SALUTATIONS: I hope that everyone had a great week. I'm not even going to lie, today, I was dealing with emotional turmoil that interfered with my productivity all day. BUT GOD! I won't go into detail about the spiritual distress I experienced earlier, the Lord provided comfort, so no need to to be concerned. I will, however, say that the emotions I was feeling were relative to others and not necessarily myself. Anyway, if you haven't already done so, please check out the Announcements regarding the Ralph's/Food 4 Less Community Contribution Program to enroll your member number or phone number to help FMBS Inc. raise funds for our cause. I thank you in advance; Announcements, Healthy Living Tips, and other information are detailed following Reflections and Power in Prayer; after our fellowship, at your leisure, please take a moment to review them. Always SHARE GOD’s GOSPEL and feel free to share the Scripture of the Week with the #SOW. Enjoy your week!
PRAISE REPORTS: We prayed for Wayne recently, and I'm proud to report that he is out of the hospital. If you have a specific praise report, please share because we “overcame him [the adversary] by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of [our] testimony” (Revelation 12:11). **NOTE: All praise reports are shared with reference to your name unless anonymity is specified**
PRAYER REQUESTS: This week, there have been several deaths I have heard of, so let's remember the bereaved in prayer. Also, Rlen was recently hospitalized, so let's pray for his comfort and speedy recovery. Keep praying 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; you can purchase your copy here https://goo.gl/qf4rxB). If you or someone you know needs prayer let me know and your request it will be added to the following SOW. **NOTE: All prayer requests are shared with reference to your name and need unless anonymity is specified**
BE ENCOURAGED: NEVER lose sight of God in amidst of adversity… Ponder this: “We all live with the objective of being happy; our lives are all different yet the same” (Anne Frank). I'm no theological scholar, and even if I were a pastor or an expert on 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 true... 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, rather than later.
FEATURED SONGS OF PRAISE: "God's Not Done With You" by Tauren Wells, you can listen to it here (https://goo.gl/tLCou4) “God's Got It" by J.Moss, you can listen to it here (https://goo.gl/hvca5j). I also would like to recommend Classical for Studying Radio on Pandora to better facilitate your meditation on the Word as you study, listen to it here https://www.pandora.com/station/play/2639311889517434029.
OPENING PRAYER: 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(S) – 1 PETER 2:10-12: ”Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy... I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation."
**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: Before and even after we chose to accept God as savior, we are condemned, NOT by Him but by those who pass judgment on our lifestyles. How does it feel to be judged? More often than not, I find myself pointing out the fault in others as they generate subjective opinions about my life, yet, I fail to recognize my own level of culpability in casting judgment on others. The more I strengthen my relationship with Christ, the more I am able to see my guilt. This had me thinking seriously what would Jesus do (WWJD) when it comes to being supportive of the family, friends, and even strangers that embark on lifestyles that go against what is traditionally taught as sinful?
In the Bible we know that Jesus hung out with sinners, His entire crew was made up of them, and everyone God called to a purpose was guilty of sin but chose to accept Him and make necessary changes. Jesus NEVER condemned the way we do. I mean, the nerve some people have to point fingers at smokers when they used to smoke. The nerve some folks have to ridicule people for being obese when they're barely finding they're buried "skinny," AFTER finally making healthier lifestyle choices. The NERVE of ALL hypocrites, which includes me and you, for gossiping about others' imperfections when we have just as many. Just because our sin doesn't have a label such as "abomination," "detestable," or "hate" attached to it, does NOT make it less offensive to God. If you're in the church on Saturday or Sunday to praise and worship, getting turnt-up on Friday, gossiping Monday-Sunday, and being judgemental 365 days of the year, then your sin is NO LESS extreme than a lying thief. James 2:10 says, "For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all."
As Christians, our job is NOT to judge others, NOT to post up at abortion clinics, gay pride parades, Mardi Gras celebrations, or supremacy rallies yelling at folks that they're going to Hell. NO ONE but the Father holds the responsibility for casting judgment and issuing punishment. "There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?" (James 4:12). "He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus" (2 Thessalonians 1:8, NIV). Our identity, our purpose in Christ is to LOVE EVERYONE with the same passion as we love ourselves and to stand firm sharing His Gospel; we were called out of darkness to shine Christ's light on the world as we DO good deeds in love. As we are obedient to His will, we will grow spiritually, and it is the Spirit who helps make us aware of our own sinfulness and gives us the strength to turn from it (refer to Romans 3:20, NIV, here https://goo.gl/9y69ZJ).
We MUST include Christ in our efforts to provide hope, help, and support for not only our friends and loved ones but also to the world; we cannot perfect our characters without a relationship with God, which requires connection to Jesus. It is necessary to embrace fellowship with other believers, and people in general, choosing God's way so that as we STRIVE to develop a closer walk, we can be changed into His likeness and be an example of love that turns others to God NOT away from Him.
POWER IN PRAYER: Yahweh, we thank you for redemption, and the freedom to choose life over death by way of our faith. We thank you for allowing us to live yet another week. We thank you for the comfort and healing you've provided Wayne and Rlen, and ask that you will bless them both with a complete and speedy recovery. We thank you for the peace that passeth all understanding; place that type of peace in the hearts of all those suffering the loss of a loved one, and may they continue to seek solace in you Father. Lord, as we struggle in our own walk and lifestyles, help us to avoid gossiping and passing judgments on others; help us to be mindful of our own faults and to dedicate our energy into changing that which we have control over in our own lives. We ask to be transformed spiritually so that we never lose sight of the purpose you’ve called us into; if that purpose isn't yet clear, please remove the things or people from our lives interfering with our ability to discern. Create in us new hearts that are grateful and faithful to your will. Cause us to love you and to seek you more intimately, to firmly adhere to your commands, and to turn away from our selfish nature. Baptize us daily with your indwelling Spirit and use us as vessels to share your light with the world. Give us the strength and desire to forgive those who have wronged us, and to forgive ourselves; cause us to let go of the past that haunts us and release us from any binds and attachments that may hinder our growth. Keep us humble, focused, disciplined, and driven as we work to become everything you've called us to be. Bless each of us individually providing skills and capabilities needed to balance our personal, professional, and spiritual lives. Bless our loved ones and even our enemies; provide revelations and awareness as you deliver us from our strongholds. Transform and convert us 100% according to your will and achieve in us the ability to pray game-changing prayers – prayers that change people, change outcomes, and help your will to manifest. This is our trusted prayer, we submit to you in the matchless name of Yeshua, Amen!
HEALTHY LIVING TIPS: Change begins within… If you're looking for a quick release, instead of seeking out alcohol, drugs, or nicotine, try these 3 meditation movements to help tension relief:
- Square breathing: to shake anxiety and clear your head - Inhale 2, 3, 4. Hold 2, 3, 4. Exhale 2, 3, 4. Repeat 5 times.
- Shoulder stretch: to release neck and shoulder tension - Interlace fingers and stretch arms above the head and hold for 5 full breaths, release, then repeat the steps for both the right and left side. End by rolling the shoulders forward and backward 4 times each way.
- Standing forward bend: to release tension in the back - Cross the arms to grab each elbow, take a deep breath in, then bend over (you can bend the knees); Shake your head no then yes back and forth 2, 3, 4. Slowly stand upright, then repeat.
ANNOUNCEMENTS: I’m ready to relaunch Fostering Mind, Body, and Soul Incorporated (FMBS Inc.) and I NEED volunteers and serious board members; **NOTE: it’s a business NOT a hobby** FMBS Inc. has a mission to help supply the needy with food and hygiene bags. Our recipients are selected by referral, and/or by canvassing the streets for deserving families and individuals throughout Southern California. You may also arrange any monetary donations or item contributions at any time via email at fmbsinc_2012@outlook.com or by making a donation using the Donate button on the upper right of our Facebook page here https://www.facebook.com/fmbsinc.sustenance/. Another way FMBS Inc. raises funds is through the Ralph's/Food 4 Less Community Contribution Program; you must go to their website here http://www.friendsindeedpas.org/get-involved/ralphs-community-contribution-program/ and link your rewards cards or telephone numbers (Alt ID) to our organization each year, and we will earn money for every purchase made under your rewards cards. Your continued support is always appreciated. Please keep spreading the word. #SOW
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, seasonal items (gloves, scarves, blankets, umbrellas, sunglasses, sunscreen, lip balm, etc.), mini bibles, reading books, and so forth.; our YEAR-ROUND mission is to serve homeless and/or needy individuals and families in underprivileged communities throughout Southern California. We also need DEDICATED volunteers and members – is this your calling? Eventually, when we have met our need for volunteers and board members, we will extend our services to assist/mentor at-risk youth, and to address some of the needs of veterans and their families. 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 contact fmbsinc_2012@outlook.com, as our website is currently under construction. Feel free to LIKE our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/fmbsinc.sustenance/ and follow us on Twitter @FMBSInc.
Very Respectfully,
Tylesha "Tye" Allen
Behavioral Interventionist | Mobile Notary | CEO/Founder of FMBS Inc.
· Mobile: (951) 790-2127
· Address: Los Angeles, CA
· Email: professional1_99@hotmail.com
· 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)
· Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/fmbsinc.sustenance
· Twitter: https://twitter.com/TyeDreamsBig
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