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

BlenCouragesULeave a comment

We don’t have to take it…

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:

  • Last time, we talked about how in a conversation, we “give and take” with our words.
  • Specifically, we spoke about idle words, and our responsibility to ensure the words we give are profitable, edifying and give God glory.
  • What is equally as important is monitoring the thoughts, words and people we allow in our hearts.
  • If what is being said is not lining up with the Word of God, we do not have to “take” it.

Scripture references

James 1:19

19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:

Proverbs 4:23

23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

John 13:34

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

Titus 3:9

But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.

James 2:9

But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.

Romans 1:30-32

30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,

31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:

32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

1 Corinthians 10:13

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

Ephesians 6:10-11

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

Love does not mean that we have to take in everything someone gives us.

BCUFam, we are called to love everyone. That love reminds us that everyone we interact with will not know the Lord, or may only know Him to a certain extent, so, of course we do not reject everyone who doesn’t line up with our beliefs. As people of God, we are prayerfully listen to the person while asking God how to proceed. It is worth noting our love is not a free pass to allow everyone to continually deposit unbiblical thoughts and ideas into our hearts—we do not have to take it!

For example, I know of a few “semi-habitual” givers of unbiblical speech. In one situation, the Lord gave me directions on how to handle the things to keep my heart guarded, but not without me enduring some of the conversations first. In this way, we were able to dialogue about their “unsound speech” based on the Word of God, and with the prayer that the Word would penetrate the heart of the person and make a change. Sometimes changes do not come right away, so as the Lord is dealing with the person, my instructions were to limit our conversations to keep my heart guarded, yet keep my love for the person.

Heart-guarding and conversation-limiting can be a challenge with family members, those in a position of authority, or friends who have a “strong” personality. Even so, it is imperative to prayerfully allow the Holy Ghost to lead us as to how far a conversation should go before we politely shut it down. With the help of the Lord, He will give us perfect directions on what to say and do in the Spirit, so that God is glorified, the person is edified, the enemy is terrified and the situation is rectified! 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

BlenCouragesULeave a comment

A dog that brings a bone..

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 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:
  • When growing up, gossip or talebearing was a normal part of conversations.
  • I noticed that it started trouble in my middle school years.
  • I also noticed that this ungodly habit was prevalent in my adulthood and among some people of God.
  • I was taught that a dog that brings a bone, also carries a bone.

KJV Scripture references

A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends (Proverbs 16:28).

Where no wood is,there the fire goeth out, so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth (Proverbs 26:20).

The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly. (Proverbs 26:22).

Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God (James 1:19-20).

Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; that ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for He maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust (Matthew 5:43-45).

BCUFam, I praise God for heeding His voice and letting Him take over the situation. So much so, that after praying about it, the Lord blessed me to love on and do good for the alleged offender without even thinking about it—-I had actually forgotten initially wanting to confront the person! By being swift to hear the Lord’s directions, He will handle the talebearers and the alleged offender His way and in His time. In the meantime, God is glorified in my life, the offenders and talebearers see how to walk out the Word in these kinds of situations, AND Jesus identifies me a child of my Father in Heaven! Now that’s something to give God praise for! 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

BlenCouragesULeave a comment

Petty Christians?

Hey 👋🏾 there BCU Family!

Typically, you have the option of listening to our podcast, reading the notes or both. For this post, because of the conversational story, please tune into the podcast recording and refer to the written post for the highlights and corresponding Scriptures. 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:

    • A talk show host made a disparaging comment about a respected gospel group.
    • Social media was flooded with rebukes–some mean and personal in nature.
    • A call was made for “petty Christians” to join into the conversation.
    • Webster’s dictionary defines “petty” as having undue an concern about trivial matters, especially in a spiteful way.
    • Petty is another word for “busybody”, which is cautioned against in the Scriptures.
    • Pettiness is not a badge of honor, rather something to be reproached.

Scripture references

Luke 10:38 Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.

10:39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word.

10:40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.

10:41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:

10:42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

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 (1 Peter 4:15).

And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business… (I Thessalonians 4:11).

Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm (Proverbs 3:30).

He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears (Proverbs 26:17).

If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men (Romans 12:17-18).

What are your thoughts on the “petty movement” sweeping our Christian hearts and minds? The comment section is below–let’s continue the conversation!

In the meantime, 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, Instagram, and  YouTube! 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

BlenCouragesULeave a comment