Living the Life for Life.

Hey there BCU Fam!

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 (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:

  • Last time we were together, I celebrated my 30th birthday in the Lord.
  • Although I was brought up in church, I had to learn and un-learn some things.
  • Salvation starts at Acts 2:38–that is the ONLY way to Jesus.
  • After that, the Lord will reveal other areas where we need deliverance from.
  • This is where “living the life” for life comes in.

Scripture references

James 3:8-12

8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

9 Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.

10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.

11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?

12 Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.

Matthew 18:21-35

21 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?

22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.

23 Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.

24 And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.

25 But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.

26 The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.

27 Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.

28 But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.

29 And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.

30 And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.

31 So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.

32 Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:

33 Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?

34 And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.

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

2 Peter 3:18
But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

Salvation goes past dress code, not smoking or drinking. There are other standards God wants us to walk out.

BCUFam, I truly to thank God for giving me a heart, mind, and passion to want to please Him in all areas of my life. I’d be less than truthful if I said it was always easy, I always get it right or that it feels good to the natural side of my being. Being obedient to God requires humility and sacrifice——but because we love Him, we keep His commandments and they are not grievous to us (See I John 5:2-3). We can do all God requires with His help. Amen? 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 Thursday nights––we are LIVE on YouTube 8:05EST/7:05CST. 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

BlenCouragesULeave a comment

Room A203: I’m officially 30…

Hey there BCU Fam!

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 (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:

  • Birthdays are a special time for many of us, myself included.
  • I have NO qualms about celebrating—–all birthdays are a blessing from God!
  • My “government” birthday is in April, but August 23,1992 is my REAL birthday.
  • 30 years ago this month, I was filled with the Holy Ghost!

Scripture references

Acts 2

1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.

4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

5 And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.

6 Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.

7 And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?

8 And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?

9 Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia,

10 Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes,

11 Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.

12 And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this?

13 Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine.

14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:

15 For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day.

16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;

17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:

18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:

19 And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke:

20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and notable day of the Lord come:

21 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

22 Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:

23 Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:

24 Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.

25 For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved:

26 Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope:

27 Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

28 Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance.

29 Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day.

30 Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne;

31 He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.

32 This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.

33 Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.

34 For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,

35 Until I make thy foes thy footstool.

36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made the same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.

37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?

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.

39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.

41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed?… (Acts 19:2).

“….we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God”(Acts 2:11).

BCUFam, I’d be less than truthful if I told you that the last 30 years have been a smooth, silky walk in the park of a life. Salvation does not guarantee a stress-free life–in fact, Jesus said, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33). So while trying times are a part of the walk with Christ, we can be of good cheer because of Jesus has everything under control. And even when we “feel” that tribulation, we can call on Jesus in prayer at ANYTIME day or night. We can come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:16).

When you have the Holy Ghost, Jesus lives down on the inside of you—leading, guiding, comforting, chastening and loving on you all the while. Along with so many wonderful things about Jesus, He is a heart-fixer, mind-regulator, heavy-load bearer, tear-dryer, attitude-adjuster, company-keeper, battle-axe, The lover of our soul, a Fence around us, A Rock in a weary land, a Shelter in a time of storm, A Sword, A Shield, and The Everlasting Father that always supports all His children! Who would not want to know a God like this?

If you are saved according to Acts 2:38, stay, stay, stay with Jesus! If not, today is your day to repent (be godly sorry for all your sins). Then ask the Lord to send you to a church that will be baptize you in Jesus name for the remission of those sins. Finally, ask Jesus to fill you with the gift of the Holy Ghost. The initial evidence will be you speaking in tongues–just like in Acts 2! Please note, that after repentance, the Holy Ghost may come in before you get baptized–especially if your heart is ready to receive it. Just be sure to follow up with the baptism. Please reach out to me if you need further assistance!

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 Thursday nights––we are LIVE on YouTube 8:05EST/7:05CST. 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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Special post: 10 Random facts about Blen!

Hey there BCU Family!

You have the option of listening to our podcast (click the BCU avatar below to listen–you’ll get more conversation), reading the notes or BOTH. 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 post actually lands on my birthday (thank you, Jesus!) and I thought to do something a little different—give you a little insight into what Blen is about, in no particular order. Ready? Let’s go!

  1. I’ve been reading since I was 18 months old. Now, I am NO genius at all. God simply blessed me with amazing parents who instilled a love of the printed word at an early age. I still love to read–and have countless books in the house to prove it. 🙂
  2. I learned how to say the alphabet backwards in the 3rd grade (shout out to Patricia Dickerson). I can still recite it!
  3. Sometimes, I am a serial eater. I’ll eat a/particular food(s) for a period of time and then not eat it again for months.  For example, I “discovered” asparagus and ate them almost every day for about 6 months straight. Then I quit them cold turkey–well, cold asparagus. I only eat them on occasion now. I’m working my way through my salad and cake phase. I do not see that stopping anytime soon. 🙂
  4. On the rare occasions I do eat chips, they must be the Wise Brand–golden original.
  5. I have not had a soda in years. Water/seltzer water is my go-to drink. Tea after that.
  6. I LOVE cars from the 70’s! Chevy Chevelles, Buick Electra 225’s (deuce and a quarter), Oldsmobile Regency…I could go on. Why? There is just something classic, and “let’s go to the drive-in, kids” about them (happy sigh).
  7. The first thing my dad taught me to cook was oatmeal. I STILL love it.
  8. Because I have a schedule to keep, when I have a day off/am on holiday, I like to MOVE SLOW. I do not like to rush to do anything, including eating. #SlowHurry is the order of the day.
  9. I have a deep affection for lip gloss. I may have about 5 of them in my handbag at any given time. It’s not confirmed why there are so many of them open–I just don’t  like to be without them.
  10. Two of my favorite gospel songs are “He knows” (Walter Hawkins) and “More love to Thee”(John P. Kee). #Henry Nelson #EarlySavedDays 

There you have it, BCU Family! So, did anything surprise you? Or did something on the list resonate with you? Let’s talk about it in the chat section below!

As a note, 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

BlenCouragesU7 Comments