly and graciously.

In Your name I pray and give thanks. Amen.

Love,

Natasha

Breaking Bread For 10.16.20

October 16, 2020Natasha Leave a comment

Message from Natasha:

Hello Breaking Bread family! Before we begin today’s message, I want to give a birthday shout out to my maternal cousin, Princess Chere Peoples, who is more like a sister than a cousin to me. Happy birthday Retabug!

~Natasha

Scripture

Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.

2 Thessalonians 3:16

Reflection

Let God make you whole. Let Jesus show you the way. In order for these things to happen, you have to be okay with being vulnerable, and in that vulnerability you have to be willing to let go of yourself, your understanding, what you believe to be fact and truth, and what you believe to be possible and impossible.

You have to trust that God and Jesus can do more than the Bible says, more than what people testify, and more than what your mind can currently comprehend. You have to trust that in letting go there is nothing you need to do or say, because they have you—and they have already taken care of the variables that you never thought to consider.

Jesus wants to show you the way, be the way to God, be your truest brother. He’s just waiting on you.

God wants to pour into you unfathomable things and experiences. God wants to have the strongest, most loving, impenetrable relationship with you. A marriage like no other. But He’s waiting on you!

God and Jesus are waiting on you, on me, on us.

You may be going through a lot right now, physically, mentally, financially, and spiritually. Your stress, anxiety, grief may be overwhelming you. That’s because you’re trying to fix these things. You’re relying on the limits of man. You need an unlimited, constant, unwavering source. Your solution is God and Jesus.

God blessed us with the Holy Spirit, to be connected in a way that the old covenant (in the Old Testament) did not provide. Tap into that source. Let it pour into and out of you. Speak to God in a way your human mind cannot yet comprehend. Don’t resist that energy that flows within you, that bubbles up urging you to let it flow out of you.

Pray for the stillness of peace and let that peace comfort you in your times of need.

Stop trying to deal with things in the natural and get yourself settled into the supernatural, as the spiritual being you are. Let the Holy Spirit do what it does so that you can be all that you were created to be, to have the relationship with God and Jesus that your heart truly desires.

It’s your choice, as always….

Prayer

Father, Abba, fill me with your peace so that I might walk straight regardless of the circumstances that come my way. Let me be humble and more like Jesus as I face daily challenges, and deal with people who at times can be unloving and unkind. I want to make the right choice, to not mirror their behavior but instead mirror the life of Jesus.

I pray for the courage through vulnerability to open myself up and allow the Holy Spirit to be free in me, in every way that You need, so that You and I can have the type of relationship that we’re supposed to have. I want to be completely faithful to You, unwavering and impenetrable.

Use me Father. Help me to let go and open myself to You, so that I may have peace and be peace. In Jesus’ name I pray to You, El-Elyon, Hashem Uzi. Praising You always. Amen.

Note: El-Elyon in Hebrew means “God Most High” and Hashem Uzi means “The Lord of Strength”. The word Abba means “Father” in Aramaic (one of the semitic languages Jesus (Yeshua) spoke) and Abba is used in Jewish liturgy and prayers.

I hope that clarification helps.

Love,

Natasha

Breaking Bread For 10.15.20

October 15, 2020Natasha Leave a comment

Scripture

Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again.

Exodus 14:13

Reflection

The bondage of today will be freedom tomorrow as long as you turn your cares, worries, and fears over to the Lord to handle.

God knew that He wouldn’t just have to free His people physically, but He would have to free their minds, hearts, spirits, and souls. They were enslaved in every possible sense. That is why they struggled so much. They even struggled for more than 1,500 years after Moses led them out of Egypt.

As many times as they were forced into exile, they still couldn’t see that their tendency to fall back into their slave mindset of their past lives in Egypt, was the reason they couldn’t obey and atone—to be AT ONE with God.

We Are Slaves on Our OWN Plantation

If you find yourself in constant struggle, pain, stress, fear, anger, conflict, confusion, and depression, YOU ARE IN BONDAGE. You have the power to be free. You are a child of God. He made you. He gave you the Holy Spirit to tap into. God needs you to be vulnerable, just like Him, so you can be free to fall into His trustworthy “arms”. Stop resisting.

Control Freaks & Micromanagers

Stop trying to dictate to Him how your relationship with Him should be. We’re abusing Him and our relationship with Him. If you are a control freak like me, and yes that includes you micromanagers out there, yeah you—NOW is the time to admit, like I’m being forced to do, that this control we keep trying to hold on to is actually self-imposed bondage. We are slaves to our inability to trust self, others, and God. And since we can’t trust we can’t be trusted.

The only things we should be controlling are:

Our mouths: from speaking negative and evil things
Our minds: from entertaining negative and evil thoughts
Our bodies: from doing negative and evil things to it and to others

The domino effect is a changed heart, experiences, and life. Stop treating God like your servant, like a “side piece’ you can call up whenever you want some attention. God is our everything and we should treat Him accordingly. Let Him do what He’s always wanted to do for you.

Stand Back And Let God

Let Him change those who attempt to stunt your growth or control you. He can do this by touching their hearts or removing them from your space and place. What is rightfully yours will be yours, and you can never lose what is rightfully yours. What is meant to be, God will bring to fruition without your doing, persuasion, manipulation, or bargaining.

Look at your current situation and if it needs improvement, even drastically, know that God has it handled, and it was taken care of long before you became aware of the circumstances. Everything we need in life God has already provided, we just need to see them and embrace our blessings as they are delivered before us. We need to walk in obedience and full alignment with Him. He’s assigned us work; we have a mission, and we are wasting time walking around with these shackles on.

We Give The Enemy Ammunition

The enemy will keep trying to stir up trouble in my life, and in yours, as long as it sees that it can. We fuel it. We give it the ammunition to attack. We give in to temptation. We keep saying God isn’t working fast enough. We keep blaming everyone else for our conditions, our unhappiness, our lack. We create the perfect environment for the enemy.

Our Deliverance

This is not the time to fret and cry, but the time to dig down even deeper in our faith and reach our hands to the Lord for deliverance from the fear.

How long? Not long.

Not long before I am delivered from these shackles of fear, pain, shame, guilt, sorrow, and frustration. Not long indeed, for God has already worked things out for me. I just have to open my eyes and look through the lens of faith to see clearly that I am already free!

The same applies to YOU!

Aren’t you sick and tired of being sick and tired? Aren’t you tired of being the victim? God didn’t make you that way, it’s not in His DNA to be one, so why are you embracing a lie?

Lovingly I share this message with all of you today. I hope that something you read and/or recited has touched your heart, opened your eyes, and shed light on your today and tomorrow. We must let go of thinking about yesterday and what woulda, coulda, and shoulda happened had we done this or that.

We must let go of the past and what someone did or didn’t do to us, and live in the present of what God is providing for us today.

We are free my brothers and sisters. You have to change your mind and heart, so that your eyes can see the truth. We are free! We just have to walk off that plantation and stop trying to return. We just have to walk away from Egypt and never look back. Are you ready to take that first step? Are you ready for your best and brightest days ever?

Prayer

Father, today I pray for deliverance. Deliverance from fear, pain, shame, rejection, untrustworthiness, betrayal, ignorance, lies, deceit, and negativity.

Father free me from bondage and restore me to my rightful place. Free me from the grip of those who use me for their own personal gain. Free me from those who selfishly take from me but they never fully give of themselves in return.

Free me from myself, for the same ways that others use me, I am a user of You and others. Soften my heart to free fall and give myself away to You, so that You can use me as You see fit. Open my eyes Lord so that I can evolve from merely looking to actually seeing what’s before me. In Your name I pray. Amen.

Love always,

Natasha

Breaking Bread For 10.14.20

October 14, 2020Natasha Leave a comment

Scripture

So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

Matthew 7:12

Reflection

The very things you want in life, the very things you hope to receive in an exchange with your fellow man and woman, and the very way you expect to be treated is how you should be in return.

If you want respect give it. If you want to be left with your dignity then leave others with theirs. If you want someone to treat you with grace, extend it yourself. If you want fairness, be fair. Be merciful to receive mercy.

If you want someone to be on time to meet you, be on time to meet them and others. If you want faithfulness and loyalty, then be totally faithful and loyal. If you want extra money, then give some of yours away freely to others.

What you want you will only receive when you first put it out there. You have to be willing to be vulnerable, to fully expose yourself, unselfishly, without conditions, so that you can be filled with God’s abundance. God is 100 percent vulnerable and transparent with us, while we try to ration ourselves out.

We need to truly invest in our relationship with Him and His children. We need to open up and let God in so He can help us to let His children in.

Make sense?

Now let’s get out there and create a world of positive reciprocity!

Prayer

Father thank You for another day of life, freedom to make choices, Your peace, and a chance to make a positive difference in my life and the lives of others.

Father, please add in me an extra layer of strength, courage, and discipline as I face challenges head-on. Father, touch my heart so that in each circumstance I treat others as I would want to be treated, emulating Your son’s walk through life. In Your name and his I pray and praise. Amen.

Love always your sister in Christ,

Natasha

Breaking Bread For 10.13.20

October 13, 2020Natasha Leave a comment

Scripture

When a country is rebellious, it has many rulers, but a ruler with discernment and knowledge maintains order.

Proverbs 28:2

Reflection

We elect officials to help govern this land from a human perspective, to provide a human touch to life’s circumstances that we created generations before— and we make worse for generations to come.

Yet, we only support these officials in the early days or when our specific needs are met consistently. We don’t consider the thousands and millions of individuals this official must take into consideration with every decision made, because in our twisted minds he or she should be able to do all things for all people, starting first with us.

We create messiahs and idols, and forget that only God can do all things, be all places, see all things, and has the power to change the impossible to possible. Our lack of commitment and devotion to God clouds our thinking and our understanding of human government, and that man is limited even as a pure reflection of God.

If we want to see change in our neighborhoods, communities, cities, counties, states, regions, countries, and throughout the world we must be the change and bring about the change we want to see.

You have to be the ambassador for Christ that you want to see in the world, and acknowledge through action that servitude is exactly why God placed you here. Stop looking to man to do what only God can do. Stop living your life like God isn’t in it, making all things possible through His grace and mercy.

Ponder that and then share your thoughts.

Prayer

Father I pray today for my community, my state, my country, and the world. I pray that the pain, chaos, conflict, fear, hate, and rebellion would cease to exist. I know that it is a far-fetched request in a land that is so troubled. We love our Presidents before we elect them and after they are out of office, but while they serve our country we criticize, ridicule, threaten, and disrespect them.

Father, our current president needs your loving intervention. He is unaware of his limitations, lack of understanding and wisdom. He relies upon his own understanding rather than yours. His speech and his actions have drastic consequences on the people in this country, and around the world.

Father, I pray for him and I pray for the leaders and advisors around him. Soften their hearts so that they may be more receptive and obedient to you. Their arrogance, pride, and rhetoric are causing massive disruption. They are dividing more than uniting.

I know that you use all people to reveal your Truth, to expose the lies, to show us what’s really in our hearts. I trust you to bring truth and reconciliation in all areas of our lives.

I know this a far-fetched dream, in a land where we discard our elderly in facilities—where they just wait until they take their last breath. Father I know this is far-fetched in a land where we have more jails and prisons than high-performing schools; more liquor stores, check-cashing centers, and payday lenders than property owners and business owners.

But I still pray Father. I still have hope. I still have faith in You and Your ability to warm every heart, lift every spirit, heal every wound, cure every disease, make the crooked straight, and bring order to mania. So today just like everyday I pray and believe in a better tomorrow, a better world, with better opportunities. In Your name I praise and pray. Amen.

God bless you all!

Love always,

Natasha

Breaking Bread For 10.12.20

October 12, 2020Natasha Leave a comment

Scripture

Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

1 John 4:1

Reflection

There are a lot of false prophets, false images, false paths to enlightenment and salvation, false testimonies, false servants, and false tools and resources that are placed before us as a test of our discernment, faith, belief, understanding, love, devotion and loyalty to God, and His son Jesus.

Can you tell the difference between real from the fake? Can you discern God’s angels from pseudo manifestations? Can you discern good from evil? Have you ever identified the times when demons were recklessly playing in your life? Can you discern God’s voice from other voices? Can you tell when God is directing your path and when you have strayed, and began following the lead of another?

Can you tell the difference between a servant of God and a self-serving puppet of the enemy? Can you discern the humble, self-sacrificing pastor from the one who will encourage and watch you sacrifice everything for the pastor’s personal gain—and the pastor will do so in the name of Jesus?!?

Are you following God or man? Are you following God’s Word or the words created by man—who maps out stars, planets, symbols, and numbers as a prophecy of your future? No one can tell you what’s in your future but God. No one can tell you the right person to love, date, or marry but God. No one can point you in the right direction and keep you there except God.

You need discernment to know when God has spoken through someone, used someone to help you, and when He is speaking directly to you. If you don’t strengthen that gift you leave it exposed and vulnerable to a breach by the enemy and it’s crew. You won’t even know who you are following and serving.

We have a choice given to us by God, follow Him and His Word, or follow the enemy. The choice is ours. This isn’t a Coke and Pepsi challenge— although the enemy is skilled at deception, there is most definitely a distinct and clear difference between it and God!

Open your eyes, ears, mind, and heart. This is not a casual matter. Every single day our souls are up for grabbing. God wants us and so does the enemy. Pray for clarity and discernment to realize, know, and obediently act on the truth. Pray to always follow God.

Prayer

Father-Mother God please continue to bless with me the gifts of discernment and clarity— increasing my ability to see and understand the differences in and of the world, and Your light and Word through the clutter. Father I want to focus on doing right each day, not selfishly for myself and what I perceive as my salvation, but for Your Kingdom and in my devotion to You.

Lord I know each day I am tempted by thoughts, voices, and words in books, magazines, newspapers, and online, but I know that my discernment will help me to connect with You and disregard the rest.

Lord I pray for the discernment to see and learn my lesson at the rate and pace that You expect, and not at the delayed, contemplative pace I would prefer out of comfort and convenience. I want to know sooner than later which person is right for me to walk beside, to trust, and to continue building a relationship with.

Let me rely upon Your Word, not numerology, tarot cards, horoscopes and other astrological mumbo jumbo–even when concepts seem to connect the dots, for the only way to put the puzzle of life and love together is through, by, and with You.

Do not allow entertainment to conveniently become my learning tool, guide, and answer to life and what I need and want from it. Let my relationship with You and Jesus be all that I need for spiritual comfort, enlightenment, and guidance. Thank You Father. Amen.

Love your sister in Christ,

Natasha

Breaking Bread For 10.9.20

October 9, 2020Natasha Leave a comment

Scripture

“For God’s gifts and his call can never be withdrawn”

Romans 11:29

Reflection

My friend Kenya forwarded a message to me years ago that said, “When God created you, He deposited seeds of greatness inside of you” and with this knowledge I consider the endless possibilities that are brought forth by God’s gifts. We each are filled with greatness and brilliance to bring about positive change in our lives and the lives of our fellow brothers and sisters around the world.

He has called on us to do our part, but if we’re too busy lamenting over past hurts, failures, and disappointments, or too self-absorbed reliving the heyday of those big wins far and long ago—we can’t possibly be fully invested in the NOW.

Instead of focusing on what we think we can’t do, instead of focusing on our weaknesses and limitations—why not focus on our strengths and gifts? Find someone who has the gifts that you don’t and then collaborate, delegate, do something other than wallow in pity and shame.

Instead of focusing on what things we can’t take care of due to financial constraints, let’s look at what can be rectified each month. Just like businesses learn to cut away the dead weight or that which they can’t afford to keep investing in, we have to start auditing our lifestyle, household, and eliminate the things and practices that are bogging us down and preventing us from doing what we’re supposed to do.

Why not pray to our Heavenly Father for the gifts and guidance to make things in our life as He sees fit?

What you have no control over you must let go and let God handle. Let go of your cares and concerns and hold on to your faith and love. Appreciate the richness of your life as a child of God.

Let go of the shame and embrace the favor. Forgive yourself, God already has. Stop operating out of confusion and start walking with clarity and discernment—fueled by your God-given purpose.

There’s so much in you, left untapped, yet to be explored and tested. So what are you going to do? The choice is always yours!

Prayer

Father, I keep lugging around the dead weight of shame, while entertaining the spirit of confusion. How can I possibly see, embrace, appreciate, and make the most of the gifts that You provide me, if I’m too absorbed with what I don’t have?

I don’t want to disappoint You and I’m tired of disappointing myself. Today I take steps forward to focus on my present, what is before me, grateful for that gift, and grateful for the gifts that You pour within me. I’m tired of missing out on the daily gifts You lovingly share. It’s draining to keep looking behind me or worrying about what could be ahead. I want to snuggle in the comfort of connecting with You in the here and now.

I can’t fix everything from my past but I can use these gifts to be a blessing to others, and glorify You. I can use these gifts to test and stretch myself beyond my comfort zone, to reach upward and outward to You, with the hope and faith of strengthening our relationship.

Help me Father to dismiss the distractions, the lures, and the traps that would prevent me from fully embracing what You have for me. I pray to You in Jesus’ name, as a believer and follower of Christ. Amen.

Lovingly your sister in Christ,

Natasha

Breaking Bread For 10.8.20

October 8, 2020Natasha Leave a comment

Scripture

And God spoke to Israel in a vision at night and said, “Jacob! Jacob!”
“Here I am,” he replied.

Genesis 46:2

Reflection

When you hear that voice telling you to do something great, or not do something foolish, do you listen and obey? When you hear your name but no one acknowledges that they called on you, do you stop and pray to God and ask if it was Him calling?

When you are awakened late at night or early morning by a voice, a shift, a stir—yet no one is there to awaken you, do you stop and pray for God to reveal what He wants you to see or hear?

Do you acknowledge that it is not your mind but His Mind that makes all things possible in your life? Do you acknowledge that the grace and favor in your life is not by your doing, but by God’s?

Do you acknowledge that the gentle yet firm voice you hear pointing you in the right direction is not yours it’s God’s?

Do you acknowledge that only through His son Jesus Christ will you find your way, know the truth, see the correct model to replicate, and reach the promised land of eternal life?

If you have doubts about any of this then you must prepare yourself for the next level of faith that Jesus and God will guide you through. If you are a non-believer you must prepare to walk into the understanding of belief.

If you are a conditional believer you must prepare to walk into the understanding of God’s unconditional love and your complete belief in Him and what He has, is, can, and will do for you.

If you are a believer you must be prepared for an even greater level of walking by and in faith without question, hesitation, second-guessing, manipulation, or backing down.

Are you ready for the next level?

Are you ready to tune out or silence, through love, those who are not yet at your level and may attempt to cast doubt or distract you? Do you understand that they may not understand that just as God spoke to His children thousands of years ago, He speaks to each of us—and has spoken to you?

Are you ready to demonstrate and testify to your healings and revelations through Christ?

If you live in a country that openly accepts other faiths in addition to your own, the most difficult thing is not saying that you’re a Christian. That’s because it’s accepted if you are or aren’t. Thousands of people toss that word, that title, that badge around as easily as they say, “I’m an American” or “I’m a vegan” or “I’m a conservative” or “I’m a …”.

Naw, that’s not the most difficult thing in those particular countries. The difficulty is in living up and outwardly to the standards set by God and Jesus. Openly and willingly testifying to and demonstrating through love, healing and care, God’s power, dominion, will, and grace over and in your life. It’s declaring and demonstrating your unwavering commitment and obedience to God and Jesus. It’s talking freely about your relationship with God, admitting that you talk to Him beyond the well-framed prayer that you speak to Him.

Getting past the symbolism, rites and rituals, and showmanship, and instead getting to the nitty gritty of speaking and treating every single one of God’s creations with the love that He does.

Yeah, now that’s the heavy load. That’s the cross the majority of us drop hundreds if not thousands of times each day.

No matter where you are in the world the challenge is will you not only talk the talk but walk the walk. Will you align your footsteps with Jesus in every sense of that concept? Will you show grace and mercy, and have a forgiving heart like God? Will you reserve your judgment and defer instead to the true Judge?

You can call yourself a Christian all you want, wear clothing and accessories that scream it, tattoo words and symbols all over your body, write books and songs declaring it, but how do you speak to (and about) and treat God’s children, creatures, planets, and other creations?

That’s the test.

Are you ready?

Prayer

Father I want to always be in tune with you—connected and ready— every moment, whenever You call on me, either faintly or boldly. While I sleep I pray that I might always hear You, let my dreams work through any issues and let them plant the seeds of innovative, courageous, and bold thinking.

Lord I want to thank You for all that You are doing to change me, to mold me, to make me the best person that I can be. Let my speech and walk align with You at all times, and with all people, and correct me swiftly when I don’t.

Thank You for the provisions that have sustained and nurtured me. Thank You for the lessons that once learned have provided me with great wisdom to pass on. I see a great legacy beyond my time here and it can only be possible with, through, and by You. Thank You Father. Humbly I pray to always see Your lighted path. Amen.

Love,

Natasha

Breaking Bread For 10.7.20

October 7, 2020Natasha Leave a comment

Scripture

I will break down your stubborn pride and make the sky above you like iron and the ground beneath you like bronze.

Leviticus 26:19

Reflection

Don’t be so full of pride that you refuse to ask for or receive help. Don’t be so full of pride that you stubbornly live within yourself and never live freely in the world. You cannot hide from God.

You can’t hide from Him your fears, shame, disappointments, anger, frustration, pain, sorrow, resentment, pride, love, joy, happiness, desires, envy, jealousy, greed, contentment, irritation, goals, dreams, or ideas.

So stop trying to be something and someone you’re not with God and with the rest of the world.

Open up, reveal yourself, and humbly ask the Lord to make you whole. Ask God to for complete healing and to make the crookedness in your life straight, the bumpiness smooth, the torn mended, and ask for help to be all that you can be.

Prayer

Father, thank You for making the necessary adjustments in my life, even those that cause me discomfort. Thank You for chipping away at my rough sides and anointing me so that my heart may soften to Your molding. Father I do not want to be shameful, stubborn, prideful, arrogant, or bitter. Touch me Lord. In areas and ways that I displease You, make me right and whole. In Your name I pray, praise, and serve. Amen.

Father I do not want to be shameful, stubborn, prideful, arrogant, or bitter. Touch me Lord. In areas and ways that I displease You, make me right and whole. In Your name I pray, praise, and serve. Amen.

Lovingly,

Natasha

Breaking Bread For 10.6.20

October 6, 2020Natasha Leave a comment

Scripture

For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of man.

2 Corinthians 8:21

Reflection

Strive to give and be your best, doing what’s right, and with the intent to never harm another. Do so to please and honor God. Do so to set the example for others to follow and rely upon. Ask yourself if your actions, words, and thoughts serve as a good example of what a follower of Christ is, and should be. If not, then what changes in your life should you work to improve?

Prayer

Father let me see the truth in all things, and in every way. Father let me speak the truth and do what’s right in Your eyes, and in the eyes of man so that others may be inspired to do the same.

Father realign any plans that are not intended to be honest, fair, and forthright; balance these plans so that all may walk in honor and dignity. Show me Lord how to be the best ambassador in Christ. In Your name I pray and praise. Amen.

Lovingly,

Natasha

Breaking Bread For 10.1.20

October 1, 2020Natasha Leave a comment

Scripture

For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.

Titus 2:11 NIV

Reflection

Seeing this passage lifted me up and put a smile on my face. I reflect on God’s greatness and the fact that He’s never let me down or left me alone—so I should never have reason to worry.

God has no limits so my age and skill level should never be a concern of mine, God can make happen whatever He wants whenever He wants, so it doesn’t matter if we’re age two or 102, He can do anything.

With my increasing faith I should not worry, but instead I should smile and keep pressing forward. God and Jesus have me covered. I just have to keep marching, serving God, and helping His children. When times get tough I can lean on Jesus’s shoulder while being encircled by God’s arms. A triple blessing is knowing that my family is also there for me.

I am reminded of a saying, “If you’re gonna worry then why pray? And if you’re gonna pray then why worry?” This is true. Yet when these words used to be recited to me years ago, I found myself still worrying about my finances, health, relationship, and other things.

Sadly, years later, I still do. When I worry I’m telling God and Jesus that I just don’t trust them to do what I say that I need. It’s as blunt and as pitiful as that.

I’m not mature enough yet to stop worrying 100 percent. What I am capable of is continuing to pray and dream, work and serve, and believe. I pray the same for each of you. Whatever is meant for us will never be withheld, or given to another person. Focus on remaining faithful, committed, disciplined, obedient, and truthful.

God is good—ALL of the time; through good times and catastrophes, He is unchanging. What He does not offer in grace, He offers in mercy. We all need both. Turn to Jesus and God with all of your petitions, questions, and praise.

Happy first day of October! Can you believe it, we’re already in October. Hopefully you haven’t allowed COVID-19 and the government to derail too many of your plans, because I guarantee you that nothing has derailed God’s plans. Regroup, refocus, and press forward with gratitude!

If you’re gonna worry then why pray? And if you’re gonna pray then why worry?

Prayer

Father I opened my eyes and took a breath today because of You, thank You. It is not my will but Yours that wakes me each day. You are my fortress, my protector, my healer, my provider, and I love You.

I pray that worry leaves me and that faith fills me. I pray that doubt disappears and is replaced by belief, understanding, and conviction. I pray in Your name, as a believer and follower of Your son Jesus. Amen.

Love always,

Natasha

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My Impatience

Some of My Past Goals

So What Happened?

What I’ve Learned and What I’m Still Learning

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We Are Slaves on Our OWN Plantation

Control Freaks & Micromanagers

Stand Back And Let God

We Give The Enemy Ammunition

Our Deliverance

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