First in ALL things (1/18/2022)

SALUTATIONS: Hey yall! I hope your year is off to a good start. I'm excited to announce that I've finished formatting How to Be Like Jesus and am just waiting for Amazon to approve publishing. Outside of that, the Spirit has conceived some great ideas that I'm working to bring to fruition; I'll update yall throughout the process. In an age where hopelessness is rising, we must take a proactive step towards seeking God. Rather than waiting for the inevitable obstacle to throw our routines off course, we should make it a priority to seek God first in all things. Let's jump into this lesson. As always, take time to review ALL of the Announcements, Healthy Living Tips, and other information detailed below, following the Reflections and Power in Prayer whenever time permits. 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: Book number two is awaiting approval for publishing, and I'm working on three other projects. Thank you, Abba, for being our strength in our weakness. Hallelujah! 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 referencing your name unless anonymity is specified**

PRAYER REQUESTS: Since this is the start of a new year, let's pray that God provides wisdom, discernment, and clarity on where He wants us to invest our time, talents, money, attention, and how to prioritize each. Let's continue to pray for one another and thank Yahweh for the victory. Refrain 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 referencing your name and need unless anonymity is specified**

BE ENCOURAGED: NEVER lose sight of God amidst adversity… Ponder this: "You don’t need to seek opportunity. All you have to do is seek God. And if you seek God, opportunity will seek you" (Matt Batterson). I'm no theological scholar. 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: "The More I Think" by J. Moss (you can listen to it here https://rb.gy/kguuvq) and "Have My Heart" by Maverick City Music feat. Chandler Moore & Chris Brown (you can listen to it here https://rb.gy/snerml). I would also recommend Classical for Studying Radio on Pandora to facilitate your meditation on the Word better as you study; you can listen to that station here https://rb.gy/wtbmva.  

OPENING PRAYER: Yahweh, please let your presence set the tone for how this lesson will flow and how we will grow from it. Clear our minds and open our eyes, ears, and hearts so that we may be decreased in self and increased in you. Fill us with your presence through the Holy Spirit to see as we look, to listen as we hear, and to come into alignment with your word and your will. Help us to receive, believe in, and apply your truth, that we may be transformed by your intended message from this fellowship and become better as a result of it. In the name of Yeshua, Amen!

KEY PASSAGE(S) – MATTHEW 6:33: "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." 

**Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations originate from the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible and were retrieved from https://www.biblegateway.com/passage regardless of the translation quoted. Copyright © by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.**

REFLECTIONS: It's simple to get caught up with the busyness of our lives - marriage, parenthood, school, work, and our daily living often has us feeling like there are not enough hours in the day to get things done. But I beg to differ. Back in the olden days, I'm talking B.C. and early A.D., heck, even early 60's the women were resilient, and men were strong and tough. I mean, not to say we don't have that today, but it was more than not back then. We're in the age of technology and services; we Google, Uber, and hire other folks to do simple tasks our ancestors used to do while still giving honor and praise to God. Let something interrupt our routine today; I'm sure I wouldn't be able to tell the difference between some of you and a sailor if you get my drift. 

Here's the thing, there were 24 hours in a day before Jesus was born and 24 hours after that. If people could have numerous children, work several jobs, do errands, cook, and clean the home without a nanny, microwaves, fast food, Google, or other conveniences of our day, then there is still enough time. The issue is our choice distractions, not the hours in the day. They got things done because they were non-negotiable with their priorities. Jesus said, "Seek first [God's] kingdom and His righteousness, and ALL these things will be given to you as well" (Matthew 6:33, NLT). So what are "all these things"? Well, if you head back a few verses, you'll see that Jesus was teaching about the burden of worry; He stressed how futile the act of fear is - "Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?" (Matthew 6:27, NIV). Jesus warned us not to be concerned about life's worries; instead, seek God first in all things, and everything else will fall in line.

Worrying has damaging effects. It may cause anxiety, disrupt productivity, negatively affect how you perceive yourself and others, and decrease your ability even to trust God. But when God is FIRST, we're enabled to push back against distractions and find direction, clarity, peace, and contentment in His presence. However, those things will only come to pass when we're committed to building our relationship with God. We do that by prioritizing Him above all other things. That means our time with the Lord is set in stone, and we must incorporate EVERYTHING else into our schedules. 

As Christians, we should remember that our counsel, direction, and approval come from God above all others. As we pray and seek Him BEFORE we make our decisions, we'll begin approaching all other obligations, relationships, and tasks according to His will for our lives. Without prioritizing Him, our choices depend on our selfish, self-centered pursuits instead of the Holy Spirit's others-centered instruction. The great news is that as we seek God first in all things, we won't have to try to act lovingly, kind, generous, compassionate, or overwork ourselves because the gradual transformation activates all of those characteristics. 

Honestly, it's not always that people's lives are changed when their desires come to pass. Instead, the conversion will shift our perspectives and allow us to see life through God's lens; we're able to see the blessing in the storm, the silver lining in the cloud, the light at the end of the tunnel - not always because our situation changed. But because we sought God first, our outlook about our circumstances changed. We can only experience this type of reception when we seek God first in all things. #SOW

 

POWER IN PRAYER: POWER IN PRAYER: Jehovah Jireh, you are our provider; we thank you for your provision of wisdom, discernment, and clarity on where you want us to invest our time, talents, money, attention, and how to prioritize each. Abba, Father, we invite you into our lives to mold our hearts, transform our minds, and conform our will to yours. Right now, Father, we put you first. We surrender every distraction that has taken your place in your lives, and we put you in your rightful place. We thank you that in exchange for us surrendering ourselves to your will, you fill us with a peace that surpasses our logical understanding. We thank you for inspiring every thought, word, and action so that all we think, do, and say will be good, kind, necessary, and edifying to ourselves and others. As your angels and Holy Spirit do your bidding on Earth and in Heaven, protect them and us 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 and thank you for, in the matchless name of Yeshua, Amen!

HEALTHY LIVING TIPS: Change begins within... If you're anything like me, then you're constantly trying to fight the urge to give in to your sweet tooth cravings. Well, here's a smoothie recipe that will not only curb that sweet tooth but will also curb your appetite. I don't have a name for this smoothie, and to be quite honest, I stumbled across it, experimenting with ingredients I had on hand at the time of my craving.

The ingredients might take some of you by surprise, but if you like any of these ingredients or any combo of these ingredients, you'll probably enjoy it. It's primarily plant-based, so that means you'll be getting fewer calories than your typical protein shake, more antioxidants, good fiber, a metabolism boost, and tons of vitamins and minerals. The best part is, it's filling.

Blend the following ingredients in a Nutra Bullet, food processor, or a great blender (to ensure all items are blended smoothly); I didn't use any ice because the fruit I used was frozen, and the liquids were cold:

• Coconut water and/or almond milk based on the desired thickness of your shake (I used both - start with a cup or so and add more liquid as needed)
• 1-2 handfuls of fresh spinach
• 1/4 of an avocado
• 1 scoop of pea protein powder (or your choice)
• 1 scoop of peanut butter powder
• 1/2 scoop of chocolate protein powder (I used whey, which has a significantly larger scooper than the others)
• 2 dates (optional - the bananas were very ripe when I froze them, so they were able to sweeten the shake even without the dates)
• 1 frozen banana
• 1-2 tablespoons of oats

You're probably giving me the side-eye right now, but don't knock it until you try it. Be mindful of the things you feed your body, both physically and figuratively. Be safe, be blessed, and prioritize your health and wellbeing!

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

1. My 2nd children's book, How to be like Jesus, is awaiting approval for publishing exclusively through Amazon. I expect this book to be available in the next week or so.
2. If you or someone you know is a victim of abuse or needs general support, I invite you to join my virtual support group, The Curse is Broken, via Zoom; we meet every 3rd Sunday at 2:30 pm PST | 3:30 pm MDT | 4:30 CST | 5:30 pm EST. Just text "heal" to (323) 800-8616 to be added to our text notifications/reminders. Join us this month on February 20th as we discuss proactive coping. #thecurseisbroken 
3. Your mental health is detrimental to your quality of life. If you need to connect with people or groups that can help facilitate your healing, access https://www.mentalhelp.net/mental-health/hotline/ or call their 24 hr mental health hotline at (866) 299-4557. 
4. If you're looking for a writing journal or two, check out the Resilient-R-Thee Brand I created through Amazon. They're compact and can easily fit into a purse, messenger bag, or backpack. They're 110 pages to write about anything that tickles your fancy. Some of my designs are for regular journaling, and some are for sermon/bible study, note-taking, prayers, and journaling. Get your copy(ies) here https://rb.gy/fz6azc.
5. In these uncertain times, many of us are looking for ways to walk boldly in our faith. One way to represent is the Lord is by wearing your favorite Christian novelty t-shirt or novelty accessory. Check out the Resilient-R-Thee merch available for purchase here https://rb.gy/ojt3av. Use PROMO CODE "RRT5" at checkout for a 5% discount.
6. Please take a moment to register your Ralph's, Food 4 Less, or Kroger Rewards cards to enroll your member number/phone number for the Ralph's/Food 4 Less Community Contribution Program. You will be helping Fostering Mind, Body, and Soul Incorporated (FMBS Inc.) raise funds to give back to the community. For every purchase you make, a small % is donated 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. Your continued support is always appreciated.
7. Fostering Mind, Body, and Soul Incorporated (FMBS Inc.) helps make an impact in surrounding at-risk and underprivileged communities throughout Southern California. Part of our mission is to help supply the homeless and needy families with food and hygiene bags throughout the year and especially during the holidays and serve as mentors and advocates for at-risk youth and victims of abuse. But we've been on hiatus due to a lack of support from volunteers and board members. Please help me get FMBS Inc. back active in the community, yall! I have tons of ideas yet, little know-how. However, I'm willing to learn; if you have any helpful information or affordable training opportunities please share, and 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 or text at (951) 790-2127.

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. We are always in need of monetary donations and 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 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 or by encouraging others to join our cause!
 
For more information about our organization contact fmbsinc_2012@outlook.com. 

Respectfully,

Tylesha "Tye" Allen    Author | Mobile Notary | Founder of FMBS Inc.   ·Mobile: (951) 790-2127   ·Address: Los Angeles, CA  ·Website: http://www.ready411.weebly.com | http://sodbytye.blogspot.com     ·Email: tyeallen99@yahoo.com    ·Change begins within; work on becoming a better You, now not later.   ·"It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man." (Psalm 118:8)