God’s Perfect Timing

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:

  • If you have been with me for any length of time, you are aware I LOVE to talk about time.
  • Time can be measured in two ways——-chronos or (clock) time or kairos time (God’s opportune moments).
  • Ideally, we are aware of and operate in both “time zones”.
  • Once again, God set up a kairos-timed opportunity that I would LOVE to share.

Scripture (KJV) references

Ecclesiastes 3:1&7

1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.

7 A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

Proverbs 27:17

17 Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.

Exodus 13:13-14

13 And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever.

14 The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.

Romans 8:28

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.

BCUFam, I marvel at God and how He does things! Years ago, He set up these relationships, that led to the connections, that led to a Scripture, that led to the confirmation, that led person who needed to hear from Him at a particular time! These are God’s opportune moments, aka the kairos time zone—-and it is a blessing to be a part of His work! We serve a MIGHTY God! Amen? Amen! Let’s pray!

Father, in the name of Jesus, we want to be found doing Your perfect will, thus we thank You for every opportunity You give us to be used by You in the kairos time zone. Please bless us Jesus to be aware and intentional to represent You well in every task and assignment You have for us! Lord, please bless all who are here today to hear Your voice in kairos time and move accordingly, 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 for our Thursday Night Bible Study––-we are LIVE on Facebook, at 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, Apple 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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Avoiding Conflict: Never Take a Dog by the Ears…

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

Podcast highlights:

  • After a productive day, we stopped to get ice cream at a local parlor.
  • This is a popular place, so the line was pretty long and moving at a snail’s pace.
  • One of the staff members was free to assist the line, but was distracted, talkative and disrespectful.
  • The staff member’s comments led to a very loud and embarrassing verbal altercation with a patron.
  • The Lord used this experience to remind and teach me a couple of lessons.

KJV Scripture References:

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.

Proverbs 26:17

 17 He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.

I Peter 4:15

 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters.

6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.

Psalm 19:14

14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.

BCU Fam, as I thought about what happened, the manager was correct in waiting until she was unctioned to ask “Robin” to take a break. Manager quietly apologized for the wait and as we talked, we agreed Robin needed formal training on how to conduct themselves professionally with guests, and refraining for jumping into unrelated conversations.

I thank the Lord for helping me (unconsciously) to walk out Proverbs 26:17——I was not led to interfere and should not have anyway——-because it was NOT my strife. Unless the Lord tells us otherwise, when strife comes up, we should stay out of it and maintain a posture of prayer for the Lord to intervene. Now that’s where the Lord reminded me that I could have done better.

I was so busy (now that I think about it, distracted is more like it) watching the events unfold, I did not have the presence of mind to pray. The distraction is likely a topic for another podcast, but, I will say this is why we need to have a consistent prayer life, so that God intervenes for us, even when we don’t think to pray in the moment. So, I received that correction and with His grace, will apply what He taught me. What a merciful God we serve! Let’s pray!

Father, in the name of Jesus, as many of us are peacemakers, as we should be, thank you for reminding us that our responsibility is to pursue peace and resolution with the strife and conflict in our own lives. We ask you to help us successfully manage the strife that belongs to us, and unless otherwise prompted, help is to stay out of “other men’s matters”, and to remain prayerful for the parties involved. Thank you for hearing our plea and blessing us to follow Your directions accordingly. 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 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, Apple 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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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!

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!

15 Moreover 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.

16 But 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.

17 And 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

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

24 Leave 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

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The Yellow Light Story

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:

  • When driving on surface streets, traffic lights are part of what keeps us from running into one another.
  • Many years ago, I adopted the practice of stopping at yellow lights vs. powering through the intersection.
  • Yellow lights caution us that there could be some danger on the other side of the light.
  • The Lord used a “yellow light” via a scripture to warn me to avoid an impending life collision.

KJV Scripture References

Proverbs 26:11

As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.

Psalm 84:11

For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.

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, sometimes in my hurrying, I admit I have zoomed through yellow lights at intersections, both in my car and life. To the glory of God, He has kept, chastised, taught me some hard lessons, and has forgiven me—–and I AM THANKFUL! And because He knows what’s best for us, He can help us avoid running the lights and waiting for the good and perfect gifts He has for us. Amen? Amen! Let’s pray!

Father, in the name of Jesus, as we come before You today, we thank You for Your warnings and the yellow lights that come up in our lives. We ask that You will help us to hear Your voice and to follow through with what it is You are asking us to do or not to do, so that You are glorified, honored and praised, and that we are protected from the enemy. Jesus, we ask that You will continue to help us to obedient to Your Word, will and way—please be a fence around us. And if we accidentally mess up, we pray for Your mercy, for You to bring us out, that we get the lesson, and stay away from the vomit! We thank and praise You for hearing our plea , 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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Moya’s miracle!

Here there BCU Family!

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:

  • We continue our conversation with my friend, Moya Pugh, founder of Sister 2 Sister International Women’s ministry.
  • Moya and I connected via a work event, and in chatting, we discovered our mutual love of Christ.
  • In our initial conversation, we talked about christian conduct, ministry, and being a safe space.
  • Last time, Moya and I talk about waiting on God, our plans vs God’s plans, and finding love after 40.
  • As we wrap up our conversation, we talk about disappointments, medical procedures, and Moya’s big news!

KJV Scripture References

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.

Psalm 84:11

For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.

Ephesians 3:20

Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us..

Psalm 127:3

Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.

Luke 2:19

But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

Luke 1:37

For with God nothing shall be impossible.

Lawrence Sr, L.J. and Moya
Moya’s miracle!

BCUFam, there were SO many good nuggets in the conversation—it’s difficult to choose just one, but if I had to, I loved how Moya talked about how when God blesses us with whatever we are waiting on (according to His will), that we forget the time we waited and just rejoice that He came through! We serve the God of time, so while we do not always understand His timing, whenever God blesses us, His blessings are always worth the wait. And if the answer is “no”, since God created the heaven and the earth from nothing, (Genesis 1:1), He knows what He is doing, and has something BETTER for us! Amen? Amen! Let’s pray!

Father, in the name of Jesus, we honor You and thank You for Your goodness that is seen is so many different ways, and we thank You for the encouragement You provided through Your Word! Please forgive us, Jesus for the times we ran ahead of You, Lord and leaned to our understanding. We thank You because nothing is too hard for You, You specialize in the impossible, You are all-knowing and You do what is best for us. We pray that going forward, with Your help, that we will trust Your will for us, Jesus, and while we wait, we will serve You with gladness!

For those who may not know You in the pardoning of their sins, Jesus, please speak to their hearts and bless them recognize Acts 2:38 as the plan of salvation, and surrender to You to secure their place in the kingdom of Heaven.

We thank You answering our prayers according to Your will and way, 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, 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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