BUT we do see Jesus (Hebrews 2:9) Easter

But we do see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.

Hebrews 2:9

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 when Christ came as high priest (Hebrews 9:11)Easter

BUT when Christ came as high priest of the good things

that are now already here, He went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made with human hands,
that is to say, is not a part of this creation.

 He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves;

BUT He entered the Most Holy Place once for all
by His own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption.

Hebrews 9:11

BUT as you will (Matthew 26:39)(Easter)

Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me.

Yet not as I will, 

BUT as you will.”

Matthew 26:39
I can not imagine the agony Jesus felt as he talked to His Father. And then how much more painful it had to Be for God to hear His sons' plea and choose to let Him suffer for our sake. This is the defining moment when I realize He is God ! I don't believe any human parent could ever have the strength to go through with this. Thank you God for your sacrifice .

BUT may all who seek you rejoice (Psalm 40:16)

But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who long for your saving help always say, “The Lord is great!”

Psalm 40:16

As we close out the month of January, may this be our prayer. Let's seek and rejoice in God's word each and every day. When the day is done we will no doubt say "The Lord is Great!"

BUT I can't (Romans 7:18-20)

I know what is wrong and I know that nothing good lives in me,
that is, in my sinful nature.

I want to do what is right,

 BUT I can’t.

I want to do what is good,

BUT I don’t.

 I don’t want to do what is wrong,

BUT I do it anyway.

BUT if I do what I don’t want to do,

I am not really the one doing wrong;

 It is sin living in me that does it.

I have discovered this principle of life—

That when I want to do what is right,

 I inevitably do what is wrong.

 I love God’s law with all my heart.

BUT there is another power within me that is at war with my mind.

This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me.

 Oh, what a miserable person I am!

Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death?

Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is:

 In my mind I really want to obey God’s law,

 BUT because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin.

Romans 7:18-20 (NLT)

Do you find yourself in these passages?  If you have struggled in the past in a humbling situation where you want to do what is right but inevitably you still have bad thoughts or actions please be reminded that is the old nature. Until we get to heaven this battle within will always rage, be strong my friend Jesus can concur even this battle. So often we think to pray about health, financial issues or physical needs BUT my friend the greatest pray is for Jesus to get victory over the battles within!  Please feel free to comment and share an internal battle with us. 

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 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, 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 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 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 the Lord Helped me (Psalm 118:13)

I was pushed back and about to fall, BUT the Lord helped me.

Psalm 118:13

It's Monday. My hope is that you are not feeling this way already.

It's just to early in the morning for that.

 BUT I know sometimes that is just how Monday hits us. Smack between the eyes!

Hold tight my friend God's got you.

Casting Crowns came out with a fantastic song that brings me so much comfort when I feel I am pushed back and about to fall. The title is "Be Held"

think about these words today...

So when you're on your knees and answers seem so far away
You're not alone, stop holding on and just be held
Your world's not falling apart, it's falling into place
I'm on the throne, stop holding on and just be held
Just be held, just be held

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 I cannot carry it out (Romans 7:18)

For I know that good itself does not dwell in me,

that is, in my sinful nature.

For I have the desire to do what is good, 

BUT I cannot carry it out.

Romans 7:18
Do you find yourself starting off your morning thinking,
" I got this, I am going to treat people nice,  I'm going to have a great day".  
Then before you know it,  someone has cut you off in traffic, people at work are so demanding and no one else is being nice so why bother!
Let that be a beautiful reminder that Jesus loves you no matter what
and its only when we remember His love for us and fill ourselves up with His love
that we can fulfill that desire to do what is good.
Don't go at it alone my friend. Let Him carry your burdens.

BUT overcome (Romans 12:21)

Do not be overcome by evil,

BUT overcome evil with good.

Romans 12:21

So what did you do with yesterdays verse?

I pray you were able to let the little things go

And not feel like you need to retaliate against anyone who may have not been nice to you.

Today's challenge  to overcome that evil.

You know killim' with kindness. As the southern woman say "bless their heart".

BUT today mean it- maybe that person that is giving you a hard time is having a hard time. 

With God's help you can overcome that evil with good.

BUT always Strive to do what is good (1Thessaloninas 5:15)

Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, 

BUT always strive to do what is good

for each other

and for everyone else.

1 Thessalonians 5:15

Have you been treated unfairly? Do you just want to lash out at some one?
Well this BUT is for you.
Doing good takes effort,
It is sad how being ugly is easier.
Many of us made a commitment this year to take better care of our body this year
Well let's also make a commitment to take better care of each other.
We need to work our heart muscles more then our tongue muscles.

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 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 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.