SALUTATIONS: Yo! Yo! Yo! What it do yall? So, as yall know, ya' girl has been on a mission to tweak the ministry to make more of an impact, so with your suggestions in mind, I have revamped the SOW to be more engaging, hopefully. At your request, ALL of the Announcements, Healthy Living Tips, and other information that used to succeed the Reflections and Power in Prayer are now exclusively on my blogs. So, at your leisure, be sure to check that out. Your suggestions for improvement are always welcome, so feel free to provide feedback anytime. I do have some fantastic news. I'm working on some teen/adult content; my next book will be a prompt journal with a 90-day challenge to help boost mental health. I plan to have it published by mid-December. I'll keep yall posted.
Now, if yall are anything like me, there is sometimes a struggle in exercising courage and stepping out on faith. I think a significant cause is spiritual exhaustion and overwhelm is because of our fears. Today we'll discover how to occupy faith so we can avoid that spiritual fatigue. Let's get into it. 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 woke up this morning! If you're reading this right now, so did you. Hallelujah! If you have a specific praise report, please share it 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: Let us pray for Elohim to unveil our fears and present His truth, so we can walk courageously in the purpose for which He has called us. 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: "Courage is not the
absence of fear but rather the assessment that something else is more important
than fear." (Franklin D.
Roosevelt). 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, and 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. Let's hold each other accountable.
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, listen as we hear, and come into alignment with your Word and will. Help us to receive, believe in, and apply your Truth so 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, we thank you, Amen!
KEY PASSAGE(S) – JOSHUA 1:6-9: " 6 Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them. 7 Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper withersoever thou goest. 8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. 9 Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest."
**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: Did you peep how the passage repeated
the same encouragement three times? "Be strong and of good courage" (verses 6, 7, and 9). Yall know I'm no stranger to keeping it 100, ya' girl be
struggling with fear. I've realized that a lack of courage (fear) will lead to physical
and spiritual exhaustion. Ah! Ha! (in my best Saul's voice – the Jewish
barbershop patron in Coming to America – don't judge me, LOL) So, are you saying I might be
experiencing fatigue from internal or eternal factors rather than external
ones, Tye? Absolutely! We tend to stay in our comfort zones yet expect
sustainability in our capabilities. However, the Lord gives more as we DO more
in faith and courage. I think we forget that being strong and courageous is not a task He's asking us to tackle alone – His strength is
made perfect in our weakness (refer to 2 Corinthians 12:9 here https://rb.gy/akfngx). Do you even fully understand the implication of that
statement? That means that when you are internally screaming, "Lord, I
cannot do this alone!" His Word is reminding you that you DON'T have to
because it is through your vulnerability – your weakness that His strength can
work at its total capacity.
Have you ever heard of the concept of
"occupying faith?" Yeah, neither had I until I listened to episode 12
of a podcast from a couple of friends of mine (check out Imagine Faith Talk podcast here https://rb.gy/k799hb). It's funny how easy it is to abstain from practicing faith,
yet abstinence from sex is challenging. Oh! What? Too raw for you? Sorry but
not sorry. It's true. We so easily move to the beat of our own drum, expecting
God to bless the rhythm. Yet, we aren't quick to act in faith. Instead, we
question the who, what, when, how, and why and remain still or in our
place of comfort when Yahweh has called us to action – to step out on faith,
trusting that His way will exceed any expectations we had before we said
"yes" to His call. We're often stifled by fear that keeps us stagnant
in a place of inaction, but we are refueled when we occupy faith.
Our exhaustion comes from moving in
our own strength. Essentially it's you saying, "God, I don't trust your
guidance or judgment, so I'll figure it out and do it myself." To occupy faith
is to move in the will of God and enter into a partnership that
crowns you VIP and gives you access to His strength, which enables you to do
EVERYTHING He has called you to. Partnering with God is like an unlimited data plan; drop your
sketchy limited contract with Independent Mobile and make the switch to Dependent
Unlimited. In case that reference went over your head like most jokes fly
over mine, LOL, I'm saying STOP trying to do life by yourself. Invite God into
your emotions, feelings, challenges, worries, and fears, and DEPEND on His
expertise to guide you in the way you should go. If He tells us to
raise our children in that very way (refer to Proverbs 22:6 here https://rb.gy/52foor), and His Word is an example of that type of parental
leadership, how much more would He lead you if you allow Him to?
Here are a few steps you need to make
to get to a space of occupying faith: first, you need to verify your beliefs.
Identify where your limiting beliefs (fears) originate or your true intent
behind wanting to pursue a specific companion, career, or lifestyle. Second, purify
your thoughts. Compare your views to what the Bible says not what the gurus
and influencers say you should or shouldn't be doing to reach a society-defined
level of success. Is it something from God or something you want to do to justify
your desires (genuine vs. vain pursuits), yet, it's something God never said?;
if you cannot align the thought or intent with the Word of God, then it's not
of God (read 1 Thessalonians
5:21 and Acts 5:29 here https://rb.gy/q2yekj). Now that you've clarified some things and brought awareness
to your self-sabotaging beliefs and their destructive behaviors, it's time to occupy
faith (read Philippians 4:8, 1 John 4:1, and Hebrews 12:1 here https://rb.gy/7yyjyl). By spending time with God in prayer and dissecting His Word
until it becomes your expert advisor, validator, and opinion checker, your
trust in Him will optimize and improve your efficiency.
Check out some more of what the Truth
says concerning you:
·
"The temptations in your life are no different from what
others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be
more than you can stand. When you are tempted, He will show you a way out so
that you can endure" (1 Corinthians 10:13, NLT).
·
"22 throw off your old
sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and
deception. 23 Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and
attitudes. 24 Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly
righteous and holy" (Ephesians 4:22-24, NLT).
·
"Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about
you" (1 Peter 5:7, NLT).
·
"This vision is for a future time. It describes the end, and
it will be fulfilled. If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it
will surely take place. It will not be delayed" (Habakkuk 2:3, NLT).
·
"Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously,
and He will give you everything you need" (Matthew 6:33, NLT).
·
"And we know that God causes everything to work together for
the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them" (Romans 8:28, NLT).
Trust that as you exercise your faith in the Lord, He will continue to increase your trust and develop you as His sheep. Soon you will come to know Him as your shepherd and know and follow His voice (read John 10:27 here https://rb.gy/ispyme). Your breakthrough might not arrive today or even tomorrow, but it is on its way. Trust in the Lord because "God is not a man, that He should lie" (Numbers 23:19).
POWER IN PRAYER: Elohim, our Almighty Father and Friend help us accept and receive you as our Sovereign yet loving and merciful Creator. Lord, please unveil our fears and present your truth, so we can walk courageously in the purpose for which you have called us. As you reveal your truths, please help us move swiftly in the direction you are leading and equip us with the confidence we need to trust your guidance even when it makes no sense to our logical minds. We thank you for your holy direction to reach our divine destinations. Continue to lead, guide, and direct our paths daily. Meet us in the spaces only you can reach, and touch us in a way only you can, so that we may be transformed. As your angels and Holy Spirit do your bidding on Earth and 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. We ask and thank you for all these things in the matchless name of Yeshua. Amen!
As always, be mindful of the things you feed your body physically and figuratively. Be safe, be blessed, and prioritize your health and well-being! #SOW
Respectfully,
Tylesha
"Tye" Allen
Author | Mobile
Notary | Founder of FMBS Inc.
·
Mobile: (951) 790-2127
·
Address: Los Angeles, CA
·
Lnk.Bio: https://lnk.bio/stronglyresilientizshe
·
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)
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