My Divine Notes

Matthew 9 Jesus Chooses Matthew 9 As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew. He was sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” Jesus told him. Matthew got up and followed him. 10 Later Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house. Many tax collectors and “sinners” came. They ate with Jesus and his disciples. 11 The Pharisees saw this. So they asked the disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and ‘sinners’?” 12 Jesus heard that. So he said, “Those who are healthy don’t need a doctor. Sick people do. 13 Go and learn what this means, ‘I want mercy and not sacrifice.’ (Hosea 6:6) I have not come to get those who think they are right with God to follow me. I have come to get sinners to follow me.” I don’t want to forget that Jesus was about relationships with everyone he didn't distinguish between sinners and tax collectors. Andy Stanley compares tax collectors to the people who sell drugs to young kids in our d...

These tips are for me to ponder because I have to work on improving my relationships all the time . I'm so imperfect... In my case, I know that the love of Christ helps me honor others even when I don't like them or agree with them. I know it's possible to make our personal opinions known in a loving, courteous and respectful way. Twitter Tip #1 for Christians : We're all measured by what we post on Twitter. Remember that we are to represent Christ first . Twitter Tip #2 for Christians : If you use Christian in your Twitter or FaceBook bio, remember it's not about you. Don't embarrass the Lord...or the rest of us... Twitter Tip #3 for Christians : If you must use street language, poke fun at others and say rude things, please don’t include Christian in your bio. Twitter Tip #4 for Christians : Don't use Christian or wisdom in your name or bio if you are going to promote secular "wisdom" or make statements that con...

Psalm 103:17 But the Lord's love for those who respect him continues forever and ever, and his goodness continues to their grandchildren. Me, my sister and our grandmother. My grandmother came to know God intimately later in life. I followed in her footsteps. I remember how passionately she loved God. It was crazy love. She woke up early to pray and to talk to God. She constantly talked about God’s love and goodness to everyone. She ministered to people in hospitals. I followed in her footsteps. Family members say I even have her tough attitude. J I smile as I remember thinking how crazy she was about the Lord. As a teenager, she embarrassed me with all that God talk . Little did I know that I would be zapped with God’s forever love and that it would change my entire life, too!   \0/ Now I’m crazy in love with the Lord! Like grandmother, like granddaughter - God's forever love continues.  

11-11-11 Psalm 119:59 I pondered the direction of my life, and I turned to follow your laws. Today is Veteran’s Day in the United States. We remember, we celebrate and also thank those who are serving or who have served in the military and support organizations. It’s the perfect day to write this note that’s been developing in my spirit. People frequently ask me why I love God and have such a positive outlook. Surely I haven’t experienced tragedies or trials that make me wonder about the faithfulness of God? They think my life is perfect and that God is constantly waving his wand of blessings over me. Some of the questions I’ve been asked include: How can I be sure that God is there? Why is this happening to the one I love? God won’t forgive me for blaming him for whatever tragedy, etc. Why is this tragedy happening to me/to those I love, etc.? I’ve fallen away from God and cannot find the road back to him. God can never forgive me for the bad things I’ve done or th...

Matthew 17:8 As they raised their heads, they saw no one but Jesus. My life is full of very good distractions (along with some not so good ones). I have to be careful to not let any of my distractions get in the way of my personal relationship with Jesus. I have to focus on my intimacy with Jesus. We hear much about the bad distractions, but good distractions also have a way of knocking us out of sync with God. They block our ability to focus on Jesus in a one-to-one relationship. I’m not going to name any good distractions because they can be anything that stops you from hearing God’s voice. We may not even be aware of those things that stop us from listening to the voice of God. I challenge you to stop what you are doing, step back and check to make sure you are listening to his voice. Can you see and hear Jesus?

May 15, 2011 Luke 9:62   But Jesus told him, “Anyone who lets himself be distracted from the work I plan for him is not fit for the Kingdom of God.” Distracted Christian living leaves me frazzled. My carnal side has a hard time following Christ and giving up the busy-ness and plans of my lives. I know. I’ve just had a weekend full of distractions even though I had planned to spend quality time with the Lord. Quiet time with God before the day starts is essential for me, but I am going to be honest and admit that this has not been happening lately. I love the Bible and I spend quality time immersed in it. But even though I love the word, nothing compares to time spent with God. Spending time with God means that I come to know his heart.   I also get to share my life, my struggles and my love for him. That’s also when I intercede for others and get answers (or not) to the things in my heart. A relationship with God takes time, effort and the desire to walk the wa...

Divine Note #54 – July 17, 2010 Choose the most loving response – Colossians 3:13-14 Colossians 3:13-14 13 Put up with each other, and forgive anyone who does you wrong, just as Christ has forgiven you. 14 Love is more important than anything else. It is what ties everything completely together. Walking in the power of the Holy Spirit has been the most rewarding yet challenging way of life for me. The Christian life is undoubtedly the best life one can ever live, but I am here to tell you that I do battle with my flesh and my heart many times. Lately I’ve been thinking of the importance of relationships. Our lives are made up of relationships with family, friends, coworkers, business associates, acquaintances, neighbors, service providers, government agencies and all who are not covered in those categories. I’m going to keep this note short by focusing on family and friend relationships. But I will be writing more on the topic. Relationships are complicated. Families are destro...

Divine Note #27 - July 6, 2009 Let God meet all your needs  Psalm 103:1-3 (NLT) 1 Let all that I am praise the Lord; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name. 2 Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me. 3 He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. I recently learned that another one of my girlfriends is going through health issues. As usual, I hadn’t seen her in a while and I almost cancelled our lunch plans because I had overbooked my schedule. As I sat listening to her story, I realized that God had put me at the place where I needed to be, at the time I needed to be there and my job was to be His ears and heart. Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers (3 John 1:2). So I sat across from her listening to the concern in her voice. My job was only to listen and offer practical assistance. We had a wonderful lunch and I told her about the amazing things God was doing...

Divine Note #26 – June 29, 2009 Let God meet all your needs Therefore, don’t be like them. For your father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. Matthew 6:8 It was hard to ignore a very popular entertainer’s very sad death this week. I followed the news mostly through social media and then I turned the TV on late in the evening and was touched with comments made by a popular author. He talked about how the entertainer dealt unsuccessfully with unmet needs as a result of sad things that happened in his life. It was eye-opening for me because God has been talking to my heart about how to deal with unmet needs through Dr. Charles Stanley’s sermons all week. In previous notes, I’ve discussed how we deny issues, so we try to avoid the consequences by riding the merry-go-round of strongholds until we hit the bottom. As in the parable of the lost son, many times our deep level of misery is of our own making (Luke 15:13). God has placed in all of us have a need to belong, ...

Divine Note #8– Feb. 23, 2009 I shared my love of Christ and how my entire life has changed at Celebration and paid tribute to three women who have helped me get closer to God. When I heard Joan Murray say that prayers go into eternity and that they are heard, my soul was touched and I remembered my grandmother. She would testify about how God changed her life and you can imagine my teenage embarrassment when she would talk about me! After my dad passed away, she often told the church family that she put us in the loving arms of Jesus. God answered my grandmother’s prayers for me through righteous women who love God. Can you imagine if Fern had not encouraged me to do God’s work through Celebration (James 5:14)? What if Lorraine had not prayed a powerful prayer asking the Holy Spirit to help me share what I have been through, so that I might help others because it’s not about me (James 5:16)? My child, Jackie, loves God and is determined to do His will for her life. I give Him all cre...

Divine Note #7 – Feb. 16, 2009 It’s not about me. As I grow in my relationship with the Lord, I realize that there are so many people who desperately need the love and comfort of Jesus Christ that we are all called to share. In verse 4, Paul tells us that our God comforts us in our affliction so that we may comfort others in their time of need. It’s so easy to go about our daily, busy lives and not think of those close to us who may need a comforting word. Maybe it says something about our society that even while we’re so connected by technology such as cell phones, computers and e-mails; we are still very much in need of a friendly voice or hug to comfort us during a valley period. Do you ever find yourself e-mailing or texting with family and closest friends and then realizing that you don’t really know what’s going on in their lives? Welcome to my world. Technology has made our lives so much less personal. If our friends and family feel like they can’t get enough of our time, what...

Divine Note #6 – Feb. 9, 2009 All it takes is a word of kindness, a hug or a smile to tell people around us how valuable they are. The apostle Paul was encouraged when Timothy returned from visiting the Thessalonians with good news of the faith and love of believers who had limited access to the apostle’s teachings. Paul knew how important it was to encourage and to be encouraged by believers. Over lunch a few months ago, a long time friend told me that because I took the time to listen, to ask questions and to tell her to get a grip and get help, that I prevented her from committing suicide many years ago. That’s mind boggling. What if I hadn’t taken the time to be there for her? Many of you have recently been praying for another friend’s family as they removed their loved one from life support, agonized over hospice care and are now facing funeral arrangements. As a result, I know that God is wrapping them in His loving arms during this painful time and they appreciate your prayers. ...

Divine Note #4 - Monday, Dec. 29, 2008 Next year decide to move on to the next stage of your life. Just as Paul encouraged the church during his time on earth, today the Holy Spirit guides believers to fulfill their God-given purpose. If you believe in God’s inspired Word, then you must move beyond the walls of home and church to share the news with everyone! Your ministry is everyone who is around you! Please don’t wait to be healed, to feel anointed, to get over grief, to have time, to have enough money or until the kids grow up. Whatever gifts you have been given, I promise you that God needs your service now (1 Corinthians 12:7). Challenge yourself to move out of your ‘comfort zone’ and share your gifts with those whom God puts in your path! First, have a plan. Pray and ask God for guidance on how you need to grow and serve during the next year. It’s critical to seek God’s direction and then take His hand! Second, find out what your ministry gifts are. Talk to your pastors or trus...

Divine Note #2: Monday, Dec. 15, 2008 Every day we’re bombarded with competing messages about how we should behave, what God’s expectations are and how we should live our lives. We get messages at church, from family and from society. But really, I have found that it’s in the quiet times and when I am genuine, that I am open to listening to God. He speaks to my heart, I just have to be still and listen. In the Old Testament, God spoke through prophets, but now we have His Son – that wonderful Jesus! Don’t get ahead of yourself or try too hard to “get a message.” Instead, listen with your heart and obey the promptings of His Holy Spirit. Consider writing down your thoughts and perhaps starting a journal to help you connect with Him. This also helps you remember the good things He has done for you when you are in a valley season. Maintain a continuous conversation with Jesus during the day; don’t just just pray at night. And remember to listen, quiet your spirit and hear His messages for...

Divine Note #1 - Monday, Dec. 8. 2008 I've been thinking about how He came to earth and lived a pretty typical human life, so He understands how we, his human creations, feel. I am very touched by the fact that when he was told that Lazarus had died, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. The two words in verse 35 have been in my heart for a couple of days, Jesus wept. Can you imagine the Savior of the universe weeping? He very much cared about Mary and Martha during their time of anguish over the death of Lazarus. He cried, He wept! He loved Lazarus! Think about how He loves you! Never doubt that He loves you because He created you and he understands how you feel. Talk to Him like you would your best friend, He’s ready to listen and He loves you for you!