BUT only what is helpful for building others up (Ephesians 4:26)

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths,

BUT only what is helpful for building others up
according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

Ephesians 4:26
I confess this is one of the hardest things in the world to do.
BUT could you imagine if we tried, I mean really tried to do this how it could change the world.
We are worth it. Just for today let's try it- I know it will change YOUR world.
Today build others up - not for what you get out of it BUT according to their needs.

BUT my words (Matthew24:25)

Heaven and earth will disappear,

BUT my words will never disappear.

Matthew 24:25

I encourage you to memorize God's word. So that no matter what you are going through or what may come of this place we call home you have His word with in you. Don't say you can't. I said the same thing for years. I could memorize some of the traditional verses BUT felt I couldn't remember the longer ones. Then when I became a flight attendant and memorized all the boarding and safety announcement and I thought 'oops, I guess I can.".  

 I began memorizing the 1st Chapter of James and  I am almost on to chapter 2.

BUT shows favor to the humble (1 Peter 5:5)

In the same way, you who are younger,

submit yourselves to your elders.

All of you, clothe yourselves with humility

toward one another, because,

“God opposes the proud
    BUT shows favor to the humble.

1 Peter 5:5

nuf said.

BUT everyone deserted me (2 Timothy 4:16-17)

At my first defense, no one came to my support,

BUT everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them.

But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength,

so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it.

2 Timothy 4:16-17

This verse has so many gems---- No matter what you are going through- or how lonely you feed God is standing by your side. Those few words 'may it not be held against them'- show the true heart of this believer-

BUT while he was still (Luke 15:19-20)

I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’  So he got up and went to his father.

“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.

Luke 15:19-20

^{This is such a beautiful picture of our Heavenly Father. NO MATTER WHAT you have done or the attitude you have had towards God, He is waiting for you to turn to Him. He will meet you WHERE YOU ARE AT. All you have to do is turn around.}

BUT the one and only Son (John1:18)

 No one has ever seen God,

BUT the one and only Son,

who is Himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made Him known.

John 1:18

Have you seen God? Draw close to Jesus and you will be amazed at how He will show you the Father. You don't have to physically see them to experience their love, grace and mercy. Steal a few minutes of your day today and look for God.

BUT whoever loses his life (Mark 8:35)

 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it,

BUT whoever loses his life for

My sake and the gospel’s will save it.

Mark 8:35

God is calling us to give up our pride and comfort zone to proclaim we believe in Him. The amazing part is that it is not really giving up anything because His love, forgiveness, peace and grace overwhelmingly give us is a much higher gain.

BUT a perverse tongue (proverbs 10:31)

From the mouth of the righteous comes

the fruit of wisdom,
   BUT  a perverse tongue will be silenced.

Proverbs 10:31

Maybe you are tired of people talking about you and even talking to you negatively. Hold tight to this verse and wait... a perverse tongue will be silenced.

BUT I will sing (Psalm 59:16)

BUT I will sing of your strength,
    in the morning I will sing of your love;
for you are my fortress,
    my refuge in times of trouble.

Psalm 59:16

No matter what you are going through start your morning with praise. It has an amazing power to give you strength to make it through the day.

BUT they feed (Ephesians 5:28-33)

In this same way,

husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies.

He who loves his wife loves himself.

After all, no one ever hated their own body,

BUT they feed and care for their body,

 just as Christ does the church— for we are members of his body.

Ephesians 5:28-33
. My heart is overwhelmed with the thought that there are people out there that do not "love their own body"they feel ashamed, dis-proportioned or even unattractive. It is hard to love others until we first love our selves.
 God made you- God don't make mistakes and He is in the forgiving business for the mistakes we make.
 Love your self today!

BUT encourage one another (Hebrews 10:25)

Not giving up meeting together, 

as some are in the habit of doing, 

BUT encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Hebrews 10:25

There is something to be said about going to church and being around other believers.

 NO it does not make you a christian BUT it can encourage you and help you during the ups and downs of life.

BUT if it dies (John 12:24)

Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat
falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed.

BUT if it dies, it produces many seeds.

John 12:24

Are you going through a tough time this week? Fall into the arms of Jesus and as you die to your self and your desires, LET GO and watch what God can do. He has great plans for you!

BUT each of you (Philippians 2:4)

Not looking to your own interests

BUT each of you to the interests of the others.

Philippians 2:4

If you are looking for happiness start here.

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.

Genesis 37:4

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) :) 

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

The Lord does not look at the things people look at.
People look at the outward appearance,

BUT the Lord looks at the heart.

1 Samuel 16:7

 Our pastor gave us this verse to think about today. Take a minute to think about how often we have made it a habit to judge what someone can or cannot do for us based on their outward appearance. I challenge you this week to see everyone equally as someone God loves!

BUT... always try to do good (1 Thes 5:15)

"See that no one pays back evil for evil,

BUT...

 always try to do good to each other and to all people."

 1 Thessalonians 5:15

Are you feeling like a victim today?
Let that go and go out and purposely try to do good by each person you see and meet.

BUT...take the lower place (Luke 14:7-11)

So He told a parable to those who were invited, when He noted how they chose the best places, saying to them: “When you are invited by anyone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in the best place, lest one more honorable than you be invited by him; and he who invited you and him come and say to you, ‘Give place to this man,’ and then you begin with shame to take the lowest place. 

BUT... when you are invited, go and sit down in the lowest place, so that when he who invited you comes he may say to you, ‘Friend, go up higher.’ Then you will have glory in the presence of those who sit at the table with you. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Luke 14:7-11 NKJV)

I have always loved this verse. There is something about being willing to take a lower position and then being raised up then to think you are all that and find yourself being cut down.  This reminds me of my daughter's celebration of life service. The church was packed and to me everyone was valuable BUT as I  went around greeting people during the worship time I saw a friend that had loved and accepted Crystal. I took her by the hand and led  her to stand by me. This is where she belonged. As we were exiting I saw Crystal 's Neurologist standing in the very last row. BUT God knew she needed to be the first in line to greet us , it was such an honor that she took the time to come .  She didn't think because she was a doctor she should be seated in the best place BUT she humbly accepted any place. 

BUT... so the world may know (John 14:31)

But… so that the world may know
that I love the Father, and just as the Father has commanded me, thus I am doing.
Get up, let us go from here!

John 14:31

On this father’s day I can’t think of a better verse. This is Jesus speaking His desire is to go see His Father. What a great example and a way to show the world that you love the Father. Go to Him today. As you spend time with your earthly father I pray you will make time for your heavenly Father as well. 

BUT... my salvation will be forever. (Isaiah 51:6)

I love God's timing it is perfect. Just as I am beginning my training to be a flight attendant and I will have more opportunity to look at the earth beneath us. I am reminded that it will vanish BUT for those of us who have put our trust in JESUS - we will have together forever. (see you someday my sweet Crystal)

BUT... the things we cannot see will last forever (2 Corinthians 4:18)

 So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, BUT… the things we cannot see will last forever.

2 Corinthians 4:18

No matter what you may be going through. Take a moment and stop and take your eyes off the situation. This is only temporary. God has something amazing waiting for you for eternity.