My Divine Notes

Living strong in the Lord  Romans 12:11 Do not slack in your faithfulness and hard work. Let your spirit be on fire, bubbling up and boiling over, as you serve the Lord.  (This is my Scripture for 2015). My main goal in 2015 is to go deeper in my spiritual journey with the Lord. I never want to be satisfied in the place I am unless I am certain that God has put me there. According the Dr. David Jeremiah, most of us think we're too busy and we are. But much of our “busyness” is the result of how we choose to spend our non-working hours. He goes on to say that Christians should step back and take a bigger and longer view of where we are in life. I'm asking myself hard questions. Am I still passionate about kingdom building and am I using that passion as a vibrant witness for Christ? Or do I need to be still and listen for other instructions? Time isn't on our side - Psalm 90:10 a We may journey through life for 70 years; some may live and breathe 80...

John 16:32a Be aware that a time is coming when you will be scattered like seeds. In this Scripture, Jesus warns the Disciples that they will be on their own after he finishes his Earthly mission. He chose these men and spent three years sharing his heart. But it  wasn't  meant to be forever. They would have to receive the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, the one who would teach them what they needed to know to fulfill God’s plan. This meant that they had to listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit, to accept His power and the ministries that God planned for each one. Do you depend on others to increase your faith; to be there to remind you that God exists when your world falls apart; or when things are somber?  There’s a place for community and having people pray, but at the end of the day do you go directly to God? Do you have that relationship with the Lord, so that you know He will hold your hand through the fiery trials of life? Do you need the com...

1 Corinthians  9:16   You see, if I preach the good news, it’s nothing to brag about. This urgency, this necessity has been laid on me. In fact, if I were to stop sharing this good news, I’d be in big trouble.  This Scripture had been on my mind because I feel that urgency to share God's word and love. Not a moment goes by in my day when my thoughts don't turn to The Lord.  I realize the responsibility of my calling.  A calling I never expected...  Social media has increased the reach of my work for God.  I find myself compelled to share Scripture, minister to those who need hope in illness and more than anything: I share how God really does want us to know His heart. It no longer matters to me that others think of me as that crazy Jesus lover.  But it was uncomfortable becoming the person God made me to be.  I was forced out of my comfort zone.  I no longer fit in any of my circles.  B...

Genesis 3:12 Adam pointing at the woman: It was she! The woman You gave me as a companion put the fruit in my hands, and I ate it. The Voice commentary Since Adam and Eve, people have been blaming others for their mistakes. Adam has the audacity to blame God for his. 13 God to the woman: What have you done? Eve: It was the serpent! He tricked me, and I ate. Excuses do not change outcomes. Just like Adam and Eve, we sometimes place the blame for our problems on someone else. The blame games keep us from growing and using the gifts God has given us to lead a full life. Christians suffer terribly when they place blame on others or make them responsible for real or imagined wrongs they may have suffered. This world will never be perfect. Deal with the fact that you will go through hard times -- whether of your own making or at the hands of others. That's how life on earth is. But here's the bright spot:  you can cope and move on. Don'...

Mark 4:23 All who have ears to hear, let them listen. 24 So consider carefully the things you’re hearing. If you put it to use, you’ll be given more to wrestle with—much more.   25 Those who have listened will receive more, but those who don’t hear will forget even the little they've failed to understand. Walking with God is exhilarating. The verses of Mark 4 jumped out at me a day ago. I quickly took notes to remember what I read. The more I desire to know the heart of God, the more I receive. The key to any relationship is to nurture, understand and love the other person.   Same goes for God. Get to know Him. Ask for more knowledge. Discern God’s presence in your everyday life. See through spiritual eyes. Seek. Ask questions. Ask for more.   Understand God. Understanding takes time. Not that you or I will ever fully understand God. But we can catch glimpses of his precious heart. Spend quality time talking to God. Give G...

1 Peter 2:2 Be like newborn babies, crying out for spiritual milk that will help you grow into salvation 3 if you have tasted and found the Lord to be good. I love living in a diverse eclectic, urban neighborhood on one of the most iconic streets in my town. At least 12 or more houses of worship of all types coexist with tall concrete buildings, stores, schools, one single-family home, multi-family dwellings and funeral homes are located in a two-block area. My block is bound by a Lutheran and a Methodist church. I’m sure they are wonderful congregations. The Lutheran pastor is a kind man who invited me to visit the church when I sent him a note thanking him because the church bells always seem to ring at the right time.  I've  visited the Methodist Church on the opposite side of the block and they are fine folks.  But today, I take issue with their ADVERTISING sign: Love God. Make Friends. Serve Others. I no longer believe that I have to go to church t...

1 Peter 2:5 (NLT) And you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple. What’s more, you are his holy priests.   Through the mediation of Jesus Christ, you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God.   Several years ago I took a detour to care for a very special elderly lady on Sundays. At the time, I missed going to church and my Sunday school class. But as months passed, my time with the Lord became more personal, more intense and very special. I learned compassion and  care-giving  while taking care of my special friend, who had just lost her husband of many years. My primary role was to be her spiritual rock. We prayed. I listened. We watched birds bathe in the garden’s fountain. I decorated the family Christmas tree while she shared memories. For eight months, I learned how to care and minister. And, I grew my spiritual wings – those things that mattered to God for me. Once I had Sundays free, I realized that I could not re...