Tag Archives: 40 days of Lenten season

Encouragement, Faith, Holy Living, Revelations

Maturity

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1 Corinthians 14:20 (ESV) Brothers, do not be children in your thinking. Be infants in evil, but in your thinking be mature.

Ephesians 4:14-15 (ESV) So that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ…

“Today is Good Friday!”

Today we are celebrating good Friday on today 43 of our Lent and Intercessory prayer season… This has been a bitter sweet journey over these past 43 days… More sweeter than bitter mixed together which brings out our topic of discussion and prayer on today which is “MATURITY”….  Say it with me:  “MATURITY”…. Life alone has a way about bringing out maturity in us whether we want to mature or not… When I look at the word maturity I began to reminisce on how far we have come as a people… I’ve matured naturally, spiritually and as a Christian as a whole… Well, some people may say how do  you know?  You truly know when maturity has kicked in… It’s when you can tolerate things that once use to irk you the uttermost, and now the same things no longer phase you at this level of life… How does the dictionary define “Maturity”:      “He [Christ] wants a child’s heart, but a grown-up’s head.” – C.S. Lewis   “Brothers and sisters, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults.” – Paul (1 Corinthians 14:20)

ma·tu·ri·ty

1. the state of being mature; ripeness: The fruit will reach maturity in a few days.

2. full development; perfected condition:maturity of judgment; to bring a plan to maturity.
3. Finance .

a.the state of being due.
b.the time when a note or bill of exchange becomes due.

What does the bible say about: “Maturity”

 Scriptures cited from open bible: http://www.openbible.info/topics/maturity

1 Corinthians 14:20 ESV / 17 helpful votes

Brothers, do not be children in your thinking. Be infants in evil, but in your thinking be mature.

Ephesians 4:14-15 ESV / 11 helpful votes

So that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,

Ephesians 4:13 ESV / 10 helpful votes

Until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,

James 1:1-27 ESV / 9 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 5:12-13 ESV / 8 helpful votes

For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child.

Hebrews 6:1-3 ESV / 6 helpful votes

Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, and of instruction about washings, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And this we will do if God permits.

Galatians 2:20 ESV / 6 helpful votes

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

James 1:22-25 ESV / 5 helpful votes

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.

1 Corinthians 14:33 ESV / 5 helpful votes

For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints,

1 Peter 2:20 ESV / 4 helpful votes

For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God.

James 2:1-26 ESV / 4 helpful votes

My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, “You sit here in a good place,” while you say to the poor man, “You stand over there,” or, “Sit down at my feet,” have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him? …

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.

1 Timothy 1:15 ESV / 4 helpful votes

The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.

2 Thessalonians 1:1-12 ESV / 4 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— …

Romans 5:3-4 ESV / 4 helpful votes

More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope,

John 3:16 ESV / 4 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.

1 John 2:1-29 ESV / 3 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: …

Colossians 2:16-17 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ.

Philippians 3:12 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.

Philippians 2:30 ESV / 3 helpful votes

For he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me.

Ephesians 6:17 ESV / 3 helpful votes

And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,

Ephesians 2:9 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV / 3 helpful votes

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

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.

Romans 3:28 ESV / 3 helpful votes

For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law.

Romans 3:4 ESV / 3 helpful votes

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.”

Romans 1:1-32 ESV / 3 helpful votes

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, …

John 17:12 ESV / 3 helpful votes

While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled.

John 13:27 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Then after he had taken the morsel, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, “What you are going to do, do quickly.”

John 13:2 ESV / 3 helpful votes

During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him,

John 12:6 ESV / 3 helpful votes

He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it.

John 3:1-36 ESV / 3 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. …

Psalm 119:105 ESV / 3 helpful votes

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

2 Kings 1:1-18 ESV / 3 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 / 3 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?” …

Ruth 1:1-22 ESV / 3 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. …

Exodus 20:16 ESV / 3 helpful votes

“You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

1 John 1:9 ESV / 2 helpful votes

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

2 Peter 3:18 ESV / 2 helpful votes

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.

Hebrews 6:18 ESV / 2 helpful votes

So that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us.

2 Timothy 3:17 ESV / 2 helpful votes

That the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.

2 Timothy 3:16 ESV / 2 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 / 2 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, …

Philippians 3:6 ESV / 2 helpful votes

As to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless.

Philippians 2:12 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,

Romans 11:22 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God’s kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise you too will be cut off.

John 19:14 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Now it was the day of Preparation of the Passover. It was about the sixth hour. He said to the Jews, “Behold your King!”

John 8:31-32 ESV / 2 helpful votes

So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

John 1:21 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.”

Luke 19:29 ESV / 2 helpful votes

When he drew near to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount that is called Olivet, he sent two of the disciples,

Luke 18:35-43 ESV / 2 helpful votes

As he drew near to Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. And hearing a crowd going by, he inquired what this meant. They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.” And he cried out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” And those who were in front rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” …

Luke 18:35 ESV / 2 helpful votes

As he drew near to Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging.

Luke 12:48 ESV / 2 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.

Luke 1:17 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.”

Mark 10:46-52 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And they came to Jericho. And as he was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a great crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the roadside. And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” And Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” And they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take heart. Get up; he is calling you.” And throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. …

Matthew 21:1 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Now when they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples,

Matthew 20:29-34 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And as they went out of Jericho, a great crowd followed him. And behold, there were two blind men sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was passing by, they cried out, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!” The crowd rebuked them, telling them to be silent, but they cried out all the more, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!” And stopping, Jesus called them and said, “What do you want me to do for you?” They said to him, “Lord, let our eyes be opened.” …

Matthew 11:14 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come.

Matthew 10:1-42 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction. The names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Cananaean, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him. These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them, “Go nowhere among the Gentiles and enter no town of the Samaritans, …

Matthew 10:1-18 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction. The names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Cananaean, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him. These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them, “Go nowhere among the Gentiles and enter no town of the Samaritans, …

Matthew 5:48 ESV / 2 helpful votes

You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Malachi 3:10 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.

Jeremiah 23:23 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“Am I a God at hand, declares the Lord, and not a God far away?

Psalm 119:104 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Through your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way.

Psalm 45:7 ESV / 2 helpful votes

You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness. Therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions;

1 Kings 21:2 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And after this Ahab said to Naboth, “Give me your vineyard, that I may have it for a vegetable garden, because it is near my house, and I will give you a better vineyard for it; or, if it seems good to you, I will give you its value in money.”

1 Kings 16:34 ESV / 2 helpful votes

In his days Hiel of Bethel built Jericho. He laid its foundation at the cost of Abiram his firstborn, and set up its gates at the cost of his youngest son Segub, according to the word of the Lord, which he spoke by Joshua the son of Nun.

2 Samuel 19:42 ESV / 2 helpful votes

All the men of Judah answered the men of Israel, “Because the king is our close relative. Why then are you angry over this matter? Have we eaten at all at the king’s expense? Or has he given us any gift?”

Ruth 2:20 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And Naomi said to her daughter-in-law, “May he be blessed by the Lord, whose kindness has not forsaken the living or the dead!” Naomi also said to her, “The man is a close relative of ours, one of our redeemers.”

Joshua 6:1-27 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Now Jericho was shut up inside and outside because of the people of Israel. None went out, and none came in. And the Lord said to Joshua, “See, I have given Jericho into your hand, with its king and mighty men of valor. You shall march around the city, all the men of war going around the city once. Thus shall you do for six days. Seven priests shall bear seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark. On the seventh day you shall march around the city seven times, and the priests shall blow the trumpets. And when they make a long blast with the ram’s horn, when you hear the sound of the trumpet, then all the people shall shout with a great shout, and the wall of the city will fall down flat, and the people shall go up, everyone straight before him.” …

Romans 3:1-9:33 ESV / 1 helpful vote

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.) …

Joshua 3:1-17 ESV / 1 helpful vote

Then Joshua rose early in the morning and they set out from Shittim. And they came to the Jordan, he and all the people of Israel, and lodged there before they passed over. At the end of three days the officers went through the camp and commanded the people, “As soon as you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God being carried by the Levitical priests, then you shall set out from your place and follow it. Yet there shall be a distance between you and it, about 2,000 cubits in length. Do not come near it, in order that you may know the way you shall go, for you have not passed this way before.” Then Joshua said to the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.” …

Deuteronomy 21:3 ESV / 1 helpful vote

And the elders of the city that is nearest to the slain man shall take a heifer that has never been worked and that has not pulled in a yoke.

Genesis 6:1-22 ESV / 1 helpful vote

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. …

Genesis 1:31 ESV / 1 helpful vote

And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.   Example Sentences

  • Bonds called last week for redemption prior to maturity were in thesmallest volume for many weeks.
  • The successful applicant will demonstrate a willingness to engage inservice opportunities commensurate with career maturity.
  • The study also showed that memory retention depends on thematurity of the developing caterpillars’ brains.
  • The young clones rarely attain reproductive maturity.
  • With the help of nutrients from the soil, plus water and light, it willcontinue to grow to maturity.
  • Remedy showed a considerable amount of design maturity in movingfrom their original open world to a more directed experience.
  • Cabaret venerates maturity more fervently than any other form ofentertainment.
  • Colleges used to be filled with individuals who had the maturity andvocabulary skills to find more eloquent ways for expression.
maturity 
1. the state or quality of being mature; fulldevelopment
2. finance
a. the date upon which a bill of exchange,bond, note, etc, becomes due for repayment
b. the state of a bill, note, etc, when due
  • It is not much different in maturity from nuclear power.
  • For example, replanting a forest as it is harvested may seem fairlystraightforward if the time to maturity is known.

Posted by:  Minister Evelyn Diane Thomas – Reference material used only demonstration of the word Maturity on this 40 days of lenten season – Cited:  Reference materials were  used from:  http:/www.dictionary.com    and Open bible http://www.openbible.com

Encouragement

Challenges

3 Comments

James 1:2-4 ESV  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.

 

What were some of your challenges these past 28 days on this Lenten Season Journey.. Leave me a comment and let’s start a discussion right here on this post, and share some of your challenges as we walk into greatness on April 8, 2012 Resurrection Sunday…
Today as enter into day 28 of the Lenten season and say that I no longer can say that I am challenged by the telephone… I’ve given it up minus one call to check on a friend that’s been ill, and I felt compelled to do so deeming the call necessary…  Otherwise, I have not entertained by telephone in the past 27 days, which would have been a challenge without some help from the master..

Today we will articulate on ‘Challenges” – Yes, we are faced with all types of challenges..  My challenge may not be your challenge, and your challenge may not be my challenge… 

In the world we live in,  you will find all different walks of  life, people that are all different in nationality, mindset, physical appearances, ideals so on and so on…  What I like is God made us all different, yet unique with the least of his servants having something to give back regardless of their challenges they face…

I personally have many challenges in life… I could go on and on about my challenges, but my challenges that I am aware of, I’ve taken them to God and he has dealt with them one by one…  As the days go by and become older, I tend to become more-less challenged than I was when I was younger….. It’s something about age that naturally alters some challenges we face in our lives…   Ok, that’s enough about me, because I realized one major challenge I faced and that was “It really is not all about me” but it’s about God and all of us as a people trying to strive to be better as we face these challenges of the world…  As I said, your challenge may not be my challenge, but yet and still we are challenged and it’s up to you how you deal with your challenges…

I’ve noticed that some of us tend to take the long way around, such as my son Justin that has Autism Spectrum, which means he possess  a delay that don’t correspond with his age nor his weight or his height…. People tend to expect a whole lot from him because of his stature…  Well, I’ve learned that dealing with a child with a disability, you just have to be patient in knowing that they will get there and learn the same things their peers know but possibly just at a later date…  Although, they have their own area of expertise that we may not have… My son is capable of manipulating any electronic device you give him, but he is yet to learn to tie his shoe… What are you saying?  He is superb in one area, but challenged in the area of self help… We will get there, and the other kids at school will have to keep tying his shoe until the light comes on in his head and he is no longer challenged with a particular modality.

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Let’s see what  the good old dictionary say about Challenges…. It has a lot to say on today enclosed below and information cited and provided by:  www.dictionary.com

Chal·lenge / Challenges

1. A call or summons to engage in any contest,as of skill, strength, etc.

2. Something that by its nature or character serves as a call to battle, contest, specialeffort, etc.:
Space exploration offers a challengeto humankind.
3. A call to fight, as a battle, a duel, etc.
4. A demand to explain, justify, etc.: a challenge to the treasurer to itemize expenditures.
5. Difficulty in a job or undertaking that is stimulating to one engaged in it.
Games You Didn’t Know Existed to Fight Brain Decline and Aging.
11. To summon to a contest of skill, strength,etc.
12. To take exception to; call in question: to challenge the wisdom of a procedure.
13. To demand as something due or rightful.
14. Military . to halt and demand identification or countersign from.
15. Law . to take formal exception to (a juror or jury).
Challenge is one of our favorite verbs.  So is subtilize. Does it mean:
to expurgate (a written work) by removing or modifying passages considered vulgar or objectionable.
to introduce subtleties into or argue subtly about.
verb (used without object)

21. To make or issue a challenge.
22. Hunting . (of hounds) to cry or give tongue on picking up the scent.

adjective

23. Donated or given by a private, corporate, or government benefactor on condition that the
        recipient raise an additional specified amount from the public: a challenge grant.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Bible Verses about Challenges

reference material and scriptures from open bible info
http://www.openbible.info/topics/challenges 

James 1:2-4 ESV / 18 helpful votes

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.

1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV / 7 helpful votes

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

1 John 4:18 ESV / 6 helpful votes

There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.

Hebrews 13:5 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Philippians 4:6 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

Romans 8:1 ESV / 3 helpful votes

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

John 3:16 ESV / 3 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.

Luke 12:33 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys.

Isaiah 40:1-31 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that her warfare is ended, that her iniquity is pardoned, that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins. A voice cries: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” …

1 Peter 2:9 ESV / 2 helpful votes

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

2 Timothy 3:16 ESV / 2 helpful votes

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

1 Timothy 6:10 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.

Romans 5:12 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned—

Romans 5:8 ESV / 2 helpful votes

But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

John 16:13 ESV / 2 helpful votes

When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.

Mark 12:30 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’

Matthew 5:1-7:29 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. …

Genesis 2:16-17 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”

Genesis 1:31 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.

Genesis 1:1-31 ESV / 2 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. …

Genesis 1:1 ESV / 2 helpful votes

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Lenten Season:

Lent is a special sacred season of separation/consecration between Ash Wednesday
and Easter Sunday (this year Feb 22 – April 8). The 40 days of Lent are symbolic and
strategically significant in the Bible. The number 40 is used by God to represent a period
of testing, trial, probation, or judgment and ends with a period of restoration, revival
or renewal. The rain in Noah’s day fell for 40 days and 40 nights, Moses was on the
mountain 40 days and 40 nights, the spies searched Canaan for 40 days, the Israelites
wandered 40 years, Elijah ate one meal for 40 days, Jesus fasted in the wilderness for 40
days and was seen on the earth for 40 days after His crucifixion.
By observing Lent, we follow Jesus into the wilderness, resist temptation, pray,
and proceed to Jerusalem and the cross on Good Friday which then culminates in
resurrection on Easter Sunday. This most sacred season on the Church calendar is marked
by repentance, intercession, service, giving and self denial. For so many, Lent is a
moment to give up things we cherish in exchange for prayer, fasting, acts of mercy, and
meditation on the Word of God.
Power of Prayer:
When nations needed healing they prayed. When families needed reconciliation they
prayed. When churches needed revival they prayed. Everything we do as individuals,
church, or nation should be birthed in prayer. Jesus the Son of God was devoted to prayer
and He put priority to prayer than anything else. “One of those days Jesus went out to
a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God.” Luke 6:12. He frequently
withdrew to the wilderness and mountain sides to pray. Prayer was not just Jesus’ habit
but in times of emergency, He resorted to prayer. When tempted, he prayed. When lied
upon, He prayed. During his most trying hour when he was about to be crucified, He
found time to pray. Before He gave up the ghost, He prayed. Today, He seats at the
right hand of God the Father still praying for you. His prayer life was so powerful and
impactful that the disciples said, “Teach us how to pray.” Nations need our prayers,
Individuals need our prayers, families need our prayers, the sick need our prayers,
governments needs our prayers, the lost need our prayers and the needy need our prayers.
Practical Ways to Help:
• Choose to fast from a particular pleasure: Food or TV or Social Media or Internet
or People.
• Join our daily Church-wide Online Blogs expounding on Prayer Items at
www.empowermenttemple.org
• Corporate Prayer every Sunday Morning from 7:00am – 7:30am.
• Attend Intercessors 1 hour of Power / Prayer Clinic every Saturday from 10am –
11am at the Family Life Center (1505 Eutaw Pl, Baltimore MD)
• Read through the Gospels between now and Easter.
• If you don’t already journal, begin now. Reflect on your readings, prayers and
questions.
• Make a list of people with whom you need to be reconciled. Pray for them and let
Jesus guide you in your thinking and feeling toward them.

40 Days of Lent Intercessory Prayer Guide (Empowerment Temple)
DATE: PRAYER ITEM:
February 22, 2012 Sacrifice
February 23, 2012 Sanctification
February 24, 2012 Success
February 25, 2012 Strength
February 26, 2012 Society
February 27, 2012 Economy
February 28, 2012 Environment/ Ecology
February 29, 2012 Evangelism
March 1, 2012 Enlightenment
March 2, 2012 Entertainment Industry (Movies, TV)
March 3, 2012 Integrity
March 4, 2012 Ideas
March 5, 2012 Anointing
March 6, 2012 Opportunity
March 7, 2012 Election
March 8, 2012 HIV/AIDS
March 9, 2012 Entrepreneurship
March 10, 2012 Home ownership (Mortgages)
March 11, 2012 Marriages
March 12, 2012 Ministry (Find your ministry)
March 13, 2012 Medical Issues
March 14, 2012 Mental Health
March 15, 2012 Armed Services (Active & Reserve)
March 16, 2012 Mentorship (God send someone to mentor you vice versa)
March 17, 2012 Middle East (Israel, Syria, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Yemen)
March 18, 2012 Motivation
March 19, 2012 Miracles
March 20, 2012 Children
March 21, 2012 Challenges
March 22, 2012 Churches (All houses of Worship that lift up Name of God)
March 23, 2012 Pastors (Leaders in Ministry)
March 24, 2012 Charities (Red Cross, World Vision, UNICEF, Cancer Society etc)
March 25, 2012 Influence
March 26, 2012 Individuals (Pray specifically for 3 people outside of yourself)
March 27, 2012 Encouragement (Pray against spirit of discouragement, depression, stress)
March 28, 2012 Order (No Confusion, Chaos
March 29, 2012 Incarcerated
March 30, 2012 Pray against Injustice
March 31, 2012 Employment (Find Jobs)
April 1, 2012 Forgiveness (Forgive others and God will forgive you)
April 2, 2012 Education (Teachers, Students, Charter Schools, HBCUs)
April 3, 2012 Intervention (Resolve family, financial, and personal issues)
April 4, 2012 Salvation (People to get saved)
April 5, 2012 Discipline
April 6, 2012 Maturity
April 7, 2012 Closure
April 8, 2012 New BeginningsPrinciple of Lent:

Encouragement, Faith, Holy Living, Revelations

Entertainment Industry (Movies / TV) – 40 days of Lent

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Get connected to God, and Stay connected!

Today as we embark on day 9 of our Lenton Season, we will pray about the Entertainment Industry (Movies / Tv).  I have enclosed some vital information regarding the entertainment Industry (Movies / TV & Music)  Please review and be amazed with figures and numbers in the entertainment industry… Simply Amazing… It’s a passion of mine because I believe I was born a true and living actress that has not gotten her big break yet but yet, but I still dream and have high hopes and expectations… As an amateur singer,  one day I dream of recording my own Gospel Music Vocals CD / Video and sharing it with the world my very own unique voice that I hear no other like it.. It’s  original and in a class all by itself… I’m so thankful for the so many gifts that God has given me in this area.. I do feel with the right cultivation, my skills in the Entertainment Industry could flourish…   What are some of your contributions you add to this dynamic subject:  Entertainment Industry (Movies / TV) ?  Posted by:  Minister Evelyn Diane Thomas / March 2, 2012 04:06 a.m.
Spike Lee / Black Producer in the Entertainment Industry

Spike Speaks His Mind for ESPN


Reference material from:  http://www.tvweek.com/blogs/blogging-the-tca/2008/07/spike_speaks_his_mind_for_espn.php

 

Sen Secret –

 

Reference material from:  Open Secret:  http://www.opensecrets.org/industries/contrib.php?cycle=2012&ind=b02

TV / Movies / Music

A large segment of the television, movie and music industry consists of movie and television studios, producers, directors, and actors — otherwise known as Hollywood. This category also includes the recorded music industry, commercial television and radio stations and networks, as well as cable and satellite TV operators.

In general, the entertainment industry leans Democratic in its political giving. In 2008, Democrats received 78 percent of the industry’s contributions. This continues the trend of the entertainment industry contributing more to Democrats during the past two decades with 70 percent of donations going to Democrats compared to 29 percent for Republicans.

 

Of the $48.7 million in total campaign contributions given by this industry during the 2008 election cycle, individuals associated with the industry contributed more than 80 percent, with political action committees accounting for most of the rest. Through their PACs, Comcast Corp.and Time Warner spent about $2.9 million and $2.7 million respectively during the 2008 election cycle. [Read more Background]

 

Top Contributors, 2011-2012

Contributor Amount
DreamWorks Animation SKG $2,263,850
Chartwell Partners $2,181,900
Comcast Corp $1,606,975
National Amusements Inc $765,994
Time Warner $675,938
National Assn of Broadcasters $658,400
Shangri-La Entertainment $505,100
Time Warner Cable $416,594
Walt Disney Co $396,548
CC Media Holdings $391,550
Cox Enterprises $351,177
Cablevision Systems $325,672
Liberty Media $301,005
Sony Corp $296,357
Hubbard Broadcasting $292,009
National Cable & Telecommunications Assn $287,750
DISH Network $273,837
Dreamworks SKG $257,500
News Corp $241,753
Creative Artists Agency $189,590

 

TV / Movies / Music: Top Contributors to Federal Candidates, Parties, and Outside Groups

Election cycle:

2010
2008
2006
2004
2002
2000
1998
1996
1994
1992
1990

 

Total contributions: $20,908,500

 

Rank Organization Amount  Dems  Repubs Source
 Indivs
 PACs
 Soft $
1 DreamWorks Animation SKG $2,263,850 12% 0%
2 Chartwell Partners $2,181,900 0% 8%
3 Comcast Corp $1,606,975 60% 40%
4 National Amusements Inc $765,994 64% 24%
5 Time Warner $675,938 87% 11%
6 National Assn of Broadcasters $658,400 50% 50%
7 Shangri-La Entertainment $505,100 20% 1%
8 Time Warner Cable $416,594 46% 54%
9 Walt Disney Co $396,548 75% 25%
10 CC Media Holdings $391,550 26% 73%
11 Cox Enterprises $351,177 48% 52%
12 Cablevision Systems $325,672 42% 58%
13 Liberty Media $301,005 38% 59%
14 Sony Corp $296,357 83% 17%
15 Hubbard Broadcasting $292,009 0% 66%
16 National Cable & Telecommunications Assn $287,750 52% 48%
17 DISH Network $273,837 38% 62%
18 Dreamworks SKG $257,500 61% 0%
19 News Corp $241,753 78% 23%
20 Creative Artists Agency $189,590 100% 0%

METHODOLOGY: The numbers on this page are based on contributions from PACs, soft money donors, and individuals giving $200 or more. (Only those groups giving $5,000 or more are listed here. Soft money applies only to cycles 1992-2002.) In many cases, the organizations themselves did not donate; rather the money came from the organization’s PAC, its individual members or employees or owners, and those individuals’ immediate families. Organization totals include subsidiaries and affiliates.

All donations took place during the 2011-2012 election cycle and were released by the Federal Election Commission.

Feel free to distribute or cite this material, but please credit the Center for Responsive Politics. For permission to reprint for commercial uses, such as textbooks, contact the Center.


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40 Days of Lent Schedule
 

Encouragement, Faith, Holy Living, Revelations

Home ownership (Mortgages) & 40 day Lent Schedule

6 Comments
Get connected to God and stay connected!
Get connected to God, and Stay connected!

 

Home ownership (Mortgages)

Happy Saturday to all of my readers and viewers of World In Focus International Ministries.   (WIFIMinistries)…  Today as we continue on this wonderful 40 day journey of prayer  and our Lenten Season with Dr. Jamal Bryant and the Empowerment Temple Church family…  So far, this experience has been great and just keeps on getting better and better everyday.

This is a very easy subject to tackle on today being that my mom has sold real estate for of 30+ years, and my sister Shirley has done home and commercial loans forever.  Being that my family is well off into Real Estate and loans,  this terminology has been apart of my life since I was around 10 -years-old.   I hear a lot these days how the market has changed, so I have enclosed some updated information for anyone who may be interested in owning their own home or refinancing their home mortgage or commercial loan.

My Sister Shirley is an expert in this field, and would probably be more than happy to talk to you about all of your home / commercial mortage needs.  She is well qualified and was the President of  a major banking corporation for many of years before she branched into full commercial and home loans as a private consultant with Clarion Mortgage Company…

For all of your  Commercial / and Home Mortgages Needs and Real Estate Needs, I have enclosed three of the best in the business for all of your Real Estate and Mortgage Needs.   Please feel free to tell them that you were referred by: Minister Evelyn Diane Thomas, WIFI Ministries (World In Focus International)   Corine Bolden, Realtor  Shirley Bolden, Senior Loan Consultant at Catalyst Lending, Inc. & my cousin James “Dig” Burtonwho is a  Broker/Owner at  Burton Realty Group – Las Vegas, NV. – / Ex-professional football player for the Chicago Bears.

Corine Bolden

Independent Real Estate Professional

Greater Los Angeles Area 
Real Estate
Connections
1 connection
Public Profile
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/corine-bolden/2a/86b/b06

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Contact Corine for:

  • career opportunities
  • consulting offers
  • new ventures
  • job inquiries
  • expertise requests
  • business deals
  • reference requests
  • getting back in touch

Send a message to Corine Bolden

  • Send InMail

Shirley Bolden – 

–Irvine, California (Orange County, California Area)

Financial Services
Current
Past
  • Senior Loan Consultant at Clarion Mortgage Capital
  • Loan Consultant at Chase Home Finance
Education
  • UCLA
Connections
23 connections

Shirley Bolden’s Experience

Senior Loan Consultant

Catalyst Lending, Inc.

Privately Held; 11-50 employees; Real Estate industry

July 2011 – Present (9 months)

Senior Loan Consultant

Clarion Mortgage Capital

Privately Held; Myself Only; Financial Services industry

January 2006 – July 2011 (5 years 7 months)

Loan Consultant

Chase Home Finance

Public Company; 10,001+ employees; Financial Services industry

June 1997 – March 2006 (8 years 10 months)

Shirley Bolden’s Education

UCLA

Bachelor of Science, Economics

1973 – 1978

 

Contact Shirley for:

  • career opportunities
  • consulting offers
  • new ventures
  • job inquiries
  • expertise requests
  • business deals
  • reference requests
  • getting back in touch

View Shirley Bolden’s full profile to…

  • See who you and Shirley Bolden know in common
  • Get introduced to Shirley Bolden
  • Contact Shirley Bolden directly

View Full Profile

View Shirley Bolden’s full profile to…

  • See who you and Shirley Bolden know in common
  • Get introduced to Shirley Bolden
  • Contact Shirley Bolden directly

View Full Profile

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James T. Burton

  • Broker/Owner · Los Angeles, California
    Real Estate Brokerage Servicing Southern California
  • C2 Financial
    Branch Manager · Las Vegas, Nevada
    Residential and Commercial Mortgage Financing Servicing Nevada and California
    Business Telephone:

    1 424.704.8733 Work

    Las Vegas, NV

    Email:  digem35@yahoo.com


Home ownership (Mortgages)

Our objective is to give you the keys for winning in the 21 Century

The rules of the market place have forever changed, affecting your career, income, homeownership aspirations, employment and financial security. You must now adapt to these changes with the right tools, resources and strategies.

Here you will find Tools for Winning in the 21 Century

From career, to income strategies, from employment to home ownership plans, from debt elimination to income and earning models, from financial strategies to financial security and wealth-build tools, from business to home ownership success; you will find powerful strategies to successfully navigate and win in this new market place.

The rules affecting income, home ownership, career, and employment are now different. The market place of today is radically dissimilar from that of prior generations. Tools, techniques and strategies that were effective just a few years ago will no longer work today.

The manner in which you pursue a career, employment, income, home ownership, and financial security now requires an effective strategy and the appropriate tools and resources.

Giving You The Keys For Winning

We are poised to providing you with relevant and contemporary information, principles, services, strategies, and products designed to give you the keys to winning in the 21 Century. Our principle objective is to empower you with the right instruments, resources, and ideas to ensure your career, income, earning, and financial success and security.

Here you will find a diversity of opportunities and ideas to increase your earnings, enhance your net worth, minimize or eliminate the risks of income and asset loss, and build a platform for short and long-term financial security.

All reference material above from: http://www.newrulesnow.com/

40 days lentx1

40 days lentx1

 

Dr.  Jamal H. Bryant
 http://www.empowermenttemple.org