Back to business as usual?

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 informal format, please tune into the podcast recording 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:

  • After a LONG HIATUS we are FINALLY back, thank God!
  • Since our last time together,  our whole world changed with the onset of COVID-19.
  • Even with our churches being shut-down, we’ve learned viable, alternative ways to worship and praise God together as well as separately, devoted more time to study, deepened our relationships with God— and the church (The Body of Christ–that’s us) has not just survived, but thank God, we have thrived. 
  • As we are starting to reopen the country (that’s a whole other discussion) and ESPECIALLY our churches, should The Body of Christ really be going back to “business as usual”?

Scripture references:

Luke 18:1

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

Proverbs 3:5-6

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

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

Acts 5:29

Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

Colossians 2:8 

Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

BCU Fam, Hebrews 10:25 tells us to not forsake the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. We NEED to get together on a regular basis. My question is, as we assemble, what is the motive? Is the purpose to glorify God? Ensure souls are saved? Is there an alter call? Tarry service?

In theory, there is nothing wrong, or any sin in anniversary celebrations, revivals, meetings, or chicken dinners, but what is the purpose of the assembly? To net an offering?  If so, did God “authorize” the service? Are we having certain services because we “always” do? Are we allowing enough time for the congregation to be a witness to others besides other saints at church? Do we “have time” to witness, rest, be with our families? Or are we too caught up in services that are more of a roll call?

God is always looking at the purpose and motive of what we are doing. Can we comfortably (myself included) stand before God to answer for the motives and intent of what we were involved in? These are serious questions we need to pray and act on with God’s help going forward. In fact, as we acknowledge the Lord in all our ways, He will direct our paths (Proverbs 3:6).  If we find He is directing us away from something, with His help, we need to be obedient to Him, rather than man (Acts 5:29), or tradition (Colossians 2:8).

This is a TOUGH ONE for me BCU Fam, but something God laid on my heart to consider. How about you? Was any this content a surprise to you? Let’s talk about it in the comments section below!

If you have not already 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! 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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“You CAN’T judge me!”

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 informal format, please tune into the podcast recording 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 years ago, the Lord led to start a *BCU YouTube channel where we did an in-depth study on a word or phrase from the Scriptures. 
  • The Lord led me to share the audio/video on the word “judge.”
  • Judge [shofet in Hebrew] means to select, choose, decide or to discern.
  • We all make judgements on a daily basis.
  • Judge also means a deliverer from potential or actual defeat.
  • We often say it’s wrong to judge and in some cases it is. In many more, cases judging is needful.

Scripture references:

Luke 7:40-43

40 And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on

41 There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty.

42 And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?

43 Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And He said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.

Matthew 7:1-5

1 Judge not, that ye be not judged.

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.

Luke 18:10-14

10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.

11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.

12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.

13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.

14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

1 Corinthians 11:28-32

28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.

29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.

30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.

31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.

32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.

Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment (John 7:24).

So BCU Fam, what do you think about judging? Was any the content a surprise to you? I have to say that the judge being a deliverer spoke to me, because if I had listened to some of those who were “judging” me, I would not have had to go through some of the situations that I have encountered in my life! What do you think? Let’s talk about it in the comments section below!

If you have not already 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! 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

*I know, I have not uploaded a video in a LONG time. I’m hopeful to get back to the videos–I miss doing them! 🙂

BlenCouragesU1 Comment

Throwback post–Let’s talk about pride.

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 informal format, please tune into the podcast recording 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 years ago, the Lord led to start a *BCU YouTube channel where we did an in-depth study on a word or phrase from the Scriptures. 
  • The Lord led me to share the audio/video on the word “pride”.
  • Pride [zadon in Hebrew] means to “boil” up, to be arrogant or high-minded.
  • The sin of pride is a chosen disposition that only cares about one’s own feelings or situation.
  • Left unchecked, pride will keep us living in a frequent visitor in a state of offense.
  • Walking in humility and forgiveness how the Lord wants us to live our lives.

Scripture meditation:

 Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom (Proverbs 13:10).

Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall (Proverbs 16:18).

But when his [Nebuchchadnezzar’s] heart was lifted up, and his mind hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him (Daniel 5:20).

A man’s pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit (Proverbs 29:23).

 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world (I John 2:16).

So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses (Matthew 18:35).

So BCU Fam, what do you think about our topic du jour? Is forgiveness easy for you? What about walking in humility when being offended? Are we replaying situations that keep is living in a state of offense?  Let’s talk about it in the comments section below!

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 , and Instagram! 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

*I know, I have not uploaded a video in a LONG time. I’m hopeful to get back to the videos–I miss doing them! 🙂

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Scripture lesson: Psalm 103

Hey there BCU Family!

For this post, you have the option of listening to our podcast (click the BCU avatar below to listen), reading the notes or BOTH. Recommend listening to the podcast for more commentary. 🙂 In any case, we pray the podcast blesses you. If so, please thumbs up or leave a comment! Thank you and enjoy your study!

So this podcast/post is a special request from dear friend of mine, (I did not ask permission to use their name, so I’ll leave that out for now), who asked to read a passage of Scripture, and Psalm 103 came to mind. I realized about half-way into the reading, that I spoke on part of this Psalm a couple of years ago around this time,  but the Word of God, and this Psalm in particular, is always timely, relevant, illuminating, refreshing and encouraging.  Without further ado, let’s walk through Psalm 103:1-22!

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 forgives all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases,

4) Who redeems your life from destruction, who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,

5) Who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

6) The Lord executes righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed.

7) He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the children of Israel.

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

9) He will not always strive with us, nor will He keep His anger forever.

10) He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor punished us according to our iniquities.

11) As the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward those who fear [reverence] Him;

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

13) As a father pities his children, so the Lord pities those who fear Him.

14) For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust.

15) As for man, his days are like grass; as a flower of the field, so he flourishes.

16) For the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more.

17) But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, and His righteousness to children’s children,

18) To such as keep His covenant, and to those who remember His commandments to do them.

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

20) Bless the Lord, you 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.

Amen, amen, amen! BCU Fam, there are several passages of Scripture that speak to my heart–especially when the psalmist talks about God’s healing, redeeming, mercy and grace that is extended to his children. It is no wonder David started and ended the Psalm with “bless the Lord, O my soul!” Hallelujah!!!!!!

So what do you think of our Psalm/Scripture of the month? Should we keep that idea in the podcast/post rotation? Do you have a favorite Psalm or verse you hang onto? If you are not already on the BlenCouragesU.com site, please head there and down to the comment section so we can continue our conversation!

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! 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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