My Divine Notes

June 26, 2011 1 Corinthians 9:23 I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings. To not be bold means that someone doesn’t get eternal life (John 3:16). A sermon by Andy Stanley really dared me to be bolder about sharing the amazing things that God does in my life. This particular day I was paying for shoes at one of my favorite shops. The twenty-something sales clerk commented how she liked clothes - she has so many clothes that she has taken all the closet space at her home, leaving only a few drawers for her boyfriend. I felt a deep sadness that this young woman was already sharing a home with someone who didn’t make her his wife before he tasted the dessert. As we continued talking, I knew that I’d have to say something. As she wrapped my purchase, I told her that I hoped she knew that she was loved, valued and treasured by God. I could tell that it made her feel special but uncomfortable. I continued by saying that she deserved marriage instead of s...

Written June 12, 2011 1 Corinthians 1:18-19 18 The message about the cross is nonsense to those who are being destroyed, but it is God's power to us who are being saved. 19 Scripture says, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise. I will reject the intelligence of intelligent people.” 1 Corinthians 2:14-15 14 A person who isn't spiritual doesn't accept the teachings of God's Spirit. He thinks they're nonsense. He can't understand them because a person must be spiritual to evaluate them. 15 Spiritual people evaluate everything but are subject to no one's evaluation. These Scriptures speak of the old me – before God gave me a spiritual mind after I surrendered my will for his will on May 2, 2006. I will never forget my spiritual birthday because that’s when the beginning of wisdom – and knowing the will and heart of God began for me. I was among the self-sufficient, enlightened and yet silently desperate – attempting to find meaning in my life. I saw G...

June 16, 2011 2 Timothy 2:3-4 3 Share in the troubles we have like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 A soldier wants to please the enlisting officer, so no one serving in the army wastes time with everyday matters. Ephesians 6:11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 13 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm . A soldier is one who understands a battle plan and is armed with protective and defensive gear. Life and death is in the power of a soldier who must be focused and prepared for battle. In the same way, followers of Christ have a responsibility to focus on his marching orders. When God calls us, his plan should take priority in our lives. When we focus on his marching orders, our spirit is connected closely to him and this helps us deal with spiritual warfare. Take off your blinders an...

Written June 19, 2011 John 14:6 (GW) 6 Jesus answered him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one goes to the Father except through me. Those details between the lines: The journey without my Dad A few days ago I wrote a tribute to my dad for Father’s Day on my Facebook page. But it’s what I didn’t write that’s been in my heart.   My dad died when I was 12 years old, read my Divine Note #49 for background. Knowing God as my Heavenly Father changed my life. I’m sharing notes from an impactful sermon “Healing the Father Fracture” by Pastor Gregory Dickow . ·         Many people know God as friend, savior, master, etc., and those are all important, but ·         We must know God as our Heavenly Father because we’re living in a fatherless and un-fathered generation ·         Many men have no or had no father figure; many parent through their own brokennes...

June 10, 2011 Romans 1:14 I have a duty to all people—Greeks and those who are not Greeks, the wise and the foolish. (NCV) Romans 1:14 Everyone I meet—it matters little whether they're mannered or rude, smart or simple—deepens my sense of interdependence and obligation. (The Message) Sitting in an airplane’s middle seat is like going to the dentist: I prefer not to do it. Flying unnerves me, but sitting next to a talking Tom or chatty Cathy in an airplane takes me over the edge. But it shouldn’t because I am a minister of the word of Jesus Christ. In the Scripture, Paul talks about how he had a sense of obligation to all people to preach the Good News. I have that same mission. On the outbound flight out, I was assigned an aisle seat and the person in that middle seat had no interest in talking to me. I had no interest in talking to him either. I don’t even recall if we greeted each other. On the return flight, the middle seat was empty. I considered it a favor from God, bu...

June 10, 2011 1 Timothy 6:6 Serving God does make us very rich, if we are satisfied with what we have. 7 We brought nothing into the world, so we can take nothing out. I put my life and belongings in the hands of strangers who make me uncomfortable when I fly. I don’t like traveling by airplane – I never have, and I never will. But I attended a professional conference in Chicago earlier this week, so I had no choice. While these strangers are in charge of my comfort and getting me to my destination, they also paint a scary picture. And, it’s all in the name of doing their job! They insist that passengers watch a video, but of course, most of us act like we’re ignoring it. I tried to ignore it until I heard these words, “In the event of water landing…”   What? A water landing?   I do not know how to swim! I tried to pull the terrible thoughts from my mind… But the real discomfort began when I heard these words: “In case of an emergency, leave all your carry-on items b...

June 5, 2011   Psalm 91:14 The Lord says, "Whoever loves me, I will save. I will protect those who know me. 15 They will call to me, and I will answer them. I will be with them in trouble; I will rescue them and honor them. My Mother is very ill. She has had a tough weekend. On Friday night, we didn’t know if she was going to make it. Saturday was another tough day. Today, it all turned around.   Earlier in the day, my brother said she wasn’t improving.   But when I walked into the Intensive Care Unit everything had turned around. She was fully awake and responsive. Even her nurse said that she had improved greatly over the last few hours. I feel great peace because I know that this was another favor from God. His hand is on this journey and I know it. I know the following things for sure: I love God and I spend quality time getting to know him I have invested time in reading and understanding the Bible, so I can know his heart Knowing where to go in the...

June 4, 2011   Job 12:10 For the life of every living thing is in his hand, and the breath of every human being. I didn’t want this day to pass without writing down the things that the Lord showed me. I’m no stranger when it comes to watching those I love get sick, suffer and die. I was 12 when my dad died. My grandparents died while I was in my teens and twenties. There’s something wrenching about watching a parent suffer. It’s especially sad to see my mother so ill. Mom is suffering, there’s no question about it. Last night within a few minutes, I watched the hospital’s monitor as several of her vital sign numbers took a plunge.   I watched the lead nurse and assistant start scrambling. This scene is familiar to me since it has been happening frequently since February. Within seconds, the room was filled with the white and blue coats of the Rapid Response Team. They were on a mission to revive my mom. They graciously asked if I wanted to leave the room, but I declined ...

June 1, 2011 Psalm 29:4 The Lord 's voice is powerful; the Lord 's voice is majestic. God has given me more instances of hindsight and ah ha moments than I care to reveal. I would rather not write this message, but… a few days ago. Well.   I felt melancholic...   I know the reason I felt that way, but it’s not necessary for me to reveal it in order to bring you this message. I made bad choices in my younger years – I wasn’t walking in God’s light. No excuses – that’s just my reality. And, the reality is that I am now facing those consequences. But the amazing thing is that I face consequences as I hang on to God. There’s one thing I’ve learned in my divine journey: I will not let go of God during my periods of regret. Back to my story, a few days ago I had one of those regret episodes, but before I wasted precious time feeling sorry for myself, God spoke to me.   I clearly heard him say, “But I am the only Love you will ever need!” It took my breath away! I tur...