BUT whoever disowns me (Luke 12:8-10)

 “I tell you, whoever publicly acknowledges me 

before others, the Son of Man will also acknowledge before the angels of God.  

BUT whoever disowns me before others will be disowned before the angels of God. 

And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.

Luke 12:8-10

Freedom of choice

BUT among you stands (John 1:26-27)

“I baptize with water,” John replied,

“BUT among you stands one you do not know.

He is the one who comes after me,

the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.”

John 1:26-27

What amazes me about this verse is as John the Baptist is being challenged about Baptizing people Jesus is standing amongst the crowd. How often do we get caught up in what we think is right and miss spending time with Jesus as part of everyday life?

BUT even if He does not (Daniel 3:17-18)

"If we are thrown into the blazing furnace,
 the God we serve is able to deliver us from it,
and He will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand.
BUT even if He does not, we want you to know,
Your Majesty, that we will not serve
your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”
Daniel 3:17-18
LOVE this kind of faith! To know that facing a fire with God
is better then surrendering to a false god and going at life alone.

BUT I tell you (Matthew 5:44)

BUT I tell you, love your enemies

and pray for those who persecute you,

Matthew 5:44
I am not sure what you are going through today. BUT I do know from personal experience that rather then let those people the get on your nerves make your life miserable stop on pray for them. Stand back and watch what God can do

BUT rejoice (1 Peter 4:12-13)

Dear friends, do not be surprised at the 

fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, 

as though something strange were happening to you.

 BUT rejoice in as much as you participate 

in the sufferings of Christ, 

so that you may be overjoyed when His glory is revealed.

1 Peter 4:12-13

I have used this verse many times over the last 3 years to remind myself to not say "why me? 

Why did my daughter have to suffer and die?" As much as I don't like that she is gone, the circumstance does help me feel closer to God.

 He was the greatest example of suffering when He gave up His Son to suffer for us.

 I will be Overjoyed when His glory is revealed. 

You may feel what you are going through right this very moment is a fiery ordeal.

 Remember God's word NEVER promised us life would be easy!

 BUT remember who is there with you.

BUT whoever trust in the Lord (Proverbs 29:25)

I agree we live in a scary time- with diseases, wars, weather etc. Just remember no matter what is happening around you Trust in the Lord- He's got in His hand.

BUT you, Lord (Psalm 86:15)

BUT you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.

Psalm 86:15

Some days you just need to sit back and Praise God for who He is!

BUT now I consider them worthless (Philippians 3:7)

 I once thought these things were valuable, 

BUT

now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done.

Philippians 3:7

What do you see as important in your life right now? Now are you brave enough to ask others what "appears" to be important in your life. Is it work? stuff? family? No matter what you answer please be careful to not let it become like an idol to you. This is a great verse to use to measure all of our decisions in life by. I bet we would end up with a lot less junk. 

BUT even the archangel (Jude 1:9)

BUT even the archangel Michael,

when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses,

did not himself dare to condemn him for slander 

BUT said, "The Lord rebuke you!"

Jude 1:9

This verse reminded me that I can not handle the devil on my own. If you find your self constantly battling things in your life. Call on the Lord to remove them He is the only one that can remove these problems and we need to show our love and trust in Him by asking Him.

BUT on God (2 Corinthians 1:9)

 Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death.

BUT this happened that we might not rely on ourselves 

BUT on God, who raises the dead.

2 Corinthians 1:9

I can't imagine feeling like I have been sentenced to death... BUT I have been very discouraged from time to time and this verse is so encouraging.

 Look up not in God is there waiting for you to rely on Him.

BUT God did say (Genesis 3:2-3)

The woman said to the serpent,

“We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, 

BUT God did say,

‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’ ”

Genesis 3:2-3 NIV

It seems we all think Eve was the cause of all bad things. BUT what would you have done in this situation? It is easy to say "No way, if God himself told me something I would have listened" Well I challenge you today, what has God told you? Are you listening? will you be deceived by the master of this world?

BUT may the righteous be glad (Psalm 68:3)

BUT may the righteous be glad and rejoice before God;

may they be happy and joyful.

Psalms 68:3

I think our culture misrepresents the word righteous as a bad thing. The definition is a man who is morally right. Far too often "righteous" people seem to be judgmental and grumpy. I say we represent righteousness by being Happy and Joyful!

One way to start is by thinking in the order

Jesus first

Others Next

Yourself.

BUT may all who love you

So may all your enemies perish, Lord! BUT may all who love you be like the sun when it rises in its strength.

 Then the land had peace forty years.

Judges 5:31

Summer is hear! And the sun is stronger then ever. Let us focus on THE SON this summer

BUT is longsuffereing towards us (2 Peter 3:9)

The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; BUT is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish, BUT that all should come to repentance.

2 Peter 3:9

God keeps His promises! Is there someone in your life that you have been praying for? Don't give up. God is patient.

BUT I tell you, (Matthew 5:44)

BUT I tell you, LOVE your enemies and

pray for those who persecute you,

Matthew5:44
This is one of the greatest victories of Christian living. 
Humanly impossible  + Spirit led = Freedom  

BUT love your neighbor as yourself (Leviticus19:18)

Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, BUT LOVE your neighbor as yourself.
I am the Lord.

Leviticus 19:18

Here it is plain and simple. If you are angry at someone LET IT GO .

BUT sinners to repentance (Luke 5:31-32)

Jesus replied to them,

The healthy don’t need a doctor,

BUT…

The sick do.

I have not come to call the righteous,

BUT… 
Sinners to repentance.

Luke 5:31-32

If today you are trying to get right before you accept Jesus take hold of this verse. He did not come to earth for the righteous BUT for sinners. Meaning He knows where we fail and loves us because of that failure.

BUT... If we walk in the light (1 John 1:7)

If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness,

 we lie and do not live out the truth.

BUT

If we walk in the light, as He is the light, we have fellowship with one another,

and the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin.

1 John 1:7

Ask yourself today if you enjoy your time with God. Not just your prayer time but just the thought that He is with you where ever you go. At the same time do you find your self negative? Then you may not be walking in His light. This verse reminds us to have fellowship with one another.

BUT because you want to please God (1 Peter 5:1-3)

 I have a special concern for you church leaders.

 I know what it’s like to be a leader,

 in on Christ’s sufferings as well as the coming glory. 

Here’s my concern: 

that you care for God’s flock with all the diligence of a shepherd. 

Not because you have to, 

BUT because you want to please God. 

Not calculating what you can get out of it, 

BUT acting spontaneously. 

Not bossily telling others what to do, 

BUT tenderly showing them the way.

1 Peter 5:1-3

This is dedicated to amazing group of leaders I have been blessed by. A triple BUT gotta love it! This is an awesome prayer of support for all of our leaders. 

BUT... the Lord rises upon you (Isaiah 60)

Arise, shine, for your light has come. Darkness covers the earth, 

BUT THE LORD rises upon you, and his glory appears over you.
Isaiah 60 

As I spent me first day as a flight attendant I met a girl who was going to Alaska and she talked about growing up there and how hard the winters were because there was only an hour or two of daylight.
 It is comforting to know that darkness may cover the earth BUT The Lord rises up!