Happiness is in the Pan

Deut. 16:17 Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD thy God which he hath given thee.

A few years ago I heard a message preached at Bible Training Institute called Happiness is in the Pan. The pan is referring to a feet washing practice rarely used in today's society, but heavily used in Jesus' time, as well as still practiced in The Church of God. It is just as it sounds- literally the washing of each other's feet in a little pan. Most people are probably cringing as you read this, however, the lesson is not that of disgust- but of servanthood, helping others, giving up of your own pride to better someone else. Notice who was washing the feet in this passage of Scripture-

  John 13:[3] Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God;[4] He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.[5] After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.[6] Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet?[7] Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.[8] Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.

Hopefully your attitude on the practice has changed some. If Jesus can be humble to wash his disciples' feet, how dare any of us feel too worthy to do the same?

I am not writing this devotion to encourage everyone to go around asking to wash people's feet. I am writing this devotion to encourage others to step out of your comfort zone, give when you should- not only when you think you could. God will reward your kind heart, and it will make YOU happier. There is no better way to improve your own mood, than by improving someone else's.
All of us having a different missionary base of people that we interact with, that we know, that we see often. We all know people who need a little more than they have. Take some time to help out. Even a smile, a nice card, or just someone to talk to is an act of giving that we each should do more of. In fact, the Bible says that they will know us by the love that we show others. 

Today is Christmas Eve here in America, it is a time of ultimate receiving. Let us all make sure that we are focused on giving more than we receive- not only with our money, but with our hearts and our souls. 

Phil. 4:19 [19] But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

- Destiny Turner

When everyone leaves...

We've all heard the quote that "A real friend isn't the one that has been there the longest.. Its the one that walks in when the rest of the world has walked out."

I have never lost so many people in my life than I feel like I have this year. It really struck me today though, that the only REAL friend that any of us have is Jesus. He is the ONLY ONE who will accept us through it all. He will stand there always. He will NEVER leave us nor forsake us.

Proverbs 18:[24] A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

If we grow distant from Him, it is because we, ourselves, left His side.

Psalms 73:[28] But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works.


Draw close to the One that will never leave you or hurt you.

Hebrews 13:5 (b)...be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.




Dear Lord, thank You for always being there for me when I never deserve it. I am so sorry for the times that I don't treat You like a friend should. Help me to remain close to You. I love You.


-Destiny Turner

A Brand New Year

Tonight at midnight marks a brand new year.
Rather than spending it wasted, spend it serving a purpose.
Spend it with those people that have stuck it out with you the whole year of 2011 and you know they will be there for you the next year and years to come. Spend it with those people that have given everything for you and expected nothing in return. Spend it with the people that you can tell anything to and still feel accepted. Spend it with the ones who never leave you nor forsake you.

Everyone should have thought of the same person to spend it with... Jesus.

He is the only One that will care for us year after year after year. Even our parents cannot fill the void that Jesus fills.

Don't waste your new year wasted. Spend it thanking our Lord for allowing us to see a brand new year. Everyone is going to be out tonight doing something. Don't just go out, stand out and stand up for what is right.

Psalms 35:[18] I will give thee thanks in the great congregation: I will praise thee among much people.




Dear God, thank You so much for allowing us to see another day, another month, another year. Thank You for the many blessings that You have bestowed upon me throughout 2011. Thank You for the healing, the answered prayers, the unanswered prayers, the people that have found You, the ones You are still working on. Thank You for never giving up on me no matter how many times I have failed You. Help me to serve You every single day in this new year and years to come. Amen.

-Destiny Turner

Cleaning Up

When we wear a set of clothes out for a day, we come home and wash them.
We brush our teeth before we go to bed.
We bathe after a long hard day.
We wash our faces every day.
We wash our cars every now and again.

Why do we do all this so often? It is because whenever we let these things be exposed to such dirty, grimy, things in the world, they collect the mess. Without even trying, you cannot avoid the particles that you will pick up on just a daily basis.

If it is like this physically, just imagine spiritually. We get exposed to such dirty, sinful, awful things every day. Television, radio, even human to human contact is getting to be risky these days. You never know what is going to come out of someone's mouth. We hear gossip, cussing, etc. Even in a grocery store we are exposed to negativity and worldly attitudes that as a Christian we should not want to pick up. Therefore, to avoid collecting the dust, we must clean up at night. Make sure every night that we ask the Lord to clean us from the mess we have been around of the day. Check our pores, change our clothes, ensure that nothing got down into a little crevice that will harbor sin for a season.

Titus 2:[12] Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;


Paul said that he had to crucify himself daily. If that was the case back in Bible times, just imagine how often we should be getting a check up. We should be "praying without ceasing" literally.

1 Cor. 15:[31] I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.


Lord, help me to come to you often to get cleansed from what I am exposed to everyday. Help me to live a clean, pure, holy life and strive for perfection. 


-Destiny Turner

Cherish

To cherish is to hold dear, to treasure, to be fond of, to care for.
We should cherish each and every person that come into contact with.

This morning I woke up and received a phone call from a friend of mine that a friend of ours had passed away. I hadn't talked to him in quite some time. We currently weren't as close as we had been in years past; however, it broke my heart. It made me wonder why I hadn't talked to him in so long. Why haven't we kept in touch?

You meet everyone for a reason. Leave a lasting impact with everyone you meet. Be someone that changes someone's world... BETTERS someone's world. Don't be someone that flies by without cherishing their friendship.

We are not promised tomorrow. In fact, we are not promised the rest of today. Appreciate one another. Love one another. Pray for one another. Enjoy the moments you have with those you love.

John 13:[34] A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.[35] By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.


-Destiny Turner

Christmas Eve

Luke 2[6] And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.[7] And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.[8] And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.[9] And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.[10] And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.[11] For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.[12] And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.[13] And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,[14] Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.


Remember that this is the true meaning of Christmas. Gifts are fun, lights are pretty, trees are nice, and food is good, but Jesus is the reason for the season. God gave us the best gift of a savior that came to bring light to this dark and dying world. He hung on a tree and is the bread of life for us now.

Dear Lord, thank You for being the perfect gift. Help me to keep you at the center of my life not just during the holidays.

-Destiny Turner

Do What You Decide

Action speaks louder than words.

Ecc. 5:[4] When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed.[5] Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.

Too many times we "make up our mind" about what we are GOING to do, but we never get around to DOING it. Going is an action meaning on a journey, in the process of, but not reaching the goal. If you are going to the store, it is different than you saying that you are AT the store. Do you see what I mean?
We need to make sure that when we decide that we should do something, that we follow through. I am very guilty of this. I get great big plans in my mind and in my heart that I know I should do, and the distance between my heart and my hands is not as easy to travel as one would think. God would rather us not make a promise to Him than to make a promise and to break it. Let us be careful every day to do what we say.

It is important that we keep our word most importantly to God, but also to others and even to ourselves.

Numbers 30:[2] If a man vow a vow unto the LORD, or swear an oath to bind his soul with a bond; he shall not break his word, he shall do according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth.

[[Disclaimer: I am in no way affiliated with the www.GodIsMyCoach.com website. I am only portraying and expounding upon the message presented by the public video that was already made.]]


Let us all strive to DO what we DECIDE.

-Destiny Turner