“Thank You for the “no’s” | Moya Pugh–Part 2

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.
  • Last time, we talked about christian conduct, ministry, and being a safe space.
  • This time, Moya and I talk about waiting on God, our plans vs God’s plans, and finding love after 40!

KJV Scripture References

Psalm 100:2

Serve the Lord with gladness: come before His presence with singing.

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.

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..

Proverbs 18:22

Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the Lord.

Luke 11:11-13

11 If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent?

12 Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?

13 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

Moya and her husband, Lawrence ❤️💙

BCUFam, what resonated most for me, is that sometimes we get more “no’s than “yeses” when requesting certain things from God. Because our finite minds “think” we know what’s best for us, the no’s may seem like punishment or the enemy blocking our blessings.

On the contrary, we have to remember that because our grace and glory giving God is our sun and shield, He will not withhold any good thing from those who walk upright before Him (Psalm 84:11). So if it’s good, and His will, we will get what are asking for. Otherwise, there is something God is protecting us from, hence being grateful for the “no’s”. I will admit, that “no” does not always feel good in the moment, but once we realize that God has better, we will give thanks through the tears, and continue serving the Lord with gladness. Amen? What stood out for you? Please leave a comment so we can continue our conversation!

Moya and I have more to cover, so please stay tuned for our next segment, as we leisurely walk through the next part of her story of God’s purpose and plan for her life. In the meantime, Let’s pray!

Father, in the name of Jesus, as we come before You today, thank You for the words of wisdom and correction You have provided. While we may not always understand every decision You make on our behalf, we know You, Lord, are a good, good Father and You always do what is best for us. So we thank You Jesus, for the “no’s” and with Your help, will continue to serve You while we wait, and declare Your goodness, for You are God and You are GOOD! It is 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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Story time | Lessons from 2023

Hey there BCU Fam!

For this post, I recorded the content via video which is RARE for me! 😆 But it is the end of the year, so why not try something a little different, right? The audio link on the BCU avatar below is a brief explanation that the podcast is on YouTube this week. Please tune into the podcast video (click here), 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:

  • With the grace of God, we are at the end of 2023, and we thank God for His mercy and grace!
  • For many of us, this is a time to recount the defining moments we experienced throughout the year.
  • For this podcast, I am sharing a few lessons the Lord taught/reminded me of via video. Please click here and I’ll see you there!

Scripture references

Proverbs 21:9
It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house.

Proverbs 15:1

A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

Romans 12:18

If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

James 5:16

Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

Galatians 6:1

Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

I Corinthians 13:13

And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

BCU Fam, this was a blessed AND challenging year for many of us, myself included. In all things, we give God praise for His goodness and mercy toward us. I am so grateful for all of you, and will do what I can with His help to continue to keep encourage your hearts so we can #StayOnTheWall together! Let’s pray!

Father, in the name of Jesus, as we come before You today, we thank You for all of the lessons you have taught us this year. It is our prayer that you help us to know how to speak to, respect and prayerfully approach one another, so that you are glorified, honored, and praised in our speech and actions.

Thank You for helping us to be a safe place for someone to come to when they do have a confession. Help us to prayerfully hear what they are saying without judging unrighteously, and to respond in a way that will correct and restore those who desire to do differently. We thank You for blessing each and every person here according to Your riches in glory, and we will give Your name glory and honor, 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 YouTube 8:05EST/7:05CST. You can also listen in and subscribe to the podcast on Amazon Music, AnchorFm, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, iHeart Radio, Spotify, and many 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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Letting go…

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:

  • Once upon a time, I had a God-sent friend who was a wonderful confidant, advisor and encouragement to my heart.
  • And likewise, I was the same for Friend when they needed biblically-based advice and council.
  • One day, Friend needed some extra love and encouragement, and I was delighted to be of assistance.
  • For some odd reason, Friend and I started drifting apart.
  • This anomaly was confusing and was sad, initially, but the Lord walked me through it.

KJV Scripture References

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.

Matthew 18:21-22

21 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?

22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.

Psalm 147:3

3 He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.

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, the Lord is teaching me that not all relationships are “evergreen”—some are seasonal and even still, some are for a season.

On that wise, let us ask the Lord His purpose for the people we come into contact with, and how best we can love them as ourselves. If the time for closeness is up, we should be able to maintain the love even from a distance. Love means that if Friend calls after a year has gone by and says, “can we talk?” with the help of the Lord, we should be able to have a conversation without name-calling, blaming, or chairs being overturned in anger. Love means we have forgiven Friend and do not feel any anger or hurt. Love means that although the person may not be on our “fave five” list (that’s a CLASSIC reference), we can still pray for them with a healed heart, because we gave the entire situation to Jesus. We may not be best buddies, but we can still love and serve as Jesus leads us. Amen? Amen! Let’s pray!

Father, in the name of Jesus, as we come before You today, we thank You for how You speak to our hearts and minds, we thank You for helping us to hear Your voice. Thank You for helping is to understand and accept the reasons and seasons for people in our lives.

Lord, there are some that are struggling today with letting go of a certain relationship or situation—–perhaps because of sentimental value, time invested or a deep love. Whatever the reason is, Jesus, if you are instructing us to let go, please help us to do so completely, giving the person, situation, relationship over to you, knowing that You know what’s best.

For the part that hurts Lord, please heal broken hearts as only You can, in the name of Jesus. For the relationships that will be restored, thank You. And for those relationships You know are past season, we thank You. Please bless us to move on in You, knowing You will not withhold any good thing from us, and all of what is happening is working for our good. It’s 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, 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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Taking 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 post 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 one of the local parlors.
  • This evening, the long was pretty long and moving super slowly.
  • 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.

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, 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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Despise not the chastening of the Lord

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:

  • Recently, I had a conversation with my best friend, Kenya, who is a decorated nurse, and dedicated wife, mother, student, teacher, and minister of the gospel.
  • At work, an unintentional miscommunication came up between Kenya and a nursing student that initially strained the relationship.
  • The Lord used this circumstance as a teaching moment for Kenya, the student, the staff, and many others.
  • With permission, Kenya urged me to share the story and lesson with the BCUFam.

Hebrews 12:5-11

5 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:

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

7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?

8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.

9 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?

10 For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.

11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.

Romans 12:10

10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;

John 13:34-35

34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

Psalm 61:1-2

Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer.

2 From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

Psalm 63:1

O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;

Proverbs 16:3

3 Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established.

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, this testimony was such a blessing on several levels. Many times, the people of God testify about the good things (money, cars, homes, et cetera), that God provides, and there is nothing wrong with that at all–He us a supplier of needs, will take care of His people and we NEED to hear that. What’s more valuable and less popular are these testimonies——-where we confess our faults to one another and share the lessons and correction without shame or concern about who will judge us.

Frankly, we should be more concerned with the Lord judging us. 1 Corinthians 11:31-32 tells us, if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world. In other words, the Lord lets us know where we missed the mark, so we can correct ourselves NOW (with His help), so we don’t have to be condemned LATER. Kenya was tender to the Holy Spirit’s correction and obeyed what He said, so she’s all set. And she shared this story with us as a reminder for us to do the same thing. Let’s pray!

Father, in the name of Jesus, we thank you for our sister Kenya sharing her testimony and experience with us freely. Thank You for the correction and chastening that You give us here, Lord, so we can see You in peace when we leave this present world and hear “well done, thou good and faithful servant. Enter thou into the joy of the Lord.”

Bless us to be without spot, wrinkle or blemish in all interactions with people, so that You are glorified, honored and praised every time. Help us to see when we are not honoring You in our communication and blessing us to correct our behavior going forward without justification, but rather in humility and gratefulness. Thank You for the mind to want to please You in all of our ways. We thank You for hearing our plea, for Your patience and unfailing love towards us. 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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