BUT...each person is tempted (James 1:13-15)

When tempted, no one should say,

“God is tempting me.”

For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; BUT each person is tempted when

they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed .

Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin...

James 1:13-15a

It's funny to me how we don't want to take responsibility for when things go wrong in our life. Thoughts often come up like "why is God allowing this?' well in these verses it clearly explains ; we let our desires control  us  and before we know it we are trapped and want to blame God.

BUT... thanks be to God (Romans 6:17)

BUT thanks be to God that, 

though you used to be slaves to sin, 

you have come to obey from your heart 

the pattern of teaching that has now 

claimed your allegiance.

Romans 6:17

What an outstanding verse for for where our country is right now. It is good to pledge allegiance to the great USA but remember we are called to a much higher calling and our ultimate allegiance is to Jesus Christ who freed us from our selfish way of thinking. Thanks be to God.

BUT...in everything by prayer (Philippians 4:6)

Be anxious for nothing

BUT in everything by prayer and supplication, with THANKSGIVING, let your request be made know to God.

Phil 4:6 

With this being Thanksgiving week I feel this is a great lesson to practice. Let's not start the season off with prayer request that sound more like a list for Santa. BUT this Thanksgiving let's make this verse our example. BUT in everything (God really means everything!) pray (don't tell) . 
The definition of supplication is the action of asking or begging for something earnestly or humbly.
 A prayer like this with truly show God we are thankful.

BUT... Thank God (Romans 6:17)

BUT... thank God that although you used to be 

slaves of sin, you gave wholehearted obedience to the teaching that was handed down to you

Romans 6:17

During this time of Thanksgiving,  He has given us freedom.
 Are you wholeheartedly obeying what you have been taught by the Holy Spirit that lives within you. It is not man's law that matters. Listen carefully this holiday season and give the gift of thankfulness and obedience. 

BUT.... set an example (1 Timothy 4:12)

Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, BUT set an example for the believers
 in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity

1 Tim 4:12.

This verse really got me thinking about eternal life. 
Considering the average life here is 78 years and eternity is Forever.... we are all young in comparison. 

This verse is not just for teenagers or college students BUT for all of us ,
so go out there and live the example you want to be remembered for.

But... those who wait on the Lord (Isaiah 41:31)

BUT...

those who wait on the Lord

Shall renew their strength;

They shall mount up with wings like eagles,

They shall run and not be weary,

They shall walk and not faint.

 Isaiah 41:31
Are you growing tired? That often happens during the holiday season stop and imagine a picture of an eagle soaring..... relax, you have the strength within you to make it through.
We all have a lot to do BUT when we focus on Jesus we will not faint. 

BUT...perfect love drives out fear (1John 4)

God is love...There is no fear in love,

BUT perfect love drives out fear...

We love because He first loved us.

  1 John 4

Are you worried about something today? 
Well you do not have to anymore. God's got this!

BUT... to others in parables (Luke 8:9-10)

And his disciples asked him, saying, What might this parable be?

And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God:

BUT to others in parables; 
that seeing they might not see, 
and hearing they might not understand.

Luke 8:9-10

Have you ever wondered why Jesus spoke in so many parables (stories) it is because He knew each one of us learns differently. Some of us have to see something to understand, others get it when they listen, while like me I have to engage in something to understand it and that is why Jesus told us a story that we can relate to!  

BUT the same Lord (1 Corinthians 4:12)

There are different kinds of gifts, 

BUT the same Spirit distributes them. 

There are different kinds of service,

BUT the same Lord.

There are different kinds of working, 

BUT in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.

1 Corinthians 4:12

God has created each one of us differently.

 Please don't worry about what anyone elses' gift is or how they go about serving others.

Take the time today to put your gift and service into action and watch the world around you change!

Every part of the body is important (1 Corinthians 14:15-18)

For the body does not consist of one part
 BUT of many.

If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. .... 

If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? 

BUT as it is, 

God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as He chose. 

1 Corinthians 14,15,17,18

Take a moment to really "get" this verse. First if you get confused on how God, the Son and the Spirit can be 3 separate beings and still be One this verse explains. Just like my hand is my hand and my foot is my foot they are still One body. 

Next this verse expresses how important each one of us is to each other. Every person God has created is part of the body of Christ. No one part is more important then the other. Maybe today you are feeling like a big toe. Well imagine life with out the big toe.
You lose your balance! Everyone of us is important. 

BUT...by Me (1 John 14:6)

Jesus said unto him,

 I am the way, the truth, and the life: 

no man comes to the Father, 

BUT by me.

John 14:6

Three simple words BUT by me. Can change your life. Jesus doesn't care what you have done,
what He cares about is you knowing and believing that
He loves you and He wants you to trust Him and acknowledge that He is the Boss of your life!

BUT... with You there is forgiveness (Psalm 13:3-4)

If you, Lord, kept a record of sins,

Lord, who could stand?

BUT... with you there is forgiveness,

so that we can, with reverence, serve you.

Psalms 130:3-4

Too often we humans want to justify our behavior and put sin into categories and them tell ourselves "I have't committed any of the "BIG" sins, I'm just human.
Today understand that we all screw up,  BUT God does not keep a record of our sins
BUT instead forgives us. Now let's go out and love our God and serve Him.

BUT... you will see me (John 14:19)

The Spirit of truth.
The world cannot accept Him, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. 
BUT...you know him, for He lives with you and will be in you.
I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 
Before long, the world will not see me anymore,
 BUT... you will see me. Because I live, you also will live
John 14:19
These are Jesus' words to us. When He went to be with His father he did not abandon us, He left us the Holy Spirit ( I like how He is referred to here as the Spirit of Truth). Remember the world can not see what we have in our heart. Today make it a practice to listen to the Spirit of Truth.

BUT... if you look carefully into the perfect law (James1:25)

BUT... if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and you do what it says and don't forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.

James 1:25
You may ask "What is the perfect law" it is very simple.... Love God with your whole heart and treats others how you would like to be treated. Are you doing that today? Then expect a blessing today!