BUT a Happy Heart (Proverbs 15:15

All the days of the needy are hard…

BUT

A happy heart has a continual feast.
Proverbs 15:15  CEB

A happy heart is a choice.
It is not our circumstances that make us happy BUT the condition of our heart.
What makes a person needy?
Did you picture a homeless person? 
 I have spent time with several homeless and many of them have a happy heart. 
I have also been in the presence of wealthy people who do not have happy hearts.
If you are growing weary, my friend. If you feel life is just too hard sometimes.
You may need a new heart.
That's just what Jesus came to do.
He wants to take all your junk and throw it so far away that you can't see it or feel it.
Make the best choice of your life today
Tell Jesus to take control and surrender your heart to Him.
BUT remember the recovery process and success is based on how well you take care of your new heart (It's new Jesus is there to stay)
 Stay with me the rest of the year and let's explore and get rid of all the BUTS in our life.

BUT those who walk in wisdom (Proverbs 28:26)

Those who trust in themselves are fools,
    BUT those who walk in wisdom are kept safe.

Proverbs 28:26
Stop trying to do everything on your own my friend.
We are nothing with out God's help.
Are you struggling with some of those "resolutions" you made for this year.
Stop and ask yourself, "Am I trying to do this on your own?"
The best way to stick to those things you know are right are to
first ask God for help and then find positive people that will support and encourage you.
Walk in wisdom my friend.

BUT it is the Lord's purpose (Provrebs19:21)

Many are the plans in a person’s heart,    BUT it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.

Proverbs 19:21

Well we are 19 days into the new year.

Did you make plans to take better care of your self?

Are you finding it tough to stay committed to those plans?

I pray that reading this verse will either

help you stay strong to your commitment or

remind you to seek God once again for what His plans are for you.

It's a new day! Go out and be your amazing self-

there's no one else that can do what God has planned for you!

BUT a fool's eyes (Proverbs 17:24)

A discerning person keeps wisdom in view,
    BUT a fool’s eyes wander to the ends of the earth.

Proverbs 17:24
Is it just me that allows my eyes and mind to wonder.
It seems I can't stay focused on what I know is good for me.
 As we are almost 3 weeks into the new year are you finding it hard to
stay focused on the goals you set for yourself?
Don't be a fool and throw away all your hard work.
Write out the plans you and God came up with for this year and 
 if you haven't already and put them places you will see every day.
Add this verse to them so when you think about wandering you have wisdom within your view.

BUT with humility comes wisdom (Proverbs 11:2)

When pride comes, then comes disgrace,
    BUT with humility comes wisdom.

Proverbs 11:2

If something bad is happening around you right now, take a moment and ask your self what role you played in the situation. What can you learn? Is there anything you can change? I believe this is the best way to address any selfish pride that sometimes causes problems. Maybe you need to humble yourself and apologize or maybe you need to just be quite.
Either way you will be wiser for allowing God to handle it.

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

As we continue to seek wisdom in the new year. 
I had to look up the word perverse: showing a deliberate and obstinate desire to behave in a way that is unreasonable or unacceptable.

We have to ask ourselves first if we are guilty of speaking negatively or perversely.  
If so God is bigger then these thoughts. Plead with Him to take them away from you. 
Second  If you are find your self around people like this pray for them. 
I can't help BUT let the funny side of me laugh and think of the comedian Jeff Dunham

and his puppet Achmed he is known for saying, "Silence" -"I Kill You". 
Remember God will silence those who speak negatively. 

 I am going to call this a promise of God. 

BUT wisdom is found (Proverbs 13:10)

Where there is strife, there is pride,
    BUT wisdom is found in those who take advice.

Proverbs 13:10
I don't know about you, BUT if I seriously look at times I have had trouble with people the root problems is often pride. I don't feel like my opinion was considered or taken seriously. 
I didn't get my way. 
Wow I really need to memorize this verse and make it a part of my problem solving resolution. 
I pray you will take a moment to look at problems you may be having in your life and 
take the advice of this verse.  

BUT the fountain of Wisdom (Proverbs 18:4)

The words of the mouth are deep waters,
    but the fountain of wisdom is a rushing stream.

Proverbs 18:4

I love word pictures and with the floods we have had in Georgia this month this is a perfect BUT. So many of us are guilty of talking way t much just like the deep waters around us you can see how much damage are words can do. BUT how many of us love to listen to a rushing stream. The simple sound of water soothes and relaxes us.  That is what wisdom is like. BUT what do we have to do to enjoy the rushing stream? Yep you got it-you have to seek it out, find it and then sit, listen and enjoy. God is calling us to Him today. He has the greatest wisdom for us. Will you take the time to go to the rushing stream? You deserve it!

BUT keep my commands (Proverbs 3:1-3)

My son, do not forget my teaching,

    

 BUT keep my commands in your heart,

for they will prolong your life many years

    and bring you peace and prosperity.

Let love and faithfulness never leave you;

    bind them around your neck,

    write them on the tablet of your heart.

Proverbs 3:1-3

Were you like me and when you read this verse? You thought, oh now which commands do I need to keep? There we go again, looking for a set of rules to follow to earn something. 

BUT if we look at how the passage continues we see it's all about love and faithfulness. 

This verse reminds us to seek God first. 

Isn't that where peace comes from. And once we are at peace aren't we content with what we have thus there is our prosperity. 

Sometimes we just make life too complicated. 

Today imagine you are placing a beautiful necklace around your neck a necklace that symbolizes love and faithfulness. 

God loves you and is forever faithful!

BUT give me only my daily bread (Proverbs 30:8)

Keep falsehood and lies far from me; 
give me neither poverty nor riches, 
BUT give me only my daily bread.

Proverbs 30:8

It's a new year and we all have at least in our mind thought of things we want for this new year. 
This is a fantastic verse to stay focused on.  
On Facebook recently there was a app to see what your word for 2016 would be.
 I just had to click on it and the word I was given was "TRUTH"  then I read this verse. 
So my focus is going to be on  seeking the truth through out this year. 
I Love how God will give us what we seek for. 
God is enough He will provide everything we need every day. 
What are you seeking for this new year? 

BUT fools despise wisdom (Proverbs 1:7)

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, 

BUT fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Proverbs 1:7

 Stop and think about the fact that God is with you no matter what.
 We do not need to be afraid of God 
BUT have a healthy fear that He sees the good the bad and the ugly of who we are.
 I pray that this knowledge will lead you to seek Him and become wise. 

BUT the Lord determines our steps (Proverbs 16:9)

We can make our plans,
    BUT the Lord determines our steps.

Proverbs 16:9
Please Lord don't let me get in your way.

BUT the Lord examines the heart. (Proverbs 21:2)

People may be right in their own eyes,
    BUT the Lord examines their heart.

Proverbs 21:2

I know I should be really spiritual right now and tell us to examine our own hearts to make sure they are right. BUT today when I read this I thought about people who make me crazy because they think they are always right and I thought it don't matter what they think God knows what's going on!

BUT a kind word cheers it up (Proverbs 12:25)

Anxiety weighs down the heart, BUT a kind word cheers it up.

Proverbs 12:25

Such a simple truth that if we could live it out could save lives. In our world where it seems suicide is happening more often this verse could be the game changer! Say something kind to someone today you never know what they are going though.

BUT a woman (Proverbs 31:31)

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;

BUT a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

Proverbs 31:31

What does it mean to you to "fear" the Lord?

 My fear is knowing that He knows me completely... every thought, every motive, and every action.

BUT He still loves me.

BUT with humility (Proverbs 11:2)

When pride comes, then comes disgrace,
    BUT with humility comes wisdom.

Proverbs 11:2

There is nothing wrong with being proud of your accomplishments or the accomplishments of others. That is if with your pride you realize all you have has come from God. 

BUT envy rots the bones (Proverbs 14:30)

A heart at peace gives life to the body, BUT envy rots the bones.

Proverbs 14:30

Don't let life pass you by because you  compare yourself to others. You really have no ideas what they may be going through even though they may seem to have everything and have it all together- and more importantly count your blessings.

BUT whoever gathers money (Proverbs 13:11)

Dishonest money dwindles away, but whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow.

Proverbs 13:11

BUT those who plan (Proverbs 14:22)

Do not those who plot evil go astray?
 BUT those who plan what is good find LOVE and faithfulness.

Proverbs 14:22
I am sure as we all look back at our life we discover there may have been times when we were mad at someone of some situation and we came up with ideas to make them miserable. Let us instead look to the future and plan to find good in each situation or walk away from evil so that we may be surrounded by Love and faithfulness.

BUT Give me only my daily bread ( Proverbs 30:8)

Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, BUT give me only my daily bread.

Proverbs 30:8

This has always been one of my favorite verses. I don't want to be poor where I am tempted to steal neither do I want to be so rich that I do not depend on God. #lovelifewhereimat