SALUTATIONS: I hope that everyone had a great week. FYI, I am now utilizing an email marketing program in hopes to keep our weekly correspondence out of your spam boxes. But, as an extra precaution, make sure to whitelist this email address. Don’t forget 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!
**Disclaimer: Production and distribution days of the SOW are subject to change without warning**
PRAISE REPORTS: The fact that you’re reading this message means that you’ve been blessed with another moment of life. Not to mention, functioning senses. 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: A friend of mine, Shaunece, is experiencing some health issues in addition to a high-risk pregnancy; let’s pray for her healing, comfort, and a healthy prenatal/postpartum experience. 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: “We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them” (Albert Einstein). 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: "Do It Again" by Anthony Brown & group therAPy, you can listen to it here (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zpLTA9coio) “He Turned It" by Tye Tribbett, you can listen to it here (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ussP-J98syE). 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) – 2 CORINTHIANS 3:3 (NLT): “Clearly, you are a letter from Christ showing the result of our ministry among you. This “letter” is written not with pen and ink, but with the Spirit of the living God. It is carved not on tablets of stone, but on human hearts.”
**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: What does it mean to be “a letter from Christ?” It means that we are supposed to be the living example in THIS lifetime, as Jesus was the example in biblical times; If someone “read” you today, would they see you, or would they see Jesus? As Christians, if the only thing people can see when they look at our lifestyles is selfishness, meaning, they only observe us clinging to selfish beliefs and promoting our own ideologies with great contradiction to the Word, then how will they ever see God or be drawn to Him? Once we choose a life of solidarity to the Lord, we must regularly break free from the sinful desires that keep us from following Christ; a daily crucifixion of sinfulness is necessary for us to live according to the purpose God intended as His example – His letter – of how people should live their lives. “The scripture is God’s love letter to us, given to encourage, edify, strengthen, lead, and instruct” (Chambers, R. (2019, April 3). Letters [Web log comment]. Retrieved from http://daybyday.org/); as His living letters, we are tasked with showing others God’s love through our daily actions.
2 Timothy 3:16 (NLT) says, “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.” To break down that passage, we see the necessity in studying the Word of God to find clarity in our purpose and to grasp the picture of how we should ultimately live in and up to that purpose. It is far better for someone to SEE a sermon (words put into ACTION), rather than merely hear one (words that go in one ear and out the other, as a result of the contradictory behavior observed of the one speaking); as Christians, we may be the only connection someone has to God, so we must make sure that the picture we’re painting for Christ is accurate. Whomever and whatever we place our faith in is who or what we become a walking testament for.
The reason so many people choose not to attend church isn’t because of the words being spoken in the pulpit, rather, it is because of the people representing the Church as a whole. The Church, and I’m referring to both the building and the body of people meant to represent it, has an unfortunate history of making outsiders feel uncomfortable; the church building is supposed to be a place of safety, accountability, and transparency. On the contrary, the church building is a body of hypocritical, judgmental people who turn others away if they aren’t willing to walk in the traditions of said building. The church building and the Church have the reputation of presenting their own do’s and don’ts as developed by their traditions, rather than focusing their teachings and examples on doctrine; the Church’s example shows how to be like us, rather than how to be like Christ. If we were to teach doctrine over tradition, as a living example is supposed to, people would be free to discover who Christ is in them, and they wouldn’t feel burdened by the traditional do’s and don’ts of Christianity, which may come off as giving up their lives as opposed to finding one in Christ (Chambers, 2019, para. 4).
Ponder this, if you were responsible for spreading God’s Gospel without uttering a single word, what would your lifestyle look like? Unfortunately, our nonverbal communications within the Church convey a message contrary to love, peace, and faith. Instead, the Church’s ACTIONS focus on struggles as opposed to strength, defeat rather than victory, and hypocrisy over integrity. If we sing “Lord, I’ll trust you,” yet with every opportunity to rely on faith, we do things our own way, who have we demonstrated putting trust into? The Word reminds us in James 1:22 (NLT) NOT to “... just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.”
If the only testimony of Christ that outsiders get to see revolves solely around our words, then many would be left confused and staggering to fill in the gaps to their concerns. I always see messages about campaigns to supply more bible across the world, but more bible won’t impact the world without enough living examples for people to draw near to Jesus. The church building and the Church – God’s body of believers, are responsible for making sure that the message being told is also the message people see when they look at our DAILY lifestyles. We must live in such a way that we can IMPACT THE WORLD FOR GOD’S GLORY! ALWAYS DEMONSTRATE the use of sound judgment, encouragement, edification, and strength toward others, so that we are seen as people who KNOW God’s way so that others will draw near and follow.
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 your provisions of health and healing and for allowing us to breathe yet another week. Lord, we ask for complete and speedy healing over Shaunece, as well as a comfortable prenatal and postpartum experience, so that she may deliver a healthy baby at full term. For the many unspoken requests of our souls, Father, read and deliver us according to your will. Forgive us for our unbelief and remove the things or people from our lives hindering us from recognizing our potential and purpose so that the spiritual things that require spiritual discerning will be clear to us. 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 so that the life we live will be one of sound wisdom, that demonstrates encouragement, edification, and strength toward others. Baptize us today 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 negatively impact our 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, and as the angels and Holy Spirit do your bidding on Earth and in Heaven, protect us and them with your recourse. All these things we ask in the matchless name of Yeshua, Amen!
HEALTHY LIVING TIPS: Change begins within… This week’s tip involves sleep, something I myself have difficulty sustaining a healthy amount of. What I’ve noticed, however, any time I have been under the weather, it is the rest that helps to rejuvenate me back to full strength. “The importance of getting enough quality sleep cannot be overstated. It may be just as important as diet and exercise, if not more. Poor sleep can drive insulin resistance, throw your appetite hormones out of whack and reduce your physical and mental performance (26, 27, 28, 29). What's more, it is one of the strongest individual risk factors for future weight gain and obesity. One study showed that short sleep was linked to 89% increased risk of obesity in children, and 55% in adults (30) (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). What I find helpful in getting to bed at a decent hour, is stopping any activity that isn’t necessary to finish prior to bed or for the next day’s task. For example, if I’m watching a TV show, reading a book, or playing a game, none of which have anything to do with the next day’s tasks, yet, will hinder that night’s sleep quality, I’ll shut it down and close my eyes even if I’m not physically sleepy. Eventually, the body will drift off to sleep. If your body’s recovery is initiated during sleep, then, good rest is necessary for ALL forms of healing; healing from illness, ailments, injuries, and disease, as well as regulating hormones, stabilizing emotions, repairing cells, protecting the heart, and maintaining a healthy weight (Sleep Junkies, 2019).
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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