Trusting God in Life Storms | Lessons from Mark 4:35-41.

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

Podcast highlights:

  • I grew up in the Northeast of the United States, so snowstorms and cold weather conditions were a part of our lives.
  • Living in the south, outside of extreme heat, severe storms here can include torrential rain, high winds, hail and even tornadoes.
  • In a recent “impromptu” storm, the Lord warned me, prompted me to pray, and then spoke to me about what would happen.
  • We can and should apply His Word to the “spiritual” storms we are facing.

KJV Scripture References

Mark 4:35-41

35 And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side.

36 And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships.

37 And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.

38 And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?

39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

40 And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?

41 And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?

BCUFam, I have to admit, some of our life storms are SCARY, and sometimes the winds, waves, snow, hail and rain can produce a bit of anxiety! Now, if we feel anxious, we can take what is concerning us in to the Lord in prayer with supplication and thanksgiving, knowing that the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7). So, when Jesus gives you the “peace release”, all we need to do is rest in what He said, knowing that He is with us—even in the most tempestuous of storms! Amen? Amen! Let’s pray!

Father, in the name of Jesus, we want to thank You for the Word and the reminder that You are with us throughout every storm we encounter. We thank You Jesus that we have the privilege of coming to You in prayer with our situations, asking for You to be with us, as You remind us that You will never leave or forsake us! We thank You for speaking to our hearts, for giving us the release, and the assurance that You are with us during turbulent times, and You are taking us through to the other side. Lord, many of us are currently in a stormy season now, and we thank You for helping us to continue to be faithful to You throughout our situations, as we praise our way through! We thank You, Jesus for blessing us to be a good witness for You, as we tell of Your goodness, and the praise report during and after the storm! We thank You, Jesus, for continuing to strengthen and keep us, as we continue to give you all the glory, honor and praise! 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, 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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Enduring Through Discomfort: A Lesson in Patience From—-A Baby.

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

Podcast highlights:

  • Among many beloved family members, I have three especially amazing “little” (well, two are not so little anymore) people in my life.
  • The youngest little spent some time with us and we ran into situation where I am certain he was uncomfortable.
  • The Lord taught me a lesson about patience, attitude and trusting Him through this child’s behavior.

KJV Scripture References

Romans 8:28

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.

Psalm 34:1-2

 1 I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.

 2 My soul shall make her boast in the Lord: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.

Galatians 6:9

And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

Isaiah 40:31

But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Philippians 4:6-7

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.

BCUFam, that baby reminded me that sometimes, what we are going through TAKES TIME to go through. And what we want to do, with the help of the Lord, is to continue to be good witnesses of God’s grace, goodness and mercy through our attitude. Very often, when we go through, we can allow the discomfort of the situation to change our demeanor to where we are nice at work and mean at home. Or, maybe we are angry, sullen, short or snippy with the people we are interacting with, citing the fact that we have been waiting “too long”. Now, trials and tribulations do not feel good at ALL! They are, however a part of the walk with Christ, and while we may be in the midst of “the uncomfortable wait”, we can rest assured that if we love the Lord, and are the called according to His purpose, things will work out for our good (Romans 8:28). Amen? Amen! Let’s pray!

Father, in the name of Jesus, as always, we thank You for what our ears have heard! We thank You for letting us know, or reminding us of what our attitude should be when we are in the uncomfortable waiting period. Jesus, You know the severity of our circumstances and what we can bear, so we are depending on You for deliverance. Some of us are feeling weary, but Your Word reminds us to not to be weary in well-doing, for in due season, we shall reap, if we faint not! So please, Jesus bless us with the grace and strength we need while we wait. Please give us the assurance You have heard our cry and will answer by and by! Thank You, Jesus for helping us to properly represent You in this hard season, so that people will know who we are and Whose we are! Most of all, we thank You for blessing us to endure to the end, so we can hear, “well done, thou good and faithful servant! Enter thou into the joy of the Lord.” We thank You, Jesus, for continuing to strengthen and keep us, as we continue to give you all the glory, honor and praise! 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, 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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His eye is on the sparrow

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

Podcast highlights:

  • As I was finishing up my early morning study time, I was prompted to open the back door.
  • The sun was not quite up yet, and the birds were chirping in the most cheerful tone—-as if it was high noon!
  • Because nothing God does is “random”, this is a lesson/reminder from God and His creation about praise and provision.

KJV Scripture References

Matthew 6:25-26

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?

Psalm 34:1-3, 10, 19, 22

1 I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.

2 My soul shall make her boast in the Lord: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.

3 O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together.

10 The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing.

19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.

22 The Lord redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate.

Psalm 122:1-2

1 I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.

2 My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.

BCUFam, I can tell you from experience, while we are in the waiting period, we can get concerned and nervous as we wait and wonder if God is going to come through for us. After reading these Scriptures, it is comforting to know that He will look after His greatest creation, as His word promises. As we wait for Him to deliver us, and as we hear the birds chirp in expectation and gratitude, let us continually give God praise, individually and collectively. Amen? Amen! Let’s pray!

Father in the name of Jesus, as we come before you today, we thank for this day that You have made——we will rejoice and be glad in it! There are some of us who are in the thick of a struggle today. We do not know which way to turn or what to do. We are looking for direction, help, healing, reconciliation, provision, protection, and/or deliverance, Jesus. Whatever someone needs today—whatever capacity that someone needs You to step in as in, Lord, we ask that You please do it, in the matchless Name of Jesus!

We thank You for working things out, giving us peace and for sustaining us in the meantime, as we continue to praise and serve You, Jesus! We will look to the hills, because our help comes from You that made the heavens and the Earth. We thank You, Lord for what You are doing in our lives, and the lessons You are teaching us in this waiting season. We give Your name ALL the praise, glory and honor today and always, 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, 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

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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.

Psalms 148:1-14

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

14 He 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

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Representation Matters

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:

  • Last week at this time, I was severely under the weather—–and it’s been a LONG time since that’s happened.
  • While scrolling through a social media page, a friend posted a song,* based on Psalm 23.
  • As I the song blessed me, I was reminded we all have some hardness to endure as good soldiers.
  • The Lord, Our Shepherd also let me know that as we endure, we will not want, therefore we should always represent Him well.

Scripture references

Psalm 23

1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

2 Corinthians 5:7
For we walk by faith, not by sight.

2 Timothy 2:3
Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

Psalm 46:1
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

There are some things the Lord takes us over, and other things we He takes us through.

BCUFam, I do not know anyone who enjoys being sick or going through hard situations on any level. If the battle goes longer than we think it should, if we are not careful, we can allow it to alter our mood to the point where we’re grumbling and complaining to others about how unfair what we are experiencing is, and taking our frustration out on those around us. Is that how Christ would want us to represent Him?

We will have times where our faith will be tested to the point where we’ll have some off days on occasion—-and that’s understandable. When we feel those feelings coming, let’s remember that Psalm 23 is true—the Lord is our Shepherd, so we will not want or lack ANYTHING we need, including the help and strength we need to ensure Jesus is well-represented through all we endure. Amen? 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 Thursday nights––we are LIVE on YouTube 8:05EST/7:05CST. You can also listen in and subscribe to the podcast on Stitcher Radio , Google Play, and Apple Podcasts.

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

Love,

BCU

*To hear the song, please listen to the podcast.

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