We don’t have to take it…

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:

  • Last time, we talked about how in a conversation, we “give and take” with our words.
  • Specifically, we spoke about idle words, and our responsibility to ensure the words we give are profitable, edifying and give God glory.
  • What is equally as important is monitoring the thoughts, words and people we allow in our hearts.
  • If what is being said is not lining up with the Word of God, we do not have to “take” it.

Scripture references

James 1:19

19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:

Proverbs 4:23

23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

John 13:34

A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

Titus 3:9

But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.

James 2:9

But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.

Romans 1:30-32

30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,

31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:

32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

1 Corinthians 10:13

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

Ephesians 6:10-11

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

Love does not mean that we have to take in everything someone gives us.

BCUFam, we are called to love everyone. That love reminds us that everyone we interact with will not know the Lord, or may only know Him to a certain extent, so, of course we do not reject everyone who doesn’t line up with our beliefs. As people of God, we are prayerfully listen to the person while asking God how to proceed. It is worth noting our love is not a free pass to allow everyone to continually deposit unbiblical thoughts and ideas into our hearts—we do not have to take it!

For example, I know of a few “semi-habitual” givers of unbiblical speech. In one situation, the Lord gave me directions on how to handle the things to keep my heart guarded, but not without me enduring some of the conversations first. In this way, we were able to dialogue about their “unsound speech” based on the Word of God, and with the prayer that the Word would penetrate the heart of the person and make a change. Sometimes changes do not come right away, so as the Lord is dealing with the person, my instructions were to limit our conversations to keep my heart guarded, yet keep my love for the person.

Heart-guarding and conversation-limiting can be a challenge with family members, those in a position of authority, or friends who have a “strong” personality. Even so, it is imperative to prayerfully allow the Holy Ghost to lead us as to how far a conversation should go before we politely shut it down. With the help of the Lord, He will give us perfect directions on what to say and do in the Spirit, so that God is glorified, the person is edified, the enemy is terrified and the situation is rectified! 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

Singles Chalkboard: Recognize these characteristics in a man? RUN!

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 interview 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:

  • God has blessed all mankind, but especially women with attributes like knowledge, tenacity and virtue (See Proverbs 31:9-31).
  • Very often, women can be beguiled into saying and doing things that do not line up with the Word of God (See Genesis 3).
  • Because we serve a wise God, He wants women to walk in the wisdom, knowledge, instruction and understanding that He gives us.
  • So, we must understand not only what a silly woman is, but what to look out for, so we do not fall for the “okie-doke”.
  • We also want to be sure we are not walking in the ungodly attributes Paul lists in 2 Timothy 3.
  • Previously, we the why of the post along with verses 1 & 2. Then we took an in-depth look at verse 3. This time, we will cover verse 4.

Scripture references

2 Timothy Chapter 3 (KJV)

1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,

4 Traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,

7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

8 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.

9 But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as their’s also was.

So BCU Family, how has this study enlightened you on these characteristics many of us knew, but maybe had not thought too much of? I can tell you for me—TOTAL eye opener!  Please head down to the comments section to share your thoughts so we can continue our conversation!

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

BlenCouragesU2 Comments

As the (jive) turkey turns…

No time for gobble-gobble

Time for another episode of Jive Turkey-ville! I’ll tell this story with the names changed to protect the innocent (and guilty). 😀

“Ginger” has been baptized in Jesus’ name and filled with the Holy Ghost for over 10 years. Early in her walk, she was a little unstable (as most of us are) and ended up falling for a guy, “Tyrone” who was “churched”, but not saved. Ginger was so smitten, she nearly considered backsliding! Tyrone ended up breaking her heart anyway, which was likely God’s way of delivering her. Although she was hurt, Ginger knew it was best.

On occasion, Tyrone would call her to say “hi”. During one of these instances, he tried to get Ginger to let him come by for dinner (sigh, that tells you a lot right there). Disgusted, Ginger stopped answering the calls and they stopped for the next few years.

Recently, the phone rang–Ginger didn’t recognize the number, thinking it was a family member. Oh, gobble-gobble, now!!! Tyrone was on the other end!! Regretting she answered, Ginger was curt but polite. Tyrone was very pleasant, though, asking about family, what she’d been up to and things along those lines. Ginger found herself enjoying the conversation and thinking, hmmmm…maybe this dude has changed. He suggested lunch since he’d be in the area, so they agreed to Friday.

As Ginger read the Word that week, a couple of Scriptures came up.
“As a dog returns to his vomit, so a fool returns to his folly” (Proverbs 26:11). Also, Joshua 9 where the usually astute leader and his men were fooled in part because they did not “…..seek council from the Lord” (v. 14b). She didn’t think much of the “warning” until talking with the Lord during her prayer time. The Lord was telling her NOT to meet up with Tyrone..rather invite him to church.

When he called to firm up plans, Ginger let him know that she couldn’t make lunch and invited him to church. He heartily agreed and she was nervous, but excited that a soul would be coming to the house of prayer.

Sunday came and “surprisingly” dude never showed up. Nor did he call to explain what happened or come to church on his own. And funny, the calls stopped, as well. Umm hmm…anyone else smell jive turkey?

OHHH… and going back to the firm-plans call, after Ginger declined, homeboy emphatically stressed he had taken that Friday off and assured her he could still meet her. We can’t say what was on his mind, but I wonder if he had a bag packed thinking he’d be spending the weekend with his sandal dangling off his toe..who knows? LOL!!!

So while Ginger was a little miffed that Tyrone was still up to his old tricks and how she almost fell for them, she realized she followed the voice of the Lord and stayed in His divine will for her. That’s a blessing!!

Bottom line: temptations will come, but the Lord provides a way of escape
(I Corinthians 10:13) to those who choose the use the hatch!

Be blessed family!

Blen

Pic courtesy of: http://www.joystickdivision.com/2008/11/happy_thanksgiving_from_joysti.php

BlenCouragesU5 Comments