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 in the name of the Lord (Psalm 118:10-14)

All nations surrounded me,
BUT in the name of the Lord I will destroy them.
 They surrounded me,
Yes, they surrounded me;
BUT in the name of the Lord I will destroy them.
They surrounded me like bees;
They were quenched like a fire of thorns;
For in the name of the Lord I will destroy them.
You pushed me violently, that I might fall,
BUT the Lord helped me.
 The Lord is my strength and song,
And He has become my salvation.

^{Psalm 118:10-14}

^{Several people I know are going through a tough time right now. Feeling attacked by others. Even as a nation we are attacking each other. This verse reminds us to GO TO GOD In JESUS NAME! He is our strength.}

BUT our competence come from God (2 Corinthians 3:4-6)

 Such confidence we have through Christ before God.

Not that we are competent in ourselves

 to claim anything for ourselves, 

BUT our competence comes from God. 

He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—

not of the letter

 BUT of the Spirit; for the letter kills, 

BUT the Spirit gives life.

2 Corinthians 3:4-6

This verse screams GRACE to me. I am a rule person BUT I also know and have received GRACE - You are no ones judge, instead give life through your love.

BUT the Lord comes to rescue (Psalm 34:19)

The righteous person faces many troubles,
    BUT the Lord comes to the rescue each time,

Psalm 34:19

Be still my friend. God's timing is not always our timing BUT He will rescue you.
 Keep holding on to Him and not your circumstances.

BUT our citizenship (Philippians 3:20)

BUT our citizenship is in heaven.

And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,

Philippians 3:20

This is not my home...The more we keep our eyes on heaven the less the problems of this world appear. The most important thing we have going on here is that we make sure the ones we love are going with us. Everything else is just stuff.

BUT praise God (1 Peter 4:16)

 However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed,

but praise God that you bear that name.

1 Peter 4:16

When I saw this verse I thought about the pain from when my daughter passed away, God reminded me that as a Christian I can still praise Him even in the darkest times. It's up to us to show the world that He is worthy no matter what we go through.

BUT I will sing of your strength (Psalm 59:16)

But I will sing of your strength,

    in the morning I will sing of your love;

for you are my fortress,

    my refuge in times of trouble.

Psalm 59:16

God is so good and gives us exactly what we need, when we need it. I have spent the last 5 days caring for my husband who had surgery. He has been a fantastic patient, BUT it is still so hard to not see him as his normal busy self. 

I so needed strength to make it through another day this morning!

BUT has crossed over (John 5:24)

 “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent Me has eternal life and will not be judged BUT has crossed over from death to life.

John 5:24

The only thing stopping any one from eternal life is belief. 

BUT will rejoice (Zephaniah 3:17)

The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves.

He will take great delight in you; in His love He will no longer rebuke you, BUT will rejoice over you with singing.”

 Zephaniah 3:17 NIV

No matter what you are going through today God is with you. He is your Mighty Warrior, you do not need to fight this battle alone. Turn to Him and hear the beautiful singing of freedom!

BUT you are a chosen people (1 Peter 2:9)

BUT you are a chosen people, 

a royal priesthood, 

a holy nation,God’s special possession, 

that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.

1 Peter 2:9

BUT rather think of yourself with sober judgement (Romans 12:3)

For by the grace given me I say to every one of you:
 Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought,
BUT rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.

Romans 12:3
Sometimes we can get caught up in how good we are or even think "I'm doing okay compared to some other people I know" . Just remember any good that is in us comes from God. It is His grace that keeps us straight!

BUT be very careful (Joshua 22:4-6)

BUT  be very careful to keep the commandment and the law that Moses the servant of the Lord gave you:

to LOVE the Lord your God,
to walk in obedience to him,

to keep his commands,
to hold fast to him and
to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul.”

Joshua 22:4-6
It is great to know that when we keep God first everything else just falls into place.

BUT... where sin increased (Romans 5:20)

 The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase.

But where sin increased,

grace increased all the more,

Romans 5:20

Can't say I completely understand this verse. I have studied it and am just glad I don't have to understand everything to know that God's grace is all I need.

BUT among you it will be different (Mark 10:43)

But among you it will be different.

Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant. 

 Mark 10:43
Jesus ultimately had the best leadership style. Serve others and they will follow you.

BUT not merely given back ( Luke 6:35-38)

    "I tell you, love your enemies. Help and give without expecting a return. You'll never - I promise - regret it. Live out this God-created identity the way our Father lives toward us, generously and graciously, even when we're at our worst.
   

 Our Father is kind; you be kind.

    "Don't pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults - unless, of course, you want the same treatment. Don't condemn those who are down; that hardness can boomerang. Be easy on people; you'll find life a lot easier.
    Give away your life; you'll find life given back,

BUT

not merely given back - given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity."

Luke 6:35-38

This BUT needs no commentary from me.

BUT you are a chosen people (1 Peter 2:9)

BUT you are a chosen people,

a royal priesthood, a holy nation,

 God’s special possession,

that you may declare the praises of Him

who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

1 Peter 2:9

What a beautiful verse to wake up to this morning! You were chosen by GOD, you are His special possession.

Praise Him today!!

BUT... I didn't get what I deserve (Job 33:27)

I sinned,

BUT... I didn't get what I deserved.

  He redeemed my soul from going down to the pit,

 and I will live to enjoy the light.

  Job 33:27

BUT as for me, it is good to be near God (Psalm 73:28)

BUT as for me, it is good to be near God,

 I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deed.

 Psalm 73:28

God is so good, today I praise Him for freedom. As I sit in the countries capital I pray that our foundation will stay strong.

BUT God is the strength of my heart (Psalm 73:25-26)

Whom have I in heaven BUT you?

And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and heart may fail

BUT GOD

is the  strength of my heart and my portion forever. 

Psalm 73:25-26 

The only way I survive somedays is to  be reminded that Jesus and Crystal and Poppy are waiting for me in heaven! 

BUT... there is a friend (Proverbs 18:24)

One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin,

BUT…

 there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Proverbs 18:24

Praise the Lord that Jesus is always with us NO MATTER WHAT.
 If you feel lonely today reach out to Him He is waiting to be there for you. BUT… He will never force Himself on you.