BUT Mary kept all these things in her heart (Luke 2:19)

BUT... Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.

Luke 2:19

I can only imagine what this young lady went through as she delivered Jesus. The journey, the stable, the birth, the star, her husband, the animals, the shepherds, HER BABY. Now that Christmas is over don't let the meaning of Christmas only last for a day. Make time to ponder (it's a verb: think about (something) carefully, especially before making a decision or reaching a conclusion) What will next year look like for you? Take the spirit of Christmas with you Christ was born for you. You are not in this alone!

BUT when the set time (Galatians 4:4-7)

BUT when the set time had fully come, 

God sent his Son, 

born of a woman,

 born under the law,  

to redeem those under the law, 

that we might receive adoption to sonship.

 Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba,Father.”  

So you are no longer a slave, 

BUT God’s child; and since you are his child,

 God has made you also an heir.

Galatians 4:4-7

This may not seem like a "normal" Christmas verse. BUT read it again.... every word! 

GOD TRULY sent the Greatest Christmas Present ever! 

Accept Christ birth. 

Open this gift of redemption.

 Cry out Daddy I need you. 

Be filled with the confidence of knowing YOU ARE A CHILD OF THE KING! 

BUT the angel said to them (Luke 2:8-12)

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 

An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, 

and they were terrified. 

BUT the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; 

he is the Messiah, 

the Lord. 

This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Luke 2:8-12 

Many children are keeping watch tonight for Santa Clause! Oh if we had the same passion as them when it come to watching for Christ to come... not only as we celebrate His birth tomorrow BUT of His return. 

BUT the angel said (Luke 2:8-12)

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 

An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, 

and they were terrified. 

BUT the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; 

he is the Messiah, 

the Lord. 

This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Luke 2:8-12 

Many children are keeping watch tonight for Santa Clause! Oh if we had the same passion as them when it come to watching for Christ to come... not only as we celebrate His birth tomorrow BUT of His return.

BUT God intended it for good (Genesis 50:20)

You intended to harm me,

BUT God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done,

the saving of many lives.

Genesis 50:20

You may ask what does this have to do with Jesus birth. There are so many similarities in their lives. Both Joseph and Jesus were loved by their Father; both were rejected by their brothers, stripped of their clothes, became a servant, forgave those who persecuted them and made away for many to be saved.

As you think about this verse today are you feeling defeated or even attacked in some way? Remember God intends to use your circumstance for His good. You cannot do it alone. Let Him rescue you this Christmas.

BUT has lifted up the humble (Luke 1:50-53)

Luke 1:50-53

Mary is so wise at such a young age. It is no doubt her heart is to God.

His mercy extends to those who fear Him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with His arm; He has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones BUT has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things BUT  has sent the rich away empty.

These few short passages could be written today 2000+ years after they were originally spoken. This is my prayer for Christmas- that God Himself with bring down rulers and lift up the humble. Fill the hungry with good things. I believe the rich here are the people who are full of themselves. It has nothing to do with the size of a bank account BUT their hearts are empty.

BUT why am I so favored (Luke 1:42-47)

Luke 1:42-47

No surprise her God provided someone for Mary to share her pregnancy with. He loves us so much!

In a loud voice she exclaimed:

"Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear!

BUT why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord

should come to me?

As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!" And Mary said: "My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

BUT why am I so favored? Elizabeth and Mary both realized how blessed they were. During this holiday season do you realize how blessed you are? Maybe your blessings aren’t as obvious as these 2 women BUT you are blessed! Take sometime before Christmas day  and look for it…. Here’s a hint it’s not going to be wrapped or under the tree. It’s going to be in your heart, in a smile, maybe something you have done for someone or they have done for you. Don’t let this Christmas go by without finding out that YOU ARE BLESSED!

BUT they were childless (Luke 1:5-15)

God is so amazing to me. When you read His word it is so obvious that He cares about the details. Not only had He made a way for Christ to come to earth BUT He also blessed a elderly godly couple with a son that would prepare a way for Christ ministry.

In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron.  Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly.  

BUT they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old..

BUT the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John.  He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord.

I love how every time the angel comes to someone the first thing they say is “Do not be afraid”. I can not imagine what it would be like to really audibly hear from an angel of God..

Take time today to thank God for the details of Christmas this will take an effort on your part! BUT it will be worth it my friend.

But the Angel said (Luke 1:30)

AS we begin the count down to what we celebrate as Christmas day I am not surprised to find that even in the Bible the Story starts with a BIG BUT!

BUT the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. Luke 1:30

  Does God have big plans for you this next year? Are you questioning God like Mary did?

"How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?" Luke 1:34

That’s okay just sit back and listen to the Angel’s answer. He has great plans for you.

 The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month.  For nothing is impossible with God." Luke 1:35-37

Most importantly will you answer as Mary did?

 "I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her. Luke 38

It takes a servant and willing heart – What if Mary had said no way God – I can’t do this. What will people think? They’ll talk about me- You don’t know my story…. I could go on and on with the excuses. Ultimately the decision is yours. Do you want the GREAT PLANS He has for you? This Christmas say Yes Lord. No BUTS allowed.

BUT this man has done nothing wrong. (Luke 23:39-42)

 One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at Him:

“Aren’t you the Messiah? Save Yourself and us!”

 BUT the other criminal rebuked him.

“Don’t you fear God,” he said,

“since you are under the same sentence?

We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve.

BUT this man has done nothing wrong.”

 Then he said,

“Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.

Luke 23:39-42

This Verse reminds me often of the 2 voices in my head. I will listen to the voice of truth today.

What voice will you be to others?

BUT with loud shouts (Luke 23:23)

BUT with loud shouts they insistently demanded that He (Jesus)be crucified, and their shouts prevailed.

Luke 23:23

As sad as it is to watch what is happening in cities around our country

I can't help but think about the riot that took place where the people demanded Jesus be crucified.

He was innocent- He forgave the very people that shouted to take His life.

We must pray for the people of our nation.

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 while he was still (Luke 15:19-20)

I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’  So he got up and went to his father.

“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.

Luke 15:19-20

^{This is such a beautiful picture of our Heavenly Father. NO MATTER WHAT you have done or the attitude you have had towards God, He is waiting for you to turn to Him. He will meet you WHERE YOU ARE AT. All you have to do is turn around.}

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 a Samaritan (Luke 10:30-34)

In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side.  So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.

But a Samaritan,

as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him,

he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him.

Luke 10:30-34

Be careful that you don't find yourself so busy doing good

that you miss what is happening around you.

BUT the workers are few (Luke 10:2)

 He told them, “The harvest is plentiful,

BUT the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.

Luke 10:2

This seems like a verse we could think about in the fall BUY since it is spring time we need to make sure we are planting seeds of love and grace all around us so that when fall comes there will be something to harvest.

BUT Jesus knew what they were thinking (Luke 6:7-8)

The Pharisees and the teachers of the law

were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus,

 so they watched him closely

to see if he would heal on the Sabbath.

BUT Jesus knew what they were thinking

and said to the man with the shriveled hand,

 “Get up and stand in front of everyone.”

 So he got up and stood there.

Luke 6:7-8

I am so glad I don't have to get caught up in rules and religious laws!

Thank you Jesus for your never ending or conditional healing and love!

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 Jesus often (Luke 5:16)

BUT Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.

Luke 5:16
With so much going on during this holiday season one of the best gifts you could give your self is to withdraw for even a moment and pray.

BUT to you who are listening (Luke 6:27)

BUT to you who are listening I say:

Love your enemies,

do good to those who hate you,

Luke 6:27