Category Archives: Encouragement

Employment (Find Jobs)

I love this proverb: “Give a man a fish and he won’t starve for a day. Teach a man how to fish and he won’t starve for his entire life.” (author unknown)

John 15:7 (ESV)If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

Philippians 4:19 (ESV) And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.Today as we embark on this 39th day of Lenten Season… Today we are praying for and making our topic of focus: Employment (Find Jobs)…  In today’s economy, we know that finding a real job is a job by itself, unless you have some type of inside hook up that can help you get your foot in the door.. It’s just the way it is.. .It’s no longer what you know in some cases, unless you have a specialty profession such a Physician, Lawyer, Clergy, Real Estate, Loans, etc.,  or a specialty skilled worker such as a x-ray or ultrasound technician, teacher, etc..  Even then,  the market is still tough to get into some of these major corporations that offer full scale packages with benefits…. You can go to school for umpteen years and still have to wait in line just like the next man who has over 20+ years of experience on job and in employment.. It’s hard for the veterans, and laymen as myself with ample amount of experience with the economy alone..

Nevertheless, don’t freight because no matter what, God has got your back and as long as you are trusting him for Employment as you seek for a job, he will supply all of your needs according to his riches in glory if we just learn how to ask…  The bible says, we have NOT because we ask NOT!   Ask, and it shall be given, seek and ye shall find, knock and the door of employment will come open…   If you sit around and throw yourself a self pity party, you will never find a job or be employed in this economy where even the minimum wage job is starting to look appealing…   Matter of fact, some minimum wage jobs and entry level position at places such as In and Out Burger and Costco are starting entry level employees out with a minimum of $10.00  an hour which is at least above average that you can keep a roof over your head somewhere and food to eat….  It’s really all about dropping the pride and going into survival mode for you and or your family….

I tell my clients all the time,   write down all of your skills to know what you can do….  Just because your tittle says one thing, the job itself that you have done in the past consist of many modalities which you can pull  out individual skills and transpose the skills you have and transfer them to another whole profession completely… It’s called  transposing  your skills to fit into a whole other class of jobs…

Also, don’t sit around and do nothing….  Volunteer at one of your local charities such as United Way, Red Cross, any local hospital or places that accept volunteers…  Your kids school need volunteers all the time to come in and help…  You never know, your skills and work you give away for free  just could open a door for employment as well…

Also, I am  a firm believer in Entrepreneurship… Create a job that don’t exist yourself… You can, and you are capable of owning your own business…. If you can’t get a job be creative with your God given talents and find a ways to put  what  you have to offer on the market…  As for me, I’ve always  done private consultant work behind the scenes as a clerical worker… I’ve done anything from helping individuals start their own business,  build their own website and show them how to maintain it, and taking them through each step to do it… Also, transcribing independently for private practices.   Also partnering with companies like Amway, Avon, Tupperware, Cookie Lee jewelry, and many more companies I can name that will give you the opportunity to own your own share selling their products, or you can branch out on your own like I do and create your own information you can sell and make a living do so.. People need information all the time… Write a book in your area of expertise and contribute what you know to this world…  You never know, it just might turn up on the New York best sellers list..

I wish I had time in this piece to tell my oldest son story on how he became a multimillionaire off  what he loved so dearly and became so passionate about…  It’s the gifts that God give us are the one’s we can share with the world best… The very thing you enjoy doing the most is the very thing you can try and create as a job and offer your services to the world via www.beyourself.com or org. , etc.. All I’m saying is come out of the box when you think of Employment and finding a job….  Maybe a job will find you once people know what you do, then you become in demand…. I do believe that I am in demand, and some great company is looking at me as we speak and write this piece..  I too desire better employment and want  to be on top of the world too as I raise a 9-year-old alone as a single parent… It becomes hard at times because of circumstances that he may encounter, and yet I’ve found it really hard to hold down a full time job outside of the home since he has been born… Don’t get me wrong, I have not missed a beat since I’ve had him, but the game is a little more challenging when you can receive a call at the drop of the hat that  you are needed in your childs life in the middle of the day… I’ve found working from home is more flexible for me, but gets a little boring at times being that I’ve worked outside of the home when I raised my first family over 29 years ago…    It’s all good and as long as you are trying and doing something, at least submitting applications and up to date resume’s and going to job fairs… Also networking is good too, because like I said in the beginning of this piece, it not what you know these days…. It’s really about who you know, and I’m going to leave you with this… As long as you know that God is the creator of all things and you continue to put your love and trust in him, he shall and he will provide all of your needs and yes Employment and finding a job fall in the category of all of your needs!!!

Be blessed and pray blessings right now over each or your lives that are reading this blog and are seeking employment and need to find a job… I pray right now that A door be open that no man can shut, and your every need is met in the mighty name of Jesus we pray… Amen!

Minister Evelyn Diane Thomas

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Cited that the information from Government jobs is used for reference material only:  http://www.fedjobsearchtrainer.com/government-jobs/

Government Jobs

 

Man in Suit Looking for a Government JobFinding a job with the Federal Government is the ideal employment scenario for millions of individuals. There is approximately 1.7 to 2 million people employed by the Federal Government with an estimated 400 different occupational specialties in the government workforce. Furthermore, these government jobs are located across the country and, indeed, throughout the world in various capacities. For instance, only an estimated 10 percent of government employees actually work within Washington D.C. proper while government employees can be found across the globe.

Government jobs are all arranged according to a standardized scale. This standardized scale is known as the GS code or the General Schedule which runs on a continuum from GS 1 to GS 15 with the higher number being indicative of higher salary and more authority. In searching for a job with the Federal Government identifying the specific job title for the type of position that you are searching for is critical. In order to locate a potential job opening in marketing for instance, marketing is not the job title but rather Market Analyst would be. So you must first identify the specific job titles that are of interest to you in your job search with the Federal Government.


Call us today at (888) 247-3786 to request a FREE consultation or to speak with a Certified Job Search Expert.

The Federal Government is almost always hiring. Certainly the macroeconomic environment can affect how many positions are available but the sheer size of the Federal Government ensures that positions are opening all the time. As recently as 2004, U.S. Government Agencies such as the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs employed in excess of 232 thousand people while the U.S. Department of Homeland Security employed an estimated 160 thousand individuals. Smaller government departments such as the U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission employed around 4,500 and 3,500 people respectively. Thus, there are myriad choices for people that want to find federal jobs with the Government.

But where does one start looking? There are literally hundreds of websites and employment databases that facilitate a Federal Government related job search. One of the first places you should explore is the U.S. Office of Personnel Management which can be found at www.opm.gov. This is the gateway website for federal service and hosts a huge amount of reference material for potential job applicants. Another important website in the job search with the Federal Government is the www.usajobs.gov website in which you can search federal jobs by keyword as well as by location. However, there are in excess of 100 Federal Agencies in the Federal Government and each one handles its own recruitment, screening and hiring processes. Furthermore, an estimated 39 percent of all federal jobs are in the Southeast region of the U.S. so a willingness to relocate may also help.


Call us today at (888) 247-3786 to request a FREE consultation or to speak with a Certified Job Search Expert.

At Federal Job Search Trainer, we are have been helping exiting military and civilians learn how to create powerful federal resumes, interview for, and acquire government jobs. Founded by Certified Resume Writer Anita Radosevich, our service can help you get into the federal job you’ve been looking for. Call us today at (888) 247-3786 or to register for one of our courses, click the button above.”

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Bible Verses to motivate you while Finding A Job

John 15:7 ESV

If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

Philippians 4:19

And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

Psalm 90:17

Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands!

Proverbs 3:6 ESV

In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

James 1:1-27 ESV

James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings. Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. …

Luke 18:1 ESV

And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.

Ephesians 1:11 ESV

In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will,

John 14:14 ESV

If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.

Ecclesiastes 9:10 ESV

Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might, for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, to which you are going.

Psalm 90:16 ESV

Let your work be shown to your servants, and your glorious power to their children.

Proverbs 21:1 ESV

The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will.

Psalm 1:3 ESV

He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.

John 16:24 ESV

Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.

John 14:13 ESV

Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

Luke 11:9 ESV

And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.

Exodus 12:36 ESV

And the Lord had given the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they let them have what they asked. Thus they plundered the Egyptians.

Exodus 3:21 ESV

And I will give this people favor in the sight of the Egyptians; and when you go, you shall not go empty,

Genesis 39:21 ESV

But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison.

1 Peter 5:7 ESV

Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

Luke 12:32 ESV

“Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

Jeremiah 1:5 ESV

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”

Psalm 22:1-31 ESV

To the choirmaster: according to The Doe of the Dawn. A Psalm of David. My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning? O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer, and by night, but I find no rest. Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel. In you our fathers trusted; they trusted, and you delivered them. To you they cried and were rescued; in you they trusted and were not put to shame. …

Philippians 4:13 ESV

I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

1 John 2:27 ESV

But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him.

Mark 11:24 ESV

Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

Luke 12:31 ESV

Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you.

Exodus 11:3 ESV

And the Lord gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians. Moreover, the man Moses was very great in the land of Egypt, in the sight of Pharaoh’s servants and in the sight of the people.

Ephesians 4:28 ESV

Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.

Romans 1:1-32 ESV

Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations, …

Luke 12:30 ESV

For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them.

Luke 12:7 ESV

Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.

Isaiah 40:31 ESV

But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

1 Chronicles 22:13 ESV

Then you will prosper if you are careful to observe the statutes and the rules that the Lord commanded Moses for Israel. Be strong and courageous. Fear not; do not be dismayed.

Luke 12:28 ESV

But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith!

Luke 12:24 ESV

Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds!

Matthew 7:11 ESV

If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!

Matthew 6:32 ESV

For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.

Psalm 115:12 ESV

The Lord has remembered us; he will bless us; he will bless the house of Israel; he will bless the house of Aaron;

Psalm 84:11 ESV

For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly.

Psalm 37:25 ESV

I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread.

2 Chronicles 26:5 ESV

He set himself to seek God in the days of Zechariah, who instructed him in the fear of God, and as long as he sought the Lord, God made him prosper.

Deuteronomy 29:9 ESV

Therefore keep the words of this covenant and do them, that you may prosper in all that you do.

Deuteronomy 6:4-9 ESV

“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. …

Philemon 1:6 ESV

And I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ.

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Posted by:  Minister Evelyn Diane Thomas, in honor of 40 days of lent and day 39 we are praying about and discussing: Employment and finding a job… All information used to glory my subscribers who may be in need of a job!

Footnote: Reference Material: http://www.fedjobsearchtrainer.com/government-jobs/

Open bible – www.openbible.com

Find a government job: http://www.fedjobsearchtrainer.com/government-jobs/

Find a job on Monster.com – http://www.monster.com

Pray against Injustice

Today as we embark upon this 40 day journey of  Lenten season on today..  We are on day 37 and we are discussing Injustice… Injustice is real and existent to this very day… I’m saddened that injustice and prejudice still exist.    I’m reminded of that Martin Luther King Jr. once said “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” Martin Luther King Jr.Letter from Birmingham Jail, April 16, 1963…US black civil rights leader & clergyman (1929 – 1968)  

I remember living in Long Beach, California back in the 70’s when I actually felt injustice for the very first time, and today, injustice is still as  prevalent  today… I’m reminided of a youg man by the name of Ron Settles who was a star college football player  that was getting ready to sign a contact to play professional football.  One night in a small town right out of Long Beach, his whole life would be destroyed and was my very first time witnessing injustice pretty much in our own backyard or neck of the woods… In two cities, patrolmen are accused in the deaths of blacks. Ron Settles, 21, of Carson, Calif., was called Bull by his friends. He was a 200-lb. senior running back for the Cal State Long Beach 49ers, good enough to be scouted by the Dallas Cowboys. Ernest Lacy, 22, of Milwaukee, was a very different sort: a skinny unemployed man with a history of mental disorders who sang in a church choir and was sometimes scared of his family’s two dogs. But there were similarities too. Both were black. Both were involved in similar incidents…I do believe in my heart that this definitely was a case of injustice….  See the attached video on  Ron Settles..

Was the Ron Settles incident an Accidents or Police Brutality?

Ron Reginald SettlesRon Reginald Settles

Birth: Jun. 12, 1959
California, USA
Death: Jun. 2, 1981
Signal Hill
Los Angeles County
California, USA

Ron Settles was a Long Beach State College football player who was arrested by the Signal Hill Police Department. The morning after his arrest, he was found severely beaten and hanging in his jail cell. A huge furor erupted afterwards over the suspicious nature of his death. The police said he committed suicide, but this story was very weak. The Los Angeles District Attorney filed charges against them, with the Signal Hill Police officers eventually taking the fifth ammendment so as to not incriminate themselves. No one was convicted of Settle’s murder, but the city of Signal Hill did pay a large settlement to the family. One of several highly controversial deaths of arrestee’s in the 1970’s and 80’s that changed the way police departments deal with prisoners. Many police departments now videotape jail areas, and any time a police officer or correction officer touches a prisoner in any sort of a restraining way, a report is required to be written.

Rodney King

My 2nd time in life witnessing injustice and a level that a riot broke out in the city and surrounding cities where we lived… This was now the 2nd time I’d witnessed injustice again with my own eyes watching the video that media played over and over again … The 1992 Los Angeles Riots or South Central Riots, also known as the 1992 Los Angeles Civil Unrest were sparked on April 29, 1992, when a jury acquitted three white and one Hispanic Los Angeles Police Departmentofficers accused in the videotaped beating of black motorist Rodney King following a high-speed pursuit. Thousands of people in the Los Angeles area rioted over the six days following the verdict.

Widespread looting, assault, arson and murder occurred, and property damages topped roughly $1 billion. In all, 53 people died during the riots and thousands more were injured.

(Above: Rodney King at the press conference following the riots that broke out after the cops who beat him up were acquitted.)  His saying  “Can’t we all just get along?” went viral back in the day…

 

As of today, we still fight because injustice yet prevails… I could go on and on previous cases and add myself and several incidents that injustice continues to prevail….

Let’s bring it up to date to Trayvon Martin who was shot and killed in cold blood by a fake neighborhood watch commander who’s group was not even a registered neighborhood watch group…  It’s sad that Mr. Zimmerman is still running around as a free man, and he took the innocent life of a child…   He should be put in jail with the key thrown away!!!!

 

Cited: Insert article from CNN- http://www.cnn.com/2012/03/30/opinion/bennett-trayvon-martin/index.html

“Rush to judgment in Trayvon Martin case”

By William J. Bennett, CNN Contributor
updated 8:29 PM EDT, Fri March 30, 2012
We should be guided by the facts when seeking justice, says William Bennett.
We should be guided by the facts when seeking justice, says William Bennett.

STORY HIGHLIGHTS
  • William Bennett: The death of Trayvon Martin is much more complex than first thought
  • Bennett: Some are not looking for justice, but are exploiting this terrible death
  • He says we don’t know if Zimmerman is guilty or if racism was a motivating factor
  • Bennett: We should not rush to conclusions, and should be guided by the facts

(CNN) — At first glance, the death of Trayvon Martin seemed to be a straightforward example of ugly, racial conflict resulting in the killing of an innocent black teenager by a white man, George Zimmerman. But now, as evidence continues to come forward, the facts seem much more complicated and the “obvious truth” premature.

At first, it was thought that Zimmerman, a neighborhood watch captain, was the aggressor because he followed Martin, got into a physical scuffle with him and shot him. But then, some witnesses claim that Martin attacked Zimmerman first, and the initial police report said that Zimmerman had blood on his nose and the back of his head after the incident. However, surveillance video footage that surfaced from the police station is leading to questions about the extent of Zimmerman’s injuries.

To make matters more complex, we found out that in the past several months, Martin was suspended from school three times, once for the possession of drug paraphernalia.

The Miami Herald reported that in the gated community in which Zimmerman patrolled, there were eight burglaries, nine thefts and one shooting in the past year. Neighbors of Zimmerman described him as being passionate about security and credit him with thwarting and cracking some crimes. It was also revealed that Zimmerman identified himself as a Hispanic and was a registered Democrat.

William Bennett

William Bennett

The facts are confounding and inconclusive. But the tendency in the first days by some, including Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson and an angry chorus of followers, was to rush to judgment with little regard for fairness, due process, or respect for the terrible death of a young man.

A mob mentality seems to be in the ascendancy.

Who does ‘Stand Your Ground’ protect?

Zimmerman: Trayvon ‘snuck up’ on George

Trayvon Martin witness breaks silence

JVM: We need to move beyond race

The New Black Panther Party offered a bounty for Zimmerman’s capture.

Jackson said that Martin’s death shows how “blacks are under attack” and “targeting, arresting, convicting blacks and ultimately killing us is big business.” Apart from the obvious incendiary nature of such comments, what in heaven’s name could Jackson mean?

Spike Lee fueled the flames by tweeting Zimmerman’s home address, which turned out to be the wrong address and resulted in an older couple fleeing from their home and fearing for their lives after threats and crowds outside their residence. Lee, realizing his folly, has since apologized to the couple.

These actions and words illustrate a problem in dealing with Martin’s death: Many people are not on an impartial hunt for justice but are exploiting this crisis for personal or political gain and claiming that it is representative of larger societal problems.

MSNBC political analyst and Democratic fundraiser Karen Finney blamed Martin’s death on Republicans. She said, “[Republican politicians] reinforce and validate old stereotypes that associate the poor and welfare as criminal behavior with African-Americans and people of color, calling us lazy, undeserving recipients of public assistance. In the case of Trayvon, those festering stereotypes had lethal consequences.”

Martin’s own mother, Sybrina Fulton, filed applications for trademarks on two of the popular phrases used at rallies for Martin, “I Am Trayvon” and “Justice for Trayvon.” Democrats politicized the event with a hearing on Capitol Hill in which Martin’s parents testified. Later, U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush, D-Illinois, wore a hoodie on the House floor.

It’s clear that some of the people raising the most noise are trying to make this less about the horrible death of a young man and more about claims of racial resentment that may or may not exist.

The loudest voices should be particularly careful not to rush to conclusions. Remember the Duke lacrosse case, in which members of the team were accused of a gang rape. The public rushed to judgment long before the young men were eventually acquitted.

Zimmerman may or may not be guilty; there may or may not be racial motivations. We do not know yet. In the absence of complete evidence, inflammatory comments and belligerent reactions will not aid the search for justice. An angry crowd should not be in charge. Lastly, why is there so much selective outrage on the part of so many?

The leading cause of death for black male teenagers is homicide, according to the National Center for Health Statistics. Of all the black homicide victims, about 93% are killed by other black people. In 2011, nearly 85% of all people murdered in Philadelphia were black. Where are the marches and protests for these victims? Is it justice people seek or are they looking and even hoping for signs of white racism so they can exploit it?

In his Letter from a Birmingham Jail, Martin Luther King Jr. wrote, “Any law that uplifts human personality is just. Any law that degrades human personality is unjust.”

While we wait and respect due process of law, we should do our part to uplift human personality. We can do so by giving both Martin and Zimmerman a just weighing of the evidence, both in the court of law and public opinion. Let us not assume the worst of anybody but be guided by the facts.” http://www.cnn.com/2012/03/30/opinion/bennett-trayvon-martin/index.html

I’ve come to the conclusion that injustice is real even down to my own life in Orange County California.. I do believe that these people care nothing about the lives of  our black young men, black or brown people…  It’s said that we have made it to 2012 and prejudice and injustice is much alive!   “Things have got to change for the better!”  I’m outraged over it all down to my very own incidents of being discriminated against.. I see the time when men were put 6 feet under for hitting a woman or someone struck a child for no reason…

Injustice and prejudice is really real today in 2012!!! It really is..

 

Posted by:  Minister Evelyn Diane Thomas

Cited that this story: Rush to judgment is used for reference material only in this article concerning injustice – original content of story comes from: http://www.cnn.com/2012/03/30/opinion/bennett-trayvon-martin/index.html

Cited information from Ron Settles: Ronhttp://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=6814603

 

Incarcerated


Isaiah 61:1 (ESV) The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;

As we embark on this journey of our 40 days of Lenten season, today we will be praying and discussing Incarceration.  When I hear the word incarceration I immediately began to think of a person that is not free.

Many of us have loved one’s that are behind prison walls… It tend to be a pretty common place for most of our black and brown men of today and yesterday… I encouraged each of you to begin to pray for someone you may or may not know that is incarcerated.   Also, pray those loved one’s that are free but has imprisoned their minds to the mental capacity that they have given up on life.. I believe, if we began to intercede on their behalf, lives will be change right where they are and the captives mind will be set free, which gives them another chance at life.   No matter what a person has done, Jesus still loves them in spite of their mistakes or intentions.   If a person is honestly sorry, repent and or ask the Lord for forgiveness, he  is a faithful and just God and will forgive you of all your sins.

 

Please, if  you will… Take time out of your busy schedule and go pay a surprise visit to a love one or friend that  is incarcerated.. .You never know, you might be that face that will change their mindset forever… Most of all, it’s a matter of them feeling free withing themselves… Locked away, yet free… The bible says: whom the son set free, is free indeed…

 

The Disciples Cross: The Message Behind the IHVS Christian

The first discipline is Obedience and faith, it is the central focus of book one, What Does the Bible Say? Obedience and faith is what binds all the other spiritual disciplines together. Without them the cross can not support itself. In the pages of the Bible, Jesus instructed: “I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you” (John 13:15). Obeying God’s Word is not easy. History has shown that our human nature is prone to resist authority. We see that in Genesis chapter 3 when man disobeyed the Heavenly Father and the result was devastating. Man was separated from God. Disobedience has a similar affect upon our relationship with the Lord today. But God is faithful. He will forgive us our sins and restore our relationship if we will confess our sins and return follow His instructions (1 John 1:9).

Witnessing is another Christian discipline and will be the central focus of book two,Fishers of Men. Witnessing is not an option for a Christian. Jesus commanded the preaching of the gospel to all nations (c.f., Matthew 28:19-20), and it is the duty of every child of God to seek constantly to win the lost to Christ by verbal witness under girded by a Christian lifestyle in harmony with the gospel of Christ. Jesus also reminded us that God is pleased when we witness. “This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples” (John 15:8).

Prayer will be the central focus of book three, Move Mountain. Is has been said that prayer is to the Christian what breathing is to the body. More specifically, prayer is both talking and listening to God. At the same time, prayer is recognizing the presence of God (Psalm 118:18) as we claim promises of God (2 Peter 1:4). Equally important, prayer is the Christian’s source of strength and power, a means of discovering the will of God, and biblically mandated means of having our needs met (Philippians 4:19). Jesus promises, “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you” (John 15:7).

Fellowship will be emphasized in Love One Another. Based on what I like to call The Eleventh Commandment, Jesus’ instructions in John 13:34-35 is clear, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” We are to love others because Jesus loved us first. His model is our inspiration and his legacy is the defining quality of our new life as disciples.

Service will be the focus of IHVS book five, You Are My Friend. A New Testament church is an autonomous local congregation of baptized believers that can affect lasting, positive change in the lives of others. Both men and women are gifted to serve and be friends to others. One of my favorite passages in all of scripture is John 15:13. There we read, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command.” It is fascinating to me to realize that Jesus considers me to be his friend. Being a friend to others has a similar impact on people.

Finally, the focus of the last book in the IHVS series, Show Thyself Approved, will bediscipleship. This is the all-encompasses discipline that expands the entire cross. Christianity is the faith of enlightenment and knowledge and in Jesus Christ rests all wisdom. Thus, all sound learning is a part of our Christian faith, and Christian education is a necessary component to a complete spiritual program for Christ’s people. Once again, Jesus teaches, “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock (Matthew 7:24).

Isaiah 42:1-25 (ESV)Behold my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my Spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations. He will not cry aloud or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street; a bruised reed he will not break, and a faintly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice. He will not grow faint or be discouraged till he has established justice in the earth; and the coastlands wait for his law. Thus says God, the Lord, who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and what comes from it, who gives breath to the people on it and spirit to those who walk in it: …

Incarceration is the detention of a person in prison, typically as punishment for a crime (custodial sentence).

People are most commonly incarcerated upon suspicion or conviction of committing a crime, and different jurisdictionshave differing laws governing the function of incarceration within a larger system of justice. Incarceration serves four essential purposes with regard to criminals:

  • to isolate criminals to prevent them from committing more crimes
  • to punish criminals for committing crimes
  • to deter others from committing crimes
  • to rehabilitate criminals

Incarceration rates, when measured by the United Nations, are considered distinct and separate from the imprisonment of political prisoners and others not charged with a specific crime. Historically, the frequency of imprisonment, its duration, and severity have varied considerably. There has also been much debate about the motives for incarceration, its effectiveness and fairness, as well as debate regarding the related questions about the nature and etiology ofcriminal behavior.

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Bible Versus on Prison / Incarceration

Isaiah 61:1 ESV

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;

Ezra 7:26 ESV

Whoever will not obey the law of your God and the law of the king, let judgment be strictly executed on him, whether for death or for banishment or for confiscation of his goods or for imprisonment.”

Leviticus 24:12 ESV

And they put him in custody, till the will of the Lord should be clear to them.

Acts 12:5 ESV

So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church.

Luke 23:19 ESV

A man who had been thrown into prison for an insurrection started in the city and for murder.

1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 ESV

For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words.

Philippians 1:27 ESV

Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel,

Numbers 15:34 ESV

They put him in custody, because it had not been made clear what should be done to him.

Genesis 39:20 ESV

And Joseph’s master took him and put him into the prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined, and he was there in prison.

1 John 2:1-29 ESV

My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: …

2 Timothy 2:9 ESV

For which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound!

John 3:16-17 ESV

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

1 Corinthians 2:13 ESV

And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.

Acts 16:24 ESV

Having received this order, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.

John 1:1-51 ESV

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. …

Psalm 91:1-16 ESV

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, …

1 Chronicles 17:1-27 ESV

Now when David lived in his house, David said to Nathan the prophet, “Behold, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of the covenant of theLord is under a tent.” And Nathan said to David, “Do all that is in your heart, for God is with you.” But that same night the word of the Lordcame to Nathan, “Go and tell my servant David, ‘Thus says the Lord: It is not you who will build me a house to dwell in. For I have not lived in a house since the day I brought up Israel to this day, but I have gone from tent to tent and from dwelling to dwelling. …

Numbers 3:1-51 ESV

These are the generations of Aaron and Moses at the time when the Lord spoke with Moses on Mount Sinai. These are the names of the sons of Aaron: Nadab the firstborn, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. These are the names of the sons of Aaron, the anointed priests, whom he ordained to serve as priests. But Nadab and Abihu died before the Lord when they offered unauthorized fire before the Lord in the wilderness of Sinai, and they had no children. So Eleazar and Ithamar served as priests in the lifetime of Aaron their father. And the Lordspoke to Moses, saying, …

Genesis 42:16-19 ESV

Send one of you, and let him bring your brother, while you remain confined, that your words may be tested, whether there is truth in you. Or else, by the life of Pharaoh, surely you are spies.” And he put them all together in custody for three days. On the third day Joseph said to them, “Do this and you will live, for I fear God: if you are honest men, let one of your brothers remain confined where you are in custody, and let the rest go and carry grain for the famine of your households,

Genesis 6:1-22 ESV

When man began to multiply on the face of the land and daughters were born to them, the sons of God saw that the daughters of man were attractive. And they took as their wives any they chose. Then the Lord said, “My Spirit shall not abide in man forever, for he is flesh: his days shall be 120 years.” The Nephilim were on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God came in to the daughters of man and they bore children to them. These were the mighty men who were of old, the men of renown. The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. …

Revelation 22:19 ESV

And if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.

Revelation 11:1-19 ESV

Then I was given a measuring rod like a staff, and I was told, “Rise and measure the temple of God and the altar and those who worship there, but do not measure the court outside the temple; leave that out, for it is given over to the nations, and they will trample the holy city for forty-two months. And I will grant authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.” These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth. And if anyone would harm them, fire pours from their mouth and consumes their foes. If anyone would harm them, this is how he is doomed to be killed. …

Jude 1:6 ESV

And the angels who did not stay within their own position of authority, but left their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains under gloomy darkness until the judgment of the great day—

Hebrews 1:14 ESV

Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?

Romans 14:1-23 ESV

As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him. Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand. One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. …

Romans 8:29 ESV

For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

Acts 12:4 ESV

And when he had seized him, he put him in prison, delivering him over to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending after the Passover to bring him out to the people.

Acts 5:18 ESV

They arrested the apostles and put them in the public prison.

Acts 4:3 ESV

And they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening.

Luke 16:19-31 ESV

“There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores. The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried, and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. …

Mark 13:8 ESV

For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. These are but the beginning of the birth pains.

Matthew 25:46 ESV

And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

Matthew 25:41 ESV

“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.

Matthew 5:21-22 ESV

“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire.

Daniel 10:13 ESV

The prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days, but Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I was left there with the kings of Persia,

Daniel 7:10 ESV

A stream of fire issued and came out from before him; a thousand thousands served him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him; the court sat in judgment, and the books were opened.

Jeremiah 52:11 ESV

He put out the eyes of Zedekiah, and bound him in chains, and the king of Babylon took him to Babylon, and put him in prison till the day of his death.

Jeremiah 33:1 ESV

The word of the Lord came to Jeremiah a second time, while he was still shut up in the court of the guard:

Isaiah 42:1-25 ESV

Behold my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my Spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations. He will not cry aloud or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street; a bruised reed he will not break, and a faintly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice. He will not grow faint or be discouraged till he has established justice in the earth; and the coastlands wait for his law. Thus says God, the Lord, who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and what comes from it, who gives breath to the people on it and spirit to those who walk in it: …

Isaiah 6:2 ESV

Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew.

Isaiah 6:1-13 ESV

In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!” And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke. And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!” …

Psalm 150:1-6 ESV

Praise the Lord! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens! Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his excellent greatness! Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp! Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe! Praise him with sounding cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals! …

 

Prison incarceration rates by country

Incarceration rates of selected nations

Posted by:  Minister Evelyn Thomas
Cited:  Open Bible / reference scripture  http://www.openbible.com
Cited that an insert was used from http://ihvsbooks.com/2012/03/03/disciplescross/#more-936
Cited:  Wikipedia was  used for some reference material  http://www.wikipedia.com

Order (No Confusion, Chaos)

Bishop TD Jakes – Spellbreaker

March 28, 2012 Order (No Confusion, Chaos) 1 Corinthians 14:33 : For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. 

Today, as we embark on this powerful 40 days of Lenten Season, today we are praying about Order (No Confusion, Chaos).  If we tell the truth, most our lives have no order, and seem to be filled with lots of confusion and chaos, but God says in his word that he is not author of confusion! 1 Corinthians 14:33 : For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. 

or·der

1. an authoritative direction or instruction;command; mandate.

2. a command of a court or judge.
3. a command or notice issued by a military organization or a military commander to troops, sailors, etc.
4. the disposition of things following one after another, as in space or time; succession orsequence: The names were listed in
alphabetical order.
5. a condition in which each thing is properly disposed with reference to other things and to its purpose; methodical or
harmonious arrangement: You must try to give order to yourlife.

con·fu·sion

1.the act of confusing.

2.the state of being confused.

3.disorder; upheaval; tumult; chaos: The army retreated in confusion.
4.lack of clearness or distinctness: a confusion in his mind between right and wrong.
5.perplexity; bewilderment: The more difficult questions left us in complete confusion.

cha·os

1. A condition or place of great disorder or confusion.

2. A disorderly mass; a jumble: The desk was a chaos of papers and unopened letters.

3. often Chaos The disordered state of unformed matter and infinite space supposed in some cosmogonic views to have existed before the ordered universe.
4. Mathematics A dynamical system that has a sensitive dependence on its initial conditions.
5. Obsolete An abyss; a chasm.


Jeremiah 29:11

God is not the author of confusion

Here’s the thing I’ve learned…..sometimes it takes getting hit in the head with a brick…..but I get the point….eventually!!!
“God is not the author of confusion”.   After looking back over my life, I really know what it means to say that God is not the author of confusion.    It seems like no matter what you do or where you go, confusion will follow.. I realized that half my battles in my past 30 years were not even my own, but I have such a deep love for my family and the people of God, and just have this gene where I feel the need to protect those the seem helpless when the enemy comes against them… I feel God made me to deal with confusion and chaos.. However, I do know that God is God of order and he does not endorse bad behavior and us acting unseemingly.. God is a God of  “LOVE” and “ORDER” – He said in 1 Corinthians 14:40  – Let all things be done decently and in order.  On that note, I’m praying for order in my life, my families life, my friends all around the world that may be struggling as I do in this area.  God is able to do anything but fail…
I Corinthians 14:33
For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace…
When you hear somebody recite a verse of scripture and you think it might not have a thing in the world to do with you personally.. Think again!!!
God is ALWAYS speaking to us and he knows what is going  in our lives.  Sometimes we prolong things that we know are not right, making matter 10 times worse than they really are… I plead the blood of Jesus and pray Peace right now in each of our lives in Jesus’s precious and Holy name knowing that  God knows about every situation  and he really does care!  There are many time when we just have to be reminded  and  understanding  that:  “God is not the author of confusion”  and he wants us to live a fulfilling and victorious life in him..
Jeremiah 29:11
Jesus Loves Us!.

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What do I have to do to go to heaven?

God isn’t waiting to judge you. God isn’t waiting to condemn you. He’s waiting to receive you with mercy, with love, with open arms, and forgive all your sins. Will you come to Him? Will you turn from your sin and promise to live for Him?

“If you confess with your mouth, Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” — Romans 10:9

“To all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.” — John 1:12

He asked, “‘What must I do to be saved?’ They replied, ‘Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved.’” — Acts — Acts 16:30,31

 

Posted by:  Minister Evelyn Diane Thomas  in honor of 40 days of  Lent season / Today’s prayer and discussion / Order (No Confusion, Chaos)

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“Circle of Protection – Winner’s Circle” pt3/3 David Evans 23 JAN 2012

“Circle of Protection – Winner’s Circle” pt3/3 David Evans 23 JAN 2012

‘Circle Of Protection’ Declared By Christian Leaders In Face Of Budget Cuts
A homeless man panhandles for change on a San Francisco sidewalk. Christian leaders have announced a new initiative called the “Circle of Protection” in response to possible budget cuts to programs that aid the poor and hungry. Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty

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Circle Of Protection
First Posted: 04/27/11 02:14 PM ET Updated: 06/27/11 06:12 AM ET
A broad coalition of Christian leaders has announced a new “Circle of Protection” to formalize their opposition to governmental budget cuts that would slash the funding for or completely eliminate programs that provide essential services for poor and vulnerable populations in the United States and abroad.

The newly minted initiative is supported by a number of high-profile Christian leaders from across a wide spectrum of denominations and aid organizations.

According to the Rev. Jim Wallis, the coalition has come together to send a message to political leaders: “If you’re going to come after the poor, you have to go through us first.”

The group has outlined eight core principles that guide its stance on the federal budget. Leading these principles is an acknowledgment that the government has an obligation to substantially reduce spending deficits. At the same time, the list outlines the group’s position that budget decisions are moral decisions, and Christian morality emphasizes the importance of protecting those in need.

Speaking on a conference call Tuesday morning, Wallis said, “Budgets are not just about scarcity. They are about choices, and those are moral choices.”

The Christian leaders believe that these budget choices are tied to an issue that is central to the Christian faith — how to protect the “least of these” as described by Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew.

Also speaking on Tuesday, Ambassador Tony Hall, Executive Director of the Alliance to End Hunger, emphasized, “There are over 2,000 verses in the Bible that speak to this issue.”

In the face of a fierce and ongoing political battle, the Christian leaders formed the “Circle of Protection” in order to advocate for those who have no voice in the debate. Their statement outlines:

We look at every budget proposal from the bottom up — how it treats those Jesus called “the least of these” (Matthew 25:45). They do not have powerful lobbies, but they have the most compelling claim on our consciences and common resources. The Christian community has an obligation to help them be heard.
Bishop Jaime Soto of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops added on Tuesday:

The moral measure of this budget debate is not which party wins … but how those who are poor and vulnerable are treated. We are speaking on their behalf.
The group’s information includes a list of federal programs that provide aid to poor and hungry people. While they stop short of fully endorsing the protection of any specific programs, the group believes that is important to maintain or increase the collective effort to help those in need.

Ambassador Hall offered David Cameron’s program of government austerity measures in the U.K. as a model for reducing spending while refusing to cut programs that provide life-saving aid to those in need. He also offered praise to the Simpson-Bowles proposals for upholding the same standards in the U.S. budget debate.

The “Circle of Protection” comes in the wake of a period when many faith leaders protested potential budget cuts to poverty programs by fasting during the Christian season of Lent. As Congress and the White House continue in their protracted battle, the Christian leaders behind the initiative emphasize that they will remain passionate and faithful to the cause.

Rev. Peg Chemberlin, President of the National Council of Churches, concluded her thoughts by asking other people of faith to join in solidarity with the signatories:

“Today we stand together to call on all Christians … and we pray today for those that will lead us to a moral budget.”

 

Budget Cuts , Christianity , Federal Budget Deficit , Poverty , Christian Leaders , Rev. Jim Wallis , Ambassador Tony Hall , Budget , Budget Debate , Circle Of Protection , Foreign Aid , Religion News

Why Black Men Aren’t Getting Married, 1 of 7 Dr Jamal Bryant

 

Posted by:  Minister Evelyn Diane Thomas

March 27, 2012
Cited:  Reference material from:

religion
The Huffington Post

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Encouragement (Pray against the spirit of discouragement, depression, stress and lack!)

1 Thessalonians 5:11 (ESV)Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

March 27, 2012

Encouragement (Pray against spirit of discouragement, depression, stress)

 

Aldous Huxley Encouragement Quote:

“Experience is not what happens to you; it is what you do with what happens to you.”

~ Aldous Huxley

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Abraham Lincoln Encouragement Words:

“It is said an Eastern monarch once charged his wise men to invent him a sentence to be ever in view, and which should be true and appropriate in all times and situations. They presented him the words: “And this, too, shall pass away.””

~ Abraham Lincoln

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Anonymous Encouragement Quote:

“When you feel like giving up, remember why you held on for so long in the first place.”

~ Unknown
Encouragement Quotes

Today as we continue on this 33rd day of  Lenten Season, today we seriously are praying for ENCOURAGEMENT and we pray against the spirit of discouragement, depression and stress… God, I know how easy it is to become discouraged, but I know the value of being encouraged no matter what… Sometimes life deals you a bad hand, and it seems as if all hope is gone, until God stops by and show some sign that this battle is not over, and let you know that this battle is not yours but it’s the Lords… I speak to myself first as farmost, because I desire to encourage, enlighten and bless God’s people.  I never once intended to use my voice to hurt anyone, but sometimes we allow our emotions to get the best of us and out anger we can speak some very cruel and mean things…. I’m capable, and I make no excuse, only asking God to fix that part of me, and allow all anger that may come whether proked or harvested.. I pray right now in precious mighty name of Jesus, that the spirit of disencourgment be moved out of my way that God can get all the glory and honor… It’s amazing how this schedule goes, and corresponds to lifes ordeals… I pray today against anything that is not like God, I invite you Lord to change our hearts and change our minds got against strong holds that allow us to tear each other apart, which sometimes cause depression and  stress to be all around us… But decree and I declare on this 27th day of March, that we shall overcome in this season.  Lives will be changed, miracles will be performed, blinded eyes will open, money will overflow in your life, LOVE will abound, Grace is sufficient for all of these encouraging thing I speak in the atmosphere to come to pass.   I serve the Devil notice and ask God to forgive me right now if I treaspassed against someone in anger, to change my heart and my mind, and change the heart and mind of the person that may have been hurt by my quik and spontaneous rebuttle to your reply….  I pray the day that we can learn to kiil each other in LOVE foreal… Not just lip service, but showing each other how much we really care by encouraging, interceding, sharing with each other material and spiritual things… Most of all that we can share an encourging word with someone to let them know that life will get better if we put all of our trust in God.  Yes, man will continue to fail you, but somebody say, BUT GOD!!!!  He is the ultimate source of encouragment knowing all he went through for us… He died for our sins, he gave everythign that he had for us..  He layed down his life for us, and he took abuse, he was beaten, he was bruised, and tortured and was nailed to an old rugged cross, and they pierced him in his side and he never said a mumbling word… But he did say “FATHER, FORGIVE THEM, FOR THEY KNOW  NOT WHAT THEY DO!” After they did all what they did to Jesus, and that aint even the whole story, but that alone makes tears of joy flow from my heart to know that my saviour went through so much more than I have down here on earth….  He went through so much until they hung him high, they stretched him wide, he hung his head for me he died, and that’s what you call real “LOVE!”  However, that’s not how the story ends, on the third day he rose again with all power in hands to let the world know that you may slay me with your words, and beat me with your hands and your objects, but never will you be able to take my joy because the world did not give it , as they did not give it to Jesus, they can’t take it away…  No one, I reiterate, that no one,  can take or have my joy.  If I choose to give it, it’s nobody’s fault but my own…  If I die and lift my eyes up in hell, it’s nobody’s fault but my own because God is a just God and a jealous God, and he will not allow you to put anyone or anything in front of  him.  He will and he can move anything out of your way that may have been a stumbling block to your relationship with God… I encourage you on today, to ask yourself this simple question: Are you saved?  Do you know Jesus, in the pardon of your sins. Do you believe that he hung, bleed and died for your sins?  Do you believe that he died and he rose again on the third day with all power in his hands?  If you answered “YES” to each question, you are headed in the right direction to make heaven  your final destination when the trumpet sounds…. Will you make him the LOVE of your life?  Accept him on today and if you have not been baptized, I encourage you to go to your local church where you feel comfortable or at home to work out your soul salvation, and learn of him and be baptized in his precious Holy Ghost which destroys every strong hold and yoke that distorts our lives.   I encourage you on this 27th day of march to keep on keeping on no matter what man may say about you…. Press you way through the crowd  so you may get your crown up in glory and hear the Lord say these words….
“Well done, my good and faithful servant, come on up a little higher!”

Much love to you all, and I write this piece with tears of joy streaming down my face, knowing who I am and who’s I am… I pray right now that if there is anything in me that is not like you dear Jesus… Take it out right now in the mighty name of Jesus… We consider it done in Jesus Name, and  know that are weapons are not carnal…For in 2 Corinthians 10:4 : The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.

2 Corinthians 10:1-6 -(KJV)  1Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you:   2But I beseech you, that I may not be bold when I am present with that confidence, wherewith I think to be bold against some, which think of us as if we walked according to the flesh. 3For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:  4(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)  5Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;  6And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.

Encouragement Obstacles

Definition of ENCOURAGEMENT

1: the act of encouraging : the state of being encouraged
2: something that encourages
Examples of ENCOURAGEMENT
  1. Our aim is the encouragement of investment.
  2. the encouragement of plant growth
  3. teachers who give their students a lot of encouragement
  4. With support and encouragement from their parents, the students organized a fundraiser.
  5. They offered him gifts of money and other encouragements.
  6. Encouragement to others..

Bible Verses about “Encouragement” To Others

Cited: reference material from: Open Bible: http://www.openbible.com

1 Thessalonians 5:11 ESV / 57 helpful votes

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

Isaiah 41:10 ESV / 28 helpful votes

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Hebrews 10:25 ESV / 24 helpful votes

Not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

1 Peter 5:7 ESV / 13 helpful votes

Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

2 Timothy 2:15 ESV / 13 helpful votes

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

Philippians 4:13 ESV / 13 helpful votes

I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

James 1:12 ESV / 12 helpful votes

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.

1 John 2:1-29 ESV / 8 helpful votes

My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: …

2 Peter 1:1-21 ESV / 7 helpful votes

Simeon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ: May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, …

1 Peter 3:14 ESV / 6 helpful votes

But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled,

James 1:2 ESV / 6 helpful votes

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,

1 Timothy 2:1-15 ESV / 6 helpful votes

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, …

Romans 15:13 ESV / 6 helpful votes

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

Romans 1:16 ESV / 6 helpful votes

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

Acts 1:8 ESV / 6 helpful votes

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Daniel 12:1 ESV / 6 helpful votes

“At that time shall arise Michael, the great prince who has charge of your people. And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never has been since there was a nation till that time. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone whose name shall be found written in the book.

Psalm 40:1-17 ESV / 6 helpful votes

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord. Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust, who does not turn to the proud, to those who go astray after a lie! You have multiplied, O Lord my God, your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us; none can compare with you! I will proclaim and tell of them, yet they are more than can be told. …

Revelation 1:7 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen.

1 John 4:1 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.

1 Peter 2:5 ESV / 5 helpful votes

You yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 2:1-25 ESV / 5 helpful votes

So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. …

1 Peter 1:23 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God;

1 Peter 1:7 ESV / 5 helpful votes

So that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

2 Timothy 3:16 ESV / 5 helpful votes

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,

Colossians 1:1-29 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father. We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel, …

1 Corinthians 15:58 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

1 Corinthians 2:1-16 ESV / 5 helpful votes

And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. …

John 3:1-36 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. …

Isaiah 1:1-31 ESV / 5 helpful votes

The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah. Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth; for the Lord has spoken: “Children have I reared and brought up, but they have rebelled against me. The ox knows its owner, and the donkey its master’s crib, but Israel does not know, my people do not understand.” Ah, sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, offspring of evildoers, children who deal corruptly! They have forsaken the Lord, they have despised the Holy One of Israel, they are utterly estranged. Why will you still be struck down? Why will you continue to rebel? The whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint. …

2 Kings 1:1-18 ESV / 5 helpful votes

After the death of Ahab, Moab rebelled against Israel. Now Ahaziah fell through the lattice in his upper chamber in Samaria, and lay sick; so he sent messengers, telling them, “Go, inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron, whether I shall recover from this sickness.” But the angel of the Lord said to Elijah the Tishbite, “Arise, go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria, and say to them, ‘Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are going to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron? Now therefore thus says the Lord, You shall not come down from the bed to which you have gone up, but you shall surely die.’” So Elijah went. The messengers returned to the king, and he said to them, “Why have you returned?” …

2 Samuel 1:1-27 ESV / 5 helpful votes

After the death of Saul, when David had returned from striking down the Amalekites, David remained two days in Ziklag. And on the third day, behold, a man came from Saul’s camp, with his clothes torn and dirt on his head. And when he came to David, he fell to the ground and paid homage. David said to him, “Where do you come from?” And he said to him, “I have escaped from the camp of Israel.” And David said to him, “How did it go? Tell me.” And he answered, “The people fled from the battle, and also many of the people have fallen and are dead, and Saul and his son Jonathan are also dead.” Then David said to the young man who told him, “How do you know that Saul and his son Jonathan are dead?” …

Hebrews 5:2 ESV / 4 helpful votes

He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness.

Hebrews 4:12 ESV / 4 helpful votes

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Ruth 1:1-22 ESV / 4 helpful votes

In the days when the judges ruled there was a famine in the land, and a man of Bethlehem in Judah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he and his wife and his two sons. The name of the man was Elimelech and the name of his wife Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem in Judah. They went into the country of Moab and remained there. But Elimelech, the husband of Naomi, died, and she was left with her two sons. These took Moabite wives; the name of the one was Orpah and the name of the other Ruth. They lived there about ten years, and both Mahlon and Chilion died, so that the woman was left without her two sons and her husband. …

Revelation 22:11 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Let the evildoer still do evil, and the filthy still be filthy, and the righteous still do right, and the holy still be holy.”

Revelation 16:2-6 ESV / 3 helpful votes

So the first angel went and poured out his bowl on the earth, and harmful and painful sores came upon the people who bore the mark of the beast and worshiped its image. The second angel poured out his bowl into the sea, and it became like the blood of a corpse, and every living thing died that was in the sea. The third angel poured out his bowl into the rivers and the springs of water, and they became blood. And I heard the angel in charge of the waters say, “Just are you, O Holy One, who is and who was, for you brought these judgments. For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and you have given them blood to drink. It is what they deserve!”

Revelation 14:20 ESV / 3 helpful votes

And the winepress was trodden outside the city, and blood flowed from the winepress, as high as a horse’s bridle, for 1,600 stadia.

Revelation 12:12 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Therefore, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short!”

Revelation 6:8 ESV / 3 helpful votes

And I looked, and behold, a pale horse! And its rider’s name was Death, and Hades followed him. And they were given authority over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword and with famine and with pestilence and by wild beasts of the earth.

Revelation 6:5 ESV / 3 helpful votes

When he opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, “Come!” And I looked, and behold, a black horse! And its rider had a pair of scales in his hand.

Revelation 6:4 ESV / 3 helpful votes

And out came another horse, bright red. Its rider was permitted to take peace from the earth, so that people should slay one another, and he was given a great sword.

Revelation 6:2 ESV / 3 helpful votes

And I looked, and behold, a white horse! And its rider had a bow, and a crown was given to him, and he came out conquering, and to conquer.

Revelation 3:10 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth.

Revelation 1:13-15 ESV / 3 helpful votes

And in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest. The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire, his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters.

James 1:21 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

James 1:1-27 ESV / 3 helpful votes

James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings. Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. …

Hebrews 13:17 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.

Hebrews 5:1 ESV / 3 helpful votes

For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins.

Hebrews 4:16 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 ESV / 3 helpful votes

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.

2 Timothy 3:12 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,

2 Thessalonians 1:1-12 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing. Therefore we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring. This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering— …

1 Thessalonians 5:19 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Do not quench the Spirit.

1 Thessalonians 5:9 ESV / 3 helpful votes

For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,

1 Thessalonians 4:18 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Therefore encourage one another with these words.

1 Thessalonians 4:17 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.

1 Thessalonians 4:16 ESV / 3 helpful votes

For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.

Colossians 1:16 ESV / 3 helpful votes

For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.

Philippians 2:19 ESV / 3 helpful votes

I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you.

Ephesians 4:32 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Romans 8:28 ESV / 3 helpful votes

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

Acts 4:28 ESV / 3 helpful votes

To do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place.

John 14:1 ESV / 3 helpful votes

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.

Psalm 121:5-7 ESV / 3 helpful votes

The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade on your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life.

Psalm 119:1-176 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord! Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart, who also do no wrong, but walk in his ways! You have commanded your precepts to be kept diligently. Oh that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes! …

Psalm 66:3 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds! So great is your power that your enemies come cringing to you.

Ezra 6:14 ESV / 3 helpful votes

And the elders of the Jews built and prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. They finished their building by decree of the God of Israel and by decree of Cyrus and Darius and Artaxerxes king of Persia;

Exodus 34:7 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children’s children, to the third and the fourth generation.”

Revelation 14:10 ESV / 2 helpful votes

He also will drink the wine of God’s wrath, poured full strength into the cup of his anger, and he will be tormented with fire and sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb.

Revelation 14:9 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And another angel, a third, followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand,

Revelation 13:1 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And I saw a beast rising out of the sea, with ten horns and seven heads, with ten diadems on its horns and blasphemous names on its heads.

1 Peter 3:15 ESV / 2 helpful votes

But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,

Hebrews 8:1 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Now the point in what we are saying is this: we have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven,

Philippians 1:27 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel,

Ephesians 4:30 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

Ephesians 4:11-12 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,

Ephesians 3:1-21 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles— assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for you, how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. …

Ephesians 2:21 ESV / 2 helpful votes

In whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord.

Ephesians 2:20 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone,

Galatians 6:10 ESV / 2 helpful votes

So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.

Galatians 6:1 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.

Galatians 5:22-23 ESV / 2 helpful votes

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

1 Corinthians 14:31 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged,

1 Corinthians 14:26 ESV / 2 helpful votes

What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up.

1 Corinthians 12:10 ESV / 2 helpful votes

To another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.

1 Corinthians 4:5 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God.

1 Corinthians 2:2 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.

Romans 8:14 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.

Romans 6:23 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 3:1-9:33 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the value of circumcision? Much in every way. To begin with, the Jews were entrusted with the oracles of God. What if some were unfaithful? Does their faithlessness nullify the faithfulness of God? By no means! Let God be true though every one were a liar, as it is written, “That you may be justified in your words, and prevail when you are judged.” But if our unrighteousness serves to show the righteousness of God, what shall we say? That God is unrighteous to inflict wrath on us? (I speak in a human way.) …

Romans 1:18-32 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, …

Acts 22:3 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated at the feet of Gamaliel according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God as all of you are this day.

Acts 17:1-34 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. And Paul went in, as was his custom, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ.” And some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a great many of the devout Greeks and not a few of the leading women. But the Jews were jealous, and taking some wicked men of the rabble, they formed a mob, set the city in an uproar, and attacked the house of Jason, seeking to bring them out to the crowd. …

Acts 15:36-40 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us return and visit the brothers in every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are.” Now Barnabas wanted to take with them John called Mark. But Paul thought best not to take with them one who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work. And there arose a sharp disagreement, so that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and departed, having been commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord.

Acts 11:25-26 ESV / 2 helpful votes

So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.

Acts 9:26-27 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And when he had come to Jerusalem, he attempted to join the disciples. And they were all afraid of him, for they did not believe that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles and declared to them how on the road he had seen the Lord, who spoke to him, and how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus.

Acts 7:45 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Our fathers in turn brought it in with Joshua when they dispossessed the nations that God drove out before our fathers. So it was until the days of David,

John 10:10 ESV / 2 helpful votes

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

John 6:63 ESV / 2 helpful votes

It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.

John 5:28-29 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.

John 3:16 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

John 1:49 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!”

John 1:1-14 ESV / 2 helpful votes

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. …

John 1:1-4 ESV / 2 helpful votes

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men.

Luke 18:8 ESV / 2 helpful votes

I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”

Luke 18:7 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them?

Matthew 28:19-20 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Matthew 27:42 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“He saved others; he cannot save himself. He is the King of Israel; let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him.

Matthew 25:31 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne.

Matthew 24:31 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

Matthew 24:24-27 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you beforehand. So, if they say to you, ‘Look, he is in the wilderness,’ do not go out. If they say, ‘Look, he is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it. For as the lightning comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.

Matthew 18:20 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”

Matthew 12:6 ESV / 2 helpful votes

I tell you, something greater than the temple is here.

Malachi 3:17 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“They shall be mine, says the Lord of hosts, in the day when I make up my treasured possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his son who serves him.

Zechariah 2:8 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For thus said the Lord of hosts, after his glory sent me to the nations who plundered you, for he who touches you touches the apple of his eye:

Habakkuk 3:18 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation.

Habakkuk 3:17 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls,

Nahum 1:3 ESV / 2 helpful votes

The Lord is slow to anger and great in power, and the Lord will by no means clear the guilty. His way is in whirlwind and storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet.

Amos 8:12 ESV / 2 helpful votes

They shall wander from sea to sea, and from north to east; they shall run to and fro, to seek the word of the Lord, but they shall not find it.

Amos 8:11 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“Behold, the days are coming,” declares the Lord God, “when I will send a famine on the land— not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord.

Amos 8:3 ESV / 2 helpful votes

The songs of the temple shall become wailings in that day,” declares the Lord God. “So many dead bodies!” “They are thrown everywhere!” “Silence!”

Joel 2:1-32 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Blow a trumpet in Zion; sound an alarm on my holy mountain! Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble, for the day of the Lord is coming; it is near, a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and thick darkness! Like blackness there is spread upon the mountains a great and powerful people; their like has never been before, nor will be again after them through the years of all generations. Fire devours before them, and behind them a flame burns. The land is like the garden of Eden before them, but behind them a desolate wilderness, and nothing escapes them. Their appearance is like the appearance of horses, and like war horses they run. As with the rumbling of chariots, they leap on the tops of the mountains, like the crackling of a flame of fire devouring the stubble, like a powerful army drawn up for battle. …

Joel 1:17-20 ESV / 2 helpful votes

The seed shrivels under the clods; the storehouses are desolate; the granaries are torn down because the grain has dried up. How the beasts groan! The herds of cattle are perplexed because there is no pasture for them; even the flocks of sheep suffer. To you, O Lord, I call. For fire has devoured the pastures of the wilderness, and flame has burned all the trees of the field. Even the beasts of the field pant for you because the water brooks are dried up, and fire has devoured the pastures of the wilderness.

Joel 1:10-12 ESV / 2 helpful votes

The fields are destroyed, the ground mourns, because the grain is destroyed, the wine dries up, the oil languishes. Be ashamed, O tillers of the soil; wail, O vinedressers, for the wheat and the barley, because the harvest of the field has perished. The vine dries up; the fig tree languishes. Pomegranate, palm, and apple, all the trees of the field are dried up, and gladness dries up from the children of man.

Hosea 12:4 ESV / 2 helpful votes

He strove with the angel and prevailed; he wept and sought his favor. He met God at Bethel, and there God spoke with us—

Daniel 7:2 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Daniel declared, “I saw in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of heaven were stirring up the great sea.

Ezekiel 33:11 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Say to them, As I live, declares the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live; turn back, turn back from your evil ways, for why will you die, O house of Israel?

Ezekiel 14:20 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Even if Noah, Daniel, and Job were in it, as I live, declares the Lord God, they would deliver neither son nor daughter. They would deliver but their own lives by their righteousness.

Jeremiah 30:5-7 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“Thus says the Lord: We have heard a cry of panic, of terror, and no peace. Ask now, and see, can a man bear a child? Why then do I see every man with his hands on his stomach like a woman in labor? Why has every face turned pale? Alas! That day is so great there is none like it; it is a time of distress for Jacob; yet he shall be saved out of it.

Isaiah 51:11-16 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. “I, I am he who comforts you; who are you that you are afraid of man who dies, of the son of man who is made like grass, and have forgotten the Lord, your Maker, who stretched out the heavens and laid the foundations of the earth, and you fear continually all the day because of the wrath of the oppressor, when he sets himself to destroy? And where is the wrath of the oppressor? He who is bowed down shall speedily be released; he shall not die and go down to the pit, neither shall his bread be lacking. I am the Lord your God, who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar— the Lord of hosts is his name. …

Isaiah 49:14-16 ESV / 2 helpful votes

But Zion said, “The Lord has forsaken me; my Lord has forgotten me.” “Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you. Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before me.

Isaiah 43:25 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“I, I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins.

Isaiah 41:17 ESV / 2 helpful votes

When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue is parched with thirst, I the Lord will answer them; I the God of Israel will not forsake them.

Isaiah 33:16 ESV / 2 helpful votes

He will dwell on the heights; his place of defense will be the fortresses of rocks; his bread will be given him; his water will be sure.

Isaiah 33:15 ESV / 2 helpful votes

He who walks righteously and speaks uprightly, who despises the gain of oppressions, who shakes his hands, lest they hold a bribe, who stops his ears from hearing of bloodshed and shuts his eyes from looking on evil,

Isaiah 28:21 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For the Lord will rise up as on Mount Perazim; as in the Valley of Gibeon he will be roused; to do his deed—strange is his deed! and to work his work—alien is his work!

Isaiah 27:5 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Or let them lay hold of my protection, let them make peace with me, let them make peace with me.”

Isaiah 26:21 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For behold, the Lord is coming out from his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity, and the earth will disclose the blood shed on it, and will no more cover its slain.

Isaiah 22:24 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And they will hang on him the whole honor of his father’s house, the offspring and issue, every small vessel, from the cups to all the flagons.

Isaiah 21:12 ESV / 2 helpful votes

The watchman says: “Morning comes, and also the night. If you will inquire, inquire; come back again.”

Isaiah 21:11 ESV / 2 helpful votes

The oracle concerning Dumah. One is calling to me from Seir, “Watchman, what time of the night? Watchman, what time of the night?”

Isaiah 9:6 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 1:24 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Therefore the Lord declares, the Lord of hosts, the Mighty One of Israel: “Ah, I will get relief from my enemies and avenge myself on my foes.

Psalm 101:1 ESV / 2 helpful votes

A Psalm of David. I will sing of steadfast love and justice; to you, O Lord, I will make music.

Psalm 91:3-10 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor the destruction that wastes at noonday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. …

Psalm 75:8 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For in the hand of the Lord there is a cup with foaming wine, well mixed, and he pours out from it, and all the wicked of the earth shall drain it down to the dregs.

Psalm 68:24 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Your procession is seen, O God, the procession of my God, my King, into the sanctuary—

Psalm 68:17 ESV / 2 helpful votes

The chariots of God are twice ten thousand, thousands upon thousands; the Lord is among them; Sinai is now in the sanctuary.

Psalm 34:7 ESV / 2 helpful votes

The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.

Psalm 27:5 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will lift me high upon a rock.

Psalm 19:1-6 ESV / 2 helpful votes

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard. Their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them he has set a tent for the sun, which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber, and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy. …

Psalm 18:10 ESV / 2 helpful votes

He rode on a cherub and flew; he came swiftly on the wings of the wind.

Job 39:19 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“Do you give the horse his might? Do you clothe his neck with a mane?

Ezra 7:20 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And whatever else is required for the house of your God, which it falls to you to provide, you may provide it out of the king’s treasury.

Ezra 7:19 ESV / 2 helpful votes

The vessels that have been given you for the service of the house of your God, you shall deliver before the God of Jerusalem.

Ezra 6:13 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Then, according to the word sent by Darius the king, Tattenai, the governor of the province Beyond the River, Shethar-bozenai, and their associates did with all diligence what Darius the king had ordered.

Ezra 6:8 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Moreover, I make a decree regarding what you shall do for these elders of the Jews for the rebuilding of this house of God. The cost is to be paid to these men in full and without delay from the royal revenue, the tribute of the province from Beyond the River.

1 Chronicles 2:1-55 ESV / 2 helpful votes

These are the sons of Israel: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, Dan, Joseph, Benjamin, Naphtali, Gad, and Asher. The sons of Judah: Er, Onan and Shelah; these three Bath-shua the Canaanite bore to him. Now Er, Judah’s firstborn, was evil in the sight of the Lord, and he put him to death. His daughter-in-law Tamar also bore him Perez and Zerah. Judah had five sons in all. The sons of Perez: Hezron and Hamul. …

Exodus 34:6 ESV / 2 helpful votes

The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness,

Genesis 32:30 ESV / 2 helpful votes

So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel, saying, “For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life has been delivered.”

Genesis 32:24-30 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And Jacob was left alone. And a man wrestled with him until the breaking of the day. When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he touched his hip socket, and Jacob’s hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him. Then he said, “Let me go, for the day has broken.” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” And he said to him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Jacob.” Then he said, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed.” …

Romans 3:23 ESV / 1 helpful vote

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Acts 8:10 ESV / 1 helpful vote

They all paid attention to him, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is the power of God that is called Great.”

Acts 2:23 ESV / 1 helpful vote

This Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men.

John 14:30 ESV / 1 helpful vote

I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no claim on me,

John 11:50 ESV / 1 helpful vote

Nor do you understand that it is better for you that one man should die for the people, not that the whole nation should perish.”

Posted by Minister Evelyn Diane Thomas, March 27, 2012 – We declare in Jesus Name that today will be a day of  Encouragement, and we Pray against the spirit of discouragement, depression, and stress and consider it done in Jesus name.. Amen!

Encouragement Tomorrow – Quotes – Pictures
cited: Inspirational sparks – http://www.inspirationalspark.com/encouragement-quotes.html

Encouragement definition is cited to come from: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/encouragement

Cited: the book: Our Weapons are not carnal – http://www.amazon.com/Our-Weapons-are-not-Carnal/dp/1411618890

Cited: reference material from: Open Bible: http://www.openbible.com

 

Individuals (Pray specifically for 3 people outside of yourself)

Some people practice a model of prayer using the word ACTS as a guide.

  • A – ADORATION:  First, let God know that you love Him, and want to draw closer to Him.  
  • C – CONFESSION:  Second, confess to God how you have failed in your life to be as obedient as possible.  Admit to God what you have willingly done which you know was wrong or hurtful to yourself or to others.
  • T – THANKSGIVING:  Third, tell God what you are thankful for, that you appreciate the things God has already done on your behalf.
  • S – SUPPLICATION:  Fourth, present to God your “list” of concerns and needs for others, and then your own concerns and needs.

 

Some Scriptures on Prayer

1 Timothy 2:1 – First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone.

James 5:16 – Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed.  The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective.

Romans 8:26 – Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words.

Ephesians 3:16-19 – I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love.  I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breath and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of  God.

 

 2 Corinthians 5:10 ESV / 153 helpful votes

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.

 

in·di·vid·u·al

[in-duh-vij-oo-uhl]  Show IPA

noun

1.a single human being, as distinguished froma group.
2.a person: a strange individual.
3.a distinct, indivisible entity; a single thing,being, instance, or item.
4.a group considered as a unit.
5.Biology .

a.a single organism capable ofindependent existence.
b.a member of a compound organism orcolony.
6.Cards . a duplicate-bridge tournament inwhich each player plays the same number ofhands in partnership with every otherplayer,
individual scores for each playerbeing kept for each hand.

Bible Verses aboutPersonal Responsibility

Galatians 6:5 ESV / 116 helpful votes

For each will have to bear his own load.

1 Timothy 5:8 ESV / 74 helpful votes

But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

Proverbs 28:13 ESV / 65 helpful votes

Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.

Luke 10:27 ESV / 49 helpful votes

And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.”

2 Peter 1:10 ESV / 48 helpful votes

Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to make your calling and election sure, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall.

Ezekiel 18:20 ESV / 47 helpful votes

The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not suffer for the iniquity of the father, nor the father suffer for the iniquity of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself.

Luke 10:30-37 ESV / 46 helpful votes

Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. …

Luke 12:48 ESV / 42 helpful votes

But the one who did not know, and did what deserved a beating, will receive a light beating. Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more.

1 Corinthians 13:11 ESV / 31 helpful votes

When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways.

Proverbs 25:26 ESV / 24 helpful votes

Like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.

Romans 12:19 ESV / 22 helpful votes

Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”

2 Timothy 1:7 ESV / 21 helpful votes

For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

Deuteronomy 28:1-68 ESV / 21 helpful votes

“And if you faithfully obey the voice of the Lord your God, being careful to do all his commandments that I command you today, the Lordyour God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, if you obey the voice of the Lord your God. Blessed shall you be in the city, and blessed shall you be in the field. Blessed shall be the fruit of your womb and the fruit of your ground and the fruit of your cattle, the increase of your herds and the young of your flock. Blessed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl. …

Genesis 4:6-7 ESV / 21 helpful votes

The Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must rule over it.”

Isaiah 42:16 ESV / 18 helpful votes

And I will lead the blind in a way that they do not know, in paths that they have not known I will guide them. I will turn the darkness before them into light, the rough places into level ground. These are the things I do, and I do not forsake them.

Romans 13:4 ESV / 17 helpful votes

For he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer.

Proverbs 6:20 ESV / 17 helpful votes

My son, keep your father’s commandment, and forsake not your mother’s teaching.

2 Thessalonians 3:11-18 ESV / 16 helpful votes

For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living. As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good. If anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, take note of that person, and have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed. Do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother. …

Proverbs 18:7 ESV / 16 helpful votes

A fool’s mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul.

Colossians 3:23 ESV / 14 helpful votes

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,

James 1:1-27 ESV / 12 helpful votes

James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings. Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. …

Galatians 6:8 ESV / 12 helpful votes

For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.

2 Peter 1:1-21 ESV / 9 helpful votes

Simeon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ: May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, …

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 ESV / 9 helpful votes

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

Luke 6:46 ESV / 9 helpful votes

“Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?

Ezekiel 3:18-19 ESV / 9 helpful votes

If I say to the wicked, ‘You shall surely die,’ and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, in order to save his life, that wicked person shall die for his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand. But if you warn the wicked, and he does not turn from his wickedness, or from his wicked way, he shall die for his iniquity, but you will have delivered your soul.

Romans 6:1-23 ESV / 8 helpful votes

What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. …

2 Kings 4:27 ESV / 8 helpful votes

And when she came to the mountain to the man of God, she caught hold of his feet. And Gehazi came to push her away. But the man of God said, “Leave her alone, for she is in bitter distress, and the Lord has hidden it from me and has not told me.”

Nehemiah 4:17-18 ESV / 7 helpful votes

Who were building on the wall. Those who carried burdens were loaded in such a way that each labored on the work with one hand and held his weapon with the other. And each of the builders had his sword strapped at his side while he built. The man who sounded the trumpet was beside me.

1 Samuel 13:19-20 ESV / 7 helpful votes

Now there was no blacksmith to be found throughout all the land of Israel, for the Philistines said, “Lest the Hebrews make themselves swords or spears.” But every one of the Israelites went down to the Philistines to sharpen his plowshare, his mattock, his axe, or his sickle,

Leviticus 26:1-46 ESV / 6 helpful votes

“You shall not make idols for yourselves or erect an image or pillar, and you shall not set up a figured stone in your land to bow down to it, for I am the Lord your God. You shall keep my Sabbaths and reverence my sanctuary: I am the Lord. “If you walk in my statutes and observe my commandments and do them, then I will give you your rains in their season, and the land shall yield its increase, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit. Your threshing shall last to the time of the grape harvest, and the grape harvest shall last to the time for sowing. And you shall eat your bread to the full and dwell in your land securely. …

Revelation 22:12 ESV / 5 helpful votes

“Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay everyone for what he has done.

Matthew 4:1-25 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple …

Song of Solomon 1:1-17 ESV / 5 helpful votes

The Song of Songs, which is Solomon’s. Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth! For your love is better than wine; your anointing oils are fragrant; your name is oil poured out; therefore virgins love you. Draw me after you; let us run. The king has brought me into his chambers. We will exult and rejoice in you; we will extol your love more than wine; rightly do they love you. I am very dark, but lovely, O daughters of Jerusalem, like the tents of Kedar, like the curtains of Solomon. …

2 Corinthians 5:20 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

Column: MLK knew that change began with individuals

By Rich Benjamin

Updated 1/12/2012 7:09 PM

As we commemorate one of this country’s greatest icons on Monday, we need to toss aside the “great man” concept of leadership, our knee-jerk longing to worship epic individuals and not citizen action. Contrary to most mythology of Martin Luther King Jr.
celebrations, his true contribution wasn’t as a single messiah of civil rights but as a formidable organizer of people and causes.

  • “A genuine leader is not a searcher for consensus but a molder of consensus,” King said.

    Once a grueling cause was identified, King knew that every person counted. There was strength in numbers and in a broad, collective front. As the election season kicks into high gear, we cannot wait and hope that we’ll elect a president or members of Congress who can fix all of our problems. Americans must become the leaders we desperately lack. Individuals must strategize, demand, protest and band together to work toward the national improvements that are so clearly needed.

    Look around. Our country is suffering from a crisis of leadership. The economy is sputtering, millions remain jobless, and yet the president and Congress seem incapable of action. At the start of 2012, less than half of Americans (46%) approved of the job President Obamais doing. Not surprisingly, Congress’ approval rating is worse: 11%, a record low. Kowtowing to partisanship and career survival in an election year, politicians in both parties have abandoned governing in favor of chronic gamesmanship.

    King did not play games.

    In the coming days, though we will be reminded about the inspiring flourishes of King’s sermons, his ultimate genius rested in the millions of citizens he inspired to work the trenches, above and beyond partisan politics, to achieve widespread, lasting change.

    Americans can still accomplish great things independent of Washington. Every day, new entrepreneurs start small businesses that create jobs or launch private-public partnerships that bolster community-based services or establish non-profits to help those in need. Volunteerism, public service, entrepreneurship, voting and protest: These are the engines of collective leadership.

    Whatever the bold action, the vital point remains: We can’t afford to wait, any less than blacks could in the 1950s, expecting leaders actually to lead. The rising stakes preclude the passive approach of seeking out heroes, rather than taking matters into our own hands. To honor King, this is the message that should occupy our hearts.

    Rich Benjamin is a member of USA TODAY’s Board of Contributors and a senior fellow at Demos.

    For more information about reprints & permissions, visit our FAQ’s. To report corrections and clarifications, contact Standards Editor Brent Jones. For publication consideration in the newspaper, send comments to letters@usatoday.com. Include name, phone number, city and state for verification. To view our corrections, go to corrections.usatoday.com.

    Posted 1/12/2012 7:08 PM | Updated 1/12/2012 7:09 PM

    In addition to its own editorials, USA TODAY publishes a variety of opinions from outside writers. On political and policy matters, we publish opinions from across the political spectrum.

Roughly half of our columns come from our Board of Contributors, a group whose interests range from education to religion to sports to the economy. Their charge is to chronicle American culture by telling the stories, large and small, that collectively make us what we are.

We also publish weekly columns by Al Neuharth, USA TODAY’s founder, and DeWayne Wickham, who writes primarily on matters of race but on other subjects as well. That leaves plenty of room for other views from across the nation by well-known and lesser-known names alike.

“A genuine leader is not a searcher for consensus but a molder of consensus,” King said.

Once a grueling cause was identified, King knew that every person counted. There was strength in numbers and in a broad, collective front. As the election season kicks into high gear, we cannot wait and hope that we’ll elect a president or members of Congress who can fix all of our problems. Americans must become the leaders we desperately lack. Individuals must strategize, demand, protest and band together to work toward the national improvements that are so clearly needed.

Look around. Our country is suffering from a crisis of leadership. The economy is sputtering, millions remain jobless, and yet the president and Congress seem incapable of action. At the start of 2012, less than half of Americans (46%) approved of the job President Obamais doing. Not surprisingly, Congress’ approval rating is worse: 11%, a record low. Kowtowing to partisanship and career survival in an election year, politicians in both parties have abandoned governing in favor of chronic gamesmanship.

King did not play games.

In the coming days, though we will be reminded about the inspiring flourishes of King’s sermons, his ultimate genius rested in the millions of citizens he inspired to work the trenches, above and beyond partisan politics, to achieve widespread, lasting change.

Americans can still accomplish great things independent of Washington. Every day, new entrepreneurs start small businesses that create jobs or launch private-public partnerships that bolster community-based services or establish non-profits to help those in need. Volunteerism, public service, entrepreneurship, voting and protest: These are the engines of collective leadership.

Whatever the bold action, the vital point remains: We can’t afford to wait, any less than blacks could in the 1950s, expecting leaders actually to lead. The rising stakes preclude the passive approach of seeking out heroes, rather than taking matters into our own hands. To honor King, this is the message that should occupy our hearts.

Rich Benjamin is a member of USA TODAY’s Board of Contributors and a senior fellow at Demos.

Posted by:  Minister Evelyn Diane Thomas, WIFI Ministries
Cited that reference material on the word individual came from dictionary.com  http:/www.dictionary.com
Cited that the bible verses were taken from reference material from open bible – http://www.openbible.info/topics/personal_responsibility
Cited that the article used in this piece was for reference information only as a 40 days of lent project using the word Individual… Reference material from:”A genuine leader is not a searcher for consensus but a molder of consensus,” King said.
For more information about reprints & permissions, visit our FAQ’s. To report corrections and clarifications, contact Standards Editor Brent Jones. For publication consideration in the newspaper, send comments to letters@usatoday.com. Include name, phone number, city and state for verification. To view our corrections, go to corrections.usatoday.com.

Sermon Title: “I’m so Hood” Dr. Jamal H. Bryant…

These sermon notes are unedited and uncut from Dr. Jamal’ Bryant’s sermon.  I will insert the video in this post as soon as the sermon is released on I tunes – enjoy! – Minster Evelyn Diane Thomas

  • Empowerment Temple / Dr. Jamal Bryant 11:30 a.m. Service

    Men singing: I’m standing in your will…

    ‘He opened up his sermon by Playing a video with Geraldo Rivera talking about a child wearing a hoodie… Every-time you see someone mugging or robbing, they are in a hoodie.. You are a gangster if you wear a hoodie…

    When you see a black or Latino with a hoodie on you tend to cross the street from a person that looks like that, because you want to avoid trouble…  Stop wearing the hoodies..He wore an outfit that was inappropriate.” – Geraldo Rivera speaking on this video above I quote…”

     

    I Samuel Chapter 16:7 – 1 Samuel 16:7

    New International Version (NIV)

    7 But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”

    Sermon Title:  “I’m so hood”

    Reporter Gerald Rivera – after graduating from the Law School from the University of Pennsylvania.. He went into journalism and went into the practice with one client… The young client who shot their pastor and left them dead in the sanctuary… .Someone from ABC saw that he was very articulate and offered him a job…

    ABC News changed his name from Gerald to Geraldo because it did not sound as Spanish..  He changed his name to get a job..  It was Gerald Rivera that discovered how  Elvis  Presley really died… He said Elvis Presley died of an overdose….

    He broke into El Capon estate only to only find beer bottles..  He went to Iraq because he could not get a job here in America…   He reported false information from Iraq, resulting in them  discovering  that Geraldo was 300 miles away and misappropriated his report…

    He began to draw a diagram to show where an attack was gong to take place.. He endangered our lives and the sons and daughters that serve in the military,..

    Geraldo pushed a woman away during Hurricane Katrina so he could be seen on Tv…

    He comes after Don and Rush Limbaugh.. It does not surprise us that he would utter that black and dark skinned males should not wear hoodies because it immediately implicates that you are hood.. He believed that this young man was not only murdered because of Zimmerman’s overzealous behavior but because they had on a hood…

    Did the men were on the bridge did they have on hoods

    When martin Luther King Jr. was supporting the sanitation workers on the balcony, did he have on a hood?

    When A man was killed for looking a t white woman, did he have on a hood..

    He suggests that your clothing has something to do with what type of person you are…

    Geraldo can be found in the bible.. Joseph had a dream and his father put a multi colored rob on him… They become in  contact with him and identify him because of the rob he had on…

    A man that comes from 2 lineage of oppression… Jewish side of him and the Hispanic side of him.. .He’s given 5 erroneous reports on the air and is still on TV…  When a person reports something out of order, his race sticks with him…

    He further warned his son Cruz that he should not go outside with a hoodie on… His son was received as a Jewish man at age 12…

    What do you think would be the repercussion of a 17 year old Jewish boy who got killed by a black cop he would be in jail..

    We come to tell America that our children are important too!!!  Are children matters too!  If today if you stand with our children we are not going to let not one more of our kids die with oppression.

    Dr. King died back in 1963, but he did not know that today we would be stereotyped by what we wear.. .If every black man that wears a hood is a thug… Every white man from Wall Street is thief!

    We have to ask the justice system and FBI, how do you arrest someone who throws flour on Kim Kardashin…

    What is the value of our children when they will put Michael Vick in jail over dogs, but will  not put a man in jail over our baby that has been killed.

    What is Geraldo implying that black men ..

    We have the spirit of  Maya Angelo… We rise…

    It’s some people in the room that has made a difference because we have graduated and did some things that people think we could not do…

    God sends in a new leader because the old crew has gotten lazy.. I have to raise up leadership that can work and be amongst the people..

    Injustice anywhere is injustice everywhere,,,

    When Jesse came to the house he said someone in this house is going to be able to lead… God told Samuel, to dare not put the oil on him… We choose people based on how they are dressed…

     

    I’m getting ready to raise up those that have been overlooked… David’s family did not pick him…

     

    The reason why God is getting ready to bless you is because your own family did not see your value,.,, God is getting ready to do something great in your life because of your destiny.,..

     

    He goes down the line, and look at all of his sons… He asked Jesse do you have anyone else…. He said he has not been in church very long..   He has some street in him, but he can walk and get some justice..

    I’m not calling people that are politically correct, but I’m calling some people that can shut it down… Those are the people that I’m getting ready to call..

    I’m gone call some folks that don’t dot every i and cross ever t because I’m getting ready to use some folks that are a product of his grace.

    I want you to know that we are in the middle of history.. We are not just sitting by, but we stand with Trayvon Martin to know that we stand with him.

    They have done everything to degrade our President…  America, you owe us because we helped built this country…  Since you could not give us 40 acres and a mule, you at least owe us to arrest George Zimmerman…

    They should arrest him for 1,000’s of black men that were arrested for no cause….

    They should arrest George Zimmerman before them black Panther’s get down there…

    There is a call for justice… I am proud of you because no violence has taken place…

    We know that there is strength in our voice… .Our people are destroyed for lack of knowledge…  He will heal the land..

    Touch not thy anointed and do my servant no harm….Shout if you know God is going to give you justice….

    I so wish I could get to Gerald Rivera because he thinks hoods started in the hood..

    He doesn’t know that hoods came from the monks… They used them when they prayed to keep the shame off…

    If your enemies are my enemies and your friends are my friends…

    The monks put on the hoods so God could not hear my shame…

    I’m so glad that when God hears me pray he don’t see how nasty that I am but he still answered by prayers.

    He looks beyond my faults and sees me at my needs.

    The monks only put on hoods when they are getting ready to pray and getting ready to work.. When you saw them put on a hood they were getting ready to work so they will never be in need…

    When you put on your hood, you are letting the world know that we have work to do and loads to lifts… You have to be strong..

    If you have your hood on you either have to be praying or working..

    Look at your neighbor and say you look suspicious… It was a time that 3 black could not converse at one time because they feared a riot was going to break out..

    There are some things you are going to get… We have come to far..

    He was bruised for our inequities… Our transgressions..

    I’m so hood… I did not come to play church but I came to kill a demon…

    Every demon that has tried to take my family.. I’m taking my hood back..

    God is getting ready to cover you… I can’t hear anybody!!

    Look at your neighbor and praise him like you are going to loose your mind… Give God Ghetto Praise.

    This joy that I have, the world did not give it to me and the world can’t take it away…/

    HE should have got me back when, Like he got my uncle back when…

    Rise, shine, give God the Glory…

    Hallelujah…. I can’t hear nobody…. Lift up your voice like God!!!!

    Lift up your voice and give God some praise….

    Lift up your hands,, and give God some praise..

    I don’t want you to get so saved that you lose your street ability…

    I pray that God is not only getting ready to bless you, but he is getting ready to bless the whole neighborhood… Open up your mouth like God is getting ready to bless your hood,..

    God Change my neighborhood!!!

    As that hand is lifted.. . Your hand is serving as an antenna that there will be no drug dealers, pedophiles, or burglars in your neighborhood…  If your neighbor’s house lose its value then it effects the whole neighborhood,.,,,

    Lift up your voice… .Come on, I can’t hear nobody….

    Lift up your voice that your neighborhood is safe that you can let the kids out and play…

    I’m praying that God restores the equity in your home…

    Lift up your hand and believe that God is getting ready to restore..

    Trayvon was not in the hood, but he was in a gated community….

    Where really is the hood?

    When folks moved to the upscale neighborhood, now they have the same problems that the hood has… If you go to the good neighborhood and you are hood you will impact the neighbored with your hood mentality…

    You can have expensive clothes and still no class,.

    You are not where you came from.. You are better than where you came. from.

    Lord I pray for my brother’s and sisters.. Let them be able to speak to anyone from the street corner to the other offices…

    Bless them Lord if they are going to go back and bless the place that blessed them…

    Give God your best sound of worship… .

    It’s amazing ladies and gentle, the reason why they cannot understand Empowerment Temple,.,, We are not moving to the County…. In the 6 years we have been here, only 3 cars have broken into.. It’s something about the presence of God that don’t only change people but it changes neighborhoods…

     

    You have too much anointing to keep it to yourself… Give to entire communities…

    You know when somebody from East Baltimore from West Baltimore… They are getting ready to cross in…  In need you to get your bravado own… I need you to jump into your square…

    You cannot be in the hood and be shy…. Please sir, and please mam… I need to open the doors of the church because some none want to join our hood…

    Give God some praise if you are proud of the church you go to!!!!

    Move from where you are, go to every row and ask somebody do you have a church home and do you want to become a member…. I need you to join this church and roll with us…

    Invitation Selection:  It’ s time now!!!

    Aint no church has HOOD as this church!! Empowerment Temple!

    You are in the right place at the right time, at the right church, serving the right God!!!

     

    Geraldo: the Hoodie = same level of responsibility as George Zimmerman for Trayvon’s murder
    By: Pam Spaulding Friday March 23, 2012 9:31 am

    And I guess wearing a skirt is an invitation to rape too, Geraldo. Where do you even begin with this statement? Rivera:

    “I am urging the parents of black and Latino youngsters particularly to not let their children go out wearing hoodies. I think the hoodie is as much responsible for Trayvon Martin’s death as George Zimmerman was.”

    He then urged those participating in the “Million Hoodie March” for Martin to “leave the hoodie at home,” adding that they cannot hope to “rehabilitate” the clothing item’s image.

    So, I better get my fashion police APB straight – are women also to watch out when thinking about purchasing a hoodie? How dark does your skin need to be to “raise the alarm” with scared folks who associate the item with gangsta-chic? What should be the safety wear for young black and Latino men to telegraph they aren’t going to loiter or mug you — as Roland Martin noted, three-piece suits?

    This blame-the-victim stuff was going to come around no matter how obvious it is that Trayvon, whose only “weapons” was a bag of Skittles and a can of iced tea, was not responsible for his fate – he was hunted down by Zimmerman.

    Oh, and my other question – since Geraldo is worried about dark-skinned kids, does this mean we’ll need to administer a brown paper bag test to determine who can wear the hoodie or not?

    Bonus! Trayvon Martin 911 Call – Did George Zimmerman Say ‘F*ng Coons’?


    Did George Zimmerman, the infamous yet-to-be-arrested shooter of unarmed 17-year-old Trayvon Martin, say “f*cking coons” in his 911 call? Ana Kasparian and Cenk Uygur of The Young Turks share their take.

What are the Cyber saint saying while the worship and preaching of the Gospel is going on~

 

  • Awesome service i must agree…..
    about a minute ago
  • I LOVE YOU FAMILY OF THE FAITH, ONE BODY BABY BELOVED PEACE TO YOU UNTIL NEXT TIME THE LORD WILLING
    about a minute ago
  • GOD give justice for Trayvon Martin and family…Text movement to 37284
    about a minute ago
  • Amen, Keep the Martin Family lift up in Prayer. Bro & Sis, Martin. members of Adam Tabenacle of Faith A.M.E Pembroke Pines Fl. God Bless You All.
    about a minute ago
  • You to @ Carolyn
    about a minute ago
  • AMEN!!! AWESOME SERVICE
    about a minute ago
  • I USE TO BEAT THE BLOCK NOW I BE’S THE BLOCK. PREACH BLACK MAN!!!
    26 minutes ago
  • PASTOR:REFEFRRING THE ISSUES IN BALTIMORE,MD AS IT RELATES TO LOCATION ETC…
    26 minutes ago
  • Thank ya!
    26 minutes ago
  • God please let this storm of the Killing of child be for your Glory. Let Justice Prevail. Cover us Dear Lord!! America is Hurting!!! Restore Lord.

    Protect our young black men!! RESTORE them today!!!

    26 minutes ago
  • I’m covering every neighborhood that each of my family members live in! It will be a safe environment for their children…God is putting equity back!
    27 minutes ago
  • PASTOR:WAHTS CRAZY IS THAT TRAYVON WAS IN A GATED COMMUNITY:THE QUESTION IS:WHERE IS MY CHILD SAFE?
    27 minutes ago
  • Yes Lord, restore my hood!
    27 minutes ago
  • Pastor is putting a hurtin on the word today. He is on FIRE. Preach Pastor Preach
    27 minutes ago
  • PASTOR:UR HAND IS ANTENNA:PRAY THAT U WILL HAVE NO:DRUG DEALERS-PEDIPHILES-ETC…ASK GOD TO COVER UR ZIP CODE-UR NEIGHBORHOOD:HALLELUJAH
    27 minutes ago
  • It’ time to get up and do something!
    27 minutes ago
  • PASTOR;GIVE GOD GLORY AS IF HES RAISING THE EQUITY IN UR HOME:GOD IS RESTORING UR COMMUNITY!!!!
    27 minutes ago
  • I USE TO BEAT THE BLOCK NOW I BE’S THE BLOCK! -Jamal H. Bryant
    (He OVERDID himself Today) & He said,I DON’T WANT U TO BE SO SAVED:U LOSE UR STREET SENSIBILITY!!!!
    27 minutes ago
  • Cover my zip code Heavenly Father!!
    27 minutes ago
  • PASTOR:UR HAND IS ANTENNA:PRAY THAT U WILL HAVE NO:DRUG DEALERS-PEDIPHILES-ETC…ASK GOD TO COVER UR ZIP CODE-UR NEIGHBORHOOD:HALLELUJAH
    28 minutes ago
  • YES GOD!!!!
    28 minutes ago
  • Hallelujah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    28 minutes ago
  • ONE BODY, ONE CHRIST, ONE LOVE, ONE AND ONLY TRUE AND LIVING GOD, JESUS CHRIST, THE HUSBAND LOVE’S HIS WIFE……HE ABOUT TO BALANCE IT OUT BEFORE HE COME’S BACK TO GET US…
    28 minutes ago
  • lift up ur voice,pray for ur family
    28 minutes ago
  • Thank you Jesus, please cover my entire community.
    28 minutes ago
  • praiSE THE LORD!!!
    28 minutes ago
  • Yes Lord, change the hearts and minds of my hood!!!
    28 minutes ago
  • Thank you Jesus, please cover my entire community.
    28 minutes ago
  • COVER MY ZIP CODE…….
    28 minutes ago
  • PASTOR:NO RACISTS CAN HOLD U BACK:HE WAS WOUNDED FOR MY TRANSGRESSION AND BRUISED FOR MY INIQUITYS ETC….
    28 minutes ago
  • Lift up your voice and ask God to cover your entire neighborhood
    28 minutes ago
  • THANK YOU LORD FOR PASTOR JAMAL BRYANT!!!
    28 minutes ago
  • Thank you Jesus! Praise the Lord!
    29 minutes ago
  • Thank you Jesus!! Bless our neighborhood!!
    29 minutes ago
  • PASTOR:I DONT WANT U TO BE SO SAVED:U LOSE UR STREET SENSIBILITY!!!
    29 minutes ago
  • YES YES YES LTFT UP YOUR HANDS BLESS MY NEIGHBORHOOD
    29 minutes ago
  • PASTOR:LIFT UP UR VOICE:LIKE GOD IS GETTIN READY TO BLESSED UR HOOD:GOD CHG MY NEIGHBORHOOD!!!
    29 minutes ago
  • Lift up your hand and open your mouth. God is getting ready to bless your hood!
    29 minutes ago
  • HALLELUJAH!!!!
    30 minutes ago
  • PASTOR:I DONT WANT U TO BE SO SAVED:U LOSE UR STREET SENSIBILITY!!!!
    30 minutes ago
  • Yes Lord, bless my neighborhood…..to God be all the glory!!!
    30 minutes ago
  • Getting Ready to Bless my hood
    30 minutes ago
  • Don’t get so saved that you lose your street sensiblity
    30 minutes ago
  • HANDS LIFTED
    30 minutes ago
  • Thank you Jesus for the words that you are having Dr. Jamal-Harrison Bryant to speak.
    30 minutes ago
  • PASTOR:I DONT WANT U TO BE SO SAVED:U LOSE UR STREET SENSIBILITY!!!!
    30 minutes ago
  • WHOOP THERE IT IS….PRAISE THE LORD…AMEN BLESS US LORD GIVE IT TO US…
    30 minutes ago
  • FAITH BELIEVING HOOD
    30 minutes ago
  • WOW!!!!!
    30 minutes ago
  • FIREEEEEEEEEEEE HHHHHHHOOOOOOOOOOOOTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTGGGGGGGGGG7777777777.. KEEP IT HOOD LIFT UP YOU VOICE….. WHAT A SERVICE.. THANKS YOU LORD….
    30 minutes ago
  • Thank you Jesus for the words that you are having Dr. Jamal-Harrison Bryant to speak.
    30 minutes ago
  • JESUS!!! FIRE!!!
    30 minutes ago
  • I’m SO HOOD…. PREACH BLACK MAN!!!WOOHOO
    30 minutes ago
  • I thought when we got a black President, tensions between races would calm down. But I see things have not changed. I’m so glad my spirit is in God’s Kingdom, but my skin is recognized as WRONG in America. God will carry any how..I’m going to keep it Real.
    31 minutes ago
  • hallelujah “wow
    31 minutes ago
  • More than on FIAHHHHH!
    31 minutes ago
  • He is on Fire today Amen Thank god I’m So hood
    31 minutes ago
  • FIREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!
    31 minutes ago
  • I am soooooo hoood!!!!!
    31 minutes ago
  • WATCH OUT!!!!
    31 minutes ago
  • Jesus, Jesus, thank you Jesus!!!!
    31 minutes ago
  • LIFT UR VOICE:LIKE GOD!!!!!!!
    31 minutes ago
  • YES YES YES…PREACH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    31 minutes ago
  • FIREEEEEEEEEEEE
    31 minutes ago
  • PREACH BLACK MAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    31 minutes ago
  • GON HEAD JAMAL!!!!!! I’M SOOOOOO HOOD WITH YOU!!!!
    31 minutes ago
  • he should have got me then cause now IM SO HOOOOOOOOD!!!!!!!!
    31 minutes ago
  • ‎@ Windor Carter I will have u n fam in my prayers
    58 minutes ago
  • SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS WINDSOR, MY HEAR GOES OUT TO YOU ALONG WITH PRAYERS!
    59 minutes ago
  • PASTOR:REFERRING THE BIO OF GERALD RIVERIA:HE GREW UP JEWISH ETC…HIS NAME WAS CHGD…HIS CAREER HAS BEEN JADED;1977:GERAL RIVERIA:WHO UNCOVERED WHY ELVIS PRESTLEY DIED ETC…
    59 minutes ago
  • give the 411 pastor bryant
    59 minutes ago
  • PASTOR:INVESTIGATIVE RPT:GERAL RIVERIA:PUERTO RICAN/JEWISH:LAWD SCHOOL/UNIV OF PENN:WRKD IN P0LICE/JOURNALISM:MAINTAIN ONE CLIENT:THE YOUNG LORDS/BCAME THE SPOKES PERSON FOR THE YOUNG LORDS
    59 minutes ago
  • PASTOR:REFERRING THE BIO OF GERALD RIVERIA:HE GREW UP JEWISH ETC…HIS NAME WAS CHGD…HIS CAREER HAS BEEN JADED;1977:GERAL RIVERIA:WHO UNCOVERED WHY ELVIS PRESTLEY DIED ETC…
    59 minutes ago
  • ‎1 Samuel 16:7 verse,Subject:I’am so Hood.
    59 minutes ago
  • ‎1 Samuel 16:7 The title of his sermon today is “I’M SO HOOD!”. PREACH PASTOR BRYANT
    about an hour ago
  • Text: 1 Samuel 16:7. Title: “I’m so Hood” Pastor Jamal Bryant http://www.empowermenttemple.org/
    about an hour ago
  • ‎1 Samuel 16:7 Subject: Im So Hood
    about an hour ago
  • SERMON: I’M SO HOOD!
    about an hour ago
  • This is going to be a good message. I feel it in my spirit!
    about an hour ago
  • ‎1 Samuel 16:7
    about an hour ago
  • Bless you Dr Bryant Don’t be brokenhearted
    about an hour ago
  • but the timer is going
    about an hour ago
  • I’M SOOO HOOD!!!! LET’S GO!!!
    about an hour ago
  • ‎1 Samuel 16:7. Pastor’s sermon “I’m so Hood”
    about an hour ago
  • PASTOR:SUBJECT:IM SO HOOD!
    about an hour ago
  • i m sooo hood
    about an hour ago
  • That’s just like saying that the way a woman dresses makes someone attack her
    about an hour ago
  • I DONT THINK THATS RIGHT WHAT THAT MAN SAID THATS STEROTYPING
    about an hour ago
  • PASTOR:SUBJECT:IM SO HOOD!
    about an hour ago
  • ‎1Samuel 16:7
    about an hour ago
  • GO AHEAD BISHOP HOLY SPIRIT USE HIM UP…
    about an hour ago
  • ‎1 Samuel 16:7
    about an hour ago
  • ‎1 Samuel16:7
    about an hour ago
  • PASTOR:IF UR THANKFUL FOR THIS WORD:GIVE GOD GLORY
    about an hour ago
  • I CANT SEE OR HEAR ANY THING
    about an hour ago
  • ‎1 SAMUEL 16: 17…MY GOD!!!!
    about an hour ago
  • ‎1 Samuel 16:7
    about an hour ago
  • So wearing a hoodie means your asking to be shot in the chest
    about an hour ago
  • ‎1 Samuel 16:7
    about an hour ago
  • Pray for Geraldo because he is so outdated and is seeking a comeback through this tragedy!
    about an hour ago
  • I see where he is coming from but by at the same token you should not categorize our children, thats one of the problems now. A Hoodie doesnt define no one
    about an hour ago
  • I wouldn,t want to wear a hoodie
    about an hour ago
  • omg SO we/everyone needs to dress to make them feel safe WOW AMERICA!!!!
    about an hour ago
  • I have mine on now also
    about an hour ago
  • somebody needs to hit Geraldo in the throat…..ooops sorry, I mean, pray for Geraldo
    about an hour ago
  • My 7 year old loves to wear a hoodie so does that make him suspious?
    about an hour ago
  • he,s telling the truth. Take off the hoods
    about an hour ago
  • white, black, latino, chinese..etc. wear hoodies..
    about an hour ago
  • My hoodies does not define me
    about an hour ago
  • really and how long have people been wearing hoodies no thats just wrong
    about an hour ago
  • Ummmm I dont agree with him
    about an hour ago
  • PLEASE REFER TO:THE SCREEN:LISTEN:THANKS EVERYONE~
    about an hour ago
  • the med are doing it BIG @www.empowermenttemple.org
    about an hour ago
  • It is beautiful to see these men of all ages jus singing praise to the Lord! God bless them!
    about an hour ago
  • The 11:30 service is in progress.. I could not tune in due to technically difficulties… It’s working now.. Just got in.. I’m under the Influence of Jesus ! http://www.empowermenttemple.org/
    about an hour ago
  • ‎@ Meek … Yes
    about an hour ago
  • HEARTS(SP)
    about an hour ago
  • Thank you Lord, bless them Lord the Men sound so good today and I can hear them clearly Halleluljah!!!!!!!
    about an hour ago
  • LET US PREPARE OUR HEARTS FOR THE WORD:PASTOR JAMAL H BRAYNT:LETS PRAY FOR THE MAN OF GOD~AMEN~
    about an hour ago
  • Look at our men giving God praise!
    about an hour ago
  • I wont give up
    about an hour ago
  • ET MENS CHOIR:I WONT GIVE UP!
    about an hour ago
  • Sing Choir…….
    about an hour ago
  • PASTOR:PRAYER FOCUS LOCATED ON:EMPOWERMENTTEMPLE.ORG:
    CK IT OUT EVERYONE~
    about an hour ago

    ‘Hoodie Sunday’ churchgoers show solidarity with slain teen

    Pastor Jamal-Harrison Bryant of Baltimore’s Empowerment Temple plans march in Florida town where Trayvon Martin was killed

    By Gus G. Sentementes and Childs Walker, The Baltimore Sun1:23 p.m. EDT, March 25, 2012
    It was “Hoodie Sunday” at the Empowerment Temple in Northwest Baltimore.Throughout the morning, several hundred parishioners at the African Methodist Episcopal church arrived wearing black, blue or gray hoodies to show their solidarity with Trayvon Martin, an unarmed 17-year-old African-American who was gunned down in Florida on Feb. 26, allegedly by a neighborhood watch volunteer named George Zimmerman.Dozens of black youngsters between the ages of 12 and 17 were invited to stand briefly in front of the altar, where Pastor Jamal-Harrison Bryant delivered a rousing sermon before 2,000 people. A staircase surrounding the altar was covered in bags of Skittles candy and bottles of Arizona iced tea — two items that Martin was carrying when he was shot.”Any one of them could’ve been gunned down on their way home from school, or on their way home from a friend’s house,” Bryant told the crowd. “The police know who did it and they still haven’t made an arrest.”The Martin case has burst open racial frustrations across the nation. Bryant has been an outspoken leader in what he believes is a new civil rights movement, one that emphasizes the health and safety of black children.Worshippers across the country reportedly wore hoodies during Sunday church services.Even as Bryant ministers locally to more than 8,000 parishioners every week, he has been busy flying back and forth to Sanford, Fla., where Martin was killed, to organize and plan events and protests.”On this day, the black church can’t be on the sideline,” Bryant told his parishioners. “You must be on the frontline.”Bryant planned to travel to Florida later Sunday to meet with Sanford officials to plan a Monday rally marking the one-month anniversary of Martin’s death. College students and church groups are expected to flood the small town, Bryant said, adding that he expects as many as 15,000 marchers.

    The march will start in central Sanford and lead to the town’s convention center, where the Sanford city council will be holding its monthly meeting. Bryant said he intends to speak at the meeting.

    “We’ll be working with the authorities,” Bryant said in an interview after the 9:30 a.m. service Sunday.

    Meanwhile, the Baltimore branch of the NAACP will hold a downtown rally Monday in memory of Martin.

    The rally is part of a flurry of action from Maryland churches and civil rights groups seeking to memorialize the teen.

    “It’s a sad, tragic situation,” said Baltimore NAACP President Tessa Hill-Aston. “You got a young boy trying to walk away from somebody, drinking a soda and eating candy like any other young person.”

    Hill-Aston said that beyond expressing sadness and anger, she hoped to be constructive by focusing on proper methods of neighborhood patrol.

    “You’re supposed to call for police backup,” she said. “You do not touch someone. That could have been anyone’s child.”

    The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People will be joined by the Maryland Southern Christian Leadership Council and the Baltimore National Action Network in organizing the 5 p.m. rally at Pratt and Light streets.

    Besides Bryant, others intervening locally include former Baltimore Mayor Kurt L. Schmoke, dean of the Howard University School of Law. Bowie State University leaders also plan to discuss the situation during a campus “Peace Week” starting Monday.

    Schmoke told NBC4 in Washington that the Howard University community wants to help.

    “We simply wanted to offer our condolences, and then our offer of assistance to the lawyers,” Schmoke told the station. “We could help with not only the investigation but, more importantly, looking at the law.”

    Benjamin Todd Jealous, national president of the NAACP, joined others in demanding that Sanford Police Chief Bill Lee Jr. be replaced. The Orlando Sentinel reported Saturday that Lee had temporarily stepped down.

    “My role as the leader of this agency has become a distraction from the investigation,” Lee said in a statement. “It is apparent that my involvement in this matter is overshadowing the process.

    “Therefore, I have come to the decision that I must temporarily relieve myself from the position as police chief for the city of Sanford,” he continued. “I do this in the hopes of restoring some semblance of calm to a city which has been in turmoil for several weeks.”

    Jealous said in a statement: “The NAACP’s No. 1 concern in this case remains securing the arrest, prosecution and conviction of George Zimmerman. We are cautiously pleased that Chief Lee has stepped aside for his failure to assure Mr. Zimmerman was arrested.

    “Any chief who would so allow his officers to so mishandle a situation like this has no place in law enforcement. At the end of this investigation it will be clear that his temporary removal should be made permanent.”

    Gus.sentementes@baltsun.com

“INFLUENCE”


Matthew 5:13-16 (ESV): “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

In our 40 days of lent, we are on day 32 – We are praying and talking about INFLUENCE on today…  Who has influence over  your life?   Feel free to talk back to me in this post…

There are many of people that have influenced my life…  My biggest influence these days are the bible and my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ..    We are usually influenced by someone or something…   There are two kind of influences – There are good influences and  there are bad influences… Which one are you choosing?   I do my best to go with the good influence know that the outcome will be much greater…

Some people walk around under the influence of drugs, alchohol and weed thinking that their problemes will go away.. No knowing that these substances are only influencing them to not think as they normally would causing altered mental status… Not a good influence…

When you are influenced by the things of God, life becomes better.. I did not say it was exempt from trouble, but it actually comes better, and gives you greater alternatives on how to deal with certain situations…  Family, relationship, friendships all come with influences, but just be selected on how you choose….

In·flu·ence 1. The capacity or power of persons or things to be a compelling force on or produce effects on the actions, behavior, opinions, etc., of others: He used family influence to get the contract.

 Bible Verses about Influence:

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/influence

Matthew 5:13-16 ESV / 15 helpful votes

“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

1 Peter 3:16 ESV / 12 helpful votes

Having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.

1 Peter 2:12 ESV / 9 helpful votes

Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.

Galatians 5:7-9 ESV / 9 helpful votes

You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? This persuasion is not from him who calls you. A little leaven leavens the whole lump.

1 Peter 3:15 ESV / 6 helpful votes

But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,

2 Timothy 3:16-17 ESV / 6 helpful votes

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.

1 Corinthians 15:33 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.”

1 Corinthians 5:6-8 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. Let us therefore celebrate the festival, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

Luke 12:1 ESV / 4 helpful votes

In the meantime, when so many thousands of the people had gathered together that they were trampling one another, he began to say to his disciples first, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.

Matthew 13:25 ESV / 4 helpful votes

But while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat and went away.

Proverbs 27:17 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.

Proverbs 22:25 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Lest you learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare.

Proverbs 22:24 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Make no friendship with a man given to anger, nor go with a wrathful man,

Proverbs 19:6 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Many seek the favor of a generous man, and everyone is a friend to a man who gives gifts.

Proverbs 15:1 ESV / 4 helpful votes

A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Proverbs 13:20 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.

Proverbs 13:10 ESV / 4 helpful votes

By insolence comes nothing but strife, but with those who take advice is wisdom.

Proverbs 10:17 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Whoever heeds instruction is on the path to life, but he who rejects reproof leads others astray.

Proverbs 9:9 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.

Revelation 14:12 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus.

1 Peter 3:1 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives,

Hebrews 11:4 ESV / 3 helpful votes

By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks.

2 Timothy 2:18 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Who have swerved from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already happened. They are upsetting the faith of some.

2 Timothy 2:17 ESV / 3 helpful votes

And their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus,

1 Timothy 6:1 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Let all who are under a yoke as slaves regard their own masters as worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and the teaching may not be reviled.

2 Thessalonians 2:9 ESV / 3 helpful votes

The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders,

1 Thessalonians 1:8 ESV / 3 helpful votes

For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything.

Galatians 5:20-21 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Galatians 3:1 ESV / 3 helpful votes

O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified.

Acts 12:20 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Now Herod was angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon, and they came to him with one accord, and having persuaded Blastus, the king’s chamberlain, they asked for peace, because their country depended on the king’s country for food.

John 7:38 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’”

Luke 11:33-36 ESV / 3 helpful votes

“No one after lighting a lamp puts it in a cellar or under a basket, but on a stand, so that those who enter may see the light. Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is full of light, but when it is bad, your body is full of darkness. Therefore be careful lest the light in you be darkness. If then your whole body is full of light, having no part dark, it will be wholly bright, as when a lamp with its rays gives you light.”

Daniel 5:10-12 ESV / 3 helpful votes

The queen, because of the words of the king and his lords, came into the banqueting hall, and the queen declared, “O king, live forever! Let not your thoughts alarm you or your color change. There is a man in your kingdom in whom is the spirit of the holy gods. In the days of your father, light and understanding and wisdom like the wisdom of the gods were found in him, and King Nebuchadnezzar, your father—your father the king—made him chief of the magicians, enchanters, Chaldeans, and astrologers, because an excellent spirit, knowledge, and understanding to interpret dreams, explain riddles, and solve problems were found in this Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar. Now let Daniel be called, and he will show the interpretation.”

Ezekiel 13:18 ESV / 3 helpful votes

And say, Thus says the Lord God: Woe to the women who sew magic bands upon all wrists, and make veils for the heads of persons of every stature, in the hunt for souls! Will you hunt down souls belonging to my people and keep your own souls alive?

Jeremiah 17:2 ESV / 3 helpful votes

While their children remember their altars and their Asherim, beside every green tree and on the high hills,

Jeremiah 17:1 ESV / 3 helpful votes

“The sin of Judah is written with a pen of iron; with a point of diamond it is engraved on the tablet of their heart, and on the horns of their altars,

Jeremiah 10:2 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Thus says the Lord: “Learn not the way of the nations, nor be dismayed at the signs of the heavens because the nations are dismayed at them,

Proverbs 29:12 ESV / 3 helpful votes

If a ruler listens to falsehood, all his officials will be wicked.

Nehemiah 6:17-19 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Moreover, in those days the nobles of Judah sent many letters to Tobiah, and Tobiah’s letters came to them. For many in Judah were bound by oath to him, because he was the son-in-law of Shecaniah the son of Arah: and his son Jehohanan had taken the daughter of Meshullam the son of Berechiah as his wife. Also they spoke of his good deeds in my presence and reported my words to him. And Tobiah sent letters to make me afraid.

Nehemiah 5:1-19 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Now there arose a great outcry of the people and of their wives against their Jewish brothers. For there were those who said, “With our sons and our daughters, we are many. So let us get grain, that we may eat and keep alive.” There were also those who said, “We are mortgaging our fields, our vineyards, and our houses to get grain because of the famine.” And there were those who said, “We have borrowed money for the king’s tax on our fields and our vineyards. Now our flesh is as the flesh of our brothers, our children are as their children. Yet we are forcing our sons and our daughters to be slaves, and some of our daughters have already been enslaved, but it is not in our power to help it, for other men have our fields and our vineyards.” …

Nehemiah 4:1-23 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Now when Sanballat heard that we were building the wall, he was angry and greatly enraged, and he jeered at the Jews. And he said in the presence of his brothers and of the army of Samaria, “What are these feeble Jews doing? Will they restore it for themselves? Will they sacrifice? Will they finish up in a day? Will they revive the stones out of the heaps of rubbish, and burned ones at that?” Tobiah the Ammonite was beside him, and he said, “Yes, what they are building—if a fox goes up on it he will break down their stone wall!” Hear, O our God, for we are despised. Turn back their taunt on their own heads and give them up to be plundered in a land where they are captives. Do not cover their guilt, and let not their sin be blotted out from your sight, for they have provoked you to anger in the presence of the builders. …

Ezra 10:1 ESV / 3 helpful votes

While Ezra prayed and made confession, weeping and casting himself down before the house of God, a very great assembly of men, women, and children, gathered to him out of Israel, for the people wept bitterly.

2 Chronicles 34:1-33 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned thirty-one years in Jerusalem. And he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, and walked in the ways of David his father; and he did not turn aside to the right hand or to the left. For in the eighth year of his reign, while he was yet a boy, he began to seek the God of David his father, and in the twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem of the high places, the Asherim, and the carved and the metal images. And they chopped down the altars of the Baals in his presence, and he cut down the incense altars that stood above them. And he broke in pieces the Asherim and the carved and the metal images, and he made dust of them and scattered it over the graves of those who had sacrificed to them. He also burned the bones of the priests on their altars and cleansed Judah and Jerusalem. …

2 Chronicles 33:12-19 ESV / 3 helpful votes

And when he was in distress, he entreated the favor of the Lord his God and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers. He prayed to him, and God was moved by his entreaty and heard his plea and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the Lord was God. Afterward he built an outer wall for the city of David west of Gihon, in the valley, and for the entrance into the Fish Gate, and carried it around Ophel, and raised it to a very great height. He also put commanders of the army in all the fortified cities in Judah. And he took away the foreign gods and the idol from the house of the Lord, and all the altars that he had built on the mountain of the house of the Lord and in Jerusalem, and he threw them outside of the city. He also restored the altar of the Lord and offered on it sacrifices of peace offerings and of thanksgiving, and he commanded Judah to serve the Lord, the God of Israel. …

2 Chronicles 33:9 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Manasseh led Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem astray, to do more evil than the nations whom the Lord destroyed before the people of Israel.

2 Chronicles 31:1-21 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Now when all this was finished, all Israel who were present went out to the cities of Judah and broke in pieces the pillars and cut down the Asherim and broke down the high places and the altars throughout all Judah and Benjamin, and in Ephraim and Manasseh, until they had destroyed them all. Then all the people of Israel returned to their cities, every man to his possession. And Hezekiah appointed the divisions of the priests and of the Levites, division by division, each according to his service, the priests and the Levites, for burnt offerings and peace offerings, to minister in the gates of the camp of the Lord and to give thanks and praise. The contribution of the king from his own possessions was for the burnt offerings: the burnt offerings of morning and evening, and the burnt offerings for the Sabbaths, the new moons, and the appointed feasts, as it is written in the Law of the Lord. And he commanded the people who lived in Jerusalem to give the portion due to the priests and the Levites, that they might give themselves to the Law of the Lord. As soon as the command was spread abroad, the people of Israel gave in abundance the firstfruits of grain, wine, oil, honey, and of all the produce of the field. And they brought in abundantly the tithe of everything. …

2 Chronicles 30:1-27 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Hezekiah sent to all Israel and Judah, and wrote letters also to Ephraim and Manasseh, that they should come to the house of the Lord at Jerusalem to keep the Passover to the Lord, the God of Israel. For the king and his princes and all the assembly in Jerusalem had taken counsel to keep the Passover in the second month— for they could not keep it at that time because the priests had not consecrated themselves in sufficient number, nor had the people assembled in Jerusalem— and the plan seemed right to the king and all the assembly. So they decreed to make a proclamation throughout all Israel, from Beersheba to Dan, that the people should come and keep the Passover to the Lord, the God of Israel, at Jerusalem, for they had not kept it as often as prescribed. …

2 Chronicles 29:1-36 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Hezekiah began to reign when he was twenty-five years old, and he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Abijah the daughter of Zechariah. And he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, according to all that David his father had done. In the first year of his reign, in the first month, he opened the doors of the house of the Lord and repaired them. He brought in the priests and the Levites and assembled them in the square on the east and said to them, “Hear me, Levites! Now consecrate yourselves, and consecrate the house of the Lord, the God of your fathers, and carry out the filth from the Holy Place. …

2 Chronicles 22:3-5 ESV / 3 helpful votes

He also walked in the ways of the house of Ahab, for his mother was his counselor in doing wickedly. He did what was evil in the sight of theLord, as the house of Ahab had done. For after the death of his father they were his counselors, to his undoing. He even followed their counsel and went with Jehoram the son of Ahab king of Israel to make war against Hazael king of Syria at Ramoth-gilead. And the Syrians wounded Joram,

2 Chronicles 21:6 ESV / 3 helpful votes

And he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, as the house of Ahab had done, for the daughter of Ahab was his wife. And he did what was evil in the sight of the Lord.

2 Chronicles 21:5 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Jehoram was thirty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned eight years in Jerusalem.

2 Kings 23:1-37 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Then the king sent, and all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem were gathered to him. And the king went up to the house of the Lord, and with him all the men of Judah and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem and the priests and the prophets, all the people, both small and great. And he read in their hearing all the words of the Book of the Covenant that had been found in the house of the Lord. And the king stood by the pillar and made a covenant before the Lord, to walk after the Lord and to keep his commandments and his testimonies and his statutes with all his heart and all his soul, to perform the words of this covenant that were written in this book. And all the people joined in the covenant. And the king commanded Hilkiah the high priest and the priests of the second order and the keepers of the threshold to bring out of the temple of the Lord all the vessels made for Baal, for Asherah, and for all the host of heaven. He burned them outside Jerusalem in the fields of the Kidron and carried their ashes to Bethel. And he deposed the priests whom the kings of Judah had ordained to make offerings in the high places at the cities of Judah and around Jerusalem; those also who burned incense to Baal, to the sun and the moon and the constellations and all the host of the heavens. …

2 Kings 22:1-20 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned thirty-one years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jedidah the daughter of Adaiah of Bozkath. And he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord and walked in all the way of David his father, and he did not turn aside to the right or to the left. In the eighteenth year of King Josiah, the king sent Shaphan the son of Azaliah, son of Meshullam, the secretary, to the house of the Lord, saying, “Go up to Hilkiah the high priest, that he may count the money that has been brought into the house of the Lord, which the keepers of the threshold have collected from the people. And let it be given into the hand of the workmen who have the oversight of the house of the Lord, and let them give it to the workmen who are at the house of the Lord, repairing the house …

2 Kings 21:9 ESV / 3 helpful votes

But they did not listen, and Manasseh led them astray to do more evil than the nations had done whom the Lord destroyed before the people of Israel.

2 Kings 17:22 ESV / 3 helpful votes

The people of Israel walked in all the sins that Jeroboam did. They did not depart from them,

2 Kings 17:21 ESV / 3 helpful votes

When he had torn Israel from the house of David, they made Jeroboam the son of Nebat king. And Jeroboam drove Israel from following theLord and made them commit great sin.

2 Kings 15:32-34 ESV / 3 helpful votes

In the second year of Pekah the son of Remaliah, king of Israel, Jotham the son of Uzziah, king of Judah, began to reign. He was twenty-five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jerusha the daughter of Zadok. And he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, according to all that his father Uzziah had done.

2 Kings 15:1-3 ESV / 3 helpful votes

In the twenty-seventh year of Jeroboam king of Israel, Azariah the son of Amaziah, king of Judah, began to reign. He was sixteen years old when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty-two years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jecoliah of Jerusalem. And he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, according to all that his father Amaziah had done.

2 Kings 8:25-27 ESV / 3 helpful votes

In the twelfth year of Joram the son of Ahab, king of Israel, Ahaziah the son of Jehoram, king of Judah, began to reign. Ahaziah was twenty-two years old when he began to reign, and he reigned one year in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Athaliah; she was a granddaughter of Omri king of Israel. He also walked in the way of the house of Ahab and did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, as the house of Ahab had done, for he was son-in-law to the house of Ahab.

2 Kings 8:16-18 ESV / 3 helpful votes

In the fifth year of Joram the son of Ahab, king of Israel, when Jehoshaphat was king of Judah, Jehoram the son of Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, began to reign. He was thirty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned eight years in Jerusalem. And he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, as the house of Ahab had done, for the daughter of Ahab was his wife. And he did what was evil in the sight of the Lord.

2 Kings 4:13 ESV / 3 helpful votes

And he said to him, “Say now to her, ‘See, you have taken all this trouble for us; what is to be done for you? Would you have a word spoken on your behalf to the king or to the commander of the army?’” She answered, “I dwell among my own people.”

2 Kings 4:12 ESV / 3 helpful votes

And he said to Gehazi his servant, “Call this Shunammite.” When he had called her, she stood before him.

1 Kings 22:51-53 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Ahaziah the son of Ahab began to reign over Israel in Samaria in the seventeenth year of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, and he reigned two years over Israel. He did what was evil in the sight of the Lord and walked in the way of his father and in the way of his mother and in the way of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin. He served Baal and worshiped him and provoked the Lord, the God of Israel, to anger in every way that his father had done.

1 Kings 22:43 ESV / 3 helpful votes

He walked in all the way of Asa his father. He did not turn aside from it, doing what was right in the sight of the Lord. Yet the high places were not taken away, and the people still sacrificed and made offerings on the high places.

1 Kings 22:42 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Jehoshaphat was thirty-five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned twenty-five years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Azubah the daughter of Shilhi.

1 Kings 21:25 ESV / 3 helpful votes

(There was none who sold himself to do what was evil in the sight of the Lord like Ahab, whom Jezebel his wife incited.

1 Kings 15:26 ESV / 3 helpful votes

He did what was evil in the sight of the Lord and walked in the way of his father, and in his sin which he made Israel to sin.

1 Kings 15:25 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Nadab the son of Jeroboam began to reign over Israel in the second year of Asa king of Judah, and he reigned over Israel two years.

1 Kings 11:4 ESV / 3 helpful votes

For when Solomon was old his wives turned away his heart after other gods, and his heart was not wholly true to the Lord his God, as was the heart of David his father.

1 Kings 11:3 ESV / 3 helpful votes

He had 700 wives, princesses, and 300 concubines. And his wives turned away his heart.

1 Kings 2:13-18 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Then Adonijah the son of Haggith came to Bathsheba the mother of Solomon. And she said, “Do you come peacefully?” He said, “Peacefully.” Then he said, “I have something to say to you.” She said, “Speak.” He said, “You know that the kingdom was mine, and that all Israel fully expected me to reign. However, the kingdom has turned about and become my brother’s, for it was his from the Lord. And now I have one request to make of you; do not refuse me.” She said to him, “Speak.” And he said, “Please ask King Solomon—he will not refuse you—to give me Abishag the Shunammite as my wife.” …

1 Samuel 20:4-9 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Then Jonathan said to David, “Whatever you say, I will do for you.” David said to Jonathan, “Behold, tomorrow is the new moon, and I should not fail to sit at table with the king. But let me go, that I may hide myself in the field till the third day at evening. If your father misses me at all, then say, ‘David earnestly asked leave of me to run to Bethlehem his city, for there is a yearly sacrifice there for all the clan.’ If he says, ‘Good!’ it will be well with your servant, but if he is angry, then know that harm is determined by him. Therefore deal kindly with your servant, for you have brought your servant into a covenant of the Lord with you. But if there is guilt in me, kill me yourself, for why should you bring me to your father?” …

1 Samuel 19:1-6 ESV / 3 helpful votes

And Saul spoke to Jonathan his son and to all his servants, that they should kill David. But Jonathan, Saul’s son, delighted much in David. And Jonathan told David, “Saul my father seeks to kill you. Therefore be on your guard in the morning. Stay in a secret place and hide yourself. And I will go out and stand beside my father in the field where you are, and I will speak to my father about you. And if I learn anything I will tell you.” And Jonathan spoke well of David to Saul his father and said to him, “Let not the king sin against his servant David, because he has not sinned against you, and because his deeds have brought good to you. For he took his life in his hand and he struck down the Philistine, and the Lord worked a great salvation for all Israel. You saw it, and rejoiced. Why then will you sin against innocent blood by killing David without cause?” …

Deuteronomy 18:9-12 ESV / 3 helpful votes

“When you come into the land that the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not learn to follow the abominable practices of those nations. There shall not be found among you anyone who burns his son or his daughter as an offering, anyone who practices divination or tells fortunes or interprets omens, or a sorcerer or a charmer or a medium or a necromancer or one who inquires of the dead, for whoever does these things is an abomination to the Lord. And because of these abominations the Lord your God is driving them out before you.

Exodus 7:10-12 ESV / 3 helpful votes

So Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and did just as the Lord commanded. Aaron cast down his staff before Pharaoh and his servants, and it became a serpent. Then Pharaoh summoned the wise men and the sorcerers, and they, the magicians of Egypt, also did the same by their secret arts. For each man cast down his staff, and they became serpents. But Aaron’s staff swallowed up their staffs.

Genesis 3:6 ESV / 3 helpful votes

So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate.

Genesis 3:1-5 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?” And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.’” But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

Genesis 1:1-31 ESV / 3 helpful votes

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day. …

Revelation 22:15 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.

Revelation 22:14 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates.

Revelation 21:11 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Having the glory of God, its radiance like a most rare jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal.

Revelation 21:2 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

Revelation 13:1-18 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And I saw a beast rising out of the sea, with ten horns and seven heads, with ten diadems on its horns and blasphemous names on its heads. And the beast that I saw was like a leopard; its feet were like a bear’s, and its mouth was like a lion’s mouth. And to it the dragon gave his power and his throne and great authority. One of its heads seemed to have a mortal wound, but its mortal wound was healed, and the whole earth marveled as they followed the beast. And they worshiped the dragon, for he had given his authority to the beast, and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast, and who can fight against it?” And the beast was given a mouth uttering haughty and blasphemous words, and it was allowed to exercise authority for forty-two months. …

Revelation 12:9 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.

Revelation 11:1-19 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Then I was given a measuring rod like a staff, and I was told, “Rise and measure the temple of God and the altar and those who worship there, but do not measure the court outside the temple; leave that out, for it is given over to the nations, and they will trample the holy city for forty-two months. And I will grant authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.” These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth. And if anyone would harm them, fire pours from their mouth and consumes their foes. If anyone would harm them, this is how he is doomed to be killed. …

1 Peter 3:2 ESV / 2 helpful votes

When they see your respectful and pure conduct.

1 Peter 2:11 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.

Hebrews 12:15 ESV / 2 helpful votes

See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled;

Hebrews 1:14 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?

2 Timothy 2:14 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Remind them of these things, and charge them before God not to quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers.

1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words.

1 Thessalonians 1:7 ESV / 2 helpful votes

So that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia.

Philippians 2:15 ESV / 2 helpful votes

That you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,

2 Corinthians 11:13-15 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.

1 Corinthians 7:16 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For how do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?

1 Corinthians 6:18 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body.

Acts 19:17-19 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And this became known to all the residents of Ephesus, both Jews and Greeks. And fear fell upon them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was extolled. Also many of those who were now believers came, confessing and divulging their practices. And a number of those who had practiced magic arts brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted the value of them and found it came to fifty thousand pieces of silver.

Acts 8:9-13 ESV / 2 helpful votes

But there was a man named Simon, who had previously practiced magic in the city and amazed the people of Samaria, saying that he himself was somebody great. They all paid attention to him, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is the power of God that is called Great.” And they paid attention to him because for a long time he had amazed them with his magic. But when they believed Philip as he preached good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Even Simon himself believed, and after being baptized he continued with Philip. And seeing signs and great miracles performed, he was amazed.

Mark 4:22 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For nothing is hidden except to be made manifest; nor is anything secret except to come to light.

Mark 4:21 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And he said to them, “Is a lamp brought in to be put under a basket, or under a bed, and not on a stand?

Matthew 20:20-24 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came up to him with her sons, and kneeling before him she asked him for something. And he said to her, “What do you want?” She said to him, “Say that these two sons of mine are to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.” Jesus answered, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?” They said to him, “We are able.” He said to them, “You will drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.” And when the ten heard it, they were indignant at the two brothers.

Matthew 13:24 ESV / 2 helpful votes

He put another parable before them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field,

Matthew 6:1-34 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. …

Matthew 5:28 ESV / 2 helpful votes

But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

Zechariah 14:1-21 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Behold, a day is coming for the Lord, when the spoil taken from you will be divided in your midst. For I will gather all the nations against Jerusalem to battle, and the city shall be taken and the houses plundered and the women raped. Half of the city shall go out into exile, but the rest of the people shall not be cut off from the city. Then the Lord will go out and fight against those nations as when he fights on a day of battle. On that day his feet shall stand on the Mount of Olives that lies before Jerusalem on the east, and the Mount of Olives shall be split in two from east to west by a very wide valley, so that one half of the Mount shall move northward, and the other half southward. And you shall flee to the valley of my mountains, for the valley of the mountains shall reach to Azal. And you shall flee as you fled from the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah. Then the Lord my God will come, and all the holy ones with him. …

Hosea 4:9 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And it shall be like people, like priest; I will punish them for their ways and repay them for their deeds.

Daniel 2:27 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Daniel answered the king and said, “No wise men, enchanters, magicians, or astrologers can show to the king the mystery that the king has asked,

Isaiah 47:13-14 ESV / 2 helpful votes

You are wearied with your many counsels; let them stand forth and save you, those who divide the heavens, who gaze at the stars, who at the new moons make known what shall come upon you. Behold, they are like stubble; the fire consumes them; they cannot deliver themselves from the power of the flame. No coal for warming oneself is this, no fire to sit before!

Isaiah 44:25 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Who frustrates the signs of liars and makes fools of diviners, who turns wise men back and makes their knowledge foolish,

Isaiah 8:19 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And when they say to you, “Inquire of the mediums and the necromancers who chirp and mutter,” should not a people inquire of their God? Should they inquire of the dead on behalf of the living?

Proverbs 31:6-7 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Give strong drink to the one who is perishing, and wine to those in bitter distress; let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more.

Proverbs 29:26 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Many seek the face of a ruler, but it is from the Lord that a man gets justice.

Psalm 150:1-6 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Praise the Lord! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens! Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his excellent greatness! Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp! Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe! Praise him with sounding cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals! …

Psalm 119:105 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

Psalm 103:2-4 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,

2 Chronicles 35:1-27 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Josiah kept a Passover to the Lord in Jerusalem. And they slaughtered the Passover lamb on the fourteenth day of the first month. He appointed the priests to their offices and encouraged them in the service of the house of the Lord. And he said to the Levites who taught all Israel and who were holy to the Lord, “Put the holy ark in the house that Solomon the son of David, king of Israel, built. You need not carry it on your shoulders. Now serve the Lord your God and his people Israel. Prepare yourselves according to your fathers’ houses by your divisions, as prescribed in the writing of David king of Israel and the document of Solomon his son. And stand in the Holy Place according to the groupings of the fathers’ houses of your brothers the lay people, and according to the division of the Levites by fathers’ household. …

1 Chronicles 17:1-27 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Now when David lived in his house, David said to Nathan the prophet, “Behold, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of the covenant of theLord is under a tent.” And Nathan said to David, “Do all that is in your heart, for God is with you.” But that same night the word of the Lordcame to Nathan, “Go and tell my servant David, ‘Thus says the Lord: It is not you who will build me a house to dwell in. For I have not lived in a house since the day I brought up Israel to this day, but I have gone from tent to tent and from dwelling to dwelling. …

2 Kings 21:6 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And he burned his son as an offering and used fortune-telling and omens and dealt with mediums and with necromancers. He did much evil in the sight of the Lord, provoking him to anger.

Deuteronomy 4:19 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And beware lest you raise your eyes to heaven, and when you see the sun and the moon and the stars, all the host of heaven, you be drawn away and bow down to them and serve them, things that the Lord your God has allotted to all the peoples under the whole heaven.

Genesis 6:1-22 ESV / 2 helpful votes

When man began to multiply on the face of the land and daughters were born to them, the sons of God saw that the daughters of man were attractive. And they took as their wives any they chose. Then the Lord said, “My Spirit shall not abide in man forever, for he is flesh: his days shall be 120 years.” The Nephilim were on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God came in to the daughters of man and they bore children to them. These were the mighty men who were of old, the men of renown. The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. …

Revelation 16:13 ESV / 1 helpful vote

And I saw, coming out of the mouth of the dragon and out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet, three unclean spirits like frogs.

Ezekiel 48:1-35 ESV / 1 helpful vote

“These are the names of the tribes: Beginning at the northern extreme, beside the way of Hethlon to Lebo-hamath, as far as Hazar-enan (which is on the northern border of Damascus over against Hamath), and extending from the east side to the west, Dan, one portion. Adjoining the territory of Dan, from the east side to the west, Asher, one portion. Adjoining the territory of Asher, from the east side to the west, Naphtali, one portion. Adjoining the territory of Naphtali, from the east side to the west, Manasseh, one portion. Adjoining the territory of Manasseh, from the east side to the west, Ephraim, one portion. …

Ezekiel 13:20 ESV / 1 helpful vote

“Therefore thus says the Lord God: Behold, I am against your magic bands with which you hunt the souls like birds, and I will tear them from your arms, and I will let the souls whom you hunt go free, the souls like birds.

 Dictionary.com

influence

[in-floo-uhns]     Origin

1. the capacity or power of persons or things to be a compelling force on or produce effectson the actions, behavior, opinions, etc., of others: He used family influence to get thecontract.
2. the action or process of producing effects on the actions, behavior, opinions, etc., ofanother or others: Her mother’s influence madeher stay.
3. a person or thing that exerts influence: He is an influence for the good.
4.Astrology .

a. the radiation of an ethereal fluid from the stars, regarded as affecting humanactions and destinies.
b.the exercise of occult power by the stars,or such power as exercised.
5.the exercise of similar power by human beings.

7. to exercise influence on; affect; sway: to influence a person.

8. to move or impel (a person) to some action:Outside factors influenced her to resign.
Influence is a TOEFL word you need to know.
So is dissent. Does it mean:
the power or faculty to create, devise or originate
to differ in sentiment or opinion from the majority

Idiom

9. under the influence, Law . less than drunk but with one’s nervous system impaired: He wasdriving while under the influence. Also, under theinfluence of intoxicating liquor.
Origin: 
1325–75; Middle English  < Medieval Latininfluentia  stellar emanation, equivalent to Latininfluent-  ( see influent) + -ia -y; see -ence

Related forms

in·flu·ence·a·ble, adjective
in·flu·enc·er, noun
coun·ter·in·flu·ence, noun, verb (used with object), -enced, -enc·ing.
in·ter·in·flu·ence, verb, -enced, -enc·ing.
non·in·flu·ence, noun

Can be confused:  affluenceeffluence, influence.
Synonyms
2.  sway, rule. See authority. 7.  impress, bias,direct, control. 8.  incite, rouse, arouse, instigate,induce, persuade.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Link To influence

Collins
World English Dictionary
influence  (ˈɪnflʊəns)
— n
1. an effect of one person or thing on another
2. the power of a person or thing to have suchan effect
3. power or sway resulting from ability, wealth,position, etc
4. a person or thing having influence
5. astrology  an ethereal fluid or occult powerregarded as emanating from the stars andaffecting a person’s actions, future, etc
6. informal under the influence  drunk
— vb
7. to persuade or induce
8. to have an effect upon (actions, events, etc);affect
[C14: from Medieval Latin influentia  emanationof power from the stars, from Latin influere  toflow into, from fluere  to flow]
‘influenceable
— adj
‘influencer
— n
Collins English Dictionary – Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

influence

late 14c., an astrological term, “streamingethereal power from the stars acting uponcharacter or destiny of men,” from O.Fr.influence “emanation from the stars that actsupon one’s character and destiny” (13c.), also”a flow of water,” from M.L. influentia “a flowingin” (also used in the astrological
sense), from L. influentem (nom. influens), prp.of influere “to flow into,” from in- “in” + fluere”to flow” (see fluent). Meaning “exercise ofpersonal power by human beings” is from mid-15c.; meaning “exertion of unseen influence bypersons” is from 1580s (a sense already in M.L.,e.g. Aquinas). Under the influence “drunk” firstattested 1866.
Reference material Cited from Dictionary.com / www.dictionary,.com  for reference use only in this piece
What does the Bible say about Influence:  http://www.openbible.info/topics/influence
Posted by Minister Evelyn Diane Thomas in honor of 31 days of Lenten Season – “Influence” 2012