Thursday, January 30, 2014

BUT... where sin increased (Romans 5:20)

 The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase.
But where sin increased,
grace increased all the more,
Romans 5:20
Can't say I completely understand this verse. I have studied it and am just glad I don't have to understand everything to know that God's grace is all I need.

Sunday, January 26, 2014

BUT among you it will be different (Mark 10:43)

But among you it will be different.
Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant. 
 Mark 10:43
Jesus ultimately had the best leadership style. Serve others and they will follow you.

Saturday, January 25, 2014

BUT those who listen to correction gain understanding (Proverbs 15:32)


Those who refuse discipline despise themselves…
BUT

Those who listen to correction gain understanding.
Proverbs 15:32  CEB
To often when we think about children.
BUT we are children of God and He is reminding us of this. Are you listening today?

Friday, January 24, 2014

BUT if we walk in the light (1 John 1:7)


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 1:7

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.

Thursday, January 23, 2014

BUT sinners to repentance (Luke 5:31-32)


Jesus replied to them,
The healthy don’t need a doctor,
BUT…
The sick do.
I have not come to call the righteous,
BUT… 
Sinners to repentance.

Luke 5:31-32

If today you are trying to get right before you accept Jesus take hold of this verse. He did not come to earth for the righteous BUT for sinners. Meaning He knows where we fail and loves us because of that failure.

BUT He listens to the prayers of the righteous (Proverbs 15:29)



The Lord is far from the wicked. 
BUT

He listens to the prayers of the righteous.
Proverbs 15:29  CEB

It's nice to know in the midst of the Atlanta Snowstorm 2014 God hears our prayers. 

BUT the wicked mouth blurts out evil (Proverbs 15:38)


The righteous heart reflects before answering…
BUT
The wicked mouth blurts out evil. 
 Proverbs 15:28 CEB
Comments?

BUT wth counselors they succeed (Proverbs 15:22)


Plans fail with no counsel
BUT
with many counselors they succeed.
 Proverbs 15:22
Are you struggling with a decision today. God's word is clear seek counsel.
 First talk to God and have Him show you who else will lead you in the right direction.
 

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

BUT... Christ was indeed raised from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:20)








BUT the fact is that Christ has been raised from the dead.
He has become the first of a great harvest of those who will be raised to life again
1 Corinthians 15:20
AMEN I love how God's word states the facts!

BUT... If we walk in the light (1 John 1:7)

If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness,
 we lie and do not live out 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, purifies us from all sin.
1 John 1:7
Ask yourself today if you enjoy your time with God. Not just your prayer time but just the thought that He is with you where ever you go. At the same time do you find your self negative? Then you may not be walking in His light. This verse reminds us to have fellowship with one another.

BUT because you want to please God (1 Peter 5:1-3)

 I have a special concern for you church leaders.
 I know what it’s like to be a leader,
 in on Christ’s sufferings as well as the coming glory. 
Here’s my concern: 
that you care for God’s flock with all the diligence of a shepherd. 
Not because you have to, 
BUT because you want to please God. 
Not calculating what you can get out of it, 
BUT acting spontaneously. 
Not bossily telling others what to do, 
BUT tenderly showing them the way.
1 Peter 5:1-3
This is dedicated to amazing group of leaders I have been blessed by. A triple BUT gotta love it! This is an awesome prayer of support for all of our leaders. 

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

BUT... against rulers...(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)

BUT... the Lord rises upon you (Isaiah 60)

Arise, shine, for your light has come. Darkness covers the earth, 
BUT THE LORD rises upon you, and his glory appears over you.
Isaiah 60 

As I spent me first day as a flight attendant I met a girl who was going to Alaska and she talked about growing up there and how hard the winters were because there was only an hour or two of daylight.
 It is comforting to know that darkness may cover the earth BUT The Lord rises up!

Sunday, January 19, 2014

BUT if you forget about yourself (Matt 10:39)

If your first concern is to look after yourself,
you'll find yourself,
BUT
 if you forget about yourself and look to me,
you will find both yourself and me.
Matthew 10:39

2 is better then 1

Saturday, January 18, 2014

BUT in the course of years (Matt 13:30)

Another story. “God’s kingdom is like a pine nut 
that a farmer plants. 
It is quite small as seeds go,
BUT...
 in the course of years it grows into a huge pine tree,
 and eagles build nests in it.”
Matthew 13:30-31 MSG
Are you feeling small today? Remember God uses little things to do great things for Him.

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

BUT the one who plants (Galatians 6:7-8)

Don’t be misled:
 No one makes a fool of God.
What a person plants, he will harvest. The person who plants selfishness, ignoring the needs of others—ignoring God!—
harvests a crop of weeds.
But
the one who plants in response to God, letting God’s Spirit do the growth work in him, harvests a crop of real life, eternal life.
Galatians 6:7-8 (msg)
Call it Karma call it what you want. Today can be the day that you begin investing in yourself by investing in others!

Monday, January 13, 2014

BUT if you give up your life (Matthew 16:24-27)

Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways,
 take up your  cross, and follow me. 
If you try to hang unto your life, you will lose it, 
BUT
if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. 
and what do you benefit if you gain the whole world
BUT 
lose your soul?
Matthew 16:24-27
Sometimes we look at this verse and think I can't give up my life, my job, my family and just become a preacher or missionary. God is not asking that, He is asking us to give up our selfish ways. Start today and purposefully set your mind to put others first and see what happens. 

Saturday, January 11, 2014

BUT to whom little is forgiven (Luke 7:44-48)

Then He turned to the woman and said to Simon,
“Do you see this woman?
I entered your house;
you gave Me no water for My feet,
BUT
 she has washed My feet with her tears
and wiped them with the hair of her head.  
 You gave Me no kiss,
BUT
 this woman has not ceased to kiss My feet
since the time I came in. 
You did not anoint My head with oil,
BUT
this woman has anointed My feet with fragrant oil. 
Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven,
 for she loved much.
BUT
 to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.”
Then He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”
Luke 7:44-48
I love these verses 4 BIG BUTS! bring your offerings to Christ today. No matter little or large Jesus is ready to forgive them and set you free.

Wednesday, January 8, 2014

BUT he left his cloak (Joseph Gen 39:11-12)


 One day he(Joseph) went into the house to
attend to his duties, 
and none of the household servants was inside.  
She (the masters wife)caught him by his cloak and said, “Come to bed with me!” 
But
he left his cloak in her hand
and ran out of the house.
Gen 39:11-12
Do feel trapped or tempted? Learn from Joseph's actions and RUN!

BUT... he refused (Gen 39:6-8)

Now Joseph was well-built and handsome, and after a while his master’s wife took notice of Joseph and said, “Come to bed with me!”
But he refused. 
“With me in charge,” he told her,
 “my master does not concern himself with anything in the house; 
everything he owns he has entrusted to my care
Gen 39:6-8
Joseph is presented with one of the greatest temptation to mankind! BUT his strength came from the Lord and he was not only able to resist!! 
are you tempted by something today? remember God is bigger then it!

BUT... while Joseph was in prison (Joseph Gen 39:20)

But while Joseph was in prison, 
the LORD was with him; 

he showed him kindness. 
Genesis 39:20
Joseph may have been in a literal prion, BUT what kind of prison are you in today? Are you fearful, worried, jealous? Remember the Lord is with you and wants to comfort you where you are at.

Saturday, January 4, 2014

BUT not merely given back ( Luke 6:35-38)


    "I tell you, love your enemies. Help and give without expecting a return. You'll never - I promise - regret it. Live out this God-created identity the way our Father lives toward us, generously and graciously, even when we're at our worst.
   
 Our Father is kind; you be kind.

    "Don't pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults - unless, of course, you want the same treatment. Don't condemn those who are down; that hardness can boomerang. Be easy on people; you'll find life a lot easier.

    Give away your life; you'll find life given back,
BUT
not merely given back - given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity."
Luke 6:35-38
This BUT needs no commentary from me.

Thursday, January 2, 2014

BUT when his brothers saw (Genesis 37:4)


BUT...
when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peacefully to him.
This is for all the parents out there and maybe even teachers. Be careful with having "favorites" your blessings don't balance out the hatred that comes from others. (by the way I am God's favorite JK) :) 

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

BUT Jesus, only Jesus (Mark 9:7-8)

Just then a light-radiant cloud enveloped them, and from deep in the cloud, a voice: "This is my Son, marked by my love. Listen to him."Then a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and a voice came from the cloud: "This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!"The next minute the disciples were looking around, rubbing their eyes, seeing nothing
BUT...
 Jesus, only Jesus.
Mark 9:7-8 msg
I can't help BUT think of this verse when I think of everyone anxiously waiting for the New Year. Everyone is looking up and waiting for the count down. Imagine what it was like for Jesus' 3 closest disciplines as they watched Him ascend into heaven.
 I love the last 6 words." Seeing nothing BUT Jesus, only Jesus!
Let's keep our eyes on the heavens this year!