Trusting God Post-Election: A Call to Prayer

Hey there BCU Fam!

Whew, I thank the Lord for being back after being sick last week! 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 podcast blesses and encourages you. If so, please thumbs up AND leave a comment! Thank you and enjoy the post!

Podcast highlights:

  • As of this podcast, we are one week post-elections in the United States of America.
  • For many, the results were a bit of a shock and disappointment, and for others, a long-awaited victory.
  • In a social media post, someone said “the people have spoken” with respect to the democratic process.
  • Without getting into the quagmire of politics, the Word of God tells us that He has spoken.

Scripture references

Proverbs 16:9

A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps.

Proverbs 19:21

There are many devices in a man’s heart; nevertheless the counsel of the Lord, that shall stand.

Philippians 4:6-7

Be (anxious) careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Psalm 121:1-2

1 I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.

2 My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.

Matthew 9:37

Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;

Galatians 6:9

And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

Romans 8:28

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 understand, respect and thank God for the democratic process that we’ve created, where we choose who we’d like to lead us. While those systems have their place, ultimately, God directs the outcome.

Now, I will say there are some things God allows that we may not agree with or fully understand, but that’s where we have to look to Jesus as the Good Father He is and trust that He will work things out for those who love Him and are the called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). As we see the day of the Lord approaching and uncertainly looming, this is a time for us to really pray that the Lord will cover, keep, lead, guide, direct and protect us. Additionally, we should be praying that God will help us to walk out the work He has called us to do. Finally, we should be praying for those who do not know Jesus in the pardoning of their sins will be saved. Our only way through uncertainty, concerns, questions, and to Heaven is through Jesus. Let’s hold on to His Word and unchanging hand. Amen? Amen! Let’s pray.

Father, in the name of Jesus, we thank You for this day You have made and we rejoice and are glad in it! As the elections are over and results have been called, there are some who are rejoicing, and others who are frazzled, nervous, confused, angry, or afraid. Whatever the emotion is, Hebrews 4:15 reminds us that You are a high priest that can be touched by the feeling of our infirmities! So we take every emotion, concern, problem and worry to You, Jesus, and we leave them at Your feet, in exchange for the peace the passes all understanding, that will guide our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Lord, we know that no matter who is in charge, YOU are still on the throne and in control. Please continue to keep and provide for us as You always have. Please help us to stay focused on You and not fall away in these uncertain times. We also ask You to please bless us to an encouragement to Your people, and to be the light for those who need to You in their lives, Jesus. We thank and praise You for hearing our cry and answering our prayers, 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 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 Perspectives on Rest: Uncovering Word Study Series Finale

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 (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:

  • We are wrapping up our word study series for the month by looking at the Biblical definition of a word or phrase.
  • One Greek word for “rest” is anapausis, which means to cease from movement, intermission, or tranquility of the body and/or mind, even when there is chaos all around us.
  • The people of God should be resting on a regular basis as God did, and as Jesus said.

Scripture references

Luke 19:13
And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.

Proverbs 3:5-6

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

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

Genesis 2:2

2 And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.

Matthew 11:28-30

28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Mark 6:30-32

30 And the apostles gathered themselves together unto Jesus, and told him all things, both what they had done, and what they had taught.

31 And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat.

32 And they departed into a desert place by ship privately.

BCUFam, our bodies and minds need to rest on the regular in order to hear God and to function optimally. While we cannot deny that we have situations here, if we know Jesus in the pardoning of our sins, we can take our concerns to the Lord in prayer and leave them there without the situations consuming us with rest-stealing worry and anxiety.

Also, let’s commit to practicing taking time away from the hustle and bustle of our lives on a regular basis and get to a “desert” place where Jesus is, so we can operate more in the “kairos” time zone.* In doing so, we will find that although the situations have not changed, our yokes are easy and our burdens are light. Amen? Amen! Let’s pray about it!

Father, in the name of Jesus, as we come before You, we thank You for the Word of God that has refreshed our souls! Thank You for reminding us, that when we are overwhelmed, we can go to the Rock that is higher than ourselves, just as David did. We can come to You in prayer with all of our concerns, situations, thoughts and feelings, and leave them with You, so we are no longer consumed, but feel peace and experience rest as only You can give.

Please remember those of us who are really in the thick of the worry struggle. Some of us are not resting because of situations going on our our families, on the job, with our children, our spouses, friends, our desire for a spouse, our physical and/or mental health, past trauma, or any number of things. We ask Lord, that your Spirit touches all who are going through even now, Lord Jesus——–bless them to feel Your presence, and to hear Your voice as You speak over their situation and work things out according to Your will and way. Bless everyone listening to remember that You are able to do exceedingly and abundantly above all we can ask or think according to the power that works in us. 

Thank you for blessing someone today to repent, be baptized and filled with the Holy Ghost so they can experience the rest that comes from You, Jesus. We thank You for answering our prayers today, 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, YouTube podcasts, Pandora, Spotify, and many others 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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Haste, waste, stress & mess.

Here 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:

  • Blogging/podcasting is such wonderful blessing to me—–the Lord has truly brought BCU a LONG way!
  • Experience has taught me that I need to break my podcast production into two parts.
  • One particular week, I leaned to my own faulty understanding and did not follow that teaching.🤦🏽‍♀️
  • Listen in to what happened, and what the Lord taught me about haste, waste and prayer.

KJV Scripture Reference

Proverbs 3:5-6

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

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

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

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

I Thessalonians 5:17

 Pray without ceasing.

BCU Fam, we live in a society where it is almost a badge of honor to be busy, running, stressed and tired. There is no biblical evidence of that being a requirement for salvation, or living the Christian life. In order to combat this worldly mindset, with the help of the Lord, we should acknowledge Him regarding ALL our tasks, even the things we know we have to take care of routinely. I am not saying that we need to ask the Lord if we should brush our teeth or clean up the spilled milk before we leave for work. Rather, if we make it a habit to start our day with prayer (Psalm 63:1), and pray throughout the day, asking the Lord for the wisdom, knowledge and understanding on how to carry out our assignments, and which ones take priority for the day, He will help us. Amen? Amen! Let’s pray!

Father, in the name of Jesus, as we come before You, thank You so much for the reminder, as always to acknowledge You in all of our ways. Whether we are going to work, school, at home, taking care of family, whatever it is, please help us to ask You, Jesus, in what sequence things should go in for the day.

Help us, Jesus to hear You and follow that sequence, so that we are not walking around tired, stressed, angry, agitated, irritated, or any of those things that are not of You. Thank You for giving us the grace to follow what You tell us to do, as we look forward to being more productive and doing things in the kairos time zone, according to Your will and way! 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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Need a pick-me-up? Let’s read Psalm 91!

Here 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:

  • While many of us know the Lord, there are times when we feel afraid, lonely, defeated, attacked or just depleted.
  • At the time of this podcast, I am having a bit of a valley experience (yes, it happens to me, too).
  • A dear sister encouraged me to read Psalm 91—which happens to be a favorite of mine!
  • By the time the Lord took me through His Word, I felt SO much lighter and refreshed–glory to God! I pray you are encouraged as well!

KJV Scripture Reference

Psalm 91

1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

2 I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.

3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.

4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;

6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.

7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.

8 Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.

9 Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;

10 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.

11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.

12 They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.

13 Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.

14 Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.

15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.

16 With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.

So BCU Fam, I feel like GOING ON! What about you? Let’s pray about it!

Father in the Name of Jesus, as we come before You today, we thank You that we dwell in the secret place of the Most High, so that means we abide under Your shadow. We thank You that we can confidently say You are our refuge, fortress and our God and we trust in You. We thank You for delivering us from the snare of the fowler and the noisome pestilence! We thank you that a thousand may fall at our side and ten thousand at our right hand, but it doesn’t come near us.

We thank You, Lord Jesus, that you are our habitation, no plague comes nigh our dwelling and for giving Your angels charge over us. We thank you for setting Your love upon us, delivering us and that we call on You and You answer us. You will be with us in trouble and You will deliver, honor and show us Your salvation and give us long life! Thank You, Jesus for everything in Psalm 91 and how it applies to us.

Thank You for speaking to someone’s troubled heart and mind, for calming and settling us down and for the victory 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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Fret not | Psalm 37

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

  • Focusing on others causes us to worry, get anxious, and to fret.
  • The word “fret” has several meanings including to be agitated, to be disturbed or to gnaw.
  • While we may initially be disturbed about our situation, consistent fretting has no place in the life of a believer.
  • The Word of God has “built-in” verses to ease the hearts of those who fret.

KJV Scripture references–Psalm 37

1 Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.

2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.

3 Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.

4 Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

5 Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.

6 And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.

7 Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.

8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.

9 For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the earth.

10 For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be.

11 But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.

12 The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth.

13 The Lord shall laugh at him: for he seeth that his day is coming.

14 The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, and to slay such as be of upright conversation.

15 Their sword shall enter into their own heart, and their bows shall be broken.

16 A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked.

17 For the arms of the wicked shall be broken: but the Lord upholdeth the righteous.

18 The Lord knoweth the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall be for ever.

19 They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied.

20 But the wicked shall perish, and the enemies of the Lord shall be as the fat of lambs: they shall consume; into smoke shall they consume away.

21 The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous sheweth mercy, and giveth.

22 For such as be blessed of him shall inherit the earth; and they that be cursed of him shall be cut off.

23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way.

24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand.

25 I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.

26 He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed.

27 Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore.

28 For the Lord loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.

29 The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein for ever.

30 The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment.

31 The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide.

32 The wicked watcheth the righteous, and seeketh to slay him.

33 The Lord will not leave him in his hand, nor condemn him when he is judged.

34 Wait on the Lord, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it.

35 I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree.

36 Yet he passed away, and, lo, he was not: yea, I sought him, but he could not be found.

37 Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace.

38 But the transgressors shall be destroyed together: the end of the wicked shall be cut off.

39 But the salvation of the righteous is of the Lord: he is their strength in the time of trouble.

40 And the Lord shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him.

BCU Fam, as a “recovering fretter”, I completely understand how it feels when you are waiting for God to move on your behalf for the healing, job, spouse, blessing, miracle, situation to clear up or whatever you are trusting God for. As we mature in Christ, it is imperative that we remember God really is in control and that His will, timing and gifts are always perfect. Trust me, (well, trust God) whatever He has for you will be so much better than you imagined, you’ll be so thankful that you waited and did things God’s way. Let’s pray about it!

Father in the name of Jesus, we thank You that rather than fretting needlessly, we can come to you with our anxious thoughts, worries, cares and concerns, and leave them with You. We will no longer be consumed with who is doing what, and seemingly getting by, rather, we will rest and wait patiently in You, Lord. We will rest knowing that our steps are ordered and that we are the righteous, so we will not be forsaken, and we are Your seed, so we will not be begging bread. We bless Your name because You preserve and deliver your saints because we trust in You. Thank You for Your continual care of us, Jesus, and we will continue to give Your name the praise and glory, 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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