SALUTATIONS: I hope that everyone had a great week. I apologize for not getting the SOW out on Sunday. However, please be expecting more times that I will send out the lesson on a day other than Sunday, yet prayerfully, consistently each week. I would like to ask everyone to 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. Thanks in advance; Announcements, Healthy Living Tips, and other information are detailed following the 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 hashtag SOW. Enjoy your week!
PRAISE REPORTS: Every moment that you’re blessed with the breath of life, is a moment to be grateful and full of praise. 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: There have been a significant amount of deaths that I have heard about over the past week, as well as injuries and illnesses. That being said, let’s pray for the bereaved, the souls of those lost, and the sick and the shut-in. I would also like us to pray for the babes in Christ and the Christians who still get defensive when someone goes against their beliefs; we must be able to respect other people’s opinions and understand that our actions and reactions are a reflection of the Church as a whole, thus, can be a make or break when it comes to ushering others toward or away from the Lord. 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 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: “Joy is what happens when we allow ourselves to recognize how good things really are” (Marianne Williamson). 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" (2 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: "My World Needs You (feat. Sarah Reeves, Tasha Cobbs, &Tamela Mann)" by Kirk Franklin, you can listen to it here (https://goo.gl/zryXJh) “Already Here" by The Pastor Rudy Experience, you can listen to it here (https://goo.gl/vy9pve). I would also like to recommend Classical for Studying Radio on Pandora to better facilitate your meditation on the Word as you study, you can listen to that station 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) – ISAIAH 31:1-3: “Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help; and stay on horses, and trust in chariots, because they are many; and in horsemen, because they are very strong; but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the Lord! Yet He also is wise, and will bring evil, and will not call back His words: but will arise against the house of the evildoers, and against the help of them that work iniquity. Now the Egyptians are men, and not God; and their horses flesh, and not spirit. When the Lord shall stretch out His hand, both he that helpeth shall fall, and he that is holpen shall fall down, and they all shall fail together.”
**Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible; retrieved from https://www.biblegateway.com/passage**
**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: More often than not, we place our hope and trust in things and people that we can see, rather than trusting in God, because we cannot physically see Him… though I beg to differ… When Jesus helped the blind man see and asked the man what he saw, the man was focused on the things around him, they were blurry, but think about it, IF he had looked at the individual right in front of him, he would’ve seen the Lord clearly (refer to Mark 8:22-25 here https://goo.gl/VrdW6H). That’s what we do, we reason that the Lord isn’t tangible because we cannot “see” Him, but are we even looking? Or, are we so wrapped up in the things around us, that we’ve failed to recognize just how tangible He is?
Let’s face it, our human nature predisposes us to inconsistency, disloyalty, unreliability, deceitfulness, and more. So WHY then, do we turn toward mortal beings for solace, for shelter, for help, for anything when the one TRUE SOURCE of help is YHWH? I believe the reason is that we pray for things that DO NOT fall in line with God’s will, and/or pray in vain believing that the Lord cannot or will not answer our requests before we’ve even uttered them. Here’s the deal, IF you’re praying for a million dollars, to shack up with a person before the “I DO’s,” for ill-will toward someone else (even your enemies), or some other vain or materialistic thing, you can best believe that He probably is ignoring your requests. True, the Word does say “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened” (Matthew 7:7-8). However, it also says “And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive” (Matthew 21:22); “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us” (1 John 5:14, NIV); “When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures” (James 4:3, NIV). In so many words, until our desires and thought processes focus on the innermost needs of self and others, which happens to be the same desire [will] of God, then our prayers are most likely misguided and will be unattended.
Some will argue that the Lord runs a dictatorship and wants us to be robots, but that’s NOT true, He gave us FREE WILL to make our own decisions. With every decision comes a consequence. When you were a kid and asked your parents for access to something that they felt wasn’t in your BEST interest, did they provide it? NO! So why then, would you expect the Father of ALL to treat you any differently than your loving earthly parent who has NOT made the same sacrifice as YHWH did when Yeshua laid down His life for us? His love far surpasses anything a parent on earth can demonstrate; every parent has a cutoff point where they turn their back on a child – that final wrong act may set them off because they have conditions to their love. Whereas, the Lord has NO conditions. Therefore, when the prodigal child (any of us) returns home [to God], He stands with open arms happy that the one lost child has been found (refer to Luke 14:11-32, NIV, here https://goo.gl/DcVi9u).
The same God who protected the Israelites from Pharaoh and his army is the same God who can help you determine the best nutrition choices, the most fitting career, your partner in life, and even something as small as when and where to take your next step. No circumstance is too big or small, major or minute; NO MATTER WHAT, GOD’s GOT IT! The challenge is whether we believe that and can place that much trust in an entity that we feel isn’t tangible, and if we’ll ever take the time to OPEN our eyes, hearts, and souls to WHO has been in front of our faces the whole time.
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. For the individual lives lost this week, we pray over their souls, that they were able to find peace in your before they were laid to rest. We also pray for their loved ones left to bereave; provide comfort and strength each individual capacity needed. Lord, the Church has been attached to stigmas unbecoming of true Christianity; for the babes in Christ and those struggling to live the same life in public that they live behind closed doors, rather, those struggling to live Christ-like even when no one is looking, Father place a hedge of protection, revelation, and ability to walk the walk as well as they talk the talk. Forgive us for our unbelief and increase our longing for a relationship with you, so that the spiritual things that require a spiritual discerning will be clear to us. Please remove the things or people from our lives hindering us from recognizing our potential and purpose. Create in us new hearts that are grateful and faithful to your will. Help us 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 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 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… “Take Care of Your Gut Health With Probiotics and Fiber: The bacteria in your gut, collectively called the gut microbiota, are sometimes referred to as the ‘forgotten organ.’ These gut bugs are incredibly important for all sorts of health-related aspects. A disruption in the gut bacteria is linked to some of the world's most serious chronic diseases, including obesity. A good way to improve gut health, is to eat probiotic foods (like live yogurt and sauerkraut), take probiotic supplements and eat plenty of fiber. Fiber functions as fuel for the gut bacteria. (K Gunnars. (2015, March 24). 27 Health and Nutrition Tips That Are Actually Evidence-Based [weblog comment]. Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/27-health-and-nutrition-tips).
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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