Thank you for joining me today. If you’re new to this blog I hope you will spend time browsing and getting to learn more about the experiences shared here, the mission of this blog, and why I share it. If you’re not a newbie, and you’ve been breaking bread with me for some time, thank you for the continued love and support. This blog is where I share inspirational messages with the world. I'm not here to convict, pass judgment, convert, recruit, or highlight a church or religious leader. I'm simply sharing words of love and peace inspired by the word of the Bible. Negativity, hate speech, and intolerance will not be accepted on this blog from ANYONE! I pray that you’re blessed, that you see and embrace your blessings, and that you’re a blessing to others!
The angel of the lord appeared to her and said, “You are barren and childless, but you are going to become pregnant and give birth to a son. The angel of the lord appeared to her and said, “You are barren and childless, but you are going to become pregnant and give birth to a son. Now see to it that you drink no wine or other fermented drink and that you do not eat anything unclean. You will become pregnant and have a son whose head is never to be touched by a razor because the boy is to be a Nazirite, dedicated to God from the womb. He will take the lead in delivering Israel from the hands of the Philistines.”
Judges 13:2-5
Reflection
There’s nothing God can’t do for you, through you, and to you. Believe and have faith. That barren woman gave birth to a son, Samson, and he did exactly what God’s angel said he would.
Are you listening for God’s voice? Are you paying attention to the angels around you who are trying to guide you?
That faint voice in your head sharing words of encouragement and enlightenment, declarations of a successful future are not your mortal thoughts or imagination, but rather God planting spiritual seeds and outlining your road map. Tune in and stay connected!
Prayer
Father, thank You for making a way out of no way; for making the impossible possible, the crooked straight, and bringing Light to darkness. I love You, Lord, and know that You will always make things right in my life, deliver me from bad situations, and direct my path even when I stray. Thank You Father.
Love,
Natasha
Copyright 2011-2021. Natasha L. Foreman. Some Rights Reserved. All Prayers and Reflections are Copyright Protected by Natasha L. Foreman. breakingbreadwithnatasha.com
You women who are so complacent, rise up and listen to me; you daughters who feel secure, hear what I have to say!
Isaiah 32:9
Reflection
Every day we should have an action plan for doing something different in our lives, for taking the next step towards greatness; and never content with simply getting by. “Easy” should never be our goal and motivation. Mediocrity should not be something we settle for. Let’s strive for being better than average, since God is no average god; He is the ultimate, all-knowing, all-seeing, all-powerful, being everywhere and everything to all creatures—God. As His reflection we cannot walk with lower expectations of ourselves or those who we associate with.
Laziness is tantamount to indifference. We don’t need to aim for perfection. You will kill yourself trying to be perfect. But we should aim for greatness, excellence, and being better than we were yesterday. Step up, show up, and show who you really are as a child of our Heavenly Father-Mother.
Prayer
Father, I know that You don’t approve of laziness, complacency, and contentment with the status quo of the world. I never want to be satisfied with mediocrity, with doing what others are doing, or being a powerless and voiceless ward under someone else’s authority. I want to always be standing, moving, thinking, and doing my best to live life as You expect of me. Even when my circumstances seem grim, I pray that I invest the same energy as I would in better days. Thank You Father for instilling that passion and purpose in my life. I love You. Amen.
Love you all,
Natasha
Copyright 2011-2021. Natasha L. Foreman. Some Rights Reserved. All Prayers and Reflections are Copyright Protected by Natasha L. Foreman. breakingbreadwithnatasha.com
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
1 Corinthians 13:7
Reflection
Love protects always, love trusts always, love hopes always, and love always perseveres. Not based on conditions or obligations. It just does. It’s just an is.
Love is reflected in Love.
To be protected by man you must be a protector. To be trusted by man you must be trustworthy. For hope and perseverance to remain constant in your life and in your relationships you must believe in them, work daily and work throughout to secure a confidence in hope—and wanting more and better for your relationship. You must be willing to do anything and everything cloaked in love to protect your relationship—never doing or saying anything that would bring harm and dishonor to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and our Heavenly Father-Mother God.
We must make a conscious effort throughout the day to think, speak, act, and be as God expects, envisions, and knows of us as His children. We must overcome our fears, temptations, doubt, pride, and ego. We must live for more than ourselves, and give more than we could ever imagine, and still realize that we have not done, given, expressed, or shared as much as Jesus, Moses, and so many others that lived before us.
We must get past our perceived humanness and embrace, and demonstrate our spiritualness. How beautiful this world would be if we could only get past ourselves and focus on love, commitment, sacrifice, forgiveness, honesty, trust, kindness, and doing God’s work.
Smile. Your day is waiting for you. Who can you bless today?
Prayer
Father, You are Love, happiness, joy, kindness, care, hope, Spirit, Soul, Mind. You are all-in-all. Everything that is good is of You. In and through Your Love I am always protected. I can trust in You and have faith that no harm will come to me of Your doing. In Your Love I have hope; hope for a better life, a better understanding, and better opportunities. In Your Love I can and will persevere, thrive, and succeed.
Father, thank You for the guardian angels You have placed around me throughout my years, and for those who will guide me along my path during my remaining years. I pray for the opportunity to see, experience, and demonstrate love in its purest form as You have shared with me. I want to share this love with generations yet born so that they may enter this world having faith and hope in humankind, and in their ability to serve as honorable stewards in Your Kingdom.
Thank You, Father for protecting me. Thank You for keeping those who would destroy me out fear, arrogance, carelessness, self-centeredness, and disobedience from doing so. Thank You for the wisdom and discernment to identify those who are with me and those who are against me, those who love and respect me versus those who don’t; and that I might still love them all as Your son Jesus loves me.
In Your Name I praise and pray. Amen.
Love always,
Natasha
Copyright 2011-2021. Natasha L. Foreman. Some Rights Reserved. All Prayers and Reflections are Copyright Protected by Natasha L. Foreman. breakingbreadwithnatasha.com
Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor.
Proverbs 21:21 NIV
Reflection
The pursuit of righteousness and love leads to life, prosperity and honor. How straightforward is that? Yet we try to take hundreds of other routes and wonder why we don’t get where we want to go in life. When we pursue the opposite of righteousness and love, where are we led? What is our destination? What do we end up with? Ponder that!
How many of you are frustrated with going everywhere but ending up no where? Why don’t we return to route A that God has provided, and where Jesus keeps pointing us—and walk that path? Sounds like a good and fruitful path. I’ve got my walking shoes. Do you? Let’s do this!
Prayer
Father, my blessings from You come like the flow of water and I am grateful. Even when I’m asleep You are blessing me with priceless gifts. Thank You Father.
I seek to know, understand, and live Your Truth. I desire a life as You see fit, and love that is reflected in Your Love. Your Truth and Love will make and keep me wealthy always, and mold me into an honorable person that is respected by people of all walks of life. That is the life I desire, that is the life I will work each day to claim as mine. I’m here Father and I’m not going anywhere without Your guidance. Amen.
Lovingly your sister in Christ,
Natasha
Copyright 2012-2021. Natasha L. Foreman. Some Rights Reserved. All Prayers and Reflections are Copyright Protected by Natasha L. Foreman. breakingbreadwithnatasha.com
And again, “I will put my trust in him.” And again he says, “Here am I, and the children God has given me.” Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil—and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.
Hebrews 2:13-15
Reflection
We can live in fear and doubt, or walk in faith and courage. We can run scared and hide from the demons that chase us, or face them down and say, “You are nothing, mean nothing, and have no power over me. You scare me because you are the darkness within that I can’t comprehend. But my Father rules over you while protecting me”.
Fear is merely information to process. Instead many of us become enslaved by its grip. If fear is “false evidence appearing real” and Jesus proved there is no death, then we should not fear it. Of course we don’t want to leave our loved ones, but that should not be a fear of death. That’s what we must learn to process, comprehend, and embrace. If we believe in life after this one, what do we fear?
I can admit that I used to fear completely the concept of death, not wanting to lose this shell I wear, and what that means in my humanness. I’ve evolved to fear leaving here not fulfilling my promise to God, not living out my mission and purpose. I also fear living in a new existence without my loved ones here. That is my flesh but I also feel that is also my soul and spirit tied to them. I love deeply and those binds are strong. God knows my heart so He works with me and on me.
Jesus came to demonstrate to us our Truth as spiritual beings, to overcome the flesh and its sins, and to begin the process of restoring us to our rightful place. We must do our part.
We can say we want to be more like Jesus, or each day we can work and strive to be more like him in thought, speech, and deed. Will the choice that we make today be the one we embrace tomorrow?
Amazingly, God loves us either way, He still loves us when we waver, when we get scared, and when we run and hide. Lovingly, He waits for us as our patient and nurturing Father-Mother. God is awesome. He is good. He is Life, Truth, Love—the Father of all mankind, and Creator of all life. Thank Him today for your blessings, and then go be a blessing to others. I love you all.
Prayer
Father, Your son, Jesus was sent by You to show us the way to You, to salvation, to eternal peace, love, joy, and happiness. Thank You! Jesus is the wayshower to the Truth that we are spiritual beings, in Your likeness, here to have a human experience to prove that we are worthy of bigger and better responsibilities in Your Kingdom; we are to realign our ways to Yours, living out our original purpose, to reverse the curse of the flesh.
Father, I believe that this is only one level of existence for humans. I want to learn my lessons, embrace and express Your loving grace, and love Your children as You and Your son have loved me. I want a life where I overcome fear and understand its powerlessness, so that I might experience life as You intend. I seek Your guidance. I look for Your Light and promise to follow obediently the path You place before me. Humbly I say thank You. Amen.
Love,
Natasha
Copyright 2011-2021. Natasha L. Foreman. Some Rights Reserved. All Prayers and Reflections are Copyright Protected by Natasha L. Foreman. breakingbreadwithnatasha.com
A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.
Proverbs 22:1
Reflection
What do you value more in your life, material wealth and possessions? Or spiritual wealth and eternal life with our Heavenly Father? Does it matter that people think you’re a jerk but hang around you because you have (or will have) fame and riches? Or are you more moved by doing good and living well because you gave of yourself when you were least expected to do so?
How much of your time do you volunteer to help others who are least fortunate? I’m not talking about what you do for your job/career, or for publicity, to help underserved and underrepresented communities. What do you do, for free, out of love, to serve others as God has commanded us?
Even if you are financially “poor” are you also too spiritually bankrupt to help those who have it worse off than you? Can you not give 1-2 hours a week or month to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, educate knowledge-seekers, and empower the powerless?
Your name is more valuable than the stuff your acquire and collect. You can’t take your financial wealth with you, and it may not survive long after you’re gone, but your name and reputation will last lifetimes. What will be etched into your grave’s headstone? What will God say about your life?
Prayer
Father, it is more important to me to maintain my self-respect, dignity, and honor, and not disappoint You, than to accumulate money and power. Father, I want to make sure I leave this earth with my name in good standing, with the confidence that I did my best to serve the least of Your children, and that I gave my all in everything I did.
Father, I want to live my life as You so instruct and desire. I want to express the qualities that best reflect You and how You see me. When I stray from Your path, please redirect me as You see fit, so that I can regain focus on Your mission and my purpose for and in Your Kingdom. In Your Name I humbly pray. Amen.
Lovingly,
Natasha
Copyright 2011-2021. Natasha L. Foreman. Some Rights Reserved. All Prayers and Reflections are Copyright Protected by Natasha L. Foreman. breakingbreadwithnatasha.com
In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.
Ephesians 3:12
Reflection
Only in our relationship with God can we be guaranteed confidentiality, a commitment to solving issues and righting wrongs, and a love like no other—pure, carefree, and beautiful. Thank Him. Embrace Him. Believe in Him. Have faith in Him that every issue, problem, desire, and need can and will be fulfilled through and by Him. Where you are deficient, He is not.
This is what Jesus taught. Our relationship with God never needed intermediaries. We just needed to speak to God, whether aloud or silently, just speak. You don’t need to be appointed by man, have a fancy title, you are God’s creation—that is the only title and authority you have or will ever need. The Sadducees and Pharisees were appalled by Jesus speaking these Truths. His disciples and followers took a lot of heat for continuing his ministry and sharing his teachings. Some lost their lives by sharing these Truths.
Be thankful that the Son made a way, sacrificed all, so that you and I could be free and have more than we ever imagined. The Son showed us our Father through a different lens. He introduced us to Him in a new way. He revealed the Truth about who we truly are and what we can experience.
You should feel empowered to know how special you are to God, that He wants a unique and intimate relationship with you—heart to heart. Live your days embracing this!
Prayer
Father, I want to thank You for my life, my blessings, my gifts, and for the opportunities that You place before me daily. I thank You for allowing me to have a close and personal relationship with You where I don’t need an intermediary, or representative to speak on my behalf. I can come directly to You and speak with You, and have my questions answered, and problems solved because of my belief and faith in You, in Your promises, and Your works. Thank You Father.
Lovingly,
Natasha
Copyright 2011-2021. Natasha L. Foreman. Some Rights Reserved. All Prayers and Reflections are Copyright Protected by Natasha L. Foreman. breakingbreadwithnatasha.com
“The lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” ’”
Numbers 6:24-26
Reflection
The Lord, our Father-Mother, our Heavenly Creator, is always there for us, keeping watch over you and me. In good times and in bad be grateful for God, His love, and the blessings that He brings. Be grateful for each day you’re alive. Be grateful for the things you take for granted, like your senses, sunrises and sunsets, sounds of nature, oxygen, and water. Life is great, even when our circumstances aren’t.
Prayer
Father, thank You for my countless blessings. Thank You for protecting me and calming my fears in times of trouble or when I was clueless of the outcome. Father, thank You for bringing me peace, calm, and moments of reflection— during and after life’s storms. In Your Name I praise and pray. Amen.
Love,
Natasha
Copyright 2011-2021. Natasha L. Foreman. Some Rights Reserved. All Prayers and Reflections are Copyright Protected by Natasha L. Foreman. breakingbreadwithnatasha.com
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Ephesians 4: 29,31-32
Reflection
Let’s work to let go of our past failings that would trick us into thinking we’re a failure. Let go of those people who have no place in our present or our future. Let go of those pains that haunt us. Let go of our anger, bitterness, jealousy, envy, and rage—for it only slows us up, drains us, ages us, and causes us painful inflictions. Today, let’s work to free ourselves so that we can be open and receptive to our blessings from God.
Breathe.
Can you already feel the weight lifting off of your shoulders? I can and it feels amazing. Make it an amazing day. Thank God for a new day to celebrate and rejoice in His Name. I love you all!
Prayer
Father, thank You for this day. A new day. A day to start fresh with good intentions, good thoughts, and acts of kindness—both random and planned. Today, I make the effort to speak kindly of others. I begin the process of forgiving those who have wronged me directly and indirectly. Today, I make the effort to say a prayer for those who go against me whether in fear or malice. Today, I push out my bitterness, rage, jealousy, envy, and anger against others and instead replace it with Your loving peace and joy.
My time will not be spent thinking and worrying about, or stressing over what someone else is doing or not doing. Today, I will begin anew and pray for the strength to look at my past, acknowledge what was, and then move forward with both feet planted in my present, and the courage to accept what comes in my future. I know that You are my Vindicator. I know that You are the Revealer of Truth. Thank You Father. I embrace my alignment in You. Amen.
Love,
Natasha
Copyright 2011-2021. Natasha L. Foreman. Some Rights Reserved. All Prayers and Reflections are Copyright Protected by Natasha L. Foreman. breakingbreadwithnatasha.com
The moment you acquire something and begin to use it without taking care of it properly, it loses value—whether it be an object, person, animal, or idea.
A “weak” personality is the easiest to manipulate, as you’re easily swayed one direction or the other. The devil would soon have you looking around for something “better” and not all the time with the goal of replacing it, but rather keeping it around like a trophy you dust off from time-to-time. We struggle with the temptation for more, more, more. More money, attention, sex, intimacy, knowledge, power, influence—whatever we think will fill the void we think we have.
Operating from the mindset of lack is a foothold for the devil.
Our pride, ego, shame, and guilt, are all traps that make us easily tempted.
Don’t let temptation ruin your life. Don’t let your temptation ruin someone else’s life. Don’t let it steer you away from God. Don’t let the liar convince you that you can do and have all you desire without God. Make the decision to stop the madness. Pray to God for the clarity to discern bad seeds from good ones, temptation from His way, and wrong from right. Pray for the strength and courage to face the Truth, that our void is due to not being fully aligned with Him. We keep looking for substitutes for Him. We keep trying to fill that void with things and people who will never measure up to our Heavenly Father. We keep putting flesh over Spirit and that void grows larger by the moment. We keep trying to humanize every element of our existence.
Remember, when we’re so busy looking into the yard next to us, we fail to take care of our own! What looks and feels good in the temporary may bring us the most pain in the long-term. The job or person you hate today may later prove to be Heaven-sent, when you get to fully explore the realization of what else is out there. Just as the job or person you’re blindly chasing could very well drag you to the depths of an internal hell.
Prayer
The devil is a liar. Father, You have said it and proved it. The liar tempts us to go against You. It tempts us to stray from Your path, to disrespect Your Holy Name, to disrupt our lives, to lose a great thing for a few quick moments of ecstasy. It tempts us to change our righteous ways, to seek self-gratification and self-interests without concern for what You want and ask of us. Given the chance, its influence will ruin a marriage, a relationship, a family, a friendship, and a business—through our choice, we serve as its puppets.
Father, show me how to not give it power. Show me how to not give in to the emotional games it plays; how not to give in to depressing and oppressive thoughts and feelings. Father, I want to be fully aligned with You. Please show me how to follow Your Light, without wavering— even when the liar tells me that I’m too weak, not ready, not capable, too young, too old, or too inexperienced to handle what You are offering. Strengthen me Father. Bless me with discernment, wisdom, and joy to overcome the liar and the temptation and depravity it represents. I seek You always. In Your Holy Name I pray. Amen.
Love you always,
Natasha
Copyright 2011-2021. Natasha L. Foreman. Some Rights Reserved. All Prayers and Reflections are Copyright Protected by Natasha L. Foreman. breakingbreadwithnatasha.com
The righteous cry out, and the lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. The righteous person may have many troubles, but the lord delivers him from them all…
Psalm 34:17-19
Reflection
God can always make the wrong—right, the crooked—straight, the broken—fixed, what is empty—full, and the missing can be found. Just reach out to Him and pray. Be specific as to what you need help with and then let go, and let Him take over. Don’t interfere. Don’t micromanage. Just let Him do what only He can do.
God can deliver us from anything. But do we surrender all to Him, or just that which we choose? When will you let go of your controlling ways, the devices you use as substitutes for Him, and just let go— to Him?
Prayer
Father, deliver me today. Save me from myself, from the ways of the world, and from the enemy. Father, steady my mind so that it is only focused on You. Warm my heart and uplift my spirits. Those things that bring me grief, worry, and trouble please make right. I’m crying out to You Lord; dry my tears. Heal me from my inflictions and make me whole in You. Thank You Father. Amen.
Love,
Natasha
Copyright 2011-2021. Natasha L. Foreman. Some Rights Reserved. All Prayers and Reflections are Copyright Protected by Natasha L. Foreman. breakingbreadwithnatasha.com
“Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, keep your tongue from evil and your lips from telling lies. Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are attentive to their cry; but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil, to blot out their name from the earth.”
Psalms 34:12-16 NIV
Reflection
Keep your eyes and heart on the Lord and seek His love to fill you when you become troubled. Seek His love to touch your enemies, both known and unknown. Pray that He settles the stirred pot of fear and hate that plague our world and cause people to tell lies, spread evil, and tear down hope.
Pray for those people who relish a world of chaos and mania, that they might seek instead a life of tranquility, peace, and joy. Pray for the non-believers and conditional believers—that God’s Light shines through to them and they embrace their walk with Him. Pray for more opportunities to do good, to help others, and to share God’s Word.
Prayer
Father, I know You hear me. I know that You see everything that I do and don’t do. I am grateful for Your presence in my life, and for the blessings You have given me. Quiet my fears Lord. Turn me away from wrongdoing, and blanket my fellow brothers and sisters with Your peace so they will only seek to do good for the rest of their days. In Your Name I praise and pray. Amen.
Lovingly,
Natasha
Copyright 2011-2021. Natasha L. Foreman. Some Rights Reserved. All Prayers and Reflections are Copyright Protected by Natasha L. Foreman. breakingbreadwithnatasha.com
“so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.”
1 Corinthians 12:25-27 NIV
Reflection
Today, let’s begin our talk with all of the things we try to run from; all of the things humankind created yet wants to deny…
A lot of people claim to be Christians, yet they pick and choose which parts of the Bible are most convenient for their agenda, which commandments given by God are more palatable, and the examples given by Jesus that fit their needs when they think they need it. We see this within many churches around the world. We see church leaders picking Bible verses that align with their agenda, not God’s. This is self-centered and self-serving behavior.
Pure hypocrisy.
It’s the exact same things, same behaviors, same mindset that Jesus spoke out against. It’s the reason Jesus despised religion. It’s principles goes against nature, goes against the Spirit, and goes against God.
If you believe that the body of Christ are believers in Christ, that the church is the body, then how can you watch one life suffer and not want to provide help? How can you say “all lives matter” but then do absolutely nothing when you see lives being snatched away, brutalized, criminalized, unfairly punished, enslaved, victimized, marginalized, demonized, redlined, and stripped of their humanity and dignity?
Imagine if ALL Lives Mattered
If all lives really mattered then we wouldn’t have extreme poverty, human trafficking, sex trafficking, systemic racism, mass incarceration, inequity in policing and in the workplace, people fighting against critical race theory, voting rights being attacked, and people arguing against diversity, equity, and inclusion. We wouldn’t have monuments to people who plotted, planned, and took part in attacking and killing for selfish gains. If all lives really mattered, people wouldn’t fear bullying and retaliation, because in pursuit of justice and rightness, the body would not allow one part to attack another. The body would not turn away from one or more parts that were suffering or injured.
If you truly believe that “all lives matter” then you would stand tall in your convictions to ensure that all lives are protected. That all lives truly matter. You would stand tall and shield the victim from harm rather than crucify and dissect their life and reputation with vitriolic commentary. You truly would see no gender, color, ethnicity, race, religion, or ideology. You would only see the body is under attack, and you would spring into action.
You would know that if any part is at risk, the entire body is at risk. That means if any life has less value then the entire body is in jeopardy. Any life that is beaten, raped, attacked, tortured, enslaved, or harmed in any way— directly impacts the entire body.
Beyond a Pandemic
If there are systematic instruments created to divide the body, then the entire body must work together to destroy those instruments, and then the body must build and use instruments of healing and restoration. When we turn a blind eye, the systematic morphs into systemic and diseased. What we see throughout the US and the world is disease. A disease that can’t be remedied with a lab-created vaccine. It can’t be studied under a microscope. There is no pill for it, nor will there ever be. It’s ugly, vile, and the most dangerous presence we have or will ever face. Humankind won’t survive if this disease reaches and contaminates every land in this world.
Yes, if one part of the body thrives, all the other parts should celebrate, but that is because the synergy created benefits all of the parts not just the one. The same is true in reverse. It is ignorant and foolish to believe that if one part suffers that the body can still thrive unscathed. Other parts will be affected, until the entire body collapses.
Poverty
Poverty is the result of one part of the body thriving off of the other parts labor and sacrifice. The parts that do most of the work don’t see the benefits, and cut off, they begin to atrophy and eventually die. The wealthy don’t realize that if those parts die, so does their wealth, and eventually so will they. The only way to thrive is to ensure all of the parts are healthy and thriving.
One percent of the body should not thrive off of the efforts of 99 percent of the body. The one percent must stop lying to different parts and telling those parts that their suffering is caused by other, also struggling, parts. This deception doesn’t prevent the body from dying. It makes the death worse, with a relenting pain, that you wish it would be swift rather than slow and deliberate. The hypocrisy of the one percent is to hold the other parts to standards that even the one percent can’t master. Greed, self-indulgence, selfishness—all apparent, and all the things Jesus stood against. All of the things that breaks God’s heart.
When a person loses a limb, have you noticed that they still care for and tend the area that limb was once attached to? It is still cleaned and respected as it was when the limb was there. Many people say they can still feel their missing limbs. The connection is still there. Separated but still a part of them.
What We Are Called to Do
If you call yourself a Christian, a follower of Christ, a follower of Jesus, a follower of God, God’s child—whatever you call yourself, however you self-identify, you have a responsibility, an obligation to protect, care for, strengthen, reinforce each part of the body—not just your own. When a part is missing, you should feel it, and if it can’t be restored and reconnected, then you should still care for what it was once connected to. You should honor it as it once was and honor what remains.
What we aren’t supposed to do is what we have been doing for thousands of years. God’s children don’t do certain things:
We don’t idolize the instruments of destruction.
We don’t feed the disease so it grows and gets stronger.
We don’t celebrate and honor destroyers and enemies that attack parts of the body.
The disease will destroy the entire body, don’t think it won’t. We have a choice. We are all connected. Energy flowing. One body. We better do better to love, protect, uplift, rejoice, and celebrate the entire body.
Prayer
Father, help us to see, acknowledge, take responsibility, repent, atone, and realign with You. The body cannot thrive if any part suffers. Heal us Father. Amen.
I love you all, even when you’re being unloving. I hope it’s reciprocated. ~Natasha
Copyright 2021. Natasha L. Foreman. All Rights Reserved. BreakingBreadWithNatasha.com
I sought the lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.
Psalm 34:4
Reflection
We’re all facing uphill battles this year, this quarter, this month, this week, and today. But are our battles any more difficult than those in the past? Or are they simply just more battles to overcome at a time when maybe we have less resources than in the past? Or because others are under a lot of pressure and their weight comes down on us more so than in the past? Or maybe it’s a figment of our imagination because we’re afraid.
God is our scale, our measurer, and He carries the weights and determines what we can withstand and what we can’t.
Here’s an excerpt from a prayer I said 10 years ago, that still haunts me today:
…Father, I am faced with some heavy decisions in my personal and professional life; I am faced with financial burdens and haunted by my past decisions, and by current unknowns. I’ve got more month than money, bills to pay, and although I know there is a solution to my problem, I’m blinded by fear. Father I have to make decisions about who to trust, who to associate with, and who to walk away from….
Can you feel the fear? Can you see what I allowed to consume a part of my mind and heart 10 years ago? Can you see what still haunts me today? There’s a struggle with discernment and trust—the ability to sift through with clarity to identify God’s Truth from the lies, and a lack of trust in myself and trust in God. I’m just being honest and transparent. It’s the only way for me to face my demons, face the voices that whisper all the ways I lack, and pull myself up through the muck holding me back.
I’ve come to realize, even in my fears, that when God places a lot on my back and shoulders it’s because He knows I can handle it; He knows I can walk through the valley and up that mountaintop with that weight on my back and reach the finish line of victory. Even when I take on stuff I have no business dealing with, God still rests His hand upon me to keep the weight from toppling and crushing me.
Yes, it’s scary most of the time. Yes, it can rattle the nerves and cause your body to seize up in pain—but we can make it through.
As we work through life’s lessons we are clearing the pathway for others, for our children and generations to come; and we are making ourselves stronger so that each obstacle we approach we gain the courage to tell ourselves, “With God, I’ve got this.” So let’s do this. Let’s turn to each other with love in our hearts, to encourage and push each other, to grab each other’s hands, and look into each other’s eyes and say, “With God, we can do this!”
Prayer
Father, throughout my day I pray to You, give thanks for You, and say thank You for my many blessings. I seek You Lord, minute by minute, to help me to see things through, to help me to find my way, and to realize my purpose in Your Kingdom and on Your land.
I’m scared Father. I’m scared that I will make the wrong decisions. I am afraid to disappoint You. Lord, deliver me from all of my fears. Calm my nerves so that I worry no more as I put my trust, confidence, and faith in You.
You are my Rock, Father. You are my Light and Salvation. With You nothing but good can come to me or go from me and that’s all that I need to know. I love You Father. Amen.
I love you all,
Natasha
Copyright 2011-2021. Natasha L. Foreman. Some Rights Reserved. All Prayers and Reflections are Copyright Protected by Natasha L. Foreman. breakingbreadwithnatasha.com
How simple a declaration. Of love and the acknowledgment of the Source of his strength. David sang these first words of a song he had written in honor of God, after God saved him from his enemies. Where does your strength come from? Do you credit God, self, or another source? As you’re climbing through the rough parts are you tapping into God or are you thinking that your strength is something you have to muster and build on your own, maybe with some help from Him?
I can admit that there are many times when I am self-centered in thinking about my issues, fears, and weaknesses. I get caught up thinking that everything rests upon my shoulders. Foolish me. I waste too much time thinking about my limits rather than standing tall in my knowing—that God is my Source of Life, Love, Truth, Joy, Happiness, Healing, Power, and Strength. He is Victory, and in Him and with Him, all obstacles shall be overcome.
I’m trying to get in the habit of declaring my truth the moment before doubt creeps in, as it’s nearing my door—and not just when it’s nestled in my mind and heart, torturing me. I’m focusing on turning to and tapping into God at all times, not just in my times of fear. I’m working on me as God molds me second by second each day. One day we’ll be fully aligned with an unbreakable bond, and oh what a sight that will be!
Prayer
Father, I love You. I need You. I need to surrender fully and completely to You. Father I need Your help to overcome fear, to conquer my insecurities, to squeeze out any envy and jealousy that bubbles beneath the surface, and any resentment, frustration and anger that is waiting to unleash on an unsuspecting victim.
Father, free me from this negativity and darkness. Blanket me in Your peace, love and joy so that a calmness fills me. Keep my eyes, mind, and heart on You Lord, so that I can stop losing focus looking elsewhere. In Your Name I pray. Amen.
Love you all,
Natasha
Copyright 2011-2021. Natasha L. Foreman. Some Rights Reserved. All Prayers and Reflections are Copyright Protected by Natasha L. Foreman. breakingbreadwithnatasha.com
“You, my God, have revealed to your servant that you will build a house for him. So your servant has found courage to pray to you. You, Lord, are God! You have promised these good things to your servant. Now you have been pleased to bless the house of your servant, that it may continue forever in your sight; for you, lord, have blessed it, and it will be blessed forever.”
1 Chronicles 17:25-27
Reflection
God proves Himself to us daily. We must show our commitment to Him, beginning first through prayer to Him every single day, throughout each day. Gain the courage to commit to Him, to trust in Him, and to believe that success is not possible without Him. He will always provide a home and a way for us.
Prayer
Father, You show me consistently how You are here for me, blessing me, and taking care of my needs. Your commitment and devotion to me gives me the courage and faith to believe in the impossible and unimaginable. I thank You now for blessing me with a home filled with love, peace, and joy. I thank You now for blessing me and protecting me all the days of my life. Thank You Father. Amen.
I love you all,
Natasha
Copyright 2011-2021. Natasha L. Foreman. Some Rights Reserved. All Prayers and Reflections are Copyright Protected by Natasha L. Foreman. breakingbreadwithnatasha.com
Honest scales and balances belong to the lord; all the weights in the bag are of his making.
Psalm 16:11
Reflection
Sometimes we add more pressure, more responsibility, more drama, more headaches and heartbreaks upon ourselves because we want to control or fix something. Because we allow our flesh to overrule our spirit. The flesh is weak but we keep thinking it’s not. Except for those moments when we freak out because we can’t find a fast and plausible human solution. We then either turn to God and beg for His intervention because we know we were in the wrong. Or we take the fools route and we turn to Him with blame masqueraded as exhaustion, begging Him as though our screw-ups were His doing, or somehow out of our control—because “the devil made me do it”.
We are consumed with our stress, pain, and confusion, and we forget that God is always our Solution. He was our solution before we started interfering in a situation. He was our solution the moment we saw there was a problem. He is our only true solution. Sadly, we keep thinking that we’re the solution-bringers, problem-solvers, drama-tamers. Which is funny because we’re the ones creating the issues, problems, and drama.
What we would experience if only we stopped trying to balance the scale, stopped trying to be the scale, stopped trying to be the weight, stopped thinking that everything and everyone revolves around us. If we truly knew and embraced our truth, the Truth, who we are, what we are, why we are—oh how beautiful and bold our lives would truly be. True life would be experienced in all of its richness. Instead we settle for the confusion and chaos enabled through our arrogant and foolish interference.
What we need to grasp and rely upon is that we are merely vines and branches from the One true Source. If we want peace, balance, clarity, and more positive energy, we must turn to, tap in, and release ourselves fully to God. We must remain connected and stop thinking we can live disconnected. That’s not living, that’s called struggling, and in that struggle we will turn to whatever substitute that we think will satisfy our flesh. It’s like cutting a stem of a flower or plant and trying to repot it in artificial soil, pouring contaminated water over it. The stem will die. Even if it grew a little it can’t grow much. It can’t thrive without its life source.
We need to remain connected to our Source. He is our Life, Truth, and Protector. He places no limits on our growth.
Let the Tree do what only the Tree can do, with precision and accuracy, with proper timing and intense care. He brings the balance because He distributes the weights and counters any interference with Divine Authority. Let go. Surrender to God!
Prayer
Father, I pray to walk in the Truth, that only through You and by You can I find joy and balance in my life. You control the scales, and You make a way out of no way. If I want peace, it must come from my reliance upon and devotion to You. I want to release my cares to You Lord. I want to be freed from my burdens that I subject myself to, and freed from the weight that I place on my shoulders. I keep trying to do things by myself, by way, defaulting to You only when I deem necessary. Father, You are my necessary every breath that I take each day.
Let me carry what You place on me, what You say is acceptable, and what helps me to carry out my responsibilities as Your ambassador. I want to focus only on that and nothing else. Everything else, I ask that You take away. I release my grip. I will refrain from meddling in matters that are for Your Divine resolution. I thank You for already resolving issues that I’m still struggling to see through. It is my clouded mind that keeps me near-sighted and confused. I release my limited flesh and lean on my spiritual Truth. I know what You are capable of. I know that my forest is merely a single twig from Your perspective. Moving forward, I will walk with this confidence. I praise You for clearing my way and I look forward to these seas parting, valleys lifting, traps collapsing, and mountains flattening.
In Your Name I pray. Amen.
Lovingly,
Natasha
Copyright 2011-2021. Natasha L. Foreman. Some Rights Reserved. All Prayers and Reflections are Copyright Protected by Natasha L. Foreman. breakingbreadwithnatasha.com
…if you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light for those who are in the dark, an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of little children, because you have in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth—you, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself?
You who preach against stealing, do you steal? You who say that people should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? You who boast in the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law?
Romans 2:19-23
Reflection
What if someone never read the Bible and never went to church, but only had you to rely on to show them how a “Christian” should be, should act, should speak, and should think? How would you rate yourself as a representative of Jesus Christ if given the scale 1-5? (1 =poor example, 5=awesome example)
If someone secretly videotaped you for several weeks or months, what would that tape show about you and how you live, speak, treat yourself, and treat others? How much are you aligned to the life Jesus lived for us to model?
Do you lie to others but say, “It’s just a white lie” or “I didn’t lie I just didn’t tell the whole truth”? Do you say you can’t stand thieves, yet you find yourself stealing people’s ideas, or all sorts of things from hotels, companies, or your job—and you rationalize the theft?
Do you bad-mouth other people who cheat on their significant other, but when you do it you call it anything and everything except what it is—cheating? Would it be cheating if you found out your significant did it?
Do you say that people can control their urges and avoid addiction, yet you just have to consume or partake in something regularly to feel a sense of normalcy? Sexual addiction (on every level) is just as intoxicating and destructive as alcohol addiction, drug addiction, or gambling addiction. And let me add that sugar is the most addictive substance we can consume.
When we play with fire we will always get burned.
Pray to God to show you the truth about yourself and then pray for the strength to change your ways, realign to Him, and live like His honorable and dignified child. I’m praying each day to change my life the way God intends so I can represent and reflect the love, light, joy, honor, and purity that is in and of Him. I want my life to be God-centered and focused—how about you? Let’s be the example we want to see in the world, not the example of the world we cave to under pressure.
Prayer
Father, I want to look in Your spiritual mirror and ‘check myself’. I want to look deeply and see if I’m practicing what I’m preaching, following the advice I give others, walking the path of righteousness that I claim I’m navigating, living the life as Your ambassador—or am I a deceitful hypocrite.
Place the mirror before me Father. Let me see my true self. Let me see the areas that need correction, those areas for improvement, and the way to make things right in my life. I love You Father and I only want to do right in Your Sight. In Your Name I pray. Amen.
Love,
Natasha
Copyright 2011-2021. Natasha L. Foreman. Some Rights Reserved. All Prayers and Reflections are Copyright Protected by Natasha L. Foreman. breakingbreadwithnatasha.com
I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the lord in the land of the living.
Psalm 27:13
Reflection
No matter what you go through, no matter how often or intense someone mistreats you, God brings a calming balance to chaos. God will remove you from a bad situation, He will heal your pain, and bring people to your life that walk in His Light. He will bring people to you that will not lie to you, cheat on you, or steal your time, money, possessions, energy, or dignity. He will also stand as the bridge for you to cross when people with evil intent come hawking your way. All we have to do is call out, reach out, knock on the door—and it will be opened.
I truly believe that there is more love and acceptance than hate and rejection in the world. Sometimes you just have to take a closer look. The author of confusion wants you to see the darkness and shadows, and become so overwhelmed that you are paralyzed from doing much of anything in life. God is Life and there is nothing more that He wants for you than to live your truth in Him, through Him, on this land that He made beautifully rich for you.
We don’t have to be lost when we rely on God’s guidance and GPS coordinates.
We don’t have to be afraid, or succumb to the fear, when our confidence comes from Him.
We don’t have to be confused, as long as we consult with God first, frequently, and always.
We don’t have to be bitter because we know that God can make all things better.
We don’t have to be poor because God has unlimited wealth, in every aspect of spiritual and physical life, waiting to pour into us.
We don’t have to be ignorant when we have God as our Teacher.
We don’t have to hate when we choose a relationship with God-Love, filling our minds and hearts with His Truth, and casting out the lies.
We don’t have to be cynical because through God we are optimistic.
Ponder that.
Then let go of the baggage you’re carrying around, thinking that all of it rests upon your shoulders. It doesn’t. It never was supposed to. This is weight that only God can handle. He keeps telling you to rest your weary head on Him. You keep dragging your head and your junk from place to place.
Listen to Him and let Him do what only He can.
Prayer
Father, I believe that even in darkness, through lies, deceit, and hate, and evil of all kinds— that Your goodness can and will be seen amongst and within the masses of Your children. No matter how much I’m wronged by someone I will never stop believing that Your Light will always penetrate darkness, that Your Truth will always reveal lies, and that Your Love will always heal pain. I may not be confident in man, but I am 100 percent confident in You. In You I put my trust. Always giving You the glory, for without You there is no me. Amen.
Love,
Natasha
Copyright 2011-2021. Natasha L. Foreman. Some Rights Reserved. All Prayers and Reflections are Copyright Protected by Natasha L. Foreman. breakingbreadwithnatasha.com
I do not sit with the deceitful, nor do I associate with hypocrites.
Psalm 26:4
Reflection
We have to choose what is most important to us, telling the truth even when it hurts or deceiving people because we don’t want to be harshly judged or mistreated, or because we fear we will lose someone or something.
We also have to choose whether to be a hypocrite, not walking the walk we talk, while holding people accountable for things we deviate from. We have to choose to point the finger of blame while not taking responsibility for our actions—or do what’s right. We have to choose to either be honest about the way we live and think, or continue to pretend like, “That’s not me. I don’t do that. I wouldn’t do that” while secretly we do and we would.
We have to stop being hypocrites telling people to do things we don’t and won’t.
We have to stop telling people to pray for others, to forgive others and themselves, to seek help through counseling and therapy, to spend quality time with loved ones, to take better care of themselves—yet we don’t do it. Stop telling people to be faithful in relationships if you’re not. Stop telling people to respect and honor you if you don’t respect and honor them—and worse, if you don’t respect and honor yourself. Don’t tell others to do something you’re not actively and consistently doing, and at the level and intensity you encourage them to do it.
We have to make choices.
No one said it would be easy, and it won’t be. Every day we are tempted to stray. We have a choice. Each day we must strive to live right, tell the truth, and stay focused on our mission and purpose in life (or figuring it out). If you fear telling the truth then pause in silence, rather than lie, and ask God to guide you through the situation. When we’re living this way we’re authentically true to self and we’re not fearful of getting caught living a lie—because we’re too busy doing what’s right. And when you screw up, which we all do:
Take responsibility
Repent and ask God for forgiveness
Forgive yourself
Realign and get back on the path
Keep pressing forward
Don’t beat yourself up and shackle yourself to shame. That’s not God’s way so don’t adopt it as yours.
Prayer
Father, touch my heart and mind. Show me the ways through Your light, love, peace and joy that I might think twice before telling a lie or withholding the truth whether out of fear, jealousy, envy, or anger. Turn me around from living a hypocritical life where I say one thing yet do another.
Father, rid me of the fear of losing out or losing favor with someone for speaking the truth, and for not switching “faces” out of convenience. Not losing Your favor is more important to me than my relationship with man or woman. I want to stand tall in Your Light, and not slither in darkness. I come to You with a humbled heart and a determined mind. Amen.
Love you all,
Natasha
Copyright 2011-2021. Natasha L. Foreman. Some Rights Reserved. All Prayers and Reflections are Copyright Protected by Natasha L. Foreman. breakingbreadwithnatasha.com
Breaking Bread With Natasha 