BUT He said to me (2 Corinthians 12:9)

BUT He said to me,

“My grace is sufficient for you,

for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

 Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses,

so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

2 Corinthians 12:9

I confess I don't like showing people my weaknesses.
Many times I feel lonely and inadequate and I see my weaknesses glaring at me.
I can be negative- controlling- selfish (okay that's enough)
By God's grace I am a work in progress and over the last 30 years
 I have pleaded God to help me see His goodness.
 I do not say this to boast
BUT to give God the glory for a transformation that still takes place every day.


 If this is what it takes to show Christ Strength- it's worth it.
The weaker we are
the stronger Christ becomes.
 I hope I am not the only one that struggles with this.
Stop trying to be all THAT and start being honest in your weakness
 and let others know you are human. 
Christ is powerful enough to use your weaknesses.

BUT the Spirit himself intercedes ( Romans 8:26)

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness.
We do not know what we ought to pray for, 
BUT the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.

Romans 8:26
Do you ever find it hard to pray?
Maybe you are going through a hard time and you just don't know what to say.
 Don't say nothing at all. Hey that reminds me of a song-
Alison Krauss "When you say nothing at all"

It's amazing how you can speak right to my heart
Without saying a word you can light up the dark
Try as I may I could never explain
What I hear when you don't say a thing

It wasn't written as a Christian song BUT listen to it today I believe this is how God feels towards us.
God is there- He will not let you fall- He loves us best even when we say nothing at all.

BUT they could not stand (Acts 6:10)

BUT they could not stand up against the wisdom

 the Spirit gave him as he spoke.

Acts 6:10
Can you imagine what it would be like if no one could stand against the words you spoke?  If you read more of this story you will find that even after people began gossiping about Stephen he remained strong to the point that people said that when they looked into his face it was like a face of an angel. WOW
Are you struggling with your words?
Spend time with God, beg Him for wisdom and then only speak what you know God would have you speak. BUT stay strong and close to God and remember
what He thinks of you is all that really matters.

BUT we will all be changed (1 Corinthians 15:51)

Listen, I tell you a mystery:

We will not all sleep, BUT we will all be changed—

1 Corinthians 15:51

Everyone loves a mystery-

For anyone out there that is skeptical about what happens after we die-

 Here is your answer WE WILL ALL BE CHANGED.

and it will be better then anything here on earth!

BUT the Spirit Himself (Romans 8:26)

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness.

We do not know what we ought to pray for,

BUT the Spirit himself intercedes for us

through wordless groans.

Romans 8:26

When you don't know what to pray remember the Spirit goes to the father for you! 

BUT whoever trusts (John 14:17)

Fear of man will prove to be a snare,

    BUT 

whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.

John 14:17

In the world today it is hard to comprehend what safe is.

 I also can't imagine what life would be like without faith.

BUT now you are light (Ephesians 5:8)

For you were once in darkness,

BUT now you are light in the Lord.

Live as children of light

Ephesians 5:8
What if we that call ourselves children of God were to live as children of the light?

BUT there are some Jews (Daniel 3:12-13)

BUT there are some Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon—Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego—who pay no attention to you, Your Majesty. They neither serve your gods nor worship the image of gold you have set up.”

Daniel 3:12-13
I love showing this story to children. Imagine their open minds and what they are thinking. One child said once, "I don't like those tattle tails- they should mind their own business and let Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego do what they want - they aren't hurting any body"  I told them that even in this bad situation God was able to show off!

BUT have Him up for us (Romans 8:32)

Since He did not spare even his own Son 

BUT gave Him up for us all,

 won’t he also give us everything else?

Romans 8:32

Sometimes I think we simplify that God gave up His son for 33 years for us all! as a parent who had  a child for 22 years before she went to heaven this verse means so much. God will not hold anything good back from us. Just remember He knows what is best- trust Him.

BUT judge (John 7:24)

 Do not judge by appearances, BUT judge with right judgment.

John 7:24

I really don't like the whole idea of judging BUT let's face it we all form opinions in every situation we go into. This verse helps us to keep things in perspective. Don't let appearance of people, environment or situations mislead you.

BUT now in Christ (Ephesians 2:13)

  BUT now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away
have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

Ephesians 2:13
It's October so every where around us you hear and see blood and haunted stuff. I know it is all in fun and I am glad even Christians can enjoy this time of year. BUT this verse reminds me no matter how far away from God you may feel, remember Jesus shed His blood for you and wants you to feel His closeness today.

BUT the lowly in spirit (Proverbs 29:23)

Pride brings a person low, BUT the lowly in spirit gain honor.

Proverbs 29:23

I received one of the best compliments the other day from someone I hardly knew. We were at the same gathering and she commented late in the day how she had been watching me. She said that no matter what was going on around me I was smiling and helping. She even asked "how do you do it?"

It was so awesome to be able to simple say God. (I don't write this to be proud- just to remind us that we should do everything for no pleasure  but to please God)

BUT it is the spirit in a person (Job 32:8)

BUT it is the spirit in a person, the breath of the Almighty,

 that gives them understanding.

Job 32:8

When I first read this I thought,  so often we think about a person based on that person's actions.   BUT I truly believe that it is not always the actions of the person BUT the spirit in which they conduct themselves and the motives they have for what they are doing that matters. Don't be misled this Halloween season by what you see on the outside BUT instead seek the Spirit with in you to get clear understanding.

BUT those with understanding walk straight ahead (Proverbs 15:21)

Folly is joy to those who lack sense…

BUT those with understanding walk straight ahead.
Proverbs 15:21

BUT fools despise their mothers (Proverbs 15:20)

A wise child brings joy to a father…

BUT fools despise their mothers.

Proverbs 15:20  CEB

BUT rejoices with the truth (1Corinthians 13:6)

Love does not delight in evil BUT rejoices with the truth.

1 Corinthians 13:6
Enough said

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 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.

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!