BUT in keeping with His promise (2 Peter 3:13)

But in keeping with His promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.

2 Peter 3:13

As we look forward to the new year I challenge us to keep our eyes on God's promises. Try not to get caught up in all the bad news around us BUT make a difference every day by seeking righteousness. We may not be able to change the entire world BUT we can change our world and the people around us. 

BUT where can wisdom be found? (Job 28)

BUT where can wisdom be found?

    Where does understanding dwell?

13 

No mortal comprehends its worth;

    it cannot be found in the land of the living....

Where then does wisdom come from?

    Where does understanding dwell?

21 

It is hidden from the eyes of every living thing,

    concealed even from the birds in the sky....

And he said to the human race,

    “The fear of the Lord—that is wisdom,

    and to shun evil is understanding.”

Job 28

As we close out this year and begin to plan for next year 

it is natural to reflect and plan.

 This BUT verse makes me go hmmmm. 

We always seem to be seeking that next list of things to make us happy or successful. God's word is pretty clear on this one. 

Fear the Lord (He knows everything) 

Shun evil (Be nice) 

BUT Mary kept all these things in her heart (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 when the set time (Galatians 4:4-7)

BUT when the set time had fully come, 

God sent his Son, 

born of a woman,

 born under the law,  

to redeem those under the law, 

that we might receive adoption to sonship.

 Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba,Father.”  

So you are no longer a slave, 

BUT God’s child; and since you are his child,

 God has made you also an heir.

Galatians 4:4-7

This may not seem like a "normal" Christmas verse. BUT read it again.... every word! 

GOD TRULY sent the Greatest Christmas Present ever! 

Accept Christ birth. 

Open this gift of redemption.

 Cry out Daddy I need you. 

Be filled with the confidence of knowing YOU ARE A CHILD OF THE KING! 

BUT the angel said to them (Luke 2:8-12)

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 

An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, 

and they were terrified. 

BUT the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; 

he is the Messiah, 

the Lord. 

This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Luke 2:8-12 

Many children are keeping watch tonight for Santa Clause! Oh if we had the same passion as them when it come to watching for Christ to come... not only as we celebrate His birth tomorrow BUT of His return. 

BUT the angel said (Luke 2:8-12)

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 

An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, 

and they were terrified. 

BUT the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; 

he is the Messiah, 

the Lord. 

This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Luke 2:8-12 

Many children are keeping watch tonight for Santa Clause! Oh if we had the same passion as them when it come to watching for Christ to come... not only as we celebrate His birth tomorrow BUT of His return.

BUT the Lord looks at the Heart (1 Samuel 16:7)

People Judge by the outward appearance,

BUT the Lord looks at the heart.

1 Samuel 16:7

You may not think this would be a Christmas verse. But let’s take a closer look. This verse comes from when Samuel was looking for a new king. He was told to go to Bethlehem and meet with Jesse. As Jesse presented his sons to Samuel the Lord kept saying that they were not the chosen one. Until finally Samuel had to ask if there were any more sons, Jesse replied there was the youngest son still in the field taking care of the sheep. As soon as Samuel saw him

The Lord Then the Lord said, “Rise and anoint him; this is the one.”

This is part of Christ family tree. David was found taking care of sheep in Bethlehem.

It’s perfect to think about this Christmas. Let’s be careful to not get caught up in the wrapping paper this year.  BUT what’s inside our heart!

BUT God intended it for good (Genesis 50:20)

You intended to harm me,

BUT God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done,

the saving of many lives.

Genesis 50:20

You may ask what does this have to do with Jesus birth. There are so many similarities in their lives. Both Joseph and Jesus were loved by their Father; both were rejected by their brothers, stripped of their clothes, became a servant, forgave those who persecuted them and made away for many to be saved.

As you think about this verse today are you feeling defeated or even attacked in some way? Remember God intends to use your circumstance for His good. You cannot do it alone. Let Him rescue you this Christmas.

BUT has lifted up the humble (Luke 1:50-53)

Luke 1:50-53

Mary is so wise at such a young age. It is no doubt her heart is to God.

His mercy extends to those who fear Him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with His arm; He has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones BUT has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things BUT  has sent the rich away empty.

These few short passages could be written today 2000+ years after they were originally spoken. This is my prayer for Christmas- that God Himself with bring down rulers and lift up the humble. Fill the hungry with good things. I believe the rich here are the people who are full of themselves. It has nothing to do with the size of a bank account BUT their hearts are empty.

BUT why am I so favored (Luke 1:42-47)

Luke 1:42-47

No surprise her God provided someone for Mary to share her pregnancy with. He loves us so much!

In a loud voice she exclaimed:

"Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear!

BUT why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord

should come to me?

As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!" And Mary said: "My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

BUT why am I so favored? Elizabeth and Mary both realized how blessed they were. During this holiday season do you realize how blessed you are? Maybe your blessings aren’t as obvious as these 2 women BUT you are blessed! Take sometime before Christmas day  and look for it…. Here’s a hint it’s not going to be wrapped or under the tree. It’s going to be in your heart, in a smile, maybe something you have done for someone or they have done for you. Don’t let this Christmas go by without finding out that YOU ARE BLESSED!

BUT they were childless (Luke 1:5-15)

God is so amazing to me. When you read His word it is so obvious that He cares about the details. Not only had He made a way for Christ to come to earth BUT He also blessed a elderly godly couple with a son that would prepare a way for Christ ministry.

In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron.  Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly.  

BUT they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old..

BUT the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John.  He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord.

I love how every time the angel comes to someone the first thing they say is “Do not be afraid”. I can not imagine what it would be like to really audibly hear from an angel of God..

Take time today to thank God for the details of Christmas this will take an effort on your part! BUT it will be worth it my friend.

BUT before they came together (Matthew 1:18-25

Matthew 1:18-25

So often Mary is the center of attention when it comes to the birth of Jesus, I want to take a moment and think about Joseph.

This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, BUT before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

Can you imagine? Mary and Joseph are engaged to be married and he finds out she is pregnant. Not just pregnant BUT pregnant by God. He loves her, His first thought is he doesn’t want to shame her. Good thing he didn’t just react BUT took time to think about his situation.

BUT after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins. “All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:  “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel (which means “God with us”).When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife.

This is yet another picture of grace to me. Joseph got it! He probably didn’t understand everything that was going on around him. BUT he trusted God and he trusted Mary.

BUT he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.

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 you, Bethlehem (Micah 5:2)

Day 3 Micah 5:2

"BUT you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.”

It simply amazes me when I read God’s word and realize how every passage is important. This Old Testament verse validates that Jesus would be the Messiah, the Son of God. Then to see how small Bethlehem was described it only reminds us that God uses small things to bring about Great things. If you are feeling small today remember that is exactly what God wants to use to bring about Great things this Christmas. Just as this verse was penned over 700 years before Christ birth what you do today will have a lasting impact on future generations. 

But the Angel said (Luke 1:30)

AS we begin the count down to what we celebrate as Christmas day I am not surprised to find that even in the Bible the Story starts with a BIG BUT!

BUT the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. Luke 1:30

  Does God have big plans for you this next year? Are you questioning God like Mary did?

"How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?" Luke 1:34

That’s okay just sit back and listen to the Angel’s answer. He has great plans for you.

 The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month.  For nothing is impossible with God." Luke 1:35-37

Most importantly will you answer as Mary did?

 "I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her. Luke 38

It takes a servant and willing heart – What if Mary had said no way God – I can’t do this. What will people think? They’ll talk about me- You don’t know my story…. I could go on and on with the excuses. Ultimately the decision is yours. Do you want the GREAT PLANS He has for you? This Christmas say Yes Lord. No BUTS allowed.