Wednesday, January 30, 2013

BUT.. go on living in spiritual darkness (1 John 1:6)


So we are lying if we say we have fellowship with God
 
BUT…
Go on living in spiritual darkness,
we are not practicing the truth.
BUT...
If we walk in the light, as He is the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all our sins…
1 John 1:6  ESV

Are you trying to hide something from yourself, others or even God. 
It is a lie that you are telling yourself. God is the light and He reveals the truth when we are living in the spirit.

This takes effort on our part. We must make the decision every day, every moment to walk in His light. 
To let His thoughts be our thoughts.
I find this interesting when we are in fellowship with God it results in fellowship with others. You can’t love God and hate people around you. This is a hard pill to swallow, you say “these people drive me crazy, you have no idea how they have treated me” BUT God knows and loves them too. Maybe they don’t know it yet or may they are not living in the light and your love to them will be what reveals God to them.

BUT... the sins of the whole world (1 John 2:2)


He (Jesus)is God’s way of dealing with our sins,
not only ours
BUT…
The sins of the whole world.
1 John 2:2

When we first read this it sounds really good. BUT I want you to think about it, this means even the people who have wronged you. And if God can forgive them He can give you the freedom to forgive them as well.
Do it today and Free yourself. 

BUT... if anyone does sin (1 John 2:1)


My little Children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin.
BUT…
If anyone does sin we have an advocate with the father. Jesus Christ the righteous.
1 John 2:1  (ESV) 
The Lord is not pleased when we intentionally act in a way that we know is not pleasing to Him.
An advocate is defined as one that pleads the cause of another
. Jesus is in heaven and when God is not happy with us He simply says BUT daddy I took care of that. 

BUT... now that HE lives (Romans 6:10)


When He (Christ) died, he died once to break the power of sin.
BUT…
Now that HE lives, He lives for the glory of God.
Romans 6:10  (NLT)
These verses are an anthem tome. When my 22 year old daughter died I found hope in these verses. BUT now she lives, she lives for the Glory of God. Jesus had to die to concur death and when He did He made a way for ANY one who believes in Him to follow in His Path. Crystal is alive in heaven and truly lives for the glory of GOD.



BUT... the way of those who do right (Proverbs 15:19)


The path of the lazy is like a hedge of thorns…
BUT
The way of those who do right is a clear road.
Proverbs 15:19  CEB
My son is currently in college and for a while seemed to go through a lazy spell. Just looking at his room reminded me of a hedge of thorns, you couldn't walk without stepping on something. He was always losing his keys and wallet. Thank God He has come out of it and now when he needs something or wants to go somewhere he has a clear road. 

BUT patient people calm down strife (Proverbs 15:18)


Hotheads stir up conflict…
BUT
Patient people calm down strife.

Proverbs 15:18  CEB


This goes back to one of my life verses Proverbs 15:5 A soft answer turns away wrath. No matter what the situation is, that you are in. Take a deep breath (be patient) and the strife around you will become calm. The same God that told the waters to stop raging can stop the conflict in your life. Only God can help you become a patient Person

BUT... a happy heart (Proverbs 15:15)


All the days of the needy are hard…

BUT
A happy heart has a continual feast.
Proverbs 15:15  CEB
A happy heart is a choice. It is not our circumstances that make us happy but the condition of our heart. What makes a person needy? Did you picture a homeless person?  I have spent time with several homeless and many of them have a happy heart.  What is the condition of your heart today?

BUT... fools feed on folly (Proverbs 15:14 )


An understanding heart seeks knowledge…

BUT
Fools feed on folly.
Proverbs 15:14 CEB
Are you seeking knowledge or just spouting off to the world what you think you know?



BUT... a troubled heart (Proverbs 15:13)


A
Joyful heart
Brightens one face…

BUT
A troubled heart
Breaks the spirit.
Proverbs 15:13  CEB
Joy has a way of over flowing. Even if a person is not smiling their face still shines. ha

BUT... loves those who pursue righteousness (Proverbs 15:9)


The Lord
Detest the path of the wicked…

BUT
Loves those who pursue
Righteousness.
Proverbs 15:9  CEB
Detest is a strong word quite the opposite of love and pursue is an action that GOD loves.
It is not just hoping for or even desiring for BUT to take action to become righteous.
 BUT we must be careful that we remember our righteousness is from God as we humble display it.

BUT... favors the prayers (Proverbs 15:8)


The Lord
Detests the Sacrifices of the wicked…
 
But
Favors the prayers of those who do right.

Proverbs 15:8  CEB
 
As our children were growing up and being able to go places on their own we would tell them to “DO RIGHT” we told them there wasn't a list that they could remember of the do’s and don’ts because inevitably we would forget the one trouble they may find.
So it was just better for them to learn to “JUST DO RIGHT”

BUT the heart (Proverbs 15:7)


The lips of the wise spread knowledge…

BUT
The heart of fools have none.
Proverbs 15:7 CEB

Here we see how the mouth speaks what is in the heart.
 Listen to yourself speak today. Are you spreading knowledge?

BUT the gain of the wicked (Proverbs 15:6 )


Great treasure is in the house of the righteous…

BUT
The gain of the wicked brings trouble

Proverbs 15:6   CEB


I don't have any comments on this one yet. Be part of the BIG BUT BOOK and be the first to add your thoughts!

BUT... those who listen to instruction (Proverbs 15:5)


A fool doesn't like a father’s instruction…
BUT
Those who listen to correction are mature.
Proverbs 15:5 CEB

Stop a moment before you show this to your children.
 How closely are you listening to your heavenly father? (ouch) 

BUT dishonest talk (Proverbs 15:4)


Wholesome speech
is a tree of life…
BUT…
Dishonest talk breaks the spirit.



Proverbs 15:4 CEB

 
Imagine a tree of life…
Full of blossoms in the spring,
Providing shade in the summer,
 vibrant colors in the fall,
Just thinking about it relaxes me and that is the same as a gentle tongue.

 BUT the tongue can also be an AXE and cut down someone’s spirit.

But... the mouth of fools (Proverbs 15:2)


The tongue of the wise enhances knowledge…
BUT…
The mouths of Fools gushes with stupidity.
Proverbs 15:2 CEB

We all know someone who talks to much (or maybe that person is you)
 This is a great life lesson- to speak less and listen more.

BUT a harsh word (Proverbs 15:1)


A soft answer turns away wrath …
 BUT
A harsh word stirs up anger
Proverbs 15:1 NKJV

This was one of the first verses I ever memorized. It is also the first verse I teach others.
IF we use this as a basis for all conversations what a happy world we would have.