Letting Go and Trusting God (WHEW!)

Hey there BCU Fam!

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:

  • With the new year, we often look back over the previous year to take account of what lessons we’ve learned.
  • At times, I’ve attended courses at “Experience University” (EU) enough to know NOT to repeat certain situations.
  • Recently, in sharing my EU insight with advice-seekers, the intent was they would follow the godly, sound council.
  • Sometimes, the hearer chooses a different path, and that’s where the lesson of letting go and trusting God comes in.

KJV Scripture references

Ecclesiastes 3:1

24 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

Proverbs 19:8

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

Luke 18:18-23

18 And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?

19 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God.

20 Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother.

21 And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up.

22 Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.

23 And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich.

Philippians 4:6-8

6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Matthew 11:28-30

28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

BCUFam, when we are advising the people that God has assigned to us, it can be heart-wrenching when they do not heed the biblical and wise council we offer. While it is fine to be concerned, fretting, worrying, and being consumed with their decision is not of God. Rather, what we can and what we will do is take everything to the Lord in prayer…and we will pray in FAITH! Then, we will wait in faith and look for the Lord to speak to the person/situation, and turn things around His way and in His timing. It is not easy to let go and wait, but when God takes care of a matter, it is taken care of perfectly, because He is perfect. With the help of the Lord, let it go and trust God. Amen? Amen! Let’s pray!

Father, in the name of Jesus, we thank You for allowing us to hear Your voice through Your Word. We thank You for being here today and for the people You have placed in our lives that we care so deeply about. Lord, some of us have family, friends, co-workers, neighbors, loved ones, etc that are not making/have not made good choices, have not heeded wise and godly advice, have not secured their salvation—–whatever the situation is we are worried about. Rather than being anxious and fretful, we leave our emotions, cares and concerns at Your feet, Jesus! We want to exchange our heavy load for Your light load, as the book of Matthew 11:29-30 reminds us. We thank You for the exchange, and for giving us peace in our hearts and minds, Jesus, as You take care of the situation and us! 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 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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A Testimony of Healing: Jim Tyska’s Story

Hey there BCU Fam!

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:

  • While high school wasn’t always the easiest place to get through, it holds VERY fond memories for me.
  • In between “shop” classes, we had academics where we learned with/befriended other shop students and forged close friendships.
  • Life took us in varied directions, but social media brought many of us back together, including my friend Jim Tyska.
  • Jim reached out to me regarding a dire prayer request that I outline in the podcast, and a video update* (click here) that starts at about 49:45.

KJV Scripture references

Ecclesiastes 3:1

24 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

Psalm 30:2

2 O Lord my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed me.

James 5:16

16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

Romans 8:28

28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

James & Angela Tyska

BCUFam! When Jim sent me this video, the title said “Norma Prince Testimony”… So, I was thinking I would be watching another testimony and/or his church service, which I was all too happy to do! I had NO CLUE Jim would be called up to testify of God’s goodness, healing and mercy! God is faithful and has proven who He is in the life of my friend and brother!! And that is something to give God praise for!! Amen? Amen! Let’s pray!

Father, in the name of Jesus, we thank You for the miraculous healing You have provided for my brother, Jim! This testimony serves as a reminder that You are a healer, and our faith and trust should always be in You! We thank You, Jesus for hearing our cries, and for the reminder that even in these days You are STILL real! Hallelujah! We thank You for the Tyska family, and ask that You will continue to bless, keep and save the entire family in the matchless Name of Jesus!

As we come before You today, some of us have very grave, heavy, and serious situations before You. It is our desire that You will speak to the situations, and speak to our hearts and minds, giving us the peace and assurance that You hear us, and that You will lead and guide through to victory! We ask Jesus that You send healing and deliverance to someone today! We ask Jesus, that You lift up someone’s head today! We ask that You comfort someone, that You meet a need, that You step in to assist someone in a dire, impossible circumstance! We thank You Lord, for healing someone’s heart and mind, for mending broken hearts and relationships and for forgiveness to flow freely in the Name Of Jesus!

Most of all, Jesus, we thank You for giving someone the knowledge that they need to repent, be baptized in Jesus Name, and filled with the Holy Ghost, as outlined in Acts 1 and 2! Thank You for ALL that follow through on the plan of salvation and for blessing and keeping Your people! We honor and thank You, Lord for your love and kindness toward us 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 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

*The video is entitled “Norma Prince Testimony–Wednesday PM”, so for anyone wondering, you do have the correct video! Enjoy this awesome testimony!

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Enjoy The Present

Hey there BCU Family!
For this special post, you have the option of listening to our podcast (click here, or on the BCU avatar below to listen), 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!


This “adulting” thing I have to do keeps me pretty occupied. I praise God and am grateful that I have a full-time job, spouse, church, family and the BCU ministry (essentially run pretty full time). In between all that, I like to see friends and family, minister to people, keep house, eat, read and especially rest and sleep.


In fact, I look forward to the holidays and precious few and far in between days off to just. do. nothing. I’m the kind of vacation person that LIKES to stay home, with no plans, no clock to punch, no set time do, be, or go anywhere. I call that, “the slow hurry.” Those are my million dollar days.


I recall years ago, I had a week off for vacation. While a couple of those days were already spoken for, I was excited for the remainder of the time for doing nothing! As I was talking to my best friend Kenya about it, I started to lament about my life AFTER my time off was finished. It would be MONTHS before my next big block of time was coming up! I started thinking about how long those days would be and how hard it would be to get through them. During those days, there was nothing to look forward to, until the next vacation. The Lord checked me on that.


“Enjoy the present.”


We have a habit of saving the anticipation-filled phrases like, “I can’t wait…” or “I am looking forward to…” for special occasions, while saying, “I’ll be glad when this day is over”, or “it is Monday…already”, or “I wish this day would hurry up and come…” with dread and disdain. We wish away the days, complain the about the time we have to spend at work, going to and from work, doing chores, shopping, cleaning, running kids around——we even complain about the time we give God. “Why does the message take so long?” “He prays too long!” “What time is service over?”


When we FINALLY get to the free time we couldn’t wait for, how are we really spending it? Looking our loved ones in the face, studying their words and actions——-conversing intently? Or are our faces glued to our devices, while we catch snippets and fragments of what is being said? I’d venture to guess that many of us do the latter. Keeping that in mind…

What if…we were intentional about rejoicing in the day the Lord made (which would be all of them, including Monday)… See Psalm 118:24.


What if… instead of complaining about our jobs and wishing the day away, we payed attention to the people we work with for an opportunity to bless, encourage or be a witness to them——even if it’s demonstrated through our attitudes and actions. See Matthew 5:16. 


What if…rather than complain about the job God blessed us with, we take all the tasks, including those those mundane meetings, the clean-up, the less glamorous parts that have to be done, along with tasks we enjoy, keeping in mind, that we work unto God as not as unto men. See Colossians 3:23-24. 


What if… we practiced being content..even if things are not where we want them to be at the moment? The spouse you prayed for? Thank God. The kids you asked God for? Thank God. The spouse you are waiting for? Thank God.  Struggling to pay bills? Thank God. We have the money to pay the bill? Thank God. It’s important that we live in the state of contentment. See Philippians 4:11. 


What if…we prepared our hearts, minds and bodies for the services we attend——-looking for the Lord to bless, heal, deliver, save and set free in a mighty way? What if we arrived rested, full, prayed up and ready to see what we can do to be a blessing——and excitedly anticipate what God has for us? See Psalm 133:1. 


What if… we prayed fervently (rather than half-way and sarcastically) that the Spirit of the Lord rest upon the hearts of the people during service, so much so, that people walk out differently than how they came in? And rather than complain about the time, we rejoiced in the fact that people are being blessed? See James 5:16 (b). 

BCU Family, whether we like it or not, our days are numbered. In Psalm 90:10, Moses said that we the days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years. Threescore is 60, add another 10 and that’s 70. So, fourscore is 80. Of course, some live longer and some shorter——that’s all in God’s hands. No, we don’t know when we’ll leave here—-but what we can do, with the help of the Lord, while we are living for Him, is to enjoy our days to the fullest. Ecclesiastes 5:18 reminds us, “it is good and comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of labor that he takes under the sun all the days of his life, which God gives, for it is his portion.”


Enjoy the present.

BCU Fam, I really have to be intentional about not rushing through my days and wishing my time away. Once, I remember catching myself thinking “I need to hurry through this chore to get my free time”. Rather than rush through my schedule, the Lord reminded me to take my time. I confess, I was blessed in the process, and got home in plenty of time to rest.  We often miss how we can be a blessing and God blessing us, because we are operating in chronos time (keeping a schedule), versus being present in kairos time (God’s opportune moments). Amen? Amen!

BCUA Fam, 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 YouTube 8:05EST/7:05CST. You can also listen in and subscribe to the podcast on Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio, Spotify, and many 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,

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God’s Perfect Timing: The Birth of Jesus Explained

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:

  • We are 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!

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.

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

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

3 So 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!

BCUFam, 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! Let’s pray!

Father, in the name of Jesus, as we come before You, as always, we say thank You! Thank You for reminding and illuminating us about the birth of Your Son, Jesus, through the Scriptures. We thank You, Lord because You are strategic and because all Your ways are perfect, You arranged everything according to how You wanted them to happen, so that You are glorified, honored and praised, and Your will and purpose was accomplished. Because of this, we know we can trust You with the details of our lives as well.

Some of us are going through some things we do not quite understand, Lord, nonetheless, we want to lean on, trust in and depend on You! We want to hear what You are saying to us, and with Your help, walk in the steps You have ordered for us, Jesus. Psalm 37:23 reminds us the steps of a good man are ordered, and You delight in his way. Please bless us to follow Your way, so that Your perfect will is done, You are honored, and eventually we will hear,”well done thou good and faithful servant. Enter thou into the joy of the Lord.” We thank You for each and every person here today, we ask You to bless all who are listening and thank You for continuing to bless and keep us, 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 YouTube 8:05EST/7:05CST. You can also listen in and subscribe to the podcast on Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio, Spotify, and many 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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A Small Town Named Nazareth…..

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 rebroadcast blesses and encourages you. If so, please thumbs up AND leave a comment! Thank you and enjoy the post!

Podcast highlights:

  • As December 25th approaches, many Christians anticipate the celebrating the birth of Jesus.
  • For years, there have been great debates on the “appropriateness” of celebrating—-citing not knowing the date of His birth, the commercialism, and pagan origins of Christmas (all valid points).
  • For those who know Jesus in the pardoning of their sins, we understand and celebrate the biblical and life-changing momentousness of His birth.
  • This post looks at a few of the lesser-studied, yet significant highlights around the birth of Jesus Christ.

KJV Scripture References

Luke 1:26-38

26 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,

27 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.

28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.

29 And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.

30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.

31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus.

32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:

33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

34 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?

35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

36 And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.

37 For with God nothing shall be impossible.

38 And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.

Luke 2:7-21

7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

BCUFam, how awesome is that we do not have to come from a long line of fame, fortune, mega-ministries, popular towns, or anything else to be used by the Lord. In fact, I Corinthians 1:26-27 reminds us that, God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; and base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: that no flesh should glory in his presence. So no——-God did not make a mistake in choosing you——-when He works through you, it’s for His glory! For with God, nothing shall be impossible! Amen? Amen! Let’s pray!

Father, in the name of Jesus, we thank You for Your goodness, grace, mercy, power, love, and of course, for today’s study. Thank You for reminding us about certain aspect around Your birth that we may not always pay close attention to, yet, we see You in these important details. We want to thank You, Lord, for sending Your Son, Jesus to save us! And as the song says “Manger-born/ but on a tree/ You died to save humanity” and so we THANK YOU Jesus, for giving us a right to the Tree of Life, we thank You, Jesus for the Comforter—the Holy Ghost down on the inside, that leads and guides us into all truth.

The people of God understand the commercialism and paganism that is around this time of year. While we see it, we choose to celebrate Your birth, Jesus, not just this month, but all year long as we live our lives so that You are glorified, honored and praised, and people will ask, “what must I do to be saved?” Please help us to remember all the things You taught us in this study, and bless each listener in a special way. It’s in the name of Jesus we thank and praise You for all things, 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, You Tube Podcasts, Pandora, Spotify or whatever podcast platform you like best!

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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