Breaking Bread For 11.20.22

Audio Option

Please click on the audio player below to listen to today’s message. Thank you!

Scripture

You did not go up to the gaps or restore the wall around the house of Israel so that it might stand in battle on the day of the Lord .

Ezekiel 13:5 HCSB

Reflection

How disciplined and obedient are we really? Think about it for a moment before you proceed.

Do we prepare in advance for chaos, or do we react in a panicked state of mania once “hell” has broken wide open upon us? Many of us are reactionaries, not planners and preppers.

We know that our homes need upkeep, repairs, and reinforcement— yet we put it off because it’s not a huge priority. Until something happens to the home, then we’re frantic and desperate, and of course, we are complaining as though we took no part in the lack of planning and preparation. We heard the Voice repeatedly tell us month after month, season after season, to fix or replace something, yet we ignored that Voice. Absolute disobedience.

We smirk and make snide remarks about doomsday preppers and others who prepare for calamity, yet who were and have been the only ones prepared in 2020 when we were hit and devastated by a global pandemic?

Preppers!

They have planned, prepared, and trained for it. They have taught generations of their family how to prepare for a season or period of devastation. While we teased and chided them as being paranoid and delusional, they saw a vision that, based on our trending nature of destruction, conflict, and chaos, that life as we have comfortably known it would cease to exist for a period of time.

They planned for disorder and looting and built living quarters for their families to sustain them for two or more years. Some of them even practice long stints of isolation to prepare for being separated from society for extended periods of time. All while we rolled our eyes in cynicism.

This modern-day pandemic experience has been a good trial run for them because they could see how outsiders reacted to store shortages, mass unemployment, business closures, hospital deficiencies, city and state shutdowns, and the temperament of not only the residents but of the political, community, and business leaders.

This is only a trial run. You’re ignorant to believe that this is the worst scenario we will ever again experience in our lifetime. Yet, looking at the news and social media, there are huge chunks of our population in the US alone that obviously don’t care; they’re more concerned with socializing than with learning, planning, and preparing for the future.

Many of us didn’t learn a thing, except that folks don’t like being told what to do, suggested what to do, or being inconvenienced in any way. We also learned that in a crisis, there is a small segment of the population that will price gouge and leverage your desperation for their personal and financial gain. We also learned that we don’t keep enough household supplies and nonperishable foods on hand in our homes to last us months or longer.

I bet many of you started envying those mass couponers that you see on TV. The ones with years worth of products stocked up in their homes, garages, and custom-built storage shelters. Yep, I, too, used to ask myself why a family of two to four needed as many items as so many of them kept stocking. But after watching the shows highlighting couponers, I began to see the why. I also saw that in their bargaining preparation, they also accounted for the products they would donate to local churches and charities and the amounts they would set aside for other family members, friends, and neighbors who may need help.

The majority of couponers aren’t wealthy. They’re just great at using the gift God gave them to calculate and analyze how to apply coupons to gain the most value. They are disciplined and committed. They are forward-thinking. They are planners and preppers. And I can guarantee you they didn’t have to go to the grocery store one time in 2020. Many of them have enough supplies and food to last them several years. While the rest of us were rationing it and we still haven’t understood the lessons that we were being taught.

Noah was obedient and did as God instructed, and while his neighbors and friends looked at him like he was out of his mind, even telling him he was, he continued preparing and getting his family ready. When the floods rushed in and began wiping people out, imagine the thoughts of so many people who knew Noah, and the moment they had the realization that he was right, it was too late.

Noah was a prepper. We celebrate Noah, yet we roll our eyes at modern-day preppers. We better start paying attention, learn our lessons, apply what we learn, listen and obey God’s guiding words. Or expect to be wiped out by whatever Earth-created or man-created force.

The Bible passage above shares God’s disappointment that the people chose to be disobedient and chose to do other things instead of preparing and protecting the House of Israel. It wasn’t a priority for them. Idol worship was. Socializing was. Revising history and giving glory to other gods for the blessings that God gave them. That was more important to them. Ezekiel kept telling the people what God said, and they kept doing their own thing.

Remember what we talked about over the past few days about our relationship with God, about what the temple represents in this relationship with Him. They literally rejected God by not protecting the temple. They rejected their relationship with Him by not protecting the very thing that symbolized their relationship with Him.

Think of Jeremiah’s struggles. He, too, would tell the people what God said, and the people chose to do things their way. Yet when things would blow up, they would rush to Jeremiah to help make things right with God. There are numerous examples like this in the Bible. All are lessons to be learned and taught so we don’t repeat them. Yet we keep repeating them like imbeciles.

When you read the Old Testament, part of you questions why the Israelites kept messing up and faced punishment for their sins and disobedience. The other part of you is quickly checked and silenced by the reality that we do the same ignorant things thousands of years later, and unlike them, we have online access to the written records to try and avoid these things. Our arrogance and pride would be hilarious, if not so heartbreaking.

I’m grateful that God doesn’t get totally frustrated by us and just decide to wipe us out and start over fresh again. He has the power to do so, but He spares us. He shows us mercy. He’s keeping the promise He made to Noah. He sacrificed His son for us. That’s love.

Could we do the same? Would we do the same, having the power to punish or show mercy?

Honestly, no. We’re quick to punish and destroy. Look at our social media timelines. Look at our actions smeared across the newspapers. That’s why He keeps molding us.

Take a few moments to consider what you need to do to listen, plan, prepare, and be disciplined in whatever assignment or task God gives you. If you aren’t tuned in, then you will most likely be left out. We all must do better.

Prayer

Father prepare me for days ahead, for struggle and strife, for challenges and complications. Show me how to see opportunities in each situation. Protect me from myself and from those who would plot to harm me. Forgive me for my pride and disobedience, for my fear and doubt, for my frustration and conditional faith that sometimes creeps in.

Father let me learn a lesson once without need for repetition. Help me to prepare my mind, heart, body, home, family, and life for battle. Whether the battle is spiritual, financial, medical, or anything else—help me to be ready so I don’t have to frantically rush to get ready. Help me to resist the enemy and see temptation’s lure as leading to nothingness and nothing worthy of giving attention to. My true health, wealth and victory can only come from You. In Your Name I pray and praise. Amen.

And with that family, I pray that you are blessed, that you see and embrace your blessings, and that you are a blessing to others.

Love,

Natasha

Copyright 2012-2022. Natasha L. Foreman. Some Rights Reserved. All Prayers and Reflections are Copyright Protected by Natasha L. Foreman. BreakingBreadWithNatasha.com

Music: Climb by Shane Ivers; Quiescent In Time by Shane Ivers – https://www.silvermansound.com

Breaking Bread For 11.19.22

Audio Option

Please click on the audio player below to listen to today’s message. Thank you!

Scripture

He reveals mysteries from the darkness and brings the deepest darkness into the light. 

Job 12:22 HCSB

Reflection

God reveals the truth, brings to the surface what is hidden in darkness, clears the confusion, turns mysteries into revelations, solves problems, and does these things as only He can. They are only mysteries to us. They are only difficult to see by us. Only we struggle with solving the problems. They aren’t a mystery or problem for God. For all that is good, God created, and there is nothing created, good or bad, that God doesn’t see and understand. Nothing is too big or too small for Him. Yet we keep trying to go at this thing called life in this chaos called the world by our own merits and effort. We are of Him; we are not greater than Him. When will we stop this madness?

Prayer

Father, nothing remains hidden from You. I’m confident that through You all truth is made known, all confusion is resolved, distortions are cleared, and darkness is penetrated by light. I trust in Your ability to right-side all situations, because only You can. I walk in that confidence, praising Your Holy Name. Amen.

And with that family, I pray that you are blessed, that you see and embrace your blessings, and that you are a blessing to others.

Love,

Natasha 

Copyright 2012-2022. Natasha L. Foreman. Some Rights Reserved. All Prayers and Reflections are Copyright Protected by Natasha L. Foreman. BreakingBreadWithNatasha.com

Music: Climb by Shane Ivers; Quiescent In Time by Shane Ivers – https://www.silvermansound.com

Breaking Bread For 11.18.22

Audio Option

Please click on the audio player below to listen to today’s message. Thank you!

Scripture

Bread gained by deceit is sweet to a man, But afterward his mouth will be filled with gravel. 

Proverbs 20:17 

Reflection

We always reap what we sow. So be mindful of what you do and say to be right, get ahead in life, or outdo the competition.

We all have pitfalls, setbacks, disappointments, and failures, but we can all succeed in life by doing good, living with grace and dignity, and being honest. Trust and rely upon God to provide, in and on His time, understanding that He sees the big picture that you don’t see.

You don’t need to manipulate people or circumstances to get what your heart desires. You don’t have to deceive others to have your needs met. You just have to trust and follow God’s lead. Your dreams of a future filled with love and joy are not sadistic taunts. Trust that God planted those seeds that burst into dreams to grow in your mind so that you can see what is possible and waiting for you and that with Him, you can have all, be all, and see all — even more than you ever imagined. But you will block your blessings if you practice deceit and the ways of the enemy.

We really don’t need to learn lessons the hard way; we choose to. History repeats itself because we refuse to let go of our old ways, right our wrongs, forgive ourselves and others, and let God do what only He can. Let that sink in.

Prayer

Father, thank You for blessing me. There are times when I desire things that maybe I want but I don’t need, and I am grateful that You keep me in line so that I receive only what I need, and I learn my lesson for ill gotten gains.

Father, I would rather defer my gratification than to receive something that I didn’t earn, especially if I was being deceptive, not genuine, or inauthentic. Father, bless me as You see fit, as aligned with Your promise. Mold me into your perfect image. Protect me from harm– that which is self-inflicted and the harm from others.

I trust and believe in You Lord, and I apologize for any moments where my faith and allegiance to You are not crystal-clear. In Your Name I pray. Amen.

And with that family, I pray that you are blessed, that you see and embrace your blessings, and that you are a blessing to others. I love you all. Have an incredible day. Be a blessing to others. Be the positive and loving example you want to see in the world.

Love,

Natasha

Copyright 2011-2022. Natasha L. Foreman. Some Rights Reserved. All Prayers and Reflections are Copyright Protected by Natasha L. Foreman. BreakingBreadWithNatasha.com

Music: Climb by Shane Ivers; Quiescent In Time by Shane Ivers – https://www.silvermansound.com

Breaking Bread For 11.17.22

Audio Option

Please click on the audio player below to listen to today’s message. Thank you!

Scripture

Sustain me, my God, according to your promise, and I will live; do not let my hopes be dashed.

Uphold me, and I will be delivered; I will always have regard for your decrees.

Psalms 119:116-117

Reflection

Without hope for what the day may bring for a better tomorrow, where are you, and where do you stand in your faith?

God blesses us daily, every single second— yet we want more, we want to see more, we want to see and receive the bigger blessings—when the biggest of blessings is our relationship with Him, the life He gives us, and being able to live it.

How grateful are you?

How hopeful are you?

How devoted are you?

Those are questions for you to ask and answer for yourself.

Embrace your day entirely. Be mindful and present; as God is a blessing to you, be a blessing to others.

Prayer

Father, thank You for this day. Thank You for comforting and protecting me as I slept. Thank You for waking me to experience the lessons I need to learn. Thank You for Your love, guidance, support, and protection. Father, I pray to be prepared and receptive to the blessings, tests, and lessons that You have in store for me today and in the future. I pray that I am open, discerning, hopeful and humble.

Help me to see and embrace every opportunity that You place before me. Help me to avoid pitfalls or to rebound quickly when I fall. Help me to confidently and faithfully move forward in the right direction, trusting and leaning on You as my Guide. Help me to listen more than I speak and to think of You when I do speak. In Your Name I praise and pray. Amen.

And with that family, I pray that you are blessed, that you see and embrace your blessings, and that you are a blessing to others.

Love,

Natasha 

Copyright 2011-2022. Natasha L. Foreman. Some Rights Reserved. All Prayers and Reflections are Copyright Protected by Natasha L. Foreman. BreakingBreadWithNatasha.com

Music: Climb by Shane Ivers; Quiescent In Time by Shane Ivers – https://www.silvermansound.com

Breaking Bread For 11.16.22

Audio Option

Please click on the audio player below to listen to today’s message. Thank you!

Scripture

…and when a prayer or plea is made by anyone among your people Israel—being aware of their afflictions and pains, and spreading out their hands toward this temple— then hear from heaven, your dwelling place. Forgive, and deal with everyone according to all they do, since you know their hearts (for you alone know the human heart), so that they will fear you and walk in obedience to you all the time they live in the land you gave our ancestors. 

2 Chronicles 6:29-31

Reflection

Only God knows what’s in our hearts and in our behind-closed-doors lives. Only He has the full knowledge of our past, present, and future. We don’t really comprehend what this means, how special our connection with Him is, and why nurturing our relationship with Him— through daily prayer, conversations, meditation, and consistent obedience is so important. The stronger and healthier our relationship with God, the better our relationship with self and others. We should be focused on doing better, walking the walk, and ensuring that our heart is properly aligned with our thoughts, words, and actions.

In today’s scripture, we read the last line, which is a petition from Solomon to God to forgive the people of Israel, dealing with them individually and intimately. He said, “so that they will fear you and walk in obedience to you all the time they live in the land you gave our ancestors.” I’ve heard plenty of people default to translating the word “fear” in the Bible (at all times) as we would the meaning of horror and trembling fear. Rather than taking the time to use modern technology and search online for Hebrew translation and cultural context. In Psalm 149:13, we read about being “fearfully and wonderfully made” by God, and people are quick to recite that line, but what does it mean to be fearfully made? God wasn’t scared during the process. David was describing the love, respect, honor, and reverence that is God and the understanding that he was created of that essence.

When we look at the context of Solomon’s prayer, this use of the word fear is not to be mistaken for being scared of God. But rather to be in awe of Him. To be so overwhelmed by Who and What He is that you are naturally drawn to Him and have the desire to serve Him and be obedient to His requests and commands. It’s the ultimate of respect.

It’s like the crying, trembling, and fainting fan who is so overwhelmed when they see their celebrity crush or hero. They are filled with so much energy that they can’t seem to control themselves. Now magnify that sentiment and experience to a level that you can’t comprehend. That, my friends, is the intensity that we feel and experience when we are in awe of God — when we experience Yirah, as it is said in Hebrew. With the highest level of reference comes the highest level of consistent and bold obedience. That is the type of relationship Solomon was describing. It is interesting, though, because it’s sort of based on the condition that God would forgive the people and deal with each person according to what they do, what’s in their heart. Based on seeing that, the people would feel this strong reverence and loyalty towards God and obey Him for as long as they lived in the land He gave their ancestors. The reverence and obedience wouldn’t come first, which means Solomon is asking for grace and mercy. He’s asking God to show the people something they won’t even show each other, to be the example that they may one day imitate. This is a recurring plea and negotiation throughout most of the Old Testament. Let’s not forget that even Jesus (in the New Testament) asked God to show mercy to the idiots screaming for him to be nailed to a cross and later discarded like trash and eaten by dogs and buzzards.

If you recall Solomon’s history, he was the son of David, the same David who was king, warrior, beloved, and conflicted. Yep, the same David I mentioned earlier. Solomon, his son, was a man of peace and was chosen by God to build the temple after the people came out of exile. Solomon’s journey reflects the desire for the realignment of the people in their relationship with God. While in exile, many people deviated and began worshipping other gods. As a matter of fact, they did this every time they found themselves in exile. What in the world!

The purpose of the temple was always about the relationship between the Creator and His creations. It provided a place to disconnect to be reconnected; it allowed for greater intimacy and to be filled with God’s presence. It was to distinguish Him and His reign from the other gods the people had worshipped or were familiar with. God was using the temple, routines, job titles, and rituals to mold out their old way of thinking, living, and worshipping to prepare them for the life they were destined to live and the relationship with Him that He most desired. It was about intentionality. You didn’t go to the temple to catch up on the latest neighborhood gossip, buy a fish dinner, or place bets. No, that space was your one-on-one time with the Supreme Ruler. It was to break you from the ceremonial worship of other gods and to get your mind focused solely on the God that delivered your people from one calamity after the next.

That’s why generations later, we read of Jesus flipping tables and going off on the money changers and the folks selling things in the temple. That’s why we read the letters of Paul, Peter, James, and John, trying to recondition the minds of the people who naturally defaulted to the lifestyles and practices they led before becoming believers. Just like the generations before them, when they were in exile, they adopted the lifestyles of the people of those lands. We have to remember that the first generation that Moses led out of Egypt never made it to the Promised Land; it was their children and grandchildren who inherited that promise. So those beneficiaries and the generations that followed did not have a distinct recollection or reference point of God in the same way that their parents, grandparents, and great-grands did because they were either too young or weren’t yet born and have no memory of God’s presence in their lives when He freed their people from their captors. They only heard the stories about the plagues and Moses glowing, folks being swallowed up by the Earth, and the Red Sea parting and defeating giants.

When you look at people today, are we not living and behaving the exact same way? We are so far removed from the times of our ancestors of even six generations ago, heck, even from our grandparents’ and parents’ generational experiences, so we struggle to appreciate and reach out to God in the same ways that they did when they were our age and younger. That’s why you have people who scream out, “Stop living in the past,” as a dismissive way to disregard the horrors from the past that are still very much present. Solomon’s generation struggled with the temptation of worshipping idols and gods of their time, of the people who they lived around while in exile. Many thought that the God of their ancestors had abandoned them or was punishing them. Do we not still hear people say that today? Do we not hear people say, “If there is a God, then…” or “If God sent Jesus to do all of those things, then why are we still suffering?” and so on and so forth. Those are the voices of people who do not have an intimate relationship with the Great I Am.

Our relationship with God is to be like no other connection; it is to take precedence over all others. We were given rituals and routines to ween us off of our old ways of doing things and to reposition us to a new way, and many of us have a long way to go before we can walk confidently in this new way. Many people still reject the new way, even calling it the work of the devil, blaming it on the influences of other religions. That’s exactly what the people said to and about Jesus, ensuring his crucifixion. Do you not think that God has a New Covenant for us? But how can we possibly hear and embrace it if we still struggle to accept and live by the Covenant Jesus shared more than 2,000 years ago?

God’s plan was to prepare the people for the time when it would be revealed that we are the temple, the temple is within us, and whenever we want to have a moment with Him, all we have to do is speak to Him.

We don’t have to travel to a mountain or building to commune with Him. We just have to be still and speak.

An altar is no longer an object within a building; the altar is wherever you are. Just be still and speak.

People transitioned from human sacrifice to animal sacrifice, to then just burning some incense and candles, and then to learning specific prayers and being taught how to have a conversation with God. Through grace, God is still patiently waiting on us to stop worshipping gold, currency, things, and people. God led the people through the phases of having intercessors to guide us through prayer, petition, confession, and atonement — and as He worked with them, He had Jesus explain that there’s no need for you to go to the intercessors to speak on your behalf, you have all that you need to come directly to your Heavenly Father-Mother. And just like then, people today still place their faith in the intercessors, choosing them instead of trusting and choosing God. Thinking so little of themselves and totally disregarding how much God trusts and believes in them. Seeking a flesh and bones king rather than a Spirit of immeasurable force and presence.

We are more than what we see with these eyes, hear with these ears, and feel with this flesh. If we truly knew and believed who we are, what we are, and what we’re capable of, we would be in awe of God and obedient without question — and not just while we travel in these human tents called bodies, but even after we discard them.

Whew! Will you join me in a moment of prayer? I know that was long. It just came pouring out.

Prayer

Father, thank You for your unwavering, unconditional, everlasting love. Thank You for always believing in me and for constantly reminding me who I am and reassuring me of what I can do, and can be. Thank You for molding me. I know I probably frustrate You but Your grace and mercy cancels out my blunders. Thank You Father. I love you. I need You. I want to strengthen my relationship with You. You know my heart Father. I thank You now for helping me. I praise Your Name. Amen.

And with that family, I pray that you are blessed, that you see and embrace your blessings, and that you are a blessing to others.

Love,

Natasha 

Copyright 2011-2022. Natasha L. Foreman. Some Rights Reserved. All Prayers and Reflections are Copyright Protected by Natasha L. Foreman. BreakingBreadWithNatasha.com

Music: Climb by Shane Ivers; Quiescent In Time by Shane Ivers – https://www.silvermansound.com

Breaking Bread For 11.15.22

Audio Option

Please click on the audio player below to listen to today’s message. Thank you!

Scripture

Let us search out and examine our ways, and turn back to the Lord. Let us lift up our hearts and ⌊our⌋ hands to God in heaven:

Lamentations 3:40-41 HCSB

Reflection

Evaluate your life, heart, and mind. Right now, at this very moment. Clear out the distractions and focus.

Are you playing the twisted comparison trap game, always seeing abundance for others and a state of lack for yourself? Or are you pleased, satisfied, and content with your growing achievements and material possessions? How is your life? How are you treating yourself? How are you treating the people closest to you? What about random strangers? How are you stewarding the gifts given to you? How are you treating the job you have, the business you started, and the people you work with?

I want to be more than just okay; I want to be and live in excellence, as God designed and desires for me to be; how about you? I want to walk in peace, not conflict, torment, confusion, or frustration. I want to breathe with ease, not be stressed out and anxiety-filled. How about you?

We can have the life of our dreams. God planted the seeds within us. He’s waiting for us. Each day He reminds you who you are and to Whom you belong. It’s up to you to see, hear, believe, and live it! Are you ready to see your life turned right-side? Are you ready to receive all that God has in store for you? Are you ready for that next-level way of life? Are you ready to stop complaining, stop comparing, stop doubting, and stop shaming?

Believe.

Listen.

Watch.

Discern.

When He directs your steps, obey and follow.

Prayer

Father, forgive me for my wrongdoings, for my lack of trust and wavering faith, for my hardheaded ways, and my negative thoughts, speech and behavior. Uplift me Lord. I don’t want to waste precious moments that could be used living fully in my purpose, all because I’m caught up in the web of lies woven in this world. Help me to discern the trappings of the enemy so that I’m only focused on those things that You desire for me. Speak through me. Fill me Lord with Your peace. In Your Name I pray. Amen.

And with that family, I pray that you are blessed, that you see and embrace your blessings, and that you are a blessing to others.

Copyright 2012-2022. Natasha L. Foreman. Some Rights Reserved. All Prayers and Reflections are Copyright Protected by Natasha L. Foreman. BreakingBreadWithNatasha.com

Music: Climb by Shane Ivers; Quiescent In Time by Shane Ivers – https://www.silvermansound.com

Oops I Forgot to Share Yesterday 😲

Good morning Breaking Bread family!

As I sat here preparing today’s message I realized that I forgot to share yesterday’s message with you. I didn’t sit in stillness long enough to pay attention. A great reminder.

So, I hope you will be receptive and embrace a double-dose of God’s Word today. In a moment I will post the message from yesterday and then in about two hours I will share today’s message. May they feed your soul!

Love,

Natasha

Copyright 2022. Natasha L. Foreman. All Rights Reserved.

Breaking Bread For 11.13.22

Audio Option

Please click on the audio player below to listen to today’s message. Thank you!

Scripture

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners…

Isaiah 61:1

Let’s look at this Bible verse again. We reflected on it yesterday. But let’s break it down.

It reads the “Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me…”. Sovereign means supreme ruler, possessing supreme or ultimate power. So the Spirit of the Supreme Ruler was upon Isaiah. He was empowered by the ultimate Power; nothing and no one was and is greater or more powerful than this Heavenly Ruler. Not a small case “L” but an uppercase one. As a matter of fact, God is distinguished in many Bible translations as Lord in all caps [LORD] to ensure the reader understands we’re not talking about humans or other spirits that may be called by the name Lord. Nope, we’re talking to and about the Chief, the Head, not just a council member; He makes the council possible.

The prophet Isaiah spoke to the kingdom of Judah for 40 years. His messages focused on the covenant between God and the people. Isaiah wasn’t just any kind of prophet, he had connections with kings and rulers, and he provided them, counsel— not for his gain or glory, but for God’s. He had a huge responsibility and a heavy burden, and he was determined to fulfill his purpose.

When we look at line one again, we see that Isaiah said that the LORD had anointed him, which is intimate and personal; it is intentional and with a blessed stamp of approval. Anyone can be appointed to do something. An appointment means you are assigned a job or role, and it can be delegated by anyone with the authority to do so. This means that even a lower-ranking authority can appoint you to a position and just as quickly appoint you to another position. But to be anointed carries weight; there’s gravitas, and some serious thought went into selecting you. You are bound by this selection. It is not to be taken casually. It’s one thing to be given a title by someone at your church or in your company. It’s a whole other thing to be personally selected by God and given specific directives.

Isaiah was appointed as a counselor to kings, but he was anointed by the One who created those kings, by the God who made it possible for them to live. Let the weight of that nestle in your mind and heart.

Let’s look at what God anointed Isaiah to do. In line one, we see that Isaiah was held responsible for proclaiming God’s good news for the poor. Now you may think of just the financially poor, but this is also, and most importantly, the spiritually poor—those lacking a strong relationship with God, those who have been misused, abused, and discarded by others who see them as less than worthy of a dignified life.

Isaiah was sent to bind up the brokenhearted. Now how would he do this? This isn’t a literal act, a physical process. This is mental and spiritual. This required Isaiah to faithfully speak God’s words and pour into the people, filling up those cracks, to bind their hearts, and reconnecting them with God.

Isaiah was responsible for ensuring that the people saw God as their sole Provider and that the lack they saw was a falsehood. The more that they believed in and turned to God, the less they would see and believe in lack, and the more their hearts would heal and be full. When we’re fully consumed by God, we want nothing else, and we don’t see anything as missing. We are content and complete in and by Him. We are intoxicatingly in love with Him.

What else was Isaiah called to do?

We read that he was to “proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners…” which in the Greek Old Testament, the part that mentioned the prisoners was translated as “the blind.” Look at our historical accounts of people chosen by God to proclaim freedom for captives. It’s a battle with the captors who benefit from enslaving the people, and then there’s a battle with the enslaved who are mentally conditioned to be captives and dependent upon their captors to provide for them.

In many ways, the battle is less intense against the captor because when they surrender, they usually find a replacement or substitute slave/prisoner. However, when you’re working to break the mental and spiritual shackles of an enslaved person, it can take decades or a lifetime to recondition their mind to accept a new way of thinking, speaking, and living.

For many of them, all they have ever known is life as a slave, as a prisoner, as a victim—under the rule of another person, being told when and where to eat, sleep, work, and pray. They are blind to the reality of God’s Truth. All they know is the darkness. For many, the cravings for God’s Light were beaten out of them. For many, the human who enslaved them is their god.

Imagine taking on the responsibility of mentally and spiritually liberating hundreds and thousands of people. Not an appointment. That was an anointing. Some people will see the light and scream out, “it’s too bright,” and choose to stay in the darkness because it’s all they know, and sadly we force ourselves to find comfort in what we know, even when it doesn’t serve our needs; even when what we know deprives us and leaves us malnourished.

For 40 years, Isaiah tried to do what he was called by God to do to help his people get where they needed to be, to better prepare them for the life that God had planned for them. And guess what? Line one was only a fraction of the things he was responsible for. Continue reading Isaiah 61 to see what else he was challenged to do by a God that was confident in Isaiah’s faithfulness and obedience to get it done or die trying.

When you read the translated diaries, songs, dictated decrees, prophecies, and letters in the Old and New Testaments, take the time to slow down and place yourself in each moment, and consider the context of the events taking place and the people involved. Consider the weight these individuals carried on their backs and shoulders as they contemplated doing something they had never done before, something beyond their comprehension and imagination, and knowing that they’re doing it for the Supreme God, the big honcho.

Now consider something else, what has God called on you to do? What have you been anointed to carry out? Are you doing your part, or are you choosing to remain enslaved, imprisoned, and blind to the Truth? Are you allowing fear, other people, or life’s circumstances to rule you and be your god? Or are you putting your trust in God and backing it up with a faith walk of unwavering support for His plans?

Prayer

Father, thank You. In this moment I’ve come to see a clearer picture of our relationship, of my life and my role in this world. Around me is chaos but in You there is a peaceful calm. My relationship with You is strengthened every time I choose to lean on You and not my own understanding, when I choose to turn to You instead of Your creations, and follow Your path rather than seek my own way.

I am free because of You. I am only free when I am with You, aligned with You, dependent and trusting in You.

Jesus could see the calm in the storm because he never disconnected from You. Isaiah was empowered and confident to do what You asked of him because he placed his trust in You.

You created me with a vision, and You pour into me dreams to see that vision and to warn me of the enemy’s plots, and it would break my heart to know that I’ve allowed the lies whispered and yelled in this world to distract me from doing what I’ve been called to do. You trust me and believe in me enough to place me on this path. You love me that much. Every day You remind me that You’re with me and that You have angels watching over me and intervening on my behalf. Yet I operate out of fear as though I’m doing this alone and without Your help. Forgive me Father.

I want our relationship to be everything You have said it is and I want to live my life doing everything You have placed in my heart to do. I want to be what You created me to be, fully and passionately. As You pour into me I promise to pour into others. Giving You all of the glory today and forever. I love You. I’m with You, Father. Amen.

And with that family, I pray that you are blessed, that you see and embrace your blessings, and that you are a blessing to others.

Copyright 2011-2022. Natasha L. Foreman. Some Rights Reserved. All Prayers and Reflections are Copyright Protected by Natasha L. Foreman. BreakingBreadWithNatasha.com

Music: Climb by Shane Ivers; Quiescent In Time by Shane Ivers – https://www.silvermansound.com

Breaking Bread For 11.12.22

Audio Option

Please click on the audio player below to listen to today’s message. Thank you!

Scripture

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners…

Isaiah 61:1

Reflection

When you are truly ready to let go, to be released from life’s shackles, and to finally live fully, turn to the one who can answer all of your prayers and tend to all of your needs—our Heavenly Father-Mother.

Prayer

Father, thank You. Today, You blessed me with the ability to breathe and use my other senses. You didn’t stop there—blessing me with the ability to think, love, empathize, and reason.

I thank You, Father.

Thank You for releasing me from bondage, from releasing me from the fears that could have consumed me, and for showing me that my strength comes from You; helping me to see that I just have to open up and be willing to let go.

I thank You now for freeing me of the burdens I currently face. Father, I don’t know what tomorrow will bring, but I am grateful for what You have blessed me with today. In Your Name I praise and pray. Amen.

And with that family, I pray that you are blessed, that you see and embrace your blessings, and that you are a blessing to others.

Love,

Natasha 

Copyright 2011-2022. Natasha L. Foreman. Some Rights Reserved. All Prayers and Reflections are Copyright Protected by Natasha L. Foreman. BreakingBreadWithNatasha.com

Music: Climb by Shane Ivers; Quiescent In Time by Shane Ivers – https://www.silvermansound.com

Breaking Bread For 11.11.22

Audio Option

Please click on the audio player below to listen to today’s message. Thank you!

Scripture

“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.”

John 15:1-2

Reflection

We are expected to be fruitful, to work and produce something good, and to contribute to our family, community, and the world. We are seeds of the tree, and as seeds, we are to grow and produce more seeds and byproducts. This doesn’t mean being a baby-making factory. It means grabbing ahold of one of God’s ideas that He cast like stars in the sky and glorifying Him through the development and manifestation of that idea.

You and I are ideas. God thought of us and made us so. Everything on and within this planet, universe, and beyond are God’s ideas — His fruits. Each fruit has a purpose with a plan.

That means we’re not to be idle, lazy, shiftless, and stagnant. We’re supposed to be active, move, grow, change, try new things, experience the unimaginable, and challenge ourselves. We’re supposed to seize the opportunities that God places before us.

We may stumble and fall, but that doesn’t mean giving up. We’re supposed to get back up, learn from the experience, and keep pressing on. It doesn’t matter if we’re a preteen or 90 years old; as long as we have blood flowing through us and energy zooming through us, we are to be engaged and fruitful.

As we grow, we are pruned so that the stuff that’s weighing us down can be meticulously removed. Many of us resist the pruning phases, holding on to dead weight, and then between blame and shame, we become consumed by our misery. That is not the plan of our Heavenly Father. That’s the slam dunk win for our enemy.

Stop making excuses for mediocrity, low living, and settling for less than the dream God gave you. God gave you the dream to pursue it and make it your reality. You stopped doing it or never started because you failed to make that journey with Him as your Guide.

It seemed overwhelming and like too much to handle because you only saw your role and limitations in the vision. You listened to the enemy tell you what you can’t do, what can’t be done, what’s impossible, what’s too risky, and you believed the enemy over God. You stopped believing that God was and still is waiting for you to take that next step, to get back on that path. If you look close enough, you will see Him. If you step back far enough, you will see even more of Him. If you stretch out your arms and walk boldly onto that path, you will find that He’s right there.

Don’t let dreams die because of your fear, frustration, sense of lack, or shame. Don’t cut yourself off from the vine, and don’t think that you can or are supposed to do this thing called life without the Vine and Gardener (Vinedresser).

Prayer

Father, thank You for today, for the shelter and for the food, both spiritual and edible. Thank You for the vision of the path You set before me. I cannot see long distance, but I can see each step I take. I can dream and hope that my dreams align with Your reality and plans for my life.

Father, I am a growing and developing tree. Shed my old leaves and help my new ones to grow strong and bright. Remove from me what is undesirable to You, so that I may be molded into the perfect image as You see fit.

Let those around me not steal my fruit but rather seek their own, and wait patiently for You to provide. Let me also gain patience for the things I desire. Let me receive what I need and realize that what I want may not always be what I need. I humbly accept whatever portions You allocate for me, while never having low expectations of You, Jesus, or myself. I pray and give thanks to You today and always. Amen.

And with that family, I pray that you are blessed, that you see and embrace your blessings, and that you are a blessing to others. There are no limits to what we can do. God has blessed us with gifts and talents, and at times, He places someone in our lives who possesses complementary gifts and talents. Head towards your next adventure, let God guide and counsel you and keep going. Live your life fully!

Start today!

Love,

Natasha 

Copyright 2011-2022. Natasha L. Foreman. Some Rights Reserved. All Prayers and Reflections are Copyright Protected by Natasha L. Foreman. BreakingBreadWithNatasha.com

Music: Climb by Shane Ivers; Quiescent In Time by Shane Ivers – https://www.silvermansound.com

Breaking Bread For 11.10.22

Audio Option

Please click on the audio player below to listen to today’s message. Thank you!

Scripture

Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in me.

John 14:1

Reflection

Many of us struggle with trusting and believing in God, yet with His creations, we have no doubts. We expect and believe the chickens will lay eggs, dairy cows will produce milk, broccoli will sprout, melons will burst through the soil and ripen, and we will have our harvest as planned. Many of us even put greater trust in humans than we do in God. Ironic, don’t you think?

But that’s why so many people didn’t actually trust and believe in Jesus. It was conditional and we saw how quickly those who praised him turned on him, rejected him, denied being his followers, denied even knowing him. Yet they spent hundreds of years, as a people, begging God for a king, for a Messiah. God sent them what they asked for but they rejected the gift. They rejected the boat that was sent to rescue them from life’s sea of misery. They didn’t trust, believe, surrender, and rely solely on God.

And many of us do the same thing today.

Just as we trust and believe that trees will regrow new leaves in the Spring season and that plants and flowers will re-bloom, we must learn to trust and believe that God and Jesus will always provide us with the means to make it through any situation, and grow from it, starting fresh in a new season of our life.

No, it won’t be easy, but it’s not impossible.

Allow your leaves and branches to fall where they may, and smile because, in your new season, new leaves and branches will grow in their place. With the regrowth comes knowledge, understanding, wisdom, and layers of God’s transformational goodness.

I pray that each of you finds the peace to let go of your leaves and branches, embrace the life God has planned for you, and prepare yourself for the new season of growth and development.

I pray that you also pray for me because we all have our ups and downs, and the Lord knows I need prayer too. The more aligned we are on our walk with Jesus, the closer we get to God, which means we are attacked with greater frequency and intensity by the enemy (whose sole intent is to disrupt and destroy our relationship with God), and that means a greater need to pray and be prayed for. So please pray for me. I love you all.

Prayer

Father, I won’t and can’t lie to You and say that I’m not troubled, not saddened and frustrated at times—at myself, at my circumstances, and at the valleys and mountains I encounter regularly. I realize that change comes with a price, something must go before something new comes in. Someone must leave or be repositioned for someone new to step in.

I know that I’m going through a change, and some things and people have to go or be realigned, in order for new developments to grow. I have to let go of my fear, and trust You and Jesus to show me the way, to protect me, and to lift me up out of those valleys, and up and over those steep mountains. I know that every day Jesus walks beside me, some days I lose my focus and start walking off the path You have set for me, yet Jesus lovingly and patiently keeps walking and guiding me back to the right way.

Touch and warm my heart. Calm the pressure in my chest, Father. Release the tension in my neck and shoulders. Soothe the cramps and knots throughout my body. Calm my fears Lord. Bring me peace within so that I may rest in You.

I want to fully embrace this change and walk upright, ready for my next adventure, my next demonstration, my next testimony. In Your Name and in Jesus’ Name I praise and pray. Amen.

And with that family, I pray that you are blessed, that you see and embrace your blessings, and that you are a blessing to others.

Love,

Natasha

Copyright 2011-2022. Natasha L. Foreman. Some Rights Reserved. All Prayers and Reflections are Copyright Protected by Natasha L. Foreman. BreakingBreadWithNatasha.com

Music: Climb by Shane Ivers; Quiescent In Time by Shane Ivers – https://www.silvermansound.com