Scripture of the Week (SOW) formerly known as the Scripture of the Day (SOD): Sometimes it's not going to be OK (1/23/2016)

Happy Sabbath! I hope yall have had an eventful year thus far. For anyone who desires prayer, feel free to send me your requests specific or unspoken and I will personally pray for you, and then add your request to the following SOW. Also, remember to share your praise reports; it is though our testimonies that others are able to see God's authority in our lives. I encourage you to always read the Scripture of the Week (SOW) in its entirety, though some sections are typically unchanging, it effectively covers significant information that is worth reading; skipping sections may cause you to miss the intended message Yahweh was trying to convey to you or the person you share this with. PRAYER REQUESTS: Continue to pray for one another as the Spirit leads, thanking Yahweh for the victory while refraining from confessing the problem caused by the enemy; ALWAYS pray for your desired result, NOT the unfavorable outcome (refer to the book The Tongue – A Creative Force, by Charles Capps). ANNOUNCEMENTS: Last week I mentioned an epic volunteer opportunity with Pathway to Health for their Mega Clinic which will be held at the Los Angeles Convention Center April 27-29th; they are in need of 3,000+ volunteers - you may look up more details and/or sign-up for this event at http://PathwaytoHealthVolunteer.org. I challenge you to consider volunteering somewhere, because volunteers are vital to the success of any community service based organization; without our volunteers, Fostering Mind, Body, and Soul Incorporated (FMBS Inc.) wouldn't have seen success in past years, and other organizations alike. Miracles for Kids is another organization offering volunteer opportunities to interested parties, simply call them at (714) 730-3040 or email info@miraclesforkids.org; these are your opportunities to give back.

HEALTHY LIVING TIPS:

Change begins within… "Detox tea consists of lemon, ginger and cayenne pepper. These three foods all work together to create a powerful cleanse, to help break up mucus and toxins in the body, while creating a shield for unwanted bacteria in your system. For step-by-step instructions on how to make Detox Tea" [check it out here http://kimberlysnyder.com/blog/2009/11/27/immunity-tea-with-cayenne-pepper-step-by-step-instructions/] (Snyder, K. (2011, September 13). The one day cleanse [Web log comment]. Retrieved from http://kimberlysnyder.com/blog/2011/09/13/the-one-day-cleanse/).

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 successful because of YOUR continued support. Please continue to back us up through participation, and/or by encouraging others to 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 myself and my team of volunteers, I thank you in advance. ~Tylesha "Tye" Allen, CEO/Founder, FMBS Inc. Est. 2012~

BE ENCOURAGED: NEVER lose sight of God in the midst of adversity… Ponder this: "Faith is not intelligent understanding; faith is deliberate commitment to a person where I see no way" (Oswald Chambers). Whether you receive your information from a theological scholar, a pastor, or an expert of God's word, I urge you NEVER to take someone else's word, even mine for that matter, as solid truth; "Study to show thyself approved" (II Timothy 2:15), and CHALLENGE EVERYTHING by comparing it to the Word of God. If what you see, hear or read does NOT fall in line with the Word of God, then it is NOT truth... The rest of this day isn't promised, let alone tomorrow, so why not strengthen your faith TODAY? Feed your body healthy nutrition, be cautious of what things you allow your eyes, ears, and spirit to be exposed to (e.g. media, books, TV, music, etc.) so that YOU can start anew and become a better you NOW, not later. Have a blessed rest of the weekend.

Yahweh, 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 Yeshua (Jesus), Amen!

PASSAGE – MATTHEW 14:28-31 (NIV):

"'Lord, if it’s you," Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water." "Come," He said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!" Immediately Jesus reached out His hand and caught him. "You of little faith," He said, "why did you doubt?'"

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

REFLECTIONS:

You know, our human tendency will have us question God and doubt His power and authority in our lives every time the "going gets tough", why do you think that is? I believe it has to do with our nature to expect tangible evidence to prove or disprove a statement. For instance, if someone gives you their word to do something for you, you expect them to follow-through. In the instance they do not live up to your expectation, your trust is then compromised. With God however, when we read the Word from the front to back, His promise hasn't changed, hasn't wavered, and was prophesied by strangers of different backgrounds and eras. Who can argue that proof? Surprisingly, many people try, and my thing is this... you do NOT have to provide a reason for your beliefs/faith, because it is yours and typically based on a feeling from your heart that may or may not have a tangible basis. In order to believe, you have to have trust. To trust, you have to have time - TIME WITH GOD or that someone or something you are placing trust in. Get it? Everything we have invested our trust in revolves around the relationship we've built. For example, you may trust your car to get you from point A to point B every time because you have driven on less than E, or rode on bald tires, or even overheated and still made it to your destination - a RELATIONSHIP. You trust or distrust your parents or significant other based on the relationship that yall have built together. The same is true with God. However, in the midst of relationships, there are disappointments. Things may be OK today, but sometimes it's not going to be OK. When the "OK" goes bad, who will you blame, God? In Sabbath school one of my classmates made a statement from a book she was reading that went something like this, and I'm paraphrasing, 'we shouldn't ask God why things are going wrong in our lives. Rather, we should ask God HOW we can get through the circumstance together with Him.' I love that. How many times have you questioned God about why things were not going well in your life? Not even considering that you were experiencing hardship because of your own selfish choices, right? Well sometimes, the tough times are meant to strengthen us for something more trying or more significant. Therefore, sometimes it's not going to be OK, because God has something else in mind for you.

When Peter asked Jesus to allow Him to walk on water to meet Him, Jesus gave the Word and Peter began his walk. Yet Peter, being predisposed to human nature's doubt, second guess his faith in Jesus' power. The storm was more convincing to Peter - he doubted Jesus' authority and began to sank. Jesus helped Peter up, but instead of calming the storm, He asked, "why did you doubt?" God may be asking us that same question... When your car was repossessed, when your rent could not be paid, when your bills were past due, you asked "God why is this happening to me?" Since you did not analyze the choices that YOU made - without asking Him for direction first - you may have missed out on His counter question, "WHY DID YOU DOUBT?" Pastor Kelly said something awesome during the sermon today, he admonished us "it's not just God that's going to get you there, it's God that will keep you there." STOP forgetting that YOU WILL FACE SOME BAD TIMES. Even though God may not rescue you at the time you desire or in a manner that is satisfying to you, remember that the trial at hand is PREPARING YOU for something greater: He may be strengthening you to face something more harsh; He may be giving you the testimony meant to help someone find their way back to Him; He may just be planning to bless you in such a way that without having endured that difficult situation, you would be totally unprepared to handle His blessing. Sometimes it's not going to be OK, but the end result is the perfect outcome for God's vision of where you should be and the route in which He has predestined for you to get there.

POWER IN PRAYER:

Yahweh we thank you for life, health, and strength. Thank you for providing the courage and strength we need to remove the guilt we've placed on self, and for removing every negative thought that has held us captive in our own minds. Lord if or when we question your authority in our lives, refocus our vision so that we may see what you will have us; help us to rearrange our lifestyles so that where we are in life and what we do in life is acceptable according to your perfect plan for our individual lives. 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 each of 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 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. Please continue to help us see, hear, and feel your presence through every trial and tribulation, and for discernment to know the difference between your will vs. our own desires. 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. We grant your angels permission to do our bidding on earth, and thank you for protecting us from its recourse. For everyone and everything we have failed to pray for, we ask that you do not fail to address the concern. This is our affirmation of faith Yahweh, we submit our petition to you, and claim all these things in the name of Yeshua, Amen!