Jesus – Page 13

Biblical Confrontation: Navigating Offenses According to God’s Word

Here there BCU Family!

I typically record our content in an informal “podcast on the go” format. Many times, the Lord gives me subject matter as I am driving or waiting, so I record on the spot! You can access the podcast here, or click on the avatar below, as you refer to the show notes below for the highlights. We pray the podcast blesses and encourages you. If so, please thumbs up AND leave a comment! Thank you and enjoy the podcast!

BlenCouragesU · BCU Podcast | Biblical Confrontation (Ep 361)

Podcast highlights:

Effective communication and confrontation is an essential part of our walk with Christ.
Confrontation is biblical—but it has to be done according to God’s directions.
The Lord presented me with a situation where I had to have a difficult conversation with a person of authority.
God has a way of things working out—if we do things His way, even when our flesh thinks it knows better.

KJV Scripture References

Proverbs 15:1

A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

Matthew 18:7;15-17

7 Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!

¹⁵Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.

¹⁶But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.

¹⁷And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.

James 3:2

For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.

Matthew 5:23-24

²³Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;

²⁴Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

BCUFam, it’s important for us to follow God’s directions when it comes to offenses. What I am seeing among some of the people of God is speculation, accusations, and cancellations—-before a conversation is had with the accused. Unaddressed offenses often turn into bitterness, anger, wrath, clamor and evil speaking against the offender. While we do not minimize the hurt the person caused (which is why we go to them in the first place), the Word also says to be kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you (See Ephesians 4:31-32). When God puts it that way, it’s time to let these offenses GO! Amen? Amen! Let’s pray!

Father, in the name of Jesus, as always, we thank You for what You have spoken to our hearts. Jesus, please help us to prayerfully examine our hearts for any bitterness, lack of forgiveness, anger or distance in between us and the people in our lives. We pray that hurt feelings, broken hearts and tattered relationships will be healed, and that you will help us to forgive others like You have forgiven us.

Help us to approach anyone we need to according to the directions You have outlined, without fear or worry about the outcome. If our brother/sister chooses to receive us and be reconciled, we thank You, Jesus and if they do not, we STILL say thank You, Jesus knowing we followed Your will and way, and we can stand before You in peace.

Going forward, Jesus, we ask that You help us to manage all the relationships and interactions we have with people so that You are honored and glorified! It is in the name of Jesus Christ, 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, Pandora, and Spotify!

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

Love,

BCU

17 Sep 20247 Oct 2024

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Avoiding Careless Mistakes

Here there BCU Family!

I typically record our content in an informal “podcast on the go” format. Many times, the Lord gives me subject matter as I am driving or waiting, so I record on the spot! You can access the podcast here, or click on the avatar below, as you refer to the show notes below 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 podcast!

BlenCouragesU · BCU Podcast | Avoiding Careless Mistakes | (Ep 360)

Podcast highlights:

In school, tests are a regular part of the landscape–there was NO way around them.
In my day, it was a “badge of honor” to be among the kids who finished first.
That honor was sometimes “stripped” as the work was riddled with some avoidable or careless mistakes.
The Lord wants us to check over our work to ensure we have no glaring errors.

KJV Scripture References

Matthew 24:45-51

⁴⁵Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?

⁴⁶Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.

⁴⁷Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods.

⁴⁸But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming;

⁴⁹And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken;

⁵⁰The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of,

⁵¹And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

John 9:4

4 I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.

Ephesians 5:27

²⁷That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

Romans 14:12

¹²So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

Isaiah 58:8-9

8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.

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

BCUFam, I have to confess that there are some hard assignments in this life——and they can have us rushing through our work to get it done. But how did get get it done? Did we respond in the right spirit? Was the outside sweet and the inside sour? Did we skip the assignment because we have not forgiven the person? The list goes on, so while we are here and can, let’s ask the Lord what “careless mistakes” we made, what assignments (over)/due, and the wisdom, knowledge and strength to get them done, so we can hear, “well done, thou good and faithful servant…..Enter into the joy of the Lord” (Matthew 25:23). Amen? Amen! Let’s pray about it.

Father, in the name of Jesus, we bless and praise Your name! We magnify You, Lord, because You are worthy of the praise, honor and glory!

We thank You, Lord for the opportunity and the reminder for us make sure to go over all of our work while it is daytime. Please help us to come to You honestly and to review all you have tasked us with—the families, finances, people, gifts, talents, and everything You have given us to steward over, Lord. We may not always have done things the way You have instructed us, Lord, so we repent and ask Your forgiveness. Please help us to be aware and cognizant of our tasks, Jesus, and help us not to do things with an attitude, or out of obligation, but in service to You, so that all our interactions are to YOUR glory, honor and praise.

We thank You for blessing us to be ready to see You in peace. With Your help, Jesus, we will continue to serve You as we are serving others, and we will continue to bless and praise Your holy name! It is in the name of Jesus Christ, we pray, and thank You, Amen!

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

Love,

BCU

10 Sep 2024

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The Power of Words: Life and Death in the Tongue

Hey there BCU Family!

For this rebroadcast, 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!

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I was talking to a friend of mine recently about the power of words. We often do not give much thought to the words we say and how they effect and infect those we come in contact with, nor do we consider what God has to say about our speech. Let’s take a look at a few verses that we should use as a filter for what we say.

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1. Our words are life and death. What we speak, we eat.

Death and life [are] in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. (Proverbs 18:21).

2. When we talk too much, we usually end up saying the wrong things and eventually sin.

In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips [is] wise. (Proverbs 10:19).

3. “Idle words” means words with no profit–they mean nothing at all. Our words should always add value to a conversation and the company we are in. Jesus reminds us about what happens when we are speak empty words.

But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned (Matthew 12:36-37).

4. Our words can either hurt or heal.

“There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.” (Proverbs 12:18).

5. Our words should be like a beautiful picture.

“A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver” (Proverbs 25:11).

6. Our words should instruct or improve someone.

“Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers” (Ephesians 4:29).

7. Before we speak–and get/respond in an extremely angry state, we should listen prayerfully first.

“Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: for the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God (James 1:19-20).

BCU Fam, I intended for this post to go one way, but the Lord took it in a totally different direction! When we consider the implications of our speech and how seriously God takes what we say, our resolve, with His help should be pray before we speak whether it’s a casual conversation, meeting, discussion, disagreement or even in correcting someone. When we do pray before we say, our conversations will be more meaningful, rich and bring glory to God. Amen? Amen.

This is a HEAVY topic, BCU Fam! What do you think about words and their weight? Are idle words a struggle? Maybe telling someone a thing or two because you just have to say it? Or maybe you have gotten the victory when it comes to conversation! Let’s talk more in the comments section!

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, Pandora, and Spotify!

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

Love,

BCU

3 Sep 2024

BlenCouragesU2 Comments

Teen Conversations & Airport Reflections

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:

The kiddos (well, high-schoolers) and I had some eye-opening conversations, as it relates to life and their worldview.
In this impromptu post,I’m live from the airport as I reflect on a chat we had about teens not “needing” adults.

BlenCouragesU · BCU Podcast | Airport Musings | Ep 358

KJV Scripture references

Genesis 1:1-12

1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

²And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

³And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.

⁴And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.

⁵And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.

⁶And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.

⁷And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so.

⁸And God called the firmament Heaven. And the evening and the morning were the second day.

⁹And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so.

¹⁰And God called the dry land Earth; and the gathering together of the waters called he Seas: and God saw that it was good.

Proverbs 3:5-6

⁵Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

⁶In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Ecclesiastes 3:1

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

You know, BCUFam, once again, I did not intend to podcast whilst I was waiting, but I’m so grateful that the Lord prompted me to do so! Let’s continue to pray for our young people, and for one another. Amen? Amen!

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, Google podcasts, Pandora, and Spotify!

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

Love,

BCU

28 Aug 2024

BlenCouragesU4 Comments

Room A203: Rides, Caffeine & The Stories.

Hey there BCU Fam!

Podcast highlights:

It has been awhile since we have visited Room A203 which are typically posts that are lighter in content.
In this impromptu post, I am poolside while musing about some of the things I realized I have grown away from, including amusement park rides, caffeinated beverages and “stories”.

BlenCouragesU · BCU podcast | Room A203 | Coasters, Caffeine & Stories | Ep 357

KJV Scripture references

2 Peter 3:18

“But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.”

Ecclesiastes 3:1

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

You know, BCUFam, I did not intend for the podcast to go into the direction it did, but I LOVE when the Lord comes in and takes over! Also, the clarity and maturity that comes with spending time with Jesus is unmatched, so let’s get in as much prime time with Him as we can! Amen? Amen! Let’s pray!

Father in the name of Jesus, as we come before You, we thank You for all Your goodness, grace and mercy! We also thank You, Jesus for maturity and growing in grace——not only in the natural, as we age, but in our spiritual lives, as we age there as well. Please help us to hear Your voice and follow what You tell us to do, so that You are completely glorified, honored and praised!

As always, we ask the You bless us to be an excellent witness to all around us, so that people may ask, “what must I do to be saved?” We thank You, Jesus for helping is to do all we are supposed to, so we see You in peace and are welcomed into Heaven, in Jesus Name we pray, Amen!

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

Love,

BCU