Natasha

Breaking Bread For 5.18.24

Today’s Theme: How We Treat Sinners and Enemies Is A Reflection of Our Relationship With God.

Audio Option

Please click on the audio player below to listen to today’s message. You can fast-forward past the intro and get straight to the message by clicking the play button and then the 30-second fast-forward button on the audio player. Thank you!

https://www.spreaker.com/episode/breaking-bread-for-may-18–59440994

Scripture

“If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that.

And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full.

But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.”

Luke 6:32-36

Reflection

You must walk the path that God directs, not looking for a short-cut or smoother way. That means showing mercy to others even when it is easier to turn away. Lend or give money even if you don’t expect repayment. Love those who say they hate you. Love those who are determined to destroy you, ruin your reputation, take what you have, or make you feel less than who and what you are as God’s child. You don’t have to be buddy-buddy and affectionate to love someone. We can love in spite of their ignorance and inner ugliness because we know that God loves them. He counters hate with love.

Love is accepting their limitations, not trying to browbeat them for it.

Yes, I love those who hate, fear, loathe, and detest me. I love those who call me ugly while they spend thousands and thousands of dollars to look like me. I love those who say vile words about me because I know the truth is they actually fear and envy me, thinking I have or will have something that they think should only belong to them.

I live rent-free in their minds because they are obsessed with me and what I represent. Why else would they invest so much time, money, and effort trying to disrespect, dehumanize, discredit, devalue, and destroy me? It’s because, in their darkness, they see my Light. In their lack, they see my excess. They see God in me, and it repulses them. They listen to and conform to the lies that the enemy tells them, even when they think they are following and honoring the God of Jesus, Moses, Noah, Abraham, Esther, Mary, Debra, and others from our ancient past.

I see the god and gods they’re blindly or blatantly worshipping, and I forgive them for their stupidity. So, no, I don’t like what they say and do, but I love them despite their ways. I love them because I know they’re sick from the contamination of lies they have spent most, if not all, of their lives, digesting and believing. I know that they are plagued by a generational curse that haunts them. They are exhausted, and it shows on their faces and through their actions. That’s why I show them grace and mercy.

I love them because I know that the energy they pour out is weak and miserable, and the only Source of healing for them is God. The only salvation they have is God. So, I love them because I want them to see and embrace His Light. I want them to see the counterfeit for what it is and run instead to God. I don’t need their acceptance or apology. They need to do right by God. He is their Judge. He determines what happens to their souls.

I desire their realignment in God. I can only want that if I love them. I know who I am and to Whom I belong. I’m not trying to be like them, I’m trying to be like Him. I know my strength, power, and identity comes from Him. They are the confused ones. They are the lost ones. So out of love, I pray for their spirits and souls. It is all about God and about our role and purpose as ambassadors in Christ, building God’s Kingdom. It has nothing to do with your image, ego, pride, self-esteem, self-worth, bottom line, or personal brand. Be the Light you claim to be. Pray for your enemy. Touch a stranger’s life today, even with a simple act of kindness, and watch the ripple effect of God’s love spread.

Prayer

Father, daily I am working to be a better person in every way, in every situation, and to every person regardless of how they look, what they believe, or how they treat me. Father, it’s because of the value and importance of the heart that I strive to be better and do better. It’s not about them it’s about what’s in my heart. It’s about my relationship with You and strengthening our bond. I don’t want to disappoint You. I don’t want to disappoint myself.

I understand the importance of pouring Your goodness into a world plagued by Your opposite. Every day You pour into me and I want to pay it forward to all of Your children. I hope that we may grow in Your love, to love and help others, show grace and mercy, and reflect Your Light. Father, help me to grow closer to You and stand tall in Your confidence. I love You. 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.

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

Breaking Bread For 5.17.24

Today’s Theme: You Keep Judging and Condemning. Whew, Aren’t You Tired Yet?

Audio Option

https://www.spreaker.com/episode/breaking-bread-for-may-17–59440976

Scripture

“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.”

Luke 6:37

Reflection

We spend so much time butting into other people’s lives and personal business that we fail to realize that we are stepping outside of the boundaries God set for us. We are in no position to say who sins more or less, who is going to heaven or hell, or who is evil or good. We’re supposed to be living our lives focused on being better people, better stewards, and loving everyone despite our differences.

While you’re screaming about someone going to hell, just remember to mentally prepare yourself to join them. Heck, you might be on their welcoming committee. Or you might find yourself sold out, and they aren’t sitting there in misery with you. Either way, a dumb look will be planted on your face!

We spend so much time holding grudges and carrying around the burden of our ego and pride that we never consider how freeing it would be if we only stopped and forgave those who wronged us. Unhinge that dead weight!

Forgive. Let go. Stop judging. Stop condemning people to a fate you would never wish on a loved one. Stop being ugly. Start living and start loving. Start allowing God to be your God, and then you can let go of pain, fear, anger, and shame as your gods.

Prayer

Father, I pray for a warmed heart to forgive those who have intentionally and unintentionally hurt me. I pray that my heart be filled with peace to not judge or condemn other people.

Father, my role in Your Kingdom is to be a good steward and ambassador, not serve as judge, jury, dictator, or ruler over Your children. It is not my place to say who is keeping or breaking Your commandments, or who is fulfilling their duties as Your ambassadors. You are the only Judge and I apologize for all of the times I have crossed the lines and forgot my place and position. Touch my heart Lord. In Your Name I pray. Amen.

I pray that you are blessed, that you see and embrace your blessings, and that you are a blessing to others. Have an amazing day. I love you all—friends, family, associates—those near, those far, those traveling, and those that I only know through these Breaking Bread messages.

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

Breaking Bread For 5.16.24

Today’s Theme: The Bold and Beautiful Truth About Our Relationship With God, Our Father.

Audio Option

https://www.spreaker.com/episode/breaking-bread-for-may-16–59440983

Scripture

“I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart.”

Jeremiah 1:5 NLT

Reflection

What God has intended for you, He doesn’t have intended for someone else. What is yours is yours, and what is theirs is theirs. What’s meant for you will be yours.

We need to stop hating and start celebrating. Give people their “props” for all that they have and all of their blessings. Stop disrespecting God by making comments that infer or directly state that His child didn’t earn or deserve their blessings.

God’s relationship with them is unique, and you have absolutely no clue what’s going on over there, just like they have no clue what your relationship with God is like or what He has planned for you.

Focus more on Him and less on you. Focus more on Him and less on what others have. Focus on Him.

Recite these words until they are your own:

“I WILL embrace my God-given uniqueness and celebrate the distinctions He has placed in others.”

Prayer

Father, there is no one who knows me like You. There is no source, human, being, spirit—nothing, that knows and understands me like You. You know my heart, no one else does. You made me like no other. I want to strengthen my relationship with You, Father. I want to embrace what I have with You. I love You. 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.

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

Breaking Bread For 5.15.24

Today’s Theme: Examining the Intentionality Expressed in Acts 2

Audio Option

https://www.spreaker.com/episode/breaking-bread-for-may-15–59440979

Scripture

So those who accepted his message were baptized, and that day about 3,000 people were added to them. And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to the prayers.

Then fear came over everyone, and many wonders and signs were being performed through the apostles. Now all the believers were together and held all things in common. They sold their possessions and property and distributed the proceeds to all, as anyone had a need.

Every day they devoted themselves ⌊to meeting⌋ together in the temple complex, and broke bread from house to house. They ate their food with a joyful and humble attitude, praising God and having favor with all the people. And every day the Lord added to them those who were being saved.

Acts 2:41-47 HCSB

Reflection

When you truly believe, then you know what God can, will, and is doing for you.

When you hang around those who are negative, you will take on that energy and self-sabotage your blessings. When you hang around positive people, that energy becomes a blessing to you and to others that you encounter.

When you give into fear and forget all that God has already done for you, then you block potential blessings from coming your way sooner or at all. When you walk in confidence and with faith, you can both see and embrace all that God has in store for you.

When you are more concerned with receiving than giving, you will always be left empty. Givers always have a cup that runs over. Takers always see their cups as empty or not good enough.

When you selfishly pray only for yourself, you will find out what loneliness is all about. When you pray for others, your heart remains warm and full.

Stretch out of your comfort zone. Believe. Demonstrate. Be!

Prayer

Father, I ask that I may see what You need me to see, in order to survive, thrive, excel, and succeed— in life, in my Christianly walk, with my family, and in my career. Father, when You open doors and windows of opportunity for me, I pray that I not only see them but that I am strengthened to seize those moments. I pray that I can discern those individuals that You send my way, from those who have bad intentions.

Father, free my family from debt. Release the burden from their shoulders so that they might rebuild on a better foundation. Heal my loved ones of any and all inflictions. Restore the minds of my elders who may be struggling with reality, time, and place. Free them from the cloud that keeps forming in their minds so that they might truly enjoy their remaining days and years here on Earth.

Help me to be more financially capable of not just taking care of my needs, but to help those who go without. Only You are capable of doing these things and that’s why I am humbly asking You for these blessings, in Jesus’ name. I praise 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.

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

Breaking Bread For 5.14.24

Today’s Theme: Looking Deeper at Our Distorted View of Marriage — With Titles Come Responsibility and Accountability.

Audio Option

https://www.spreaker.com/episode/breaking-bread-for-may-14–59440974

Scripture

“In the same way, husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it—just as Messiah also does His community, because we are members of His body.”
—Ephesians 5:28-30 TLV

Reflection

Let’s pick up where we left off yesterday. Let’s focus on the two things that so many of us resist and try to pass off to other people—responsibility and accountability. We do it often, and let’s stop denying it.

With Titles Come Responsibility and Accountability

Your title as husband or wife means nothing if you aren’t living according to God’s vision. The husband and wife are only honored in their positions if they are walking in God’s Light and deserving of the position. They must both be worthy of support and worthy of being followed. God determines our worth and rightness. If we’re not leading like Christ, then we won’t have true support from our spouse. The two must work together in God’s love, with the purpose and mission of being the example of Christ.

We must be shining examples of God’s bride, not Satan’s whore.

That sounds harsh, doesn’t it? Well, truth be told, it is. Let’s stop sugar-coating things. We have too many people casually getting married, adding children to dysfunctional arrangements, and then blowing up everything through nasty divorces. Then we wonder why people are rejecting the idea of marriage and parenthood. We have more people opting out because there are so many jacked-up examples of what not to do.

We aren’t taking marriage and parenting seriously.

That’s because God’s not the All-in-All of our lives and relationships. He’s the fallback default option for a quick reboot when our signal is buffering. You know, when you quickly unplug and replug or flip the switch off, then on, and you cross your fingers and hope all will be well. We never fix the issues; we just keep trying to find a new service provider or spend our days complaining. We don’t realize we’ve been tapping into a bootlegged or counterfeit source. If we weren’t so self-absorbed, we would see God as our one and only true Source, not just a convenient option we find on the FAQ page or 1-800 hotline.

As I said in my previous posts, I explore this and more in my Seek Him book series, be sure to find out more by visiting DOMELifePublishing.com

Prayer

Father, only You know my heart and what’s in it. You know what I desire and what I need. You are my Source, Provider, and my Protector. I am me because of You. I ask for forgiveness for each time I live my life different than what I profess. I apologize for not taking full responsibility for my actions and for resisting accountability so that I can be aligned fully with You. I’m sorry that I place more power in my fears than my faith in You. While You hold me accountable and tell me to look within, the enemy tells me to doubt You. I apologize for every instant when I doubt You and choose to do things my way. I want my confidence to rest solely in You.

Father, I want to walk with You with a boldness that can’t be shaken and an obedience that can’t be questioned. Help me Father to see the fear and act anyway, to push towards my truth in You, so that I never have to live a lie. I pray for discernment and clarity to see all people and situations as You do, so that I’m not operating from lack or confusion. I humbly pray to You with gratitude in my heart. 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

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

Breaking Bread For 5.13.24

Today’s Theme: Marriage Preparation, Roles, and Responsibilities [Continued Deep-Dive into Ephesians 5]

Audio Option

https://www.spreaker.com/episode/breaking-bread-for-may-13–59440978

Scripture

Introduction

Yesterday, I shared a layer of information for greater insight as to why portions of the letters from Paul to the Ephesians, Corinthians, and others have continued to cause confusion and conflict in the church, community, and our homes. The same is true of some parts written in the letters identified as 1 John through 3 John.

Why do some of these authors’ words keep the riptides of chaos churning? Why do men and women, husbands and wives, boyfriends and girlfriends keep tussling over the language, interpretation, and perceptions drawn from these and other letters? Remember what I said yesterday; context is required for perfect understanding.

Let’s go back to what many people would call the beginning of mankind, what others would call the beginning of the Israelite genealogy, or what some would simply call a great cautionary tale. Let’s look at the foundation of our issues—the screwup in the Garden of Eden.

Adam, Eve & The Curse That Haunts???

For those of you who read the book of Genesis, you know that it is said that God cursed the serpent, Adam, and Eve (Chavah) for their sins committed in the Garden of Eden. The curse on Adam and Eve created friction and struggle between husband and wife, where there would be difficulty in unity—just as God later disrupted the plans for the Tower of Babel through the separation of the people and division of their languages. You can’t bypass God to get what you think you’re entitled to.

Adam and Eve chose flesh and to reason within their mind without deferring to and reconciling all with God. Neither took responsibility for their decisions. Eve blamed the serpent for her failure, and Adam blamed God and Eve for his. Even with Eve making a choice that went against God, Adam had a choice to hold her accountable and defer to God—choosing obedience to Him over the temptation of the flesh. God created them to be partners, stewarding and managing together. However, they were to be united under one Mind, His. They were to put Him first above all things, including each other. They didn’t choose Him. They listened to the serpent. They put self before Him, flesh before Him. So cursed they became.

This is still our struggle today.

If we’re to break the curse, we need to remember who we are and how we’re to live and love God, ourselves, and each other. We have to remember our original design, purpose, and relationship. We have to live putting God first and always and deferring to Him in all matters. Then we must live accordingly and with accountability. Tomorrow, let’s dig deeper into what that truly means. Until then, let’s begin to wrap up our time today with some reminders.

If You’re Married or Engaged

If you are married, engaged (or planning to be), then you must remember that you are not the master of your spouse. You are not their god. If you can’t see them and treat them as equal partners, not just in the division of labor but in matters of the heart, then you need to turn to God for redirection. And just as you aren’t their master, their lord, their god—they aren’t yours. You are not the tail that they wag and vice versa. We will dive deeper into this in a day or so.

MANAGING OUTSIDERS

When it comes to people outside of your marriage, you must remember that no other person should ever have priority over your spouse. They should never ever be in a position where they could cause disruption on any level in your relationship. They shouldn’t have access to you like your spouse does. There shouldn’t be a familiarity and intimacy that even comes close to what you share with your spouse. You are responsible for creating, reinforcing, and maintaining healthy boundaries.

Just like you don’t want Satan involved in your relationship with God, keep that raggedy jerk out of your love life with your spouse. Satan might tempt you, but you choose to be faithful or stray. You can only entertain the temptation if you’re giving him your attention. Remember Adam and Eve. They got it wrong.

If You’re Single and Want Marriage

If you aren’t married or engaged yet, but you’re thinking about one day making that leap—begin living your life like you’re an honorable and faithful husband/wife. Be that faithful bride of Christ. Be what you dream of receiving. Begin living with those reminders that I just shared above for married and engaged people. Look at this as a long-term boot camp. Your heart and mind need to be dialed in, aligned, and prepared for the attacks that will come your way. You will be tempted, but are you relying on God or your own devices to see you through?

Give God your whole heart so that it can be aligned with another heart that complements yours and yours, theirs. If you’re looking for a person to complete you, then you need to postpone marriage until you either allow God to fill your gaps— or rely on Him to get things done along the way. Don’t think that marriage can fix you or the person you love. Just like children can’t fill those holes, neither can your spouse. It comes down to you and God working it all out deep down in the trenches. So make sure you’re in this to win this soldier!

What We All Must Do

Even if you have no desire to marry or remarry, you play a role in this construct and how it’s portrayed. We all must rewire our thinking about marriage and this narrative that plays out as man ruling woman and woman sheepishly slaving to man as though she’s a farm animal. Also, stop seeing marriage as a man being the sole provider of all things and in all ways to the woman. It puts both in a position of lack.

It isolates and separates both people. It leaves you vulnerable to attacks by the enemy. It’s a recipe for disaster. It also contradicts the Genesis narrative, the story of the Proverbs 31 wife, and numerous examples compiled in the Bible and other religious texts. As I reveal and explore in my Seek Him book series, nothing in that distorted arrangement I mentioned (that people keep pandering) looks like God and His marriage design. We have perverted it. We have cheapened it.

Just as someone doubted the words that God spoke through the prophets and chose to modify to their liking—someone has done the same by doubting God’s desire for man and woman to rule this Earth as equals, side-by-side, with woman representing the true intention behind the word “ezer” and not what man devalued it to be. If God used the word “ezer” to describe Himself, then why have we perverted its meaning and chosen instead to use it to make the woman small and insignificant? It’s because of what’s in the hearts and minds of man, and if God’s not in it, then we know it just ain’t right!

That means we must realign and get back to where God wants us. God did not bring you together as a couple for you to neglect, abuse, belittle, take advantage of, and hurt each other. That’s not the type of relationship He wants to have with you, so it can’t be what he wants for you and another. You must choose to either follow God or the “enemy.” You can pray for healing and do your part for restoration, or do nothing and watch everything wither and die. It’s your choice. We have options. So choose!

Tomorrow’s Message

I look forward to tomorrow’s chat. I will warn you now it may sting some of you a little harder than others. The truth has that effect, like rubbing alcohol on an exposed sore. Just breathe through it. I’ve been praying on it. I got a little anxious, but I reminded myself to breathe and let go to let God!

Prayer Prep

I want you to read the prayer below with passion and conviction. Even if you aren’t in a relationship right now. Pray it with a focus on your future. Pray with an understanding that you are first and always His bride. Declare God’s love and protection over you, your significant other, your relationship with them, and your relationship with God!

Prayer

Father, I pray that Your love, as demonstrated through and by Your son Jesus Christ, touches and warms my heart and the heart of the one I love—that we treat and love each other the way You love us, and how we should love ourselves. I pray that we put in the time and care to nurture each other the way that we are supposed to care for and protect our own bodies; that when we see something is wrong we work together, with You, to do everything in our power to make things right—surrendering what we can’t, to You.

Father, I want to protect and be protected, with a focus on protecting our relationship with You and our union together. It is my belief, Father, that no one should be able to penetrate a relationship, when a couple is united in Your love, and devoted to living the life You have gifted. It is our choice to let that person in. It is our choice to give into temptation. I pray that we keep our eyes and hearts focused on You, Lord. Keep us pointed in the right direction Father. I praise You today and each day. 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.

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

Breaking Bread For 5.12.24

Today’s Theme: Providing Context About Husbands and Wives

Audio Option

https://www.spreaker.com/episode/breaking-bread-for-may-12–59440975

Scripture

Reflection

I’m going to come at this from a different approach, and I think I will focus on this part of Ephesians 5 for the next few days. It represents a part in the letter where Paul is writing about accountability, honor, and walking in alignment with God, just as Jesus did. When we get to lines 21 through 33, we see this interwoven blend of simile and metaphor to help the men and women of the “community” (what we now call the congregation or the church) be reminded of how they were to treat each other just as Jesus treated people, to unify in God just as Jesus did. If they learned how to regard, respect, hold accountable, follow, and lead each other just like Jesus did, then they would be in alignment—just as Jesus taught and demonstrated.

Context is Everything

When you don’t take this and other letters written by Paul (and others) into historical, cultural, geographic, and spiritual context—you not only pervert the meaning and intent, you downright lose it. There was a lot of chaos and confusion while the people were in exile, being ruled over by the Romans and highly influenced by the Greeks and their gods. There’s a mishmash of ideologies. You have devout Jews mixed in with those who “dabbled” in the faith, along with others who initially worshiped Greek and other gods. So this, of course, caused discord and disharmony amongst the early flock of converts. You have some congregants who were devoted only to Paul, some only to this person and that person, and so some people were drawing lines declaring their allegiance to one over the other— saying, “Well, Paul said…” Just like you may say, “Well, Pastor/Bishop said…”

But what did God say?

I dive deeply into this in my Seek Him book series. Volume 2 and Workbook 2 are designed to push you past your comfort zone and what you think you know. Volume 3 and Workbook 3 are packed with tools that will help you never look back to your old way of thinking and living.

Tomorrow, let’s explore a little more. See you then!

Prayer

Father, I praise You for today, another day to learn and grow. I ask for discernment and clarity, to know You and Your voice and presence above all others, and to distinguish my will from Yours. Father, point me in the right direction so that I may always seek, find, and share the truth, not revise or hide it.

I pray to always remain faithful and in my lane, not trying to do Your work. Forgive me for when I step out of line. Forgive me when I forget my role and purpose. Forgive me when I think I have the right to dictate to and control others. Check my heart Father. I serve only You. 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.

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

Breaking Bread For 5.11.24

Today’s Theme: Truth and Lies

Audio Option

https://www.spreaker.com/episode/breaking-bread-for-may-11–59440981

Scripture

For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth.

2 Corinthians 13:8

Reflection

No matter how we try to look at things, only in truth can goodness come our way. You can’t dress up a lie and make it the truth. You cannot pretend that what you’re saying and doing is right in God’s eyes. God will always uncover your false image and show it for what it truly is—so free yourself from days, months, and years of trying to remember your lie and instead opt to speak truthfully to and of all people, situations, and circumstances.

CLARIFICATION

Now let me be clear, telling a lie to protect the innocent is not the same as telling a lie to protect the guilty. Hiding innocent people to prevent them from being victims of rape, murder, genocide, deportation, trafficking, slavery, and other cruelty—that’s not the same thing as protecting a person who is guilty of committing these cruel acts. You’re telling a lie about the innocent person’s whereabouts to protect the truth, to allow the truth to shine, and to prevent the lies from destroying more lives. So when you continue reading this message, be mindful of this clarifying point.

Lot lied to the Sodomites to protect the two angels that were inside his home. That’s not the same as lying to protect someone you know who is guilty of hurting people. In that instance, you aren’t fighting for the truth; you’re protecting the lie. You are an accomplice after the fact. Make sense?

Now that we’re clear and on the same page, let’s continue….

WHO’S LYING TO YOU?

We navigate through this world knowing that we’re being lied to and conned by governments, politicians, law enforcement, businesses, scientists, and, sadly, even religious leaders. Then it goes deeper and darker when we go inside our homes. We don’t know what to believe because we’re constantly being fed lies. The majority of what you see and hear on social media are lies. People are marketing and peddling lies that they want you to believe as truth. We’re being spammed with lies via text and email.

WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO COMBAT LIES?

It’s sad that we have to go to a fact-checking website to see if what is reported on the news, announced in a press conference, or shared online, is a lie or the truth. What’s truly depressing is the fact that the majority of people don’t either know, have access to, or choose not to use these websites to get the truth. If you have access to and get the information, you have a responsibility to share it and ask that others do the same. If you have access and choose not to get the facts, then you choose to be ignorant, and that is not a defense.

You are choosing to take part in the lies. However, if you don’t have access to fact-checking sources, then you don’t know what you don’t know. You are left vulnerable to finding out the truth the hard way. If you’re reading this, then you have access. Just search online for fact-checking sources. Or do a term search and type “fact check” before or after the subject matter.

BUT WHO ARE YOU WILLING TO FACT-CHECK?

So how many of you are fact-checking your religious leaders when they stand before you preaching and professing what they say is the truth?

Are you grabbing your Bibles, concordance, or other religious texts to ask the probing questions and confirm the context shared? Are you searching online and seeking out credible sources to confirm that leader’s claims? Or do you gullibly ingest and embed that information as truth? How do you know they aren’t telling you lies? How do you know that they aren’t just “talking out the side of their neck,” as the old saying goes? You believe it because they said it.

Ironic, though, because Jesus said a lot and lived his life a certain way, both of which you don’t fully align with and follow. God speaks daily to you, every moment of the day, guiding and redirecting you, and you choose to do your own thing. Why does your human leader have a greater influence on you? Just something to think about and possibly get right with…

LET’S LOOK IN THE MIRROR

We’re not only being told lies; we’re also the ones telling lies. We’re lying to strangers, managers, our loved ones, and to ourselves. We are the biggest liars because we lie about how we’re feeling, what we’re doing, what we’re thinking, how we spend our time and the life we’re living. We lie about how much money we have and how we spend it, where we’re going, and where we’re coming from. Some people lie so much that they lie about stuff that doesn’t even require a lie—it’s what we would call “senseless lies.” It simply doesn’t make any sense to lie about it, but they do it. We’re also teaching our children how to lie. Yep, we’re reproducing more liars to crank through this toxic cycle.

OUR TEACHERS AND WHAT WE’RE TAUGHT

We were taught to lie, usually by our first teachers—our family. Then outside of our home, we are groomed by more liars—our teachers, school administrators, neighbors, etc. The irony (and hypocrisy) is that liars demand honesty and loyalty, but how can you trust an untrustworthy person?

Do you not find it disturbing that we chastise people who always tell the truth, no matter what? We call it “brutal honesty” and say that they have “no filter” because they won’t package the truth in a way that is more palatable to the recipients. If you can’t sugar-coat the truth, then we would rather you tell a lie, and then we will downplay it by calling it a “little white lie.”

THE TRUTH

The truth is, a lie is a lie, and we’ve all done it. I’m guilty of it. I’ve lied about some things that I later carried around in my shame bag. I had to forgive myself for not only telling the lies but believing it necessary to do so because I needed to protect or disguise something I had done and didn’t want anyone to know. The lie was to cover a wrong I or someone else had committed.

Two wrongs don’t ever make a right. The only way a negative and negative will equal a positive is when you reveal the truth about those negatives. I had to make myself a promise to not put myself in situations that could tempt me to tell lies to protect myself or someone else from punishment. If I’m doing wrong, then lying about it won’t make it right.

We harm more than just ourselves when we tell lies. We eat away at our relationships. We breed next-generation liars and then complain about their corruption. Our compounded lies continue to destroy the fabric of society. We continue to feed the enemy and give in to the enemy’s plot to snatch our souls for its gain. If we’re God’s ambassadors, His soldiers, then we need to fight and destroy lies with Truth. We achieve victory with Truth. We build God’s Kingdom with Truth. We bring people out of the darkness with Truth. We heal and redeem nations with Truth. We demand the Truth, live by the Truth, and refuse to disseminate lies of any kind.

It does not matter if it is in a personal or professional relationship; tell the truth. Don’t sacrifice others for selfish gains—because, in the end, you will always fall short of winning. As long as we feed lies with lies, we will be slaves to lies. Let’s be free in Truth-seeking, Truth-speaking, Truth-sharing, and Truth-living. Just as God created us!

Prayer

Father, I seek the Truth in all matters of my life, and I desire to tell the Truth even if it may hurt someone’s feelings. I know that in the Truth all things are right, all people are equal, and all situations can be resolved. If I am to walk in Your Light, Father, it can only be in Truth revealed and ever-present.

Push those fears out of me, that would have me convinced that telling a lie or keeping a secret based on a lie, is far better than honesty. Help me to see that disappointing You far outweighs anything I could ever imagine. I want to do my part to be a protector of the innocent and a catalyst for change, in Truth. Only in Your Truth shall I receive peace. Only in Your Truth is there freedom. 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.

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

Breaking Bread For 5.10.24

Today’s Theme: Honoring Our Parents

Audio Option

https://www.spreaker.com/episode/breaking-bread-for-may-10–59440968

Scripture

“Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise—”so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”

Ephesians 6:2-3

Reflection

I am grateful for God blessing me with my parents. I’m grateful for my childhood and the times we shared, the lessons learned, and their stern hand that kept me from danger. I’m grateful for the times I get to share with my mom, the lessons that I continue to learn, and the wisdom that she imparts to assist me. I thank my mom for taking care of herself while she carried me in her womb and for taking care of our family so our bond could be unbreakable. I’m grateful for every single day that God gives me and blesses me with my mom.

I thank my father for his role in bringing me into this world, for taking care of our family, and for the lessons, he taught me—some I’m finally learning now. Even though he transitioned from this life, he is always a part of me, always with me, and I’m grateful to God for that blessing. I thank my parents for their sacrifices so that I may live a better life than they did. I will honor them every day of my life. My parents are a blessing to me!

FOR THOSE WHO STRUGGLE WITH THIS

Some of you don’t have fond memories of one or both of your parents or those good memories have been hijacked with bad ones—so every time you think of something good, a bad memory floods the entire space. Some of you are estranged from your parents, or you never knew them. You could have built an internal wall to try and block any loving feelings that try to creep in. Maybe you have chosen to harden your heart towards one or both parents. But that’s not what God wants.

God said to honor your father and mother so that you can enjoy long life on Earth. He didn’t say to honor your father and mother only if they were present in your life or only if they treated you right. Let God handle any grievances that you have with your parents. They are His children. He made them, and He’s responsible for molding and correcting them. If one or both were abusive, neglectful, controlling, mean, selfish, or absent, then God has those issues covered. You must try to forgive them for not seeing the gift that is within you and the gift that is within them. They are or were operating out of lack, and so lack is what you got in return.

Don’t pass on that lack to others. If you spend your life dwelling on what a parent did or didn’t do, then you never get to enjoy life blessing the lives of other people and children—especially your own. You don’t get to see your full potential to love, forgive, and be forgiven. You unknowingly set yourself up to be as negligent as they were to you. By honoring them, as God directs you to, you break the cycle and create a healthy one.

Here’s something else to consider:

Honoring your parents can also mean being more loving, patient, kind, considerate, nurturing, and supportive to people than they were to you. You evolve to where they didn’t, but without spite and malice in your heart. It’s not about pointing out their flaws and being obsessed with being better than them. Instead, grow to see their deficiencies and understand that they didn’t grow to where you are, but they helped bring you into this world, and now you’re able to do what they could only dream of. Maybe, their lack is because they had experienced lack as a child and didn’t know how to positively process it, so they passed that lack on to you. You have a choice—continue the cycle or do what God asks of you.

FOR ALL OF US…OUR JOURNEY

Your journey, mission, and calling are not about them. It’s about you. How you see them and treat them is about you, not them. God is looking at your heart just like He’s looking at theirs. He’s dealing with them just like He’s dealing with you.

Think about it, honoring our parents positions us to be honored parents (or parental figures to children who need us most). If your heart is hardened towards one or both parents, how can it be completely available to love and nurture others? How can it fully express love to your significant other, children, and others? If part of your heart is closed off, then it’s not fully accessible. God’s heart is always accessible to us in all Its fullness. He wants the same for us. Be the change you want to see!

Prayer

Father, thank You for my human parents. Thank You for blessing me with life and love. Even in rough times when I didn’t see eye-to-eye with one or both parents, I’m grateful for the lessons that I learned. I thank my parents for some of my mannerisms, the characteristics we share, and the ability to look in the mirror and see them.

Father, thank You for making it possible for me to have these parents and to learn from them—what to do and what not to do. Even when I had doubt, even when I wished I, or You could make some changes—I thank You for my mother and father because my life with them has helped mold and shape me into the person I am 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.

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

Breaking Bread For 5.9.24

Today’s Theme: Singing For the Lord

Audio Option

Please click on the audio player below to listen to today’s message. You can fast-forward past the intro and get straight to the message by clicking the play button, and then the 30-second fast-forward button on the audio player. Thank you!

https://www.spreaker.com/episode/breaking-bread-for-may-9–59440972

Scripture

Shout for joy to the lord, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music;

Psalm 98:4

Reflection

If you don’t feel like dancing and singing right now, then you haven’t looked close enough at the blessings you have received today and over the years. Assess your gifts, large and small, and then rejoice. Think of God’s mercy and grace in your life. You didn’t earn the favor; God gave it because He loves you and wants the best for you. I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to dance, sing, and shout with joy!

Prayer

Father, I love You. I am so grateful and filled with joy. I want the world to know my love for You and how good You have been to me. Thank You for everything, Lord. 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.

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

Breaking Bread For 5.8.24

Today’s Theme: Don’t Test God

Audio Option

https://www.spreaker.com/episode/breaking-bread-for-may-8–59440965

Special Note

Today’s message is an excerpt from Day 186 in my book, Seek Him, Volume 2: Going Beyond Your Spiritual Comfort Zone. The theme of the message is “Don’t Test God.” We’re only covering the scripture, reflection, and prayer. To read the rest of today’s message from the book, you will need to read your copy of the book.

You can acquire my book, the companion workbook, and the other books that make up the Seek Him series by searching for their titles online and at local retailers. Links are available here on my BBWN blog. You can also visit DOMELifePublishing.com

Scripture

And Jesus answered him, “It is said, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’” And when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from him until an opportune time. And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and a report about him went out through all the surrounding country.

—Luke 4:12-14 ESV

Reflection

Whether it be a person or thing that tempts us, we know right from wrong— we know what is of God and what is a mirage invented by the father of lies. We need to stop lying to ourselves and saying that “It must be a blessing from God if this is happening to me.” The flesh is weak, and the only solution is God and His Son, Jesus Christ. Let our eyes not stray from the path. Let us not risk all that we have worked for just to have a moment or more in bliss. Let us not risk an eternal life in harmony because of a desire for forbidden fruit. We know when God has told us no. If we ignore Him, then we are testing Him.

When we walk with temptation and not with God, we are walking with the enemy who says, “Just live a little. Doesn’t it feel good?” What we don’t realize is that our judgment is clouded, and within that ecstasy is a kill switch that will bring pain; it will tear down the foundation we built within God’s grace. What we don’t realize is that the temptation will destroy everything you value most. It will rip apart your family, cripple your career, stomp on your dignity and esteem, and sit back and watch you slither on your belly in pain. Ask yourself if this temporary pleasure you are enjoying now is worth the long-term pain in the future?

Is it worth seeing your loved ones in pain? Is it worth displeasing God and Jesus? We must fight for our lives. We must fight for our souls. Don’t lose a position in God’s Kingdom. Don’t test God. Don’t try to outsmart your Creator. Don’t let the temporal sacrifice your eternal.

Prayer

Father, I know that I am never free and clear from the path of the “liar.” I know that temptation will never be in my past. I know that my mind and heart must always be focused on You, praying to You, and devoted to You if I am to fight in this war. Father, please strengthen me. Keep my eyes focused on You. Remove people from my life that serve no purpose other than to tempt me, distract me, take my focus off of You, Father. When they walk before me, Lord, whisper in my ear to walk away. Give me the words to say to resist them.

Give me the strength to resist the feelings inside and the desire to “test the waters.” Give me the wisdom to know that You know all, see all and have power over all; the wisdom to know that I can never be equal to You, smarter than You, or more powerful than You. Give me the strength to overcome the lust of things I don’t need—the things that could ultimately harm me or pull me off Your path. Father, please surround me with Your presence. Fill me with Your love and discipline. I don’t want to test You, Father. I don’t want to give in to the lies and temptation. I want to live honorably in Your sight, as Jesus exemplified. I only want to serve You, Father. In Your Name, there is grace. 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.

Love,

Natasha

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

Breaking Bread For 5.7.24

Today’s Theme: Power in Words

Audio Option

https://www.spreaker.com/episode/breaking-bread-for-may-7–59440970

Special Note

Today’s message is an excerpt from Day 161 in my book, Seek Him, Volume 2: Going Beyond Your Spiritual Comfort Zone. The theme of the message is “Power in Words.” We’re only covering the scripture, reflection, and prayer. To read the rest of today’s message from the book, you will need to read your copy of the book.

Scripture

The tongue that heals is a tree of life, but a devious tongue breaks the spirit.

—Proverbs 15:4 HCSB

Reflection

Sometimes you say something and realize later the impact of your words. You can never take back the things that you say about yourself or others. Thinking before we speak is not just a casual reminder. It’s intended to embed in your mind and heart to be loving, compassionate, thoughtful, and understanding. Even in your worst moments. Even to those who may not be loving towards you. What you say about yourself and others can one day come true, whether good or bad. Remember that!

Over the years, I have admitted on my BreakingBreadWithNatasha.com blog that I’ve been struggling with the words that come from my mouth—at times, using profanity ignorantly to convey a message. I say ignorantly because I know when and how not to use profanity. I don’t do it around my elders, in church, in the workplace, or around children. I know how to express my frustration, disappointment, and pain without cursing. So why do I do it? I can tell you some rational- lies, but the truth is, there are times when I’m choosing to be verbally lazy, refusing to be thoughtful with my words, or easily tempted to use words I know can harm and offend. We can try to say that words don’t have meaning and power by themselves, that we give them meaning and power.

Mmmkay…try justifying that to God. I am a hypocrite if I say that I want to be an ambassador for Christ, but I can easily cuss like a truck driver while justifying that it’s “Not all of the time, just some time.” There is great power in the words you speak, especially when God has called on you to do great things for His glory. Every time I make exceptions to God’s rules and expectations, I am giving into temptation. I’m not going to make excuses for my speech, I’m just going to work to watch my tongue.

Prayer

Father, touch my heart so that I think before I speak. I don’t want to say anything that will intentionally harm another person, bring negativity upon me, or disappoint You. Help me to stop speaking negatively about myself. Remind me that every time I speak negatively about myself, I am speaking to You about Your creation. In turn, I’m disrespecting You. I don’t want to disrespect You Father.

I know that the tongue is mightier than the sword. Always lovingly remind me of this. I pray that times I’m about to slip and say something unbecoming, that the Holy Spirit intervenes so that I may correct my speech. I want to speak healing into myself and others. I don’t want to break my spirit or anyone else’s. I want to be firmly rooted in You. Father, I love You and thank You for loving me, protecting me, and molding me. 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.

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

Breaking Bread For 5.6.24

Today’s Theme: Rejoice in God’s Blessings

Audio Option

https://www.spreaker.com/episode/breaking-bread-for-may-6–59440969

Scripture

Light shines on the righteous and joy on the upright in heart.

Psalm 97:11

Reflection

The Lord is excellent in all of His glory. God has healed you from affliction. He has brought you through troubled times. He has made sure you had sustenance to survive and the right mind to understand and follow His ways. You should want to shout from the rooftops how much you love the Lord. You should want to walk up and hug every person you see and say, “God is good.” That’s how joyful you should feel right now. You are alive, loved, and blessed to have the technology to read and hear this message. Isn’t He awesome?

Your heart should be full, and in that fullness, you should want to pour into others His goodness. He brings joy. Share it with others.

Did you notice that the verse says “upright in heart” and not upright in mind? It’s not what you think or profess; it’s what comes from your heart. That is the lie detector. That is the scale, the measurer. Our heart reflects the condition of our relationship with Him.

Today, take the time to tell someone how good God has been to you. Consider doing something that will positively touch another person’s life so that they, too, can feel God’s love, light, joy, and presence. Don’t do it for recognition. Do it because God is in you.

Prayer

Father, thank You for the blessings that I have already received and for those I know will come, not because I earned them, but because You keep Your promises. You are my Comforter and my Beacon. I rejoice and proudly testify to my countless healings and blessings that were only made possible by and through You, Lord. Cast Your Light on me, Father. Fill my heart with loving gladness. 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.

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

Breaking Bread For 5.5.24

Today’s Theme: Waiting Patiently to Claim Your Promised Land

Audio Option

https://www.spreaker.com/episode/breaking-bread-for-may-5–59440964

Scripture

See, the lord your God has given you the land. Go up and take possession of it as the lord, the God of your ancestors, told you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.

Deuteronomy 1:21

Reflection

God has told you that He will take you to the promised land, but instead of turning left as instructed, you have turned right, and out of frustration, you cry out to Him for guidance. Lovingly, God tells you that He showed you the way and even gave you the skills to read the map given to you—but your ego, pride, fear, impatience, arrogance, and insecurities blinded your vision—and now you are off course and in, for you, an unchartered area.

What you don’t see is that the promised land is so very close, but you need God to get there. There is no success without God. There is no victory without God. Your goals, plans, dreams, and bills can’t be met without God.

As I push through my fears, which is a lifelong journey—but one that becomes more bearable and maneuverable — when you learn to let go and trust in God more to show you the way and to catch you when you fall—I know that no matter what I’m going through today, and no matter how much pain and insecurity that I feel, God has never forsaken me. I know that He has angels watching over me. I know that when no one else loves me unconditionally, that He has, does, and always will. He has a life for me that’s ready for me to claim. All I have to do is open my eyes, take that step, reach out, and make it mine. All you have to do is do the same for every opportunity and blessing that He provides you.

I love all of you. Those I know and those who only know me through this Breaking Bread message. I love you because we are all God’s children. I love you because just as I want and need love, peace, and security, so do you. We are brothers and sisters in a kingdom that is struggling with double-mindedness. Together we will uplift each other into the perfect examples of our Father as He first created us. Embrace your day, life, and identity. God bless you and keep you!

Prayer

Father, You have placed before me countless opportunities to claim as mine. Some I have seized ahold to while others I was too afraid to claim. Father, I thank You for my blessings. I thank You for Your patience as You wait for me to walk in and by faith, and not be frozen in place by fear. Thank You for patiently waiting for me to have the courage to claim what is rightfully mine, because You made it so.

Daily, I pray to You for Your grace and mercy as I push through my fears and cast them to the side. Father, I can see the promised future. I can see my victories. I can see a life filled with joy and the ability to rise, smile, and see my way through any situation, because I know that You are with me. I want to claim what You have said is mine. I want to claim the life You have envisioned and set forth for me. I want to honor and glorify You, through the ups and downs. I love 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.

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

Breaking Bread For 5.4.24

Today’s Theme: Submission to God or the Status Quo of the World

Audio Option

https://www.spreaker.com/episode/breaking-bread-for-may-4–59440973

Scripture

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.

James 4:7-8,10

Reflection

Yesterday could have been rough for you, but today does not have to be your yesterday, especially if you trust and rely on God to help you see your way through. In my last message, which focused on Job 9, I said we should smile when faced with heartache, grief, turmoil, pain, setbacks, and disappointments. Because those may be facts, but they aren’t your truth. We should rejoice in the Lord for the triumph we know is coming. We should smile for being blessed with yet another day to demonstrate His goodness, grace, and mercy.

Sometimes, we have to make difficult decisions to stay within the status quo of man or to follow God. Sometimes, we grow content with accepting the ongoing pain of living in the flesh that we don’t even consider the pleasure we receive from living in God’s Light. We must learn to love God above all else, including ourselves. We don’t want the pain and friction caused by God molding us, but we don’t realize that we are causing that pain and friction because we simply won’t let go and give ourselves up to Him.

So yes, when we resist, the molding process is more difficult. But ironically, we have less of a problem enduring the pain received in personal and professional relationships—in those instances, we can quickly make excuses and try to find ways to compromise or totally acquiesce. We are double-minded and not fully loyal to our Heavenly Father. We must choose which life we want to lead. We must choose whom we will follow, trust, and obey. If we don’t surrender to God, the molding process only becomes more intense.

Jesus

Everyone wants to be like the disciples who had an easy escape exit, but who wants the responsibility of truly carrying the cross like Jesus? Who wants to walk as Jesus did? I’m not talking about having hangers-on and followers who blindly cheerlead and applaud all that you do. That is not and was not Jesus’s path and demonstration.

Remember, there were more than 100 disciples, and he selected 12 (with double-mindedness even in some of them) to be responsible for carrying on his work. The 12 also symbolized the 12 tribes of Israel. We read about their time spent with Jesus, but consider all of the time he spent alone talking to God, meditating on his calling, contemplating things—we don’t have written records of that. We have no clue what Jesus really had to endure, the fears he had to overcome, the tears that poured out of him as he wondered why he was chosen to make such a huge sacrifice for people who would probably backslide once he left (which most did). We don’t know the doubt and frustration that would creep up inside of him.

I can say that I only wish I had the faith he had (to stand in support of God’s plan and walk with Him), courage (to do what hadn’t been done), discipline (to not be distracted), and discernment (to navigate through the smoke and mirrors of this world).

Moses

Can you imagine surrendering and giving yourself to God, knowing that tomorrow you will not be here with your loved ones? Just like Moses knew that he would never enter the Promised Land, his mission was to get the children of Israel to a certain point, and then Joshua would lead them the rest of the way.

To know when your last day on earth will be must be frightening. At the same time, it makes you appreciate more of life’s experiences and your mission and purpose along the way. That is why many people say, “Live your life each day as though it is your last.” With that, I send my love to each of you and pray for your peace and protection, and hope that you also pray for mine.

Prayer

Father, I pray to release my burdens, fears and doubt to You. I know You’re trying to mold me, and I keep trying to dictate the process. I know You’re trying to direct my path, and I keep resisting and following man and not You. I want to let go. Father, free me from my shackles of double-mindedness and over-analysis. I pray for the discernment to know Your voice from any other and the belief and knowledge that Your answer is always the right one. In Your Name, I humbly 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.

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

Breaking Bread For 5.3.24

Today’s Theme: Lessons to Learn From the Story of Job

Audio Option

https://www.spreaker.com/episode/breaking-bread-for-may-3–59440971

Scripture

If I say, ‘I will forget my complaint, I will change my expression, and smile,’ I still dread all my sufferings, for I know you will not hold me innocent. Since I am already found guilty, why should I struggle in vain?

Job 9:27-29

Reflection

[Transcript From Breaking Bread With Natasha Podcast]

Okay, folks, let’s get deep into this story of Job. If you can, grab your Bible and something to take notes. There’s some Old Testament, New Testament, old school, new school, and modern-day tie-ins that we’re to analyze, learn, and apply from our study of this story. Whether you believe the man and story to be truth or fiction, it really doesn’t matter. What matters is what you get and apply from the story.

Job hit some pretty rough patches and super deep valleys, and there were some nail-biting moments where you can’t help but say, “Whew, I’m glad I’m not Job…” or “I don’t think I could’ve survived that.” You might even find yourself wondering, “Uh, why did God allow Satan to test and torment Job for so long and with such great intensity?”

In Job 9, we read his counterargument to Bildad the Shuhite, one of his three friends, who was trying to speak some sense into Job (read chapter 8), and although Bildad said that God restores the righteous, he (along with Eliphaz and Zophar) had been taught that God only punished or allowed to be punished, people who were guilty of sin.

They couldn’t believe Job when he repeatedly said he was innocent and hadn’t sinned. Even if their minds could conceive that the attack was by Satan (which readers of this story know to be true), they still would think that somehow Job deserved it if God hadn’t immediately intervened and restored him (which is what many people still think today). In their minds and reasoning, Job just needed to repent to God, atone for his sins, and then all would be well. Which, too, is what many of us say and believe; because it must be that we’re overlooking a sin, we still have something to prove to God, and that’s why we’re not living a life of peace, harmony, enlightenment, and abundance.

Some people wonder what they “did to deserve” a life of extreme poverty and violence. Society still has a tendency to blame or shame the victims of rape, molestation, trafficking, and other cruelties. What do we hear people say, “Well, what did they do to cause that to happen?” Or “Well, what was she wearing when she got raped?” We’ve continued to build an argument that one sin must have triggered the bigger sin.

But it’s not just the external acts of other humans that lead us to question guilt or innocence. Think about people facing life-threatening diagnoses and prognoses who wonder what they did to deserve this. There are people who wonder what they or their innocent child could have possibly done to deserve the agonizing moments when that child suffers through medical treatments and setbacks. Some parents wonder what they did to deserve the death of their young child. Some believe they’re being punished, and they just want to know what they did wrong so they can make it right, so they can be redeemed and restored.

That’s exactly the sentiments of Bildad, Eliphaz, and Zophar.

Job was arguing in chapter 9 that no human is righteous before God. Well, in one part, that is true because no one is the “all-ness” of righteousness— even Jesus corrected disciples that called him good and right, for only God is the fullness of these. But from the stories shared in the Bible, we see that those individuals who chose to put God first were referred to as righteous. They were making the right choice, first and always. We know that Job was righteous because God said so when speaking to Satan (Job 1:1,8 and Job 2:3). But of course, Job nor his friends knew about this conversation. Had Job known, he would’ve buckled down and gritted through, trusting and praising God the entire time. He would want to prove he could successfully pass the tests of Satan to prove the strength of his relationship with God. Just as we would do the same.

We can see the account of Noah, who God called righteous (Gen. 6:9 and Gen. 7:1), but Job could’ve said, “Yeah, but Noah didn’t lose his family or his health and well-being. God protected Noah, all while keeping him intact with his family. I’ve lost everything but my sanity.” There’s several other stories in the Bible, like Daniel and people in the New Testament era, but Job had long passed away before they came around, so I won’t list those references here.

Job argues that no one could lawyer their way through His court of law, as God was the judge, jury, prosecutor, and executioner. He didn’t know that hundreds of years later, Jesus would be the redeemer of his people. But how many of us would be moved by a futuristic prophecy that’s to come at some unknown time? We believe things once we see them, even if it’s too late to change our behavior for redemption. Many of us don’t believe the prophecy of Jesus’s second coming. So, we’ll wait to change once we see his arrival. Hmmm…

Job outlined all of the ways he could think he was right, and God could slam him for being wrong. Job thought God was unfairly, maybe even vindictively, punishing him. How many of us fall into that trapped mindset?

We know that other humans, in their warped sense of entitlement, righteousness, and self-importance, tend to place a heavy weight on their interpretation of justice and who has the authority to exact punishment. But do we think that God switches up and lets the innocent suffer while showing mercy to the wicked?

I mean, let’s back up for a moment. God did authorize Satan to test Job, and through the testing, there was a direct attack. This attack wasn’t for a few days, weeks, or months. We’re talking about years of increasingly more horrific traumas. So Job isn’t far off from the truth, but it’s still not the truth. Job was living in the era where God was punishing the Israelites for their sinful ways, allowing them to live in exile, be conquered by other nations, etc. And we have to be realistic, not all of the people were sinning, but enough of them were to cause them all to be clumped together. Shouldn’t only the sinners be punished? Shouldn’t the ones who remained faithful to God be rewarded and untouched?

In lines 27 through 29, Job gave the example that even if he told God that he would forget the complaint he had about how awful his life was and made the choice to smile and be cheerful, he would still be miserable and in pain because God wouldn’t find him innocent, so if he’s already guilty then what’s the purpose of struggling in vain to prove his innocence? He desperately wanted God to see and acknowledge him as innocent.

Can you see this tie-in to Jesus?

Jesus was pure and innocent yet was tested for years, punished, and suffered greatly by those he was there to redeem. He even sacrificed his life for those who had actually sinned and betrayed God. The people didn’t know that they, too, were being tested.

Satan was the sinner who wanted to attack an innocent person. Satan was jealous and wanted to destroy the relationship Job had with God, just as we read of the torn relationship between God and His children in the Garden of Eden— a plot executed by Satan. Satan even tried to destroy the relationship between Jesus and God, trying to tempt Jesus with all of the trappings most men, then and now, would fall into. If Satan could just get Jesus to bow down and worship him, then the relationship between God and Jesus would’ve been destroyed, as would be the attempt to save and redeem humankind.

Job was in one of those deep levels of shame —in that stage that most of us fall into, and many of us are succumbed. We blame ourselves, others, and even God. We tell ourselves all the ways we are worthless and all of the reasons why God is punishing us. All while not hearing His voice speaking Truth to our lies.

God wants a relationship with us. He wants us to trust Him. He wants us to choose Him first and always, no matter the circumstances. He wants us to be responsible and accountable so we can handle the calling on our lives and the Truth of who and what we are. He wants our focus on faith and hope, not blame and shame. When we choose the latter two options, we blot out in our minds God’s Truth and all that He has said to us and promised us, and we substitute in destructive thoughts that shrink and minimize us. We don’t even realize we are reciting the words being spoken to us by the enemy. There’s a spirit that is actively feeding you that nonsense, and in your overwhelmed and weakened state, your discernment is miscalibrated.

Your horrific circumstances may be facts, but they aren’t your truth.

That’s what Bildad, Eliphaz, and Zophar were desperately trying to help Job see and embrace, but because they, too, didn’t understand God’s will, ways, and heart— they could only partially align their counsel with His Truth. As long as they saw the evidence of Job’s circumstances as being his fault and not a test by Satan of his character and relationship with God, Job would remain in defensive mode and grow more resentful. Job was too consumed by the flesh and what was happening to him in the natural. And who are we to point fingers at him?

I’ve been reading over some old reflections from 2010 through 2012. It’s awkward because it doesn’t feel that long ago, yet it does. I think of the things I was worried and complaining about, and naturally, I compared them to my present, and I won’t lie—some guilt crept in. The things I struggled with then are nothing in comparison to the rollercoaster ride that I was dealing with in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019, and what felt like nonstop loops in years 2021 and 2022. I’m being reminded that through it all, there have only been two constants: God and change.

I’m also reminded of the family members and friends who prayed for me, even when they didn’t fully know what I was going through. They just loved me enough to pray. I noticed that when you pray for others, and you’re open to God’s reality, your problems, issues, and pain seem to be more bearable. You’re not focused on yourself and listening to the voice of the accuser that points out every teeny tiny thing that isn’t ideal, perfect, and right in your life. When you’re focused on someone or something else, you put that voice in time-out.

I don’t know about you, but something else that I experience is when I listen to uplifting music, the sun seems to shine brighter outside, the light on the trees seems to glisten more on the leaves, I begin to notice things that I overlooked, and I can’t help but to smile. I’m not looking for the flaws, I’m not anticipating bad weather, I’m not expecting the “other shoe to drop.” No, as one song pours into another, I fill with hope, gladness, and gratitude.

As we walk through valleys, struggle to climb up mountainsides, get knocked down, and work to get back up, instead of grimacing in the complaint and focusing on what sucks, let’s smile in anticipation of standing in victory and declare it as so.

There is great power in our words. We are literally tapping into God, the Source, and bringing forth that which we speak. We can manifest great things once we understand who and what we are. But even then, we must remember our purpose and place. No matter how much power you can wrangle, God is your provider. He is the Source of all that you have and desire. And no matter how big or small your problem—God is your problem solver. He’s already handled it. He’s just waiting on you to catch up—slow poke!

Wow, now isn’t that something to smile about?

Enjoy this beautiful day, take in all of your blessings, breathe in all of God’s greatness, and smile. This is YOUR experience. It ain’t always pretty, but it’s worth every moment. Live it intentionally!

And take in these words that I pray for me, for you, for us.

Prayer

Father-Mother God, there are days when it gets tough, and my shoulders feel as though they can’t carry much more of the weight. There are days when I feel alone, lost, too uncomfortable to rest, and too tired to think straight. Today, I may walk into all sorts of unknowns, but one thing I will change is my perception that I’m in this alone—for I know, and You have proven countless times that You are always with me.

So today, I set aside my reasons for complaining; I will not obsess over those feelings that build up inside when I’m under attack by others; I will not shrink by the enormity of my circumstances, because there is NOTHING and NO ONE bigger or bolder than YOU. I will set aside those things I cannot change—and instead of complaining and spiraling out of control as though I’m defeated, I will smile and rejoice in gladness, for I am blessed by You, Father.

I know that no matter what I go through and no matter what someone says about me, it’s alright and all good—because You are my strength, shield, shelter, and nurturer. Thank You, Father, for a brand new day and a new outlook. I love You. 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 you all,

Natasha

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

Breaking Bread For 5.2.24

TODAY’S THEME: BUILDING WITH GOD

Audio Option

https://www.spreaker.com/episode/breaking-bread-for-may-2–59440967

Scripture

Unless the LORD builds a house, the work of the builders is wasted. Unless the LORD protects a city, guarding it with sentries will do no good. It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for food to eat; for God gives rest to his loved ones.

Psalm 127:1-2

Reflection

Is God the center of your world, or just a periphery piece that you call on when your way isn’t coming together as planned?

Do you see your ideas as yours alone, or do you see them as deposits from God that you’re to steward? Can you see the ways that God makes all things possible and all of the ways that your interference delays what‘s waiting for you? You keep trying to do things your way; how’s that working out for you?

Do you see Him as your Source, or do you think that life solely or primarily requires your exerted energy? You can work from sunrise to sunset and beyond, but if God didn’t make provisions, you will always be lacking and spiritually bankrupt.

We must seek God in all things, first, throughout, and after. When scared, we must cling to Him and pray for the courage to continue. When we are uncomfortable or imbalanced, we must turn to Him to tilt the scales.

Seek Him, surrender to Him, embrace Him, and reflect Him!

Prayer

Father, touch my head and heart, that they might align properly. Guide my feet where You want me to go. Let me only do what You call me to do. Let me rest when tired so that I might give my energy and effort to serving You.

Show me the way and the light so I don’t preoccupy myself with senseless things that don’t matter to You.

I only want to focus on what You want me to focus on Father. Remove any fear that may cause me to hesitate, stumble, or hide. Today I take the next step. 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.

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

Breaking Bread For 5.1.24

Today’s Theme: WHAT WORRYING WON’T DO

Audio Option

https://www.spreaker.com/episode/breaking-bread-for-may-1–59440966

Scripture

“Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life?”

Luke 12:25

Reflection

Today, I want to revisit some thoughts from my NatashaForeman.com blog that resurfaced in my mind. I believe there’s significance in this revisit, urging me to explore these ideas further. Join me for a moment. Worry, stress, anxiety, fear, jealousy, envy, and impatience — even speaking these words feels burdensome. They carry weight but lack substance, like a mirage. Our minds layer repetitive narratives, like toppings on a lasagna. The more we entertain these thoughts without countering them with truth, the more they entangle us.

Eckhart Tolle once said, “Stress is caused by being ‘here’ but wanting to be ‘there.’” What is your ‘here’ compared to the ‘there’ you long for? As I shared in my Natasha Foreman blog:

“It’s natural to desire a calmer, warmer climate when caught in a blizzard. Yet, trying to entirely control our minds to focus on ‘there’ can lead to trouble. We overlook the richness of the ‘now’ when we obsess over the uncontrollable.”

In a stress meditation [that I participated in] with a Buddhist Monk, he shared a profound insight: “The past is gone, the future is a dream, and the present is impermanent.” Later, during a Bible devotional on Colossians, the author highlighted our tendency to rush to fix things instead of trusting God’s intervention. We struggle to embrace the present, fixated on the past or future. We seek vision, clarity, and patience but panic when faced with the uncontrollable. Darren Hardy often speaks of our insatiable desire for ‘more,’ leading to regret and longing for the past.

Alex Elle’s quote resonates: “When something is for you, it brings clarity and alignment.” Yet, we cling to clutter, breeding confusion and chaos. This brings us back to the Bible verse: can worrying add a single hour to our lives? We waste precious time on worries and comparisons, neglecting the present’s lessons. Our relationship with God and Jesus shapes our perspective. If we truly trusted, we wouldn’t succumb to worry or self-destructive behaviors. We must understand Jesus’ teachings, not just the narratives of punishment. Abiding in Jesus leads to alignment with God’s will.

Regardless of your beliefs, your relationship with God shapes your reality. Do you view yourself as merely a creation or an active participant in God’s plan? Do you embrace your relationship with God, or do you carry the weight of indecision?

Choosing to be present means acknowledging the uncertainty of the future and the irretrievability of the past. Will you embrace mindfulness and seek God’s presence, or succumb to stress, rejecting His grace? It’s time to pause and pray. [Take a moment to breathe and let what I shared resonate with you before you say the prayer that follows.]

Prayer

Father, thank You for this precious moment of communion with You. I desire to rest here, fully present, understanding that the moments behind me are unchangeable and the future is ever-shifting. My focus is on the now, on who I am in Your presence. In You, there is no room for fear, worry, or doubt. I trust Your promises, knowing that my relationship with You is paramount. You are my greatest teacher, listener, and healer.

When I feel lacking, it’s because I’ve strayed from leaning on You. I’ve tried to navigate life alone, seeking fulfillment in other sources instead of trusting Your provision. I exhaust myself chasing shadows of the past and illusions of the future, all while evading Your guidance. Father, help me to release my grip, to surrender to Your capable hands. Guide me to let go of the toxic narratives that plague my mind. I hear You, Father. I feel Your presence. Thank You for Your enduring love and patience. 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.

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

Breaking Bread For 4.30.24

Today’s Theme: Jealousy is Like Cancer

Special Note

Today’s message is an excerpt from Day 96 in my book, Seek Him, Volume 1: Testing Your Spiritual Comfort Zone.

We’re only covering the scripture, reflection, and prayer. To read the rest of today’s message from the book, you will need to read your copy of the book. You can acquire my book, the companion workbook, and the other books that make up the Seek Him series by searching for their titles online and at local retailers. Links are available here on my BBWN blog. You can also visit DOMELifePublishing.com.

Audio Option

https://www.spreaker.com/episode/breaking-bread-for-april-30–59440794

Scripture

“A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body; jealousy is like cancer in the bones.”
—Proverbs 14:30

Reflection

Jealousy eats away at us. It tears us down until nothing is left but a shell. Although we ask God to reveal the truth to us, we should not take this revelation to be our signal to react. But rather to let God handle our issues. God shows us the truth. Our faith in Him must be strong enough to trust that He will never allow us to be harmed in His Light. He will always take care of our needs. He will always remove toxic people from our lives. He will remove those who serve as distractions and fuel for our jealous tendencies. It is when we become jealous that we slither over to darkness like snakes, waiting and anticipating the chance to attack.

It is jealousy that creates mania inside of our minds. It grows so rapidly that before we know it, we are doing and saying things that we would never imagine. We want something so bad that we don’t realize that we are pushing ourselves farther away from God’s Light. We find ourselves moving closer to darkness. God is to be our sole provider of happiness, joy, comfort, and love. Through Him, we connect with others. Through Him, we receive our ultimate riches that no human can provide. We must walk in and of Him, refusing to allow that feeling of jealousy to creep into our minds and hearts.

We should not run cold with venom in our veins. It would cause us to spend our sleeping moments plotting and our waking moments executing these plans. Instead, our hearts should be warmed by God’s love. We should see Him in our eyes. We should see Him in the smiles of babies. We should feel His presence and know that only our actions limit our connection to Him. We are what stands between us and our destiny in God’s kingdom. Don’t let the flesh rule you and ultimately destroy your essence. Let our hearts be at peace—with God!

Prayer

Father, this week is a week where strength and wisdom are drawn from Proverbs. The shortest passages hit home the hardest sometimes. This is a week for hard-hitting scriptures. Thank You for humbling me, Father. Thank You for always revealing the truth even when I’m scared to see the reality. Thank You for bringing me peace in moments of chaos. Father, I want a peaceful heart so that I may live a long, healthy life—serving You and Your children. Humbly I pray for Your guiding Light. 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.

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

Breaking Bread For 4.29.24

Today’s Theme: Why We Struggle With Forgiveness?

Audio Option

https://www.spreaker.com/episode/breaking-bread-for-april-29–59440786

Scripture

Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

Colossians 3:13

Reflection

If you call yourself a Christian, if you are a student and practitioner of Christ, and if you hope to receive God’s blessings and forgiveness, then you need to remember that life is never about you—it’s about our Heavenly Father and our realignment with Him. We’re off course, not the other way around.

Do you think His son Jesus spent his days and nights complaining and stewing over what someone did or didn’t do to and for him? Do you think he went around telling everyone what someone said about him? Was he out there gossiping and spreading rumors about people?

Did he go off on those disciples that rejected him? Did he roll up on folks he disagreed with and destroy their homes and property? Did he curse and attack those around him? No, that’s the nonsense that we would do and brag about it later. Jesus did the exact opposite. He prayed for them and accepted the fact that his experience in life had nothing to do with them or him but everything to do with our Father.

We have become a society of victims, and this has to be displeasing to God since our focus is on our weakness within our flesh and not on our strength in Him. We are supposed to be tunnels, bridge builders, ambassadors, and students in Christ; we’re supposed to be spiritual soldiers in God’s army—His army, not ours—His Kingdom, not ours! We need to stop being concerned with our egos and comparing ourselves to the past and to other people and start being more concerned with God and how we can be aligned with Him. We need to be reflecting His love outwardly and embracing it from others instead of wasting time thinking that we have the power and authority to dictate who is worthy of love and how it should be received.

If you find yourself seemingly repeating steps in your life and having the same experiences, it’s because you have not learned the lesson God is trying to teach you. You are closed off to Him, and until you release, let go, and live the life He has intended for you, then you will stay on the merry-go-round of life.

Stop complaining and whining about what someone did to you. Do you believe that God is your vindicator? Do you believe that He always balances things in the right? Then why are you harboring resentment, carrying around the baggage of junk that God said He’s handled? Do you believe Him or your eyes? Do you believe Him or that voice inside that keeps consuming your time with drama and negativity?

You testify to His glory but then live as though He keeps letting you down. Which is it? We say He has us, but we live as though we can’t trust Him to keep His promise. Is He untrustworthy, or are we not trusting? And if we don’t trust, then we need to look within our hearts. There we will see that it is we who are untrustworthy. We can’t be trusted to be faithful, committed, patient, obedient, and disciplined. We don’t realize how much we project onto others our deficiencies and insecurities. We don’t realize how we project outward and upward to God, as self-entitled, expecting the most for very little. We won’t commit the mustard seed to the ground, but we want the acres to Divinely manifest.

Do you truly know Him, or are you still living like a bystander who can’t yet comprehend what you witnessed?

We have choices in this life, and we can waste away, withering into a bag of sullen bones, consumed by all of the things that didn’t go our way, all of the pain we won’t resolve by letting go. Or we can choose to instead live our life without blame, shame, and contempt in our hearts, as Christ led and instructed. We want forgiveness, yet we can’t forgive ourselves and others. We want mercy and grace but then feel self-important enough to dictate who’s allowed mercy and grace. We struggle to forgive others because we struggle to forgive ourselves. They’re not worthy because we don’t see ourselves as worthy. How can we have the audacity to ask God to forgive us if we can’t forgive ourselves and others? We want from Him what we aren’t willing to do. So we carry the junk around, rehashing it, stewing in it, letting it dictate our every move, and giving it power to determine how we live and for how long.

We refuse to let go of the harm someone else caused us. They occupy a space in our minds for free because, honestly, misery loves company— that’s why the enemy keeps you occupied with so many evil spirits; what would they do if they couldn’t feed off of your fear, anger, and pain?

It’s taken me 10 years to finally embrace this understanding of forgiveness and why my letting go and not needing anything in return is what freedom and well-being rest upon.

Don’t let the self-appointed title of Christian cause you to be ignorant enough to believe that you have the right to dictate to others about their own lives. You only have the right to choose how to speak and behave, who to associate with or not, and how and where to invest your time. You need to be more focused on your relationship with God and stop trying to be the hall monitor for everyone else.

Life is about your journey, not controlling other people’s experiences.

Knowing the teachings of Jesus and the testimonies of those he helped, ministered, and redirected—be honest with yourself, are you a Sadducee, Pharisee, Disciple, Apostle, or one of the people in the crowd just waiting to see what’s what, so you can jump on a bandwagon later?

The person who is blameless and free from sin, please cast the first stone!

Prayer

Father, as I ask You to forgive me for all of my wrongdoings I stop and pray for the freedom and internal peace to forgive myself for choosing me over You. I pray to forgive other people who have hurt and wronged me, whether knowingly or unknowingly. If in case I have not truly forgiven all who have hurt me, please warm my heart so that I can freely forgive them now. I know that I can’t ask and expect Your forgiveness if I can’t forgive others. You are not the author of chaos and confusion. You are not a hypocrite and I shouldn’t live my life as one.

My grudges, my animosity, my anger, my aggressiveness, my bitterness, and my self-victimization only block my blessings from You. Forgive me Father for not letting go of my issues with others. Forgive me for dwelling on the past. Forgive me Father for not reflecting You fully and expressing Your love regardless of how others treat me. Help me to see myself and love myself as You love me. Help me to see and accept others as You do. 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.

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

Today’s Theme: How We Treat Sinners and Enemies Is A Reflection of Our Relationship With God.

Audio Option

Scripture

Reflection

Prayer

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Today’s Theme: You Keep Judging and Condemning. Whew, Aren’t You Tired Yet?

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Scripture

Reflection

Prayer

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Today’s Theme: The Bold and Beautiful Truth About Our Relationship With God, Our Father.

Audio Option

Scripture

Reflection

Prayer

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Today’s Theme: Examining the Intentionality Expressed in Acts 2

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Scripture

Reflection

Prayer

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Today’s Theme: Looking Deeper at Our Distorted View of Marriage — With Titles Come Responsibility and Accountability.

Audio Option

Scripture

Reflection

With Titles Come Responsibility and Accountability

Prayer

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Today’s Theme: Marriage Preparation, Roles, and Responsibilities [Continued Deep-Dive into Ephesians 5]

Audio Option

Scripture

Introduction

Adam, Eve & The Curse That Haunts???

If You’re Married or Engaged

MANAGING OUTSIDERS

If You’re Single and Want Marriage

What We All Must Do

Tomorrow’s Message

Prayer Prep

Prayer

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Today’s Theme: Providing Context About Husbands and Wives

Audio Option

Scripture

Reflection

Context is Everything

Prayer

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Today’s Theme: Truth and Lies

Audio Option

Scripture

Reflection

CLARIFICATION

WHO’S LYING TO YOU?

WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO COMBAT LIES?

BUT WHO ARE YOU WILLING TO FACT-CHECK?

LET’S LOOK IN THE MIRROR

OUR TEACHERS AND WHAT WE’RE TAUGHT

THE TRUTH

Prayer

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Today’s Theme: Honoring Our Parents

Audio Option

Scripture

Reflection

FOR THOSE WHO STRUGGLE WITH THIS

Here’s something else to consider:

FOR ALL OF US…OUR JOURNEY

Prayer