Message from Natasha
First, let me start off by making an acknowledgment. Yesterday’s scripture was shared by my mom, Gwen Foreman. I was absent-minded and forgot to give her credit for sharing with the Breaking Bread family. Thank you mom. I love you!!!
My friend Juanita sent me today’s message that was written by Joel and Victoria Osteen. My personal reflection that follows may also hit home for many of you. Enjoy!
It’s All on the Inside
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
“…The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”
(1 Samuel 16:7, NIV)
TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria
When you become a believer in Christ, He begins to work in and through you automatically. Inside, you are becoming a completely new person. No one else around you may notice the change, at least immediately, because people usually only see the outside of a person and what they can see and hear. Sometimes, you yourself may not even see or feel the change. But the fact is that God changed you when you became a believer, and He is still changing you because you belong to Him.
Today, don’t be discouraged if others around you don’t seem to notice the work God is doing in your life. You just remember that a life-changing transformation has taken place in your heart. God sees the difference, He knows what’s inside you and He is bringing victory to every area of your life!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
God, thank You for Your life-changing power and strength. Give me eyes to see myself and others the way You see them, from the inside out in Jesus’ name. Amen.
— Joel & Victoria Osteen
Natasha’s Reflection
I’m grateful for today because I am alive, another day. Today’s message hit me hard because there are days when it seems as though those around me take me for granted, or only value the work (that I do) when it directly benefits them, yet they dismiss my other work.
I am constantly serving the least of these God children, yet I am encouraged to give my time freely to those who are thriving, only wanting not needing my help. My teeth grind because someone would have the audacity to place a value on my time and talent, and tell me how to use them. If I am to give freely of my time and talent, then I choose to give them to the poor, needy, homeless, helpless, hopeless, and those barely holding on to hope. I would rather see the light spark within someone who is dismissed by the masses of the world, than invest time in people who live with a sense of entitlement and expectation.
There are days when my time is clearly not valued. I’m worn out and drained. I question if this is them or me. Did I present myself in a way at some point where I was somehow someway “Super Woman”, and that I would always make and have the time for others, dropping my important to-dos for theirs? Or do they plain and simply value my time less than their own?
God has been working on me, molding me, instilling values and an understanding of myself and my mission deep inside of my mind and heavily on my heart, so that I can’t easily forget or dismiss. Instead of being upset when those around me pull me in multiple directions for their self-benefit, I will instead smile.
I will smile because they are pulling at me for all of the gifts and talents that God has given me.
Instead of feeling like cursing at these people and shutting them out, I will be inclined to praise my Heavenly Father-Mother. I will just stop and thank God and pray for the strength and vision to press forward.
I know what God is doing to, for, and through me and I have to trust that He has already mapped out how to deal with those people who lovingly (or narcissistically) try to pull me off of my path onto their paths.
It doesn’t matter if other people can see what God is doing in your life. All that matters is that YOU see and know it, and that YOU obey Him over all others. It’s not easy. It’s not supposed to be easy. This is what separates those who walk the walk from those who talk the talk. Just smile and keep marching forward!
Questions of the Day
1.What do you think of today’s message?
2. What would you like to add to today’s prayer and/or reflections?
3. Please share your testimony as it pertains to persevering even when others didn’t see God’s Work in your life.
4. What have you been struggling with lately?
Feel free to share your answers, prayers, comments, and reflections in the comment section below. You can also send me an email at: breakingbreadwithnatasha@gmail.com
Please also feel free to share this post with others. We’re never quite sure who needs to hear and see what, and when! It would be awesome if whenever you run across a prayer, message, or scripture that moves you, you would kindly share it with the rest of us. You can post it on this blog or send me an email.
Love always,
Natasha
Copyright 2013-2015. Natasha Foreman Bryant. Some Rights Reserved. All Prayers and Reflections are Copyright Protected by Natasha Foreman Bryant, unless otherwise noted. Prior posts from 2009-2013 are copyrighted under the name Natasha L. Foreman. breakingbreadwithnatasha.com
Scripture quotations taken from the Amplified® Bible,
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Scripture quotations marked HCSB are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Holman CSB®, and HCSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.
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