Hello everyone, I hope that
yall have had a great week so far. Two weeks ago, I adopted a vegetarian diet. One week ago, as I was rushing to feed my son, without a second thought, I broke my diet and ate some chicken nuggets. It ate all 6 without it ever occurring to me what I had just done until one of my BFFs was talking about a food item with bacon in it. As I was fixing my lips to utter "I went vegetarian," it donned on me what I'd done minutes before our conversation; before I could finish my sentence, the replay in my mind went in slow motion as I devoured each nugget. I blurted out with a disappointed grunt, "I AAAATTTTTE MEEEAAT." It confused my BFF until I explained where my mind was at that moment.
Needless to say, I was successful for 6 days on the vegetarian diet, technically a pescatarian diet, because I had also purchased a salmon cream cheese spread for my bagels, which I didn't realize upon purchase had real salmon in it. Anyway, I started over that very next day. Not pertinent to our lesson, but perhaps one of you may have started a journey and had a relapse of bad decisions, and/or bad habits too. SO WHAT! Start again and pick up right where you left off. In this week's lesson, we will discuss the importance of the intentional
sowing of seeds. If this is your first-time
fellowshipping with us, or, perhaps you're revisiting, WELCOME! YOU ARE NOT ALONE in your spiritual journey. You've found your SAFE space to be open about your past, present, future, and especially your struggles. However,
here, you have the freedom to share with your brothers and sisters in Christ as openly or privately as you desire. Together, we will help you in your walk, or be supportive as you make newly revealed God-driven moves. You're encouraged to reply with your questions, comments, and/or concerns and I will respond at my earliest convenience. REMEMBER to take some time to
review the Announcements,
Healthy Living Tips, and other information detailed below following the
Reflections and
Power in Prayer. I always appreciate your continued support. To keep spreading God's Gospel, I invite you to share the
Scripture of the Week with the hashtag SOW. Enjoy!
**Disclaimer: Production and distribution days of the SOW are subject to change without warning**PRAISE REPORTS: My cousin's husband, whom we prayed over last week, is out of the hospital and doing better each day. We thank you for your prayers. We ALL have reasons, small and large, to SHOUT "HALLELUJAH!" It is time to give God some glory, especially during our struggles; we thank you, Jesus, for our past trials, our current obstacles, and our future triumphs. 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: I'd like us to spend time each day this week praying for the lost and confused souls. There are many people who have been so traumatized by their misfortune that either they turned away from God, or never developed an interest to get to know Him better. As Christians, we have a responsibility to ACT in a manner representative of the Father's love, especially if we expect to guide souls back to Him. 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 I will add your request 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 the midst of adversity… Ponder this: "
If you have made mistakes, there is always another chance for you. You may have a fresh start any moment you choose, for this thing we call 'failure' is not the falling down, but the staying down" (
Mary Pickford). 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 the 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 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: "
The Hill" by
Travis Greene you can listen to it here (
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71HOyS5yWD4) "
Trust in You" by
Anthony Brown & group therAPy, you can listen to it here (
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wkE5TXC8Jyo). 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 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)—GALATIANS 6:8 (NIV): "Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life."
REFLECTIONS: OMGosh! As I began editing the meat of our lesson, I realized that I must have inadvertently deleted the
Power in Prayer for last week, which means
we didn't pray for anything. My bad
yall, please forgive me. Therefore, following the
Reflections, I will include the
prayer requests from this week and the last.
As Christians, it's critical of us to be more mindful of our thoughts, words, and actions. We're not always aware that others are keeping a close eye on our thought process, our mindset, our actions, and reactions - our overall lifestyle choices. Sometimes we may not even realize how impactful we are to others around us. My cousin-in-law had been training to recertify for tax preparation. Every day she'd show up for training and her classmates would offer her a plethora of unhealthy snacks that they'd be consuming, but she'd politely decline and partake of the healthy food choices that she'd brought along with her. One day, she showed up and one classmate had informed her that there were healthy snacks available and invited her to join them in supping with one another. I mentioned this story to show how my cousin-in-law's commitment to a healthy lifestyle, unintentionally influenced her peers to make healthier food selections.
What if our mindfulness in thoughts, words, actions, and reactions, stood firm on setting higher standards based on biblical principles? The more intentional we are with
sowing fundamental
seeds, the more individuals we will influence through our living example.
I have conversed with various individuals who challenge religion and spirituality. The consensus is that too many so-called Christians are hypocritical, judgmental, and convey a message of social exclusion as opposed to love and inclusion. Individuals who claim to be followers of the Most High - whose Living example showed us how to love without conditions - often present the worse representation of Christ-like characteristics and suggest contradictory depictions of the Word.
We perceive contradictions as untruths; truth mixed with a bit of error is a lie. Therefore, if the people claiming to follow God are not acting or speaking like Him, others on the outside looking in, have absolutely no concrete reason to
be drawn to the deceptions of the Church. If I'm being honest, almost every religion shares the same foundational principles, we just attribute them to a different deity or higher power. It is because of our stubbornness to break free from religious traditions that we as a people cannot reach peace; if we would set aside religion to see the parallels of our principles, as
a UNIT, we would IMPACT EVERYONE because we'd finally get the concept of true love. Love has many traits, but it's an ACTION, not a noun or a word to throw around loosely. LOVE in every culture has the potential of developing a universal language if we are INTENTIONAL with the seeds we sow.
To be intentional means that you are purposely seeking to do something
in a specific way for a specific reason. That being said, when religion
is set aside and we as a people break down the fundamentals of what we're trying to convey to the world, we'd be able to recognize the identical standards in each of our beliefs, to come TOGETHER COHESIVELY to tackle the global issues and make a difference, because we'd be on one accord. "
There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all" (
Ephesians 4:4-6,
NIV). We MUST STOP trying to claim that our beliefs are superior to someone else's.
At the end of the day, we are working toward a common purpose, we would be on the same page IF we acknowledged the desired end goal - love, peace, and unity.
Acts 4:32 (
NIV) says, "
All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had." If only we as a people could be of one accord and realize the parallels of our beliefs, we'd be successful working toward our common goals.
Many times we're so consumed by the worries of life that we forget about the many people who
are lost or confused and will die and perish because they haven't accepted salvation, because of our failure to
sow intentional seeds; too many of us are drawing from our own understanding, logic, science, traditions, and norms that
were developed because of societal and cultural influence. We forget that to understand spiritual things, we must have spiritual discernment (refer to
1 Corinthians 2:14 here
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Corinthians+2%3A14&version=KJV), which
is formed through a relationship with God; through discernment and closeness to the Father, we will think, speak, and move as the Spirit guides. We spend way too much time trying to "save" people without the direction of the Spirit, by trying to be a provider according to our personal interests, many times for self-gratification and praise. But the Lord provided salvation, we're merely here to deliver that message through ACTION - talk the talk and then walk the walk.
Sow Intentional Seeds!
POWER IN PRAYER: Yahweh, we thank you for redemption, and for the freedom to choose life over death through 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 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 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 and the chaos, because we know that after endurance is a testimony, that'll encourage and help others. We praise you for the good and easy times and the bad and difficult times because we know that in conquering an obstacle, we'll find strength. We thank you for removing all strongholds that prevent us from establishing and strengthening a relationship with you. We thank you for overseeing
Tylesha's cousin-in-law's hospital visit and reversing his symptoms. We thank you for stabilizing Josias' aunt's heart complications. We praise you for the recovery of the missing victims of Hurricane Dorian. Lord at this moment we ask that you would enter the lives of the lost, the hopeless, the helpless, and the confused; Lord they are missing a Jesus-experience - a spiritual connection with you that is necessary to either bring them back to you, or
to finally provide the revelation of your existence. There are so many of us suffering from disbelief, doubts, and fears because of societal traditions that have caused us to interpret your absence and silence as
failure. We need to hear a word from
you Father, in the book of
Malachi you assure us you are true to your word. Some of us have failed in sowing seeds that draw others near and as a result, some have turned away or were never interested in developing a relationship with you because of our lack of love, compassion, and acceptance; touch those whom we have failed. Continue to lead us in the way we should go; influence us boldly in our thoughts, words, and actions so that everything we do, and say will be acceptable in your sight, and exemplary for your glory. For the individuals who have
been deterred by our inadequate representation of your love and grace, remove the darkness and turn on your light in their lives - show them who you truly are; move in them with a force too strong to ignore, and may their hearts be open enough to acknowledge and take hold of your hand as you lead them from the abyss. Help us make choices in wisdom, not folly,
to sincerely trust in and act upon your will. Help us 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 forgive others so we too may
be forgiven, and may we also forgive ourselves so 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 speak life into every situation and 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... If there is a task that appears more difficult to complete than others, although it's made-up of easy steps, then you may need a shift in your mindset. As I tackle transformation of the mind, I have realized that many of the tasks I've found grueling were challenging because of the meaning I attached to them. For instance, when I create a to-do-list, or start an exercise routine, my mindset has already placed limitations
because of my association of those goals as chores.
What if you focused on the result or desired outcome as opposed to the mission itself? If you're a size 15 and desire to be a size 8, your focus should
be fitting into clothes that are 7 sizes slimmer, as opposed to the burn from the workout. If you've been smoking for 20+ years because of stress, which you could probably alter your surroundings to eliminate, but that's another story, think of quitting as adding 5 years to your life as opposed to giving up something. Another useful tip is to find a better alternative. Research what you can do to prevent your bad habit
(s) or negative mindset and replace it with something that provides comparable satisfaction. That means that you must determine, through trial and error, which activities are essential to nurture and manifest your desired achievement.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
- As yall already ready know, I have launched the publishing of Color Isn't Who I AM © 2019, but I still haven't raised enough funds to payoff the full cost. The fee for my first book is $3,495, which I have the bulk of, but still need several hundred dollars. I'd like to publish a 2nd book, What if tomorrow didn't come? © 2019 What does that have to do with you? Well, as a result of reading my books, youth will gain age-appropriate insight on life lessons, they'll explore early development such as learning letters, numbers, songs, etc., they'll develop life-long lessons of morals and manners, they'll gain knowledge and understanding of love, kindness, acceptance, and spirituality. As a result of reading Color Isn't Who I AM © 2019, youth will embrace who they are, and challenge others to live in harmony. As a result of reading What if tomorrow didn't come? © 2019, youth will learn the importance of obedience, and the significance of doing things right away, rather than putting them off for the next day. I'm looking for individuals who'd like to help me train our youth to excel one book at a time, through age-appropriate literature that will lead them in the way they should go. Who do you know? Please donate or share the link https://www.gofundme.com/f/color-isn039t-who-i-am. ALL efforts and contributions matter. Thanks in advance.
- I am on a quest to relaunch Fostering Mind, Body, and Soul Incorporated (FMBS Inc.) and I NEED volunteers and serious board members; I need 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 and 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/.
- Please take a moment to register your Ralph's, Food 4 Less, and/or Kroger Rewards cards to enroll your member number/phone number for the Ralph's/Food 4 Less Community Contribution Program to help Fostering Mind, Body, and Soul Incorporated (aka FMBS Inc., serving communities throughout Southern Cali since 2012) raise funds to give back to the community; for every purchase you make, a small % is given as a donation to our non-profit organization - your rewards points are NOT affected by this enrollment. To enroll, 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. We always appreciate your continued support.
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 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 under construction. LIKE our Facebook page at
https://www.facebook.com/fmbsinc.sustenance/ and follow us on Twitter
@FMBSInc.
Respectfully,
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