Social Media, Bias, Jesus & Us.

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:

  • Investopedia.com defines social media as a computer-based technology that facilitates the sharing of ideas, information and building community through virtual networks.
  • Some of the earlier social medial platforms include AOL chatrooms (powered by dial-up), MySpace and Pana.ma.
  • TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, What’s app and Instagram are just a few of the top social media sites.
  • While these communities are wonderful for connection and information for many, for others, it can cause or exacerbate “cognitive bias”.
  • Cognitive bias is a distortion in thinking that occurs when people process and interpret information in the world around them (in this case, social media) and, that processing without Christ’s involvement can negatively affects our thinking, decisions and actions.
  • Our task is to allow the Word of God to govern how we think.

https://www.dailyinfographic.com/8-ways-social-media-messes-with-our-brains

Scripture references:

Fear of missing out (FOMO) | If I am not always connected, I may miss something. | Fear is not of God.

2 Timothy 1:7

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

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 84:11

11 For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.

Expectation of availability | I have to reply to every comment, post, email, message immediately. | Idolatry

Colossians 3:23-24.

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.

Galatians 5:19-21

19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,

20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,

21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

Catastrophizing |You send a message, the recipient is not responsive, so must be angry, stupid, etc.| Evil thinking

Matthew 15:18-20

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

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

20 These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.

I Corinthians 13:4-5

4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,

5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;

Unfair Comparison | She posts such nice travel pictures all the time. It’s not fair I have to struggle.| Envy.

1 Timothy 6:6

But godliness with contentment is great gain.

Philippians 4:11-12

11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

I Thessalonians 5:17

Pray without ceasing.

BCU Fam, we do not have to live fear, worry, wrong thinking, or discontentment. God is able to deliver is from people-pleasing, renew our minds in Him, so we will have a thankful heart, knowing He will supply all of our needs. Let’s pray about it!

Father, in the name of Jesus, as we come before You, today, we thank You, SO much for who You are, and what You do for us! Thank You for bringing these areas to our attention. Please forgive us for the times we allowed fear/fear of people to govern our thoughts and actions. Bless us to remember that we serve You and we will do so with distinction. Thank You for delivering us from evil thoughts about the people made in your image. Bless us to walk in the patient and kind love outlined in I Corinthians 13.

Thank You for reminding us that You are a present Help, Jesus and a supplier of our needs. Please remember those who are struggling right now financially, physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually.In any area we need help, we can call on You, Jesus for that help, and rest in the assurance that You heard our cry and will answer. Thank you for sending jobs, reconciling relationships, healing, strengthening tired bodies, setting someone free, soothing anxious minds, and healing hearts in the name of Jesus! In the meantime, You will sustain and keep our minds in perfect peace as we keep our minds stayed on You and thinking on things that are pure, honest, just, full of virtue and praise. We thank you for the victory in Jesus 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, X,and Instagram.

Also, if you so inclined, join us for our Thursday Night Bible Study––-we are LIVE on Facebook, at 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, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio, Spotify, 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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Bible Word Study: Understanding ‘Judge’ in Scripture

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:

  • This month, we will revisit the classic #BCUWord of the Week video series here and on YouTube.
  • “Judge” is this week’s word. One definition in Hebrew is “shofet” meaning, to select, decide or discern. It can also mean, “a deliverer from potential defeat” (that is very important).
  • Would you like to watch the video? Click here: YouTube | BCU Classic Word of the Week.

Scripture references

Luke 7:41-43

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.

I Corinthians 11:28-31

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.

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.

John 7:24

24 Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.

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.

Proverbs 18:13

13 He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.

BCUFam, did it surprise you that we make judgements daily as it relates to decision-making? What about the phrase “you cannot judge me”? It is a blessing to now have a deeper understanding and wisdom around this important word. With the help of the Lord, let’s make it our business to judge only according to how the Lord instructs us. Amen? Amen! Let’s pray!

Father, in the Name of Jesus, we come before You with a thankful heart for more insight into Your Word, and for helping us to judge things the way You would have us to, or not at all. We ask that You would help us to turn the spotlight on ourselves on all the areas needed to be more like You. Also, as we are speaking and commenting about things, please help us to remember to acknowledge You first, so that our speech is edifying, administers grace to the hearer and is seasoned with salt (Colossians 4:6 and Ephesians 4:29). We ask that You continue to bless and strengthen us, as we continue to walk upright before You, in Jesus name, we pray and thank You, 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, X, 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 Apple podcasts, YouTube podcasts, Pandora, Spotify, and many others podcast platforms!

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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Your choice: Store or stew?

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 couple of members of the BCU Youth Squad were talking about the cost of making unwise choices.
    • We talked through the story of Esau in a “21st century way” while keeping the integrity of the Scripture.
    • When we operate in our flesh or out of emotion/impulse, we will always make foolish now decisions that will effect us negatively later.
    • Even when we feel “pressed” we should stop and ask God what to do. His way will always be right.

Scripture references

Genesis 25:28-34

28 And Isaac loved Esau, because he did eat of his venison: but Rebekah loved Jacob.
29 And Jacob sod pottage: and Esau came from the field, and he was faint:
30 And Esau said to Jacob, Feed me, I pray thee, with that same red pottage; for I am faint: therefore was his name called Edom.
31 And Jacob said, Sell me this day thy birthright.
32 And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me?
33 And Jacob said, Swear to me this day; and he sware unto him: and he sold his birthright unto Jacob.
34 Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentils; and he did eat and drink, and rose up, and went his way: thus Esau despised his birthright.

Hebrews 12:15-17

15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;

16 Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.

17 For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning (James 1:17).

If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask Him?  (Matthew 7:11).

The bottom line here BCU Fam, is that once we acknowledge God in our decision-making,    He WILL direct our paths (Proverbs 3:6). While His instructions may feel like a “loss”, we have to remember our finite ways and thoughts are beneath God’s perfect ways and thoughts (Isaiah 55:8-9).  And as a good Father, His way will set us up for success every time, so we WILL win.

So BCU Fam, I know I’ve struggled with the store and stew situation before, but I am GRATEFUL that the Lord was/is so patient with walking me through asking, trusting and waiting. What about you?  Maybe you’ve mastered the impulsiveness with God’s help? Let’s talk about it in the BlenCouragesU.com chat section below!

As we wrap up, 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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7 benefits of investing in wisdom.

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:

  • Previously, we’ve talked about foolishness and identified different types of foolish people. Today, we’ll focus on wisdom.
  • Wisdom has MANY benefits; we are focusing on seven (7) of them.
  • Wisdom is the ability to discern or judge what is true, right, or lasting.
  • Knowledge is information gained through experience, reasoning, or acquaintance.
  • Understanding having the power of comprehension; achieve a grasp of the importance or explanation of something.
  • God set us up to be victorious in this life. That doesn’t mean we won’t have challenges, but if we are listening to His wisdom, we’ll come always be in His perfect will, hence, our decisions will be perfect. Perfect doesn’t mean without troubles, rather we are walking in God’s perfect will for our lives.

Scripture references:

1.  Powerful decision-making ability

Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding (Proverbs 4:7).

2.  Soul-love and goodness

He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: he that keepeth understanding shall find good (Proverbs 19:8).

3. Life and favor

For whoso findeth me findeth life and shall obtain favour of the Lord (Proverbs 8:35).

4. Better than money

How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver! (Proverbs 16:16). 

5. Happiness
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom and the man that getteth understanding (Proverbs 3:13).

6.  Rewarding
My son, eat honey because it is good; and the honeycomb, which is sweet to your taste:So shall the knowledge of wisdom be unto thy soul when thou hast found it, then there shall be a reward and thy expectation shall not be cut off (Proverbs 24:13-14).

7.  Keeps you as you age

 Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end. (Proverbs 19:20).

So, how do you get this wisdom?

For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. (Proverbs 2:6).

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him (James 1:5). 

BCU Fam, do you see the benefits of choosing wisdom over foolishness? Going the wise route may not be popular, comfortable or make sense, especially if we are comparing what God told is with the  world’s “wisdom” which is full of bitterness, strife and confusion. In fact James 3:13-16 reminds us that type of wisdom does not come from God,  but is earthly, sensual (based on self and its desires apart from God’s word), and devilish! With God’s help, I want to stay away from making choices that have those three connotations. Anything that is earthly, self-seeking and devilish does not set us up for the rewards of making good choices here AND will cause us to miss Heaven. NO thanks!

I opt for widsom!  How about you?

Please share your musings in the comments section the BlenCouragesU.com website and we can continue our chat!

As we wrap up,  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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A quick lesson on wisdom and foolishness.

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:

  • Wise people are defined as being discrete and judicious in the use or applications of knowledge.
  • Fools are defined as being mentally inept; dull in understanding or stupid. (yikes).
  • There are only two types of decisions: wise or foolish.
  • We are all subject to making foolish decisions no matter what our age/experience level is.
  • The willful, intentional, repeated practice of making foolish decisions is where trouble is.
  • God set us up to be victorious in this life. That doesn’t mean we won’t have trouble or challenges, but if we are listening to His wisdom, we’ll come always be in His perfect will, hence, our decisions will be perfect.

Scripture references:

Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him (Proverbs 22:15). 

Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and lean not to your own understanding. Acknowledge the Lord in all thy ways and He will direct thy paths (Proverbs 3:5-6). 

The wise shall inherit glory [what is honorable and good], but shame shall be the promotion of fools (Proverbs 3:35).

For the vile person will speak villany, and his heart will work iniquity, to practise hypocrisy, and to utter error against the Lord, to make empty the soul of the hungry, and he will cause the drink of the thirsty to fail (Isaiah 32:6).

He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed (Proverbs 13:20).

Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety (Proverbs 11:14).

A fool utters all his mind, but a wise man keeps it in till afterward (Proverbs 29:11).

Whew! BCU Fam, I have to admit, these Scriptures hit home quite a bit, but I’m grateful for it. Better to be corrected and obey now, rather than ignore and pay later. What are your thoughts? There is a comments section right here on the BlenCouragesU.com website just waiting for you to start our conversation!

Finally,  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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