Let God Meet All Your Needs - Isaiah 43:1-4

Divine Note #30 - July 26, 2009
Isaiah 43:1-4 (New Living Translation)
The Savior of Israel
1 But now, O Jacob, listen to the Lord who created you. O Israel, the one who formed you says, “Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. 2 When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. 3 For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. I gave Egypt as a ransom for your freedom; I gave Ethiopia[a] and Seba in your place. 4 Others were given in exchange for you. I traded their lives for yours because you are precious to me. You are honored, and I love you.The Gospel of John (12:41) in the New Testament says that the prophet Isaiah saw the glory of Christ back in Old Testament days, and spoke of Him but the people didn’t believe. Nothing changed when Jesus lived as a human being on Earth. Many people didn’t believe and he was crucified. Today it’s pretty much the same way. People either believe or they don’t. I am here to tell you that a life lived without the power of the Living God is a desperate and hard life. This message is meant to encourage believers, non-believers, those who attend church and those who don’t worship with other believers. In the Scripture above, God told His people to not be afraid! He’s telling you the same thing today!
Think you don’t have to go to church? Think again.As usual, I’m blown away but not surprised by the way God speaks to us when we assemble in church to learn his Word, to pray and to worship Him. If you think that you don’t have to go to church, check this out:
Hebrews 10:24-25 (New Living Translation) 24 Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. 25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.This morning we prayed for several ladies and laid hands on one of our WOW sisters who is dealing with health issues. Prayer is powerful. After Sunday school, it was as if God gave her a direct message through the words of Pastor Paul’s sermon. He talked about how many of us at some point will receive bad news about our health (or fill in the blank) and asked if we are prepared?
Pastor Paul’s Prayer Principles that Pack a PunchI’m going to share Pastor Paul’s Prayer Principles that Pack a Punch from today's sermon because the message spoke to my heart and we can all benefit. When you are under stress go to God in prayer!
Prayer is essential in our lives! Remember these things:
1. Anyone can pray. You don’t have to use special words, have a theology degree or a special level of spiritual maturity. Also, it doesn’t matter if you’ve been a Christian for 40 years or 4 months! The only prerequisite is that you have a genuine desire to have the full attention of the Living God!
2. You must have daily intimate time with God. Make prayer an essential and non-negotiable part of your life. I can’t tell you how this has made a big difference in my relationship with Jesus Christ! I schedule God and Blanca time each morning at 6 a.m. I put myself in His hands and ask Him to show me who I need to touch or encourage that day. This time spent with God also gives me focus. It’s not the only time I spend with Him, but it’s during this time in the morning that I fully understand what He wants me to know. So regardless of how busy or boring your life is - making time for God changes everything.
3. When you pray, you experience God’s presence! I cannot tell you how special it is when I experience the love and power of my Living God! There’s nothing like it! He becomes real and He impacts your life in a very direct way. Since I’ve been asked about my experience, I can tell you that I can feel His power like electricity going through my back, my arms and especially my hands. At other times it’s a feeling of complete love and peace – love like I have never experienced with another human being! I wish this experience for everyone I know and everyone I love!
Get connected to believers and make God your priority
Whether you go to church or not, the key messages for you this week are: 1) You need to find a church where you can worship and be encouraged through the good and bad times of your life and 2) Consider it a priority to establish an intimate relationship with our Great God! It’s not enough to go to church. It’s not religion but that relationship with Him that will see you through life’s darkest hours when you face a medical diagnosis, when your spouse decides to leave, when you face a job loss or financial difficulties or you can fill in the blank. As Pastor Paul said, “He has the power to cure you or walk through it with you.”
Need to find a place in God’s community?
I want to thank my church community for the love and encouragement that they provide to me and my family. I’m going to count on them as I find myself with an empty nest in August when my child goes to college. My Sunday school class girlfriends know my heart and they care. Our wonderful teacher is an anointed teacher and she has a heart of gold. I can be real with her and I love all her family. Plus, she’s a blast to hang out with and she makes me laugh out loud! If she hadn’t stepped out to use her spiritual gifts, I would have missed my blessing! Our pastor preaches an amazing sermon each Sunday that touches our hearts. Plus, he’s a nice guy and he taught me the importance of getting together as a church to pray for everyone.
We’re a bunch of people with a heart for connecting our community to Christ! We’re not perfect but we love the Lord and we have a blast!
I’ll end this note with this amazing message from your God. Isaiah 43:4 … you are precious to me. You are honored, and I love you.This week remember that you are precious and that you are honored and loved by a powerful God! Go out and be His heart, hands and ears! Freely give out big God Hugs!
Love you,
BlancaFollow me on Twitter - http://twitter.com/BlancaV - as I share my love for Christ in 140 characters or less! It’s a great way to share your faith with the world!

Let God meet all your needs - John 8

Divine Note #29 - July 19, 2009

Let God meet all your needs
John 8:1-11 (New Living Translation)
A Woman Caught in Adultery
Jesus returned to the Mount of Olives, 2 but early the next morning he was back again at the Temple. A crowd soon gathered, and he sat down and taught them. 3 As he was speaking, the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in the act of adultery. They put her in front of the crowd.
4 “Teacher,” they said to Jesus, “this woman was caught in the act of adultery. 5 The law of Moses says to stone her. What do you say?”
6 They were trying to trap him into saying something they could use against him, but Jesus stooped down and wrote in the dust with his finger.
7 They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said, “All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!” 8 Then he stooped down again and wrote in the dust.
9 When the accusers heard this, they slipped away one by one, beginning with the oldest, until only Jesus was left in the middle of the crowd with the woman. 10 Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?”
11 “No, Lord,” she said. And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.”

I love the Lord because I can be real with Him! He knows what’s in my heart, He knows what I need and He’s always ready to listen! WOW – what love! So the message of this note is to let you how much He loves you! Throughout the time of His ministry on Earth as a human, Jesus had this tenderness toward those around him. When the teachers and Pharisees wanted to stone to death the woman who was accused of adultery, Jesus asked the one without sin to cast the first stone. No one qualified to cast that stone, so He told her that He didn’t condemn her and for her to sin no more.

Accept that Jesus doesn’t condemn you! That he doesn’t want you to have a “religion” experience? Please understand that He’s all about relationship! He wants a genuine and close relationship with you! I suppose many of the people of my generation grew up in churches that made a real relationship with the Lord Jesus impossible. If you were ever hurt by a legalistic church experience or church people who arrogantly thought they were doing or saying the right thing, I am here to tell you that no one can cast that first stone! Absolutely no one can cast that first stone of guilt, disapproval or condemnation because that stone is not for us to throw! Whenever you find yourself ready to cast that first stone, just remember when you needed someone to lift you up in your darkest hour! You needed acceptance and love! That is what Jesus is all about!
The line you can no longer cross
Jesus said to the woman, “Go and sin no more.” When you receive the forgiving love and gift of salvation from Jesus Christ, there’s a line that you can no longer cross.My entire life changed on the day that His hand became visible in my life. But I didn’t just wake up the next day and leave my old habits behind. I’ve made mindful decisions to change habits developed over many years. Especially now in my Christian walk, I have to continuously make mindful decisions that will enhance my relationship with Christ and with those around me. I can’t just show up to church on Sundays, to Bible study classes and to social activities. No. I have to live and breathe the Great Commission and to be the ears, hands and heart of Christ to those who are ill, to those who are discouraged and to those who need to know that God loves them. Since I am an ambassador for Christ, I have to ask myself if He would do the things I do. This means that I can no longer go to “Happy Hour” and enjoy those choice beverages that once clouded my mind! I also have to make the choice to associate with positive people who are excited about serving God because I have made Him my number one priority.

God gives us freedom to make choices!The choices that I am now making have resulted in the most peace I’ve ever known - even under difficult circumstances. Not crossing the line has also resulted in freedom – freedom that I didn’t feel before I accepted the true love of Jesus Christ! Don’t get me wrong, I still slip through the line and sometimes I stick a big toe over the line because I am human! But I no longer consciously decide to cross that line because I know whose I am! He’s my Father, He’s my best friend, He is my God!

I encourage to you to Seek the Lord while He may be found, call on Him while He is near. (Isaiah 55:6). There will be a day when that opportunity is no longer available. The Lord is asking us to step out of our comfort zones now to share His love with everyone around us. This week remember that you are loved, that you have been chosen to read this message at this time in your life and that nothing you do will ever make God not love you or much less – condemn you! You are simply too precious to Him! Share Big God Hugs with everyone around you this week!
Love,
Blanca
Follow me on Twitter - http://twitter.com/BlancaV - as I share my love for Christ in 140 characters or less! It’s a great way to share your faith with the world!

Let God meet all your needs - 2 Tim 4

Divine Note #28 - July 13, 2009
Let God meet all your needs
2 Timothy 4
1 I solemnly urge you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who will someday judge the living and the dead when he appears to set up his Kingdom: 2 Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.
3 For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will reject the truth and chase after myths.
5 But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you.
I love the way the apostle Paul makes it clear in the Scripture to the young leader, Timothy, that we have a window of opportunity to tell the world about Christ and to carry out our ministry. Ever since my life changed and I decided that God’s way was the better way, the priorities in my life shifted from my own self-centered world. Last night my daughter and I had dinner with her best friend and her friend’s mom. I didn’t really know the precious lady very well, but after we left the restaurant, she knew more about me than she probably ever wanted to know! That’s because my life is my testimony and it’s hard not to talk about the big changes that have happened in my life after I said, “Yes Lord – you take control because life is simply too hard for me to do by myself!”
Today I had a chance to tell several coworkers including my supervisor about what is happening in my life after my child leaves for college. I planted seeds that God will harvest at His pace.
I am blown away by the way I used to act like my life was so “together” even if everything was falling apart. That was harder than giving a testimony about how God has changed my life. The message of this note is to encourage you to remove your mask so others can see your heart! What are you waiting for? People need your light and encouragement now. In my hospital rounds, I’ve discovered that most patients want you to listen and pray for them - even the patients whose charts are marked "no denomination" want prayer. Patients who initially don’t want to talk usually soften up and request prayer. A staff member wanted to know why I do what I do as a lay minister. I talked to her – that’s another seed planted. Everything I do points back to doing my ministry for God’s purpose.
What are you waiting for?
Now is the time to share life and hope with those around you! You don’t have to go on a mission trip to make a difference. You don’t even have to know all the answers! Call one of the pastors and ask them to meet you at Starbucks with your friends who have questions!
But there’s nothing like understanding the Bible so that you can explain the truth to those around you.
The Bible is the Truth I was asked how I hear from God. I would say that it’s when I spend major, intense moments with Him while I’m studying His Word. I write things down so I don’t have to doubt what I know and I share those moments through Divine Notes. I like the way our pastor explained that we must interpret the Scripture correctly, and that means: 1) Knowing its context 2) Understanding its interpretation and 3) Applying it to our lives.
When you apply Biblical truth in your life, wrong becomes wrong and right is right! There are no grey colors in the Bible. This means that when you accept God at His Word -- your life will change! I’m not popular around people who advocate liberal lifestyles. I don’t judge people because that’s not my job, but you and I are tasked with providing Biblical truth, so make sure you know it.Your call to action!
It is time to get off the warmed up benches of home, more Bible studies and hobbies and move out into our neighborhoods, jobs and places where people need hope and life. There are so many people living in intolerable and sad circumstances. Carry out your divine purpose and help those around you by telling them how God changes lives! Your testimony is your ministry! Don’t wait – lives depend on you! Wake up each day and ask God what He wants you to accomplish. Set your goals and be a giver of life to those you know! Have a powerful week in the Light!
Big God Hugs,
Blanca

Let God meet all your needs - Psalm 103:1-3

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 in my life. Really, I believe the time we spent together blessed me because I could sense the depth of her faith. She’s ready for the healing to begin, so she can move on with her life.

This note is meant to encourage you if you are dealing with illness or any other type of “being human” pain. One of the things you can do is to remember the amazing things that God has already done in your life. Sometimes it’s hard to see the flowers through the weeds of life. As I was writing this message, I thought about the time He healed my knee early last year after an MRI showed that I had a seriously torn ligament resulting from a fall that the doctors said would probably require surgery. I was referred to a surgeon who promptly said that my knee was sore but no more! LORD my God, I cried out to You, And You healed me (Psalm 30:2-3).

That’s not the only miracle that God has done in my life. Remembering makes me realize that He is all powerful and that He will listen and respond to my request, which brings me to the next point…You, must come to him with faith and endurance. Whenever you ask God for something, it must be with 100 percent faith (James 1:6). When the God of the universe rules your life, you don’t have to deal with things by yourself! I will never fail you. I will never forsake you! Hebrews 13:5

Dear Father,
I come to you on behalf of my family, friends and the people who read this note to ask for your tender touch in healing their needs – whatever they are. Some of us need physical or emotional healing; others may be dealing with loneliness, financial, addiction, work or marriage stresses. Whatever the need is Beloved Lord, I ask that you allow us to open our hearts to You and ask for help. For so many years I couldn’t believe that You cared – but you do! You are so powerful, so real and so wonderful! Thank you for the honor of calling you Father! I ask for healing and endurance for everyone who calls on the powerful name of Jesus. I love you Lord. Thank you so much.
Blanca

It is my prayer that you will trust our Great God with all your needs. He never leaves your side. God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1). I also hope that you will encourage those around you who need a word of hope. Please pick up the phone or send a text message to ask a friend if you can help out. Stop and listen to your neighbors, to that elderly clerk at the store or visit a patient in the hospital. The Lord will give them strength when they are sick, and he will make them well again...(Psalm 41:3).

If you are dealing with serious issues, I encourage you to reach out to those who can pray for you and strengthen you. The Power of Prayer 13 Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray. Are any of you happy? You should sing praises. 14 Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to come and pray over you, anointing you with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 Such a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make you well. And if you have committed any sins, you will be forgive (James 5:13-15).

Get the practical help you need and then help others. You’ll be blessed just when you think you are helping others! Tell the Lord that you need some big God Hugs this week! If you are feeling grateful, then you give out Big God Hugs on His behalf!
Love,
Blanca

Also, follow me on Twitter - http://twitter.com/BlancaV - as I share my love for Christ in 140 characters or less! It’s a great way to share your faith with the world!