BUT... God's discipline is always good for us. (Hebrews 12:10)

For our earthly fathers disciplined us for years,
doing the best they knew how.

BUT…

God's discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in His holiness. No discipline is fun while it is happening—it’s painful!

BUT…

Afterward there will be peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.

Hebrews 12:10

You have to be a parent to understand this verse. Discipline is hard on both the one delivering it and receiving it. Often it is easier just to not administer it. BUT the result is never good when we avoid correcting bad behavior. God loves us and so He must discipline us. It seems the world we live in today wants to put God in their little box as just a loving God and go about doing whatever pleases them BUT when things don’t please them they want to ask what happened to that loving God? Wake UP. God loves us so HE must discipline us.

BUT ...perfect love cast out fear (1 John 4:18)

There is no fear in love; 

but...

 perfect love casts out fear, 

because fear involves torment. 

But...

 he who fears has not been made perfect in love.

 (I John 4:18 NKJV)

As I was doing my daily reading today at 3:20 am. I read this verse for what seems like the first time. Today is Valentines Day and as we examine this verse on love my first thought is what's fear got to do with it? Think about it... Once you have experienced God's love He truly does cast all your fears away. You can totally trust Him with every aspect of your life. This is PERFECT LOVE!

BUT... have everlasting life. (John 3:16-18)

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish

BUT…

 have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world,

BUT…

 that the world through Him might be saved.

“He who believes in Him is not condemned;BUT…

 he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. (John 3:16-18 NKJV)

This is by far the most popular verse in the Bible... And it has 3 BIG BUTS. #1 God wants us to have everlasting life. #2 He sent His son to offer us eternal life. #3 It is our choice to believe or not to believe.

Happy Valentines Day!

BUT... there is one thing I remember (Lamentations 3:17-23)

BUT there’s one thing I remember… 

God’s loyal love couldn't have run out...

They are created new every morning. 

How great is your faithfulness.

Lamentations 3:17-23 (MSG)

It is days like today that this verse keeps me going. It has been raining for DAYS and it makes me tired and sad. I am so glad that every morning God’s mercies are new and I can begin again.
How about you?

But... do this in a gentle and respectful way (1 Peter 3:15-16)

Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks you about your hope, always be ready to explain it.

BUT…

Do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ.

1 Peter 3:15-16 (NLT)

This verse speaks for itself. BUT it takes some meditation. When someone asks you how you can smile when everything around you is falling apart. The answer is always Jesus. BUT if when we tell others about Jesus as our hope and we are not humble we can do more damage than good.  Often we stop quoting after that verse BUT the next one reminds us to live a life that is pleasing to God so that no one has bad things to say.

BUT.. my family and I will serve the Lord (Joshua 24:14-15)

So now, revere the Lord. Serve Him honestly and faithfully. Put aside the gods that your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates and in Egypt and serve the Lord.

BUT… if it seems wrong in your opinion
 to serve the Lord,

then choose today whom you will serve….

BUT..

my family and I will serve the LORD.

Joshua 24:14-15    CEB

This is definitely one of those BIG BUTS of the Bible. Who are you serving today? What does serving the Lord look like to you? I find that I have to tell myself this every morning and then sometimes several times throughout the day. It is a CHOICE to put aside the gods that are right before me (my selfish desires) and choose to serve the Lord.

BUT... two can stand back-to-back and conquer (Ecclesiastes 4:12)

A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated,

BUT…

 two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.

Ecclesiastes  4:12

I automatically think of a marriage when I read this verse.

 Don’t try to stand alone you will never make it. Work together as a couple 

BUT more importantly Invite God to be part of your marriage.

 He makes that triple-braided cord that when either one of you come unraveled

 He will hold you together.

BUT...only speak what is helpful (Ephesians 4:29)

Do not let any unwholesome talk

come out of your mouths,

BUT…

Only what is helpful to building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

Ephesians 4:29  NIV

This verse was part of this Sunday’s message called Fighting Mad by Pastor Beau Adams at Community Bible Church. God can do amazing things in your life when you turn your mouths over to Him. To me it has been like learning a new language. Stop and think about what you want to say and then allow the Holy Spirit to translate it to words that may benefit those who listen. It is hard work BUT all it takes is surrender on your part and one day it is as if you are bilingual and you find yourself being a positive speaker. I speak from experience!