“This Is A Test….”

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 had an interaction with a service provider where frustration (unintended) was mounting by the minute!
  • I was contemplating walking away and rescheduling the appointment for another time.
  • The Lord quietly told me, “this is a test” and urged me to pass it.
  • In today’s podcast, I will share my test and “results”.

KJV Scripture References:

Ecclesiastes 3:1

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

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.

2 Corinthians 3:2
2 Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men…

On top of everything BCU Fam, I forgot (the person pointed it out) that I had a shirt on that said “Be The Few” (Matthew 7:14)! If I had been quick to anger, if I had been quick to speak, if I had been slow to hear what God had to say to me in that moment, I would have tainted my witness for Christ! I barely passed the test, but I THANK GOD I did!

What I learned is that it behooves us with the help of God, to slow down and know that any circumstance, situation or interaction that happens, is God-ordained. Thus, we need to listen to receive instructions from God as to how to conduct ourselves so that He is represented properly, AND that we can be in a position to be a blessing to someone.

Doing things God’s way assures us that we are walking in the Spirit versus the flesh, we are handling the matter perfectly, God is being glorified in our lives AND we will be rewarded accordingly! Now that’s something to get excited about! Amen? Amen! Let’s pray!

Father in the Name of Jesus, we come before You, thanking You for today’s reminder! With Your help, Jesus, as we are interacting with people, we want to be very conscientious of what it is that you would have us to say, and how we conduct ourselves so that Your presence, Jesus takes over, and that people are healed, encouraged, saved and set free!

We ask that you will continue to strengthen and keep us, as always, Lord, and we will continue to represent You well, and to serve You with distinction in every capacity possible. In Jesus’ name that we thank You and praise 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 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 mediums include Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio, Spotify, and many more of your favorite 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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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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Avoiding Careless Mistakes

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

Podcast highlights:

  • In school, tests are a regular part of the landscape–there was NO way around them.
  • In my day, it was a “badge of honor” to be among the kids who finished first.
  • That honor was sometimes “stripped” as the work was riddled with some avoidable or careless mistakes.
  • The Lord wants us to check over our work to ensure we have no glaring errors.

KJV Scripture References

Matthew 24:45-51

45 Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?

46 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.

47 Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods.

48 But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming;

49 And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken;

50 The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of,

51 And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

John 9:4

4 I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.

Ephesians 5:27

27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

Romans 14:12

12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

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, I have to confess that there are some hard assignments in this life——and they can have us rushing through our work to get it done. But how did get get it done? Did we respond in the right spirit? Was the outside sweet and the inside sour? Did we skip the assignment because we have not forgiven the person? The list goes on, so while we are here and can, let’s ask the Lord what “careless mistakes” we made, what assignments (over)/due, and the wisdom, knowledge and strength to get them done, so we can hear, “well done, thou good and faithful servant…..Enter into the joy of the Lord” (Matthew 25:23). Amen? Amen! Let’s pray about it.

Father, in the name of Jesus, we bless and praise Your name! We magnify You, Lord, because You are worthy of the praise, honor and glory!

We thank You, Lord for the opportunity and the reminder for us make sure to go over all of our work while it is daytime. Please help us to come to You honestly and to review all you have tasked us with—the families, finances, people, gifts, talents, and everything You have given us to steward over, Lord. We may not always have done things the way You have instructed us, Lord, so we repent and ask Your forgiveness. Please help us to be aware and cognizant of our tasks, Jesus, and help us not to do things with an attitude, or out of obligation, but in service to You, so that all our interactions are to YOUR glory, honor and praise.

We thank You for blessing us to be ready to see You in peace. With Your help, Jesus, we will continue to serve You as we are serving others, and we will continue to bless and praise Your holy name! 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

BlenCouragesULeave a comment

Check over your paper…

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:

  • In school, tests are a regular part of the landscape–there was NO way around them.
  • In my day, it was a “badge of honor” to be among the kids who finished first.
  • That honor was sometimes “stripped” as the work was riddled with some avoidable or careless mistakes.
  • The Lord wants us to check over our work to ensure we have no glaring errors.

KJV Scripture References

Matthew 24:45-51

45 Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?

46 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.

47 Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods.

48 But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming;

49 And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken;

50 The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of,

51 And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

John 9:4

4 I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.

Ephesians 5:27

27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

Romans 14:12

12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

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, I have to confess that there are some hard assignments in this life——and they can have us rushing through our work to get it done. But how did get get it done? Did we respond in the right spirit? Was the outside sweet and the inside sour? Did we skip the assignment because we have not forgiven the person? The list goes on, so while we are here and can, let’s ask the Lord what “careless mistakes” we made, what assignments (over)/due, and the wisdom, knowledge and strength to get them done, so we can hear, “well done, thou good and faithful servant…..Enter into the joy of the Lord” (Matthew 25:23). Amen? Amen! Let’s pray about it.

Father, in the name of Jesus, we bless and praise Your name! We magnify You, Lord, because You are worthy of the praise, honor and glory!

We thank You, Lord for the opportunity and the reminder for us make sure to go over all of our work while it is daytime. Please help us to come to You honestly and to review all you have tasked us with—the families, finances, people, gifts, talents, and everything You have given us to steward over, Lord. We may not always have done things the way You have instructed us, Lord, so we repent and ask Your forgiveness. Please help us to be aware and cognizant of our tasks, Jesus, and help us not to do things with an attitude, or out of obligation, but in service to You, so that all our interactions are to YOUR glory, honor and praise.

We thank You for blessing us to be ready to see You in peace. With Your help, Jesus, we will continue to serve You as we are serving others, and we will continue to bless and praise Your holy name! 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, 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

BlenCouragesULeave a comment