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

Pray for One Another

Today one thing that has stuck out to me is how blessed I am to have friends that pray for me and that trust me with their prayer request. 

It is such an important thing for us to associate ourselves with those that believe the same way we do. We need each other for fellowship, support, friendship, etc.... but mainly for PRAYER. 

Romans 1:[9] For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers;

1 Cor. 7:[5] Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.

Eph. 1:[16] Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;

James 5:[16] Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
In all of these accounts, the Bible is referring to where someone prayed for someone else. If it was necessary then, it is all the more so now. 

One man can carry a load on his own. OR two men can carry the load and make it a little lighter for each of them.

It also helps when we request prayer so that it helps us to remember that we aren't the only one going through trials. We are all in this together. God puts people in your life for a reason. Don't ever take anyone for granted.

Pray often. Pray for one another. Don't be ashamed to ask for help when you can't carry it alone. 

-Destiny Turner

Keys To Life

[[DISCLAIMER: I am in no way affiliated with the www.GodIsMyCoach.com website. I am not condoling, condemning, or advertising it. I am simply interested in the message brought by the story in the video.]]

This video has many valuable lessons that we can learn.

• Honor your father and mother. 
• Eph. 6: [2] Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;)
• Care less about material things, and set your eyes on things eternal. 
• Matt. 6: [19] Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:[20] But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:[21] For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
• The most important thing we can learn is that no set of "keys" on this earth means more than the "keys" to life that can be found in God's Holy Word. Once you put God first, all other things in this world will fall into place.
• Matthew 6: [33] But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

-Destiny Turner

A Big Cry

Psalms 5:[2] Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God: for unto thee will I pray.

Sometimes we all just need a big cry. God understands that we all have emotions. We are human... He made us. Of course He understands. Things in this life get to us and we get upset. It is normal to be hurt at times and to find yourself in a sense of distress. Don't take your stress out in a negative way. Just cry to the Lord.

Psalms 18:[6] In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears.

God is our rock, our fortress, our shelter, our everything. Cry to Him. Let Him wipe your tears and make you whole. Not only will He hear us, but he will perform in our time of need. Have faith. Be strong, but in your sense of weakness run to the best source of strength.

Psalms 57:[2] I will cry unto God most high; unto God that performeth all things for me.


-Destiny Turner

Be Ye Thankful

Show Me What to Be Thankful For


Click on those words above and watch this inspiring video for our devotion today.

Col. 3:[15] And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

-Destiny Turner

The Power of Your Name

Hebrews 12:[28] Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:


We need to be careful how we approach the throne of God. He is not to be taken lightly or labelled as anything less than the mighty, Holy One that He is.
Look at the earth, the human body, the Bible, ALL creation.... Who made that? Who made you?
He is Master, Maker, King, Marvelous, Healer, Savior, etc.
He is not "the big man upstairs", "the big guy", or any other name that can be used. I know we get into habits and sometimes lose sight of the greater things, but God is to be approached with reverence, fear, honor, awe, and respect.

Psalms 86:[11] Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name

Let us remember the great big wonderful God that He is next time we pray or talk about Him to others.

Psalms 89:[7] God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be had in reverence of all them that are about him.

It is still okay to talk to Him as your "best friend" and to tell Him your troubles. We can approach Him anywhere at anytime. He is always with us and we can depend on Him for anything. We should feel comfortable in telling Him anything. We should allow Him into the secret places of our hearts. The only thing I am trying to portray in this devotion is that God is still God. He is still all powerful and almighty and we should never forget that or treat Him any less.

Lord, forgive me when I don't pay the honor due Your name. Help me to realize the power and majesty of Your being and to treat You as such.

-Destiny Turner

Purity

1Cor.7

[1] Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman.
[2] Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.
[3] Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband.
[4] The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife.
[5] Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.
[6] But I speak this by permission, and not of commandment.
[7] For I would that all men were even as I myself. But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that.
[8] I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I.
[9] But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.


Save sex for marriage. BUT Don't be alarmed if you have already messed up. God forgives. God is merciful. Let him clean you up and start over. We all fall down sometimes,

Ephesians 2:[4] But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,[5] Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)[6] And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:[7] That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.[8] For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:[9] Not of works, lest any man should boast.[10] For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

-Destiny Turner

Get Your Mind Right

I have some friends that repeatedly use the phrase "Get your mind right.". It used to aggravate me, but after awhile I caught myself using it and applying it to my life. We must all admit that there are many times in the week, even in the day, where we start focusing on the negative aspects of everything. Maybe we start complaining or getting grouchy.. we all have those moods. A negative attitude will bring about negative emotions which produce negative thoughts and actions leading to sin.
Some of these include:

• anger
• fear
• unbelief
• doubt
• worry
• strife
• gossip
• jealousy
• anxiety/stress
• the list goes on and on

These things are common to mankind, but they don't have a very large place in the life of a CHRISTIAN. We must be set apart... even in our thoughts. We should strive every single moment to "have our minds right" and be focusing on the positive side of things. It isn't a question of whether or not you are a pessimist or an optimist.. We must choose to be an optimist. See the glass as half full.

Phil. 4:[8] Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

When you start noticing your thinking get to stinking, give yourself a check up from the neck up and get your mind right!

-Destiny Turner

Be Not Ashamed

(The other night at my local church in Russellville, AR, the Women's Missionary Band leader, Sister JoAnn Blaylock, preached a wonderful message about not being ashamed. This devotion is inspired directly from her message.)

2 Timothy 1:[8] Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;

We may not all be called to be pastors, preachers, evangelists, teachers, singers, instrument players, etc. BUT we are all called to be witnesses and soul winners for Christ according to the Great Commission.
Matthew 28: [19] Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:[20] Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

We should never be ashamed to be a witness. You can be a witness by doing more than just running up to people and asking them if they know Jesus. Doing that is wonderful; however, a simple testimony, an "I'll pray for you.", a "Jesus loves you.", etc. are also various ways that we can shine our lights and reach out to others.

Remember, Jesus said that if we are ashamed of Him, He would be ashamed of us.
Luke 9:[26] For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels.


No matter where we are, we should be willing to share the gospel at every location. Your world is your mission field. Don't be ashamed to pray for someone, share scripture or a testimony with someone, or even to pray over your food at a meal. Remember whose team you are on. Read the back of the book, Jesus wins.

Speaking of teams, Sister JoAnn also brought out the fact that people go crazy over sporting events but can barely stand up for Christ. Let us not fall into that category.
Let this next scripture be our prayer.
Romans 1:[16] For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.




Dear God, I am not ashamed of You. Help me to proclaim Your word and Your gospel that I may help shed light in this dark world. 


-Destiny Turner

Leaders Vs Followers

When leaders make a mistake, they say, “I was wrong.”

When followers make mistakes, they say, “It wasn’t my fault.”

A leader works harder than a follower and has more time;

a follower is always “too busy” to do what is necessary.

A leader goes through a problem;

a follower goes around it and never gets past it.

A leader makes and keeps commitments;

a follower makes and forgets promises.

A leader says, “I’m good, but not as good as I ought to be;”

a follower says, “I’m not as bad as a lot of other people.”

Leaders listen;

followers just wait until it’s their turn to talk.

Leaders respect those who are superior to them and tries to learn something from them;

followers resent those who are superior to them and try to find chinks in their armor.

Leaders feel responsible for more than their job;

followers say, “I only work here.”

A leader says, “There ought to be a better way to do this;”

followers say, “That’s the way it’s always been done here.”

(http://www.inspirationalarchive.com/1505/leaders-vs-followers/)

Follow Christ.. the ultimate Leader.. Lead others to follow Him. 

Temptations

James 1:[14] But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.


A temptation is anything that lures you in, teases you, tempts you, drags you down, tests your self-control.
Everyone has a different temptation. Imagine temptations just in the realm of food. A huge bag of popcorn means nothing to me. I rarely ever want that. BUT you may love it. I eat chocolate like it is going out of style. I know people who never want chocolate. I think you get the point.

Now, lets think spiritually... Cigarettes, dirty magazines, movies, songs, alcohol, sex, swearing, drugs, suicide, etc. These are all things that tempt people or that various people have to deal with. Maybe you have one of these, none of these, or multiple ones. We are all different. It is good for you to know what tempts you because trust me, the devil does! He wants to tear you down, therefore He will put exactly what hurts you in your way.

If Satan knows that Sally is a habitual drinker. He might tempt her by offering a job at a bar, getting a cute boy to offer her a drink, etc. It is necessary for us to be ready for the devil to use our weaknesses against us.

Now, the bad news is over. We realize that Satan knows our weakness and uses it against us. We know his tricks. How to we avoid them? Here are some scriptures to help you deal with it. YOU cannot do it alone. But with Christ, you can do anything! (Philippians 4:13)

• 2 Peter 2:[9] The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:
• 1 Cor. 10:[13] There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
• Mark 14:[38] Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.

Also, Read the book of James whenever you are feeling tempted. It is an excellent source of strength for these situations.

Dear God, help me to resist the devil and remain close to you. Help me to battle my weakness with Your strength, for that is the only way I will be able to overcome.

-Destiny Turner

FINALS

I'm going to make this one short and sweet.  :)

It is finals week at my college! Everyone is buried in books and notes. I've spent more time in the library the past week than I probably have my whole semester combined. Students get down to business and blow off their social lives just for these tests that we've all known about the whole time. It is crazy.

Now spiritually, every week should be final week for us. We know that we have a test coming, we just don't know when God plans to give it to the whole world or to me or you individually. Study hard. Be ready. Don't study harder for school than you do for God.

Education is important.. Don't get me wrong. BUT having knowledge of God and what He expects of us is far far far far more important. We can physically survive without a college degree. We will only last a short while without salvation.

Matthew 24:[44] Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh

-Destiny Turner

Outcasts

Psalms 37:11 But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.


Today I was sitting in class and my world lit. professor was talking about the novella Things Fall Apart. If you haven't read it, it is about a Nigerian tribe in Africa. Our professor was explaining how missionaries came to covert the villagers, but they mostly failed. The only ones that were successfully converted were the OUTCASTS. Then, our professor even quoted the scripture above. [Psalms 37:11]. So what does that mean for us today?

Well, let's first begin with what "meek" even means. Meek means 'humble in spirit, mild, tame, lowly'. Someone who is meek does not boast or get puffed up in their pride. Someone who is meek does not brag to others to boost their ego. Someone who is meek cares about others. Someone who is meek puts themselves last. Remember the JOY (Jesus, Others, Yourself). A meek person practices that principle.

Matthew 20:16 So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.

On the flip side, though, the "meek" sometimes end up being the lowest in they eyes of the world. They may be considered 'outcasts'. When this happens, rejoice! It is a good thing. If we don't blend in with the world then we must be doing something right. We are just living in this world, not of the world. Remember that. The differences in us will be what leads others to Christ. Most importantly though, the differences in us will be what keeps us saved and takes us to Heaven. The more like Jesus we become, the more unlike the world we will be. It is far worth it to endure a little ridicule from people for this short while, than to spend eternal damnation because we can't swallow our pride for the Lord.


Psalms 149:4 For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation.




Lord, please help me to not be so concerned with how the world looks at me. Help me to only care about Your eyes and Your judgement- for in the end it is truly all that matters. 

-Destiny Turner

Attention Readers!

Hello all of you faithful blog readers.
I am just now entering Finals Week of my first semester of college. I have been so busy with getting used to college and getting entangled in this new world of mine that I let my priorities get out of line. I hope you all find it in you to forgive me for slacking on my devotion writing. It took a faithful reader to make me realize that we don't "find" time for God. The devil will make sure that we never "find" time for Him. We must MAKE time for God. I am very sorry. Please forgive me. From this day forward I will try my best to pick things back up. I love you all with all of my heart.

-Destiny Turner

2 Cor. 4:[1] Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;

Rescue the Perishing

Have you ever thought of why it is called "being saved?" 

When you think of the true meaning of being 'SAVED', you must first imagine someone in distress, danger, trouble, fear, etc. Someone must be in the midst of a storm, or they don't need saving. 

We ALL need saving, because we are all born into sin (Thanks to Adam and Eve's fall in the garden of Eden). 

[Romans 3:23] For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

We all need salvation, rescue, a helping hand. Even when we are born again by the blood of Jesus Christ, we still  slip and occasionally need our fellow brethren to help pull us along. 

If you are a saved individual, you are not off the ship, you are just out of the water. Don't stop looking out in the sea. Your commission is to rescue the perishing.

Rescue at Sea

-anonymous 

Years ago, in a small fishing village in Holland, a young boy taught the world about the rewards of unselfish service. Because the entire village revolved around the fishing industry, a volunteer rescue team was needed in cases of emergency. One night the winds raged, the clouds burst and a gale force storm capsized a fishing boat at sea. Stranded and in trouble, the crew sent out the S.O.S. The captain of the rescue rowboat team sounded the alarm and the villagers assembled in the town square overlooking the bay. While the team launched their rowboat and fought their way through the wild waves, the villagers waited restlessly on the beach, holding lanterns to light the way back.

An hour later, the rescue boat reappeared through the fog and the cheering villagers ran to greet them. Falling exhausted on the sand, the volunteers reported that the rescue boat could not hold any more passengers and they had to leave one man behind. Even one more passenger would have surely capsized the rescue boat and all would have been lost.

Frantically, the captain called for another volunteer team to go after the lone survivor. Sixteen-year-old Hans stepped forward. His mother grabbed his arm, pleading, "Please don’t go. Your father died in a shipwreck 10 years ago and your older brother, Paul, has been lost at sea for three weeks. Hans, you are all I have left."

Hans replied, "Mother, I have to go. What if everyone said, ‘I can’t go, let someone else do it?’ Mother, this time I have to do my duty. When the call for service comes, we all need to take our turn and do our part." Hans kissed his mother, joined the team and disappeared into the night.

Another hour passed, which seemed to Hans’ mother like an eternity. Finally, the rescue boat darted through the fog with Hans standing up in the bow. Cupping his hands, the captain called, "Did you find the lost man?" Barely able to contain himself, Hans excitedly yelled back, "Yes, we found him. Tell my mother it’s my older brother, Paul!"

If he hadn't stepped out in faith, he may have never seen his brother come to safety. 

1. Get saved if you aren't already. Jesus is there to pull you back on the boat.

2. If you are saved, help save others. You may be their only chance. 

Remember and Thirst

Psalm 143:
[5] I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands.
[6] I stretch forth my hands unto thee: my soul thirsteth after thee, as a thirsty land. Selah.


Never forget what God has done for you. Remember the days of old. Meditate on the works that God has done for you. He has performed mighty miracles throughout Bible history, and He is still the same God in 2011. We cannot let ourselves get to the point where we start making God smaller, or putting Him in a box. He is all mighty and all powerful. He will reign forever. The second we start putting limits on Him and undermining the power, is the very second that we lose out. When we begin to put the human race as more important than God, we lose out.
Think about it: God created everything on the earth. Now, How could we put a creation above the Creator himself? It isn't logical.

Once we have found and can maintain the mindset of His marvelous works and wonder, we will thirst after His righteousness, power, glory, pleasure, joy, knowledge, wisdom, comfort, peace, mercy, goodness, etc. We will not be able to go weeks without kneeling down in prayer. We will not be able to go days without reading God's word. Do you ever wonder why God used the word "thirst" in the Bible to explain our desire for Him? A human can only survive 2-10 days with NO water (variations based on temperature, health conditions, etc.). Someone will literally dehydrate and die if they do not get enough to drink. Can you imagine how thirsty you would be if you went that long with no water? Now, compare this to spiritually. We cannot afford to go very long without tasting the Word and the Lord's goodness. We will spiritually dehydrate.

Summary:
Do not put limits on God. Remember His marvelous works. Don't forget what He has brought you through.
Thirst after those good things that He has done. Don't sell yourself short, His wonders go forevermore.
If you go too long, you will spiritually dehydrate.

His Mercy Endureth Forever

Pss.136

[1] O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
[2] O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endureth for ever.
[3] O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever.
[4] To him who alone doeth great wonders: for his mercy endureth for ever.
[5] To him that by wisdom made the heavens: for his mercy endureth for ever.
[6] To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for his mercy endureth for ever.
[7] To him that made great lights: for his mercy endureth for ever:
[8] The sun to rule by day: for his mercy endureth for ever:
[9] The moon and stars to rule by night: for his mercy endureth for ever.
[10] To him that smote Egypt in their firstborn: for his mercy endureth for ever:
[11] And brought out Israel from among them: for his mercy endureth for ever:
[12] With a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm: for his mercy endureth for ever.
[13] To him which divided the Red sea into parts: for his mercy endureth for ever:
[14] And made Israel to pass through the midst of it: for his mercy endureth for ever:
[15] But overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red sea: for his mercy endureth for ever.
[16] To him which led his people through the wilderness: for his mercy endureth for ever.
[17] To him which smote great kings: for his mercy endureth for ever:
[18] And slew famous kings: for his mercy endureth for ever:
[19] Sihon king of the Amorites: for his mercy endureth for ever:
[20] And Og the king of Bashan: for his mercy endureth for ever:
[21] And gave their land for an heritage: for his mercy endureth for ever:
[22] Even an heritage unto Israel his servant: for his mercy endureth for ever.
[23] Who remembered us in our low estate: for his mercy endureth for ever:
[24] And hath redeemed us from our enemies: for his mercy endureth for ever.
[25] Who giveth food to all flesh: for his mercy endureth for ever.
[26] O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for his mercy endureth for ever.


Do you see the common theme here? God's mercy endures forever.
Mercy can be defined as a leniency, compassion, kindness, forgiveness, alleviation of distress, etc.
Basically, the God of everything, the Creator of everything, the Highest of High has compassion upon you over and over. We (mankind) fail Him repeatedly and He still has mercy on us. We need to lay hold to His mercy and be thankful for it. Don't abuse it.
There will come a time when His mercy is cut off. Don't let it be too late.

Think Logically

• The trees grow and produce oxygen for us to breathe. How convenient that there is a constant supply of oxygen for us. 
• There is a water cycle to where we should never run out. 
• Our hearts beat without us even thinking about it. 
• We can breathe and not have to be voluntarily doing such a necessary action.
• Babies are born in such a scheduled time and growth process. 
• When we are cut and begin to bleed, platelets form and our body heals itself. 

Think of all of these miracles that we overlook every single day. Do you wake up in the  morning and say "Thank you, Lord for my immune system?" Probably not, but we should. 

Genesis 1:[1] In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.[2] And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters

Someone recently tried to argue with me and claim that there was no God. He asked me how I could believe in a God. I ask him, how could you not? Look around. Logically speaking, there would HAVE to be a higher power out there that created such a miraculous, unique, intelligent, crafty universe and human body. Without even going into any kind of religious talk, just the nature of existence in itself is enough to prove that God is real. He holds the sun, the moon, the stars. Like the children always sing, "He's got the world in His hands."

Stand in His Love

Shadowfeet by Brooke Fraser

God is so good to us. He is merciful and forgiving. He is just and righteous. He loves us when we don't treat Him right. He is perfect and all knowing. He knows our deepest darkest secrets, yet loves us anyways. When the whole world turns against us, we can be sure that He is still there. 

Your boyfriend/girlfriend, spouse, even parents, or children can leave you at anytime. They can decide to stop loving you. They can turn their back on you and throw away your relationship. The amazing thing is that God will never do that. If the relationship ends, its because YOU stopped loving HIM. Don't be the cause of this eternal separation. 

"When the world is falling out from under me, I'll be found in You still standing."

Romans 8:[35] Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?[36] As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.[37] Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.[38] For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,[39] Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Walking Worship

Psalms 45:[11] So shall the king greatly desire thy beauty: for he is thy Lord; and worship thou him.

We understand that we have been commanded to worship the Lord. What exactly must we do?

When we think of 'worship' what do we think of?
Singing, lifting hands, praising, etc. We think of actions that lie in the realm of church walls, generally involving music and groups of people.
Psalms 66:[4] All the earth shall worship thee, and shall sing unto thee; they shall sing to thy name. Selah.


Although those answers above are completely correct, is there other ways that we can worship? Yes.
We can worship just by walking and talking and living our daily lives honoring God. Our lives should be Walking Worship.
Psalms 96:[9] O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth.

• Fear the Lord
• Exalt Him
• Magnify Him
• Lift Him up
• Let others see more of Him and less of you
• Sing songs unto Him
• Testify of His great works
• Witness to others 
• Share the gospel
• Praise Him
• Thank Him
• Love God. Love others.

If we can get into a routine of doing each of these tasks every single day, our lives will shine for Him and worship Him even when there is no music playing. Our walking worship will be a sweet song to His ears. 

Everything

This skit is done by a group at Winterfest in  2006. 

Notice how the girl gets tangled up in the cares of this life, but Jesus can overthrow them all when she decides its time to come back home. 

Galatians 5:[1] Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

Be Courageous

• Deut. 31:[6] Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
• Joshua 1:[9] Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.
• 1 Chr. 28:[20] And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the LORD God, even my God, will be with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD.
• Psalms 27:[14] Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.

God obviously wants us to be courageous. Being courageous means showing or displaying courage.

Courage according to an online dictionary source www.definr.com is:

a quality of spirit that enables you to face danger of pain
         without showing fear 

So what does that mean for us?? It means that WE WILL face hard times and trials. WE WILL endure pain and suffering, but WE ARE ABLE to withstand it and overcome.

Don't give in. Be courageous. 

Busybody

1 Peter 4:[15] But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters.

People are constantly meddling in other people's business... Being nosy, being talebearers, starting rumors, causing drama, etc.

This isn't just highschool drama, it follows you everywhere you go. You can't run from drama, but you can avoid the people who intend on causing it. 

Don't get in others people lives unless they invite you in. Don't make up stories about others, it only hurts them. 

Be faithful to God, yourself, and to those around you. Mind your own matters and let God deal with other men's matters. 

Too Far to Turn Back

Philippians1:[6] Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:


If you have gone one step in the right direction, it is too far to turn back now.
If you have been saved for one second, you have gone too far to turn back now.
If you have made your way to the altar and just now knelt down to cry, you have gone too far to turn back now.
If you have been saved for 60 years, you have come too far to turn back now.

If God has done any amount of work in your life, He has a plan for you and He will finish it.
If you don't think God has done anything for you, you just lied. You are breathing as you are reading this and where there is breath, there is hope.

God is a finished product kind of God. Don't look at the chaos of the storm, wait for the rainbow.

His ways are higher than ours, ,and His purpose is above our understanding.. Don't give up. Wait on God. He will finish what He started in You.


There's a song that I learned in Bible Training Institute once that says:
"I just can't give up now, I've come too far from where I started from, Nobody told me that the road would be easy, But I don't believe He brought me this far to leave me."

Help!

James 1:[27] Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

This morning I am getting up with my roommate and the rest of the Pre-Medical Club of Arkansas Tech University and we are going to work in a charity organization that clothes, feeds, and nurtures impoverished people of the community. I feel a true blessing coming along. 

Is there something you can be doing in your community? If we are TRUE Christians, we are going to be the ones reaching out in love and showing that Good Samaritan side of us. I always fought the thought of doing volunteer work. Just because you don't get paid, doesn't mean that you don't receive anything. You will receive abundant blessings in Heaven for the work you do on earth.

(Now, don't get me wrong, you won't make it to Heaven by works alone, but good works certainly don't hurt when you are a true child of the King.)

Hebrews 10:24] And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:

We have a scriptural commandment to provoke one another to do good things and to love others.. I was provoked into doing something for others and now I'm obeying my commandment and encouraging everyone around me to get involved, help someone, change a life and let God change their heart. 

Lord, I pray for the communities of all who have read this and I pray that You would give us the holy boldness and wisdom to speak to ones who are in need and help them in any way possible. Lord, let us help their physical conditions as we give You control to work on their hearts. We love You and thank You for all that You do and we are so blessed that you have spared us from those impoverished conditions. It is only by grace that we are are where we are. Amen.

Cookie Thief

A woman was waiting at an airport one night, with several long hours before her flight. She hunted for a book in the airport shops, bought a bag of cookies and found a place to drop.

She was engrossed in her book but happened to see, that the man sitting beside her, as bold as could be. . .grabbed a cookie or two from the bag in between, which she tried to ignore to avoid a scene.

So she munched the cookies and watched the clock, as the gutsy cookie thief diminished her stock. She was getting more irritated as the minutes ticked by, thinking, “If I wasn’t so nice, I would blacken his eye.”

With each cookie she took, he took one too, when only one was left, she wondered what he would do. With a smile on his face, and a nervous laugh, he took the last cookie and broke it in half.

He offered her half, as he ate the other, she snatched it from him and thought… oooh, brother. This guy has some nerve and he’s also rude, why he didn’t even show any gratitude!

She had never known when she had been so galled, and sighed with relief when her flight was called. She gathered her belongings and headed to the gate, refusing to look back at the thieving ingrate.

She boarded the plane, and sank in her seat, then she sought her book, which was almost complete. As she reached in her baggage, she gasped with surprise, there was her bag of cookies, in front of her eyes.

If mine are here, she moaned in despair, the others were his, and he tried to share. Too late to apologize, she realized with grief, that she was the rude one, the ingrate, the thief.

By Valerie Cox in “A Matter of Perspective”
Submitted by Tom “The Colonel” Parker

Luke 6:37] Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:

How many times do we judge someone without even knowing the situation?

We can't look at someone's clothes, car, home, etc and label them. By the outside appearance we are not able to tell anything about a person for sure. We can merely guess and make assumptions. The only righteous judgement that we have is that of God which comes from the Bible alone. The Bible is the only standard which we are justified in  holding anyone to and even still, it is only God that knows the heart. So be careful when you begin to judge, because you are too being judge by the greatest Judge of all- Jesus Christ.

John 7:[24] Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.


See, the woman in the story was judging that man the whole time when in reality it was herself that had the problem. In order to avoid even making a wrong assumption and ending up looking like a fool, she could have simply shared what she thought were her cookies to begin with and clear up the misunderstanding that they weren't hers, in fact, to share. Be giving, be loving, be understanding.. don't be judgmental.


-Destiny Turner

Shrink the World

Let's shrink the world and see how blessed we truly are.

If we could shrink the earth's population

If we could shrink the earth's population to a village of precisely 100 people, with all the existing human ratios remaining the same, it would look something like the following.  There would be:

57 Asians

21 Europeans

14 from the Western Hemisphere, both north and south

8 would be Africans

52 would be female

48 would be male

70 would be non-white
30 would be white

70 would be non-Christian
30 would be Christian

89 would be heterosexual
11 would be homosexual

6 people would possess 59% of the entire world's wealth and all 6 would be from the United States.

80 would live in substandard housing

70 would be unable to read

50 would suffer from malnutrition

(ONE)1 would be near death;

(ONE)1 would be near birth;

(ONE)1 (yes, only 1) would have a college education;

(ONE)1 (yes, only 1) would own a computer.

When one considers our world from such a compressed perspective, the need for acceptance, understanding and education becomes glaringly apparent.

And, therefore . . .

If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof overhead and a place to sleep, you are richer than 75% of this world.

If you woke up this morning with more health than illness, you are more blessed than the million who will not survive this week.

If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish someplace, you are among the top 8% of the world's wealthy.  

If you can attend a church meeting without fear of harassment, arrest, torture, or death, you are more blessed than three billion people in the world.

If you have never experienced the danger of battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture, or the pangs of starvation, you are ahead of 500 million people in the world.

If you hold up your head with a smile on your face and are truly thankful, you are blessed because the majority can, but most do not.

If you can read this message, you are more blessed than over two billion people in the world who cannot read at all.

As you read this and are reminded how life is in the rest of the world, remember just how blessed you really are!
-http://www.rogerknapp.com/inspire/shrink_earth.htm


Philippians 4:11] Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

Strength to Stand

1 Cor. 15:[58] Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

Psalsms 18:[32] It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect.

Psalms 31:[4] Pull me out of the net that they have laid privily for me: for thou art my strength.

Matthew 26:[41] Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

Each of these scriptures are talking about how we need to stand strong, be grounded, unmoveable, rooted, etc. The Bible teaches us that when we choose to serve the Lord, we must prepare ourselves for adversity, trials, and temptations. The devil KNOWS our weaknesses, and he WILL act upon them to do everything he can to get us to fail. We must be like Jesus when Satan came against him... he stood firm. We need to be like the 3 Hebrew Children, Esther, Job, and many more. God put all of these people in the Bible and recorded their great faith in order to teach us that "Hey! This road is not easy. This is the road less traveled, BUT there are people who have succeeded and so can you!"

He never promised us it would be easy, He only said we'd never go alone. -Ginny Owen

The main thing we need to realize that our source of strength is simply Jesus Christ. We can't try to  play the game alone, fight the battle alone, win the war alone, walk the road alone, etc. Like the old song says "I can't even walk without you holding my hand." 

Do your best everyday and God will richly bless you. We aren't perfect. We weren't made perfect. When Adam and Eve disobeyed, they put a curse on everyone that would follow them to be born with sin in their heart. We are creatures of habit, of temptation, of nature, of conformity, and of weakness. Its going to take a lot of spiritual muscles to stand in these last days. We CAN do it!

People Get Ready

Statistics:
The world's population is 6,525,170,264 (July 2006 est.) The birth rate is estimated at 20.05 births/1,000 population and the death rate at 8.67 deaths/1,000 population. 

That gives us 358,192 births and 154,889 deaths as a daily average.
Sources: http://www.cia.gov/cia/....

This was in 2006.. Its been about 6 years since then. Imagine what the stats are now?

There is a wise quote that says: "Don't wait until the Last Judgement.. It happens every day." -Albert Camus

This is true. Thousands of people meet their judgement every single day, every minute, every second. None of us know when our last day is so lets make our life worth the living, but more so worth watching when we are gone.

Matthew 24:[44] Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.[45] Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?[46] Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.

Be ready and be found working. Don't be found sleeping..


Isaiah 5:[14] Therefore hell hath enlarged herself, and opened her mouth without measure: and their glory, and their multitude, and their pomp, and he that rejoiceth, shall descend into it.

Hell enlarges herself everyday. Don't be one that assists in enlarging hell.. Let's enlarge Heaven.

Redeeming the Time

Ephesians 5:[16] Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.[17] Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

None of us know what tomorrow will bring, or if we even have a tomorrow. The job we have to do is TODAY. The Great Commission to "Go ye therefore..." cannot wait until tomorrow. This indeed IS a life or death situation. Choose life for yourself and share life with others.

If we saw a woman laying across a train tracks, we would rush to them to get them off. That is basically the situation we face now. If you are not saved, you are just waiting death and torment. Make sure you are ready, and then help warn others about the day that is approaching very quickly.

It will be bad news for many.. but wonderful news for some. Let us be the ones rejoicing.

Beauty

[1 Chr. 16:29] Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come before him: worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness


I know I may have already written a little bit about beauty and such, but this thought is really pressing on me this morning. So many times do us (girls) think that we can't leave the house without curled hair, makeup, etc. I am not bashing makeup so don't take it that way, however, I am saying that we don't have to conform ourselves to society based on their idea of beautiful. The most beautiful person you can be is YOU. God made you just the way He wanted. The only perfecting that He expects from you is your heart. If you clean up your heart, the outer beauty will shine. It won't be the beauty that society wants, though. A model can't even get the beauty that society wants. A computer takes a model and generates her a little bit until she is "perfect". Watch this video at how a nice young girl gets transformed and computer generated to being "magazine material". Don't be deceived like she was. Be yourself. Perfect your heart in the beauty of holiness. 

Guys do the same thing. They base their "physical attraction" on what the world sees and forgets about the heart sometimes. Let us all be wary of the traps that loom about and not fall into this misconception. 


Lord, help us to understand that society is nothing compared to You and Your standard. Let us be beautiful in Your sight and forget what anyone else thinks. 

Casting out Fear

[2 Tim.1:7] For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

How many times do we enter a trial with so much fear that we run the opposite (and generally wrong) way?

How many times does someone depend on us to share the Gospel or pray for them, yet due to fear of rejection, we refuse to obey?

How many times do we do the wrong thing instead of what we know is right due to fear of being made fun of?

God has not given us the spirit of fear.

He has given us three tools that are pretty much all we need to make it.

1. Power: [2 Cor. 6:4] But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,[5] In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;[6] By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,[7] By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,
• God has equipped us with tools that will give us power for service no matter what comes against us. 
2. Love: [Romans 8:28] And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
• We must love God and love people. When we can grasp the love of God, we will automatically love people. Love makes all things possible.. not easy; however, the hard things will be worthwhile when we do them in love.
3. Sound Mind: The dictionary definition of a "sound mind" is: 
• exercising or showing good judgement
• in excellent physical condition
• free from moral defect
• God gave us this sound mind. We should all be thankful for the mind that He has given us and the ability to make sound judgement and good moral reasoning. There are many people in this world that have been born with mind defects. They are not capable of making decisions on their own. The only decision that is very necessary to make, though, is that of choosing Christ as our personal Savior (which I believe even those with mind defects are capable of making.) 

Next time you come across a situation and the first reaction you want to make is to be afraid... DON'T. If God does not give us a spirit of fear then where does it come from?

The devil.

Do not let him control you. Cast out fear. Act in power. Act in love. Act with a sound mind. 

[Joshua 1:9] Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

We can Withstand the Weather

[Isa. 43:2] When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

Wow, this morning I had an experience that took me back to being thankful for the little things in life.
It has been scorching hot for months now. It has been so hot that pretty  much as soon as you walk outside, sweat starts forming. This morning, though, I walked outside and I didn't even feel the sun. I could see it, but all I felt was nice, neutral air, and a cool breeze! I immediately ran inside and said "Mom, come feel!". It wasn't a drastic change, only a few degrees difference; however, we had been feeling that bad heat for so long that anything made a difference.

This is how God is to us. He lets us go through the fire for so long, so that whenever he delivers us from the trial and gives us that "cool breeze", refreshing victory, we will be more thankful! We all go through things, and they do serve a purpose. So be happy when you are going through the heat, because a cool breeze is coming.

[James 1:2] My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;[3] Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

Don't fret when you are going through a trial. Just know that it will make you stronger, draw you closer to God, and give you a new appreciation for Him that you have never had.

1 Thes. 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

Lord, help me to be thankful for every type of weather, every storm, every hot day, every cool breeze, every raindrop, every cloud because I know that there is a purpose in Your work, and that you will never leave me stranded if I draw close to You. Amen.