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 as wise (Ephesians 5:15-17)

Be very careful, then, how you live—

not as unwise BUT as wise,

making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish,

BUT understand what the Lord’s will is.

Ephesians 5:15-17

What is the Lord's will for you? If that over whelms you, relax and just think about how much He loves you and live that out today.

BUT you know Him (John 14:17)

The world cannot accept Him, 

because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. 

BUT you know Him, 

for He lives with you and will be in you.

John 14:17

Do you "see" Jesus through out your day?

BUT you will follow later (John 13:36)

Simon Peter asked him,

 “Lord, where are you going?”

Jesus replied, 

“Where I am going, you cannot follow now,

 BUT you will follow later.”

John 13:36

Follow Jesus on Earth you will follow Him later to Heaven. Jesus said so!

BUT make up your mind (Luke 21:14)

BUT make up your mind not to worry beforehand

how you will defend yourselves.

Luke 21:14

As our children were growing we tried to teach them to make up their mind beforehand about how they were going to handle situations they might find them selves in. What if someone asked them to cheat, lie, try cigarettes, become physically involved the list goes on.....

This is a great verse to place around the house.

1st as an opener to those conversations' and next as a gentle reminder to the whole family.

 Be the example make up your mind today how you will handle situations and then you will spend less time worrying about yourself or your children.

BUT he did not go (Matthew 21:28-31)

What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’

 “‘I will not,’ he answered, 

BUT later he changed his mind and went.

 “Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing.

 He answered, ‘I will, sir,’ BUT he did not go.

 “Which of the two did what his father wanted?”

“The first,” they answered.

Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you.

Matthew 21:28-31

I can't say it enough- IT IS A MATTER OF THE HEART! not what you say- or what people think they see- BUT what action your heart takes!

BUT will borrow from none (Deuteronomy 28:12)

The Lord will open the heavens, the storehouse of His bounty, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands. You will lend to many nations BUT will borrow from none.

Deuteronomy 28:12

Wow this one made me think of our nation this morning! Scary

BUT so we do not cause offense (Matthew 17:24-27)

After Jesus and his disciples arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma temple tax came to Peter and asked,

“Doesn’t your teacher pay the temple tax?”

 “Yes, he does,” he replied.

When Peter came into the house, Jesus was the first to speak. “What do you think, Simon?” he asked.

“From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes—

from their own children or from others?”

 “From others,” Peter answered.

“Then the children are exempt,” Jesus said to him.

“But so that we may not cause offense,

 go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours.”

Matthew 17:24-27

I thought this would be a great verse to share on Tax Day. Back in the day Tax collectors could not be trusted. I love how Jesus asked - Do kings collect taxes from their children? of course not. That is a great reminder that God does not take anything from His children. But we do live in this world for now and so we should pay our taxes! Even Jesus did.

BUT godliness with contentment (1 Timothy 6:6-7)

BUT godliness with contentment is great gain.  

For we brought nothing into the world, 

and we can take nothing out of it.  

1 Timothy 6:6-7

Stop for a moment and enjoy "a state of peaceful happiness" no matter the storm that may seem to be surrounding you.

BUT not destroyed (2 Corinthians 4:7-9)

BUT we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that

this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.  

We are hard pressed on every side,

BUT not crushed;

 perplexed,

BUT

not in despair;

persecuted, 

BUT not abandoned;

struck down, 

BUT not destroyed.

2 Corinthians 4:7-9

So many BIG BUTS in this one.

 No matter what you are going through today I hope this gets you excited!!

Read it again- Read it out loud! The enemy is defeated in the name of JESUS. 

BUT with the precious blood of Christ (1 Peter 1:18-19)

For you know that it was not with perishable things

such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors,

BUT with the precious blood of Christ,

 a lamb without blemish or defect.

1 Peter 1:18-19

Think about this today and Thank your Heavenly Father.

BUT let them not turn to folly (Psalm 85:8)

I will listen to what God the Lord says; He promises peace to His people, His faithful servants— BUT let them not turn to folly.

Psalm 85:8

 I can't help BUT post this for St Paddy's day. It is all well and good to have fun
BUT be careful that it does not turn to folly (lack of good sense; foolishness)

BUT the tax collector (Luke 18:10-14)

 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’

“BUT the tax collector stood at a distance.

He would not even look up to heaven, 

BUT beat his breast and said,

‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’

 “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

Luke 18:10-14

This story encourages me every time I read it. We as Christians need to be reminded where we came from and who we would be without Christ.

BUT only God (1 Corinthians 3:7)

So neither the one who plants

nor the one who waters is anything,

 BUT only God, who makes things grow.

1 Corinthians 3:7

As we look around at the close of winter all we see if trees that look dead. Have hope God is doing a work that we can't see and soon He will share all of His beauty with us. If you are discouraged today Have Hope God is working in ways you can not see!

BUT God has been making it grown (1 Corinthians 3:6)

I planted the seed, Apollos watered it,

BUT God has been making it grow.

1 Corinthians 3:6

As this winter is drawing to an end and we think about planting seeds for harvest it is a beautiful picture of faith and trust in God. Just like our children, family and friends we can plant all the good we can in them BUT it is up to God to make them grow in Him.

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 the advantage of Knowledge (Ecclesiates 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

This verse speaks for itself

BUT in the living God ( 1 Timothy 6:17)

Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches 

BUT in the living God,

who gives us richly all things to enjoy.

 1 Timothy 6:17

Money is one of those subjects no one wants to talk about. Money is not evil it is what you do with the money that makes a difference.  God is the only thing we should put our trust in once a person gains this concept they can live richly and enjoy all things.

BUT... the Holy Spirit (John 14:26)

 “All this I have spoken while still with you.

BUT..the Advocate, the Holy Spirit,

whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things

and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.

 I do not give to you as the world gives.

 Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

John 14:26

When I read this verse this Good Friday morning it brought Joy to my heart. Thank you Jesus for being willing to die on the cross for me. Not only did you come back from the dead BUT you also sent the Holy Spirit to live with in me. I will not be afraid!

BUT Christ lives in me (Galatians 2:20)

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live,

BUT Christ lives in me.

The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Galatians 2:20

This is a BIG BUT! I have surrendered myself to Christ and am thrilled that Christ lives in me. He gives me strength, courage, peace and love to make it through one day at a time.