Jesus – Page 26

Worship & praise: | Psalm 148

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 have loved the Psalms since I was a little girl.
While some refer to the Psalms as “chapters” or “divisions”, the Psalms are actually arranged in five books.
The Psalms are to be read with four perspectives in mind: the author, the reader, how it relates to Jesus, and how it relates to Israel.
Psalm 148 from Book 5, is one of worship and praise to our amazing God.

BlenCouragesU · BCU podcast | Worship and Praise | Psalm 148 | Ep 294

Psalms 148:1-14

1 Praise ye the Lord. Praise ye the Lord from the heavens: praise him in the heights.

²Praise ye him, all his angels: praise ye him, all his hosts.

³Praise ye him, sun and moon: praise him, all ye stars of light.

⁴Praise him, ye heavens of heavens, and ye waters that be above the heavens.

⁵Let them praise the name of the Lord: for he commanded, and they were created.

⁶He hath also stablished them for ever and ever: he hath made a decree which shall not pass.

⁷Praise the Lord from the earth, ye dragons, and all deeps:

⁸Fire, and hail; snow, and vapours; stormy wind fulfilling his word:

⁹Mountains, and all hills; fruitful trees, and all cedars:

¹⁰Beasts, and all cattle; creeping things, and flying fowl:

¹¹Kings of the earth, and all people; princes, and all judges of the earth:

¹²Both young men, and maidens; old men, and children:

¹³Let them praise the name of the Lord: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven.

¹⁴He also exalteth the horn of his people, the praise of all his saints; even of the children of Israel, a people near unto him. Praise ye the Lord.

BCU Fam, as we read through this Psalm, we are reminded that God created everything—-(see Genesis 1) there was no “big bang” or evolution process at all! Moreover, everything He created and EVERYONE He created is eligible to praise God—–His Name alone is excellent and WORTHY to be praised! Hallelujah! Let’s exalt His name together as we pray!

Father, in the name of Jesus, we come before You today with our hands lifted up and our mouths filled with praise! We thank You for this Psalm that reminds us of Your majesty in all the earth! Thank You, Lord, for all you have created—the fire, the snow, the mountains—You even know the stars by name, just like You know all of us by name! What a MIGHTY God you are! We thank You, Jesus for everything, even in the midst of our tears, not understanding some things, the heaviness, struggles, trials and tribulations of this life, we thank You for being here with us! Thank You, Jesus for being a Comforter, a Tear-drier, our Strength, our Way-maker, Sustainer, the Lifter of our Head, and our Deliverer! For all of that we say thank You! Thank You for the breath we have that makes us eligible to praise Your holy Name, and with Your help, we will endeavor to continue to praise You with all we have within us! In Jesus Name, we pray, Amen!

As a reminder, the comments section is open —tell us what you thought about the post! Also, 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

9 May 20239 May 2023

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…”It wasn’t much….

Hey there BCU Fam!

Podcast highlights:

A sweet friend of mine gave me a gift, and asked me how I liked it.
After telling the person how wonderful it was, friend remarked, “well, it wasn’t much”.
I gently scolded friend—–and let the individual know any gift given from the heart was much.
The Lord led me to talk about the “Widow’s Mite” and how Jesus sees our giving.

BlenCouragesU · BCU podcast | "It wasn't much, but…"| Ep 292

Scripture references:

Mark 12:41-44

⁴¹And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much.

⁴²And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing.

⁴³And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury:

⁴⁴For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.

Colossians 3:23-24

²³And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;

²⁴Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.

BCU Fam, this short passage of Scripture is a POWERFUL aide memoire that really has me rethinking giving and heart motives. Jesus sees everything, so we want to ensure that EVERYTHING we give and really all we do is in the right Spirit. In the final analysis, Jesus will reward us for all we do, and we want to make sure our reward is where we will be welcomed into the Kingdom of Heaven versus told to depart. Since the Lord is reminding us now, let’s all be sure to repent for any “mis-giving” and be more intentional going forward. Amen? Amen!

Father, in the name of Jesus, we thank You for Your Word today and the reminder about the heart behind our giving. Help us not to be concerned about what others are giving, or to be guilted or shamed into giving anything other than how you have led us.

Please bless us to remember that whatever we give—whether time, love, or money, talents, gifts–that we are stewards over what You have entrusted us with, and we always want to give out of a pure and cheerful heart, so you will be glorified, honored and praised. 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.

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

Love,

BCU

25 Apr 2023

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God had other plans

Hey there BCU Fam!

Podcast highlights:

A few weeks ago, the Lord blessed me to record a BEAUTIFUL “impromptu” podcast.
I went to retrieve the recording and it was GONE, GONE, GONE!!!
After spending over an hour trying to recover it, the Lord led me to do another recording.
As always, God sent valuable reminders for me, which I will share with you.

BlenCouragesU · BCU podcast | The Lord had other plans | Ep 291

Scripture references:

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.

I Thessalonians 5:18

¹⁸In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

James 1:2-4

²My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;

³Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

⁴But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

John 1:1
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

John 10:4-5

⁴And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.

⁵And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.

BCU Fam, with all the reminders, what really stands out to me is that we want to acknowledge the Lord in all our ways AND follow what He says. It’s really tempting to try and do all the things we want to–and that’s not necessarily wrong, we just need to be flexible enough in the Spirit so that our schedule becomes God’s schedule. This way, everything we take care of will be perfect, because He is perfect. Amen? Amen! Let’s pray!

Father, in the name of Jesus, we thank You for this day You have made and we rejoice and are glad in it. Thank You for the lost recording, for slowing me down, for the words of this recording coming directly from You and for helping me to follow Your schedule for me versus my own. Jesus, please help us as we go through our days to acknowledge You in all our ways, so You can direct our paths. Bless us Lord, as we put our trust in You and NOT lean to our own shaky understanding. Help us to recognize Your voice, as the book of John says, so we do not follow the voice of the enemy and stay on the perfect path You choose. Jesus, we want to You to be represented in our schedule and how we do things, so our lives will be a testimony to your glory, honor and praise. Thank You for blessing us to be flexible in the Spirit, to count all the divers temptations joy, and for us giving thanks in all things, because this is Your will for us. Thank You, Jesus for blessing us so that You are represented in our schedule and in how we do things, so our lives will be a testimony to Your glory, honor and praise. It is in Jesus name we thank You for this and all things, we pray, Amen!

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

Love,

BCU

18 Apr 2023

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Psalm 103 (and a little more) | Part 2.

Hey there BCU Fam!

Podcast highlights:

Psalms is one of the best-known and likely most quoted books of the Bible.
While some refer to the Psalms as “chapters” or “divisions”, the Psalms are actually arranged in five books.
In part 1 of our chat, walked through Psalm 103 (book 4), verses 1-12. Today, we will finish up with verses 13-22.
Main theme: This Psalm tells us the many ways God cares for us.

BlenCouragesU · BCU podcast | Psalm 103–Part 2| Ep 290

Psalms 103:13-22

¹³Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him.

¹⁴For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.

¹⁵As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.

¹⁶For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.

¹⁷But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children’s children;

¹⁸To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.

¹⁹The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.

²⁰Bless the Lord, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.

²¹Bless ye the Lord, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure.

²²Bless the Lord, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the Lord, O my soul.

BCU Fam, as I read through the latter half of this Psalm, I am reminded that we have a time to flourish in this life, so with God’s help, I want to use the time He gives me here wisely—-living for Him. How about you? When I read that His mercy is from everlasting to everlasting–I am grateful to God for that extension of mercy to even my generation, so I could know the Lord in His fullness. Is that something to be thankful for? And finally, the Psalm ends in a praise to God for all His works! Let’s do that together as we pray!

Father, in the name of Jesus, we bless Your Holy Name today for ALL of the benefits You give us! We thank You once again for your lovingkindness, tender mercies, and forgiveness. We especially thank You for remembering we are fragile, but Your care is eternal. Thank You for the compassion and mercy You have graciously extended to us and for the reminder to keep Your commandments with the days you give us. Finally, we just bless Your name with all that is within us and everything, everything, everything that is within us! In Jesus name, we pray, Amen!

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

Love,

BCU

11 Apr 2023

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From Hosanna to Heaven

Hey there BCU Fam!

Podcast highlights:

As “Holy Week” approaches, many Christians the remember the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus.
For years, there have been great debates on the “appropriateness” of celebrating Resurrection Day—-citing not knowing the day Jesus rose, and all the secular references—the bunny, eggs, chocolate and pagan origins of Easter (all valid points).
That said, Jesus dying for our sins was a bloody and painful sacrifice for all of us that we should always remember.
For those who know Jesus in the pardoning of their sins, we understand and celebrate the biblical and life-changing momentousness of His resurrection.

BlenCouragesU · BCU podcast | From Hosanna to Heaven | Ep 289

John 12:13

¹²On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem,

¹³Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord.

Matthew 27:26-50

²⁶Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.

²⁷Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers.

²⁸And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe.

²⁹And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews!

³⁰And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head.

³¹And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him.

³²And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross.

³³And when they were come unto a place called Golgotha, that is to say, a place of a skull,

³⁴They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink.

³⁵And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots.

³⁶And sitting down they watched him there;

³⁷And set up over his head his accusation written, This Is Jesus The King Of The Jews.

³⁸Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left.

³⁹And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads,

⁴⁰And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross.

⁴¹Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said,

⁴²He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him.

⁴³He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God.

⁴⁴The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth.

⁴⁵Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour.

⁴⁶And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

⁴⁷Some of them that stood there, when they heard that, said, This man calleth for Elias.

⁴⁸And straightway one of them ran, and took a spunge, and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink.

⁴⁹The rest said, Let be, let us see whether Elias will come to save him.

⁵⁰Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.

John 3:16-17

¹⁶For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

¹⁷For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

Mark 16:1-7

1 And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him.

²And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun.

³And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre?

⁴And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great.

⁵And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted.

⁶And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him.

⁷But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you.

John 16:7

⁷Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

Acts 2:38

38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

BCU Fam, I started the podcast to highlight one word and ended up emotionally recalling some of the pain Jesus went through as He sacrificed His life for ALL of us. When I think about what Jesus went through to save us, with His help, it compels me to live in a way that honors His life daily and points others to Jesus being the Way, the Truth and the Life. Let’s pray.

Father, in the name of Jesus, as we come before you today, we want to thank You for this reminder of what You have done for us,Jesus. Thank you for a look back over the Scriptures from Palm Sunday, to the day You died and rose in triumph! We thank and praise You, Jesus for being the ultimate sacrifice for ALL of us—–no matter where we live, our ethnicity, the language we speak—-salvation is available for everyone! We are grateful that You still save, Jesus! Thank You for the Comforter in the way of the Holy Ghost that lives down on the inside of us. As we go through some of the tough trials in this life, Lord, and we feel like we cannot go on, bless us to remember Your sacrifice for us and that we can rely on Your strength to help us along the way. Remember those who are on the fence about giving their lives to you, Jesus. Help them to push past the lies of the enemy, so that they can experience Your saving power. It’s in Jesus name we thank You for this and all things, we pray and bless You, Amen!