BUT... as they sailed He fell asleep (Luke 8:23-25)

BUT...
 as they sailed He fell asleep:
and there came down a storm of wind on the lake;
and they were filled with water, and were in jeopardy.

They came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master we perish.
 Then heH arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water:
and they ceased, and there was a calm.

And He said unto them,Where is your faith?

Luke 8:23-25

No matter what you may be going through right now remember God is there with you. 

BUT He gives more grace (James 4:6)

 BUT... 

He gives us more grace. 

That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud 

BUT 

shows favor to the humble."

James 4:6

Thank God for more grace. When we humble ourselves and realize that we are nothing with out God's presence in our life he gives more grace. LESS is MORE - the less we think of our selves the MORE God can do with us. 

BUT now you are the people of God (1 Peter 2:10)

Once you were not a people, 

BUT...

 now you are the people of GOD; 

once you had not received mercy,  

BUT...

 now you have received mercy. 

1 Peter 2:10

My prayers this Christmas is that you received the gift of God sent! Now you are the people of God. You have mercy. Now let's make 2014 a year of mercy towards others. 

BUT... Mary kept all these things (Luke 2:19)

 BUT... Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.

Luke 2:19

I can only imagine what this young lady went through as she delivered Jesus. The journey, the stable, the birth, the star, her husband, the animals, the shepherds, HER BABY. Now that Christmas is over don't let the meaning of Christmas only last for a day. Make time to ponder (it's a verb: think about (something) carefully, especially before making a decision or reaching a conclusion) What will next year look like for you? Take the spirit of Christmas with you Christ was born for you. You are not in this alone! 

BUT have eternal life (3:16-17)

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

BUT...

 have eternal life.

"For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, 

BUT...

 that the world might be saved through Him.…

John 3:16-17

I believe these are the 2 Biggest BUTs in the Bible. My prayer this Christmas is that you will look past all the packages and lights and take time to enjoy your greatest gift--- eternal life!

With all the gifts you give please make sure you share this gift of God's love.

And if by chance you are reading this and don't have the peace that Christmas brings please comment me on this post and I would be thrilled to talk with you.

Merry Christmas!

 

BUT... knew her not (Matt 1:23-25)

“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son,

    and they shall call His name Immanuel”. (which means, God with us)

When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, 

BUT... knew her not until she had given birth to a son. 

And he called His name Jesus.

Matthew 1:23-25

Not only did Joseph remain faithful to Mary he did not sleep with her until she gave birth.
 Men remember when you love someone you will wait until the right time.
Girls remember you are a treasure.

BUT... as he considered these things (Matt 1:8-21)

Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit.  And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly.

 BUT...

 as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.

 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, 

for He will save his people from their sins.”

 Matthew 1:18-21

Too often we don't stop to think about how Joseph felt during Christmas. His wife was pregnant and not by him! Hello that is crazy. BUT we do know he was a Godly man and he listened to what the Lord told him. He became Jesus' step father. I will forever be grateful for my "stepfather", if in the past you have felt like less of a child because you have a step father just remember Jesus had one and if it's good enough for Jesus it's great for me!

BUT... the angel said to them (Luke 2:10)

BUT...

 the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.

Luke 2:10

I got so excited when I read this BUT! This is the story of Christmas Do not be afraid! The Good news is: not only did Jesus come as a baby to live a perfect life here on earth BUT he died for our sins and HE will come again!



BUT... He is out in the fields (1 Samuel 16:11)

“There is still the youngest,” Jesse replied.

 “BUT...

 he’s out in the fields watching the sheep and goats.”

1 Sam 16:11

This verse just makes me smile because I am the youngest child in my family. God was looking for a new king and He sent Samuel to the family of Jesse to find him. The father showed him all of the sons and none were the one God was looking for. When he asked is this all of your sons the above verse was the reply. When Samuel found David in the field God assured him he was the one! Imagine that - a shepherd keeping watch over his flocks by night.  

BUT chosen by God (1 Peter 2:4)

As you come to Him,

the living stone -rejected by humans

BUT...

 chosen by God and precious to Him.

1 Peter 2:4

From the very beginning of Christ life here on earth He was rejected.

There wasn't even room in the Inn. The innkeeper may not have realized that Christ the King was being born-

so too we may not realize how we reject Him on an everyday basis. Look for the Savior today in the least expected places.

BUT... about that day (Matthew 26:36)

BUT... about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, not the Son, BUT only the Father.....

Matthew 24:36

This time of year it is so fun to watch the kids as they watch for Santa. The anticipation, the excitement plus they are trying to do their very best to be good.
OH if we could translate this excitement into watching and waiting for Jesus return.

Wouldn't that be a grand "Christmas gift". 

 I challenge you to release the child of God with in you.

Get excited, do your best and anxiously anticipate Jesus' return.

BUT... God meant it for good (Genesis 50:20)

"As for you, you meant evil against me, 

BUT...

 God meant it for good

 in order to bring about this present result,

to preserve many people alive.

Gen 50:20

I love this passage and it is one I often meditate on when bad things happen. Just think Joseph's brothers sought out to kill him because they were jealous. BUT God saved him the pit they had thrown him in. Joseph became the ruler over Israel which included his brothers!

God is so good. He's got your back!

BUT... love your enemies (Luke 6:32-35)

 “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you?

 Even sinners love those who love them.....

BUT love your enemies, do good to them,

and lend to them without expecting to get anything back.

Then your reward will be great, 

Luke 6: 32....35

Are you thinking of what you can give to Jesus this Christmas. Well here it is. Love those who you don't find loveable. Just try it with one person and see what happens. What is amazing about God is what ever we give to Him He multiplies and blesses us.

BUT you are a chosen people (1 Peter 2:9)

BUT you are a chosen people,

a royal priesthood, a holy nation,

 God’s special possession,

that you may declare the praises of Him

who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

1 Peter 2:9

What a beautiful verse to wake up to this morning! You were chosen by GOD, you are His special possession.

Praise Him today!!

BUT...in these last days (Hebrews 1:1-2)

In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways,

BUT in these last days

He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, and through whom also He made the universe.

Hebrews 1:1-2      

Listen carefully this holiday season. God is talking to you through the birth of His son.