When I am weak (3/3/2014)

Greetings Everyone,

All honor and glory be to God for providing us with another day of endless opportunities. Please remember that production gaps for the SOD will continue until I am able to invest in a more reliable computer system, I thank you in advance for your understanding. I hope yall had a blessed and wonderful weekend, if not, proclaim the satisfaction you desire during your weekend, today... Now let's move forward with today's healthy living tip... "One of the main reasons we are hearing more about eating whole grains is because people are not consuming enough fiber. Fiber is important for two main reasons. Insoluble fiber helps maintain a healthy digestive system and helps to fill you up after a meal. Soluble fiber helps by lowering blood cholesterol, thus helping to prevent heart disease. Eating more fiber requires eating more whole grains and at least 5 total servings of fruits and vegetables everyday. Most adults need between 25 and 40 grams of fiber every day. For kids between the ages of 3 and 18, nutrition experts recommend that a child's daily intake of fiber should equal "age + 5 grams". For example, a 9-year-old child would need about 14 grams of fiber, 9+5=14. Below are some simple ways to add more fiber to your diets at home: 1) eat more whole grain breakfast cereals, such as oatmeal, Cheerios, Raisin Bran, Shredded Wheat, Total and Wheaties. Add "natural" sugar to these cereals with fresh fruit sprinkled on top or mixed into the cereal; 2) add more beans to meals, such as chili, salads, or soups; 3) buy whole grain breads, pitas, English muffins, etc.; and 4) snack on vegetable sticks, fruit or popcorn..." Refer to the website listed in the reference for more tips on adding more fiber in your diet. (Balance Mind, Body & Soul. (n.d.). Adding more fiber in your diet. Retrieved from http://www.balancemindbodysoul.com). "To IMPROVE is to CHANGE" ~Winston Churchill~  #Be encouraged! 

Fostering Mind, Body, and Soul Incorporated (FMBS Inc.) is on a never-ending quest to locate deserving individuals to extend our services to. Therefore we are always in need of monetary donations and/or contributions of hygiene items, sealed snacks, bottled water, winter items (gloves, scarves, blankets), mini bibles, etc.; our YEAR-ROUND mission is to serve homeless and/or needy individuals and families in underprivileged communities throughout Southern California. Speaking of "year-round," our See's Candies fundraiser is year-round aside from holiday themed fundraisers; you may request a catalog and make a purchase at any time, all profits outside of sales cost will benefit our organization's day-to-day operations. We are a NON-profit 501(c)(3) federally exempt organization, which means that ALL donations are TAX DEDUCTIBLE. NO matter how big or small your contribution or donation is, YOU are helping someone in need. We encourage YOU to participate in our ongoing campaign whenever and however you can. If you were on the receiving end and needed a helping hand, wouldn't you want someone to reach out to you? Accept this opportunity to HELP LIVES. If interested in supporting our organization and helping others, simply make a donation and/or a contribution; make all checks payable to FMBS Inc., provide one of our representatives with your cash donation/contribution, or use the PayPal link located on our website. We are successful because of YOUR continued support. Please join our cause!

 

For more information about our organization, visit our website at http://www.fmbs-inc-bytye.org and/or add our Facebook page Fostering Mindbodyandsoul and Twitter @FMBSInc. On behalf of my team of volunteers, I thank you in advance. ~Tylesha "Tye" Allen, CEO/Founder, FMBS Inc. Est. 2012~

 

TRANSFORM your body, mind, and soul TODAY because tomorrow is NOT promised; by feeding your body healthy nutrition, and being cautious of what things you allow your eyes, ears, and spirits to be exposed to (e.g. media, books, TV, music, etc.), YOU can start anew and become a better you. CHANGE BEGINS WITHIN... Continue to keep one another in prayer, thanking God for the victory, and refraining from claiming defeat from the enemy; ALWAYS pray for your desired result, NOT the unfavorable outcome. Do NOT lose sight of God in the midst of adversity. In the words of Mahatma Gandhi, "be the change that you want to see in the world." Have a blessed rest of the week.

Lord please clear our minds, and open our eyes and ears so that we may see, hear, and receive your intended message from this fellowship. In the name of Jesus, Amen!

 

Passage - II Corinthians 12:10:

"That's why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

***Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture quotations are taken from the New Living Translation (NLT) of the Bible***

"

Our greatest weakness is not that which causes us to fail, but the pride that keeps us from admitting it.As we humbly accept our imperfections, pride loses its power to inhibit us from walking strongly in Christ. And then we discover first hand what Paul expressed, "For when I am weak, then I am strong." 

(Chambers, R. (2014). When I am weak. Retrieved from http://reflections.daybyday.org)

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Over the past few years beginning after I purchased my home, I have run into miscellaneous unforseen expenses that gradually depleted my emergency cushion from my various savings accounts. At first, debt wasn't a real concern of mine, because I was managing my finances quite well. However, once each incident occurred - one after another it seemed like, my savings got smaller and smaller. Then the government furlough rolled around, and that was an even harder situation to endure. I ended up having to dip into my savings yet again to pay bills. At one point I was all caught up with my bills, and had enough money in my savings to use for a rainy day and then unforseen circumstances started back up. My bills almost tripled in cost, and time came for me to start paying off my student loans. I am not proud to admit that I currently have past due bills. "That could never be me" - I used to think I was smart enough to avoid being in this type of debt. Without the cushion, I have no alternative to paying bills. Although independence is a good quality to have, it can also be burdensome. I was raised to be independent, I absolutely hate having to seek help from others for problems and circumstances that I have gotten myself into. When I was younger, I'd rather ball up in a corner, cry myself to sleep, and isolate myself from loved ones; I rejected comfort in my youth, and as an adult I sometimes find myself doing the same thing. I know some of my family and friends are concerned about my airing my personal circumstances so openly, and some of your may even be empathetic. But don't be... here's the good news, despite my pride trying to step in the way, I have prayed to God and sought assistance from loved ones for necessities. Yes, it is very hard to admit that I made some bad financial decisions, even though some were emergent, but I accept what I have gotten myself into and I am going to get out of this predicament - with GOD. Today I decided that I will think and manifest my desires into fruition, for real this time. Do you know why people who are worse off than us are still able to smile? They smile through their cancer, smile through a painful divorce, and smile through grief while sometimes giving us encouragement when they require more uplifting than we do. It is because they are CONTENT in God's authority in their lives. I've told you the story before about my best friend who had everything he ever thought he wanted, and in his obedience he let go of all those material things he cherished and even some friendships. He became committed to Christ cold-turkey, and went hard for the Lord and still does. Me, I am still working on my walk despite all that I know about who my Father is. The difference between my best friend and many of us is that he LET GO and LET GO take over his life 100%. If you ask him a question, or if he has to make a decision about something he goes to the Lord in prayer and WAITS for direction BEFORE making a move. Why is it so hard for us to take that same approach? My theory is fear. The problem with fear is that we should only fear the Lord. If we were to divert our fear to God, and truly understand how dire it is for us to become one with the Lord to secure our salvation, then NO ONE and NOTHING could ever sway us.

 

I watched this video the other night about a Satanist who found Christ at church. His girlfriend was a Christian and he would attend service then go back home and worship Satan in Santeria practices. He said he would call on God to rescue him and his mother from his father's abuse, but it didn't happen until he prayed to Satan - his father was murdered, then they were relieved from the torment from his father. He stated that one day at church with his lady, the pastor did a "call to the alter," and in an unconscious moment he stood up and grabbed the pastor by the throat; the demonic spirits that ruled his being had taken over and attacked the pastor. Instead of the congregation abandoning ship, they all ran to the alter to lay hands on the man and prayed to cast out the demons. The man heard himself speak "Jesus is Lord," and he could feel the demons leave him. However, he was torn because he had his reservations about Christ. Torn between the decision of heaven or hell, he decided to unsuccessfully commit suicide; before pulling the trigger he spoke to God venting about how He had never been around before. He kind of gave God a choice "if you want me to follow you show me something big today or else leave me alone." While sleeping that evening, he had a dream he was on the subway and when the doors opened he was in a hopeless place. The demons called him traitor and the devil himself told him he wasn't going to let him go - basically the devil wanted him to die in his sleep so that he couldn't return to be reborn in Christ. But then he said a cross appeared out of no where in his hands, he hadn't prayed in his dream or aloud for God to rescue him from what he thought was his fate; as the cross appeared, the demons departed his body. He is embarrassed by the sins he committed and regrets who he was as a Satanist, but thankful to God that he woke up a changed man who committed himself to the Lord. He stated that his spirit was challenged for a month straight, and he questioned why God would allow that to happen to him, after all, he had vowed to be a servant. God revealed to the man that He was simply testing the man's faith, to see how serious the man was for his stance to walk with the Lord. Watch the video here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-CkdqCD_f2s.

 

I know this is a long one, but it's what I was lead to discuss. I'm nothing like my best friend when it comes to his spiritual disicipline, but I made a promise to myself that I will be soon. Sometimes when I write these lessons, I don't really realize the message in it until I've proof-read my work; I am learning and gaining knowledge just like those of you who are touched by what is presented in the SODs. Today's lesson is a testament about setting aside our pride. If you want or need to be a better Christian, a better spouse, a better parent, a better son or daughter, a better friend, a better co-worker, or a better individual overall, then STOP being afraid to lose friends; STOP being scared to walk away from a toxic relationship (intimate, business, friendship, etc.); STOP worrying about what you will lose in dedicating your life to becoming one with Christ, and START REALIZING YOUR GAIN - you will reap more benefits submitting to the Lord, because the void that you have been trying to fill with sex, materials, and other secular influences can ONLY BE FILLED BY GOD. How serious is your stance - will to follow God?

Prayer of the Day:

Father God we thank you for life, health, and strength. We thank you for the strength we need to forgive those who have wronged us, the same way you continuously grant us forgiveness, and for placing upon those we have wronged the same desire, that we too may be forgiven by them. More so Father, we thank you for removing the guilt we once placed on self, and for removing every thought that has held us captive in our own minds. We thank you for transforming our image into one that mirrors Jesus, so that His goodness is reflected in all that we do. Thanks for blessing us with a double portion of your Spirit, and for closing every unnecessary door that is open in our lives. Thanks for opening supernatural doors in our lives that lead to peace, prosperity, clarity, contentment, and happiness. We thank you for providing each of us with the clear and concise revelations we need in order to overcome the adversary. Thanks for helping us to see, hear, and feel your presence through every trial and tribulation, and for the courage to rearrange our priorities, placing you at the top of our list. We thank you for discernment to know the difference between good and bad, right from wrong, and your will vs. our own desires. Thanks for provision, guidance, and protection from Satan’s attacks. By the authority in our words, we reverse all the negativity spoken into existence within our individual lives and the lives of our loved ones and associates. We take back everything the enemy has stolen from us, and bind every evil and malicious plot, plan, and scheme devised against us, in the matchless name of Jesus. Lord we also grant your angels permission to do our bidding on Earth without recourse. This is our affirmation of faith Father God; we submit our petition to you and thank you in advance for working it all out. All these things we claim in the name of Jesus, Amen!

Respectfully,

Tylesha "Tye" Allen

"It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man." (Psalm 118:8)

Ministry Blog: http://sodbytye.blogspot.com/

Non-profit Website: http://fmbs-inc-bytye.org/

Your independent Herbalife distributor/health coach: Tye.HL24@gmail.com

Change begins within; work on becoming a better You