The reminder about the dryer…

Hey there BCU Fam!

For this post, because of the informal format, please tune into the podcast recording (click here or on the BCU avatar below) and refer to the written post for the highlights. We pray the post blesses and encourages you. If so, please thumbs up AND leave a comment! Thank you and enjoy the post!

Podcast highlights:

  • Back in the day–—-when talk shows were all the rage, I was a HUGE fan of the Oprah Winfrey show, and even had a short guest spot (I may need to see if I can find that clip)😉.
  • I found some of her shows helpful in dispensing sound advice for relationships, tasks and chores.
  • One show talked about the potential detriment of leaving your clothes dryer running when you are not at home.
  • Listen in to find out how the Lord used that show to remind me of the importance of obedience.

Scripture references:

I Samuel 15:22-23

22 And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.

23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, he hath also rejected thee from being king.

Proverbs 3:5-6

5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Proverbs 9:6

6 Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.

BCUFam, I only had about 15-20 minutes left on the cycle for the clothes to dry, so I was really tempted to leave it running so when I returned home, I could get back to “Restville” a lot faster. Despite what I knew to do, the enemy came into my mind to rationalize and debate the sound wisdom God gave me with the lure of convenience, ease, and the pressure to hurry. Oh, but the voice of the Lord came to me and said, “think about what could happen…..if something did happen, it would have been 100% avoidable, if you had just listened.” And thank God I heeded the warning. Sure my day was interrupted, but it could have been altered in a way where a tragedy could have taken place. I thank the Lord for His soft voice reminding me that obedience always is better than sacrifice. Amen? Amen!

Father in the name of Jesus, as we come before you today, we thank You as always for Your Word! Your Word is wisdom in reminding us to acknowledge You in ALL of our ways and to follow through with the information and advice You give us because it is always perfect. Help us to not walk in the ways of foolishness, rather, to use the wisdom You have given us, the wisdom that comes with Your Word and acknowledging You so we are always doing things the right way. And for the times we did not acknowledge You and leaned to our own understanding, please forgive us, Jesus! Please help us, Lord going forward to follow what You say so that You are glorified, honored and praised in our lives. In Jesus name, we pray, Amen!

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, X, and Instagram.

Also, if you so inclined, join us for our Thursday Night Bible Study––we are LIVE on YouTube 8:05EST/7:05CST. You can also listen in and subscribe to the podcast on whatever platform BCU is available on. Some of those platforms are Amazon Music, AnchorFm, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, iHeart Radio, Spotify,  Stitcher Radio , and many more of your favorite podcast platforms!

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

Love,

BCU

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Nation vs. Nation

Hey there BCU Fam!

For this post, because of the informal format, please tune into the podcast recording (click here or on the BCU avatar below) and refer to the written post for the highlights. We pray the post blesses and encourages you. If so, please thumbs up AND leave a comment! Thank you and enjoy the post!

Podcast highlights:*

*Disclaimer: At the time of this post/podcast, this is a developing story. The written/spoken information may unintentional accuracies. Any information that was obtained came from credible news outlets and reporters.  

  • Recently, there was a huge kerfuffle in Alabama which started because an high-ranking employee who happened to be a seasoned African-American male, was attacked by a mob of Caucasian men while on the job.
  • The highly-charged, racially-spiked melee sparked public outrage, debates, comments and memes that celebrated various shades of unity and revenge.
  • In the midst of this developing story, the Lord reminded me these kinds of very wrong incidents are an indication of His coming back.

Scripture references:

Matthew 5:3-13

3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?

4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.

5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.

7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.

8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.

9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake.

10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.

11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.

12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

James 1:19-20

19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:

20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.

I Peter 3:8-9

8 Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:

9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.

Romans 12:19

19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

BCUFam, let me be clear——that attack was WRONG! And as the people of God, with the help of the Lord, we can defend ourselves, and assist those who need help. We see that in Luke 10 with the parable of the Good Samaritan.  

Many of the celebrations, comments, memes, and attitudes that followed the attack were steeped in an angry, vengeful spirit which is expected from the world, but should not come from the people of God, because it does not line up with the Word of God. 

Yes, we are called to love when we are hated. Love is not blind to the fact that discrimination and mistreatment does happen. Loves does not stay quiet when it is time to speak up. Love does not mean we will have a close relationship with everyone, or those that mistreated us.  The love that Jesus puts on the inside will not have us hating on, speaking ill of, entertaining  evil thoughts or plotting evil deeds to person or persons from another nation because of what was done to someone else. Love is patient, kind, rejoices in truth, bears, believes, hopes and endures all things. While that is not always easy to do (ask me how I know), the Lord is able to help us do it. Amen? Amen! Let’s pray!

Father, in the name of Jesus, thank You for another opportunity to hear Your Word, ponder what You have told us and shine the spotlight on all of us——–so we can be sure we are in right standing with You, Jesus. We want to be sure our conversations and how we feel about all the people You have created lines up with Your Holy Word. Help us to remember that James 3 reminds us that we should not use the same mouth to bless You and curse people who You have made in Your image. Bless us to remember that while people will not always do what they are supposed to do, they will not always conduct themselves in a way that lines up with Your Word, they will do nasty, hateful, ugly things against others, help us NOT to do those same things, Jesus. 

Rather, we ask You Lord to avenge your very elect that cry out to You day and night! We cry out to You, Lord, for those who are oppressed, discriminated against, harassed, mistreated and marginalized. Help us, Lord to know what to do and say, and which direction to go in, so YOU are glorified, honored and praised——-and that someone will be saved! 

Bless us not to be so caught up and distracted by that goings on in this world that we miss out in entering the Kingdom of God. We truly want our words, thoughts and deeds to be pleasing to You, so we hear “well done, thou good and faithful servant!” It’s in Jesus name we thank You for hearing our pleas and helping us. Amen!

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, X, and Instagram.

Also, if you so inclined, join us for our Thursday Night Bible Study––we are LIVE on YouTube 8:05EST/7:05CST. You can also listen in and subscribe to the podcast on whatever platform BCU is available on. Some of those platforms are Amazon Music, AnchorFm, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, iHeart Radio, Spotify,  Stitcher Radio , and many more of your favorite podcast platforms!

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

Love,

BCU

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The client, Jesus and waiting….

Hey there BCU Fam!

For this post, because of the informal format, please tune into the podcast recording (click here or on the BCU avatar below) and refer to the written post for the highlights. We pray the post blesses and encourages you. If so, please thumbs up AND leave a comment! Thank you and enjoy the post!

Podcast highlights:

  • I have been an instructor for many years—–teaching many types of classes and people on a regular basis.
  • In my “housekeeping” portions of class, I verbally and visually outline the criterion to receive credit for the session.
  • One student escalated a request to receive their class credit almost immediately after class concluded.
  • The Lord used this situation as a test for my response to the individual, and to teach me lesson about listening, waiting and trusting what He says.

Scripture references:

James 1:19-20

19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:

20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.

Isaiah 40:31

31 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Proverbs 30:5

5 Every word of God is pure: He is a shield unto them that put their trust in Him.

Proverbs 3:6

6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Psalm 34:19

19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.

Isaiah 65:24

24 And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.

Hebrews 13:5

5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

Numbers 23:19

19 God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?

BCUFam, I can relate to the client in terms of anxiousness and concern about waiting for a promise. When we feel that way, rather than lean to our own understanding, we can to go back to what the Word of God says and trust He will take care of whatever the situation is. Amen? Amen! Let’s pray!

Father, in the name of Jesus, we come before You, thanking and praising you for Your Word once again! We thank You for the encouragement, the admonishment, and for the correction. Please forgive us for the times we ran ahead of You, and tried to do Your work. Bless us to rest assured that your have heard our cry, and for believing that when You say something is going to come to pass, that it will. Bless us not be be anxious or agitated in our spirit——–and if we do feel that way, please help us to cling to You all the more, knowing that You are able to do exceedingly and abundantly above ALL we can ask or think according to the power that works in us.  We thank You for the rest You give us, knowing that You are taking care of us, Your plan is perfect, Your will will be done and Your name will be praised! In Jesus name we pray, Amen!

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, X, and Instagram.

Also, if you so inclined, join us for our Thursday Night Bible Study––we are LIVE on YouTube 8:05EST/7:05CST. You can also listen in and subscribe to the podcast on whatever platform BCU is available on. Some of those platforms are Amazon Music, AnchorFm, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, iHeart Radio, Spotify,  Stitcher Radio , and many more of your favorite podcast platforms!

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

Love,

BCU

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Love x puffed up

Hey there BCU Fam!

For this post, because of the informal format, please tune into the podcast recording (click here or on the BCU avatar below) and refer to the written post for the highlights. We pray the post blesses and encourages you. If so, please thumbs up AND leave a comment! Thank you and enjoy the post!

Podcast highlights:

  • I Corinthians 13 talks about what love does and, what it does NOT do.
  • One of the aspects of “non-love” is being puffed up.
  • Pride and being puffed up are related, and the opposite of the love we are commanded to walk in.
  • In Luke 14, Jesus teaches us a love x puffed up lesson by healing a man from a terrible condition.
  • Our interactions should always be based in love.

Scripture references:

Luke 14:1-6

1 And it came to pass, as he went into the house of one of the chief Pharisees to eat bread on the sabbath day, that they watched him.

2 And, behold, there was a certain man before him which had the dropsy.

3 And Jesus answering spake unto the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath day?

4 And they held their peace. And he took him, and healed him, and let him go;

5 And answered them, saying, Which of you shall have an ass or an ox fallen into a pit, and will not straightway pull him out on the sabbath day?

6 And they could not answer him again to these things.

Proverbs 16:18

Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

Psalm 24:1

The earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.

Matthew 6:25-34

25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?

26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?

27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?

28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:

29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?

31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

Matthew 7:2-5

2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.

3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?

4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?

5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.

Proverbs 27:5

Open rebuke is better than secret love.

BCU Fam, this was a spiritual gut check for me and I am glad about it! It is a blessing to be able to hear and receive with gladness the correction and reminders that God gives us, so that we can always be in good standing with Him when it comes to love. Amen? Amen! Let’s pray!

Father, in the name of Jesus, as we come before You today, thank You for the Word You have downloaded into us. Thank You for the encouragement, admonishment, correction and reminder as to what we are supposed to do and NOT do when it comes to love. Please bless us, Lord Jesus to never be puffed up in our dealings with people, as we remember we were once in a place where we were not pleasing in Your sight, yet You had mercy and love for us. Help us to never mistreat Your people and help us to be a blessing to all we come in contact with. And for those who we have to separate ourselves from, help us to consult and hear from You to ensure we follow Your instructions, yet continue to love the person all the while, as You love us. Most of all, please help us to exhibit, patient, kind, love that rejoices in truth, bears, believes, hopes and endures all things, so that You get the glory out of our lives! In Jesus name, we pray, Amen!

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.

Also, if you so inclined, join us for our Thursday Night Bible Study––we are LIVE on YouTube 8:05EST/7:05CST. You can also listen in and subscribe to the podcast on whatever platform BCU is available on. Some of those platforms are Amazon Music, AnchorFm, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, iHeart Radio, Spotify,  Stitcher Radio , and many more of your favorite podcast platforms!

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

Love,

BCU

BlenCouragesULeave a comment

What happened to my website?!

Hey there BCU Fam!

For this post, because of the informal format, please tune into the podcast recording (click here or on the BCU avatar below) and refer to the written post for the highlights. We pray the post blesses and encourages you. If so, please thumbs up AND leave a comment! Thank you and enjoy the post!

Podcast highlights:

  • UPDATE: The BlenCouragesU.com site is BACK UP. GLORY to God!!!!!
  • Currently, there is some sort of debacle with my domain name which is now http://www.bl-encourages-u.com. (insert face palm).
  • I tried to get this fixed straightaway, but am still awaiting a response.
  • After taking this to the Lord in prayer, we are going to give thanks and go in another direction with our format.
  • Please listen in to see which of the questions below I answered.

Scripture references:

Proverbs 3:5-6

5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

I Thessalonians 5:18

18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

Questions:

  1. What’s your favorite childhood memory?
  2. How did you meet your spouse/significant other?
  3. What is your favorite holiday movie, and what does that say about you?
  4. What has been your favorite job you’ve held?
  5. What has been your least favorite job to date?
  6. If you could go back and give your 18-year-old self one piece of advice, what would it be?
  7. Tell me about the three most influential people in your life and how they impacted you.
  8. What does your morning routine look like?
  9. What was your favorite subject in school?
  10. What was your favorite trip you’ve ever taken?
  11. What’s your favorite color, and what does that say about you?
  12. Who has been your most important professional mentor?
  13. What’s one lesson your job has taught you that you think everyone should learn at some point in their life?
  14. At what time of day do you get your best work done?
  15. What are three other podcasts you’d recommend to my audience and why?

BCU Fam, I hope you enjoyed our chat—I know I did! I confess I was a little stressed about this situation, but after taking it to the Lord in prayer, my choice was to leave it with Him and work around the situation with His help. Additionally, I was thinking to do a post like this for my 300th episode, but since things got shifted, we pivoted and adjusted as needed. Sometimes, these light afflictions come to test our faith and reliance on Jesus. With His grace, I believe I passed the test and we thank the Lord for that! Amen? Amen! Let’s pray!

Father, in the name of Jesus, as we come before You today, thank You for this special time together with my BCUFamily! And we bless Your name in the midst of the confusion that surrounds us. We thank You for the privilege of taking all of our concerns to You in prayer, and to hear Your voice as to the next steps we should take. As many of us wait for You to handle our situations, we thank You for helping us to maintain a demeanor and countenance that reflects You at all times, so that You are praised and honored in our lives! In Jesus name, we thank You, Amen!

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.

Also, if you so inclined, join us for our Thursday Night Bible Study––we are LIVE on YouTube 8:05EST/7:05CST. You can also listen in and subscribe to the podcast on whatever platform BCU is available on. Some of those platforms are Amazon Music, AnchorFm, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, iHeart Radio, Spotify,  Stitcher Radio , and many more of your favorite podcast platforms!

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

Love,

BCU

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