BUT Jesus Christ as Lord (2 Corinthians 4:5)

For what we preach is not ourselves,

BUT Jesus Christ as Lord,

and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.

2 Corinthians 4:5

This holiday season give Jesus the best gift. Let your actions speak louder then your words! 

BUT when you pray (Matthew 6:6)

BUT when you pray, go into your room,

close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen.

Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret,

will reward you.

Matthew 6:6

As you begin 2015 we go by yourself and really ask God what he wants from you this year. That's all that really matters, not what others expect from you or even what you think you should do

BUT, you, Lord, do not be far from me (Psalm, 22:19)

BUT you, Lord, do not be far from me.

You are my strength; come quickly to help me.

Psalm 22:19
If you are feeling that God is far away from you today, my friend.
Stop for a moment... He's there.
No matter where you are at. He's there.
Make this your prayer right now at this moment.
He has never left you.
Unfortunately far too often we turn away from Him.
BUT he is never far from you.
Turn around and fall into the arms of Jesus.
Now I know you got to get up at some point and go about all the stuff life throws at us.
BUT remember God goes before you and is waiting there too!

BUT be transformed (Romans 12:2)

Do not conform to the pattern of this world,

BUT be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—

his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Romans 12:2

 

Are you struggling my friend.

Did you have a great plan to start the year off

 BUT now you find yourself falling back into the same old routine.

STOP and really read this verse again (did you really go back and read it)

you just renewed your mind!

I know God's will for me is to turn the message of Big Buts of the Bible into a book-

this is His good, pleasing and perfect will.

BUT when I let myself conform to the pattern of this world I doubt and get confused.

So I ask for you to pray that I will stay the course!

I will be praying for  you as well my friend.

 

BUT the advantage of knowledge (Ecclesiastes 7:12)

Wisdom is a shelter as money is a shelter, 

BUT the advantage of knowledge is this:

Wisdom preserves those who have it.

Ecclesiastes 7:12
Money, money, money, money, moooooney.
Love this verse.
There is nothing wrong with money and it is good to shelter your money
and protect it so to speak so you have it in the future.
BUT wisdom or knowledge preserves us.
Stop and really think about that.
 Wisdom preserves (to maintain it's original state) who you are.

BUT be transformed (Romans 12:2)

 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, BUT be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will.

Romans 12:2

Do you want to know God's what pleases God, His perfect will for you? There is only one way renew your mind by spending time in His word and then thinking and acting on it. We are in this world not of this world.

 

BUT God ( 1 Thessalonians 2:4)

On the contrary,

we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel.

We are not trying to please people BUT God, who tests our hearts. Thessalonians 2:4

If we could only live by this thought... Stop worrying about what people think--God knows your heart.

BUT painful ( Hebrews 12:11)

No discipline seems pleasant at the time, BUT painful.

Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

Hebrews 12:11

Discipline whether it be for ourselves or our children is never easy. It's worth it - so if you are struggling today stay focused on what you want.

BUT in the third year sow and reap (2 Kings 19:29)

“This will be the sign for you, Hezekiah:

“This year you will eat what grows by itself,

and the second year what springs from that.

BUT in the third year sow and reap,

plant vineyards and eat their fruit.

2 Kings 19:29

I truly believe in sowing and reaping. What are you sowing today that is going to bring you peace and joy over the next few years. I can't help BUT remind us all to sow love into your spouse. It won't be long until the kids will be gone and you will only have each other.

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 conquer evil by doing good (Romans 12:21)

Don’t let evil conquer you, 

BUT conquer evil by doing good.

Romans 12:21

This is one worth memorizing and teaching our children. It is so fun to watch
 peoples fire go out when you are genuinely kind to them.

BUT I come against you (1 Samuel 17:45)

David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, BUT I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.

1 Samuel 17:45 

What ever giant may be in your life right now remember that

the confidence you have in God's strength is stronger!

Slay the giant today in the name of the Lord Almighty.

BUT whenever he lowered his hands (Exodus 17:9-11)

 Moses said to Joshua, “Choose some of our men and go out to fight the Amalekites. Tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hands.”So Joshua fought the Amalekites as Moses had ordered, and Moses, Aaron and Hur went to the top of the hill.  

As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, 

BUT whenever he lowered his hands,
the Amalekites were winning.
When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady till sunset. So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword.

Exodus 17:9-13

This verse reminds me to never do ministry alone. What a beautiful story of how God uses a man to lead a nation BUT also brings along others to support God's plan!  

BUT with God (Matthew 19:26)

Jesus looked at them and said,

“With man this is impossible,

BUT with God all things are possible.”

Matthew 19:26

I am not sure what you are going through today, BUT I know from my own experiences that this verse is true! Pray today and give your troubles to Him and He will show you the possibilities!

BUT to give everything (Ephesians 5:1-2)

Watch what God does, and then you do it,

like children who learn proper behavior from their parents.

Mostly what God does is love you. Keep company with him and learn a life of love. Observe how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious BUT extravagant. He didn’t love in order to get something from us BUT to give everything of himself to us. Love like that.

 (Ephesians 5:1-2 MSG)

No commentary necessary!

BUT go and learn (Matthew 9:13)

BUT go and learn what this means:

 ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ 

For I have not come to call the righteous, BUT sinners.”

Matthew 9:13

These words were spoken by Jesus when He was questioned as to why he was having dinner with a tax collector.  Jesus came to reach people who need mercy are you reaching out to them as well or do you find yourself judging them? Make this Thanksgiving a true giving season and show mercy to those who need it.

BUT each one should build with care (1 Corinthians 3:10-11)

By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it.

BUT each one should build with care. 

 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ

1 Corinthians 3:10-11

This verse made me think of my children. As they were growing up I was establishing their foundation. Now that they are grown they are building on it.

PRAISE GOD Jesus Christ is the foundation already laid down!

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?

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.

 

BUT...each person is tempted (James 1:13-15)

When tempted, no one should say,

“God is tempting me.”

For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; BUT each person is tempted when

they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed .

Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin...

James 1:13-15a

It's funny to me how we don't want to take responsibility for when things go wrong in our life. Thoughts often come up like "why is God allowing this?' well in these verses it clearly explains ; we let our desires control  us  and before we know it we are trapped and want to blame God.