2017 lesson: Dealing with betrayal (part 2)

Hey 👋🏾 there BCU Family!

Typically, you have the option of listening to our podcast, reading the notes or both. For this post, because of the conversational story, please tune into the podcast recording and refer to the written post for the highlights and corresponding Scriptures. We pray the post blesses and encourages you.  If so, please thumbs up AND leave a comment! Thank you and enjoy the post!

Last time we were together, we talked through a situation where I was betrayed and hurt by people whom I loved and trusted—and more importantly the lessons that the Lord taught me through what happened. Today, we bring you the second part and final part of our betrayal podcast.

Podcast highlights:

  • Offenses will come..and ANYONE we come in contact with is subject to offending us.
  • Hurt and anger are natural, normal emotions to being offended, yet we are responsible for how we react toward the persons. (Matthew 18 is an awesome Scripture reference and shows the blueprint of how do deal with an offense).
  • Forgiveness is REQUIRED.
  • Accept the apology you may never receive.

Scripture references

Woe unto the world because of offenses! for it must needs be that offenses come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh! (Matthew 18:7).

Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven (Matthew 18:21-22).

“For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses (Matthew 6:14-15).

Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord (Romans 12:19).

For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body (James 3:2).

The discretion of a man defers his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression (Proverbs 19:11).

Love suffers long…(I Corinthians 13:4).

So, BCU Fam, as HURTFUL as this situation was, I thank God for Jesus taking away the pain, so much so, that I can (through Him only), continue to see and work with the offenders as if nothing ever happened. That’s how you KNOW God is working in your life! Glory to God!

And He can and will do the same for you–as we humble ourselves to Jesus in prayer and ask Him to forgive us for holding on to the grudge and to forgive the offender. We also can ask for the grace to ask someone for forgiveness as well. I am a witness, once you do, you’ll feel so much better in you spirit, mind and body–AND  you’ll know you are more Christ-like in the process. That’s the goal we’re striving for, amen?! Amen!

Have you ever been betrayed or hurt by a co-worker, spouse, friend or family member? How did you handle it? There’s a comment section here on the BCU site, just ripe for us to continue our conversation!

In the meantime, if you have not subscribed to BlenCouragesU.com, please do so! It’s free and a good place to get the encouragement, inspiration and information based the Word of God! Additionally, you can also see what we are up to on Facebook, Twitter , Instagram, and  YouTube! You can also listen in and subscribe to the podcast on Stitcher Radio , Google Play, and Apple podcasts!

Thank you SO much for stopping by. God bless, keep and make His face to shine upon you as you #StayOnTheWall!

Love,

BCU

BlenCouragesU1 Comment

2017 lesson: Dealing with betrayal

Hey 👋🏾 there BCU Family!

Typically, you have the option of listening to our podcast, reading the notes or both. For this post, because of the conversational story, please tune into the podcast recording and refer to the written post for the highlights and corresponding Scriptures. We pray the post blesses and encourages you.  If so, please thumbs up AND leave a comment! Thank you and enjoy the post!

As many of us reflect back on 2017, I like to document what the Lord has taught me and share those lessons with all of you. This podcast reflects on a situation where I was betrayed and hurt by people whom I loved and trusted. And yes, with God’s grace, I STILL love them.

Podcast highlights:

  • Who are we REALLY putting our trust in?
  • Our flesh and/or the enemy is really behind any and all discord, as he hates unity.
  • Our flesh is designed to fail.
  • We should not put people on a level that is equal to God.
  • Offenses will come..and ANYONE we come in contact with is subject to offending us.
  • Hurt and anger are natural, normal emotions to being offended, yet we are responsible for how we react toward the persons. (Matthew 18 is an awesome Scripture reference).

Scripture references

v5 Thus saith the Lord; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the Lord.

v6 For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good cometh; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land and not inhabited.

v7 Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is.

v8 For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.
(Jeremiah 17:5-8).

Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh! (Matthew 18:7). 

So, BCU Fam, this was a TOUGH lesson to go through, you hear me? When you get hurt by people who are close to you, it cuts much worse than when a stranger does. How do we react with the persons after the incident? Stay tuned for the part 2 of this post for what the Word of God tells us to do.

Have you ever been betrayed or hurt by a co-worker, spouse, friend or family member? How did you handle it? There’s a comment section here on the BCU site, just ripe for us to continue our conversation!

In the meantime, if you have not subscribed to BlenCouragesU.com, please do so! It’s free and a good place to get the encouragement, inspiration and information based the Word of God! Additionally, you can also see what we are up to on Facebook, Twitter , Instagram, and  YouTube! You can also listen in and subscribe to the podcast on Stitcher Radio , Google Play, and iTunes!

Thank you SO much for stopping by. God bless, keep and make His face to shine upon you as you #StayOnTheWall!

Love,

BCU

BlenCouragesU8 Comments

A Christmas message: Who is Jesus to YOU?

Hey 👋🏾 there BCU Family!

As usual, you have the option of listening to our podcast (click the BCU avatar below to listen), reading the notes or BOTH. In any case, we pray the post blesses you. If so, please thumbs up or leave a comment! Thank you and enjoy the post!

So, the youth at our church always do a marvelous job in their skits and plays around the birth of Christ.  I thought I’d re-share a written excerpt from the “sermon” scene from one of plays the young people wrote. The sermon was performed by a friend of mine, Matthew Vialva years ago. Take a look/listen!

“You see church, some folk saw Jesus, just as a prophet or teacher, Abba, Rabbi, and a good preacher. But for those that really know His Holy pages, we know:
To the geologist He is the Rock of Ages.
To the Doctor, He is the Great Physician
To the Carpenter, He is the Master Builder.
And any foundation, needs a Chief Cornerstone.
A Lawyer, you never need one, cause we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous—HALLELUJAH!
To the Astronomer, He is the Bright and Morning Star,
To the Botanist, He is the Lily of the Valley….
If you’re wandering today, The Good Shepard will find you and never again shall you want.

Christmas isn’t about gifts. If we want, we ask Jesus because the Earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, including the North Pole!

Santa Claus is not the boss, Rudolph had a shiny nose, but when you have Jesus, your WHOLE body glows!

St. Nick is not the pick, Kris Kringle can a ding dingle, but when the trump sounds, Santa Claus ain’t comin’ to town.

It’s JESUS, JESUS, JESUS.

Now… let the Christmas Spirit, who is King Jesus reign in your life!”

BCU family, even after all these years, these words still resonate in my spirit–especially the end where Jesus was repeated! There’s something about the name “Jesus” that stirs you UP on the inside! GLORY!!!!! What what your favorite part? Please head to the comment section below and let’s continue our conversation!

As a reminder, if you have not subscribed to BlenCouragesU.com, please do so! It’s free and a good place to get the encouragement, inspiration and information based the Word of God! Additionally, you can also see what we are up to on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and now YouTube! You can also listen in and subscribe to the podcast on Stitcher Radio , Google Play, and Apple podcasts!

Thank you SO much for stopping by. God bless, keep and make His face to shine upon you as you #StayOnTheWall!

God bless you this Christmas and always!

Love,

BCU

BlenCouragesU2 Comments

Why isn’t she HELPING me serve?

Hey 👋🏾 there BCU Family!

Typically, you have the option of listening to our podcast, reading the notes or both. For this post, because of the conversational story, please tune into the podcast recording and refer to the written post for the highlights and corresponding Scriptures. We pray the post blesses and encourages you.  If so, please thumbs up or leave a comment! Thank you and enjoy the post!

Podcast highlights:

      • Based on our Periscope* on Stewardship/procrastination study from Luke 10:38-41–the familiar story of wise, attentive Mary and “careful”, troubled Martha.

38 Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.
39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word.
40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.
41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:
42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

  • Careful and troubled mean anxious, distracted,  drawn away from what’s important, AND busy with who all is doing what, aka “busybody”.
  • I Peter 4:15 tells us NOT to be a thief, murderer, evildoer or BUSYBODY in other folks’ matters.
  • Noticing something is different from focusing on it.

Whew! This was a sobering, but needful lesson, BCUFam! What are your thoughts on busybody-ness? Share with me–how hard is it to stay focused on what God has called you to do–especially when/if we feel like they are not “helping you serve” Is it a  struggle?  There’s a comment section here on the BCU site, just ripe for us to continue our conversation!

In the meantime, if you have not subscribed to BlenCouragesU.com, please do so! It’s free and a good place to get the encouragement, inspiration and information based the Word of God! Additionally, you can also see what we are up to on Facebook, Twitter , Instagram, and  YouTube! You can also listen in and subscribe to the podcast on Stitcher Radio , Google Play, and Apple podcasts!

Thank you SO much for stopping by. God bless, keep and make His face to shine upon you as you #StayOnTheWall!

Love,

BCU

*Join us on Periscope every Thursday night at 8:05pmEST on channel BlenCouragesU.

BlenCouragesU4 Comments

BCU Resource: complimentary stewardship/time management document

Hey there BCU Fam!

As many of you know, we are currently studying time management in our live Periscope study held on Thursday nights at 8:05pm on Periscope/BlenCouragesU. On this Thursday, (December 14, 2017), we’re planning* to talk practically about managing our time better with the “Eisenhower” quads, updated with Scripture and a little BCU flavor! 🙂 You are MORE than welcome to join us!

Feel free to download the .PDF file>> BCU Quad Matrix Dec 2017 <<ahead of our class, so you can print and fill it on as we go, or you can take notes and fill it in later. If you miss the class, check the BCU Facebook page for the replay, or it may be posted here, as well.

If you need a different version of the Quad (i.e. Excel or Numbers document), just email Blen@BlenCouragesU.com with BCU Quad in the subject line and your information,  or, let me know on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, and we’ll get you hooked up!

Thank you SO much for stopping by. God bless, keep and make His face to shine upon you as you #StayOnTheWall!

 

Love,

BCU

 

*The subject of the Periscope is subject to change, per the Lord’s kairos will. 🙂

 

 

P.S. Here is the filled in Quad>> BCU Quad Complete 2017<<

 

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