PRAISE REPORTS: Proud to report that I've finished the illustrations for the children's book that I'm looking to start the publishing process for this month. The book is entitled, "Color Isn't Who I AM" © 2019, for ages 4-8. I envisioned a board book, but the publishers are trying to steer me into another direction, insisting that board books are exclusive to known authors or people with lots of money. I'm optimistic though, so publishing may be on hold as I praise through it. If you’re reading or hearing this message, YOU have MANY things to be grateful for; acknowledge your blessing of life, functioning senses, and access to a means of fellowship with others. We ALL have a reason to SHOUT HALLELUJAH, some of us just need to recognize it. If you have a specific praise report, please share, because we “overcame [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, let's pray for hopeful individuals seeking spiritual and/or financial breakthroughs. I'd like yall to pray for me to be connected to the right individuals and/or resources to publish my book as envisioned. And, if anyone is interested in a Command the Morning Prayer template, I have one that I've compiled from several prayers I've read online and tweaked it to be more applicable to me. If you want a copy, I can email it to you and you can recite it in the morning BEFORE you start your normal daily activities, or, you can review and tweak it to your preference as well. I encourage you to keep praying for one another, thanking Yahweh for the victory while refraining from confessing the problem caused by the enemy; ALWAYS pray for the 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: "To live is to suffer, to survive is to find some meaning in the suffering” (Fredrich Nietzsche). 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. If you need someone to help you get there, or you're looking for an accountability partner, here I am.
FEATURED SONGS OF PRAISE: "Just Want You (feat. Jordan Connell & Chandler Moore)" by Travis Greene you can listen to it here (http://shorturl.at/chJZ2) "Because of Who You Are" by Vicki Yohe, you can listen to it here (http://shorturl.at/rwP24). 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://shorturl.at/elqz3.
OPENING PRAYER: Yahweh, please clear our minds and open our eyes, ears, and hearts so that we may be removed from self and moved by the Spirit, to see, hear, and receive your intended message from this fellowship. In the name of Yeshua, Amen!
PASSAGE(S) – PSALM 1:1-2: "Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. 2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in His law doth he meditate day and night."
**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: I really tried hard to finish production of this lesson last night (the 11th), but between my internet browser freezing and my keyboard refusing to type letters, I grew tired and called it a night. What's so boggling to me is the amount of technical difficulty I experience when working on the SOW. Excuse my micro rant, let's jump into this lesson. For several weeks now, I kept getting "PSA" in my head as I completed my morning bible studies, hence the title of this week's message. My thought process behind it was the parallel PSA (public service announcement) has to Psa., which is the abbreviation of the book of Psalms; at the center of the Bible is the book of Psalms - a collection of pleas, prayers, and praises to the Lord. A PSA is meant to publicly raise awareness of and change public attitudes and behavior towards social issues. Scriptures in Psa. present an example, to all who hear or read it, of the ability to cry out to God from the depths of despair in times of trouble asking for help, yet maintaining a spirit of praise and worship as they trust fully in His provision and direction. However, the Bible itself serves as a PSA to raise awareness about the love of God and how we as people need to work together to demonstrate the ACT of LOVE. In this PSA we're going to inform and educate ourselves and others on Life's two roads - the life of the faithful contrasted with that of the faithless - outlined in Psa. 1."Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. 2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in His law doth he meditate day and night" (Psalm 1:1-2) Let's take a look at some key terms in verse one: "blessed" in its Hebrew-Greek translation is esher which can be defined as a state of bliss; "ungodly" (râshâ) refers to someone who is guilty of moral wrong; "way" (derek) calls attention to one's mode of action or journey; "sinners" (chattâ) references sinful offenders; "seat" (môwshâb) defines a dwelling or abode; "scornful" (luwts) which is to mock or express contempt. In other words, Psalm 1:1 conveys a blissful state of mind for individuals who AVOID associations, affiliations, influences, and/or surroundings with the likes of those who willfully act out in a sinful nature; basically, the individuals who don't choose to follow a sinful journey in life, who turn away from negative influencers that show blatant disregard for the Lord, experience eternal happiness as they "delight" (chêphets) - value and incline towards God's will - in the Lord, studying His ways and His decrees daily even through despair that overwhelms the heart.
As I was typing this lesson, I took a break to bathe my son and decided to listen to something relevant to our lesson. I ran across a bible study given by the Coffee and Bible Time YouTube channel. The girl conducting the study is named Ashley, and when we looked at verse two, she pointed out several key points and terms to focus on. First, which was confirmation that I was already headed in the right direction, she addressed the fact that this Psalm deals with two paths in life, the "ungodly" (V. 1) and the "righteous" (V. 5-6). Secondly, she compared bible translations for more insight. She discovered that the term "meditate" in The Message is referred to as "chew" (read Psalm 1, MSG, here http://shorturl.at/krBM1). Ashley then proceeded to provide a parallel between verse 2 and a cow chewing its cud. First of all, let me say that I had no idea what cud was before this, but I did learn something new today. So anyway, she said that after a cow chews its food and swallows, the food comes back up and the cow chews it some more. Ashley goes on to present the similarities between a cow chewing its cud to the suggested act of meditation in this verse. Upon my own research, I found that a cow chews its cud (food that returns from the stomach to the mouth to be chewed a second time) for a total of about 8 hours a day, to ensure that it THOROUGHLY breaks down the food to extract its minerals; in the words of DeVon Franklin, "may I submit for your consideration," that like the cow who meticulously chews its cud, we need to spend quality time in the Word, STUDYING even the minute details to ensure that we are able to grasp its concepts, and practically apply its principles appropriately so.
Psalm 1:3-6 says, "3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. 4 The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. 5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. 6 For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish." These scriptures go further on to convey that when we ponder on the Lord's "law" we grow deeply rooted in the Word and are not easily moved. As we take the steps necessary to complete the path that the Lord has revealed, we shall bear fruit that is good and favorable to God. In contrast, the morally wrong individual is compared to "chaff" which is an outer shell, like the husk of an ear of corn. When you shuck an ear of corn, what do you do with its husk? Discard it. In other words, people who willingly oppose the Lord and commit to lifestyles contrary to His will are cast away by the "wind," which can be described as the Holy Spirit in its Hebrew-Greek translation, rûwach. Thusly, these offenders will have no defense when they are finally sentenced, and they will not be among the "congregation" (êdâh - multitude) of the "righteous" (tsaddîyq - those that meet ethical standards). The Lord keeps a record of our choices... There was a sermon I heard once, where the pastor pointed out that as a child, we make mistakes, but as adults we make decisions. When our decisions intentionally act in opposition to the will of God, He takes notice; in the end, the divergent will be lost ("shall perish" - âbad). Let this Psa. serve as a PSA to help you make an informed decision to spend ample time in the Word and in prayer, to develop a SOLID relationship with the Lord, and to make exemplary choices even to the minuscule advances.
** Other references: The Hebrew-Greek Key Word Study Bible. King James Version, Second Revised Ed., AMG International, Inc., 2008. ***
POWER IN PRAYER: Yahweh, we thank you for redemption, and for 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. Help us believe so that we do not doubt nor fear. We grant your Holy Spirit permission to influence us boldly through our thoughts, words, and actions each day, so that we may have the discernment to remove the things and people from our lives hindering us from recognizing our full potential and walking in our God-driven purpose, and for the spiritual things that require spiritual awareness to become clear to us. Lord, we praise you for the peace as well as the chaos, because we know that after the endurance is a testimony that'll encourage and help others. We praise you for the good and easy times as well as the bad and difficult times because we know that amidst an obstacle that is endured, we find strength. We thank you for removing all strongholds that prevent us from establishing and strengthening a relationship with you. We ask you to touch the individuals who have remained hopeful in your ability to provide spiritual and financial blessings; we ask that you allow your Spirit to reign abundantly in their lives and for both their spiritual and financial breakthroughs to be presented according to your will. We thank you for connecting Tylesha to the right people and resources to successfully publish and distribute her book, Color Isn't Who IAM. We thank you for closing doors that are necessary for our development while opening new windows of opportunities for growth. Help us to make choices in wisdom, not folly, to sincerely trust in and act upon your will. Help us to turn away from sin and to serve others in a manner that is an exemplary display of Christ-like character; behavior that demonstrates love, encouragement, edification, and strength so that others may experience your grace through us. Help us to forgive others so that you too may forgive us, and may we also forgive ourselves so that we can let go of the past that haunts us, releasing us from any binds and attachments that negatively impact our spirituality. 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 all the tools necessary to balance our spiritual, personal, and professional lives. Bless our loved ones and enemies alike. Provide revelations and awareness as you deliver us from our hindrances. 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 your angels and Holy Spirit do your bidding on Earth and in Heaven, protect us and them with your recourse, as you bind, loose, and cast out the demonic spirits of distraction, destruction, retaliation, revenge, and backlash. All these things we ask in the matchless name of Yeshua, Amen!
HEALTHY LIVING TIPS: Change begins within... As I embark on a journey to self-improvement - being the BEST me that I can be, my research has revealed that the state of mind that we make daily decisions with, where we develop our thought processes and formulate emotions to attach to things, people, places, and everything else in life, is NECESSARY to provide regular maintenance. Are you stagnant in your life? Have you reached a plateau? Have you been in an everlasting rut? Well, I've been there too. But let me share with you a few practical steps to take in order to begin the process to a healthy mindset.
- Determine what your ideal life looks like. What is your dream in life? Visualize that picture up to the slightest detail. The clearer you are about your desired outcome, the more focused your brain will be toward doing the work it takes to get there.
- Once you've recognized your dream, ask yourself: "Why do I want this?"; "How does this add to my life?"; "How will I feel once I've reached that goal?"
- Now, let's do some math. Figure out REALISTIC time frames: "When do I want this to transpire? "Where do I want this dream to unfold?"; "How long will it take me to get there?"; "What are the costs (funding, sacrifices, time, efforts, skills, etc.)?"; "Who will help me get there (mentors, resources, connections, accountability partners, etc.)?"
- Once you've established detailed large goals (macro-wins) and smaller goals (micro-wins), remember that BOTH are necessary to get you to the finish line. So celebrate every advancement you make toward your dream.
- INVEST in yourself - in your dream. That means, take some courses, watch some podcasts or webinars, read some books, network with LIKE-minded individuals, or individuals who have already made it, and who can pour into you a wealth of knowledge, so that you develop the tools you need to improve self and be ready to live in the abundant life that your new mindset will help to manifest.
- EVERY DAY, do one more thing to get closer to your dream; that webinar may not have been what you expected, but if you were able to take away at least one nugget of helpful information, you can add a gain to your micro-wins - you'll be one step closer to your desired RESULT.
- When you remember your preferred outcome, it's easier to push through what you need to in order to succeed.
- Whatever that something is - that step - to reach the top, do it with gladness and gratefulness. That means, continue to do your BEST at your not so favorable job, and be joyful knowing that it is that position that will help to fund your ultimate dream.
- SAVE! SAVE! SAVE! If only 5% of your income, set it aside in a high yield savings account that you do NOT touch no matter what. But ideally, you want to think bigger than 5% - if there are frivolous expenses that can be cut, cut'em and ADD it to that 5%.
- YOU HAVE CONTROL over your state of mind. Let tomorrow worry about itself. If you weren't productive the 1st part of the day, do NOT allow that to be your excuse to be unproductive the 2nd or last part of the day. If you fall today, get up and pick up where you left off immediately.
- Lastly, GUARD your mind; be cautious about what you watch, read, and listen to, as these are the things that impact us either negatively or positively. You may not have control over others, but you can control your environment; your environment is a mindset, which is why the most peaceful individuals actively practice meditation. When you're able to focus on the important things in life and bask in gratitude for all the things you do have, no matter your location, the environment you create in your mind can influence you positively or negatively. What and who are you allowing to affect YOU reaching YOUR goal?
- I am on a quest to relaunch Fostering Mind, Body, and Soul Incorporated (FMBS Inc.) and I NEED volunteers and serious board members; Currently, I am in need of people who have a background in business, have some knowledge of operating a non-profit, and/or have resources or connections that can help facilitate our making an impact in surrounding at-risk and underprivileged communities **NOTE: this is a business NOT a hobby** FMBS Inc. has a mission to help supply the homeless as well as needy families 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. I encourage you to reach out to me regarding your interest in service or to arrange any monetary donations or item contributions at any time via email at fmbsinc_2012@outlook.com, my voicemail or text at (951) 790-2127, or by making a donation using the Donate button on the upper right corner 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
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 · Website: http://www.ready411.weebly.com | http://sodbytye.blogspot.com · 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 · LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/pub/tylesha-"tye"-allen/a4/599/875 · Twitter: https://twitter.com/TyeDreamsBig |
