Word study: “Beareth all things”

Hey there BCU Fam!

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 (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 continuing our word study this week by looking at the Biblical definition of a word or phrase.
  • The Greek word for “beareth” is stego, which means to cover, as a roof covers a house.
  • In essence, as a roof covers a building and protects the people inside, when we operate in “stego love”, our love covers or protects the people “under our roof”.

Scripture references

I Corinthians 13:1-7

13 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

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;

6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;

7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

Proverbs 10:12

12 Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.

Does your love for people cover or expose them?

A love that bears all things would cover/protect an individual by prayerfully approaching/talking/counseling them in a private setting. And of course, following the Lord’s leading while prayerfully considering the person’s situation, circumstances and reply throughout and after the conversation. The opposite of covering and protecting would be to berate or belittle the person, expose the situation publicly, and/or to other people unnecessarily, which would displease God. With the help of the Lord, we always want our love to cover vs. expose people. Amen? Amen!

Father, in the name of Jesus, as we come before you, we thank you for the Word of God that reminds us that love bears ALL things! Help us to remember to be a roof to Your people—–to cover and protect as You would lead us to do so. Help us to look for and believe on the positive side of people and situations—–to believe, hope and endure all things with people unless You direct otherwise. And even in those situations where people have done wrong, bless us, Jesus to still exhibit a loving spirit toward them as You have done and continue to do toward us. In Jesus name we thank and praise 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, 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 mediums include Amazon Music, AnchorFm, Apple Podcasts, Google 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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Word study: “Accuser”

Hey there BCU Fam!

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 (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 continuing our word study this week by looking at the Biblical definition of a word or phrase.
  • “Kategoros” is a Greek word for accuser, meaning a prosecutor, or plaintiff in a lawsuit, or one who speaks in a derogatory way of another.
  • Another word is “diabolos”, meaning adversary, enemy or slanderer–especially regarding Satan and/or His spirit. He is hostile toward God and man, and part of his work is to accuse us of disloyalty and sin before others and God.

Scripture references

Revelation 12:10

And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.

Matthew 5:1-12

1 And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:

2 And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,

3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

2 Timothy 3:1-5

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, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

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

I Corinthians 13:7

7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

Proverbs 26:20

20 Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.

It is natural to want to strike back at our accusers. But Jesus tells us to rejoice.

BCUFam, this word reminded me of what my response should be when falsely accused, as well as how we are supposed to react when someone comes to us with an accusation about another person. And it does not matter if you know the person or not——our responses should be the same. “Did you speak with the person?” “Were you there?” “Did you get the whole story?” “Are you praying for/with them?”  Or, “I don’t know what happened, but I will be praying for the entire situation.” This may annoy the “well-meaning” talebearer/accuser, but it will put that fire out and keep us in right standing with God. Amen? Amen! Let’s pray!

Father, in the name of Jesus, as we come before You, we thank You for Your word that has illuminated our hearts and minds. Thank you for reminding us that we do not want to accuse anyone falsely at all. Help us to remember not to join into the conversation and besmirch the individual, rather we are to err on the side of love, and to bear, believe, hope and endure all things.

Jesus, please help us to respond correctly when we are falsely accused. Bless us to remember what You told us in the book of Matthew——that we are blessed when we are reviled, persecuted, and evil spoken of for Your sake. We are to rejoice and be EXCEEDINGLY glad, because we have a GREAT reward in Heaven for us.

Thank You for blessing us to hide this Word in our hearts, so that we will not sin against you. Please continue to strengthen, bless and keep us in Your care to do all we are charged to do, so that we can see you in peace, 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, 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 mediums include Amazon Music, AnchorFm, Apple Podcasts, Google 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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Word study: “Provoked”

Hey there BCU Fam!

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 (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 continuing our word study this week by looking at the Biblical definition of a word or phrase.
  •  “Paroxsuno” is the Greek word for “provoked.” It is a compound of para, meaning alongside, and oxsus, which means to poke, to prick, or to stick, as with a sharpened instrument.
  • When compounded together, the new word portrays someone who comes alongside another and then begins to poke, prick, or stick that other person with some type of sharpened instrument—–usually resulting in a verbal or physical altercation.
  • Provoked can also mean irritated by people—–especially when people delay our plans, tell us “no”, or when they interrupt us.

Scripture references

I Corinthians 13:5

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

James 1:19-20

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

20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.

Acts 15:27-41

27 We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth.

28 For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things;

29 That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.

30 So when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch: and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle:

31 Which when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation.

32 And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them.

33 And after they had tarried there a space, they were let go in peace from the brethren unto the apostles.

34 Notwithstanding it pleased Silas to abide there still.

35 Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.

36 And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do.

37 And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark.

38 But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work.

39 And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus;

40 And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God.

41 And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.

Sticks and stones may break our bones, and careless words WILL hurt us.

BCUFam, this word admonished, corrected and encouraged ME! I thank God for a pliable heart to hear and receive what He is saying, as well as for the mind to apply the Word. Irritation and being provoked are a part of the walk with Christ, and our reactions to those areas are what the Lord is interested in. With His help, we can choose to respond in a way that brings God glory, honor and praise. Amen? Amen! Let’s pray about it!

Father, in the name of Jesus, as we come before You, thank You so much for the timely reminder that we are not to be easily provoked or irritated when it comes to our interactions with others. Please help us to be mindful of the things that trigger our irritability, and to take those areas to you in prayer. We never want to operate in a selfish way, rather we want to be sure to represent You in our words, and how we interact with people. The Scriptures remind us that we will be known by the love we exhibit to others.

Please help us to remember to apply Your word when we are tempted to respond the wrong way after being provoked. Help us not to be the provokers! Bless us to remember to pray before we speak, to be peacemakers, and to be slow to speak, slow to wrath, and quick to hear the other person, but also to hear Your instructions. In doing so, You will be glorified and lifted up in our lives.

In Jesus Name, we 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, 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 mediums include Amazon Music, AnchorFm, Apple Podcasts, Google 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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Word study: “Liberty”

Hey there BCU Fam!

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 (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:

  • A fun fact about me: I love vocabulary and word etymology (the history of a word or phrase shown by tracing its development and relationship).
  • When studying the Bible, it’s important to get an understanding of the original text (Hebrew|Old Testament or Greek|New Testament).
  • In doing so, we can better comprehend the meaning and see how we can apply it to our daily lives.
  • One definition of “liberty” in the Greek is —“aphesis”, meaning release from bondage or imprisonment. forgiveness or pardon, of sins (letting them go as if they had never been committed), remission of the penalty. It can also mean power, license or authority.

Scripture references

Galatians 5:1

Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

Galatians 5:13

For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another..

Mark 12:28-31

28 And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all?

29 And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:

30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.

31 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.

When we love God with all of us, and love people like ourselves, we have kept all the commandments.

BCUFam, it is a blessing to walk in the liberty Christ gives us. The freedom we have does not give us the license to do whatever we want–that mindset leads us back into the bondage of sin. Rather, because of Jesus, we are free to do what was impossible before He filled us with the Holy Ghost—and that is to live independent from sin.

Sure, we will struggle in some areas, or mess up along the way, and if we do, we can repent, ask for God’s forgiveness, and walk in the freedom of His forgiveness. That means we will not allow people to hold us hostage to what God forgave us for, AND going forward with God’s help, we do not continue practicing sin. Amen? Amen! Let’s pray!

Father, in the Name of Jesus, we come before You with a thankful heart for the liberty you have given us! Thank You for freeing us from the bondage of sin, and helping us to walk independent from sin, and dependent on You to help us follow Your Word to the letter, so we are pleasing in Your sight, we are good witnesses of the transformational power of the Holy Ghost, and, so we can see You in peace, hearing the words “well done, thou good and faithful servant.” We give you all the glory and honor for giving us the privilege of representing You in all our interactions, in Jesus name, we pray and thank You, Amen!

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 mediums include Amazon Music, AnchorFm, Apple Podcasts, Google 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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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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