If you took a census within any Sunday Service or Church meeting, at least 80% of the congregants will profess the desire to become a matured believer for CHRIST. But if you press the group to take their desire into practical day to day application, the number of willing participants will significantly decline. It begs the point that when most people talk about maturity they mean: -"I will, as long as it does not interfere with my work" -"I will, as long as I don't have to be told what to do by someone else" -"I will, as long as I can simply read and know the Bible in my house or on my own" The list is endless Thank GOD we have the remnants that are willing to go beyond their personal comfort zones to reach the stage where they are more useable by GOD. Right now 4 Scriptures flow into my mind: 1.2 Timothy 2 20 In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for special purposes and some for common use. 21 Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work. This scripture places the responsibility of being useful to GOD firmly in the lap of the believer. Of course GOD is there to help you by HIS SPIRIT but you must be committed to playing your part otherwise the usefulness (not the salvation) of that believer is limited and maturity will be a dream. 2.Hebrews 12 v 1-6: Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. What an awesome passage You throw those hindrances off; you fix your eyes on JESUS. Again the responsibility is the believer's 3.Hebrews 6 13Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. 14 But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil. Verse 14 gives a great insight into the way the matured believer lives. Firstly, this person is consistent, they are committed and they are conscientious in their approach to their walk with the LORD; no wonder they have reached the maturing level. Finally; 4.Ephesians 4 11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. One of the main reasons GOD gave us the 5 ministries, was to enable every believer to become a Matured Believer Timothy reached this maturity level and a walk through his life shows us exactly what he did and how he arrived at this matured stage. I am excited to pen these few pages together as a medium to encourage you and I that maturing in CHRIST is not just for some, but it is for and can be experienced by all. We just need to move ourselves from desire to full commitment like Timothy did. The HOLY SPIRIT once witnessed to my heart that there is no easy training in HIS Word. That is so true Everyone that experienced a changed life through one to one discipleship had to sacrifice before they reached maturity Think about Moses and Joshua, David and the Three, JESUS and the 12, and now Paul and Timothy. My prayer is that this book will encourage you to commit to maturing in CHRIST and to completely experience all that GOD has for you as you consistently grow up into perfection in HIM Ready to learn more? Enjoy Boomy Tokan