Destiny Arise: Living in Your Purpose

By Pamela D White

Who am I? What am I doing here? Where am I going? Everyone at some point in life asks these questions. You were wired to ask and engineered to pursue the answers. The road to discovering destiny is besieged by fiascoes, failures, and the agony of defeat. If your strength has been depleted and has caused you to give up, sit down, push pause, and snooze until another day, then this book is just for you! Amazing experiences are waiting for you. Get ready to be awakened from the posture of defeat, depression, and despair.

Destiny Arise is an easy-to-read book, providing tools to aid in living an amazing life. This book is designed as a trip adviser for your expedition. It will teach you how to evict the spirit of mediocrity and use your past to propel you into your future. You will learn how to shake off the common, arising to be an uncommon force taking your rightful place in the earth. You can change the world. I pray this book will ignite a passionate fire to pursue your destiny unapologetically. Destiny, awake from your slumber and arise.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Jun 23, 2017
• ISBN: 9781512788778

Pamela D White

Pam writes books, which, since you are reading this you already know. She also writes blogs, devotionals and long grocery lists because her husband eats a lot. She has been a Bible teacher for over forty years in churches and private schools. Her Junior High students’ nominations inducted her into the Who’s Who Among American Teachers eleven years in a row. She taught for many more than eleven years so we are not sure what happened the other years. Pam has taught individuals from preschool age to adults and everyone in between. She has held offices in Toastmasters International and some other stuff. She has volunteered with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America and done a bunch of other things with Girl Scouts, 4-H Clubs, soccer teams, dance teams, puppet shows and whatever else her kids were doing. She has co-written school curriculum and created a study-guide program of foundational truths, Walking with Christ, for those new to Christianity. Pam likes things educational including school. She’s weird like that. She attended Midwest Bible College, Heartland Community College, University of Illinois Springfield and achieved her master’s degree in Organizational Leadership from Lincoln Christian University. She took a few classes through other colleges too. Do you think she should go for her doctorate? She is thinking it might be a great next challenge if she can get her husband on board. Pam was inspired to write Destiny Arise by bestselling author, Dr. Wanda Davis Turner. Her time as Dr. Wanda’s mentee richly added to Pam’s teaching. Dr. Wanda has been an inspiration, a motivator, and provided great encouragement in Pam’s launch into authoring books. Mom Wanda – thank you. When Pam isn’t writing she is relaxing at her home in central Illinois. She loves spending time with her grandkids, riding her bicycle, reading, traveling, reading while traveling, or just sitting on the porch swing. Connect with her on Facebook and Twitter. Find out more about Pam at www.bloomingdesert.org.

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Copyright © 2017 Pamela D. White.

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ISBN: 978-1-5127-8878-5 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5127-8879-2 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-5127-8877-8 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2017907871

WestBow Press rev. date: 06/15/2017

In Memory of Susan Maxine Gibson

Your fingerprints marked so many lives with amazing grace. You were a confidant, encourager, guide, leader, prophetess, disciplinarian, spiritual sister, the one who could make us laugh at ourselves, and a wonderful friend. You taught us how to dress, how to decorate our homes, and how to trust the Lord. Thank you for your simple philosophy that no matter what life brings your way a child of God can always say, It is well. I’m looking forward to seeing how you decorated your mansion in heaven.

CONTENTS

Chapter Outline

Preface

Introduction

CHAPTER 1      Defining Destiny

CHAPTER 2      Salvation Destiny

CHAPTER 3      Predestined Destiny

CHAPTER 4      Directed Destiny

CHAPTER 5      Appointed Destiny

CHAPTER 6      Diversions Of Destiny

CHAPTER 7      Destroyed Destiny

CHAPTER 8      Accomplishing Destiny

CHAPTER 9      Fulfilling Destiny

CHAPTER 10   Eternal Destiny

CHAPTER 11   Walking In Destiny

CHAPTER 12   Destiny Arise

Study Guide

Who I Am In Christ

References

Notes

CHAPTER OUTLINE

1. Defining Destiny

➢ ‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’ (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV)

2. Salvation Destiny

➢ For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Thessalonians 5:9 ESV)

3. Predestined Destiny

➢ For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren. (Romans 8:29 NKJV)

4. Directed Destiny

➢ For you yourselves know that we have been destined for this. (1 Thessalonians 3:3 NASB)

5. Appointed Destiny

➢ For the vision is yet for an appointed time; but at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry. (Habakkuk 2:3 NKJV)

6. Diversions of Destiny

➢ My times are in Your hand; Deliver me from the hand of my enemies and from those who persecute me. (Psalm 31:15 NKJV)

7. Destroyed Destiny

➢ Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. (Galatians 6:7 NKJV)

8. Accomplishing Destiny

➢ The Lord will accomplish what concerns me; Your lovingkindness, O Lord, is everlasting; Do not forsake the works of Your hands. (Psalm 138:8 NASB)

9. Fulfilling Destiny

➢ Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things which have not been done, saying, ‘My purpose will be established, And I will accomplish all My good pleasure.’ (Isaiah 46:10 NASB)

10. Final Destiny

➢ And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. (Revelation 20:12 NKJV)

11. Walking in Destiny

➢ But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But as it is written: ‘Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.’ (1 Corinthians 2:7–9 NKJV)

12. Your Destiny

➢ The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands. (Psalm 138:8 ESV)

PREFACE

Is this all there is to life? Am I really destined for such a life of struggle? These were my questions. I was pretty close to the lowest of lows. My grandma would have said so low a worm would have to dig down to see you. I felt discouraged, defeated, rejected, exhausted, and just plain done. I didn’t care if I lived another day and hoped that God would take me home as soon as possible. I know many people had it much worse than me. The things I was suffering might seem trite to others, but to me they were overwhelming. I had been through a divorce after twenty-five years of marriage. My family had disconnected with me, or maybe I disconnected from them. Various friends and family were seriously ill; some were dying. My kids were grown and gone. My church family had scattered when the church doors closed. I was alone. At least I felt alone.

I had forgotten only Jesus can make things better. I was a little peeved at God. Actually, I was downright miffed. My marriage had failed, my family was gone, the church I was attending had folded, and friends had moved away. I felt lost. And alone. So alone. It kind of felt like drowning. I found myself justifying bad decisions. Why go to church when church folks have proven not worthy of trust? Why be married when the result is betrayal? Why have friends when they cut you off at your lowest point? Why do right when right or wrong just leads to disappointment? None of those things were true or even validated. Yes, I had some negative experiences, but one bad apple doesn’t spoil the whole bunch, right? Isn’t there a ’70s Osmond Brothers song that tells us to give it one more try and don’t listen to the bad-apple experiences? I felt like I had a basket full of bad-apple experiences, and more than one worm was trying to ruin my life. Self-pity is ugly and destructive.

I continued to spiral down, continued to separate myself, and continued to hide until someone reached out and grabbed me. Suddenly, I realized the impact of the darkness in my mind. Cliché or not, I did begin moving toward the light for real. Back in church, trying to renew relationships with family, trying to connect with friends and make some new ones, trying to do right. As I began to surface from this drowning mess around me, I began to have hope. Just a glimmer, just a spark. Then, a beloved family member was diagnosed with a mental disorder. Those things we thought were a few quirks turned into a serious health issue. Really? I was just climbing ashore and getting the muck and mess off me when another wave dragged me into the deep—again. I shouted to God, Why?!?

The women’s ministry at our church created a program called 100% Changed—Leadership Edition. The program 100% Changed was developed by First Lady Desetra Taylor of Center for Hope Ministries to equip women with the tools to develop in Christ and empower them for ministry.¹ In moving through this process, there was a session in the program that gave each of us in the group a new name in Christ. The name chosen for me was Destined. I had no idea what that meant for me. I had an idea of a general definition for destined, but I did not feel destined. I felt lost. So I decided to study destiny in order to get a greater understanding of what destiny or being destined meant.

Many people assisted me in awakening my destiny. Truthfully, the list goes back to people who were instrumental in my life over fifty years ago up until today, including my parents, teachers, Sunday school teachers, pastors, friends, mentors, and even strangers that grasped an opportunity to encourage a lost soul. My bishop and first lady have been instrumental as well as the leadership of my church home. Students in the many classes I have taught have helped me more than they will ever know until they enter heaven. I was never the perfect mother, but I did the best I could with what I knew at the time. My children have been the best teachers of all the people I have encountered. Even though, as I write, I have not yet met you, knowing these words have the potential in Christ to change your life, you have also been instrumental in awakening my destiny. I pray that God rewards you by using these words to awaken your destiny.

I thank you all and pray you begin to understand your destiny in your service to Christ.

INTRODUCTION

In order to understand what destiny is, let’s explore what destiny is not. Destiny is often portrayed as an unavoidable circumstance. Often fate is used as a synonym of destiny. People say, Well, that’s just your lot, or That’s your portion when trying to describe destiny. Someone may tell you, You are doomed for that. It makes destiny seem like a negative, dreaded thing. Destiny also gets confused with fortune. However, destiny is none of those things.

➢ Fate: an inevitable thing that occurs, usually with adverse results such as a disaster or death. Destiny is not fate. Fate cannot control who you are or where you are going. Example: It was fate that he broke his leg in the fall. I wouldn’t wish his fate on anyone. As a Christian, fate does not control your life. No disaster or death can be determined for you by fate. Mythology suggests fate seals the outcome of your life. However, life outcomes are in the hands of God, not in fate. Circumstances are changeable. Obedience to the Word of God and prayer can change circumstances. Inescapable circumstances do not exist in the life of a Christian.

➢ Doomed: a sentence or judicial condemnation, the result of a judgment or decision. Example: She was doomed to fall for men who won’t commit. As sinful, selfish people, our future could be described as doomed when we fall under the judgment for sin. However, when we accept Jesus as our personal Savior, we are no longer doomed for a wrathful judgment. The blood of Christ covers sin and pays the price for disobedient choices. There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit (Romans 8:1 NKJV). When we are in Christ, we are free from condemnation. We are not subject to doom and gloom.

➢ Lot: a ration that comes to someone because a division in something has been chosen. It implies you have no choice. Example: It was Kate’s lot in life to be poor; after all, her whole family lives in poverty. The lot represents the portion of life handed out to you like handing out cards in a card game. Whatever you get dealt is your lot in life. This is not how a life in Christ functions. You have the opportunity to make decisions that can change the course of your life rather than be stuck with a random card from a stacked deck. Where you came from or where you are now does not designate where you are going. You can change your life by stepping on your path of destiny where you will find peace, joy, and hope.

➢ Portion: a part of a whole. Portion implies that you are sharing with others. Though your life is intertwined with others, you are not stuck with a smaller portion or a greater portion compared to others. Life and life events are not like cake or pie, where you get a piece of the whole. You don’t have to fight your brother for a bigger piece either. Example: He received a small portion of the estate. You are not limited to a portion as a follower of Christ. In Him you can have it all. 2 Peter 1:3 confirms, His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue. He died to remove all your sins. He gave you all spiritual blessings. He healed all your diseases. He gave you all authority. He answers all your prayers. He made you whole. God is not in the business of handing out portions. He is in the wholeness business. You are destined to be whole and live whole in Christ.

➢ Fortune: something that happens through chance. It is often associated with luck. Your life is not ordered by fortune cookies, crystal balls, Tarot cards, horoscopes, or luck. You do not have good times or prosperity because of luck or good fortune. Example: It was his good fortune he got that job. Fortune and luck are not the powers that direct your life. "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning" (James 1:5 NKJV). Good things come from God. Prosperity is promised in the blessing of being His child. The LORD will command the blessing on you in your storehouses and in all to which you set your hand, and He will bless you in the land which the LORD your God is giving you (Deuteronomy 28:8 NKJV). You do not have to depend on luck. Good fortune is a myth. Good things, good days, good times, and blessings come from the Father in heaven.

Now we know that destiny is not your fate, your doom, your portion, your lot, or your fortune in life. So what is destiny, and how do you find it? My hope and prayer is that the following chapters help you awaken your destiny.

CHAPTER 1

DEFINING DESTINY

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

—Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

Y ou are not an accident. You are not unplanned. Your life is not by chance. You have destiny planned for you. Psalms promises, You saw my body as it was formed. All the days planned for me were written in your book before I was one day old (Psalm 139:16 ICB). The word you in this scripture refers to God. Your parents may not have planned you, but God has great plans for you. You were prewired for specific things that only you can accomplish. Your desires, your ambitions, your personality, your drive, the way you think, the things that compel you, your tastes, your gifts, and your talents are all as unique to you as your fingerprints. A path of destiny is prepared for you that only you can walk. A series of circumstances and situations, divine appointments, and directed destiny fits your unique individuality and can only be accomplished to the fullest through you. However, you can mess it up. The enemy of your soul will do everything in his power to lead you in a different direction. You can miss your destiny. Your choices can get you off the path and turn your destiny into disaster. If I drive over the