BUT when you pray (Matthew 6:6)

BUT when you pray, go into your room,

close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen.

Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret,

will reward you.

Matthew 6:6

As you begin 2015 we go by yourself and really ask God what he wants from you this year. That's all that really matters, not what others expect from you or even what you think you should do

BUT as you will (Matthew 26:39)(Easter)

Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me.

Yet not as I will, 

BUT as you will.”

Matthew 26:39
I can not imagine the agony Jesus felt as he talked to His Father. And then how much more painful it had to Be for God to hear His sons' plea and choose to let Him suffer for our sake. This is the defining moment when I realize He is God ! I don't believe any human parent could ever have the strength to go through with this. Thank you God for your sacrifice .

BUT the disciples rebuked them (Matthew 19:13-15)

 Then people brought little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. 

BUT the disciples rebuked them.

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”  When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there.

Matthew 19:13-15

BUT before they came together (Matthew 1:18-25

Matthew 1:18-25

So often Mary is the center of attention when it comes to the birth of Jesus, I want to take a moment and think about Joseph.

This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, BUT before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

Can you imagine? Mary and Joseph are engaged to be married and he finds out she is pregnant. Not just pregnant BUT pregnant by God. He loves her, His first thought is he doesn’t want to shame her. Good thing he didn’t just react BUT took time to think about his situation.

BUT after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins. “All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:  “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel (which means “God with us”).When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife.

This is yet another picture of grace to me. Joseph got it! He probably didn’t understand everything that was going on around him. BUT he trusted God and he trusted Mary.

BUT he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.

Not only did Joseph remain faithful to Mary he did not sleep with her until she gave birth.

 Men remember when you love someone you will wait until the right time.

Girls remember you are a treasure.

BUT my words (Matthew24:25)

Heaven and earth will disappear,

BUT my words will never disappear.

Matthew 24:25

I encourage you to memorize God's word. So that no matter what you are going through or what may come of this place we call home you have His word with in you. Don't say you can't. I said the same thing for years. I could memorize some of the traditional verses BUT felt I couldn't remember the longer ones. Then when I became a flight attendant and memorized all the boarding and safety announcement and I thought 'oops, I guess I can.".  

 I began memorizing the 1st Chapter of James and  I am almost on to chapter 2.

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 of the living. (Matthew 22:30-32)

Jesus replied, “You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God.

 At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven.

BUT about the resurrection of the dead—

have you not read what God said to you, 

‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac,

and the God of Jacob’?

He is not the God of the dead BUT of the living.”

Matthew 22:30-32

I am amazed at times of the questions people asked Jesus.

 If a man is married to more then one person in his lifetime who will he be married to in heaven?

BUT I know I asked crazy questions too. I so often wonder about Heaven now that my Poppy and Crystal are there. There is so much talk about angels in this world BUT I wasn't really sure we will become angels. This verse nails it! We will be like angels! God is the god of the Living - our loved ones are alive!

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 also you can say to this mountain (Matthew 21:21)

Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree,

BUT also you can say to this mountain,

‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done.

Matthew 21:21

Can you imagine this really? I don't know if my human mind could handle this power.

 I am so glad my faith and trust is in Christ and I can trust Him to handle everything around me with a pure heart.

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 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 if the salt loses (Matthew 5:13)

“You are the salt of the earth.

BUT if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again?

 It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.

Matthew 5:13

Salt add flavor and help preserve. Do you had flavor to your world? Do you help preserve others?

BUT store up for yourselves (Matthew 6:20-21)

BUT store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. ²¹ For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Matthew 6:20-21

This is a perfect follow up to yesterday.

Treasures in Heaven to me is showing kindness and love to others.

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 when you give (Matthew 6:3-4)

 BUT when you give to the needy,

do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,

so that your giving may be in secret.

Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

^{Matthew 6:3-4}

^{This is a great motivation for Random Acts of Kindness! Go do something for someone today that is not expecting it You actually may end up with the greater blessing}

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 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 on every word (Matthew 4:4)

Jesus answered, “It is written:

‘Man shall not live on bread alone,

BUT on every word that comes from the mouth of God

Matthew 4:4
As you start to plan your Thanksgiving meal remember to include on the menu God's word. Share His word with your family that your feast may be complete.

BUT with God (Matthew 19:26)

Jesus looked at them and said,

“With man this is impossible,

BUT with God all things are possible.”

Matthew 19:26

I am not sure what you are going through today, BUT I know from my own experiences that this verse is true! Pray today and give your troubles to Him and He will show you the possibilities!

BUT go and learn (Matthew 9:13)

BUT go and learn what this means:

 ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ 

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

Matthew 9:13

These words were spoken by Jesus when He was questioned as to why he was having dinner with a tax collector.  Jesus came to reach people who need mercy are you reaching out to them as well or do you find yourself judging them? Make this Thanksgiving a true giving season and show mercy to those who need it.