SALUTATIONS: I hope that everyone had a great week. I’m not even going to lie, this SOW almost didn’t happen. I volunteered to babysit my cousin’s newborn and my son wasn’t feeling that. To top it all off, I have a splitting migraine. Although I started my studies early, it is now 7:52 pm and I’m barely getting started typing. Then, MS Word stopped responding. You know what? I’ma praise God anyhow; Lord THANK YOU LORD for life because, without it, I wouldn’t feel the pain in my head, nor would I be able to type about it with my cyber family, which is a whole nutha blessing. I’m curious, was anyone able to complete the challenge by extending yourself or service to someone other than family or friend last week? If so, please share. Reminder: announcements and other helpful information will be detailed following the Reflections and 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: 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: Where two or more are gathered and praying in the Spirit, He hears (refer to Matthew 18:20 here https://goo.gl/RxUQ6F); let’s keep praying for our world and spiritual leaders, we may be the only connection between them and God, you never know. 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: “Our achievements of today are but the sum total of our thoughts of yesterday. You are today where the thoughts of yesterday have brought you and will be tomorrow where the thoughts of today take you” (Blaise Pascal). 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. Have a blessed rest of the week.
FEATURED SONGS OF PRAISE: "You Know My Name" by Tasha Cobbs Leonard feat. Jimi Cravity, you can listen to it here (https://goo.gl/E8XGMd) “Intentional" by Travis Greene, you can listen to it here (https://goo.gl/uz6Fyd).
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) – COLOSSIANS 3:16: "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord."
**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: We are responsible not only for our own maturity in Christ, but to also help guide others to Him by way of our thoughts, words, and ACTIONS. There is ALWAYS someone listening to our words, watching our every move, and trying to analyze our decision-making process (refer to Colossians 1:28, NIV, here https://goo.gl/f6XmzV); they are making assumptions as to why we speak the way we do, why we behave in the manner we do, and what could be our reasoning behind those calculated steps? One of the major reasons people are turned off by religion and God is because of how we represent Him in our claims of Christianity. Christianity – a manmade category defining believers of Christ – is supposed to exude the very being of Him; we are supposed to LOVE the way He does – without conditions. We are supposed to FORGIVE the way He does – without resentment. We are supposed to SERVE the way Christ did – with humility. How can anyone see the God in us, when our representation screams contradiction and hypocrisy?
In the KJV, Colossians 1:28 uses the term “perfect,” in reference to us presenting others to the Lord, which in English is translated to “without flaw.” However, in its Hebrew translation, perfect refers to one being “mature” or “complete.” Hence, my reference to the NIV’s translation above. Yet, I really liked how The Message delivers Colossians 1:26-29, it reads, “... God wanted everyone, not just Jews, to know this rich and glorious secret inside and out, regardless of their background, regardless of their religious standing. The mystery in a nutshell is just this: Christ is in you, so therefore you can look forward to sharing in God’s glory. It’s that simple. That is the substance of our Message. We preach Christ, warning people not to add to the Message. We teach in a spirit of profound common sense so that we can bring each person to maturity. To be mature is to be basic. Christ! No more, no less ...” “Consequently, FAITH comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ” (Romans 10:17, NIV).
There are times we do and say things with ulterior motives; Maybe we want recognition for our hard work, maybe we want praise for our good deeds. Perhaps we just want to put on a facade to others that we are something we’re not – Christ-like. It is through submission to the Lord that our “paths are made straight” (refer to Proverbs 3:6 here https://goo.gl/9g31EZ). It is through PRAYER FIRST that the Lord can “establish” His plan – our purpose (read Proverbs 16:3 here https://goo.gl/vSqLcR). Isaiah 48:17-18 says, “Thus saith the Lord, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I am the Lord thy God which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go. O that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments! then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea.”; the Word teaches us the path of righteousness – how to develop a good character that is Christ-like. OUR LACK OF ATTENTIVENESS to our inner voice – our conscience – our Jiminy Cricket – the SPIRIT, is what causes us to choose depression over peace, pain over comfort, hopelessness over faith, and disobedience over abiding. If we were able to declutter our minds to HEAR HIM, we’d discover a refuge, a fortress of tranquility amidst chaos, and a supernatural ability and strength to praise Him despite hardship (read II Chronicles 20 here https://goo.gl/udan5S) and LIVE a lifestyle that exemplifies the true purpose of the Church (NOT a building you worship in, but the BODY OF BELIEVERS), which is to LOVE HIM FULLY so that HE can transform us, that we may love and minister to others.
The Lord promised to help us when we call with an ERNEST heart; HE KNOWS THE NEED BEFORE we even ask, but why ask if you doubt His power and authority over the circumstance? FAITH produces the desired result, according to His will. So, each time we admonish someone, we’re also helping to refresh our own Faith. However, belief and trust is developed by an observation of genuine ACTION; we will be unsuccessful at bringing others to Christ through ministry, if we fail to minister through every aspect of our being – how you think establishes a feeling in your heart, which develops the language you choose to spew from the mouth, which molds the force behind your behavior, and then fuels the decision behind your actions. If all is centered by our thought process, what are we allowing to influence our minds? The company you keep, the music you listen to, the things you watch, the books you read, the environments you’re surrounded in, and the energy you put toward self-improvement and spiritual development, is what shapes your character, and in turn, determines your actions. If your character is what means the difference between someone finding the Lord or turning their nose to Him, again I ask, what are YOU allowing to influence the example YOU are to EVERYONE watching and waiting on your ministry?
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. Bless our spiritual and world leaders with the yearning desire to do right by all people, and to consider the best interest of everyone, in the same way that they value their own desires. Father help us to choose things and people to surround ourselves with that add value to our lives rather than take away from. We ask to be transformed spiritually so that we never lose sight of the purpose you’ve called us into; if that purpose is not yet clear, please remove the things or people from our lives influencing backsliding tendencies. 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 spiritual and personal growth. Keep us to be humble, focused, disciplined, and driven as we work to become everything you have called us to be. Bless each of us individually, providing the strength, courage, organization, commitment, motivation, clarity and understanding to balance our personal, professional, and spiritual lives, daily. 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… Migraines for some can be debilitating. Before I even became familiar with the term, I just thought of my headaches as an uninvited guest that that overstayed its visit, sometimes by days. In holistic therapy, one remedy is to cut out excess sugars, processed foods, and foods with dyes, while increasing your water intake measured by ounces a little over half of your body weight. For example, if you weigh 128 lbs., you would need to drink about 80 oz. of water a day; these tips are said to significantly decrease chronic migraine pain. However, if you’re anything like me, someone who has a hard time letting go of the convenience of processed foods, I recommend BC Powder, which can be purchased over-the-counter at your local drug stores; BC Powder is an Aspirin (NSAID) in crushed form, which is fast-acting. Let me warn you, the taste is horrible. I suggest holding your breath as you pour the powder into your mouth as far back as possible, then quickly wash it down (nose still pinched) with a liquid (flavored is the best option to flush away any residual aftertaste). When I say fast-acting, I am talking between 5-10 minutes before sweet relief. I dread BC Powder because of its bitter taste, but I’d rather have a pain-free head over a few seconds of terrible bitterness on my tongue.
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 family members. 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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