BUT now (Romans 7:6)

BUT now,
by dying to what once bound us, 
we have been released from the law 
so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, 
and not in the old way of the written code.
Romans 7:6 

 Do not be controlled by the old way of the written code. There is not a set of rules my friend. Jesus didn't come as a baby to die on the cross so that we could follow a written code! LET GO today my friend. Die to your self and serve Christ. Stop for a moment and ask yourself what you are holding on to that is preventing you from being released. Is it control, fear, selfish desires? 

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 the lowly in spirit (Proverbs 29:23)

Pride brings a person low, BUT the lowly in spirit gain honor.

Proverbs 29:23

I received one of the best compliments the other day from someone I hardly knew. We were at the same gathering and she commented late in the day how she had been watching me. She said that no matter what was going on around me I was smiling and helping. She even asked "how do you do it?"

It was so awesome to be able to simple say God. (I don't write this to be proud- just to remind us that we should do everything for no pleasure  but to please God)

BUT if you forget about yourself (Matt 10:39)

If your first concern is to look after yourself,

you'll find yourself,

BUT

 if you forget about yourself and look to me,

you will find both yourself and me.

Matthew 10:39

2 is better then 1

BUT if you give up your life (Matthew 16:24-27)

Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways,

 take up your  cross, and follow me. 

If you try to hang unto your life, you will lose it, 

BUT

if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. 

and what do you benefit if you gain the whole world

BUT 

lose your soul?

Matthew 16:24-27

Sometimes we look at this verse and think I can't give up my life, my job, my family and just become a preacher or missionary. God is not asking that, He is asking us to give up our selfish ways. Start today and purposefully set your mind to put others first and see what happens. 

BUT... love your enemies (Luke 6:32-35)

 “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you?

 Even sinners love those who love them.....

BUT love your enemies, do good to them,

and lend to them without expecting to get anything back.

Then your reward will be great, 

Luke 6: 32....35

Are you thinking of what you can give to Jesus this Christmas. Well here it is. Love those who you don't find loveable. Just try it with one person and see what happens. What is amazing about God is what ever we give to Him He multiplies and blesses us.

BUT to you who are listening (Proverbs 6:27-28)

 “But to you who are listening I say:

 Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 

bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.

Proverbs 6:27-28

Are you listening?

BUT... by everyword that comes from the mouth of God (Matthew 4:4)

BUT

He answered, “It is written, a Man shall not live by bread alone, 

  BUT

 by every word that comes from the mouth of God. ”

Matthew 4:4

I started a new devotional called the impact of 25 words and my second day this is the verse I received. 2 BUTS ! This verse is from when Satan test Jesus by telling Him to turn rocks into food since He had not eaten in 40 days.
 Jesus responds helps me remember that it is not about my fleshly needs
BUT I can survive on the promises of God.

BUT...few things are needed (Luke 10:38-42)

As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. 

BUT Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” 

“Martha, Martha,”the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things,

BUT few things are needed—or indeed only one.Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Luke 10:38-42

I have been caught in this trap many times in life where I get caught up in the busyness of life and don't take time to STOP and spend time with my Lord or others He has laid on my heart. I praise God the older I get the easier it is for me to not worry about the stuff!

BUT...take the lower place (Luke 14:7-11)

So He told a parable to those who were invited, when He noted how they chose the best places, saying to them: “When you are invited by anyone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in the best place, lest one more honorable than you be invited by him; and he who invited you and him come and say to you, ‘Give place to this man,’ and then you begin with shame to take the lowest place. 

BUT... when you are invited, go and sit down in the lowest place, so that when he who invited you comes he may say to you, ‘Friend, go up higher.’ Then you will have glory in the presence of those who sit at the table with you. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Luke 14:7-11 NKJV)

I have always loved this verse. There is something about being willing to take a lower position and then being raised up then to think you are all that and find yourself being cut down.  This reminds me of my daughter's celebration of life service. The church was packed and to me everyone was valuable BUT as I  went around greeting people during the worship time I saw a friend that had loved and accepted Crystal. I took her by the hand and led  her to stand by me. This is where she belonged. As we were exiting I saw Crystal 's Neurologist standing in the very last row. BUT God knew she needed to be the first in line to greet us , it was such an honor that she took the time to come .  She didn't think because she was a doctor she should be seated in the best place BUT she humbly accepted any place. 

BUT... favors the prayers (Proverbs 15:8)

The Lord

Detests the Sacrifices of the wicked…

 

But

Favors the prayers of those who do right.

Proverbs 15:8  CEB

 As our children were growing up and being able to go places on their own we would tell them to “DO RIGHT” we told them there wasn't a list that they could remember of the do’s and don’ts because inevitably we would forget the one trouble they may find.
So it was just better for them to learn to “JUST DO RIGHT”