Scripture of the Week (SOW) formerly known as the Scripture of the Day (SOD): ABIDE in HIS love (3/20/2016)

I KNOW that all has been well because ALL is as great as Yahweh has blessed it. I encourage you to always read the Scripture of the Week (SOW) in its entirety albeit 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: My non-profit organization, Fostering Mind, Body, and Soul Incorporated, greatly appreciates ALL material contributions and ALL monetary donations no matter how bog or small; your contributions assist us with our day-to-day operations. To arrange a donation or contribution, contact me at any time via email or phone and/or through the PayPal link located on our website (listed below under Join Our Cause), or through the Ralph's/Food 4 Less Community Contribution Program (details available upon request). Another way for you to give back is by joining my team of volunteers and members for a permanent role or specific events (for more info, contact me). Your continued support is always appreciated. Please keep spreading the word. #SOW

HEALTHY LIVING TIPS:

Change begins within… GET A GOOD NIGHT'S SLEEP! I'm one to talk, but facts are facts. "Lack of sleep has many ramifications, from minor to major, depending on your accumulated sleep debt. Short term, lack of sleep tends to have an immediate effect on your mental and emotional states. Over the long term, poor sleep can contribute to a whole host of chronic health problems, from obesity and diabetes to immune problems and an increased risk for cancer. Plus it raises your risk of accidents and occupational errors... This disconnect from the natural cycles of day and night, activity and sleep, can turn into a chronic problem where you’re constantly struggling to sleep well... Sleeping well is also important for maintaining emotional balance. Fatigue compromises your brain’s ability to regulate emotions, making you more prone to crankiness, anxiety, and unwarranted emotional outbursts. Recent research also shows that when you haven’t slept well, you’re more apt to overreact to neutral events; you may feel provoked when no provocation actually exists, and you may lose your ability to sort out the unimportant from the important, which can result in bias and poor judgment. Fortunately, the remedy is simple, and if you follow the recommendations at the end of this article, chances are you’ll be able to reestablish a healthy sleep pattern, without which you simply cannot be optimally healthy — even if you do everything else right: Make sure you get at least 30 to 60 minutes of outdoor light exposure during the daytime in order to "anchor" your master clock rhythm, in the morning, if possible. More sunlight exposure is required as you age; Once the sun sets, minimize artificial light exposure to assist your body in secreting melatonin, which helps you feel sleepy; It can be helpful to sleep in complete darkness, or as close to it as possible. If you need navigation light, install a low-wattage yellow, orange, or red light bulb; Address mental states that prevent peaceful slumber; Many people keep their homes too warm at night. Studies show that the optimal room temperature for sleep is between 60 and 68 degrees Fahrenheit; Avoid watching TV or using electronics in the evening, at least an hour or so before going to bed [the light tricks your brain into thinking it's still daytime; Going to bed and getting up at the same time each day helps keep your sleep on track, but having a consistent pre-sleep routine or “sleep ritual” is also important; Two of the biggest sleep saboteurs are caffeine and alcohol, both of which also increase anxiety. Caffeine’s effects can last four to seven hours. Tea and chocolate also contain caffeine; Use a fitness tracker to help you get to bed on time, and track which activities boost or hinder deep sleep. To optimize sleep you need to go to bed early enough. If you have to get up at 6:30 am, you’re just not going to get enough sleep if you go to bed after midnight. (Mercola, J. (2016, March 3). What happens in your body when you're sleep deprived?. Retrieved from http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2016/03/03/sleep-deprivation-effects.aspx).

For FREE workout routines that can be done in the comfort of your own home with little to no equipment or in-home equipment alternatives, and for FREE meal plans, check out http://Hasfit.com. "You can either have results or you can have excuses, but you CANNOT have both" (Hasfit.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 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: "Accepting the reality of our sinfulness means accepting our authentic self" (Brennan Manning). I'm no theological scholar, and even if I were a pastor or an expert in God's word, I would still urge you NEVER to take someone else's word 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 week.

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, Amen!

PASSAGE – JOHN 15:1-11 (NLT):

"'I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and He prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father. I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in His love. I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!'"

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

REFLECTIONS:

In these passages, Yeshua is referring to Himself as a grapevine, us as its branches, and Yahweh as our gardener. If we take a look at verse 2, "branches that DO," we must consider Yeshua is referring to those of us who do something that produces something (bear fruit). Yahweh gave us one main objective - to "ABIDE in His love" (verse 10). On the contrary, the devil's sole objective is to figure out ways he can stop us from abiding in God's love. Satan could care less about our finances, our health, or anything else for that matter - he simply wants us to separate ourselves from Christ. For some people, that doesn't mean destruction, it may not even mean heartache. For some, to separate from the Lord is as easy as having everything - when everything is going well in people's lives, they are less inclined to spend time with God. Many people, even those who claim not to be religious or spiritual, tend to call on God most when things are going wrong; whether it's with blame, confusion, or a genuine cry for help, the majority of people require personal turmoil in order to fall to their knees. We sometimes forget to spend time in prayer and thanksgiving when all is well.

When a woman is pregnant, her fetus undergoes its most critical development while in the womb. Although some premature babies survive all odds, there is a high rate of fatalities in premature babies born before 37 weeks at less than 5 pounds. Thus, the womb is a fetus' safe haven. When we are in the womb of Yeshua's love, we have all we need to grow, mature, and be equipped with the tools needed to take on the challenges of this world. But how many of us stay in the womb? Do we fall into the category of the premature babies whose fate is followed by an early discharge? What I'm really asking here is, how many of us allow ourselves to remain in the Word so that the fruit we bear, the something that we "do," renders something good?

As our gardener, Yahweh prunes us, searching for those amongst His flock who have produced good fruit - He checks our character to see if we are truly abiding; when we "abide in His love," not only will Yahweh detect traits such as love, joy, respect, and kindness, others will see this in our everyday living as well. Yahweh is checking to see what we do when no one is watching. He reads our hearts to see what we would do if we knew we wouldn't get caught doing it - our TRUE character - the "fruit" we bear. If bearing fruit deals with the connection or impact we've had on or with others, what is the fruit that we've bore? John 15:2 (NLT) says, "He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit." In other words, when Yahweh looks at the Church - us - He looks to see what we have done to make in impact in and for His Kingdom; if He finds that we haven't done a thing, He "cuts" us "off." When a branch doesn't produce fruit, it can affect the branches that do. So, if we are the branches yet we do not abide in God's love, nor do we bear good fruit (exhibit and practice the characteristics of love), then we must essentially be "CUT OFF" so that we do not negatively influence those among us who do bear fruit.

Pastor Kelly placed emphasis on "every branch IN me that beareth not fruit" (John 15:2, KJV); we can be "in" Christ and not bear fruit. That hit close to home for me because I didn't think that was possible, why? because it has never been broken down in that context to me before. When you are "in" Christ but not bearing fruit, you have become complacent with your circumstances and your lifestyle; you refuse to move past your comfort zone, and if analyzed, you haven't really undergone a character change. The Word says, "therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new" (II Corinthians 5:17, KJV). A deep connection with the Lord means that you know Him intimately because you spend time with Him daily, in His word, in His will - ABIDING in His love. Therefore, exhibiting CHANGE. When Yeshua says, "I never knew you" (Matthew 7:23, KJV) or "I don't know you" (Luke 13:27, NLT), it's not because He doesn't know who you are. Rather, He is merely stating that you never took the time to know Him deeper - intimately. If you did, your fruit would be good and would produce more good fruit; you would be among the branches that are "pruned" (refer to John 15:2-3, NLT). When Yahweh "cuts off" the fruitless branches, it is to purge us (fruit bearing branches) and prepare us to reach the next level (to be better, to do more, to give more). We are NOT the ones who "cut off" people, things, places, etc. - GOD IS; He decides who and what things in our lives that require cutting - removal. Thus, if He hasn't removed that someone or something from your life, do NOT take it upon yourself to decide who and what needs to be "cut off"; sometimes we are in a surrounding that requires our fruit. However, IF and WHEN the Spirit has placed inside of you the desire or urge to remove yourself from a certain person, place or thing, DO NOT REMAIN stagnant bearing no fruit because you are scared to leave your comfort zone; ACT - "ABIDE IN HIS LOVE" (John 15:10, KJV). A branch that doesn't produce fruit is useless; do NOT allow yourselves to be thrown away by God and withered, as a result of your unwillingness to DO MORE for His name's sake.

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 give us a stronger desire to love and to seek you more. Prune us so that we may bear good and much fruit. We want to be useful in your Kingdom, so continue to mold our characters until they are exemplary in your vine. 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 matchless name of Yeshua, Amen!