Breaking Bread For 9.30.21

September 30, 2021Natasha Leave a comment

Scripture

You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.

Galatians 5:13

Reflection

When we seek freedom we should also be seeking an opportunity to honor and glorify God through that freedom, as gratitude for His loving grace and mercy. Sometimes we are so caught up and overwhelmed by the pain, frustration, and fear that consumes us in our enslavement, that when we are freed, we run towards the instant gratification of the flesh. In our state of lack we ignorantly think we have been deprived of privileges of the flesh. It is not the things of this world we have been lacking. It is that of the Spirit.

It is easy to get distracted and fall into traps if you operate from a lack mindset, if you become self-centered in your agony, and if you aren’t driven to be aligned and remain aligned with God.

We have to understand that the space next to freedom is a trap that is cleverly laid by the enemy. The trap is filled with lies about you and God. It looks different than your last situation but it’s still enslavement. That’s where your discernment is important to your survival. The enemy wants you to swap one prison cell for another, one plantation for another, one hell for another. You have to discern the path to the trap from the path that God has provided.

When your bonds are broken, when the shackles are released, don’t rush towards what your flesh craves. Turn to God for direction. Seek opportunities to glorify Him through service. Seek healthy relationships that glorify Him. Let your Spirit be renewed in Him, to counter the weakness of the flesh.

Remember who and what you are. You are spirit living in the shell of flesh, not the other way around. The flesh is temporary while the spirit is eternal. Don’t sacrifice the eternal for the temporal. Don’t sacrifice your strength for your weakness.

God does not bless you to mock Him.

Prayer

Father, thank You for my freedom—past, present, and future. Thank You for sending Christ to set me free. Thank You for freeing me from physical, emotional, financial, psychological, and spiritual bondage. Thank You for freeing me from toxic relationships and toxic situations.
Thank You for pushing back my enemies so that I may be free to serve You and the least of Your children. Thank You for freeing me so that I may love fully, freely and humbly. Thank You for the discernment to distinguish Your path and plans from those of the enemy. In Your Name I pray. Amen.

Love,

Natasha

Breaking Bread For 9.29.21

September 29, 2021Natasha Leave a comment

Scripture

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

John 1:1-5 KJV

Reflection

If we tell ourselves and others that we believe in and pray to only one God—the God of Moses, David, Daniel, and Jesus—then why do we not equip ourselves with His tools and resources so that we can overcome challenges, temptation, fear, negativity, shame, and evil?

God wants to have a healthy relationship with us. He sent Jesus to show the people how and to explain and prove their spiritual truth. Jesus tried to explain our relationship with God, how we are directly and uniquely connected to Him. He explained that God is Spirit and we are His reflection and likeness. Through our minds we have a connection to communicate; our souls express what comes from our heart, and our spirit directs us—but we seem spooked out with this arrangement. We want to say we’re spiritual beings but we would prefer to default to our humanness. That’s the same default response the people chose in Jesus’ day. People were more willing to accept and believe him to be of the devil than of our Heavenly Father. We would rather embrace what we can touch than what we can only imagine.

We don’t dig into the Bible and the secondary sources that help provide context. We don’t use these tools and resources to learn about ourselves. We don’t use them to study and prepare for the enemy. We know we are constantly under attack, being tempted and manipulated, yet we know less about the enemy that plots against us and know more about the celebrities that entertain us. The darkness is real and consuming, yet we aren’t prepared for those moments when it blindsides us.

But we also have to keep it real and admit that there are tons of people out there that can recite line by line, verse by verse, certain passages and chapters in the Bible—yet they aren’t living their lives in alignment with God. They aren’t loving their neighbors as they love themselves. If we loved each other as we love ourselves, we would satisfy the remaining commandments, and would derail the enemy’s plans.

It’s not a design flaw that causes us to do dumb and reckless things. It’s that we choose to listen and believe the enemy, that tells us what we want to hear. The enemy knows us better than we know ourselves.

We don’t truly know and value who and what we are. We don’t know and value what it means to be in the image and likeness of God. We see and believe the flesh, not the Spirit. We refuse to let go of the flesh. That’s why we walk in darkness and can’t comprehend the Light. That’s why we can’t love our neighbor as we love ourselves, because we don’t know and love ourselves—because we are conflicted about our worthiness of love, and why we’re quick to accept shame.

That is a clear indication that our relationship with God isn’t rooted and secure. We’re allowing a third party to interfere with our relationship. Ponder that.

Prayer

Father, I believe in only You as my Source. I believe You are God and are the God who created the heavens, planets, and life for all. You are Mind, Truth, Love, Spirit, Soul, Light, Goodness, and Greatness. You are Alpha and Omega. You are all-in-all. I pray to You and I pray for You. I worship You with my heart. I believe in You and I believe in our relationship. I have faith that no matter what, You will always be here for me, even when I have doubt in my capabilities, and even when I disappoint You. I have faith that I will choose You always. I am Your child, Your creation, Your friend, Your love. The enemy can’t have or destroy what we have together.
I thank You Father for all I am and for all I have. I thank You for the abundance of blessings received, and for those that You have prepared for me to receive. I thank You for the challenges that have made me stronger, wiser, braver, more patient, more understanding, more forgiving, more flexible, and better prepared for tomorrow. I work each day to not take life and these gifts for granted. I try to make right my wrongs, take care of my debts and forgive my debtors and those who have harmed me. Keep filling me Lord so that I have more to share with others. I pray this to You today with joy, hope, humility, and love in my heart. Amen.

Love always,

Natasha

Breaking Bread For 9.28.21

September 28, 2021Natasha Leave a comment

Scripture

When he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he gave no answer. Then Pilate asked him, ‘Don’t you hear the testimony they are bringing against you?’ But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge — to the great amazement of the governor”

Matthew 27:12–14

Reflection

It doesn’t matter what someone says about you. You know that You are God’s child and that He is Your Father-Mother, protector, friend, judge, and ruler. At the end of each day He decides if you rise the next morning. He determines if you breathe, blink, swallow, chew, move, speak, think, act, do, and exist. Let the naysayers talk, and then say nothing in your defense, just as Jesus said nothing when his accusers lied about him.

Don’t add fuel to the fire. Don’t allow them to see you upset, nervous, irritated, confused, agitated, sad, rattled, or embarrassed. With straight face say and do nothing against them or to defend your name. Allow God to handle your battles and throw water and sand on that growing flame of hate, shame, or by whatever and any name it’s called.

Years ago, a friend sent me a prayer that declared, “…today I cling to You because You are my defender! I choose to turn away from accusing voices. I choose to turn away from petty conflicts. I look to You knowing that You are leading and guiding me in paths of victory in Jesus’ name…”. With that in mind, join me in prayer.

Prayer

Father, I declare that I will not allow others to turn me from You. I will not allow others to discourage me from being who I am and forgetting who I belong to. I will not allow myself to be moved by negativity, to act in a negative way. I will not allow myself to look in the mirror and see anything but the perfect reflection of You. Today, I stand in the affirmation of who I am and what I know, and that is, there is no greater than You and there is no other way-shower than Jesus. You are the only answer and only judge Father.
I will do as my shepherd Jesus did and say nothing when the hecklers have negative words about me. I will only pray for my peace and theirs. In Your Name I pray as a follower and believer of You and Your son Jesus. Amen.

Lovingly,

Natasha

Breaking Bread For 9.27.21

September 27, 2021Natasha Leave a comment

Scripture

“There is no one like you, Lord, and there is no God but you, as we have heard with our own ears.

1 Chronicles 17:20

Reflection

I would rather place my hope and faith in what God can do than what an alleged god, spirit, or presence is claimed to be able to do. I would rather place my hope and faith in God’s power than cower over believing that the “enemy” has true strength to rule and have dominion over me. I would rather roll with what God is doing than what anyone and anything else out there is or isn’t doing. I’m a member of Team God and my general manager and coach is Jesus, and my team captain is the Holy Spirit. What about you? What team are you rolling with?

Prayer

Father, You are my Lord, my God, my Heavenly Father-Mother, my provider, my comforter, my strength, my love, and my joy. Father, You are all in all. Nothing can, has or ever will compare to You. There is no greater power, no wider reach, no deeper knowledge or wisdom than You. There is no other light than Yours and darkness can never hide from You. There are no secrets that can be kept or hidden talents You do not know of, for You are omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent. There is no scale to balance You, for there is no counter weight that can compare. There are no other gods living or dead that come close to You and Your greatness, for You are the one and only Almighty.
Every problem, issue, concern, worry, or complaint that I might have You are there with solutions before I even know that I need them. Every tear I shed You capture and restore in me as fuel to go on. When I whisper my dreams and goals it is You that is always listening; it is You that makes the possible and impossible my reality. It is my belief that no matter what others may do or say, there is no other God or power but You—they can call You whatever name they want—but it is You that makes a way, shows mercy and grace, and heals them of their inflictions.
I thank You, Father for never giving up on Your children; for not cleaning our slate and starting over anew; for always believing in us and what we can do to build Your Kingdom. For You know there are more believers than nonbelievers, there are more people loving than hating, doing than thinking, sharing than taking, and caring than killing. Thank You for Your love Lord. In Your Name I praise You and pray to You. Amen.

Love always,

Natasha

Breaking Bread For 9.24.21

September 24, 2021Natasha Leave a comment

Scripture

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Romans 12:2 NIV

Reflection

As long as we are focused on things of the world and not on God, we limit our experience and role here on Earth. There’s nothing wrong with dreaming about financial wealth, buying a house or car, or even traveling around the world. Those dreams are made possible because of God, and there is nothing wrong with turning dreams into reality. He doesn’t want His children to be poor on any level.

However, our obsession with material possessions can leave us spiritually bankrupt. Our fear of sharing our testimony of God’s healing and other blessings in our lives, will leave us in a topsy turvy state as ‘conditional believers’. Our sharing and believing shouldn’t be based on conditions.

Throughout the Bible we are told to not only acknowledge and worship God, but to declare to others how good He’s been to us. Our silence doesn’t help to build His Kingdom. Our silence doesn’t help transform us and others. Our silence doesn’t help us get where we need to be. We don’t need to stand on crates slapping a Bible and yelling on the street corner. We don’t even need to go door-to-door.

We can share our testimony easily in casual conversation, or when someone is in need of gentle reassurance that nothing is impossible for God. Many of you have co-workers, workout buddies, carpool pals, a brunch crew, book club, or you’re a member of some organization. There are hundreds of places and thousands of opportunities to share what God’s done for you.

Even saying, “God is good” or “I’m grateful for…” creates a ripple effect that can lead to a discussion on how He’s been good to you.

Try it.

Just like you would be surprised as to how many people don’t vote, or who vote only for a certain political party, you may be pleasantly surprised as to how many believers and followers surround you, as well as people who aren’t sure about God, and by sharing your story you will see how many people are helped by your testimony. See what happens and then share your experience here on this blog. Just come back to this message (or go to the first one you see) and click on the option to leave a ‘comment’. Then share. I look forward to reading about your experiences.

Prayer

Lord, I want to thank You for waking me today. I know that it is only because of You that I’m here today and saying this prayer. Father, as Your servant I want to do my best to please You. I want to do my part to help build Your Kingdom, and to make this world a better place one person at a time. While I work to help others I’m working on myself, and with the loving molding that You are providing, I am seeing positive changes. Thank You Father.
I want to transform my mind and heart to align with You, and I want my transgressions blotted out, and the enemy so far behind me that it can’t catch up no matter what. I want to evolve beyond this fog-covered level where my emotional roller coaster takes me. I want to push through my fears, doubts, and insecurities. I want to see past the obstacles in the road. I want to focus on and be centered in You. Mold me Father. Amen.

Love your sister in Christ,

Natasha

Breaking Bread For 9.23.21

September 23, 2021Natasha Leave a comment

Scripture

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

Proverbs 31:30

Reflection

We have the tendency to be more concerned with what others think and say about us, and how they view us, than being concerned with living our life to the fullest—as God intends— being comforted in the reality that in His eyes we are perfect. We’re obsessed with the approval of the creations yet conditionally concerned about the approval of the Creator.

God is focused on the matters of our heart, not how sexy or charming you are or can be. That is the flesh acting out, the tempting lure of the enemy. It can be said that to seduce someone means you have the ability to manipulate, control, and play mental games. Can you see how that skill can be perverted? When done for selfish gains and just to please the flesh, ask yourself if that sounds like alignment with our Heavenly Father or with the father of lies?

God wants us to treat our bodies like temples, remembering that they are on loan to us from Him. We’re to worship Him with and through our bodies. He does not want us obsessed with our looks and that of others; for our looks may fade but what’s inside of us has the potential to get better with time.

Don’t waste your life attempting to get by with your good looks and witty charm, for that road will turn to a dead end, and then what will you rely on? Don’t be consumed with desire for a highly attractive mate and less concerned with their mind, spirit, soul, and commitment to our Heavenly Father. A shiny apple on the outside could be rotten to the core on the inside.

Prayer

Father, You are my strength, comfort, and protector. I want to see myself as You see me. I want to focus on pleasing You and no one else. I want to live for Your approval and no one else. My looks, intelligence, and wisdom are gifts from You. I grow through applied knowledge and lessons learned, through experiences that You provide. I thank You. I love You Father and praise You for blessing me with a relationship with You, and my life that You say is worthy and important. In Your Name I pray. Amen.

Here’s some parting words—live well, eat healthy, exercise regularly, fuel your mind with great books—making sure to frequently study the good Book; treat others with respect and dignity, take care of yourself, appreciate every experience life brings, and devote yourself to God.

Love,

Natasha

Breaking Bread For 9.22.21

September 22, 2021Natasha Leave a comment

Scripture

“But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you….”

Luke 6:27-28

Reflection

An injured animal will lash out in pain. Humans do the same. When we are hurt, mad, sad, disappointed, fed up, frustrated, and in pain we lash out thinking it will protect us from feeling worse than we already do. We lash out at others so that they can feel our pain. Sometimes, some people want others to feel worse than they do, so they go to the extremes to hurt others. The crazy thing is even after releasing all of that negative energy onto someone else, we still don’t truly feel any better—sometimes we feel worse.

Instead of mistreating others because we don’t feel good about ourselves or what’s going on in our lives, why don’t we instead turn to God and seek His loving guidance, and then seek out positive, loving, uplifting, and enlightening people who speak peace not vengeance?

Instead of hating your enemy, love them. You’re not told to be pen pals or to be buddy buddy and go on vacation with them. You’re told to love them, just as God loves you in spite of your foolishness. Love them for their ignorance and fear, because you know that it is because they have closed God out of their lives that they barely survive in darkness.

Pray that they seek and embrace God, and be whole in His light. Let your cup runneth over so that even your enemies are blessed, because it’s easy to love, pray for, and bless your treasured family and friends. The true test is doing it for someone who despises you, and you them.

Prayer

Father, thank You. Thank you for Your grace today and each day. Thank You for comforting me when I am down, weak, distraught, frustrated, tired, dismayed, confused, disappointed, and angered. Thank You for protecting me from people and things that could harm me. Thank You for turning away my enemies. Thank You for showing me how to protect myself rather than seek revenge.
Father, I pray today for those who hate me, curse me, and mistreat me—whether they personally know me or not. I pray for those who use their power to try and rob me of mine. I pray that You touch their hearts and minds, and that You hold their tongues so that they might think before they speak; think before they tell lies, cast doubt, or curse others. Let their held tongues cause them to recognize and repent their ways and wrongdoings that they might immediately change in Your goodness. I pray to You as Your humble, grateful, and faith-filled child. Amen.

Loving you always,

Natasha

Breaking Bread For 9.21.21

September 21, 2021Natasha Leave a comment

Scripture

Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.

2 Timothy 4:2

Reflection

Timothy was intimidated and discouraged by the efforts of Alexander, Hymenaeus, and those who supported them. Although Paul and Timothy told the two men they needed to step down from their leadership positions, because they had strayed from how they were taught to minister, and corruption had grown within the congregation at Ephesus, the two men refused. Paul’s efforts came up short because he ended up in jail. Timothy was on the verge of giving up. Paul’s letters to him were to encourage and empower him. We can learn a lot from these letters.

Paul told Timothy that the Word he learned as a child hadn’t changed, it was still the same, just as God and Jesus were still Father and Son, God and Savior. Paul instructed Timothy, in line two above, to preach the Word. Simple and to the point. The Word is the Truth, and it brings light to the lies that try to hide in the shadows.

Out of Ephesus and other churches, false teachers and prophets were popping up left and right. They were speaking self-serving words, words they thought people wanted to hear, and speaking words to disrupt the plans Jesus had shared with his disciples. Maybe they didn’t know they were disrupting the plans. Or maybe they did. Look at the things people say and do now in the name of Jesus, claiming to be servants of God. Even today, people lie, steal, cheat, harm, and kill people, all while claiming to be servants of God.

Paul told Timothy to be prepared in season and out of season, which means staying ready so he doesn’t have to get ready. It means always being prepared to speak truth to lies. It’s staying mentally sharp, emotionally balanced, and spiritually grounded.

Then Paul guides him on how to lead others—correcting, rebuking, and encouraging them with great patience and careful instruction. It couldn’t be rushed or forced. Timothy also couldn’t be casual and careless with his instruction. Intentionality and care were required. Even through correction and rebuke there had to be love and care. It was important that Timothy knew that the words he spoke had consequences. There was and is a war for our souls, and Paul understood that our speech can either bring us closer to God or closer to the enemy.

We’re so focused on the enemy lurking around outside, while not paying attention to the enemy’s recruits who are sitting beside us on the inside. That is why churches become corrupt and self-destruct from within. Your enemy has studied you your entire life. You barely prepare for the attacks. You aren’t conditioned for the battle. That’s why we fold under the slightest pressure from temptation.

We must be prepared year-round. Mind, body, spirit, and soul. We also must be patient, waiting for God’s guidance, not rushing with our own interpretation and plans.

Prayer

Father, I thank You now for the person You are shaping me to be. Each day I praise You. Each day I praise Jesus for his exemplary walk in Your Light. I feel the presence of the two of you each day and I am comforted in knowing that through struggles and strife, through victory and celebration, You and Your son are always here with me.
Father, I share Your Word and I try to help Your children. No matter the time of year You expect for Your ambassadors to be prepared and focused on spreading Your Word, praying for those who are in need, healing through a declaration of Your power, and having faith that You will never leave and never lead us astray. With this expectation is a requirement for patience and understanding. You have never let me down. You have never left me alone. You have never forsaken me. With this understanding I shall wait, patiently! In Your Name I pray. Amen.

Love,

Natasha

Breaking Bread for 9.20.21

September 20, 2021Natasha Leave a comment

Scripture

When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.

1 Peter 2:23

Reflection

No matter what someone does or says to you to make you feel bad or less than, know that you are God’s spiritual image and likeness, and through His protection there is nothing that anyone can do or say that will turn God away from you. God said that He will handle your grievances; He will take care of those who attack and ridicule you. You just have to remain focused on doing your job as His ambassador and servant.

Ignore the gossip and rumors. Ignore the name calling. Ignore the underhanded things being done towards you. Keep your eyes, ears, mind, and heart focused on God, for He is and always will be the biggest picture in life. There is nothing in life that someone can do to you that God can’t resolve. If you buy into the hype and believe that you are defeated, then you will be defeated—for God expects your hope, faith, trust, and belief to be in Him and His ability to do anything and everything. Believe in Him. Commit wholeheartedly to Him.

Filter that negative energy into the machine of positivity and fly high on God’s abundant supply of love. The darkness within those people, who spend their days attacking you, will eventually silence them. Believe!

Prayer

Father, keep me strong. Keep me on Your path. Turn my eyes and ears away from those who would insult and bring pain to me Lord. Let me instead keep focused on You and Your son Jesus, and Your purpose and plan for me. I put my trust in You that You will always watch over and protect me. With that trust I do not have to participate in the negativity of others; I do not have to retaliate when attacked; nor do I have to defend accusations made against me—for those are the actions of people walking in darkness—and I am centered in Your Light. In You I put my faith. Thank You Father. Amen.

Lovingly,

Natasha

Breaking Bread For 9.17.21

September 17, 2021Natasha Leave a comment

Scripture

If you falter in a time of trouble, how small is your strength!

Proverbs 24:10

Reflection

We all have dreams, goals, and aspirations in life. Do you believe that one day you will get what you need and desire most? Do you believe that God will always provide for you? Then, when times get tough as they most likely will, why do we throw our hands up and declare defeat? What is faith, but believing strongly in the possibility of God doing the impossible. Is faith not also our solemn promise to stick it out through the tough times?

Let’s believe and live accordingly!

Prayer

Father, thank You for another day. Thank You for protecting me through the night as I slept. Thank You for Your favor. Lord, I ask that You continue to strengthen me. Cover me with Your peace and loving warmth. Steady my footing when times get rough. Keep my vision sharp and clear, that I might always see my goals and remain focused on reaching them. As my faith increases each day, let Your words of encouragement penetrate and destroy any encroaching fear. In Your Name and Jesus’ Name I humbly pray. Amen.

Love,

Natasha

Breaking Bread For 9.16.21

September 16, 2021Natasha Leave a comment

Scripture

Do not say, “I’ll do to them as they have done to me; I’ll pay them back for what they did.”

Proverbs 24:29

Reflection

Any person trying their best to tear you down, make you beg, cry, give in and give up, feel desperate and hopeless, and feel as they do—will only fail, if you instead turn over your cares, worries, fears, and anger to God. There is nothing He doesn’t see, hear, understand, or comprehend. He is all-knowing. He is the problem-solver. You just have to trust and believe that no matter how hard it gets, how rough it becomes, how brutal the psychological, verbal, physical, and financial beatings are—God has your back and His plan has been in full force, long before you became aware you had a problem.

You just have to release everything to Him and have faith that those individuals who have and are causing harm to you and loved ones, will be placed in a position to make a decision about how their lives will proceed— either through repentance or in total darkness. We all have choices, and even they had a choice not to take on the role of judge, jury, and executioner; and they will have a choice to give up and turn away from evil, or not. But you will play no role in that, because you will lovingly leave those matters to our Heavenly Father. So free yourself and vow to not cross into and be consumed by that negativity that breeds and grows inside of them.

The enemy wants your soul consumed by negativity and hate. Don’t give in. Don’t believe the lies. You won’t feel better if you seek revenge. You will only feel like the person you sought revenge upon. You don’t have to seek revenge. It’s a trap, set by the enemy. Turn your matters over to God. Nobody settles matters with greater clarity, force, and finality.

Prayer

Father, thank You for righting the wrongs, for making bad things turn out good, for re-directing the wicked, and making sure that I have always been taken care of even in the valley of the shadow of death. Father, You have made the crooked straight so many times that I know there is nothing You can’t do. Because of these things and more, and because of who You are, I never have to seek revenge for what someone has done or said against me or a loved one. I know that in Your time, which is always the right time, You will make things right in my favor. I thank You Father. Amen.

Lovingly your sister in Christ,

Natasha

Breaking Bread For 9.15.21

September 15, 2021Natasha Leave a comment

Scripture

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,”Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”

Hebrews 13:5

Reflection

There’s a difference between having dreams of purchasing a car and home, and understanding they require money to secure them, than being obsessed with money to the point it becomes our god. When you will do anything to get it, money has become your god. You shouldn’t love it. You should see it as what it is, a tool, a temporary and finite resource. God provides us with money to equip us with an instrument to navigate through this world. Love Him, not the tool. Depend on Him, not the tool. Sacrifice for Him, not the tool.

There’s a bunch of rich people running around, miserable, self-destructing, because they chased the money thinking it would make them happy, whole, complete, and safe. They were wrong. Only God can. There’s a bunch of people robbing and stealing to get money. They think it’s the solution to their problems. It’s not. God is. When you think money can do what only God can do, you will always find yourself lacking.

We do not have to worry about bills when we take care of our responsibilities and have confidence in God’s ability to take care of all of our needs. If we’re going to worry then why pray to Him? Why go to church? Why read and study His Word? Why say, “God is good all the time and all the time God is good” if we don’t truly believe it and believe that He’s got things handled? So let’s do as He directs and let Him handle the rest.

Prayer

Father, I know that You will always be here for me, always protecting and watching over me, and that You will never forsake me; so I don’t have to stress over money and going without because You are my sole provider. I don’t have to feign for and desire things beyond my means, because if it’s meant for me it will be. I know that You will always meet my needs, quinch my thirst, feed my hunger, clothe me, and cover me with shelter. I thank You for taking care of me Father. In Your Name I pray. Amen.

Love always,

Natasha

Breaking Bread For 9.14.21

September 14, 2021Natasha Leave a comment

Scripture

“Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. “Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”

Mark 11:22-25 NIV

Reflection

While you’re busy thinking about the worst possible outcomes, fear’s blocking you from seeing the best. Let faith guide you!

What’s the worst possible thing that could happen if we started believing, embracing and having total faith in God?

What’s the best possible outcome?

What’s the worst possible thing that could happen if we let go and let God?

What’s the best that could happen to us?

What’s the worst possible thing that could happen if we stared fear down to the nothingness it is?

Now consider the best outcome.

Wanna give it a try?

Prayer

Father, I know that I sometimes speak “big talk” and then let fear grab ahold of me. I don’t want to be fearful. I want to see past obstacles and understand the lie of fear, so that I’m never phased by it. I want to walk with Your peace in my heart and life. I’m here Father.

Lovingly,

Natasha

Breaking Bread For 9.13.21

September 13, 2021Natasha Leave a comment

Scripture

But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”

1 Peter 1:15-16 NIV

Reflection

I pray for those who do evil in God’s name, for He is holy and expects us to also be holy. He is Love and that is a Love of all, and we are to reflect that Love. Jesus said that we’re to love every man, woman, and child no matter what. We are to love our enemies. Yet sadly, it is rare to find a person who does not believe in any violence, retaliation, or negative recourse on some level.

We have to work each day to become better in our walk, talk, and thinking. We have to weed out negative people and sources around us, and weed out our own negative thinking. We have to stop reacting. We need to stop over-thinking and over-analyzing, and start turning to God. I pray a great deal in my personal walk about my need to overcome these weaknesses.

If God truly came first, our world would be a better place. Ponder that.

Prayer

God, I pray to You as Your grateful and humble servant. You know all of me because You created me. So You know those moments when I am anything but holy in Your sight. I ask for forgiveness for those times. I ask for forgiveness when I was weak and blinded, and chose to follow the world, or the enemy, but not You. Mold out of me the old version of who I claimed to be, and mold into me the very person You want me to be.
I know I don’t need to do what the ‘crowd’ does to be accepted. I just need to do what You say, and follow the lead of Your beloved son, Jesus. I pray that those who fight and kill in Your name would remember Your commands and Your Word, and cease the ugliness. In Your Name I pray. Amen.

Love always,

Natasha

Breaking Bread For 9.10.21

September 10, 2021Natasha Leave a comment

Scripture

Grace be with you all.

Hebrews 13:25

Reflection

We all have the ability to handle situations in life gracefully. We need to stop seeking revenge, plotting to “get even”, and focusing all or most of our energy on negativity and drama. There are so many shows, movies, songs, and books about the evil plots of man and woman. Our culture has bought into an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth, but have forgotten that it will leave all of us blind and in need of full dentures.

I have lived most of my adult life believing that the best, so-called “revenge”, is living well.

I don’t have to pursue someone in an attempt at paying them back for wronging me, because I am too busy and focused on living my life, celebrating my blessings, being thankful to rise each day and have new experiences to value and treasure. I am too focused on what God has planned for my life and what new adventure awaits than to be caught up in what someone has or hasn’t done to me or a loved one. I let go and let God handle those battles, and guess what? He always has and always will win those battles.

There has not been one person who has wronged me or a loved one who hasn’t somehow reaped what they sowed, or later recognized and repented for what they had done, and regretted taking that negative walk; and it didn’t have to come from any effort on my part or the part of one of my loved ones. It was the prayer of freedom from the drama and negativity that kept us out of the battle, and allowed God to take charge fully without interference.

When in pain, turn to God, turn to love, turn to His Light, and seek forgiveness and healing. Get the help you need from studying, learning, knowing, and living through His Word, and allow His messengers and angels to point you in the right direction. Remember it is not what people did or didn’t do to you that God will concern Himself with, as it pertains to you, but rather how you reacted, responded, and handled the situation. God deals with each person individually. Let Him deal with those people without your interference, and you just stick with doing right and demonstrating His goodness and mercy in your life.

I pray that each of you take some time out to pray, reflect, seek out God, and come to a place in your mind, heart, and life to forgive yourself for taking part in your drama, and for seeking revenge for being harmed—and then forgive those you believed wronged you. True freedom is letting go. True healing comes from freedom. Darkness and light cannot be one, for light always pushes out the darkness. God gave us night and day (not just one or the other) for a reason. Embrace your light. I love you all.

Prayer

Father, I pray for grace in all circumstances in my life. Grace under attack, pressure, pain, frustration, embarrassment, and loss. I pray to offer clemency to those who wrong me now and in the future, and for those who have done so in the past.
I forgive them for their ignorance, for the darkness that fills their hearts and minds, and the dis-ease that eats away at them. I pray that Your loving Light touches them, fills them, overwhelms them, and flows through them—that their cup runneth over with goodness, mercy, love, patience, and the kindness, courtesy, and clemency of Your grace.
Father, there are people who are in so much pain that they spend their waking moments plotting and planning how to make other people hurt the same way they do; they spend their sleeping moments living out their pain—waking with vengeance spewing out of their mouths. Father, touch them with peace. Let them see the err of their ways. Let them see the path to forgiveness of others and themselves, so that they may continue forward in healing. Prepare them to be more like Your son Jesus, and in Your Name and his I humbly pray. Amen.

Lovingly your sister in Christ,

Natasha

Breaking Bread For 9.9.21

September 9, 2021Natasha Leave a comment

Scripture

To him belong strength and insight; both deceived and deceiver are his.

Job 12:16

Reflection

God is working on you and those who would (and are) deceiving you. So pray for the strength to walk away and not give in to their lure of darkness. Instead seek Him for comfort and guidance. God will never mislead you or forsake you. Trust in Him when you struggle with trusting others or yourself. Trust in Him because He is Truth.

Whether you’re being deceived or being the deceiver, God sees and knows all. Turn to Him and remain focused on Him, not the nonsense.

Prayer

Father, I pray for strength, restraint, protection, vision, discernment, and to be more disciplined in thought and action. Help me to overcome obstacles and to push through my mental block of fear, so that I might stand in victory.
Guide me away from those who would mislead and deceive me Father. Take my hand and lead me away from those would cause me harm. I know that You are working on them so that they may see and do right.
Show me best how to handle my situation Lord, that I may act in honor of You. I don’t want to be deceived and I don’t want to be a deceiver. Guide me in Your Truth. In Your Name I humbly pray. Amen.

Love,

Natasha

Breaking Bread For 9.8.21

September 8, 2021Natasha Leave a comment

Scripture

Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.” The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.

Lamentations 3:21-26

Reflection

In our desperate need for instant gratification we oftentimes forget that we control nothing in this world. For whatever we do to cause something to happen, God already knew the decision we were going to make beforehand, and therefore already put things into play long ago. So sometimes when we desire something so much that we go after it without waiting patiently for God, we get more than what we bargained for—but don’t blame Him for it, it was your decision to rush things on your time and pace, and not allow things to unfold as He wanted. So now we must live with those consequences, learn from them, realign, and grow from the experience.

It’s better to wait patiently on the Lord than to play the instant gratification game and be dealt a sucky hand!

We must learn to wait patiently on Him to show us the way, to make things happen, and to provide what we need versus what we want (sometimes the two aren’t the same). So pray for patience, clarity, vision, hope, faith, peace, presence, and to be present. Then wait.

Prayer

Father, thank You for blessing me with another day of experiences and opportunities. Thank You for Your constant love and affection, and for bringing me joy after pain. You know that I pray for things that I deeply desire, but I know that it is only on Your time that these blessings will arrive—or not. I wait for You Lord. I know that You will always provide what’s best for me and I thank You. In Your Name I pray as a follower and believer in Christ. Amen.

Love,

Natasha

Breaking Bread For 9.7.21

September 7, 2021Natasha Leave a comment

“Never mind about your belongings, because the best of all Egypt will be yours.”

Genesis 45:20

Reflection

Some of us are hoarders of the past; hoarders of junk, clothes, furniture, trinkets, and doo-dads that are of no real use to us—especially not in the future. We can’t receive the blessings God has in store for us because our hands and rooms are filled to capacity with ‘stuff’. The only way to receive our blessings is to make space for them, by de-cluttering our lives, getting rid of the excess, walking away from the baggage, and cleaning our mental and physical houses so that nothing is blocking the way.

Let go!

Prayer

Father, I want to let go of the excess, let go of the past, and move forward in my present so that I can have a rewarding future. I want to move forward on the path You have placed before me, so I understand that I must be willing to leave behind or let go of belongings that I have acquired over the years, because You have planned to provide only the best in abundance for me elsewhere. I am ready Lord to let go; to sell, donate, and give away that which I don’t need, so that I am free to receive the new blessings that are in store for me. In Your Name I pray. Amen.

Love always,

Natasha

Breaking Bread For 9.6.21

September 6, 2021Natasha Leave a comment

Scripture

Stop trusting in mere humans, who have but a breath in their nostrils.
Why hold them in esteem?

Isaiah 2:22

Reflection

It hurts to read and hear stories of religious leaders and politicians committing heinous and unethical acts, and their followers being shocked and horrified, because they put so much trust in these leaders. Their followers idolized them, in some ways they deified them, and then couldn’t believe they hadn’t measured up to their expectations. Desperation will sell you out every time. Trying to make someone into your savior, will set you up for misery every single time.

We put our trust and faith in things we can verify with our five senses, yet we are easily disappointed by these things because they can and do fail. We need to put our trust in God who blesses us and gives us life each day.

Our impatience and need for instant gratification impairs us, and in weakness we would rather rely on man with all of his flaws, faults, incompetencies, and hang ups, than to rely on God who is perfect in every way. We are truly works in progress—clay that has to keep being molded during a long, drawn out process. Man has limits, God doesn’t, yet we rely on the former for what only the latter can do. Let that sink in.

Prayer

Father, I am speaking into my reality now that I put my trust in You to always provide for me when I need it, and that You will place the right people and right situations before me to help me fulfill my purpose in life. I don’t need an intermediary in man to reach You, for You are always with me—listening, watching, and waiting. I thank You for blessing me with Your presence and dependable action. Amen.

Lovingly,

Natasha

Breaking Bread For 9.3.21

September 3, 2021Natasha Leave a comment

Scripture

“‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.’”

Matthew 15:8

Reflection

I don’t merely want to say “I want to be more like Jesus” I want to commit to living my life more like Jesus; being loving and respectful to all, regardless of how they treat me; praying for people even when they refuse to pray for themselves or me; and thinking first of our Heavenly Father before speaking or acting upon my thoughts. I believe that if we think of God before we act upon our fears we can learn to overcome them.

We cannot thrive in life living just by intent and no true commitment. We cannot thrive in life without the priorities of God first, family second, and career third. This is not Burger King, we can’t have it our way—so we can’t substitute something for first, second, or third place and believe that life will bring endless spiritual and financial wealth.

We have to check our hypocrisy. Walk the walk or just sit down.

Prayer

Father, I don’t want to be a hypocrite. I don’t want to speak from my lips something I am not committed to in my heart and mind. I want to be fully committed to You and Jesus, walking in Your light and following Jesus’s teachings— not the world’s. Strengthen me Lord. Realign me. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Love,

Natasha

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