When getting disciplined feels unfair.

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!

If discipline was a part of your childhood, what were your thoughts after that lecture, being yelled at, the tears after that sore bottom, or being  grounded? I can recall commiserating with my brothers and the neighborhood kids/school mates about how “unfair” my consequences were. I walked in on a similar conversation between Jaz (8) and Peanut (7), and as I reflected on our talk about WHY they were being corrected, this podcast was born soon after! 🙂

Podcast highlights:

  • Correction is a part of the walk with Christ.
  • Proper chastening is needed to help us become more Christ-like.
  • The lesson learned and consistent application far outweighs the “pain” of the discipline.

Scripture references

Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him (Proverbs 22:15).

Hebrews 12:5-13

5And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaks unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:

6For whom the Lord loveth he chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives.

7If ye endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chastens not?

8But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.

9Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?

10For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but He for our profit, that we might be partakers of His holiness.

11Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.

12Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;

13And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.

Listen, BCU Fam, I am NOT a fan of being on the receiving end of correction, so with God’s grace I do what I can to stay OUT of trouble by following what God says, rather than willfully doing things my way, intentionally ignoring His voice, or repeating the same lesson over and over. When the discipline does come though, I thank God for it, because while it doesn’t feel good, it’s for MY good–being more Christ-like and making it to the Kingdom of Heaven! Besides, once we make it in, we will not remember a THING about what we went through to get there–we’ll just be glad TO be there, amen? Amen!

What are your thoughts about getting disciplined, BCUFam? 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

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BCU Q&A: Effective ministering in tough situations.

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 BCU Fam, a wonderful listener sent in a question this week, that I was led to post about this week. Here it is:

Q. “How to you minister to someone who has been Holy Ghost filled, yet they don’t feel free after walking in the Lord a while?”

How do you help them, when the scripture, if the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed (John 8:36), does not help them or somehow they find it hard to rest on that scripture?

  • Do we put them down and call them faithless?
  • Do we tell them they don’t believe God [take Him at] His word?
  • Do we make them feel less than?
  • Do we avoid them all together and say “I’ll leave them to God!”
  • All these things [knowing they need to do what God says], the person may be well aware of.. so, how do they really get help?
  • Or is there any help for them?

Wow, I thank God for the individual who sent this question in! First, let’s deal with the person who is ministering.

In any situation Holy-Ghost filled believers encounter with believer or non-believers, we should be walking in the Spirit versus walking in the flesh (Galatians 5:25). As we walk the way Christ is directing, we’ll remember that all we come in contact with is our neighbor (see Luke 10:27-37),  and we are to love them as ourselves (Galatians 5:14).

That said, in this case, love may come in a loving rebuke/correction as God directs us,  but operating in the love God gives will never set out to intentionally make someone feel badly,  ignore them or self-righteously say, “God will deal with them!” Those attitudes and treatments are rooted in pride.

Pride tells us to manipulate people by name-calling, avoiding, side-eyeing or half-hugs thereby “punishing” the individual who isn’t behaving how we would like. What that does is discourage the individual, besmirch your Christian witness and sets you up for chastening for mishandling someone made in God’s own image (see Genesis 1:27 and James 3:9).  Let’s be prayerful and ask God to help us to react the HE wants us to, versus spouting off cutting remarks and behaving unscripturally.

Next, let’s understand the individual we’re ministering to more and look at the Scripture referenced by the listener in a bit more context. In John 8, Jesus was talking with the Jewish people, of whom some believed, but many did not–and they were questioning Him. Take a look at the conversation.

31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
33 They answered him, We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?
34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever commits sin is the servant of sin.
35  And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abides ever.
36  If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

We see here that Jesus came to set the servants of sin (all of us) free from sin. So as we look at the question posed, it sounds like this Holy Ghost filled person may not be continuing in the Word of God (verse 31) and choosing truth (verse 32). Rather this individual is choosing to be in bondage and enslaved to sin (verses 33 and 34), and voiding abiding in the Son and the freedom Jesus provides.  ‘

Did you notice the emphasis on the word “choosing?” Does it sound harsh? Or maybe you’re thinking, “He can’t help it” or “But, she’s been through so much already”. I agree, he can’t help it. She sure has been through some serious tests. That’s why we need Jesus down on the inside (the Holy Ghost) to help us help it, and to comfort and  guide us as we go through.  This, along with good biblical teaching, study, prayer, fasting and Christian fellowship, helps us we to hear and recognize the voice of the Lord and continue in (hearing and doing) His Word.

Please note, having the Holy Ghost does not automatically stop us from sinning, we will always have free-will to make whatever choices we desire. God wants us to love Him more than the sin, so we should choose to obey Him. In this case, either the person is willfully and actively choosing to walk in bondage to sin, or passively allowing the sin to take over and yielding to it. Either way, it’s a fleshly choice contrary to the will of God and there is a consequence (verse 35a). Now that we understand that better, let’s look into ministering effectively.

Really, we can loop back to the first paragraph where we should be prayerful, listen and respond with exactly God is telling us to say at the time (walking the the Spirit and on kairos mode). This is done without expressing your opinion, being puffed up, or being guided by your emotions. If the person doesn’t respond immediately to what was said, or turns back to the bondage, we still want to LOVE them. Love doesn’t mean you agree, condone or support what the person is doing/ not doing, yet love continues to treat the individual with long-suffering and kindness (I Corinthians 13), as we pray until the Lord works on the heart of the person in His way and on His timing.

Bottom line: God’s love and mercy was and is still continuously extended to us in so many areas, as His disciples, we are admonished to show that love and mercy to others, along with correction, as prescribed by God. This way, God is glorified, the person is edified, the enemy is horrified and you, BCU Family member, gratified to continue in the Word of God as a good and faithful disciple and servant of our King. Amen?! Amen!

Let’s talk: What’s your reaction to our reader’s question? What advice would you give? Please drop us a line in the comments section below and we’ll continue the 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!

Love,

BCU

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BCU podcast-100 celebration FINALE: “Love and non-support.”

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 interview, please tune into the podcast recording. We pray the post blesses and encourages you.  If so, please thumbs up or leave a comment! Thank you and enjoy the post!

The BCU 100-podcast celebration-conversation is in it’s FINAL episode. We’ve been  answering your questions, proctored by my fellow teacher, sister and friend, Jewel Taylor. Let’s run down what we’ve talked about this series!

In our 100th podcast we talked about the beginning of the BCU ministry.

 In our second installment, we talked about what was difficult about the keeping the ministry going and started talking about the Dispensations.* (Innocence (1), Conscience, (2) and Human government (3), are spread over the second and third segments).

In our third segment, we ended up talking/teaching about how steward over our time properly, and that talked continued into the our fourth segment.

In segment 5, we chatted through The Dispensation of Promise, (4), talk about the erroneous mindset behind “claiming” the blessings of Abraham and the importance of keeping your treasures in Heaven.

In our next segment,  we continue our conversation and highlight heart treasures, debt and who we really work for.

In segment 6, we interrupted our Dispensation conversation to explore if Christians can be “too deep” and how saved parents balance raising unsaved children, especially around “holidays” such as Halloween.

In segment 7,we circled back to the Dispensation of Law, (5) and where we are currently, the Dispensation of Grace. (6) The common thread through our discussion was the cost of willful disobedience.

Next, we picked up right where we left off –where Jewel commented about the detriments of neglecting God’s presence. We also talked through the importance of having the Holy Ghost on the inside, and with the imminent return of Jesus to rapture His people, how we really want to walk in the Spirit vs walking in our flesh. We also finish up the Dispensations with the final one, the Millennial Reign (7).

Then,answered a question about what happens when someone leaves a church due to a bad situation and, also what happens to the responsible party. If this has happened to you, (I know I’ve been through that type of hurt myself), FORGIVENESS is paramount, BCU Family.  You can check out our studies on forgiveness here and here.

Next,we got into a controversial topic regarding attending a friend’s second marriage. This subject was controversial when the Pharisees brought it up to Jesus , and still is today. We went straight to the Word, Matthew 19:1-9 to answer that question, as the Bible is our final authority on everything.

Then, our talk continues on the subject of divorce and remarriage, yes, but moreover, how focused are we on listening and obeying God in all of our ways versus pleasing people.

Last time, we tackled a question about attending a baby shower for an unwed mother. And no, the sweet, innocent baby God blesses to come here has NOTHING to do with the question. Listen in as we expound on what the Word (Romans 1:28-32, especially verse 32) says, and my personal story on this sticky subject.

As we wrap up the 100-podcast celebration series, Jewel and I continue our conversation about “taking pleasure in” or supporting our friends and family in wrongdoing in the likes, shares, comments and sometimes, quite frankly, our silence. We also talk about the importance of treating people with LOVE, regardless of whether or not we agree with what they do.

Please click below for the podcast, and as you listen we’d love to hear your thoughts on the content in the comments section on the BlenCouragesU.com page below.

Have you become part of the BCU family? All you need to do us subscribe to BlenCouragesU.com. Subscribing is free and this is 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 and being a part of the celebration!  God bless, keep and make His face to shine upon you as you #StayOnTheWall!

Love,

BCU

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BCU podcast-100 celebration talk: “Would you attend a shower for an unwed mother/couple?”

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 interview, please tune into the podcast recording. We pray the post blesses and encourages you.  If so, please thumbs up or leave a comment! Thank you and enjoy the post!

The BCU 100-podcast celebration-conversation continues where I answer your questions, proctored by my fellow teacher, sister and friend, Jewel Taylor. Let’s run down what we’ve talked about so far:

In our 100th podcast we talked about the beginning of the BCU ministry.

 In our second installment, we talked about what was difficult about the keeping the ministry going and started talking about the Dispensations.* (Innocence (1), Conscience, (2) and Human government (3), are spread over the second and third segments).

In our third segment, we ended up talking/teaching about how steward over our time properly, and that talked continued into the our fourth segment.

In segment 5, we chatted through The Dispensation of Promise, (4), talk about the erroneous mindset behind “claiming” the blessings of Abraham and the importance of keeping your treasures in Heaven.

In our next segment,  we continue our conversation and highlight heart treasures, debt and who we really work for.

In segment 6, we interrupted our Dispensation conversation to explore if Christians can be “too deep” and how saved parents balance raising unsaved children, especially around “holidays” such as Halloween.

In segment 7,we circled back to the Dispensation of Law, (5) and where we are currently, the Dispensation of Grace. (6) The common thread through our discussion was the cost of willful disobedience.

Next, we picked up right where we left off –where Jewel commented about the detriments of neglecting God’s presence. We also talked through the importance of having the Holy Ghost on the inside, and with the imminent return of Jesus to rapture His people, how we really want to walk in the Spirit vs walking in our flesh. We also finish up the Dispensations with the final one, the Millennial Reign (7).

Then,answered a question about what happens when someone leaves a church due to a bad situation and, also what happens to the responsible party. If this has happened to you, (I know I’ve been through that type of hurt myself), FORGIVENESS is paramount, BCU Family.  You can check out our studies on forgiveness here and here.

Next,we got into a controversial topic regarding attending a friend’s second marriage. This subject was controversial when the Pharisees brought it up to Jesus , and still is today. We went straight to the Word, Matthew 19:1-9 to answer that question, as the Bible is our final authority on everything.

Last time, our talk continues on the subject of divorce and remarriage, yes, but moreover, how focused are we on listening and obeying God in all of our ways versus pleasing people. 

This time we tackle a question about attending a baby shower for an unwed mother. And no, the sweet, innocent baby God blesses to come here has NOTHING to do with the question. Listen in as we expound on what the Word (Romans 1:28-32, especially verse 32) says, and my personal story on this sticky subject.

Please click below for the podcast, and as you listen we’d love to hear your thoughts on the content in the comments section on the BlenCouragesU.com page below.

As a reminder, we are planning to answer all questions, so please, keep BlenCouragesU.com close by notification-wise, as we’re planning to continue this series through the beginning of November.

Have you become part of the BCU family? All you need to do us subscribe to BlenCouragesU.com. Subscribing is free and this is 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 and being a part of the celebration!  God bless, keep and make His face to shine upon you as you #StayOnTheWall!

Love,

BCU

BlenCouragesU1 Comment

BCU podcast-100 celebration talk: Dealing with “church hurt”.

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 interview, please tune into the podcast recording. We pray the post blesses and encourages you.  If so, please thumbs up or leave a comment! Thank you and enjoy the post!

The BCU 100-podcast celebration-conversation continues where I answer your questions, proctored by my fellow teacher, sister and friend, Jewel Taylor. Let’s run down what we’ve talked about so far:

In our 100th podcast we talked about the beginning of the BCU ministry.

 In our second installment, we talked about what was difficult about the keeping the ministry going and started talking about the Dispensations.* (Innocence (1), Conscience, (2) and Human government (3), are spread over the second and third segments).

In our third segment, we ended up talking/teaching about how steward over our time properly, and that talked continued into the our fourth segment.

In segment 5, we chatted through The Dispensation of Promise, (4), talk about the erroneous mindset behind “claiming” the blessings of Abraham and the importance of keeping your treasures in Heaven.

In our next segment,  we continue our conversation and highlight heart treasures, debt and who we really work for.

In segment 6, we interrupted our Dispensation conversation to explore if Christians can be “too deep” and how saved parents balance raising unsaved children, especially around “holidays” such as Halloween.

Next,we circled back to the Dispensation of Law, (5) and where we are currently, the Dispensation of Grace. (6) The common thread through our discussion was the cost of willful disobedience.

Last time, we picked up right where we left off –where Jewel commented about the detriments of neglecting God’s presence. We also talked through the importance of having the Holy Ghost on the inside, and with the imminent return of Jesus to rapture His people, how we really want to walk in the Spirit vs walking in our flesh. We also finish up the Dispensations with the final one, the Millennial Reign (7).

Now, we switch gears and answer a question about what happens when someone leaves a church due to a bad situation and, also what happens to the responsible party. If this has happened to you, (I know I’ve been through that type of hurt myself), FORGIVENESS is paramount, BCU Family.  You can check out our studies on forgiveness here and here.

As you listen we’d love to hear your thoughts on the content in the comments section on the BlenCouragesU.com page.

Please click below for the podcast and please stay tuned to the BlenCouragesU social media accounts (located below) for our giveaways the week of October 23-October 31, 2017.

As a reminder, we are planning to answer all questions, so please, keep BlenCouragesU.com close by notification-wise, as we’re planning to continue this series throughout the month of October and the beginning of November.

Have you become part of the BCU family? All you need to do us subscribe to BlenCouragesU.com. Subscribing is free and this is 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 and being a part of the celebration!  God bless, keep and make His face to shine upon you as you #StayOnTheWall!

Love,

BCU

BlenCouragesU5 Comments