He Who Humbles Himself (11/12/2014)

Hey everyone, I pray that your week has been going well so far. PRAYER REQUESTS: I had my phone interview for a position with Loma Linda today. Not really sure how it went, I don't think I'm the best interviewer, but I did my best. However, as I stated in the last SOD, I am more set on establishing my own business so that I only have to answer to myself, and God of course. I simply ask that you pray for me and the other SOD recipients as the Spirit leads. ANNOUNCEMENTS: I'm blessed another year this day with a caring and thoughtful mother; Happy Birthday mommy and many more... my brother also celebrated his birthday a few days ago, and in 3 days, my parents will celebrate their 25th anniversary; all praises to God. Anyway, Thanksgiving is around the corner, and that means it's time for my annual distribution of Thanksgiving Meal Boxes to selected families. I would like to bless 2-4 families that possess a true need for assistance; my non-profit organization will provide selected families with all the essential items to prepare a complete Thanksgiving meal. If you know of a deserving family(ies), provide your nominated family(ies) along with their contact information that they may be evaluated for consideration as one of this year's meal box recipients. Please submit any monetary donations, food contributions, and/or nominations NLT November 23rd, to allow time for us to prepare the meal boxes and have them delivered to the recipient family(ies) prior to the holiday. Thanks in advance for your continued support and/or contribution(s). 

HEALTHY LIVING TIPS:

"...Research shows that fatty muscle is more likely to cause weakness and loss of mobility—making you doddering before your time—than dwindling muscle tissue itself. It doesn't take a PhD to do the math: When you are weaker and tired and have less stamina, exercise can go quickly from challenging to painful to less appealing than filing taxes. Get too comfortable on the couch and you’ll perpetuate the cycle, losing more mitos and stockpiling more fat with every sofa-bound day that goes by" (para. 9). "It doesn't take much to restore aging tissue to its prime. Unlock your body's anti-aging superpowers in four easy steps: (1) Walk at least 3 to 5 days a week - any aerobic exercise counts, but if you've been sedentary [accustomed to sit or rest a great deal or to take little exercise], 35 to 45-minute brisk walks are enough to build mitochondria-rich muscle and blast fat out of your tissue; (2) Break out the weights 2 days a week - although resistance training isn't as effective as aerobics for building mitochondria [the powerhouses within your cells - the muscles' "gasoline" supplier - which increases metabolism and stamina], it's vital for maintaining lean muscle mass... two full-body 20-minute strength sessions a week are all you need to stay strong and offset shrinkage; (3) Eat protein at every meal - protein contains amino acids, the building blocks of muscle tissue, and getting enough in your diet is critical in order to offset muscle loss [about 1.5 g of lean protein for every 2.2 lbs of body weight]; (4) Get your D - have your levels tested [for Vitamin D], and if you're low, supplement with 800 to 1,200 IU of D daily" (Prevention, 2014). (Graves, G. (2014, October). Are aging muscles why you're tired all the time and gaining weight. Prevention. Retrieved from http://www.prevention.com/).

JOIN OUR CAUSE: 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 pre-sale 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 in 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 Mind, Body, and Soul Incorporated (and/or Fostering Mindbodyandsoul), and follow us on Twitter @FMBSInc. On behalf of my team of volunteers, I thank you in advance. ~Tylesha "Tye" Allen, CEO/Founder, FMBS Inc. Est. 2012~

 

BE ENCOURAGED: 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 spirit 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, ears, and heart so that we may see, hear, and receive your intended message from this fellowship. In the name of Jesus, Amen!

 

PASSAGE - LUKE 14:11: 

"For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted."

***Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture quotations are taken from the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible***

 

REFLECTIONS:

"What a piece of work is a man! How noble in reason! How infinite in faculties! In form and moving how express and admirable! In action how like an angel! In apprehension how like a god!” This is man as seen through the eyes of Hamlet. This is man who was brought from dust, and received life with a breath. This is man who was given dominion over the earth. This is man—and the God of the universe lowered himself to become one. Isn't it amazing how much effort is expended by humanity seeking to be exalted? Yet at our very best, and in all that we could aspire to be, we could not be as great as He who came down to us. Hamlet’s soliloquy is eloquent, but compare it with the soulful discourse of David. “LORD, what is man, that thou takest knowledge of him! or the son of man, that thou makest account of him! Man is like to vanity: his days are as a shadow that passeth away” (Psalm 144:3-4). Imagine if you would, that we would be like God. If instead of seeking to become great in the eyes of the world, we were to choose to become less, and to go to those who have nothing, or to those who in the world’s eyes would amount to nothing. We would desire to have nothing, and become nothing, so that others would learn what it means to have everything. Imagine man as that—desiring to be like God—what a piece of work is he indeed!" (Chambers, R. (2014, November 12). He who humbles himself [Web log comment]. Retrieved from http://reflections.daybyday.org/). 

Does this passage not touch base on Mahatma Gandhi's advice to "be the change we want to see in this world"? Imagine just how great society could be - how the world would be, IF men and women alike humbled themselves enough to follow God's commands, and to love as He loved... Would war still exist? Would there be room for racism, violence or hatred? I doubt it... Jesus lowered Himself to our level and endured every temptation, sacrificing Himself that we may achieve everything through eternal life. How often can you say that you truly humble yourself to others? When you make so-called sacrifices, what are your intentions behind said sacrifices? Do you receive self-gratification? Perhaps you bask in the praise that comes along with boasting about your good works? But are we truly humbling ourselves when we expect some sort of recognition in return for our good works?  "How can we [truly] humble ourselves? Some people try to give the appearance of humility in order to manipulate others. Others think that humility means putting themselves only with Christ, realize their own sinfulness, and understand their limitations. On the other hand, they also recognize their gifts and strengths and are willing to use them as Christ directs. Humility is not self-degradation; it is realistic assessment and commitment to serve" Tyndale House Publishers. (2004). Luke. Life Application Study Bible: King James Version: Notes 14:11 (pp. 1508). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.). This passage isn't telling us to beat ourselves down and think of ourselves lowly, but to evaluate the gifts that God has blessed us with, and to apply them to life in a manner which exalts and glorifies our Lord. Are you a writer? Then perhaps you can use your skills to write inspirational books, or to conduct an online ministry. Did God bless you with vocals - can you sang? Use what the Lord gave you to sing in a choir, or to minister to others through song. Are you an artist? Use your artistic skills to share the Gospel through the expression of art. Do you like to debate or speak in front of others? Even if you aren't one for public speaking, let that be your talent to share your testimony or even someone else's. We all have an ability that can be utilized in a fashion to honor God; realize your niche, and put your skill(s) to work in service to Him. When you find a moment, be encouraged by the song "We Must Praise" by J. Moss https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NXrUcfcpkrE. God bless!

PRAYER OF THE DAY:

Father God we would like to start off giving you thanks for life, health, and strength. We thank you for the courage needed 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 for our wrongdoings. We thank you for deliverance from our burdens, heartache, pain and suffering, financial instability, depression and anxiety, and from addiction. We thank for restoring us physically, mentally, spiritually, and emotionally; continue to guide us and transform us into individuals whose image mirrors that if Jesus. Continue to open supernatural doors in our lives that lead to peace, prosperity, clarity, contentment, and happiness. Continue to provide each of us with the clear and concise revelations we need in order to overcome the adversary. We thank you 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. Thank you for provision, guidance, and protection from Satan’s attacks. By the authority in our words, we take back everything the enemy has stolen from us, we reverse the negativity we have spoken into existence, and we 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, and thank you for your protection from recourse. This is our affirmation of faith Father God; we submit our petition to you thanking you in advance for working it all out. All these things we claim in the name of Jesus, Amen!

Respectfully,
Tylesha "Tye" Allen

CEO/Founder

FMBS Inc. Est. 2012
Ministry Blog: http://sodbytye.blogspot.com/
Non-profit Website: http://fmbs-inc-bytye.org/

Follow FMBS Inc. on Twitter: @FMBSInc

Change begins within; work on becoming a better You
"It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man." (Psalm 118:8)