BUT the Lord determines our steps (Proverbs 16:9)

We can make our plans,
    BUT the Lord determines our steps.

Proverbs 16:9
Please Lord don't let me get in your way.

BUT the Lord examines the heart. (Proverbs 21:2)

People may be right in their own eyes,
    BUT the Lord examines their heart.

Proverbs 21:2

I know I should be really spiritual right now and tell us to examine our own hearts to make sure they are right. BUT today when I read this I thought about people who make me crazy because they think they are always right and I thought it don't matter what they think God knows what's going on!

BUT a kind word cheers it up (Proverbs 12:25)

Anxiety weighs down the heart, BUT a kind word cheers it up.

Proverbs 12:25

Such a simple truth that if we could live it out could save lives. In our world where it seems suicide is happening more often this verse could be the game changer! Say something kind to someone today you never know what they are going though.

BUT the flesh is weak (Matthew 26:41)

“Watch and pray 

so that you will not fall into temptation. 

The spirit is willing, 

BUT the flesh is weak.”

Matthew 26:41

Jesus asked his disciplines to watch and pray for Him because He knew it was close to time for Him to go to the cross.

 Each time He checked on them they were asleep.

 He didn't get all mad at them He just understood how weak we are. 

Jesus' love is beyond comprehension.

BUT Jesus bent down (John 8:6-7)

They were using this question as a trap,

in order to have a basis for accusing him.

BUT Jesus bent down

 and started to write on the ground with his finger.

When they kept on questioning him,

 he straightened up and said to them,

“Let any one of you who is without sin

be the first to throw a stone at her.”

John 8:6-7

This is probably one of my favorite BUTS in the Bible.

Before you judge someone make sure you check your self first.

These men had brought a woman to Jesus who had been caught in the act of adultery

 (where was the guy). They wanted to see how Jesus would condemn her. Instead He started writing things in the sand and then they walked away.

BUT he who seeks glory (John 7:18)

Whoever speaks on their own does so to gain personal glory, 

BUT he who seeks the glory of the one who sent him

 is a man of truth; there is nothing false about him.

John 7:18

Be careful who you listen to. Is the person speaking so that you will like them or are they full of pride?

Also be careful when you speak - is your motivation to be liked? or to show people Christ in you?

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 if your eyes are unhealthy (Matthew 6:22-23)

“The eye is the lamp of the body.

If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light.  

BUT if your eyes are unhealthy,

your whole body will be full of darkness.

If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!

Matthew 6:22-23

This reminds me of a children's song "Oh, be carful little eyes what you see, for the Father up above is looking down in love. Oh be careful little eyes what you see." Our eyes are a gateway to our heart we need to pay attention what we are exposing them to. 

BUT I want you to know (Mark 2:9-11)

Which is easier: to say to this paralyzed man,

‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say,

‘Get up, take your mat and walk’?

BUT I want you to know that

the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.”

So he said to the man,

“I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.”

Mark 2:9-11

My heart over flows when I hear of someone's heart being healed. Don't get me wrong when Jesus chooses to heal someone's body it is wonderful. BUT to me it's the works of the heart that get me excited. It is not something we can see like a healed leg. It's something we have to surrender and then tell the world about.

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 Son of Man (Matthew 8:20)

Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests,

BUT the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”

Matthew 8:20

Stop and think about this for a minute....

The entire time Jesus was ministering to people He had no place to call home. I really can't comprehend this as my home is my sanctuary, my safe place. BUT made me think that heaven truly is our ultimate home and once again Jesus reminds us to not get caught up in this world.

BUT the sick (Matthew 9:12-13)

 On hearing this, Jesus said,

“It is not the healthy who need a doctor, 

BUT the sick. BUT go and learn what this means:

‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’

For I have not come to call the righteous, BUT sinners.”

Matthew 9:12-13

 

BUT envy rots the bones (Proverbs 14:30)

A heart at peace gives life to the body, BUT envy rots the bones.

Proverbs 14:30

Don't let life pass you by because you  compare yourself to others. You really have no ideas what they may be going through even though they may seem to have everything and have it all together- and more importantly count your blessings.

BUT a crushed spirit (Proverbs 17:22)

A cheerful heart is good medicine,

BUT

a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

Proverbs 17:22

I immediately noticed that in this verse it says nothing about someone else cheering me on. We are responsible for the condition of our heart. That doesn't mean we can't try to make others feel better or encourage others. BUT if you are feeling down today remember you are a child of the King! God really loves you and wants you to have a cheerful heart no matter what you are going through.

BUT encourage one another daily (Hebrews 3:13)

 But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.

Hebrews 3:13

 If the Lord has placed someone on your heart today don't wait until tomorrow to encourage them.
 You may be that one that makes a difference.

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... against rulers...(Ephesians 6:12)

 We aren’t fighting against human enemies 

BUT

against rulers, authorities, forces of cosmic darkness, and spiritual powers of evil in the heavens. 

(Ephesians 6:12 CEB)

BUT... Godliness has value for all things (1 Timothy 4:8)

For physical training is of some value,

 BUT... Godliness has value for all things,

 holding promise for both the present life 

and the life to come.

1 Tim 4:8

It is awesome that I am surrounded by so many people that are into running and taking care of their physical bodies. When I read this verse it really challenged me> Let's begin today to put in as much time to our Godliness training as we do our physical training. Use the time you run or exercise to praise Him,
It is a great time to pray for others too. 

BUT... now you must put them all away (Col 3:8)

 BUT now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.

Colossians  3:8

Building off our last BUT about physical training look at the above things as fat, things that weigh you down. You can get rid of them! Pray that they be removed, next ask to be alerted to them (they may have become such a way of life and thinking you don't even realize they are there), if necessary find a partner and ask them to hold you accountable.

BUT... Godliness has value for all things (1 Tim 4:18)

For physical training is of some value,

 BUT... Godliness has value for all things,

 holding promise for both the present life 

and the life to come.

1 Tim 4:18

It is awesome that I am surrounded by so many people that are into running and taking care of their physical bodies. When I read this verse it really challenged me> Let's begin today to put in as much time to our Godliness training as we do our physical training. Use the time you run or exercise to praise Him,
It is a great time to pray for others too.