“So what’s A Divine Encounter about?” you ask.
Well, first let me tell you what it’s not about.
You see, something that delights my heart and refreshes my spirit like nothing else is encountering my Savior and lingering long in His presence. I’ve learned that when it comes to my time with my God, slower is better.
So this little blog isn’t about me inundating you with information. There’s certainly plenty of information pretty much everywhere you look these days.
It’s also not about me trying to convince you of something, or to persuade you to think like me, or to make choices like me, or to believe like me.
Because as God grows me, my views on things change. Sometimes a little. Sometimes a lot.
My heart is thankful and my soul is secure in those things that will never change–His inerrant Word.
Who He is.
How He loves.
How He sacrificed.
But me? I change a lot.
And I’m overwhelmingly grateful for that. For one thing, it’s proof that He is. Proof that He exists, that He’s alive, that He’s working.
Even better, though, it’s proof that He is in me. He is alive in me, and He is working in me. He is faithfully sanctifying me–setting me apart in a world ravaged by sin. And He is persistently consecrating me–making me useful for His purposes.
Yes, I’m glad He changes me.
And I want you to know that these rambling reveries and mumbling musings of mine are not ever, no never a judgment on you if you live out your faith differently from me. Because I am on a journey and you are on a journey, and neither of us is on each other’s journeys.
So why do I write in this space? For many reasons, really, but here are the most important three:
Why I Write at A Divine Encounter
1.)I write because I live with the awareness that God’s goodness toward me makes me a steward.
Of many things, really, but especially of the gospel truth God has entrusted to me for as long as I can remember.
I grew up in a Scripture-focused local church and attended Christian school there, as well, so my biblical training has been lengthy.
I’ve attended countless Bible studies and have had numerous strong believers as mentors throughout my life. I’m a voracious reader–especially of God’s Word–and in recent years have had the privilege of learning under such teachers as Danny Akin, Nancy Leigh Demoss Wolgemuth, Jen Wilkin, and Beth Moore.
This vast experience and education combined with the God-given spiritual gift of teaching compels me to share with others what I’ve so richly received.
I’m so thankful for the opportunities He has granted me to teach Bible studies in my local church, to speak at women’s ministry events, to influence multitudes of people through this website, and to serve Christ’s Church in the other ways He has qualified me and commissioned me to do.
That’s why I write. But there’s more…
2.)I write because it helps me define and apply what God is doing in me, and because I have come to learn that He wants believers to encourage each other to seek Him wholeheartedly.
To be still and know that He is God. To walk by faith and not by sight.
To set our affections on things above and not on things on the earth.
To store up for ourselves treasures in heaven. To care for the poor, the widow, and the orphan.
To seek justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God. To love our neighbors as ourselves.
Yes, that’s why I write. But there’s still more…
3.)I write because He wants me to run with you in these things we know for sure, and He also wants us to love with grace in those things we don’t.
I realize that over the next months and years and decades I will change more.
Maybe my perspective will be more like yours.
And maybe yours will resemble mine.
So I ask that you read these words through a lens of grace and understand that ultimately, I’m writing for Him.
And I’m writing to you…not to manipulate you into believing just like me.
But to cheer you on as you pursue Him…
…chasing after Him with all your heart,
…spending time with Him so you can get to know Him and love Him even more,
…asking Him to show you truths in His Word and to show you how to live out those truths every day,
…and taking hold of the hands of others, and pulling them toward Him, too.
It’s not lost on me that there are millions of choices we have regarding how to spend each moment of our days. I humbly thank you for choosing to spend a few of yours with me.
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What others say about A Divine Encounter:
This is absolutely beautiful! Love your heart on this. Your words are beautifully written and I very much enjoyed reading this and learning more about the purpose and heart behind your blog. 🙂
Thank you so much, Faith! Your encouragement is a blessing 🙂
Wow Jennifer, It’s AMAZING how GOD is doing a lot of great things in your life!!
Yes, His is grace to work in us and through us IS amazing! Thank you for reading, and for celebrating Him with me!
Hello,
I found you on Pinterest. God bless you for your faith and making this website available for those of us who need a boost and ongoing encouragement. 🙂
Hello, Kwame’! What a beautiful name! It’s a blessing to share what God is teaching me, and to have an opportunity to hear from new friends like you. Thank you so much for reading, and for taking the time to get in touch! May God bless you also.
So glad I found you, via your post today on Facebook, the Inspired Bloggers, and your exciting blogging journey! Thanks for your transparency in sharing your heart for the Lord!
Welcome, and thank you for stopping by, Jill! It’s a joy to engage in relationships with other bloggers, learning from each other and cheering each other on!
Just to let you know that your writing helped me as I was getting into this world of which I should not, I am in this world but not of the world………sometimes I slip and fall……….I have to ask him please pick me up, and I say “forgive me I pray”.
Joyce Luna
Hi, Joyce! “A righteous (wo)man falls seven times and rises again” (Proverbs 24:16). I praise God for His grace which beckons us to rise again, and for the merciful hand He extends as He invites us out of the pit. I’ve prayed that He would draw you closer to Him, molding you more and more into His image day by day. May God bless you!
I stumbled upon Devine Relationship and Faithful Stewardship on Pinterest which led me to your blog. Then I read “About Me”. It’s no coincidence God led me to your blog at this moment in my life. I see His words come through you and I’m excited to read more of His words in your blog. I pray God will continue to bless you by using you to spread His word so that you may continue to bless us, your readers.
Hello, Jill! I’m so glad you found me and that you took the time to get in touch by leaving this kind note. 🙂 My heart’s desire is to point women toward deeper intimacy with our God, and I hope that as one of my readers, you’ll hold me accountable to that standard. I look forward to more interactions with you in the future!
Do you have a way for me to get an email when there is a new blog ? entry? or whatever. I don’t do “social media” and have trouble with many things computer.
I do lead hymns at church and in old-folks’ homes/nursing homes.
I do print small “bons mots” for hand-outs at our church and in our community.
Liked your article about homosexuality. My now deceased wife always suggested I throw the first stone IF I STILL WANTED TO after I became sinless.
Hello, and welcome! I was blessed by your testimony of service for our Lord – may He grant you the grace to continue ministering faithfully for Him! I’m glad you stopped by today, and I’m humbled and thankful that you’d like to receive my posts in your email. If you visit my “Subscribe” page by clicking here, you’ll see a form toward the bottom of the page. Simply enter your name and your email address, then choose how often you’d like to receive emails from A Divine Encounter.
Thank you for stopping by, and may God bless you!
Hi thank for ur email
Niss met you pls pray for my ministry
I’m honored to pray for you and your ministry, Andrew. Thank you for the note!
Oh I am so blessed to have found your blog! It just showed up in my email. Thank you so much for all you write! I have been struggling with trust. I am going to do the four steps we’re talking about and dig deeper into the subject of trust in the Bible! Thank you again. Love the blog and you!!!!!
I’m so glad the Lord allowed our paths to cross, Dawnn! Thanks so much for sharing this encouragement. 🙂
Please write all your prayers in first person. This makes it easier to focus on the message rather than translating it to first person. In the Fruit of the Spirit book you sent me, under each “fruit”, you list prayers in third person then one last one in first person. The last style is what I’m suggesting.
Thanks for listening.
Hi, Linda! Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts. I’ll consider your perspective in the future.
Hi Jennifer,
Love your heart here in your “about-the-blog” post! Thank you for what you are doing – for being bold enough! I love that you build on the foundation of scripture ( in what I have read so far. ) Keep on in your gift of exhortation – pressing on in the Lord! Blessings to you dear sister in Christ <
I’m so glad this resonated with you! I absolutely aim, by God’s grace, to base all of my writing on His Word, so I praise Him for allowing that to be apparent in what you’ve read. I very much appreciate your encouragement, I also welcome your gentle rebuke should you find something that conflicts with Scripture. Blessings to you!
Wonderful words for a growing Christian. I guess we are always growing, but I feel like I am finally moving forward in my faith journey and finding your blog has reinforced my feelings. I look forward to reading more of your inspirational words. God is doing wonderful things through you.
Hi, Pam, and thank you so much for sharing this kind word. You’ve truly blessed me today! I’m so glad the Lord allowed our paths to cross, and I pray that the ministry of A Divine Encounter will be a source of great encouragement in your walk with Him.
Please pray with us that our newly launched business in Kenya,Little Oak Events & Caterers together with the three affiliated departments:International Volunteer Chefs, the International Culinary Arts Internship programmes and Christian Entertainment Events will be successful(Proverbs 16:3)
Edith Ng’ang’a
Operations Manager
Hi, Edith, and welcome. I’m honored to pray for this business venture, asking the Lord to help you look to Him for wisdom, strength, and prosperity as you cling to the promise of Matthew 6:33.
I would very much like you to comment on my book Jesus Told Me To Do What? Looking Beyond the Golden Rule. It helps believers serve the Lord in ways with which they are most comfortable. Go to Booklocker.com and search for Peter Bakich. Your comments would be greatly appreciated.
Hi, Peter, and thanks for your comment. I have quite a few books I’m working my way through right now, but I’ll keep your book in mind for the future. I appreciate your bringing it to my attention and I wish you the best.
Hi Everyone I hope this is okay asking a question here😊 I’ve been searching to be filled with the Holy Spirit as our God says in His word.
I had a dream last night I was waking along a foot path with a river either side of me as I walked forward the two rivers crossed the path ahead of me and I couldn’t walk any further so I turned around and walked back the way I came and as I did the Rivers did the same crossed in front of me again and I couldn’t walk back the way I came either. I was stood on an area of dry ground but I felt safe and wasn’t afraid of the waters surrounding me.
I’m hoping that you may help me understand what this may mean, thank you and God bless you
Hello, Vince. Thank you for posing this thoughtful question. I am not an interpreter of dreams, though I do believe our dreams can have meaning, and sometimes those meanings are spiritual in nature. I believe Christians are indwelt by the Holy Spirit at the time of conversion, and we are filled with the Spirit as we walk in full surrender to Him. May the Lord continue to enlighten you through His Word by His Spirit, and may He fulfill His purpose for you as you look to Him in faith.