But I DESERVE it right NOW!

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 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:

Merriam Webster has a few definitions for the word deserve:
a. Recognition; praise; to be worthy of.
b. To do something or show qualities worthy of reward or punishment due to actions or qualities.
c. Earned or merited.

Typically, if you deserve something, it’s right that you get it because of the way you behaved.
Honoring others is in line with the Word of God. Romans 13:7 encourages us to give honor to whom honor is due.
Sometimes, we feel like we deserve the blessings of God when, where and how we want it—based on our “worthiness”.

Scripture references

We love Him, because He first loved us (I John 4:19).

[Jesus said] If you love Me, keep My commandments (John 14:15).

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved (John 3:16-17).

Matthew 7:7-11

7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
9 Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?
10 Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?
11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning (James 1:17).

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: (Ecclesiastes 3:1).

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 (Romans 8:28).

Isaiah 55:8-9

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.

Proverbs 3:5

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding. (Job 38:4).

Surely your turning of things upside down shall be esteemed as the potter’s clay: for shall the work say of him that made it, He made me not? or shall the thing framed say of him that framed it, He had no understanding? (Isaiah 29:16).

BCU Fam, the Lord got my attitude all the way together and for that I am GRATEFUL! It’s so much better to serve God out of love versus keeping lists. What has been your experience with naming and claiming? Did you ever feel like you did or did not deserve something from God? Please head down to the comment section so we can continue our conversation!

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! 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

28 Jan 201929 Jan 2019

BlenCouragesULeave a comment

When the “forecast” changes…

Hey there BCU Family!

Podcast highlights:

- Whether or not we are walking with God, we are ALL made in God’s image.
- While we have our own ideas on how situations in our lives should turn out, sometimes, God has a different plan.
- While God’s way does not feel good to the flesh, His way is always better.
- How we really feel about God changing “our” plans comes out in our thoughts, words and actions.

Scripture references

Job 37:5-6

5 God thundereth marvellously with His voice; great things doeth He, which we cannot comprehend.

6 For He saith to the snow, be thou on the earth; likewise to the small rain, and to the great rain of His strength.

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 (Romans 8:28).

Galatians 5:17; 24-25

17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

24-25 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

Isaiah 55:8-9

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.

In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you (I Thessalonians 5:18).

Proverbs 3:5

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

WHOO!!! This one is easy to spot in others, BCU Fam, but we really have to look at ourselves here first, right? So what is your gut reaction when the “forecast changes”? How challenging will it be to allow the Lord to adjust your attitude knowing that God has our best interests at heart? Let’s talk some more about this—head down to the comment section so we can continue our dialogue!

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

Love,

BCU

21 Jan 20196 May 2019

BlenCouragesULeave a comment

When trials come, I_______________.

Hey there BCU Family!

Podcast highlights:

Being saved (according to Acts 2:38) is an amazing, wonderful experience and yields an awesome life here and the promise of eternal life as well!
Contrary to some popular preaching and teaching, the Scriptures teach us that going through trials is a part of the Christian walk.
While the trials do not feel good to the flesh, they are purposeful, needed—and GOOD for us.
In all that we go through, God is ALWAYS with us (See Hebrews 13:5).

Scripture references

Job 1:20-22

20 Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped,

21 And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.

22 In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.

Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered (Hebrews 5:8).

I Timothy 4:1-5

1 I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom:

2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.

3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers;

4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables

5 But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you (I Thessalonians 5:18).

Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

And He [Jesus] spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint (Luke 18:1).

So…what are your initial reaction to trials? How challenging will it be to adjust your attitude straightaway? (I know I need to be really mindful!) Let’s talk some more about this—head down to the comment section so we can continue our dialogue!

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

Love,

BCU

13 Jan 201913 Jan 2019

BlenCouragesU2 Comments

God’s lesson from a storm…

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!

So BCU Fam, living in New England, our winters are unpredictable. At the time of this post, we just got through a HUGE snow storm, dumping a foot of snow in most places.

During the storm and in removing some of the snow, I stopped to notice how beautiful and peaceful things looked. And noticed something I don’t ever remember hearing.

Listen to the clip above 👆🏽 and the podcast below to find out!👇🏽

Scriptures to ponder

Rejoice in the Lord alway and again I say, rejoice (Philippians 4:4).

I will bless the Lord at all times and His praise shall continually be in my mouth (Psalm 34:1).

Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him (Job 13:15).

I will never leave you or forsake you (Hebrews 13:5).

Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable (Psalm 145:3).

Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! (Psalm 107:8).

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.. (Ephesians 3:20).

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things (Philippians 4:8).

But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19).

BCU Fam, to God be the glory for showing me this—this post blesses me EVERY TIME I hear it. While tests and trials are inevitable in this life, God has assured us that He is walking with us and we should continue to praise Him with our whole heart—withholding nothing and watch how He moves the situation or our attitude toward it. It is all part of the process of becoming more like Jesus! And on top of all that, when we remember that Heaven belongs to those of us that endure to the end, (see 2 Corinthians 4:17), we should be encouraged to continue praying, fasting, serving and praising God. Amen? Amen!

How are you hanging in through what you’re going through? Is there a praise in your heart? What are your go-to scriptures? Please head down to the comments section to share your thoughts so we can continue our 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