Podcast-On-The-Go – Page 17

Independence, trust & trauma

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:

Independence is an encouraged and prized trait in our culture—–especially for women.
Books, songs, and movies tout the fact that women do not need anyone at all——they can do everything on their own.
Admittedly, shifts in society, lack of resources, unforeseen circumstances, and sometimes our choices make it where women have to hold things together alone.
While some independence is needed AND a wonderful thing, too much of it is actually unhealed trauma manifesting itself in our relationships, or lack of them.*
Jesus knows all about what happened, and wants to and can heal us from the trauma and bless us to trust again.

BlenCouragesU · BCU podcast | Ultra-independence, trauma & trust | Ep 295

Scripture references:

Jeremiah 17:5-8

⁵Thus saith the Lord; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the Lord.

⁶For 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.

⁷Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is.

⁸For 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.

Proverbs 3:5-6

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

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

Psalm 147:3

He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.

Psalm 34:18

¹⁸The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.

Isaiah 55:9

⁹For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Proverbs 4:23

²³Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

The Lord will sort things out, if we let Him in.
Tweet

BCU Fam, many of us, myself included, have been on the receiving end of trauma and it can/does break your heart and spirit. For others, we may now realize we were the trauma causers. Or, perhaps, we continue in the “spirit of ultra-independence” (rooted in pride), and leave Jesus out of our circumstances——–and then things really become messy. Whatever the situation, there is an Answer! Jesus is available and is offering us help only He can give. He wants forgive us, heal us, redirect us, and make us whole. Let’s pray about it.

Father, in the name of Jesus, as we come before you, we thank You that Your presence is Here. We pray for those who have been on the receiving end of trauma, those who are going through trauma now, and those who have been through trauma and are unsure what to do. We pray now in the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, that You will speak to broken hearts and spirits everywhere, Lord! Please touch someone, even now, where they are, in Your healing Name, Jesus——speak to their heart, and please mend it and put them back together again! Please speak to the minds of Your people and help them to forgive the person(s) who caused the trauma. Bless all who are listening, who this post and prayer is for, to hear Your voice, to feel Your Spirit, and to be renewed in both heart and mind. We thank You that the trauma will no longer identify them, that they will no longer live in hurt, guilt and shame, but that they rise up in the Name of Jesus with a renewed heart, mind and spirit. Bless us to be able to deal with people according to how you would, with Your help, Jesus.

No more, will we walk around with in independence saying we do not need anyone——-rather we thank You for the people you put in our lives to undergird and support us. Bless us to know how far to take our relationships, what to do, and what to say, who to keep in our lives, and who to let go of, so that You are glorified, honored and praised. Remember and forgive those who have caused the trauma. If we were the perpetrators, help us to acknowledge what we’ve done, apologize where we need to, and not to repeat the same patterns again. Please forgive us for walking in independence and leaning to our own understanding. Bless us to remember we can depend you on You, Jesus, to help us make the right decisions. Ahhh, we thank You, Lord for making and keeping us whole in the Name of Jesus!

As the tears flow for some of us, we thank You comfort, strength, mercy and restoring relationships today! We thank you healing and delivering and we bless Your Holy name! Thank You for coming to speak to our hearts and minds and we will continue to give Your name the praise, glory and honor that belongs to You, as we live our lives out loud for and through You, Jesus! In Your 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

*The source post I refer to in the podcast–the author is unknown. If anyone recognizes the content, please let me know so we can credit the wonderful person who brought this matter to our attention. Thanks, BCUFam!

16 May 2023

BlenCouragesULeave a comment

The unjust judge

Hey there BCU Fam!

Podcast highlights:

Years ago, a pastor taught me that a parable is “an earthly story with a heavenly meaning”–and so began my love of the parables.
The “Unjust Judge” is a story about a widow who had a situation that only this judge could rectify.
The judge was corrupt, but her insistence eventually wore him down.
This parable is a good reminder that persistence in prayer in the face of adversity will keep us from fainting and, that God, our Just Judge will always avenge His elect.

BlenCouragesU · BCU podcast | The Unjust Judge | Ep 293

Scripture references:

Luke 18:1-7

1 And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;

²Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man:

³And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.

⁴And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man;

⁵Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.

⁶And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith.

⁷And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?

⁸I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?

Job 14:1

1 Man that is born of a woman is of few days and full of trouble.

Isaiah 40:31

³¹But 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.

I Thessalonians 5:17

¹⁷Pray without ceasing.

Proverbs 24:10

¹⁰If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small.

BCU Fam, persistent prayer is a necessary staple in the Christian’s life. We want to keep in mind that sometimes, our prayers are not answered “in our favor” (meaning, the way WE want) because our Just Judge has a better way of doing things. There are several things I “thought” were good for me, at the time, but thanks be to God HE KNEW differently and answered accordingly. So, when we pray consistently and persistently, God hears us, yes, but if we listen, we will hear Him, and in that, our hearts will acquiesce to His perfect will for our lives. Amen? Amen! Let’s pray!

Father, in the name of Jesus, we thank You for Your Word today and for You being our Just, Holy and Righteous Judge. Thank You for reminding us that nothing escapes Your knowledge and that You will always take care of Your elect. Bless us to remember that when we are wronged, You will right the wrong in Your way and on Your time——and that rather than us being consumed with how and when You avenge us, we want to continue praying and living so You are pleased with us in all that we think, say and do, in Jesus name, we thank You, Amen!

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

Love,

BCU

2 May 2023

BlenCouragesULeave a comment

…”It wasn’t much….

Hey there BCU Fam!

Podcast highlights:

A sweet friend of mine gave me a gift, and asked me how I liked it.
After telling the person how wonderful it was, friend remarked, “well, it wasn’t much”.
I gently scolded friend—–and let the individual know any gift given from the heart was much.
The Lord led me to talk about the “Widow’s Mite” and how Jesus sees our giving.

BlenCouragesU · BCU podcast | "It wasn't much, but…"| Ep 292

Scripture references:

Mark 12:41-44

⁴¹And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much.

⁴²And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing.

⁴³And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury:

⁴⁴For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.

Colossians 3:23-24

²³And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;

²⁴Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.

BCU Fam, this short passage of Scripture is a POWERFUL aide memoire that really has me rethinking giving and heart motives. Jesus sees everything, so we want to ensure that EVERYTHING we give and really all we do is in the right Spirit. In the final analysis, Jesus will reward us for all we do, and we want to make sure our reward is where we will be welcomed into the Kingdom of Heaven versus told to depart. Since the Lord is reminding us now, let’s all be sure to repent for any “mis-giving” and be more intentional going forward. Amen? Amen!

Father, in the name of Jesus, we thank You for Your Word today and the reminder about the heart behind our giving. Help us not to be concerned about what others are giving, or to be guilted or shamed into giving anything other than how you have led us.

Please bless us to remember that whatever we give—whether time, love, or money, talents, gifts–that we are stewards over what You have entrusted us with, and we always want to give out of a pure and cheerful heart, so you will be glorified, honored and praised. In Jesus Name, we thank You, Amen!

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

Love,

BCU

25 Apr 2023

BlenCouragesULeave a comment

God had other plans

Hey there BCU Fam!

Podcast highlights:

A few weeks ago, the Lord blessed me to record a BEAUTIFUL “impromptu” podcast.
I went to retrieve the recording and it was GONE, GONE, GONE!!!
After spending over an hour trying to recover it, the Lord led me to do another recording.
As always, God sent valuable reminders for me, which I will share with you.

BlenCouragesU · BCU podcast | The Lord had other plans | Ep 291

Scripture references:

Proverbs 3:5-6

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

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

I Thessalonians 5:18

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

James 1:2-4

²My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;

³Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

⁴But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

John 1:1
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

John 10:4-5

⁴And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.

⁵And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.

BCU Fam, with all the reminders, what really stands out to me is that we want to acknowledge the Lord in all our ways AND follow what He says. It’s really tempting to try and do all the things we want to–and that’s not necessarily wrong, we just need to be flexible enough in the Spirit so that our schedule becomes God’s schedule. This way, everything we take care of will be perfect, because He is perfect. Amen? Amen! Let’s pray!

Father, in the name of Jesus, we thank You for this day You have made and we rejoice and are glad in it. Thank You for the lost recording, for slowing me down, for the words of this recording coming directly from You and for helping me to follow Your schedule for me versus my own. Jesus, please help us as we go through our days to acknowledge You in all our ways, so You can direct our paths. Bless us Lord, as we put our trust in You and NOT lean to our own shaky understanding. Help us to recognize Your voice, as the book of John says, so we do not follow the voice of the enemy and stay on the perfect path You choose. Jesus, we want to You to be represented in our schedule and how we do things, so our lives will be a testimony to your glory, honor and praise. Thank You for blessing us to be flexible in the Spirit, to count all the divers temptations joy, and for us giving thanks in all things, because this is Your will for us. Thank You, Jesus for blessing us so that You are represented in our schedule and in how we do things, so our lives will be a testimony to Your glory, honor and praise. It is in Jesus name we thank You for this and all things, we pray, Amen!

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

Love,

BCU

18 Apr 2023

BlenCouragesULeave a comment

Redeeming your time

Hey there BCU Fam!

Podcast highlights:

As youngsters, we often “counted down” to important milestones in our lives—–birthdays, days off, driving, dating, college, etc.
In many cases, we lived for reaching whatever the date was, only to rush the count-down to the next one—– and complain about the in-between time.
As adults, that same “hurry-up and complain” mindset often resurfaces in our lives as we deal with our various responsibilities, assignments and tasks that we were assigned.
While there is nothing wrong with looking forward to enjoying the next “good” thing, our complaining about our assignments displeases God and wastes the precious time He gives us.
God can help us to be more intentional about using all the time He gives us wisely.

BlenCouragesU · BCU podcast | Redeeming your time | Ep 281

Scripture references

Psalms 118:24

This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

Matthew 5:16

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

Colossians 3:23-24

²³And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;

²⁴Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.

Psalm 133:1

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!

James 5:16 (b)

The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

Ecclesiastes 5:18

¹⁸Behold that which I have seen: it is good and comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labour that he taketh under the sun all the days of his life, which God giveth him: for it is his portion.

Enjoy the present. Amen? Amen.

BCU Fam, I really have to be intentional about not rushing through my days and wishing my time away. Otherwise, we can miss how we can be a blessing to others and God blessing us, because we are ready to get to the next good thing. With the help of the Lord, let’s enjoy all the moments God gives us, rather than complaining.

Also, there are times when we are in extreme pain, grief, sadness, distress—and it’s a challenge to rejoice in the day the Lord has made. This is when we lean more into Jesus who will carry us through moment by moment. Let’s pray.

Father, in the name of Jesus, we thank you for this day and with your help we will rejoice and be glad in it. As we commit this day to you, please bless us to be aware and intentional in our thoughts, actions and interactions that we are serving and representing You, Jesus. Thank you for helping us through the assignments and tasks that we struggle with to complete them to your glory, honor and praise. Thank you, Jesus for the job, the family, the ministry, the chores, the bills, the mountains, the valleys, the lessons, correction and the blessings you’ve graciously bestowed on us—and with Your help, we will learn to be content until our change comes.

Please remember those of us are that are enduring hardness and experiencing heart-breaking situations, where it is a challenge to function as the Word tells us to. Speak, Jesus to hearts and minds today, letting someone who is in the struggle of pain, grief, sadness–whatever it is—to hear Your voice, feel Your presence and to be strengthened by You, Jesus. Thank you for Your comfort, Your guidance, and for blessing someone today to know that You love them and are a present help. Thank you for lifting someone’s head and their hands in praise, even now, Jesus! It is in Your Name, we thank you for the victory! Amen!