Bible Word Study: Understanding ‘Judge’ in Scripture

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:

  • This month, we will revisit the classic #BCUWord of the Week video series here and on YouTube.
  • “Judge” is this week’s word. One definition in Hebrew is “shofet” meaning, to select, decide or discern. It can also mean, “a deliverer from potential defeat” (that is very important).
  • Would you like to watch the video? Click here: YouTube | BCU Classic Word of the Week.

Scripture references

Luke 7:41-43

41 There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty.

42 And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?

43 Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.

I Corinthians 11:28-31

28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.

29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.

30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.

31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.

Matthew 7:1-5

1 Judge not, that ye be not judged.

2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.

3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?

4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?

5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.

John 7:24

24 Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.

Luke 18:10-14

10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.

11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.

12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.

13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.

14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

Proverbs 18:13

13 He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.

BCUFam, did it surprise you that we make judgements daily as it relates to decision-making? What about the phrase “you cannot judge me”? It is a blessing to now have a deeper understanding and wisdom around this important word. With the help of the Lord, let’s make it our business to judge only according to how the Lord instructs us. Amen? Amen! Let’s pray!

Father, in the Name of Jesus, we come before You with a thankful heart for more insight into Your Word, and for helping us to judge things the way You would have us to, or not at all. We ask that You would help us to turn the spotlight on ourselves on all the areas needed to be more like You. Also, as we are speaking and commenting about things, please help us to remember to acknowledge You first, so that our speech is edifying, administers grace to the hearer and is seasoned with salt (Colossians 4:6 and Ephesians 4:29). We ask that You continue to bless and strengthen us, as we continue to walk upright before You, 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, 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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Unveiling Pride: | BCU Word of the Week

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:

Scripture references

Proverbs 13:10

10 Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.

Proverbs 16:18

18 Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

Daniel 5:20

20 But when his heart was lifted up, and his mind hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him:

Proverbs 29:23

23 A man’s pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.

BCUFam, I know I ended the conversation, but I had to come back! The sprit of pride can sometimes be a “sleeper sin”, meaning in creeps in unaware, as it relates to our family status, social standing, or even pride in our church affiliation or salvation. When I was a youngster, someone told me if a person did not attend our church, they were not saved. I did not realize it at the time, but that was a prideful (high-minded, insensitive and wrong) attitude. I thank the Lord for showing me that the person erred and for Him teaching me that salvation comes from obeying Acts 2:38, and then growing in the knowledge and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.

There are other ways pride can overtake us, so it is on our best interest to ask the Lord to search our hearts and remove any prideful roots in the name of Jesus! Amen? Amen! Let’s pray!

Father, in the Name of Jesus, we come before You with a thankful heart for reminding us that pride breeds quarrels, ruins relationships, and it comes before destruction. With that knowledge, we ask that You help us to remove the weeds of pride from the root, and that we walk in the spirit of humility. We give you all the glory and honor for giving us the privilege of humbly representing You in all our interactions, 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, 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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The Taskmaster vs. The Master

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:

  • Earlier in my career, I had a leader who was a “micro-manager”, strict ruler and rule-follower.
  • There was a time I needed to ask this person for a favor that was outside of the established policy.
  • While the request was a “long shot”, the Lord worked things out (to His glory), and used this experience to refine me, my work, and my prayer life.

KJV Scripture references:

Colossians 3:23-24

23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;

24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.

Proverbs 21:1

The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water: He turneth it whithersoever He will.

Mark 9:23

Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.

BCUFam, when it comes to work, I know there are tasks, people and times that can really challenge us! That’s where we need to remember that our work is really as unto the Lord rather than people. If we work according to how God instructs us, He will reward us accordingly—-and we know when God gives rewards, [whether tangible or not, or on this side of Heaven or not], they are always good!

Also, I am reminded that God can move on the heart of ANYONE! Some of you know people who are hardened and not much moves them——but I know a Man WHO CAN!!!! Continue praying on those impossible situations and see how the Lord moves on your behalf! Watch him work it out and give you peace while you wait! The answer may be different from what you expected, but because God’s ways are perfect, His answers are perfect. Amen? Amen! Let’s pray!

Father, in the name of Jesus, as we come before You today, we thank You for Your goodness, grace, mercy, power and kindness! We thank You for the opportunity to come before You and make our requests know to You, and the peace of God that passes all understanding will guard our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7). There are some things we have been praying for, some situations on our hearts and minds, some impossible challenges that we want to leave with You, Jesus, knowing You have the best resolution, because You are God, You are good and You are able to do exceedingly and abundantly above all we can ask or think according to the power that works in us (Ephesians 3:20).Thank You for the victory according to Your timing, will and way, 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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The Yellow Light Story

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:

  • When driving on surface streets, traffic lights are part of what keeps us from running into one another.
  • Many years ago, I adopted the practice of stopping at yellow lights vs. powering through the intersection.
  • Yellow lights caution us that there could be some danger on the other side of the light.
  • The Lord used a “yellow light” via a scripture to warn me to avoid an impending life collision.

KJV Scripture References

Proverbs 26:11

As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.

Psalm 84:11

For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.

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, sometimes in my hurrying, I admit I have zoomed through yellow lights at intersections, both in my car and life. To the glory of God, He has kept, chastised, taught me some hard lessons, and has forgiven me—–and I AM THANKFUL! And because He knows what’s best for us, He can help us avoid running the lights and waiting for the good and perfect gifts He has for us. Amen? Amen! Let’s pray!

Father, in the name of Jesus, as we come before You today, we thank You for Your warnings and the yellow lights that come up in our lives. We ask that You will help us to hear Your voice and to follow through with what it is You are asking us to do or not to do, so that You are glorified, honored and praised, and that we are protected from the enemy. Jesus, we ask that You will continue to help us to obedient to Your Word, will and way—please be a fence around us. And if we accidentally mess up, we pray for Your mercy, for You to bring us out, that we get the lesson, and stay away from the vomit! We thank and praise You for hearing our plea , 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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The reminder about the dryer…

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:

  • Back in the day–—-when talk shows were all the rage, I was a HUGE fan of the Oprah Winfrey show, and even had a short guest spot (I may need to see if I can find that clip)😉.
  • I found some of her shows helpful in dispensing sound advice for relationships, tasks and chores.
  • One show talked about the potential detriment of leaving your clothes dryer running when you are not at home.
  • Listen in to find out how the Lord used that show to remind me of the importance of obedience.

Scripture references:

I Samuel 15:22-23

22 And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.

23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, he hath also rejected thee from being king.

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.

Proverbs 9:6

6 Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.

BCUFam, I only had about 15-20 minutes left on the cycle for the clothes to dry, so I was really tempted to leave it running so when I returned home, I could get back to “Restville” a lot faster. Despite what I knew to do, the enemy came into my mind to rationalize and debate the sound wisdom God gave me with the lure of convenience, ease, and the pressure to hurry. Oh, but the voice of the Lord came to me and said, “think about what could happen…..if something did happen, it would have been 100% avoidable, if you had just listened.” And thank God I heeded the warning. Sure my day was interrupted, but it could have been altered in a way where a tragedy could have taken place. I thank the Lord for His soft voice reminding me that obedience always is better than sacrifice. Amen? Amen!

Father in the name of Jesus, as we come before you today, we thank You as always for Your Word! Your Word is wisdom in reminding us to acknowledge You in ALL of our ways and to follow through with the information and advice You give us because it is always perfect. Help us to not walk in the ways of foolishness, rather, to use the wisdom You have given us, the wisdom that comes with Your Word and acknowledging You so we are always doing things the right way. And for the times we did not acknowledge You and leaned to our own understanding, please forgive us, Jesus! Please help us, Lord going forward to follow what You say so that You are glorified, honored and praised in our lives. 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, 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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