Christ – BCU

It’s a heart condition…

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 had an interaction with a co-worker who had questions for an “obvious” request I made.
As I spoke to the individual, my tone and words were pleasant, but my heart was agitated and God was not pleased.
The Lord reminded me that we are in a position of service, and that starts in the heart.

BlenCouragesU · BCU podcast | It's a Heart Condition | Ep 275

Scripture references

Luke 6:31

And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.

Colossians 3:22-25

²²*Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God;

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.

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

2 Corinthians 5:10

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

Jeremiah 17:9-10

⁹The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?

¹⁰I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.

Matthew 15:18-20(a)

¹⁸But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.

¹⁹For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:

²⁰These are the things which defile a man:

2 Corinthians 9:7

Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

If the Lord was physically in front of us, how would we serve those who agitate us?
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BCUFam, I have an update! First, the Lord put me in a situation where I had to have a conversation with someone who was a bit short with me when I was asking necessary questions—and I did not enjoy how that felt and had to repent! God has a way of chastening us so we will remember what NOT to do!

Shortly after that, the Lord arranged another opportunity to interact with the co-worker from the podcast–in fact, even the request I had for them was very similar to the first one I had. Immediately, the Lord reminded me of my lessons, so with His grace, I was able to answer their questions (serve) the individual properly—with singleness of heart and being pleasing to God! It was a challenge now, but the Lord brought me through it! Glory to His name!

In this life, there will be areas of our walk with Christ that will be a bit more of a battle than others, and the Lord knows that. The good news is that these battles are not to destroy us, but to make us more dependent on and more like Christ. And when do feel the challenges overwhelming us, we can call on the POWERFUL and MIGHTY name of Jesus every step of the way and He will help us! 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 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 Amazon Music, AnchorFm, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, iHeart Radio, Spotify, and Stitcher Radio !

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

Love,

BCU

*These scriptures DO NOT condone or endorse slavery as our history recounts and many of our people remember. Mankind has a way to take the Word of God and twist it for personal gain/benefit and that’s NEVER what God intended.

According to history, in Biblical times, some were servants as a way to pay off debt, and others were servants that made a living taking care of others. Some of the servants (and perhaps employers as well) were newly saved and were getting out of order, so Paul gave directions to both parties. In modern day terms, these verses apply to the employer/employee relationship.

27 Dec 2022

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Just how GREAT is our God?

Hey there BCU Fam!

Podcast highlights:

We are now days away from the day many set aside to celebrate the birth of Christ. (Note, There is NO biblical reference mentioning when Christ was born. We’re just glad He came).
As we meditate on the miracle of His birth, and how/why He came here to save mankind (see John 3:16), the preparation and circumstances for Jesus’ arrival were orchestrated perfectly.
Years ago, God gave me this simple, yet powerful post that truly showed me how and reminded me of how powerful He is! Please listen, reflect and rejoice on the magnitude of our God!

BlenCouragesU · BCU podcast | How GREAT is our God? | Ep 274

Scripture references

Prophecy: Jesus was to be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2).

But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are little among the thousands of Judah,
Yet out of you shall come forth to Me, the One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting.”

Situation: Joseph & very pregnant Mary are in Nazareth/Galilee about 70 or so miles away from Bethlehem and likely had no reason to go there. Until…Let’s go to Luke 2:1-3.

1And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.

2This census first took place while Cyrenius was governing Syria.

3So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.

Solution: Caesar declares a tax and all people, including Joseph and Mary have to make their way to their own/home city (and with no modern transportation, I might add. Now to Luke 2:4-6).

4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David,

5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was great with child.

6 So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered.

Lesson: God used a carnal government official to make His Word/promise come to pass. He’s that powerful!! Psalms 62:11 says, “God has spoken once, twice have I heard this: power belongs to God!” That’s something to get excited about!

It’s God who is in the details. Period.
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Proverbs 21:1 declares, “the king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water: He turneth it whithersoever He will.” When we think about that, it helps us to understand who God really is and how He organizes circumstances to accomplish His will. While we may not understand or like our current situation(s), with His help, we need to trust He knows what He’s doing. In fact, Paul reminds us that “..we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose” (‭Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭28‬). While the individual situations that happen in our lives may not feel good, once the Lord finishes His masterpiece, ALL things will work together for good! With the grace of God, we’ll just hang on in here together and let the Lord have His way! Amen? 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

20 Dec 2022

BlenCouragesULeave a comment

Does your heart need healing?

Hey all,

I didn’t post last week (please forgive me) but I have a few ideas roaming around in my head and I think I will start with this one. This is something I penned years ago out of my heart and I recently found it again. So many young ones (and not so young) are going through for love when Jesus took care of that for us all. I thought I would share an excerpt with you.

There was a time I wasn’t free
There was a time I was hurting
There was a time I was being hurt
It was mental, it was physical
It was from someone who said, but “Bay, you know I love you”.

I was bound in bondage–at the time I didn’t know
The enemy had this sabotage planned
in order to forever claim my soul.

I went through life trying to mask the pain
A voice telling me I was to blame
I wasn’t good enough I needed to improve
Then he’s really love me–hey, that’s a good move.

But even with this brand new me
The changes I mad that all else could see
Wasn’t good enough for he
I was still being lied to, he’s still cheating on me

But the prayers of my parents and loved ones and friends
didn’t fall on deaf ears, for God heard and saw my pain.
And He wanted to dry my tears.

After leaving from that mess, a new freedom I’m on
I could be myself, the healing could begin
I let that bad man out of my life and let Jesus in.

To forgive me, love me and show me love.
That unconditional agape amour that comes from above
To show me how to forgive and love others, too.
And to learn to love myself and all that I do.

Love my skin, my lips, and my hair
Learn from my past mistakes, and with others I’ll share
The real way to love us yes, though a man,
His name is JESUS– it’s part of His divine plan.

To let us know to love Him first.
Trust Him to give us what we need–including a man
A real man who will love, honor and cherish me correctly
Like the beautiful, unique queen that I am.

I want women everywhere to know that true love starts and ends with Christ. He can heal your broken heart and make you whole again. He desires to fulfill all your needs, we just have to wait on Him–it’s not easy, but totally worth it. Be encouraged!

Love,

Blen

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