Scripture of the Week (SOW) formerly known as the Scripture of the Day (SOD): Faith isn't passive, it's Aggressive (5/16/2016)

Hello everyone, I pray that all is well. I want to take this time to encourage you to share any testimonies, praise reports, and prayer requests with us; you never know how your story will move in someone else's life. Just as well, since there is power in prayer, what better way to lift up your concerns than to share them with our group so that we can pray on the issue together? PRAISE REPORTS: In the midst of job hunting and trying to recruit new clients, a Class Action Law Suit from a previous employer had been settled and I received a check that came right on time to pay some bills. One of my BFF's, Tenisha, is graduating this Friday... it's been a long time coming too, but God willed her through. I have a host of other friends and associates with recent graduations as well, all ranging from undergrad and graduate, I can't remember them all but just to name a few: Diamond, Dennis, and Reggie. Lastly, my cousin Kiki has been hired as a postal service worker, while Kia was recently married. Let's just give God some thanks for how He is working in our lives, but let us not forget that sometimes when things aren't going as desired, it's simply to prepare us for something better. Thus, we should praise Him anyway. PRAYER REQUESTS: God has authority over our circumstances, so together, let us pray for one another, 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). My dear friend Tunde is awaiting approval to be accepted into a doctoral program; there are people who are experiencing grief from the loss of a loved one; there are many new and expectant mothers, including myself, who are in need of strength, financial stability, comfort, speedy recovery, healthy delivery and healthy babies; there are relationships ranging from spiritual, personal, professional, and even individuals who are requiring some healing, mending, guidance, restoration, and transformation. As usual, let's pray as the Sprit leads. ANNOUNCEMENTS: Gospel artists Anthony Brown & Group Therapy will be performing on Saturday, July 9th at 5:00 PM (for more information on that, visit http://seccblackmin.adventistfaith.org). My non-profit organization, Fostering Mind, Body, and Soul Incorporated, is greatly in need of NEW and DEDICATED members and volunteers, as well as material contributions and/or monetary donations to assist in our day-to-day operations. We expressly appreciate EVERY contribution as well as EVERY donation, no matter how big or small; your contributions and donations assist us in our mission to help people in need, locally. 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). Another way to contribute is through the Ralph's/Food 4 Less Community Contribution Program (details available upon request). Don't forget that you may also give back by joining my team of volunteers and members for a permanent role or for specific events (for more info, contact me). Your continued support is always appreciated. Please keep spreading the word. #SOW

HEALTHY LIVING TIPS:

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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: "But until a person can say deeply and honestly, 'I am what I am today because of the choices I made yesterday,' that person cannot say, 'I choose otherwise.' " (Stephen R. Covey). I'm no theological scholar, and even if I were a pastor or an expert in God's word, I would still advise 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 – MATTHEW 15:21-28 (NIV):

"Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to Him, crying out, 'Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is demon-possessed and suffering terribly.' Jesus did not answer a word. So His disciples came to Him and urged Him, 'Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.' He answered, 'I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.' The woman came and knelt before Him. 'Lord, help me!' she said. He replied, 'It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.' 'Yes it is, Lord,' she said. 'Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.' Then Jesus said to her, 'Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.' And her daughter was healed at that moment."

**Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture quotations are taken from the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible; retrieved from https://www.biblegateway.com/passage**

REFLECTIONS:

In this passage, a woman sought Yeshua's healing over her demon-possessed daughter. After Yeshua continued to move through the crowd without so much as acknowledging this woman, His disciples considered her a nuisance and suggested that He send her away. Instead, He used that moment as an opportunity to teach that faith is available to ALL people. Despite the appearance of rejection, the woman still pled her case before Yeshua, and in an effort to reflect the Jews' attitude so as to contrast it with His own toward the Gentiles, He said, "It is not meet [right] to take the children's bread and cast it to dogs" (Matthew 15:26); " 'Dog' was a term the Jews commonly applied to Gentiles, because the Jews considered these pagan people no more likely than dogs to receive God's blessing. Jesus was NOT degrading the woman by using the term... [and] the woman did not argue. Instead, using Jesus' choice of words, she agreed to be considered a dog as long as she could receive God's blessing for her daughter" (Tyndale House Publishers. (2004). Matthew. Life Application Study Bible: King James Version: Notes 15:24, 26-28 (pp. 1370). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.).

The woman in this passage was not affected by the disciples' bourgeois (boo-gee) attitudes. Rather, she allowed their negativity to fuel her faith => aggressively. Instead of being intimidated by Yeshua's silence like most people are, this woman revealed just how aggressive her faith was; the woman wasn't discouraged by His silence, she knew in her heart that she could maintain her faith in the hope that He didn't actually say "no." Just because the Lord doesn't say "yes," doesn't necessarily mean He's saying "no." Instead, consider His silence an opportunity for you to gain something from your experience, or as a waiting period as He prepares a better outcome for you; Yeshua may not say "yes," but His "no" might be the greatest blessing of your life. Think about that promotion you thought you wanted super bad, but it was given to the next man or woman and a better position came along later that you absolutely adored. Of course, that was God. Times may seem rough right now, but consider what the trials you're experiencing now are preparing you for later. One of the best examples I can think of is the role of a parent. Our parents lectured and scolded us about this and that, and as a child, we hated it; I used to wish I were that kid whose parent allowed him or her to do whatever it was they pleased. That is until I got old enough to understand the passage "Whoever spares the rod hates their children, but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them" (Proverbs 13:24, NIV). Those children who were ignored by their parents were NOT molded into stellar citizens, they were not held accountable for their misbehavior, and they more than likely made a whole lot of poor decisions before getting their acts together, IF they ever decided to correct their ill conduct in the first place. As a child ourselves, all we could do is compare the discipline our parents rendered us to the lack thereof of our peers. Punishments vs. freedom, we always leaned toward the latter, right? However, the older I get, the more I understand and appreciate the morals and values instilled in me as a child. My parents were not always quick to punish, sometimes they would make us sit and think about what we've done the entire day maybe even two before disciplining. The wait alone was agonizing, but it made you think before a repeat offense; we considered the consequence before the action. Just as a parent decides an appropriate form of discipline for his or her child, the Lord determines the best approach to our current circumstance.

First, we have to determine whether or not the circumstance we are in is a result of a selfish decision we made outside of the will of Yahweh. If our circumstances are unfavorable, yet a result of choices made with self in mind, then we must consider that we are now reaping the consequence of our actions. Yahweh could rescue us, but what example would that set? We would come to expect Him to deliver us from every burden we get ourselves into, having never learned a lesson from our mistakes. But if He allowed us to endure our consequences, then perhaps we will develop the knowledge and desire to avoid said circumstances in the future. Faith isn't passive it's aggressive; we cannot give up on the Lord when He chooses to allow us to undergo a difficult time, we must keep our trust in Him, knowing that although He hasn't said a word in the midst of our prayers, He still hasn't said "no." Sometimes the blessing isn't when He says "yes," but when He says "no"; what we want in life will never be as good as what God has in store for us. Exercise your faith aggressively; PRAY with a more determined state, having confidence in the mere fact that He has heard you (see I John 5:14). Whatever way the Lord blesses you, you should be satisfied. Your help is in Yeshua, have the discipline to trust Him when you cannot hear Him; sometimes the Lord permits chaos to help us see that we cannot handle our circumstances without His hand in it. So don't be too proud to get on your knees and pray with an urgency that NO ONE can on your behalf, and KNOW that the Lord has heard your plea and WILL address your need according to your BEST interest; express your faith aggressively.

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, and to develop an intimate relationship with you by spending more time in your Word and applying the principles therein to our lives. Forgive our transgressions and place in us the strength and desire to forgive those who've wronged us as well. We thank you for our comings and even more so for our goings; when we forget the nature of your blessings, hep us to remember that what you have in store for our lives is well worth it. Please provide comfort and peace to the individuals and families experiencing the loss of a loved one. We ask that you will bless all the new and expectant mothers with strength, endurance, and patience as they tackle motherhood; provide a healthy pregnancy, healthy babies and speedy postpartum recovery. Bless any broken relationships in every possible category of life, mending broken hearts, restoring trust, and strengthening weakened bonds. We claim victory over Tunde's choice of doctoral program, and for everyone in need of financial stability, spiritual guidance, restoration, and transformation, we ask for your direct hand in our individual matters. Father help us to let go of everyone and everything in our lives that does not add value to it. Close every door that needs to be shut in our lives, and open supernatural doors that will supply our innermost needs, and meet our desires as they fall in line with your will. Please mold and transform us into the individuals you have called us to be, and bless each of us with a double portion of your Spirit, the peace that passeth all understanding, prosperity, clarity, contentment, and happiness. We ask that you continue providing each of us with the clear and concise revelations we need in order to overcome the adversary; 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!

Very Respectfully,