Breaking Bread for 8.31.21

Scripture

When you make a vow to God, do not delay to fulfill it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow. 

Ecclesiastes 5:4 

Reflection

We cannot move slowly on our vows and promises to God, yet have expectations of His blessings arriving on our time. If you can’t keep your promise, don’t make it. Think long and hard before you say, “God I promise that if You do….I will…”. Because God’s memory never fades and He’s not into twisted game-playing. He keeps His promises or He doesn’t make them. We must do the same. What are you saying about your relationship with Him when you break your promises? What are you telling Him about how you view Him?

My dad taught me that it’s better to say to someone, “I will try” than to make a promise. A promise forms a bond that isn’t to be broken, but only fulfilled. By saying you will try, your efforts don’t go unnoticed, and even if you fail to achieve what you set out to accomplish, it’s not held against you. If you try and succeed, then hooray!

Now let’s be clear, this isn’t a loophole, it’s not a way to get over on God or anyone else. It’s not a placeholder, or a box to check. It’s about being honest, sincere, and accountable. Whether you’re confident in your ability to do something, or not, by declaring your desire to “try”, you’re also understanding that there may be obstacles you can’t overcome. It doesn’t mean not giving your all, it doesn’t mean aiming low, it doesn’t mean choosing mediocrity. It also doesn’t mean you can procrastinate and get to it when you feel up to it. It means, that given the opportunity you will pour yourself wholeheartedly into the situation and you will keep trying until you succeed or fail. It’s the follow through that matters. You have limitations and God knows this. It’s understanding that words and intent matters.

Make a vow to try your best with God’s guidance, and then follow through. Don’t make a vow to do something and then flake. Don’t disrespect God. Don’t disrespect who you are.

Prayer

Father, I pray to rid myself of my affliction of procrastination. Putting off for tomorrow what I can do today is ignorant, foolish, and costly. I also pray for the right thinking to keep my vows to You and not procrastinate on fulfilling them. I don’t want to disappoint You Father.

Procrastination is connected with laziness and I know You don’t like the former and detest the latter. So I will make every effort to focus on fulfilling my vows to You with a sense of urgency, as I would hope and pray that You would in blessing me. I thank You now Lord. 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

Breaking Bread For 8.30.21

Scripture

In his pride the wicked man does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God. 

Psalm 10:4

Reflection

Pride will leave us mentally and spiritually blind, deaf, and in a manic state as we spend our time consumed by thoughts of everyone and everything, except God and His expectations and desires for us. We can’t say that we don’t know what God wants for us. His Word is clear, and even if you have doubts because the good Book was drafted by men, then trust your gut; your intuition is a compass directly connected to God.

You KNOW when you are doing right and wrong. You know when you aren’t supposed to be speaking with someone, spending time with someone, doing certain things, or saying certain things. You know. Every time we ignore our intuition we ignore God. 

Our pride and arrogance tells us that we know what we’re doing, but then we stupidly look around for God to help us when everything goes haywire. Lovingly He helps us on His time, which is the right time, but we don’t even recognize the abundant love He has for us to reach out and restore us even when we blatantly disrespect and disobey Him. 

We need to place God first in our lives. Starting our days with Him, pushing through our days with Him, and ending our days with Him. Our mention of Him shouldn’t just be in need, before we eat, before we sleep (when we remember), and in church (when we go).

What if God only provided for us and answered our prayers during these moments? What if He said, “I will let you breathe on the days you live righteously” or, “I will make sure things go right for you but only when you pray to Me”?

Who would survive?

When our days are filled with God, deferring to Him, asking Him for guidance, there’s no room for pride and arrogance. When we place Him first our ego is in perfect alignment.

God loves us unconditionally. We love Him with the strongest of conditions. Then we wonder why we have so much imbalance in our lives. Just a thought.

Prayer

Lord, I want to do right by You and live right through You. I want my days consumed with the principles You possess and share with Your children. I want my beginning, middle, and end to be about reflecting, expressing, demonstrating, and representing You as Your ambassador in Christ. I don’t want to try to make time for You, try to make time to pray, or try to make time to study Your word. The world is to wait as I find time for it, because You are to be my everything. Mold the weakness of pride out of me Father. Replace it with honor and righteousness in Your Light.

Father, when I lean to read another book before Yours, remind me. When I go to turn on the television before giving thanks to You, remind me. When I go to connect on the Internet before connecting with You, remind me. When I allow my day to go by without studying or meditating on Your word—which is my road map, my compass, my life plan and contingency plan, Lord remind me.

Remind me of my desire to be more like Jesus. Remind me of my desire to walk through my fears like Daniel, David, Joshua, Moses, Esther, and so many others. Remind me of my hope to live eternally by Your side with my loved ones. Remind me of my dreams to raise and nurture healthy and loving children who respectfully and humbly fear displeasing You. Remind me Father. In Your Name I do humbly pray, and ask for Your guiding love today and every day. 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

Breaking Bread For 8.27.21

Scripture

Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.

—Proverbs 16:18

Reflection

The opposite of humility, pride always leads to destruction. This form of pride, is not to be confused with the joy, dignity, and honor that comes from accomplishing something or seeing someone else accomplish something. No, the pride mentioned in Proverbs and other sections of the Bible, is the opposite. Pride is the arrogance that comes from vanity. It is a twisted view of reality.

Pride will always block our blessings. When we are too prideful to say we need help, we won’t get the help we need.

I have allowed my pride to completely contaminate my space and environment to the point that I have lost, at times, more than others may ever gain. Is that not ridiculous to visualize? My pride kept me from maintaining or developing further something I already had in my possession. How ignorant is that?

Not wanting to appear weak or lacking, my pride has kept me from asking for assistance from other people, which resulted in being weak and lacking.

We must push pride out just as we would fear (the root of pride), arrogance, and any other sin. Push it out. Get out of your own way and allow the blessings God has in store for you to flow in through whatever channel and path that He has established. God’s busy trying to provide us with opportunities to thrive and we’re busy blocking them with our pride, to the point we at times struggle to survive.

You never know who or what God has placed in your life to help you reach your goals and fulfill your purpose in life. Let go and let God!

Prayer

Father, I want my strength to come from faith in You, not in pride or arrogance which only weaken me. Open my eyes to see and acknowledge how pride is self-destructive and the reasons for many of my failures in life. In times when I should be asking for assistance or direction, but my pride stands in the way, remind me of the blessings I am blocking in my stubbornness. Free me from my personal bondage Lord. In Jesus’ Name I 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

Breaking Bread For 8.26.21

Scripture

When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered, I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you. Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. Whom have I in heaven but you?And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. 

Psalm 73:21-26

Reflection

We can look around and see family members, our significant other, friends, associates, and acquaintances—and be filled with joy and appreciation, but there’s nothing like the feeling that comes from knowing that the only Love that is unconditionally guaranteed is God’s. The only source for eternal Life and Truth is God. The only solution to our problems is God.

Salvation can only come by way of God, so why not put our trust in Him? We expect Him to be there for us, but how dependable are we, to have complete and total faith in Him? Where’s our unconditional love and support for Him?

Imagine the moment when you TRULY realize that everything you are, everything you have, and everything you desire comes from God.

Prayer

Lord, no matter what I do or say, no matter how I act or think, You have always been my comforter, my rock, my fortress, my protector, my Father-Mother—my beginning, middle, and end. Thank You.

Thank You for restoring me when I am beat down, worn out, and don’t know where to go or what to do. Thank You for mending my broken heart each time someone took advantage of me, played games on me, felt empowered to tell me lies while “stabbing” me in my back. Thank You for replacing the doubt that in my heart with confidence in You. Thank You for lifting my head, wiping my tears, strengthening my body, and taking my hand as I learned to walk on a new path with increasing confidence.

Thank You, Father for making a way out of no way, for making sure that bills were paid when they were supposed to, for healing me when man said it may not be possible—or that only through his medicine could I be healed. Thank You for showing me how to run the marathon called life. Thank You, Lord. In Your son Jesus’ Name I humbly pray to 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

Breaking Bread For 8.25.21

Scripture

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. 

And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen. 

1 Peter 5:6-11

Reflection

There are times when it feels beyond difficult to breathe, think, or act. There are times when fear takes you hostage and you feel as though there is no ransom that will release you from imprisonment. You have more bills than bucks, more month than money, more debtors demanding payment than people repaying their debts to you. You can’t remember your last vacation—if you have ever had one. But you know you’re long overdue.

But what if we started each day praying to our shepherd Jesus Christ, and our Heavenly Father-Mother? What if we prayed for the strength and courage to endure, the skills to see, hear, and think with precision, and the clarity and discernment to act with determination? What if we released the things that we are not (or not yet) capable of handling and instead focus on those tasks and issues, that through God and Jesus, we can resolve?

What if we did our best in every aspect of our life and relied on Jesus to show us the way, and relied on God to make the way possible? What if we stopped talking and thinking about what we can’t do and instead focus on what we can do? What if every day we took one step closer towards the unknown, knowing that God is right there and visualizing Jesus holding our hand?

There are so many positive what if’s….

Think about it.

I love you all. I pray that we’re all strengthened by God’s Word and Jesus’ walk. I pray that those warriors and ambassadors we read about in the Bible give us the extra pep in our step to declare, “Yes I can” and then we do it with passion and purpose. Pray for me as I pray for you.

Prayer

Father, as You know, I am going through many tests right now and there are times when the pressure seems unbearable. But I grit my teeth, bear down, and exhale as I put my faith in Your protection and guidance. There are times that I want to cry without ceasing, because I feel like I’m in over my head and the only way to turn back is to simply fall on my face, lay there, and fail. I don’t want to fail Lord. I don’t want to be a disappointment to You. So each day I pray to You for the strength to not only make it through but to see the possibilities for tomorrow.

I know that I’m not alone in this. You are always with me. I feel and know Your presence. I know that there are other believers who struggle with the same issues, more issues, or worse issues. I know that the enemy, in its limited capability, hides around the corner waiting to ambush me with lures of temptation and traps of fear, to knock me off my path. But I declare that each day I will pray for the strength and conviction to overcome temptation and fear, defeat mortal mind, and take one step closer towards fulfilling my purpose.

It is because of You that I live, survive, thrive, am blessed, and am a blessing to others. In You I place my anxieties, for only You can destroy them. Only You can make wrong right, turn darkness to light, solve the insolvable, and do the impossible. In Jesus’ Name I pray to You. 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

Breaking Bread For 8.24.21

Scripture

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. 

1 Peter 4:10-11

Reflection

God doesn’t bless us for us to keep the blessings to ourselves. We’re supposed to spread our wealth to and with others. Through our sharing we are all connected and He is glorified. So let’s look at what we are good at and what thrive in, and then think of ways to share our talents with others—and then DO IT!

Prayer

Father, You have given me many gifts, talents, and blessings; more than I can even count. It would be a dishonor to You if I do not fully use the ones I know of each day. You have blessed me with intuition which is a direct portal to You, that churns loudly when I may not hear your voice in my ear.

You have provided me with the best example of how to live, by sharing Your son Jesus Christ with me and the world. Thank You Father. Thank You for providing me with the road map, the script, the blueprint, the outlines, the vision board, and the story board for how to live my life. I know this won’t be easy. I know that I will continue to be tested and tempted to stray from You and my path. I will work each day to turn my head from temptation. Amen.

Love always,

Your spiritual sister in Christ

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 For 8.23.21

Scripture

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 

1 Peter 4:8 

Reflection

When we think of God first and focus on His presence, and love in our life, then how can we not overcome our fears, insecurities, and fleshly desires? We can. But we put flesh above spirit the majority of the time, and that is why we cowardly give in to the chaos that enshrouds us, cripples us, and pushes us farther off our God-designed path.

God IS Love, so let us rely on and live in that love to strengthen us and make us better people, leaders, followers of Christ, and children of the LORD.

We should try telling ourselves silently and aloud, “God loves me and that’s all that I need” before we make any tough decision in life. Before we allow doubt and worry to creep in and take over our minds and hearts, let’s say with truth, conviction and complete belief that, “God loves me and that’s all that I need” and then watch as darkness pulls back and love’s light consumes.

Someone out there is choosing revenge over love, self-pity over love, jealousy over love, ego over love, self-righteousness over love, grudges over love, pain over love, ignorance over love, flesh over love, rules and customs over love.

When doubt and worry try creeping in, grasp tightly to love. There’s nothing more powerful. Feel God’s embrace. Hold on to it. Refuse the temptation to give in to the sins of the flesh. You ARE stronger than you think. You were made by the Best!

Jealousy, envy, lust, greed, arrogance, pride, and all of the other sins will not have the strength to consume you when you declare that God is all that you need—and you believe it. Let’s try that today!

Prayer

Father, there is no doubt that I have sinned, even this week—even today. I sinned by giving into fear, jealousy, envy, and even other weaknesses that You despise. This we both know. Lord, I want to be overwhelmed with the fullness of love for You, for myself, for my loved ones, and for the world— that I do not give in to the luring of sins that wait for me.

Let Your love blind the darkness that would creep inside of and overtake me; for You are most powerful, most present, most loving, most healing, and the ultimate Giver of gifts and blessings that no other presence can compare. Knowing that, I should never be weakened by another presence if I’m totally filled with Yours.

Father, I am working each day to be strengthened in Your Word so that in times of possible doubt I will push through and prevail in and through love, and not fear; through love and not envy; through love and not jealousy; through love and not insecurity; through love and not lust; through love and not greed; through love and not lack.

In Your Name I pray as a follower and believer of Christ. Amen.

Loving 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

Breaking Bread For 8.20.21

Scripture

that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father, who sent him.

John 5:23

Reflection

Father and Son are one. Just like many of us see our relationship with one or both of our human parents. To honor the child you honor the parent. The same is true if you dishonor the child. Magnify that by an inconceivable number, and you would see the relationship between God and Jesus. Not His only child, because we are all His children, but a chosen child to do what no one before or after him has done—to fulfill prophesies made more than one thousand years before Jesus walked this planet. He was known to others as merely “Mary’s son”. But he was much more.

You cannot love and honor Jesus without doing the same for God. You cannot despise and disobey Jesus and not do the same to God. You cannot follow Jesus without also following God. Our Father sent Jesus and look what the people did to His son, our brother. Look at the message they unknowingly sent back to God.

They dishonored Jesus and God. They prayed for a king and rejected the one God sent, all because Jesus didn’t fit the image and checklists in their minds. They dismissed and tried to usurp God’s authority. They dismissed every person who said “the One” was coming, was there, was Jesus. Their egos got in the way. They lacked humility and discernment.

At the same time, let us not forget that Jesus is the Son, and we aren’t to elevate him above the Father. I cringe whenever I hear or read someone sidestepping God for Jesus, regarding Jesus first and always, and speaking of God as though He’s just the grandfather, not the Father, not as relevant now that we have this human substitute. God didn’t send a retirement memo and thereby appointing Jesus to take over.

We are flesh-obsessed. We gravitate to the flesh because our minds struggle with the boundless, fluidity of spirit, of energy. Even though we are energy encased in flesh, we want something we can touch and that is familiar. So we lean towards Jesus over God. Yes, in honoring Jesus we honor God. But let’s also check ourselves so we don’t continue to disrespect and dishonor God. He is our Father.

The power and authority we find in Jesus comes from God, just as our power and authority come from God. Jesus never confused that, he never misspoke this fact. It has been his followers that choose to go against what he was repeatedly quoted as saying. Jesus taught that just as God was in him, God is in us—the same Creator of him, created us. Jesus taught that we are spirit not flesh, and are in the image of Spirit, just living inside this fleshy “tent” (as many referred to it). Let’s remember this and never forget.

Side Note: Imagine if we saw God in every person and in doing so, we were quick to love and embrace, and slow to judge and harm. Imagine if we truly saw God within ourselves. We would love ourselves fully and never stop caring for our minds, bodies, spirits, and souls. We wouldn’t be so reckless. Imagine!

Let Jesus, the exemplar in Christ, show you the way to righteousness, eternal life, and everlasting peace and joy. Follow Jesus to God!

Prayer

Father, I honor You. I respect You. I love You. I value You. I honor Your son, my shepherd, Jesus Christ. I honor and respect his walk directed by Your Light, his direction steered by Your commands, his love for all people as You first loved us. Father, through Your son I see the example of how I am to live, behave, think, respond, react, speak, heal, save and be saved. Thank You Lord for my blessings and for the gift You delivered in and through Jesus. In Your Name and his 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

Breaking Bread For 8.19.21

Scripture

Although most of the many people who came from Ephraim, Manasseh, Issachar and Zebulun had not purified themselves, yet they ate the Passover, contrary to what was written. But Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, “May the Lord, who is good, pardon everyone who sets their heart on seeking God—the Lord, the God of their ancestors—even if they are not clean according to the rules of the sanctuary.” And the Lord heard Hezekiah and healed the people. 

2 Chronicles 30:18-20

Reflection

Even those who were “unclean” were still healed by God. He heard King Hezekiah’s prayers and God answered them. Is it not amazing how a petition from one can bless many? Who are you praying for besides yourself? Who is praying for you?

Visualizing these people in the sanctuary, not following the rules, yet King Hezekiah didn’t curse them and tell them to leave. Nope, he prayed for them, and God healed them. That is grace. If you don’t believe there is hope for all of us, then you truly are cynical. But even then, I believe God’s grace will touch you.

Set your heart and mind on God, pray for discernment, obedience, enlightenment, strength, guidance, and sustenance. Pray for forgiveness and to forgive others. Pray for grace and mercy, and to be gracious and merciful. Pray for healing and for the ability to be used for healing. Pray for blessings and to be a blessing to others.

Now go touch other lives in a positive and loving way. Let’s spread love.

Prayer

Father, I love You. Thank You for accepting me while still molding me to be the best spiritual reflection of You. Thank You for allowing me to eat, drink, and live life even if I haven’t fulfilled my obligations to You, obeyed all of Your commands, or walked the path that You have laid. You are loving, kind, gracious, giving, forgiving, understanding, and the Provider of anything and everything that I could ever want or need. Thank You Father. 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

Breaking Bread For 8.18.21

Scripture

“True humility and fear of the Lord lead to riches, honor, and long life.”

Proverbs 22:4 NLT

Reflection

In Judaism, the “fear of God (LORD)”, means the awe, respect, or submission to Him. Whenever God or a deity was mentioned in this way, this is what the people were expressing. It was a positive not a negative. That is what it meant and means in the Bible. Over time, and as some people declared themselves to be monotheists, “fear” was also translated to mean horror. Christians, for instance, express awe, reverence, and respect as fear, and then there is the fear of punishment, hell, and damnation. Depending on the lens you look through determines your interpretation.

So when you read the Bible verse above, do you read, humility is the fear (respect) of the Lord? Or do you read it as fearing punishment by God, you opt for humility? Are you complying and submitting out of honor and respect? Or to avoid punishment?

Humility is a modest or low view of your own importance. That’s not to be confused with self-deprecation or low self-esteem. God doesn’t want you to think low of yourself. He made you. You are loved and protected by Him. He made you perfect in His sight. You aren’t worthless, you aren’t someone’s footstool, you don’t deserve mistreatment and slavery. That isn’t what humility is about. Humility prevents others from treating you as though you’re less than.

Humility also means you don’t treat people as though they’re less than. There is no humility in elitism, classism, racism, sexism, etc. Your perceived power over others indicates you believe yourself to be of greater importance. That is not modesty. That is not humility. Are you serving or expecting to be served? There’s just one of your tests.

Humility requires us to be less of an extrovert, not being the center of attention, not trying to get credit for everything you take part in, not trying to get social media likes and followers, and choosing instead to be modest. It’s elevating someone else above us, because our ego is in check, and we are centered in God. Humility steers us away from “big-head syndrome” which pops up when we take on fancy titles, acquire expensive things, and gain popularity.

So back to the Bible verse—if humility is the way to riches, honor, and life then why are we not submitting our hearts and mind to living this way? Are you ready to surrender? Or is your ego struggling with a sense of importance or a desire for fame?

Look closely at many of the famous people from the past who craved the fame—how many of them walked in honor, with untainted wealth, and lived long and healthy lives? Many of them didn’t. So many of them faced scandals, died tragically, and struggled with reality and more.

Look at today’s celebrities and their struggles. Their demons make regular appearances, ensuring that the celebrities face will be plastered all over the news, social media, and magazines. Look at everything they sacrifice and trade for fame, to be the center of attention. Have you noticed that the ones who choose a life of modesty and humility are also rarely in the tabloids? You don’t hear of them being caught up in a scandal. It’s like they understand the trappings and they choose a different path. You hear more about their benevolence than any antics.

I always cringe when I hear or read someone say they want to be famous. It’s a trap. It’s temptation of the flesh. The riches, honor, and life they desire can only come from living a life of humility. Being more than okay behind the camera, but elevating and giving credit to others when you are in front of the camera. Humility is “we” not “I”. Humility is honoring those who made it possible for you to be where you are. It’s understanding and declaring that you aren’t self-made—someone helped you along the way. It’s paying forward the gifts given to you. That’s the life I want to consistently live, how about you?

Prayer

Father, there is nothing or no one I should be in awe of or submit to but You. There is no greater power or presence than You. There is no source capable of providing me with everlasting joy, happiness, love, and life than You. I cannot thrive, gain riches and wealth, or grow without You. I cannot be in perfect mental, physical, spiritual, and emotional health without You. I humbly surrender to You Father. I humbly admit that without You there is no me. Without You I have no home. Without You I cannot eat or drink. Without You there is no purpose. You are everything and my everything.

I fear not pleasing You because I know it hurts You, and my heart hurts to think of that. I fear losing Your favor, because I want to serve You and be the best ambassador that I can be. Show me the way Lord. Show me how to serve You best. Show me how to humble myself to Your liking. I know you didn’t create me to be a footstool or to treat others as though they are footstools.

Show me how to best be receptive to You Father. I want to see what You have before me. I want to hear Your voice, even at a whisper. I want to feel Your touch, even if it’s like a light breeze. I want blandness to taste rich. I want the slightest scent to be delightfully overwhelming. I want to be aligned with you fully and always. This can only happen with You and through following Your son Jesus. Show me how Father. I love you. 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

Breaking Bread For 8.17.21

Scripture

He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. 

Revelation 21:6

Reflection

To those who thirst for a deeper, more intimate relationship with God, with Christ, with the Holy Spirit, we can be granted not only that blessed connection but also a fulfilled and eternal life—without cost.

Seems simple when you say it, but yet we struggle to fully commit to this life as God sees fit. We keep struggling with the flesh that says we can do all things without God, that our immediate gratification is of greater importance. We pay a price living life that way. We are choosing to pay for the short-term and fleeting, when we could have true freedom, without cost, by simply aligning with God. How foolish we are.

We’re all works in progress. All pieces of clay being molded slowly into the perfect examples of His spiritual likeness. Keep praying for the molding!

Prayer

Father, there is no life, truth, or love without You. My day cannot start or end without You. Everything I am capable of doing is because of You. I cannot breathe, speak, see, feel, taste, move or think without Your will and grace making these things possible. My ideas are not mine alone, but shared with You, and Yours shared with me. The things I possess are only temporary gifts and loans from You. I must do better to show my appreciation and gratitude. I will do better. I thank You, Father. In You I put my trust. Through You I gain the inconceivable. 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

Breaking Bread For 8.16.21

Scripture

Now this is what the Lord Almighty says: “Give careful thought to your ways. You have planted much, but harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it.”

Haggai 1:5-6

Reflection

God sent the prophet Haggai to speak to the governor of Judah, about God’s temple that had yet to be rebuilt. The people had built grand homes for themselves yet the temple was still in ruins. They planted plenty of crops that should have resulted in a huge harvest, but it didn’t happen. They had material things but still were unsatisfied. They kept coming up short. They didn’t know why.

When you continue reading on, past verse 6, you see that Haggai spoke God’s words and made clear, that all of this was happening because they didn’t honor God. They didn’t put Him first. They hadn’t taken care of His temple before or even while building their beautiful homes. They put the care and attention to detail in their homes while knowing the temple was still nothing but a mound of scraps and dirt. They planted in His soil, expecting to take from it, without honoring him.

How many of us are guilty of the same?

How many of us put our needs and desires above what God calls on us to do? How many of us put our attention towards someone else’s things and then we lack the care for our own God-given things? When, where, and how are we honoring Him?

Jesus said that our bodies are God’s temples, but how do we treat them? While we’re busy getting our homes spruced up, what are we doing to and for our bodies, that are our first and truest home? How are we glorifying God and giving thanks for these vessels we occupy?

Have you ever considered that the areas where you struggle are the areas where God isn’t first in your life? Maybe you aren’t consulting with Him, getting guidance from Him, and so you’re relying on your own knowledge and ways. What kind of harvest do you think you will receive? How fulfilled do you think you will be?

Ponder this.

Prayer

Father, I pray to always honor You above all, to put You first in all situations, to invest my energy into the things You desire, and that I’m obedient to Your requests and commands. I don’t want to disappoint You. I ask for Your graceful realignment. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Loving 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 For 8.13.21

Scripture

Fools fold their hands and ruin themselves. 

Ecclesiastes 4:5

Reflection

Crossed arms leave you closed off to receiving God’s blessings, and incapable of being a blessing to others. You’re stubbornly rejecting humility, which is a recipe for disaster.

Have you ever tried walking, jogging, or running with your hands or arms interlocked? Eventually you WILL lose balance and you run the risk of falling flat on your face. Why purposely subject yourself to that?

When we close ourselves off from learning, growing, being challenged, experiencing new things, hearing opinions that differ from our own—we are setting ourselves up to fall hard.

A fool will always think and believe “I got this” or they don’t need to hear something or get help with an issue. They fold their hands and block their blessings rather than extend them outward to receive. You also can’t be a blessing to others if you’re walking around with that mindset. You can’t catch or be caught.

Keep your hands folded while trying to navigate life, and watch how hard you fall. Always keep your hands and arms open to receive and give.

Prayer

Father, never do I want to be closed off from You, closed off from knowledge and wisdom, and the right way to live my life. Father, I don’t want to be stubborn and set in my ways, where I never consider and accept alternative avenues shared by You to reach my goals.

Lord, I always want to have a “can do” attitude even in a situation that may at first and throughout seem impossible to complete, overcome, or achieve. I’m not a quitter Father, and You know this more than I do. Please keep showing me the possibilities and potential that I have. Keep blessing me Lord. Keep my mind and heart receptive and open to You and Your children that serve You. In Jesus’ Name I pray. 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

Breaking Bread For 8.12.11

Scripture

Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. This is how we know that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence: If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.

Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from him anything we ask, because we keep his commands and do what pleases him.

And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us. The one who keeps God’s commands lives in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us. 

1 John 3:18-24

Reflection

Every day we start anew with a hoped for understanding that we can make our own choices in life. We have the choice to do right or wrong, to be loving and kind, or cruel and selfish. We can choose to obey God or not.

But at the beginning, middle, and end of each day (and every second in between) God still makes the decisions whether we walk, talk, think, breathe, move, blink, swallow, live here on earth or pack our spiritual bags and move on to another level of existence. 

He knows everything. He sees and hears everything. There are no closets for us to hide our skeletons and truths from Him. Our actions always speak louder than our words. We can lie to and hide from ourselves and others, but not from God. He reveals all.

We need to stop pretending and start getting right with God. We need to stop playing games as though we have a trump card that can overrule God, and start realizing and acknowledging that He holds every card to every deck, and knows every move we’re going to make (or think we’re going to make) before we do. 

I pray to be a little less selfish each day so that I may be more selfless in my walk, because this has nothing to do with me and everything to do with Him. I love you all. I open myself up to prove in my actions, not just my words, that my declaration is truthful and not just “catchy” and sweet. Enjoy your day and thank God for it and each day that you wake and live.

Prayer

Father, fill me with Your love and peace, that I might love all of Your children without hesitation or judgment, as You have commanded. Teach me Father how to be accepting and loving of my fellow brothers and sisters, as Jesus does. Let me see them as You do, and let me see myself as You see me.

Father, You know me better than I will ever know myself. You know my strengths and weaknesses—some I’ve acknowledged and some I’m still clueless or in denial about, but even in my imperfections I am perfect in Your sight, as Your spiritual reflection. I want to be a better person Lord. I want to lead a better life where nothing and no one takes the place of You, comes before You, has more power over my life, and in my mind than You. I want my crooked walk to be straightened. I want my life to be filled with more peace and joy, as I bring more peace and joy to others lives.

I know that nothing and everything takes place by Your will and grace, and there is nothing that I can do to change this, to change You, or to change Your Mind—for You are the ultimate and only decision maker. Father, I don’t want to disappoint You, even when I do, and even when later today I probably will—that is not in my heart Lord and You know this. Help me to discern truth from fiction, light from dark, love from fear, transparency from manipulation, real from fake, and know that no matter what I go through You will always be here and there for me. In Jesus’ Name I pray to You this day and everyday. Amen.

Copyright 2011-2021. Natasha L. Foreman. Some Rights Reserved. All Prayers and Reflections are Copyright Protected by Natasha L. Foreman. breakingbreadwithnatasha.com

Breaking Bread For 8.11.21

Scripture

Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions. 

Proverbs 18:2 

Reflection

Don’t argue or debate with a person who has clearly shown themselves to be a fool—what does that then say about you?

I used to debate endlessly with fools and after much time I realized that I was serving their purpose but not God’s. I was exhausted and going no where. They only cared about their opinions—not logic, not fact, not truth, not even common sense. They were set and I wasn’t going to budge them. I was proving myself to also be a fool. I still find myself drawn into conversations that seem ridiculously easy to resolve, but as soon as I realize that the person chooses ignorance, I end the conversation.

Before you get on your high horse, consider the countless times when you chose to argue against reason. Think about times when you held your position, arguing with great passion, even when the person you were debating provided you with valid proof that supported their argument and discredited yours. Did you concede and admit wrong? Or did you dig in your heels and keep arguing your side?

Think about the things you post and repost on social media that an outsider, looking in, could say is merely propaganda and rhetoric that serves as confirmation bias.

When we refuse to gain understanding, to truly examine another point of view, we are a fool. When we are inflexible in our thinking and close our mind to other possibilities, refusing to do the research and get answers to our questions—we are the fool. When we only seek out information that validates our argument, we are a fool.

In all the ways you can point out a fool, be sure to look closely at yourself. Oftentimes we too are standing on a platform of quicksand.

Look at several of the topics that we’re currently debating:

• the pandemic (COVID-19)
• vaccinations and especially for COVID-19
• COVID-19 masking mandates
• policing
• 2020 election results
• January 6, 2021 insurgence at US Capitol
• sex trafficking
• human trafficking
• a woman’s right to her body
• social media trolling and manipulation by foreign and domestic entities
• sexual harassment
• racism
• teaching a complete and accurate history of the US in K-12 schools
• teaching or not teaching children in K-12 schools about racism, genocide, sexism, discrimination, bias, and hate
• athletes speaking publicly about social and political issues
• cancel culture
• cultural appropriation
• slavery in the US and reparations
• wage disparity
• living wages
• unemployment and underemployment
• taxes
• health insurance
• military spending and increasing budgets
• homelessness
• fake news
• “Karen’s”
• voter suppression
• gun laws, regulation, etc.
• 1st and 2nd amendment rights
• student loan debt

These are just some of the issues that stay on a constant loop, hounding and haunting us, dividing us, never being resolved.

Fools think that only their opinion matters, that their way is the best way, that an opposing view is 100 percent wrong, and they will attack you for thinking and saying otherwise. Some fools will use the Bible and other religious texts to justify their selfish and cruel behavior. Fools use the Bible to justify slavery, racism, misogyny, incest, pedophilia, abusing and controlling wives, tithing people into debt, protecting rapists and pedophiles, attacking people of other religions, starting wars, infidelity, adultery, and more.

There are fools who make laws. There are some who stand in positions of authority to enforce those laws. We have fools in every community and organization, on every level. We give power to some fools by voting them into political offices, and we make some fools wealthy by buying their products and services. We can’t control fools. We can’t change them. But we can control and change ourselves. We can look closely in the mirror and examine whether we are speaking and living consistently as a wise person or a silly fool. We can speak truth to lies and remove ourselves and our power from situations that hint at or prove to be reckless.

What are you doing to “check yourself”—to not be a fool?

Prayer

Father, thank You for knowledge and wisdom, the gift of discernment, the intelligence to think before I speak, and the courage to stand up for what’s right. Father hold my tongue when I feel the need to argue an issue with an unreasonable person, and when I’m that unreasonable person. I thank You now for redirecting me, humbling me, teaching me, and reminding me of my place, position, and purpose. In Jesus’ Name I pray. 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

Breaking Bread For 8.10.21

Scripture

Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. 

When all the people saw him walking and praising God, they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him. When Peter saw this, he said to them: “Fellow Israelites, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk?

Acts 3:6, 8-10, 12

Reflection

Don’t be shocked when you receive or see a healing—rejoice, but don’t be surprised—praise God, but don’t be amazed at the blessing, as though it were improbable and inconceivable. There is nothing God can’t do to heal, make whole, and restore. There is no barrier He can’t eliminate. There is no problem that is too great for Jehovah Jireh. He is the great I Am that works through us. We are not autonomous, independent sources of power. We get our power from Him. Stop elevating and worshipping the creations and start giving all of the glory to God. Give credit to the power not the one who uses it. Embrace His Light and healing presence, and be a blessing to others.

Prayer

Father, thank You for the ability to reflect You, to heal the sick, feed the hungry, clothe the naked, give drink to the thirsty, uplift the hopeless, share in Your grace and mercy—to build faith in those who doubt Your power and presence.

Thank You for showing me daily what You can do, and what I can do through You. Thank You for providing me with endless examples of Your love. Thank You for showing me how I can do what Your have asked of me, how I can bring people together in a space where they want to believe and form their own personal relationship with You. Thank You for my blessings and gifts Father. I humbly pray for Your continuous guiding Light. In Jesus’ Name, 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

Breaking Bread For 8.9.21

Scripture

“God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.”

James‬ ‭1:12‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Reflection

He who began a good work in you will continue. He keeps His promises. Will you keep yours? Will you press forward each day and endure your tests? Or will you think life to be unfair and decide instead to focus on what you don’t have? Will you blame God for the temptation you caved to, or will you take responsibility for giving into the flesh?

Praise and seek God through the tests and times you are tempted. Keep your eyes and heart focused on Him. Your reward is immeasurable and invaluable. Don’t ever forget that.

Prayer

Father, thank You for holding my world in Your Hand. Thank You for never letting go of me and always believing in me, even when I don’t. Thank You for giving me courage and strength. Thank You for inspiring and encouraging me with Your love, so that I don’t weaken and give up when facing the troubles of life. Thank You for giving me reasons to smile each day. Thank You for each day that I rise. In Jesus’ Name I praise You and pray to You. Amen.

Loving you all!

Copyright 2011-2021. Natasha L. Foreman. Some Rights Reserved. All Prayers and Reflections are Copyright Protected by Natasha L. Foreman. breakingbreadwithnatasha.com

Breaking Bread For 8.6.21

Scripture

By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed him, as you can all see. 

Acts 3:16 

Reflection

Faith requires trust and active participation.

It’s believing in the unseen, the unknown, the immeasurable, and the inconceivable. Faith is walking even when you don’t see the path ahead. Faith is believing in and opening yourself to seeing, hearing, tasting, smelling, and touching using your spiritual senses and not relying upon your human senses (which are limited). Faith is knowing that there is a “there” even when you aren’t sure where “here” is.

God created us out of His spiritual image and likeness, not flesh but spirit. Just like Him we are energy and we our housed inside these vessels of flesh we call bodies. Our Father has equipped us with the ability to heal, grow, and experience things beyond our comprehension. It is our limited thinking that prevents us from doing the things the Spirit encourages us to pursue. Expand your thinking and vision. Look beyond the physical. Look beyond the weeds and trees, the mountains and valleys, the obvious things surrounding you, and that which is in front of you.

Connect with your spiritual foundation and then hold on for the ride, because it’s going to be exciting, euphoric, and rewarding. Jesus told his followers that anything asked for in his name would be provided. That requires faith in him and faith in God. It’s not casual, it’s connected. It’s not passive, it’s intentional. It’s a declarative act on our part.

God made you so if you’re thinking you aren’t worthy, think again. You weren’t an afterthought. You were the remaining scraps pieced together. You were intentionally made. Live by faith in your relationship with God, the Father, and Jesus, His son.

Prayer

Father, I know that through Your son Jesus Christ, the wayshower, I find my way to where You expect me to be. It is through him I receive my training and development to see how I am supposed to serve You, live my life, treat myself, and treat others. I want to build my faith in knowing that I am never separate from You or Jesus. I want to build my faith that all crooked ways will be made straight, that all debts will be paid to me and by me.

I want total faith that I am always whole, complete, healed, and at-one with You and Your son. I want total faith to see through my spiritual eyes, hear through my spiritual ears, and feel, smell, and taste through my spiritual senses. I want total alignment with You.

I declare that I am Your child and Jesus is my shepherd. I declare that I am a believer, a practicer, and a follower of Christ. I declare that I am Your ambassador and servant, and that it is my purpose to serve all of Your children—even the non-believers—so that every day Your Light and the essence of Jesus, exudes from me, and brings people closer to You and him.

Father, I praise You. In Jesus’ Name I pray to You and thank You for all that You are doing. Amen.

God bless you all. I love each and every one of you!

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 For 8.5.21

Scripture

I will praise the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.
Psalm 146:2 

Reflection

Don’t just praise God when He answers your prayers. Praise Him throughout every day you’re blessed to be alive. Praise Him during the downs in life, not just the ups. Praise Him when most people would give up hope in a situation. Praise Him for the challenges and tests, knowing that you’re given them because you’re worthy.

No matter what your day looks like you should spend it praising God for being alive to experience LIFE and all that it brings! Enjoy it, love it, embrace it, and never forget who blessed you with it.

Prayer

Father, everyday I praise You. Everyday I testify to healings and blessings from You. As long as I live I will praise You for all you have done, are doing, and will do—because only You can take care of my every need. Through good times and bad, You are my constant provider, healer, protector, nurturer, encourager, and shelter. Thank You. I love You Father. 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

Breaking Bread For 8.4.21

Scripture

But as for me, I am filled with power, with the Spirit of the Lord, and with justice and might…

Micah 3:8

Reflection

You are strong. You are courageous. You are powerful. You are energy. You are God’s child. You are filled with His power and His Spirit. You know justice because it is within your heart. You know right from wrong. You can stand for what’s right and good because that which is of God is what you’re to emulate, support, protect, and be.

Knowing who you are by Whom you were created, you then know, believe and declare all that is within you and all that you are because of Him.

Say it. Claim it. Know it. Believe it. Be it. And thank God, for it is in, by, and through Him that you have these things.

Prayer

Father, thank You for blessing me with strength, power, wisdom, courage, humility, joy, love, laughter, humor, and the ability to care and empathize. In You do I put my trust. In You am I strengthened, and know the truth of my walk with Your son Jesus, and my purpose in Your Kingdom. There is nothing and no one who can stand in the way of our relationship Father. There is nothing and no one who can block my blessings Lord. Thank you. In Jesus’ Name I praise You and pray to 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