Hello everyone, hope yall had a wonderful weekend. PRAYER REQUESTS: While struggling to get my life and mind in order, to build meticulous organizational skills and punctuality, to grow and strengthen my non-profit organization, and to develop my home business, I ask that you pray for me and my endeavors as the Spirit leads. Oh and, I have been suffering chronic TMJ pain for the past two months, some nights it keeps me awake, and it interferes with my productivity. Additionally, a bad case of dry eyes or some other eye irritation has been bugging me, so I ask for your prayers for my healing and relief from discomfort. Please also be sure to pray for the other recipients of the SOD as well. ANNOUNCEMENTS: My non-profit org. has about ONE WEEK left to campaign for the selection of 2-4 families as recipients for our annual Christmas meal box; my solicitation is for nominations of deserving families - not limited to the meal box itself, but also including one gift per each child living in the selected household - and/or a monetary donation(s) and/or item contribution(s). If you know of a family in true need of assistance, please submit your nominations ASAP: ALL nominations, contributions, and/or monetary donations MUST be submitted NLT December 22nd (7 DAYS LEFT) to allow time for us to purchase the items necessary to pull off this blessing, as well as time for us to delivery the boxes to the families before the actual holiday.
HEALTHY LIVING TIPS:
"Holiday foods can actually be beneficial to your healthy eating plan. In fact, many traditional holiday foods contain abundant health benefits. From a fruit that can help keep you satiated, to a spice that might help trim your waistline, and a protein that can help stabilize your mood... Nutmeg... When it comes to nutmeg, evidence suggests that this flavorful spice has antimicrobial properties that can help to prevent tooth decay. Additionally, macelignan, a compound found in nutmeg, may have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits that can help to protect the skin against UV radiation and reduce the signs of aging; Sweet Potatoes... One medium (4-ounce) sweet potato, baked with the skin, has about four times your daily requirement of Vitamin A and almost half the recommendation for Vitamin C. Sweet potatoes are also a notable source of vitamin E, providing over a quarter of the daily recommendation; Turkey... with both white and dark meat [3 oz. portion], contains only 135 calories and 24 grams of protein. As an added benefit, turkey is also... a good source of important vitamins and minerals, including niacin, riboflavin, vitamin B-6, iron, phosphorus and zinc; Cranberries... Just 1 cup of raw cranberries provides a whopping 5 grams of fiber, 24 percent of your daily vitamin C needs and 20 percent of your daily manganese... also contains high levels of anthocyanins, a type of antioxidant believed to protect against cancer and heart disease and... to help with urinary tract health; Cinnamon... recent data shows that consumption of mildly sweet cinnamon may help to improve cardiovascular health for those with type 2 diabetes. Furthermore, 2006 research shows that cinnamon may also help to reduce body fat percentage and increase lean body mass...; Brussels Sprouts... Cruciferous vegetables [broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, etc.] contain compounds like sulforaphane, which help protect healthy cells against certain types of cancerous cells. A 1/2 cup of cooked Brussels sprouts contains 2 grams of fiber and is an excellent source of vitamin K. Plus, they’re just 30 calories! Brussels sprouts also pack in significant amounts of vitamin C, potassium and B vitamins" (Brooking, K. (2013, November). Hidden health benefits of 14 holiday superfoods. Livestrong. Retrieved from http://www.livestrong.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. 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 hearts so that we may see, hear, and receive your intended message from this fellowship. In the name of Jesus, Amen!
PASSAGE - I PETER 2:1-3:
"Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, as newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious."
***Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture quotations are taken from the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible***
REFLECTIONS:
"The Lord, our Shepherd, leads us beside the still waters, the quiet brooks, and thirst-quenching streams. He restores the soul, nourishes, and provides for us in ways that are simple, and also profound. He will astound us in the ordinary, and awe us in the extraordinary. In all things, at all times, He brings His Word to those who have ears to hear. If I'm not growing, or gleaning, or gathering the fruits of God, it's seldom because of inadequate preaching, teaching, etc. God can use any and all things when my heart is centered on Him. It is easy to overlook the ordinary and familiar and not see the simply profound things of God within. As growing Christians, we may often consider ourselves to be maturing, and only in need of the solid food of the Word. Yet, as I walk with Him, it continues to amaze me what God puts in the milk" (Chambers, R. (2014, December 15). Got milk? [Web log comment]. Retrieved from http://reflections.daybyday.org/).
"One characteristic all children share is that they want to grow up, to be like the big kids or their parents. When we are born again, we become spiritual babies. If we are healthy, we will yearn to grow. How sad it is that some never grow up. The need for milk is a natural instinct for a baby and it is necessary for growth. Once we see our need for God's Word and begin to find nourishment in Christ, our spiritual appetite will increase and we will start to mature..." (Tyndale House Publishers. (2004). I Peter. Life Application Study Bible: King James Version: Notes 2:2, 3 (pp. 1899). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.).
Just as a baby needs milk to grow, we (followers of Christ) need the Word of God to increase our spiritual growth. But I am a firm believer that our "milk" doesn't come solely from the Word alone - it is with great conviction that my belief in gaining a solid-close-personal relationship with Christ, combines accepting Jesus as savior, studying and knowing (remembering) the Word of God, fellowship, a true effort in obedience to His commands, and good works. ALL these things help develop a Christ-like character within us: in order to be a believer (saved|born-again), you must first accept that Jesus' mission was to save us from sin and illness; you need to have an understanding of His Word, to be guided in a righteous direction; fellowship with other believers, helps to generate positivity and keep your mind on the right path; we are all sinners, and our human nature condemns us to a life of sin. Thus, a wholehearted effort to abide by God's commandments establishes a strong foundation in your walk with Christ; in turn, your heart will be kind and moral, influencing you to actively participate in more good works.
PRAYER OF THE DAY: