Life lessons – Page 7

A lesson from the leaves

Hey BCU Family,

As usual, you have the option of listening to our podcast (click 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!

As we fully transition into autumn especially in New England, (my mind is still in August, though :-)), the brilliance of the colors of the leaves changing and falling to the ground is a timely reminder from Solomon: “to everything there is a season and a time and purpose under the heaven” (Ecclesiates 3:1). Yes, we’ve likely heard this before–it’s just that God so beautifully demonstrates this in our lives at this time of year.

A tree has no brain, thinking or decision-making capacity in any way–only what God has told it to do, which is let go of the leaves as they die off.

How this applies to us: God has made us in His own image and likeness, giving us the ability to think, reason and make our own decisions. Now, He has supplied us with the Word of God and His Holy Spirit (for those who have the Acts 2:38 experience) to guide us in the decision making process, but ultimately we do get to make choices, good or bad. It is ALWAYS wise to heed the voice of God in our decision-making–this way the outcome is 100% perfect.

fall-foliage-1740841_640 — The leaves are pretty, but can also be deadly…

So, as your relationship with Christ grows and you hear His voice, when God urges us to let go of the “dead leaves”, with His help, LET THEM GO! Dead leaves can come in a variety of ways–maybe it’s time to walk away from that job, a toxic relationship, or telling that able-bodied, freeloading relative you will no longer support them. Nothing in those areas? What about the fear of walking in your calling, witnessing about Christ, a bad habit, (cutting people off when talking, habitually tardy, angering quickly), a weakness, (seeking comfort in illicit company or going to the wrong types of places, worrying) or whatever “crutch” (excessive shopping, over-eating)–you may have. You all get what I mean, right? We do not have to wait until October to let go, mind you, this is a good time to examine ourselves through the Word of God’s microscope or just ASK the Lord what needs to be let go of–trust me, HE WILL tell you!

And once we know, it’s our duty with His help to lay aside EVERY dead weight and/or sin (Hebrews 12:1), that will slow you down, trip you up or outright attack you. Ask God to help you see WHY you want to hold on to something He is asking you to turn loose. The answer may come right away or later on—just be prepared for the answer! Let’s take a look at an example.

Many years ago, in my B.C. (before Christ) days, for years I dated a “great” guy, we’ll call “Sam” (just to protect his identity). Sam and I were talking marriage. For some reason, my heart was very unsettled about getting married, but kept planning. I don’t recall the exact sequence of events, but one thing led to another where we broke things off. I was devastated and hurt, but that break-up led me to the alter where I was filled with the Holy Ghost. Apparently, the Lord knew Sam was not the person for me (and BOY, did I find that out later–YIKES!) Thank God for His protection!

But even after being saved and understanding God’s providence, He was urging me to let go of the friendship with Sam–period. MAN, that struggle was REAL–it was really hard to let all that love and history. But, eventually with the grace of God, I walked away from it and have not looked back. While I could never accurately predict what would have happened if I had continued holding on the “Sam season”, I’d like to think that I would not have gone as many places, done as many neat things as God has allowed and would have NEVER been as obedient or effective in my Christ-walk, gifts and talents. Glory to God!

While we do not need a change of seasons to remind us to let go of things, we can use the leaves effortlessly falling from the trees as a reminder to trust that when God says drop it, He means it and for good reason. While new growth is dormant for a season, hold on for the new growth/spring coming in your life.

“Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth, shall you not know it?”….(Isaiah 43:19a).

Amen? Amen.

Thank you so much for stopping by! If this was a blessing to you, please comment below and share it with someone–you’ll never know how the Lord may use you to encourage someone else! And if you have not done so, please like BlenCouragesU on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and Instagram! And PLEASE subscribe to the podcast on Stitcher Radio , Google Play, and iTunes!

Until we are together again, may God bless, keep and make His face to shine upon you—-and #StayOnTheWall!

Love,

BCU

22 Oct 201630 Oct 2018

BlenCouragesU2 Comments

Series: Gated community living! Lessons from Nehemiah chapter 3

Hey there BCU Family!

As usual you have the option of listening to our podcast (click 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!

So…we have gotten a LOT of mileage out of a chapter that looked like it should be skipped! LOLOL! Just when you thought there was NOTHING else to talk about in Nehemiah 3, we have some interesting information here about the gates here.

gates-marked-1 — The ten very important gates of Nehemiah chap 3! Pic courtesy of FreeBibleImages.org

You really need your Bible as we’re going to skip through the chapter and talk through the importance of the gates that we rebuilt. Recall that they were burned by fire (Nehemiah 2:3) and with the wall, they needed replacing. The walls are for safety and protection and the gates keep the good in and the bad out. Let’s explore what these gates were and how they apply to us!

v1Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brethren the priests, and they builded the sheep gate; they sanctified it, and set up the doors of it; even unto the tower of Meah they sanctified it, unto the tower of Hananeel.

The sheep gate is where the shepards brought in sheep and lambs that were brought in for sacrifice. Who is our Lamb? Jesus. Are we His people and the sheep of His pasture? (Psalm 100:3). Yes! Is Jesus the good Shepard? Doesn’t Jesus tell us He is the door and if we enter in, we are saved and find pasture? Did nor He lay down His life for the sheep? (Read John chapter 10 for these references). We can see how this gate directly points to Jesus!

v3But the fish gate did the sons of Hassenaah build, who also laid the beams thereof, and set up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof.

This gate is where the fishermen brought their catches in to be sold. After we have been saved, we are fishers of men (Matthew 4:19). Something to think about here, when one goes fishing, you have to use bait. What bait are we using? The Word of God or our words? Any words at all? More importantly, do our lifestyles line up with the Word of God? Titus 2:12 says we should deny ungodliness, worldly lusts, LIVE soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world. Your consistent Christ-like lifestyle is the “bait” the will draw people to Christ.

v6Moreover the old gate repaired Jehoiada the son of Paseah, and Meshullam the son of Besodeiah; they laid the beams thereof, and set up the doors thereof, and the locks thereof, and the bars thereof.

This represents the “old” or established way of salvation. Jesus made it plain. Repent. Be baptized every one in the name of Jesus and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost (Acts 2:38). Moreover, once we are saved, we should LIVE life as Jesus commands. Where do you start? Luke 10:27 says to love God with all your heart, soul and strength and mind and love your neighbor as yourself. That’s the law in two commandments. If you love the Lord, as you seek to please Him you will not intentionally, willfully and consistently practice sinning. On top of that, if you love your neighbor as yourself, (and yes, you do love yourself–you take time to bathe, eat, etc., that’s love), you won’t practice doing anything wrong to others. The Word of God makes it plain–no loopholes or “new”alternatives for living God’s way. “Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever” (Hebrew 13:8).

v13The valley gate repaired Hanun, and the inhabitants of Zanoah; they built it, and set up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof, and a thousand cubits on the wall unto the dung gate.

There were several valleys surrounding Jerusalem and that reminds us that we will go through the valleys (tests, trials and tribulation) in this life. How do we conduct ourselves in the valley ? Some of these experiences can last for years. What are we doing in the valley? Who are we reaching? Who are we ministering to? How much prayer vs. complaining are we doing? While the valley experiences press you, the have a lesson (we need to ask God to show us what that is) and a purpose. “But the God of all grace, who has called us unto His eternal glory by Christ Jesus after you have suffered awhile, make you perfect, establish, strengthen and settle you” (I Peter 5:10).

v14But the dung gate repaired Malchiah the son of Rechab, the ruler of part of Beth–haccerem; he built it, and set up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof.

This gate was where trash was dumped and burned. How does this apply to us? As we come out of the valley, and loading up on the Word, old ,tired, non Christ-like habits, attitudes and actions and thoughts are dumped or purged. Take away the dross from the silver and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer (Proverbs 25:4).

WHEW!!!! As we wrap up this podcast episode, we are reminded that God is awesome enough to speak to us in something as basic as a gate, yet leave us a powerful message and call to action. As we meditate on the Word, let’s work on applying what God said, so we can become more like Him. Amen? Amen!

Lord will, next time we are together, we’ll plan to go through the the remainder of the gates–you do NOT want to miss that!

Until we are together again, may God bless, keep and make His face to shine upon you–and #StayOnTheWall!

Love,

BCU

10 Sep 201610 Sep 2016

BlenCouragesU10 Comments

A Stew, a Stew! My Kingdom for a Stew!

LOVE this! WELL SPOKEN! Read this and be blessed, BCU Family!

Reflections in The WORD

And Jacob [cooked stew]: and Esau came from the field, and he was faint: and Esau said to Jacob, “Feed me, I pray thee, with that same red [stew]; for I am faint”…
And Jacob said, “Sell me this day thy birthright.”
And Esau said, “Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me?”
And Jacob said, “Swear to me this day”; and he [swore] unto him: and he sold his birthright unto Jacob. Then Jacob gave Esau bread and [stew] of lentils; and he did eat and drink, and rose up, and went his way: thus Esau despised his birthright.”~ Genesis 25:29-34

BIBLICAL BACKGROUND

The Birthright was the privilege to be the one through which God would enact/deliver the promise He had made to Abraham to establish a holy nation/people. As the firstborn son, Esau was to inherit The Birthright…

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26 Aug 201614 Sep 2016

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Room A203: BCU Family–Let’s save some money! Couponing part 2!

Hey there BCU fam!

We’re back with part 2 of 2 of our series in couponing/saving money with our special guest and my friend, Carolina native Tesha Brown-King. This amazing woman of God, wife and mom and I have been “cyber-friends” for years! We were recently blessed to meet in real life last month and we got to talking about coupons–it fascinated me, family and I wanted to share! Hey. who doesn’t need financial encouragement?

FB_IMG_1469542797782 — Save your goodies for hard times or bless someone else!

Remember, when we talk finances, we talk stewardship and that IS a part of the Word of God. We are called to be good stewards or managers over ALL things that God has given us (jobs, family, talents, gifts, etc.) In reality, ALL that we have is God’s–we just manage it–and at some point, we will need to give an account of our work.
Plus who doesn’t like to save a little money? And who knows, maybe the money you save can go pay down debt, a special project at church, charity, towards a vacation fund, savings account–you have several possibilities! Click on the icon to hear the goodness, check below for info, let us know what questions/comments you have, thank you for tuning in and #StayOnTheWall!

Love,

BCU

Need coupons? Check out:

Coupons.com

Extreme-coupon-clipping.com

Got a question for Tesha? Find her here or send an email to TeeKing66@gmail.com.

20 Aug 201614 Sep 2016

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How to: Overcome PEOPLE approval! (Nehemiah part 3)

As usual, you have two options for this post! Listen in by clicking the icon, read through the text or both! Whatever you choose, we pray God’s word blesses you!

So, we are back with another study on one of my favorite books–Nehemiah! What I love about Nehemiah was his fortitude and steadfastness in doing the work of the Lord in the face of adversity. Last time we were together, we started Nehemiah chapter 2 and saw how God blessed Nehemiah to get a leave from his job to oversee the building of the wall, but not without trouble! Let’s continue our study on overcoming people approval/disapproval continuing in Nehemiah chapter 2.

v13And I went out by night by the gate of the valley, even before the dragon well, and to the dung port, and viewed the walls of Jerusalem, which were broken down, and the gates thereof were consumed with fire.

v14Then I went on to the gate of the fountain, and to the king’s pool: but there was no place for the beast that was under me to pass.

v15Then went I up in the night by the brook, and viewed the wall, and turned back, and entered by the gate of the valley, and so returned.

v16And the rulers knew not whither I went, or what I did; neither had I as yet told it to the Jews, nor to the priests, nor to the nobles, nor to the rulers, nor to the rest that did the work.

Again, Nehemiah kept quiet. There are times when we must use discretion about carrying out the work of God. Also, when God gives you something to do, He will tell you exactly how to carry out the duties. Nehemiah carefully assessed the damages on his own by night and crafted his plan from there, sans riling up any negativity. Go back to when the children of Israel were checking out the Promised land. Out of 12 spies, how many came back with a good report? TWO. Joshua and Caleb. Communication discretion advised.

v17Then said I unto them, Ye see the distress that we are in, how Jerusalem lieth waste, and the gates thereof are burned with fire: come, and let us build up the wall of Jerusalem, that we be no more a reproach.

v18Then I told them of the hand of my God which was good upon me; as also the king’s words that he had spoken unto me. And they said, Let us rise up and build. So they strengthened their hands for this good work.

Checkpoint: Nehemiah led the people with the vision God gave him and told it at the appropriate time to the right people, along with God’s and the king’s encouragement/endorsement—they were encouraged, responded with zeal and WANTED to work.

v19But when Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, and Geshem the Arabian, heard it, they laughed us to scorn, and despised us, and said, What is this thing that ye do? will ye rebel against the king?

Now we have three jokers, Sanballat, Tobiah and governor of Persia, Geshem (his name means rain) in the court. They laughed them to scorn (meaning to deride something; to deem it as nothing and laugh contemptuously at it), and taunted Nehemiah and the group—asking them what they were doing!

No one enjoys being laughed at—science has even come up with a term geltophobia—the fear of being laughed at. Notice the word fear. Once God tells you to go public, do you go in faith or in fear or being mocked, ridiculed, laughed at or discounted? Do you rebuke that fear (because it’s not from God) or cower in it?
On top of that, these enemies suggested Nehemiah and his team were going against the king. NONSENSE. Nehemiah already had permission and on top of that God’s permission! I love his calm, non-getting in his feelings response:

v20Then answered I them, and said unto them, The God of heaven, he will prosper us; therefore we his servants will arise and build: but ye have no portion, nor right, nor memorial, in Jerusalem.

Nehemiah did not go into all what the king had done or God had said—he simply said in faith, God will prosper us and this will get done. BUT YOU’LL have not part of it. Period.

People addiction checkpoint: WHY justify what God has spoken to you? Why explain to a laughing, taunting spirit rooted in pride that has already shown who he is, and sent to STOP you, what God said. Why are we trying to please a foul spirit working through people? What profit will it have? What will you gain? Right–nothing. It is time for that foolishness to stop.

As you reflect on what God was saying to you here, ask Him to reveal the areas where you are not following His exclusive leading due to being or feeling shut down by people. Ask Him to confirm His assignments in your heart and mind and give you the strength, wisdom and perseverance to do just that. And ~~trust me~~–no trust God–He will do just that. Amen? Amen!

BCU Family, this brings us to the end of our podcast! My heart was pricked and I trust the Word of God did the same for you. With His help, let’s make the necessary changes in order to be more like Him! Please come back next time as we continue our study in Nehemiah chapter 3. Thank you for stopping by! May God continue to bless, keep and make His face to shine upon you! Until we meet again, #StayOnTheWall!

Love,

BCU