Tuesday, April 30, 2013

BUT... Godliness with contentment (1 Tim 6:6-8)


"But…
 Godliness with contentment is great gain.
 For we brought nothing into this world and we can take nothing out of it.
But…
 if we have food and clothing we should be content with that."
1 Tim 6:6-8

Some verses just don’t need any comments. The definition of contentment is Peace of Mind.

Monday, April 29, 2013

BUT... I do it anyway (Romans 7:18 -20)


And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right,
BUT… I can’t.
I want to do what is good,
BUT… I don’t.
 I don’t want to do what is wrong,
BUT I do it anyway.
 But if I do what I don’t want to do, I am not really the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it. I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong.  I love God’s law with all my heart.  But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God’s law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin.
Romans 7:18 -20 (NLT)
My husband and I started the year off with the Daniel Fast and then continued with a healthy eating and exercise program for weight loss. These verses became more real to me the last couple of weeks as I know what to eat to take care of my body BUT I can’t, I want to do good BUT I don’t. This may not be very spiritual BUT maybe you are fighting the flesh too remember the answer is Jesus Christ!

Friday, April 26, 2013

BUT... be transformed! (Romans 12:2 )


And do not be conformed to this world,
BUT…
 be transformed by the renewing of your mind,
that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Romans 12:2 NKJV

Do you find yourself struggling against yourself sometimes? Are you justifying your behavior because everyone is doing it?
I love the word transformed is this age of superheroes and the transformer movies. What are you transforming into? Renew your mind by spending time in God’s word and you will win these battles!

Thursday, April 25, 2013

BUT... those who live in the Spirit (Galatians 6:8-9)


Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature.
But…
 those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit.
 So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.
Galatians 6:8-9 NLT
Do you grow weary sometimes? This Christian walk isn’t as easy as it seems, the continual internal battle of choices. Even when we know what the right choice is and we know that we will feel better the flesh is tough! These aren’t just words written on a page they are God’s promises. Keep doing right today may be the day you reap a harvest of blessings!

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

BUT... must be kind to everyone (2 Timothy 2)


The Lord's servants must not quarrel
BUT…
must be kind to everyone.
They must be able to teach effectively
 and be patient with difficult people. 
2 Timothy 2 NLT

The word servant is not something we naturally want to pursue and yet when we do become a servant of the Lord there is no explaining the freedom that comes with it. If you have a desire to serve the Lord this is a great place to start. 

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

BUT..What sayest thou? (John 8:1-11)


Jesus went unto the Mount of Olives. And early in the morning he came again into the temple and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them. And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, they say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned:
BUT what sayest thou?
This they said, tempting him that they might have to accuse him.
BUT Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.
So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, 
He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.  And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground  and they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?      She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her,
 Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.
John 8:1-11 KJV

I have 2 things to say today. If you feel like you are being judged by those around you stop and ask Jesus what he thinks about your situation. Then head the last verse. God does not condemn you.
Next if you are being the accuser and hear Christ words to you
He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her”

Monday, April 22, 2013

BUT... against rulers, forces of cosmic darkness (Ephesians 6:12)

We aren’t fighting against human enemies but against rulers, authorities, forces of cosmic darkness, and spiritual powers of evil in the heavens. (Ephesians 6:12 CEB)

Are you struggling today? When we become a child of God we become an enemy of evil. Nothing makes the enemy happier then to see us fail. Be watchful, it is often little things that lead us to justify our bad behavior. Check In with God first thing and seek His refuge and and protection.

Thursday, April 18, 2013

BUT...condemns those who are plain wicked (Proverbs 12:2-3)


 The Lord approves of those who are good
BUT…
He condemns those who are plainwicked
Wickedness never brings stability,
BUT…
The Godly have deep roots.
Proverbs 12:2-3
I thank God for the deep roots thatare planted in the word of God.
 Through all the changes and storms over thelast few years what has sustained me is the truth in God’s word.

BUT... take heart I have overcome the world (John 16:33)


“I have told you these things,
so that in me you may have peace.
 In this world you will have trouble.
 But… take heart!
I have overcome the world.”
—John 16:33
In light of the bombing at the Boston Marathon it is comforting to know that Christ has overcome the world.

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

BUT... the Lord pours out His unfailing love (Psalms 42:8 )


But…
 each day the Lord pours His unfailing love upon me,
and through each night I sing his songs,
praying to God who gives me life.
Psalms 42:8 (NLT)
Take a moment and bask in God’s unfailing love for you today. 

Thursday, April 11, 2013

BUT... Build each other up (Jude 1:20-22)


 But...
you, dear friends, must build each other up in your most holy faith, pray in the power of the Holy Spirit, and await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will bring you eternal life. In this way, you will keep yourselves safe in God’s love.
And you must show mercy to those whose faith is wavering.

Jude 1:20-22 NLT

I can’t think of a Bigger BUT for the times we are in. As Christian are reputation is being destroyed because of the judgment we proclaim. The word of God is clear.
Build each other up
Pray in the power of the Holy Spirit (not your desires)
Thank God for His mercy on You
Show mercy to others!

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

BUT you must remain faithful (2 Timothy 3:14-15)


But…
 you must remain faithful to the things
you have been taught.
You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you.
2 Timothy 3:14-15
This would be a great graduation verse. A life verse in fact. For many people who have been raised in the church sometimes it is easy to forget what we have been taught. Not necessarily the RULES but all the examples given us by the prophets, Jesus himself and His disciples. Think through the life lessons you have already learned yourself and those you have witness others go through and remain faithful to these things.  

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

BUT...forgiveness is with you (Psalms 130:1-4)


I cry out to you from the depths,
Lord—my Lord, listen to my voice!
Let your ears pay close attention to my request for mercy!
If you kept track of sins, Lord—
my Lord, who would stand a chance?
But…
 forgiveness is with you—
that’s why you are honored.
Psalms 130:1-4
I don’t know where your “depths” are today. I am sure it feels dark and maybe even useless. I do know that when we focus on our selves it gets even worse. Hold on to this BIG BUT… forgiveness is with you! No matter what you have done, no matter how you feel… that is why Jesus is honored. Come out of the depths today.

Monday, April 8, 2013

BUT the Lord stood at my side (2 Timothy 4:17)


But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength.
 2 Timothy 4:17
Paul talks about all of his supporters leaving him when he had to go to court.
 BUT with confidence he proclaims that the Lord stood at his side.
 I pray that you know that today.
 Once you are a child of God He will never leave you.
 No one can snatch Him away from you.