Scripture of the Week (SOW) formerly known as the Scripture of the Day (SOD): 2020

Wednesday, July 1, 2020

You Are Who You Serve (7/1/2020)

SALUTATIONS: Sup yall? I know some of yall probably judging me right now considering the last message was on consistency. Well, my advice to you is this, reflect on yourself so you don't have time to judge anyone else. I told yall I'm a work in progress. I will not make any excuses regarding the break between this SOW and the last. I'm just grateful to have this opportunity to be fellowshipping with you once more. So, look yall, can you do me a solid? When you finish biting into this meat, scroll down to the Announcements. If you choose not to read all of them, at least read number 3 and 4 to help make a positive impact of change in our communities, please and thank you. If you're feeling generous with your time, however, please take a moment to review ALL of the Announcements, Healthy Living Tips, and other information detailed below, following the Reflections and Power in Prayer. Your continued support is always appreciated. Keep spreading God's Gospel and feel free 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: I was introduced to Sarah Jakes Roberts by chance. Scratch that. By GOD. No, it wasn't an actual face-to-face conversation. I was randomly conversing with someone about some of my struggles and she suggested I check out Sarah Jakes. I hadn't heard of the name before and had correctly assumed that she is the daughter of Bishop T. D. Jakes. However, I had no intention to look her up in the immediate future after our conversation. BUT GOD! I was on YouTube looking for a workout yall, and guess what I see. I see "Change Your Core" by Sarah Jakes Roberts. Com'mon now yall! I was looking for a WORKOUT, not an inspirational video, nor was I looking for the name that had been mentioned to me just the day before. So of course, I knew that was the Lord tryna tell me something. So, I listened to that message and lemme tell yall that I have been blessed by her ministry. She is my new virtual mentor. Excuse my grammar yall, but bump being proper this SOW, you know why? Because if we were having a face-to-face convo with yall right now, this is how it would sound. Love it or hate it, this is me. If you haven't checked out this woman of God, please do so, her testimony is awesome. I'ma tell yall that even in her greetings I feel the Spirit, so I know there is an anointing on her. But if you're more into a male speaker, I suggest Steven Furtick, he has some powerful messages I've been blessed by recently too. I am just grateful that God led me to these messages when He did. No matter what your circumstance, we ALL have reasons, both small and large, to shout "HALLELUJAH!" It is time to give God some glory yall! Praise Him through your 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 am working on consistency, self-love, and discipline. I need to overcome chronic fatigue, procrastination, unforgiveness, and self-hate. Remember me as the Spirit leads, but keep praying for one another as well, 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 download your FREE copy here https://rb.gy/niy4go). 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 amidst adversity… Ponder this: "If [you] cannot do great things, [you] can do small things in a great way" (Martin Luther King Jr.). 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, you've come to the right place. Here I am.

FEATURED SONGS OF PRAISE: "We Gone Be Alright" by Tye Tribbett you can listen to it here (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0TaADfUxPw) and "Promises" by Maverick City (feat. Joe L. Barnes & Naomi Raine) you can listen to it here (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5m09rqOoxE). 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, filled and moved by the Spirit to see, hear, receive, and be transformed by your intended message from this fellowship. In the name of Yeshua, Amen!

PASSAGE(S) – JOSHUA 24:14-15 (NIV): "Now fear the Lord and serve Him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. 15 But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve 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: I was listening to Sarah Jakes Roberts' message entitled "Serve it Up" and she brought up the phrase "you are what you eat." I'm pretty sure I had drifted off for a few moments not fully paying attention to her words, catching some of them here and there, thinking to myself 'what the heck does that even mean? If I consume a slice of bacon does that mean that I'm a pig?' I always thought it kind of an oxymoron. Then again, I could be maintaining that thought completely out of context, for lack of better terms. Now don't ping me as ignorant, I understand what is meant by the phrase, I just always felt they could've used something more practical. But, whatever. Anyway, I'm sure that I paused the video and rewound it to catch what I had missed, and Sarah gave another analogous statement that rang more relative to me "you are who you serve."

Now Joshua had assembled the tribes of Israel to give them a word from God followed by an ultimatum "if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselfthis day whom you will serve" (Joshua 24:15, NIV). Sarah Jakes Roberts said this, "We were created by God, in the image of God, to serve the thoughts of God," so like Joshua I declare that for me and mine, we will serve the Lord. However, that doesn't ring true for everybody. Some of you might even ask yourself "why wouldn't someone serve the Lord?" Well, it's simple, you are whom you serve. Cheesy. I know. So what! I giggled inside and I know one of you did too. Let's get serious real quick though. When I think of this notion of whom we serve, I consider a well-rounded approach to that phrase: whom we serve encompasses everything we consume figuratively and literally. If you overeat and overindulge on things off GP, then you're serving unhealthiness and gluttony. If you find pleasure in X-rated entertainment, you're serving lust. When your pursuits are selfish, meaning you tend to go out on a whim based on your emotions rather than consulting God, you're serving self. The thing that all these analogies have in common is the lack of God in the mix. How would your lifestyle differ if you consulted the Lord before making decisions - if you truly served Him?

Let me share some of my testimony. Now those of you who have stuck with me over the years already know some of this, but for those who are new to this fellowship, welcome to my transparency. The very 1st time I prayed before making a decision was when I chose to enlist into the Navy. I prayed a specific prayer and received a specific confirmation. It wasn't the best experience, but it was the experience that God had set up for me to help transform me into the woman He is still molding me into. Remember yall, I am flawed to say the least - a daily work in progress. I share my struggles because some of you might be experiencing the same, you aren't alone. I also share, because I never know what connections may form from my translucence. Anyway, after that, I was about 19 mind you, I didn't practice prayer before serving my desires again until I was like 36. I know,right? And in those years, I made many poor decisions and suffered many consequences. I had more than one person from my past threaten to share my innermost secrets to bring shame to me and/or to tarnish my reputation in my ministries just because I chose not to remain connected to them. I lost a car to repossession. I almost lost my home to foreclosure. When I was pregnant with my son, Josias, I decided to revisit praying before acting. So, I prayed about the sale of my home, about whether or not I should immunize my son, about relocation, and about being in a relationship. All of those prayers resulted in specific confirmations in which I obliged.

Most recently, God revealed several things that He'd shown me over the course of 20 years that I had chosen to ignore due to fear and selfishness. I wanted what I wanted when I wanted it, and He showed me why and how I had chosen poorly. I was on a roll praying before serving my desires, that was until three years ago when I paid cash for a car that I soon after regretting having ever bought. I was impatient because I needed a car to get back and forth to work. Yet, I would praise God for my transportation every time my mind focused on its flaws. But then it began to overheat. The car was uber tiny, an awesome feature when you need to park and the only space available is something only a Mini Cooper might fit into, but not so much for comfortability. It was also slow to accelerate which made me overly cautious when making sudden quick turns when cars were coming toward my direction. But driving at 60 mph in the slow lane on the freeway and/or having to pull over every few minutes to let the car cool down was the worst. So, I decided to pray over my next vehicle. I did research, I test drove, and then narrowed down what I desired but asked God to make a way for what was in my best interest and He did. With less than stellar credit and a co-sign from my dad, I got into my new ride with low payments and a low APR, all because of God. The only part that was me was my choice to serve Him: "seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you" (Matthew 6:33). When whom we serve is Yahweh, everything else falls into the place at the time and manner that is should.

If He breathed an identity into us that is meant to look like His, then that's a perfect explanation as to why the undesirable circumstances and emotions we are battling are taking its toll on us - we reap what we sow (Galatians 6:7). Adam and Eve started in the Garden of Eden serving God, but when they ate the forbidden fruit, it was because they had served the thought that "Ye shall not surely die" (Genesis 3:4) - a thought that was created by the serpent which caused them to become more like him by tainting their trust in the Lord, by mixing truth with error, ultimately disconnecting them from God's glory. Is that not what we do every time we choose self over God? When we give in to temptation, into impatience, into fear, into worry, into selfishness, we are saying that we know better than the Father. As a result, we grow further from Him because the thoughts we're serving come from self, the atmospheres we surround ourselves in, and/or those we create for ourselves through the music we listen to, the materials we read, and the things we watch. When we fill ourselves up with negativity and/or things that do not add to our lives, then we are essentially shortening our days. However, when we're able to look past our present conditions and stand in them knowing that we serve the one who called us to it, confident that He'll bring us through that thing, we'll start to see the light at the end of the tunnel - the end that He had in store for us all along. Why increase the years it takes you to arrive at your blessing by deciding to take a detour that He didn't present you with? The Lord cannot protect that which He did not establish. If you're trying to find out why something isn't going the way you'd hoped, maybe it's time, to be honest, and considerhow you ended up at that destination in the first place. Was God steering the wheel, or, were you at the wheel because someone else or something influenced you to believe that your way had a better outcome?

"Serve your way up... not for the [material] things you see, but for the grace you see... you don't need to be in the right [circumstance] just the right inspiration to get back into alignment with Him" (Sarah Jakes Roberts, Serve It Up). Honestly, no one can truly tell you how a Jesus experience will feel to you. I can tell you for me when I feel the Spirit, I feel joy, I get chill bumps, I get the peace that passes my understanding. It's like this, someone might ask an individual who's smiling and joyful after receiving a cancer diagnosis, "what are you so happy for?" Their response may very well be, "because." The presence and knowledge of the Lord are like that, we believe, just because. "For we walk by faith, not by sight" (2 Corinthians 5:7) because "Faith is the substance of things hoped for, [and] the evidence of things not seen" (Hebrews 11:1). That feeling ONLY develops when we're in relationship with Him. Who we serve becomes evident in our thoughts, words, and actions. If you are whom you serve, choose your master wisely. #SOW

POWER IN PRAYER: POWER IN PRAYER: Yahweh, our Lord, our redeemer, our savior, our provider, our friend. We are grateful for your grace, your mercy, your love, your acceptance. Thankful for your example, your direction, your revelations. We praise you for provisions, clarity, wisdom, healing, and strength. Help us to understand what is at stake in these days. Help us to realize that faith isn't for a rainy day, it's for every day; help us to exercise our faith in you. Help us to break away from everyone and everything blocking us from stepping into your calling on our lives. Tame our tongues so that we may speak not from where we are or where we were, but let us speak from where we are headed. May our walk be disciplined and Christ-like so that the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts may be pleasing unto you Father. May who we serve, be you so that who we are, is like you. Help us not to cling to that which will prevent us from moving forward. Admonish us, Father, so that we will remember that it's not what we have, rather, it's how we manage that which we have. Help us to stand steadfast knowing that there is a purpose attached to our names - that we've been praying for change but we are the change. Saturate every area of our lives Lord. Touch the innermost core of our beings that we may tap into our divinity. Permeate our excuses so that every generational curse may be broken through us. Unlock the calling you have on our lives, Lord. Open our eyes, giving us your perspective as you illuminate your presence in our circumstances. Bless us with a double portion of anointing and power, and the preparation and willingness to act in it, so that we may move a room and shake the world to bring honor and glory to your name. Give us divine wisdom and insight. Remove everything within us that is not inspired by you. Help us serve an anointing better than our own. Help us to be sensitive to what you're doing in our lives and the strength to step into it. Make anointing and grace our atmosphere so that fear, anxiety, addiction, depression, and self-hate are dissolved. Relieve us from the familiar spirits trying to maintain attachments to our lineages; release our children, their children, and their children's children from the evil forces assigned against us. May we be reminded that the doors you've closed cannot be opened and those you've opened cannot be shut. Ultimately Father, may your will be done in our lives. 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... Your actions don’t just affect you. What you do, think, and say now has an impact maybe not globally, but locally in your own home and might even branch out into the community. You never know how your actions or lack thereof influences someone else’s. If you are the only glimpse of God that someone may see, be intentional about the representation you're giving NOW because your next breath isn't promised. Be intentional about the things you say, the things you eat, the things you watch, the things you read, the things you drink, the things you listen to, and the company you surround yourself with. It would be ignorant to think that the things and people you are surrounded by and/or the things that you indulge in do not influence your thoughts, words, actions, reactions, and overall wellbeing. Our influences will render either positive or negative results. Intentionality can be preventative.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Update on my book Color Isn't Who I AM © 2019: my page design is still under construction; I wasn't happy with what the publisher sent for my approval based on the illustrations I submitted, thus, I chose to have someone else revamp my drawings to create enhanced illustrations with digital files, prayerfully for a better outcome.
Whether I'm solo or have a team to back me, I will soon relaunch the community activity of my non-profit organization, Fostering Mind, Body, and Soul Incorporated (FMBS Inc.). That being said, I would greatly appreciate any willing volunteers to help serve our communities, and/or to play the significant role of a committed - trusted board member; my appreciation will be extended to anyone that can help facilitate making an impact in surrounding at-risk and underprivileged communities. Part of FMBS Inc's mission is to help supply the homeless as well as needy families with food and hygiene bags and to serve as mentors and/or advocates for at-risk youth and victims of abuse. Reach out to me regarding your interest in service or to arrange another form of contribution; contact me via email at fmbsinc_2012@outlook.com, or leave a voicemail and/or text at (951) 790-2127.
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 and/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.
I am interested in rallying some neighborhood clean-ups in LA to get FMBS Inc. back active in the community. I also would like to start creating video content and eventually live workshops that will provide guidance, mentorship, resources, and helpful information for at-risk youth as well as victims of abuse, more specifically, sexual abuse, but also other content that'll feed the soul. Here's the thing, I don't know how to do any of this. I'm not tech-savvy, and unknowledgeable to a lot of non-profit resources that might assist in the execution of these ideas, but if you have any helpful information, please share.

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 and address some of the needs of our 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.

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

Wednesday, June 3, 2020

Cleansed Palate (6/3/2020)

SALUTATIONS: YO! What’s up yall? Man, our country is in such chaos right now. All I can do is encourage each of you to remain steadfast in the Word and prayer; be mindful of your blessings and remember that there is a silver lining in every cloud. When you find a moment, please take some time to review the Announcements, Healthy Living Tips, and other information detailed below following the Reflections and Power in Prayer. Your continued support is always appreciated. Keep spreading God's Gospel and feel free 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: I’m not saying that I am completely transformed just yet, but I will say that I’ve made some progress since the last SOW. I have been spending more uninterrupted time with God, which is always a plus. I’ve had several revelations too that have been necessary to see growth on this spiritual journey. My revelations weren’t necessarily good ones either, as they led me to give up things that I clung to. Yet, I’m grateful that the exposure will help me get past a spiritual plateau that has plagued me for years, all because of my interrupted and rushed time with God. No matter what your circumstance, we ALL have reasons, both small and large, to shout "HALLELUJAH!" It is time to give God some glory! Praise Him through your 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: With the current state of disarray in this country, despite our reservations about our world leaders, let’s keep them in prayer. Let’s also remember our spiritual leaders; let’s pray that our leaders be diminished in self and that they act according to the direction of the Spirit and/or justice. Let’s also pray that the hearts of the disheartened be changed so that they may understand that looting and rioting don’t get our voices heard, rather it perpetuates an ongoing separation between mankind; may people come together to establish a solution by supporting one another as opposed to tearing one another down, and especially not terrorizing our neighborhoods. 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://shorturl.at/vzKX6). 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 the midst of adversity… Ponder this: "We need more light about each other. Light creates understanding, understanding creates love, love creates patience, and patience creates unity" (Malcolm X). 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: "Make Room" by Jonathan McReynolds you can listen to it here (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2fngqWB6kM) and "Work It Out" by Tye Tribbett you can listen to it here (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZ8Anq5IBEg). 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, filled and moved by the Spirit, to see, hear, and receive your intended message from this fellowship. In the name of Yeshua, Amen!

PASSAGE(S) – PROVERBS 20:17 & I PETER 2:2-3: "Bread of deceit is sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel." "As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: ³If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious."

**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: If there were a blind taste test of the Lord and the world many of us would probably choose the latter because we’ve had a lifetime to grow familiar with its savory temptation and pleasures. Although we’d like to believe that the Lord would win the battle over our taste buds by TKO, the reality is that many of us have never truly tasted His sweet nectar – never had a Jesus experience (warming of the heart that recognizes His presence, and embraces His mercy and grace; an undeniable feeling that cannot be attributed to anyone or anything else but God) – never acknowledged the presence of the Holy Spirit. Or, perhaps we have simply failed to savor (apply, abide) its salt (knowledge, wisdom). Here’s the thing, it is impossible to get a precise flavor (experience with the Lord) when the old one (ungodly pleasures) remains in your mouth. When you’re doing an official taste test, as a judge, you’re required to 1st cleanse your palate before moving on to the next dish to ensure that the previous flavor doesn’t taint that of its competition. In the same fashion, our bond with God is dependent on our willingness to cleanse our hearts of worldly pleasures to make room for Him.

I’m sure I’ve used this analogy before, but it’s like when an attorney objects to details submitted by their opposers and the judge sustains then tells the jurors to dismiss the previous statement. No matter how hard you try, you cannot unsee nor unhear those things. Therefore, subconsciously, both samples submitted for our taste have married together and linger in our mouths, ultimately affecting how we’ll grade (judge) the products; we’ll never get an accurate flavor of God if we’re still chewing on the worldly things that pleasured before we found Him. Don’t get me wrong, I’m in no way insinuating that to find the Lord means to give up tasty food (pleasurable things). I am, however, stating that to truly find the Lord means that many things we once found savory (preferable and/or pleasing) will have lost its flavor.

The more time we spend with God, the more our appetite changes the things we once yearned to consume. As we are transformed, our desires (likes and dislikes) will begin to mirror His. Gradually, our transformation will be evident in our thoughts, words, and actions. “Living as a Christian becomes much easier when we savor things that are of God, and sin is so much easier to gain victory over when all it ever does is leave a bad taste in our mouths” (Chambers, R. (2020, June 3). Taste Test. Day by Day. www.daybyday.org). Everything we feed ourselves spiritually and even physically will have a burst of flavor only to a cleansed palate.

The only way to make room for God is to stop trying to find time for Him, and make time for Him a priority first and foremost while finding time for everything else. “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33); as we put God first, everything else will fall into its place. “Bread of deceit is sweet to a man, but afterward his mouth shall be filled with gravel” (Proverbs 20:17); the ungodly pleasures in the world are temporary and will fade away in the end. If you take a moment to think about the things that tickle your taste buds now, you’ll recognize their temporal euphoria and realize that the reason you keep going back for seconds is that you’re looking in the fridge (world) for something to just appear (satisfy), when all you need to do is follow the simple recipe God gave to fulfill your hunger (desires) – “... crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good” (I Peter 2:2-3, NIV). The more time we spend with Him, the more our palates are cleansed and natural flavors (eternal pleasures) are enhanced while the artificial ones (temporary satisfaction) begin to leave a bitter taste in our mouths. Before the Lord can win a blind taste test, you must have a cleansed palate; purge yourself from that which does not add to your life by spending time in the Word and prayer, so that God can begin to transform your cravings. #SOW

POWER IN PRAYER: POWER IN PRAYER: Yahweh, our Lord, our redeemer, our savior, our provider, our friend. We are grateful for your grace, your mercy, your love, your acceptance. Thankful for your example, your direction, your revelations. We praise you for provisions, clarity, wisdom, healing, and strength. Help us to understand what is at stake in these days. Help us to identify your perfect will as well as the discernment to recognize when the enemy’s antics are afoot. Transform our taste buds so that we may savor the sweetness of discipline, organization, and self-love, causing our old selves to leave a bitter taste in our mouths so that our consumption will always be for that which is spiritually savory and fulfilling. May your spiritual milk sustain us and equip us with resilience, strength, wisdom, mercy, and grace, but more importantly, that we’ll share those flavors with others so that they may see you through us. Partner us with people, habits, and resources needed to prosper and to walk into the full purpose for which we are called. Inspire us to commit daily, and to take advantage of every opportunity to love, grow, serve, and testify about your greatness. Help us to be slow to speak and quick to actively listen. Help us be intentional in our actions as they relate to the racial outrage of today; may we work together in unity to establish an appropriate, efficient, and effective resolution. Cover our children, our loved ones, our friends, associates, and even our enemies. We ask also, that you cover our world leaders, spiritual leaders, the hopeless, the helpless, and the innocent children, Father; keep each of us protected from hurt, harm, danger, and spiritual warfare in other realms conspiring against us. Break generational curses that have bound us in the past. Relieve us from the familiar spirits trying to maintain attachments to our lineages; release our children, their children, and their children's children from the evil forces assigned against us. Close doors that need closing as you open up new ones, and may we have the discernment to decipher between the two. Establish in us a heart like David's so that we are molded into men and women after your own heart. Ultimately Father, may your will be done in our lives. 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... With all that is going on in today’s world, all I can offer is this: approach life the way you want it to be. If you’re considering joining the ignorance that is looting and rioting, put yourself in those store owner’s shoes; how would it impact you if your store was vandalized or looted? If you’re considering using violence to have your voice heard, consider the consequences of the individuals before you that thought the same. What was their outcome? Did it resolve the issue? Did it put an end to their pain and/or suffering? Or, did they end up in a grave, a jail cell, and/or suffering a lifetime full of regret? You have to remember that your actions don’t just affect you. What you do, think, and say now has an impact maybe not globally, but locally in your own home and might even branch out into the community. You never know how your actions or lack thereof influences someone else’s. If you are the only glimpse of God that someone may see, be intentional about the representation you're giving.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Update on my book Color Isn't Who I AM © 2019: my page design is still under construction; I wasn't happy with what the publisher sent for my approval based on the illustrations I submitted, thus, I chose to have someone else revamp my drawings to create enhanced illustrations with digital files, prayerfully for a better outcome.
Whether I'm solo or have a team to back me, I will soon relaunch the community activity of my non-profit organization, Fostering Mind, Body, and Soul Incorporated (FMBS Inc.). That being said, I would greatly appreciate any willing volunteers to help serve our communities, and/or to play the significant role of a committed - trusted board member; my appreciation will be extended to anyone that can help facilitate making an impact in surrounding at-risk and underprivileged communities. Part of FMBS Inc's mission is to help supply the homeless as well as needy families with food and hygiene bags and to serve as mentors and/or advocates for at-risk youth and victims of abuse. Reach out to me regarding your interest in service or to arrange another form of contribution; contact me via email at fmbsinc_2012@outlook.com, or leave a voicemail and/or text at (951) 790-2127.
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 and/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.

Monday, May 25, 2020

Need for Consistency (5/25/2020)

SALUTATIONS: Hello everyone, it has been a looong time, huh? I know. I know. I made an abrupt decision to take a temporary break after the last SOW I sent out, to work on self-care, and to improve my mindset. Unbeknownst to me, Covid-19 was about to become my excuse for not resuming when I had initially planned to. Although, if I’m being honest, I didn't have a specific restart date in the first place. With the demands of work and motherhood, amongst other things that I was spreading myself too thin for, the production of the SOW started to become more of a burden than a blessing for me. However, this mandated social distancing wasn’t a valid excuse to maintain this break in our social deepening, so, my sincere apologies for that. The Young King, my family, and I are doing well at this time. How about you? How's everything with you? With all things considered, I hope you have a relaxed Memorial Day. When you find a moment, please take some time to review the Announcements, Healthy Living Tips, and other information detailed below following the Reflections and Power in Prayer. Your continued support is always appreciated. Keep spreading God's Gospel and feel free 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 3 y/o is quite an intelligent kid. Josias knows how to count from 1 to 100, he knows how to read more than 100 sight words, he can spell more than 20 words, he can write, he can count to 100 by 10's, he can put a 48-piece puzzle together without any assistance, as well as a 100-piece puzzle if you help him get the border pieced together, he knows the continents and some of the animals from said continents, 13 states, shapes, colors, and even knows which primary colors to mix to make the secondary ones, and he's learning to read phonetically. I am simply grateful for motherhood and all the ups and downs and moments that require supernatural patience that come along with it. We may not always be able to see the sunshine through the rain, but there is a silver lining in EVERY cloud. No matter what your circumstance, we ALL have reasons, both small and large, to shout "HALLELUJAH!" It is time to give God some glory! Praise Him through your 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: In this tumultuous time of quarantine and post-stay-at-home initiative, people are experiencing more grief than a lil' - grief over lost loved ones, losing a job, on the brink of foreclosure and/or homelessness, or just grieving over being forced to live lives in forced isolation and/or extremely restricted socialization. Whatever one's cause of grief, 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://shorturl.at/vzKX6). 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 the midst of adversity… Ponder this: "Losers visualize the penalties of failure; winners visualize the rewards of success" (William S. Gilbert). 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: "We Gon' Be Alright" by Tye Tribbett you can listen to it here (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0TaADfUxPw) "Promises" by Maverick City (feat. Joe L. Barnes & Naomi Raine) you can listen to it here (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5m09rqOoxE). 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, filled and moved by the Spirit, to see, hear, and receive your intended message from this fellowship. In the name of Yeshua, Amen!

PASSAGE(S) – JOHN 15:4: "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me."

**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: Some of our spiritual walks are like being indecisive in our dating. We choose a mate and invest time, energy, and intimacy with them, only to breakup with them later, and then jump into the next situationship (an undefined, or uncommitted relationship that is often based on convenience or short-term circumstances), only to experience history repeats itself time and time again because we failed to water any one relationship enough to see its flowers bloom.

With every breakup or uprooting from relationship with the Lord, we are preventing ourselves from flourishing, causing a struggle in spiritual survival. One month we might be solid in our walk - our prayer and time spent in the Word are regular, then, we "fall back into our default setting" as Sarah Jakes Roberts put it in the powerful delivery of a message called, Change Your Core (watch it here https://shorturl.at/FHTWX). As we get burnt by our old ways, yet again, we turn back to God, each time weakened a little more in our ability to remain steadfast. Our inconsistency uproots us and causes our spiritual growth to remain stagnant. #Guilty

John 15:4 (NIV) says, "...no branch cannot bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine..." At the core of our spiritual growth is abiding - staying in place or remaining steadfast. In our walk that means to maintain a fellowship with Yahweh that isn't broken by inconsistencies. Our steadiness with the Lord is what produces lasting fruit. Part of abiding is our walk. 1 John 2:6 tells us to "walk, even as He walked." What does that mean? Well, walking is a steady motion, and Jesus lived His 33 years steadily walking in the purpose for which He was called. If we are to walk as Yeshua walked, that means we must drop all excuses.

Some excuses of mine since becoming a mother have been just that - interruptions of being called to the duties of said motherhood and/or obligatory duties from my nine-to-five. However, in my most recent session with my life coach, it was pointed out that just because duty calls, it doesn't mean I have to put off or neglect unrushed time with the Lord in prayer, it simply means that I need to make time for what's important; my life coach helped me to determine the most conducive time to be set aside for uninterrupted time with God, that I could commit to. My life coach didn't stop there either. The session was placed on hold until I followed through with a practical application by setting a daily alarm to assist in my commitment to that time with God.

If your days seem too busy like "there aren't enough hours in a day," then most likely, you aren't managing the moments in time that you're blessed with each day. If you're up late and waking up tired the next morning, perhaps you should consider going to sleep earlier. Consider what's keeping you awake at night and determine what steps you can take to prevent it. If you tend to oversleep, try setting an alarm and avoiding the snooze button. If you know the number of hours of sleep you need to feel refreshed in the a.m., be sure to go to sleep at a complimentary hour; you might even consider going to bed earlier so that you can wake up earlier, to extend the number of active hours you have free to make intentional choices with your time.

We ALL have a need for consistency, and the biggest step in a sound routine is forming good daily habits. Here are some practical things you can do to make better use of your time that'll assist in developing and/or maintenance of consistency:

When life gets in the way, pray, and/or praise through the storm; when we focus our minds on God's promises and show gratitude for that which we do have, our minds will be too consumed with the good to be distracted by the bad.
Fill the idle time with prayer, praise, inspirational messages, reading, or some other positive or productive hobby (cooking, sports, exercise, etc.).
Replace ALL forms of entertainment that don't add value to your life, with entertainment that does (inspirational movies, media, books, music, etc.); the moments we waste on trivial things and/or temporary pleasures, we cannot get back, nor can we account for them later.
Surround yourself by positive people, and establish constructive environments - beginning within; if you can come up with 4 or more friends who are down for that turn-up, but cannot find one who's willing to help you on this journey, maybe it's time to reconsider your circles.

Your walk is marked by its results. Assess your daily habits and consider the type of outcomes you experience regularly. Is your walk producing spiritual fruit, consistently? If your answer is "yes," great work! Keep it up! But, if you're like me, a major work in progress, it is time to allow the "new core" Christ embedded within us as He breathed His final breath that we would have everlasting life in Him (John 3:16), to form the daily decisions we make to fulfill our need for consistency. #SOW

POWER IN PRAYER: Yahweh, our Lord, our redeemer, our savior, our provider, our friend. We are grateful for your grace, your mercy, your love, your acceptance. Thankful for your example, your direction, your revelations. We praise you for provisions, clarity, wisdom, healing, and strength. Help us to understand what is at stake in these days. Help us to identify your perfect will as well as the enemy's attack against said will. Develop in us, discipline, organization, and self-love so that we are operating in a new core - prevent us from allowing our old selves to navigate decisions in our thoughts, words, and actions. Partner us with people, habits, and resources needed to prosper and to walk into the full purpose for which we are called. Inspire us to commit daily, and to take advantage of every opportunity to love, grow, serve, and testify about your greatness. Help us to be slow to speak and quick to actively listen. Help us to be cautious in our actions to ensure that they're intentional. Press upon us a desire to respond to the call of action you have gifted us. Keep us, Lord. Cover our children, our loved ones, our friends, associates, and even our enemies. We ask also, that you cover our world leaders, spiritual leaders, the hopeless, the helpless, and the innocent children, Father; keep each of us protected from hurt, harm, danger, and spiritual warfare in other realms conspiring against us. Break generational curses that have bound us in the past. Relieve us from the familiar spirits trying to maintain attachments to our lineages; release our children, their children, and their children's children from the evil forces assigned against us. Close doors that need closing as you open up new ones, and may we have the discernment to decipher between the two. Establish in us a heart like David's so that we are molded into men and women after your own heart. Develop in us wisdom like Solomon’s so that we make choices with sound judgment as it relates to our every thought, word, and action so that we are careful to speak life into every situation. As you open our eyes to that which requires revelation, may our minds be open and our hearts receptive to your direction. More importantly, cause us to tap into our resilience, to recognize and apply the skills that we've already been equipped with, into our daily lifestyles. As we strengthen in relationship with you, may we be present in that relationship, as well as those with individuals who add value to our lives. As we move to the beat of your drum, Father, may our surroundings be changed so that the things, people, and habits we involve ourselves with, will help facilitate spiritual and personal growth. 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... In lieu of the current pandemic status in the US, the most significant tip I can provide at this time is to take necessary precautions to protect yourself and your family. It's NOT selfish to ensure that you are healthy first; if you're not good, what good can you be to someone else? Now, I am a huge conspiracy theorist, however, I won't allow my disdain for government-created chaos to prevent me from making smart decisions to help keep me and my loved ones safe. I suggest the same for you. So, here are some key tips that I feel are important to follow:

We know that the #1 way to prevent spreading viruses and germs is to wash your hands.
Sanitize your workspace, counters, eating/cooking surfaces, steering wheels, door knobs/handles, phones, keys, and other electronic devices (tablets, remotes, etc.).
Wash your face before bed.
Wear a face mask when going to places with numerous people whose daily exposures you cannot account for.
Stay hydrated with water and make healthier nutritional choices to keep your immune system strong.
PRAY/PRAISE through the storm; if you've never tried it, now more than ever, is the perfect time to try.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Update on my book Color Isn't Who I AM © 2019: my page design is still under construction; I wasn't happy with what the publisher sent for my approval based on the illustrations I submitted, thus, I chose to have someone else revamp my drawings to create enhanced illustrations with digital files, prayerfully for a better outcome.
Whether I'm solo or have a team to back me, I will soon relaunch the community activity of my non-profit organization, Fostering Mind, Body, and Soul Incorporated (FMBS Inc.). That being said, I would greatly appreciate any willing volunteers to help serve our communities, and/or to play the significant role of a committed - trusted board member; my appreciation will be extended to anyone that can help facilitate making an impact in surrounding at-risk and underprivileged communities. Part of FMBS Inc's mission is to help supply the homeless as well as needy families with food and hygiene bags and to serve as mentors and/or advocates for at-risk youth and victims of abuse. Reach out to me regarding your interest in service or to arrange another form of contribution; contact me via email at fmbsinc_2012@outlook.com, or leave a voicemail and/or text at (951) 790-2127.
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 and/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.