BUT I cannot carry it out (Romans 7:18)

For I know that good itself does not dwell in me,

that is, in my sinful nature.

For I have the desire to do what is good, 

BUT I cannot carry it out.

Romans 7:18
Do you find yourself starting off your morning thinking,
" I got this, I am going to treat people nice,  I'm going to have a great day".  
Then before you know it,  someone has cut you off in traffic, people at work are so demanding and no one else is being nice so why bother!
Let that be a beautiful reminder that Jesus loves you no matter what
and its only when we remember His love for us and fill ourselves up with His love
that we can fulfill that desire to do what is good.
Don't go at it alone my friend. Let Him carry your burdens.

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 when God (Galatians 1:15-16

BUT when God, who set me apart from my mother’s womb and called me by His grace, was pleased  to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, my immediate response was not to consult any human being.

Galatians 1:15-16

Love this- First God called me from my mother's womb- 2nd it is His Grace, not anything good or bad I do and lastly I don't have to have to check with any man to get their approval!

BUT my life is worth nothing. (Acts 20:24)

BUT my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.

Acts 20:24

God is so good and He deserves our praise. Remember it is not just the preachers job to tell others about Jesus and His wonderful grace, it is ours. You may be the only messenger in some ones life. Tell someone how good Jesus is today!

BUT if the cloud did not lift (Exodus 40:36-37)

 In all the travels of the Israelites,

whenever the cloud lifted from above the tabernacle,

they would set out;

BUT if the cloud did not lift, they did not set out—

until the day it lifted.

Exodus 40:36-37
Anyone who knows me - knows I love to travel. It's crazy to think back to Bible time when God showed Himself in physical ways. Can you imagine that you would know when to go different places based on watching the clouds.
Some may say that would make life easier.
Nah- I like it this way-just pay attention and God will tell you what you are supposed to do.

BUT be sure to fear the Lord (1 Samuel 12:24)

 BUT be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things He has done for you.

` Samuel 12:24

This verse actually makes me sad. It is sad that we have to be reminded to serve the Lord. BUT God's word is just right and He knew what we would need to be reminded of because we are human. Make a difference and serve the Lord today.

BUT God remains the strength of my heart (Psalm 76:26)

My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak,
    BUT God remains the strength of my heart;
    He is mine forever.

Psalm 76:26

The older I get the more things in my body fail. It is easy to become discouraged as well. BUT it makes my heart smile to think that God is mine forever and we truly are here for just a little while.

BUT the plans of the Lord (Psalm 33:11)

The Lord frustrates the plans of the nations
    and thwarts all their schemes.
BUT the Lord’s plans stand firm forever;
    his intentions can never be shaken.

Psalm 33:11

1st I had to check several translations to see if I could find this verse with out the word "thwarts" nope it is in several so I had to look it up.

thwart

 (thwôrt)

tr.v. thwart·ed, thwart·ing, thwarts

1. To prevent the occurrence, realization, or attainment of: They thwarted her plans.

2. To oppose and defeat the efforts, plans, or ambitions of (someone).

 No matter what happens around us remember...God wins...It's great to be on the winning Team!

BUT the wisdom that comes from heaven (James 3:17-18)

BUT the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.

James 3:17-18

When you are seeking wisdom- check it against this verse. If it is not all of these it just might not be heavenly wisdom- BUT our own selfish desires being manipulated into "wisdom"

BUT you will receive power (Acts 1:7-8)

He said to them:

“It is not for you to know the times or dates

the Father has set by his own authority. 

BUT you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Acts 1:7-8

These were Jesus' last words before He ascended in to heaven. This was His last chance to make a difference- What would your last words be? He didn't say I love you or be Good. His actions spoke that during His life. He told us to make a difference with the life we have. This is one reason that I continue to post these verses as my way of witnessing.

BUT a woman (Proverbs 31:31)

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;

BUT a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

Proverbs 31:31

What does it mean to you to "fear" the Lord?

 My fear is knowing that He knows me completely... every thought, every motive, and every action.

BUT He still loves me.

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 the word of our God (Isaiah 40:8)

The grass withers and the flowers fall,
    BUT the word of our God endures forever.”

Isaiah 40:8

BUT grow in the grace and knowledge (2Peter 3:18)

BUT grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.

2 Peter 3:18

Notice that grace comes before knowledge. Sometimes it seems us Christians get caught up in what we know. Praise God for His grace that covers my stupidity.

BUT the one who plants (Galatians 6:7-8)

Don’t be misled:
 No one makes a fool of God.
What a person plants, he will harvest. The person who plants selfishness, ignoring the needs of others—ignoring God!—
harvests a crop of weeds.

But

the one who plants in response to God, letting God’s Spirit do the growth work in him, harvests a crop of real life, eternal life.

Galatians 6:7-8 (msg)

Call it Karma call it what you want. Today can be the day that you begin investing in yourself by investing in others!

BUT to whom little is forgiven (Luke 7:44-48)

Then He turned to the woman and said to Simon,

“Do you see this woman?

I entered your house;

you gave Me no water for My feet,

BUT

 she has washed My feet with her tears

and wiped them with the hair of her head.  

 You gave Me no kiss,

BUT

 this woman has not ceased to kiss My feet

since the time I came in. 

You did not anoint My head with oil,

BUT

this woman has anointed My feet with fragrant oil. 

Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven,

 for she loved much.

BUT

 to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.”

Then He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”

Luke 7:44-48

I love these verses 4 BIG BUTS! bring your offerings to Christ today. No matter little or large Jesus is ready to forgive them and set you free.

BUT... while Joseph was in prison (Joseph Gen 39:20)

But while Joseph was in prison, 
the LORD was with him; 

he showed him kindness. 

Genesis 39:20
Joseph may have been in a literal prion, BUT what kind of prison are you in today? Are you fearful, worried, jealous? Remember the Lord is with you and wants to comfort you where you are at.

BUT... He is out in the fields (1 Samuel 16:11)

“There is still the youngest,” Jesse replied.

 “BUT...

 he’s out in the fields watching the sheep and goats.”

1 Sam 16:11

This verse just makes me smile because I am the youngest child in my family. God was looking for a new king and He sent Samuel to the family of Jesse to find him. The father showed him all of the sons and none were the one God was looking for. When he asked is this all of your sons the above verse was the reply. When Samuel found David in the field God assured him he was the one! Imagine that - a shepherd keeping watch over his flocks by night.  

BUT... God meant it for good (Genesis 50:20)

"As for you, you meant evil against me, 

BUT...

 God meant it for good

 in order to bring about this present result,

to preserve many people alive.

Gen 50:20

I love this passage and it is one I often meditate on when bad things happen. Just think Joseph's brothers sought out to kill him because they were jealous. BUT God saved him the pit they had thrown him in. Joseph became the ruler over Israel which included his brothers!

God is so good. He's got your back!

BUT... to do justice (Micah 6:8)

He has told you, O man, what is good;   

and what does the Lord require of you

BUT..

 to do justice,

and to love kindness,

and to walk humbly with your God?

Micah 6:8

Are you seeking something from God today? He has told us what to do. Just for a moment stop and make sure you are offering justice to others, the greatest way to show kindness is to give it.
Start a chain of a random act of kindness today. and most of all
realize who you are walking with... GOD himself.