God had other plans

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:

  • 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.

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.

James 1:2-4

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

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

4 But 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

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

5 And 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!

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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Psalm 103 (and a little more) | Part 2.

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:

  • Psalms is one of the best-known and likely most quoted books of the Bible.
  • While some refer to the Psalms as “chapters” or “divisions”, the Psalms are actually arranged in five books.
  • In part 1 of our chat, walked through Psalm 103 (book 4), verses 1-12. Today, we will finish up with verses 13-22.
  • Main theme: This Psalm tells us the many ways God cares for us.

Psalms 103:13-22

13 Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him.

14 For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.

15 As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.

16 For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.

17 But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children’s children;

18 To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.

19 The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.

20 Bless the Lord, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.

21 Bless ye the Lord, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure.

22 Bless the Lord, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the Lord, O my soul.

BCU Fam, as I read through the latter half of this Psalm, I am reminded that we have a time to flourish in this life, so with God’s help, I want to use the time He gives me here wisely—-living for Him. How about you? When I read that His mercy is from everlasting to everlasting–I am grateful to God for that extension of mercy to even my generation, so I could know the Lord in His fullness. Is that something to be thankful for? And finally, the Psalm ends in a praise to God for all His works! Let’s do that together as we pray!

Father, in the name of Jesus, we bless Your Holy Name today for ALL of the benefits You give us! We thank You once again for your lovingkindness, tender mercies, and forgiveness. We especially thank You for remembering we are fragile, but Your care is eternal. Thank You for the compassion and mercy You have graciously extended to us and for the reminder to keep Your commandments with the days you give us. Finally, we just bless Your name with all that is within us and everything, everything, everything that is within us! In Jesus name, we pray, Amen!

As a reminder, the comments section is open —tell us what you thought about the post! Also, 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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From Hosanna to Heaven

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:

  • As “Holy Week” approaches, many Christians the remember the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus.
  • For years, there have been great debates on the “appropriateness” of celebrating Resurrection Day—-citing not knowing the day Jesus rose, and all the secular references—the bunny, eggs, chocolate and pagan origins of Easter (all valid points).
  • That said, Jesus dying for our sins was a bloody and painful sacrifice for all of us that we should always remember.
  • For those who know Jesus in the pardoning of their sins, we understand and celebrate the biblical and life-changing momentousness of His resurrection.

John 12:13

12 On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem,

13 Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord.

Matthew 27:26-50

26 Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.

27 Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers.

28 And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe.

29 And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews!

30 And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head.

31 And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him.

32 And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross.

33 And when they were come unto a place called Golgotha, that is to say, a place of a skull,

34 They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink.

35 And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots.

36 And sitting down they watched him there;

37 And set up over his head his accusation written, This Is Jesus The King Of The Jews.

38 Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left.

39 And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads,

40 And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross.

41 Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said,

42 He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him.

43 He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God.

44 The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth.

45 Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour.

46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

47 Some of them that stood there, when they heard that, said, This man calleth for Elias.

48 And straightway one of them ran, and took a spunge, and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink.

49 The rest said, Let be, let us see whether Elias will come to save him.

50 Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.

John 3:16-17

16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

Mark 16:1-7

1 And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him.

2 And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun.

3 And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre?

4 And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great.

5 And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted.

6 And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him.

7 But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you.

John 16:7

7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

Acts 2:38

38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

BCU Fam, I started the podcast to highlight one word and ended up emotionally recalling some of the pain Jesus went through as He sacrificed His life for ALL of us. When I think about what Jesus went through to save us, with His help, it compels me to live in a way that honors His life daily and points others to Jesus being the Way, the Truth and the Life. Let’s pray.

Father, in the name of Jesus, as we come before you today, we want to thank You for this reminder of what You have done for us,Jesus. Thank you for a look back over the Scriptures from Palm Sunday, to the day You died and rose in triumph! We thank and praise You, Jesus for being the ultimate sacrifice for ALL of us—–no matter where we live, our ethnicity, the language we speak—-salvation is available for everyone! We are grateful that You still save, Jesus! Thank You for the Comforter in the way of the Holy Ghost that lives down on the inside of us. As we go through some of the tough trials in this life, Lord, and we feel like we cannot go on, bless us to remember Your sacrifice for us and that we can rely on Your strength to help us along the way. Remember those who are on the fence about giving their lives to you, Jesus. Help them to push past the lies of the enemy, so that they can experience Your saving power. It’s in Jesus name we thank You for this and all things, we pray and bless You, Amen!

As a reminder, the comments section is open —tell us what you thought about the post! Also, 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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Psalm 103 (and a little more).

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:

  • Psalms is one of the best-known and likely most quoted books of the Bible.
  • While some refer to the Psalms as “chapters” or “divisions”, The Psalms are actually arranged in five books.
  • Today’s focus is from Psalm 103 (book 4) We’ll look at verses 1-12.
  • Main theme: This Psalm tells us the many ways God cares for us.

Book One——Psalms 1-41

  • David is the author
  • God is usually referred to as “The Lord”.
  • Key verse: The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want (Psalm 23:1).

Book Two——-Psalms 42-72

  • Eighteen psalms are penned by David and the remainder by Korah and his descendants.
  • The Lord is mostly referred to as “God”.
  • Key verse: The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise (Psalm 51:17).

Book 3———–Psalms 73-89

  • Mostly written by Asaph and Korah and his descendants.
  • The Lord is mostly referred to as “God”.
  • Key verse: Turn us again, O God, and cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved (Psalm 80:3).

Book 4———–Psalms 90-106

Book 5————Psalms 107-150

  • Fifteen Psalms name David as the author.
  • These psalms are mostly for worship and praise and God is usually referred to as “The Lord”.
  • Key verse: They that trust in the Lord shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever (Psalm 125:1).

Psalms 103:1-12

1 Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless His holy name.

2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits:

3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; Who healeth all thy diseases;

4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; Who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;

5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

6 The Lord executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.

7 He made known his ways unto Moses, His acts unto the children of Israel.

8 The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.

9 He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever.

10 He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.

11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward them that fear him.

12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath He removed our transgressions from us.

BCU Fam, when we read through this Psalm, it really does tell us how much the Lord loves us! I am so grateful for all He does for us, especially His redemption and assurance of forgiveness——thank you, Jesus!!! My intent was to read this Psalm in it’s entirety, but the Lord gave me so much good background information, I just had to share with you all! Lord will, we will finish up the next time we are together. In the meantime, let’s pray!

Father, in the name of Jesus, we thank You for this exposition and closer look at Your Word. We thank You for this Psalm reminding us for the benefits You give us and we are so thankful for them! We want to thank You for crowning us with lovingkindness and tender mercies. Thank You, Jesus for satisfying our mouths with good things, for forgiving us for our transgressions, and we especially thank You for the privilege for being able to bless Your Holy name! Help us to remember this Word as we go through the day and to apply it so You will be glorified, honored and lifted up in our lives. Thank You for this time together and for all You do, in Jesus name we bless You, Amen!

As a reminder, the comments section is open —tell us what you thought about the post! Also, 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

BlenCouragesU2 Comments

The sauce story

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 am not the most organized person in certain areas, however I do like order for certain things.
  • Lack of preparedness is one of those things–I have a hard time functioning with “thoughtless” last-minute requests.
  • I accepted one such request and was very displeased about it—murmured and fussed for a good bit of time, BCUFam!
  • The Lord heard my cry and answered it in way that I was not prepared for, but it blessed me!

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.

Psalm 63:1

1 O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;

Philippians 2:12-15

12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings:

15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;

Colossians 3:23-25

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

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

25 But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.

BCU Fam, when we think about those verses, it helps puts our tasks and assignments in a proper and godly perspective, doesn’t it? Note that we may feel some sort of emotion about what we need to do (upset, angry, frustrated, etc), and that is fine—–for a mature/maturing Christian, that is a signal for us to take our feelings to the Lord in prayer. This way, He calms our feelings down, speaks to our hearts, teaches us the lesson(s) from the situation, blesses us to get through the tasks, and with His help we walk out Philippians 2:12-15 and Colossians 3:23-25. Amen? Amen! Let’s pray!

Father, in the name of Jesus, we thank You for this day You have made–we rejoice and are glad in it. As we come before you, we are reminded that whatever tasks, assignments and projects, You assign us, they should be done in a way that reflects You, Jesus. While we do/did not always get it right, from this point forward and with Your help, please bless us to carry out our duties with excellence and distinction in Your Name and with Your strength, Jesus. Help us to remember to acknowledge You in all of our ways, and to respond according to Your instructions versus being cajoled or guilted into doing things You have not authorized us to do. Please help us in the care-taking, administrative tasks, dealing with difficult people, and all the tough day-to-day things we do not always enjoy doing. Please give us the grace, strength, wisdom, knowledge and understanding to help us complete our tasks successfully so You are glorified, honored and praised, and we are blameless, harmless, without rebuke, considered Your children, and lights in this crooked and perverse nation. It’s in Your Name, Jesus, that we thank You for granting our request and all You do for us, we pray and we bless Your name, 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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