Love x puffed up

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 Corinthians 13 talks about what love does and, what it does NOT do.
  • One of the aspects of “non-love” is being puffed up.
  • Pride and being puffed up are related, and the opposite of the love we are commanded to walk in.
  • In Luke 14, Jesus teaches us a love x puffed up lesson by healing a man from a terrible condition.
  • Our interactions should always be based in love.

Scripture references:

Luke 14:1-6

1 And it came to pass, as he went into the house of one of the chief Pharisees to eat bread on the sabbath day, that they watched him.

2 And, behold, there was a certain man before him which had the dropsy.

3 And Jesus answering spake unto the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath day?

4 And they held their peace. And he took him, and healed him, and let him go;

5 And answered them, saying, Which of you shall have an ass or an ox fallen into a pit, and will not straightway pull him out on the sabbath day?

6 And they could not answer him again to these things.

Proverbs 16:18

Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

Psalm 24:1

The earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.

Matthew 6:25-34

25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?

26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?

27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?

28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:

29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?

31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

Matthew 7:2-5

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.

Proverbs 27:5

Open rebuke is better than secret love.

BCU Fam, this was a spiritual gut check for me and I am glad about it! It is a blessing to be able to hear and receive with gladness the correction and reminders that God gives us, so that we can always be in good standing with Him when it comes to love. Amen? Amen! Let’s pray!

Father, in the name of Jesus, as we come before You today, thank You for the Word You have downloaded into us. Thank You for the encouragement, admonishment, correction and reminder as to what we are supposed to do and NOT do when it comes to love. Please bless us, Lord Jesus to never be puffed up in our dealings with people, as we remember we were once in a place where we were not pleasing in Your sight, yet You had mercy and love for us. Help us to never mistreat Your people and help us to be a blessing to all we come in contact with. And for those who we have to separate ourselves from, help us to consult and hear from You to ensure we follow Your instructions, yet continue to love the person all the while, as You love us. Most of all, please help us to exhibit, patient, kind, love that rejoices in truth, bears, believes, hopes and endures all things, so that You get the glory out of our lives! 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, 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 whatever platform BCU is available on. Some of those platforms are Amazon Music, AnchorFm, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, iHeart Radio, Spotify,  Stitcher Radio , 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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Independence, trust & trauma

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:

  • Independence is an encouraged and prized trait in our culture—–especially for women.
  • Books, songs, and movies tout the fact that women do not need anyone at all——they can do everything on their own.
  • Admittedly, shifts in society, lack of resources, unforeseen circumstances, and sometimes our choices make it where women have to hold things together alone.
  • While some independence is needed AND a wonderful thing, too much of it is actually unhealed trauma manifesting itself in our relationships, or lack of them.*
  • Jesus knows all about what happened, and wants to and can heal us from the trauma and bless us to trust again.

Scripture references:

Jeremiah 17:5-8

5 Thus saith the Lord; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the Lord.

6 For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good cometh; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land and not inhabited.

7 Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is.

8 For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.

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 147:3

He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.

Psalm 34:18

18 The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.

Isaiah 55:9

9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Proverbs 4:23

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

The Lord will sort things out, if we let Him in.

BCU Fam, many of us, myself included, have been on the receiving end of trauma and it can/does break your heart and spirit. For others, we may now realize we were the trauma causers. Or, perhaps, we continue in the “spirit of ultra-independence” (rooted in pride), and leave Jesus out of our circumstances——–and then things really become messy. Whatever the situation, there is an Answer! Jesus is available and is offering us help only He can give. He wants forgive us, heal us, redirect us, and make us whole. Let’s pray about it.

Father, in the name of Jesus, as we come before you, we thank You that Your presence is Here. We pray for those who have been on the receiving end of trauma, those who are going through trauma now, and those who have been through trauma and are unsure what to do. We pray now in the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, that You will speak to broken hearts and spirits everywhere, Lord! Please touch someone, even now, where they are, in Your healing Name, Jesus——speak to their heart, and please mend it and put them back together again! Please speak to the minds of Your people and help them to forgive the person(s) who caused the trauma. Bless all who are listening, who this post and prayer is for, to hear Your voice, to feel Your Spirit, and to be renewed in both heart and mind. We thank You that the trauma will no longer identify them, that they will no longer live in hurt, guilt and shame, but that they rise up in the Name of Jesus with a renewed heart, mind and spirit. Bless us to be able to deal with people according to how you would, with Your help, Jesus.

No more, will we walk around with in independence saying we do not need anyone——-rather we thank You for the people you put in our lives to undergird and support us. Bless us to know how far to take our relationships, what to do, and what to say, who to keep in our lives, and who to let go of, so that You are glorified, honored and praised. Remember and forgive those who have caused the trauma. If we were the perpetrators, help us to acknowledge what we’ve done, apologize where we need to, and not to repeat the same patterns again. Please forgive us for walking in independence and leaning to our own understanding. Bless us to remember we can depend you on You, Jesus, to help us make the right decisions. Ahhh, we thank You, Lord for making and keeping us whole in the Name of Jesus!

As the tears flow for some of us, we thank You comfort, strength, mercy and restoring relationships today! We thank you healing and delivering and we bless Your Holy name! Thank You for coming to speak to our hearts and minds and we will continue to give Your name the praise, glory and honor that belongs to You, as we live our lives out loud for and through You, Jesus! In Your 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, 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 whatever platform BCU is available on. Some of those platforms are Amazon Music, AnchorFm, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, iHeart Radio, Spotify,  Stitcher Radio , 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

*The source post I refer to in the podcast–the author is unknown. If anyone recognizes the content, please let me know so we can credit the wonderful person who brought this matter to our attention. Thanks, BCUFam!

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Happy Holidays?

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:

  • As of this post, we are in the beginning of December, and the holiday season is in full swing.
  • For many of us, this is a time to gather and celebrate with one another, especially family.
  • For others, this time of year is difficult as they grieve the loss of their loved ones.
  • Through a conversation, the Lord taught me a lesson on having compassion and understanding for those who are heavy-hearted right now.

Scripture references

Ruth 1:19-21

19 So they two went until they came to Bethlehem. And it came to pass, when they were come to Bethlehem, that all the city was moved about them, and they said, Is this Naomi?

20 And she said unto them, Call me not Naomi, call me Mara: for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me.

21 I went out full and the Lord hath brought me home again empty: why then call ye me Naomi, seeing the Lord hath testified against me, and the Almighty hath afflicted me?

Proverbs 25:20

As he that taketh away a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to an heavy heart.

Proverbs 12:25

Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.

Job 2:11-13

11 Now when Job’s three friends heard of all this evil that was come upon him, they came every one from his own place; Eliphaz the Temanite, and Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite: for they had made an appointment together to come to mourn with him and to comfort him.

12 And when they lifted up their eyes afar off, and knew him not, they lifted up their voice, and wept; and they rent every one his mantle, and sprinkled dust upon their heads toward heaven.

13 So they sat down with him upon the ground seven days and seven nights, and none spake a word unto him: for they saw that his grief was very great.

Isaiah 50:4

The Lord God hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned.

He said, “the holidays are not happy for everybody.” I really wanted to say something to make it better.

BCUFam, we are human, and the death of our loved ones HURTS! And it’s natural to miss their physical presence, especially at certain times of the year.

Now, it is hard to watch someone grieve––and it is also natural and CORRECT to want to comfort the person. God knows what you should say (if anything), and will lead you accordingly if you ask. Proverbs 25:11 says, “a word spoken fitly is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.” When you think of what a stunning vision that is, how awesome would it be to speak that way? Ask God how. And know that sometimes, just a listening ear, a quiet shoulder, or just your silent presence can speak volumes. 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 Podcasts, 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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Not just me, myself and I..

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:

  • As of this post, in the United States, we just celebrated Thanksgiving and the holiday season is officially here.
  • While I realize that not everyone celebrates Christmas, for many, this is also a season of giving to others.
  • Giving should not be seasonal, in fact, it is biblical for us to look after the needs of others.

Scripture references

Philippians 2:1-4

If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,

2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.

3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

James 2:26

For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

Matthew 5:16

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Mark 2:1-12

 And again he entered into Capernaum after some days; and it was noised that he was in the house.

2 And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: and he preached the word unto them.

3 And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four.

4 And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay.

5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.

6 But there was certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts,

7 Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only?

8 And immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, he said unto them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts?

9 Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk?

10 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,)

11 I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house.

12 And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion.

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.

Galatians 6:9

And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

Jesus never encouraged only looking after ourselves. Selfishness is not a fruit of the Spirit.

BCUFam, if one person looked after the needs of one other person, many issues in this world would be eradicated. Because we live in this world the enemy is prince (for now, anyway—-see John 12:31), the spirit of selfishness, gain and greed are with us. Think about it——-the wars, poverty, inflated prices, hatred, envy—–these maladies adversely effect others and develop from a lustful, prideful, spirit which does NOT come from God (I John 2:16). Since we know this spirit will be with us until Jesus comes back, as people who love Him and live by biblical principals, with His help, let us continue to give and take care of others as God leads us. We may not be able to help everyone, but all of us can assist someone else.

And be reminded that tending to the needs of others is not just monetary, but acts of service, giving of your time, talents, gifts, out of your abundance, praying, listening, advising, encouraging, teaching or even just being present. Just ask acknowledge The Lord as to what to do (Proverbs 3:6), and He will direct your paths on what to do. 🙂 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

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How should you handle the scoffers in your life?

 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 conversational story, please tune into the podcast recording and refer to the written post for the highlights and corresponding Scriptures. We pray the post blesses and encourages you. If so, please thumbs up AND leave a comment! Thank you and enjoy the post!

The beautiful story of Jesus healing the daughter of Jarius is a familiar passage of Scripture that serves up a few lessons we can apply to our daily lives. That’s right! Take a listen to the podcast (click on the icon below), while reading the highlights and Scripture text.

Podcast highlights:

  • Jesus had already agreed to heal the little girl by virtue of the fact He was on His way to the house of Jairus.
  • The “delay” to get to Jarius’ daughter was intentional.
  • When you’re on assignment for Jesus, you can’t take everyone with you.
  • Scoffers breed fear–which, in turn produces unbelief in you.
  • There comes a time where you need to put scoffers out!

Scripture text

22 And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw him, he fell at his feet,

23 And besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live.

24 And Jesus went with him; and much people followed him, and thronged him.

35 While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house certain which said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further?

36 As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe.

37 And he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James.

38 And he cometh to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and seeth the tumult, and them that wept and wailed greatly.

39 And when he was come in, he saith unto them, Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth.

40 And they laughed him to scorn. But when he had put them all out, he taketh the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entereth in where the damsel was lying.

41 And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise.

42 And straightway the damsel arose, and walked; for she was of the age of twelve years. And they were astonished with a great astonishment.

43 And he charged them straitly that no man should know it; and commanded that something should be given her to eat.

BCU Fam, when YOU KNOW God is doing something for you,  when you know He promised you something, put the unbelievers OUT… of your head, mind, heart, conversation, your presence—–go in the room with Jesus and receive your miracle!

While you are waiting for the Lord to bless you, what lessons have you been learning? Do you talk to the Lord about who should go with you in times of witnessing, ministering or whatever task God has called you to?  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, Instagram, and  YouTube! 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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