BUT.. I press on (part 1) (Philippians 3:12)

I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already met perfection.

BUT…

I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me.

Philippians 3:12

Living the Christian life is definitely a roller coaster. Sometimes you feel like you got it all figured out and other times you realize that you are out of control. Jesus is the same in the highs and the lows and it does us good to keep pressing on.

BUT... can I trust in my gun (Psalm 44:6-7)

I do not trust in my bow,

And my sword does not bring me victory.

BUT…

You give us victory over our foes and let those who hate us be disgraced.

Psalm 44:6-7

In today's society there is so much talk about gun ownership and gun control. Our trust must be in God and God alone. Your bow or sword (gun) will not bring victory any more for the believer or unbeliever

 BUT when we realize victory over our foes comes from turning them over to God. 

BUT... the sick do (Luke 5:31-32)

Jesus replied to them,

The healthy don’t need a doctor,

BUT…

The sick do.

I have not come to call the righteous,

BUT…

Sinners to repentance.

Luke 5:31-32

If today you are trying to get right before you accept Jesus take hold of this verse. He did not come to earth for the righteous BUT for sinners. Meaning He knows where we fail and loves us because of that failure. 

BUT... I do it anyway (Romans 7:18-20)

I know what is wrong and I know that nothing good lives in me,
that is, in my sinful nature.

I want to do what is right,

 BUT I can’t.

I want to do what is good,

BUT I don’t.

 I don’t want to do what is wrong,

BUT I do it anyway.

BUT if I do what I don’t want to do,

I am not really the one doing wrong;

 It is sin living in me that does it.

I have discovered this principle of life—

That when I want to do what is right,

 I inevitably do what is wrong.

 I love God’s law with all my heart.

BUT there is another power within me that is at war with my mind.

This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me.

 Oh, what a miserable person I am!

Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death?

Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is:

 In my mind I really want to obey God’s law,

 BUT because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin.

Romans 7:18-20 (NLT)

Do you find yourself in these passages?  If you have struggled in the past in a humbling situation where you want to do what is right but inevitably you still have bad thoughts or actions please be reminded that is the old nature. Until we get to heaven this battle within will always rage, be strong my friend Jesus can concur even this battle. So often we think to pray about health, financial issues or physical needs BUT my friend the greatest pray is for Jesus to get victory over the battles within!  Please feel free to comment and share an internal battle with us. 

But... now that the child is dead (2 Samuel 12 21-23)

His advisers were amazed. “We don’t understand you,” they told him. “While the child was still living, you wept and refused to eat.
BUT…now that the child is dead,
you have stopped your mourning and are eating again.”
David replied,

“I fasted and wept while the child was alive, for I said,
"Perhaps the Lord will be gracious to me and let the child live.’

BUT…

 why should I fast when he is dead? Can I bring him back again?
I will go to him one day, BUT he cannot return to me.”
2 Samuel 12 21-23

I relate to this verse in so many ways. Watching your own child become sick to the point of death is agonizing. BUT once they have been transformed to their new life it is a time of rejoicing. My daughter entered the hospital on November 1, 2010. Within 2 days the Lord had placed upon my heart that she would not be coming home with us and that these would be her last days. I shared this insight with very few people and I am not sure whether they believed me or not. I am forever grateful for this insight as it allowed me the privilege to share secrets with her and even watch my favorite Disney movie with her. There are times now I wish I could go back to that place when I was so close to God. The Celebration of life service we had for our daughter was full of life. God continues to remind me that there is life after death for both the ones who have passed and those who must stay here. 

BUT... The word of the Lord remains forever. (1 Peter 1:23-25)

For you have been born again,

BUT…

Not to a life that will quickly end. Your new life will last because it comes from the eternal, living word of God.

As the scripture say,

People are like grass; their beauty is like a flower in the field. The grass withers and the flower fades.

BUT…

The word of the Lord remains forever.” And that word is the Good News that was preached to you.

1 Peter 1:23-25

I love spring time. The daffodils are in full bloom! The daffodils do fade quickly though and we can choose to let this make us sad or rejoice in the fact that these flowers are just the beginning of the beauty of spring and even that summer is just around the corner. It is like our life here on earth, in comparison to eternal life.

BUT... for all who eagerly look forward to His appearing. (2 Timothy 4:8)

And now the prize awaits me- the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of His return. And the prize is not just for me BUT…

For all who eagerly look forward to His appearing.  

2 Timothy 4:8

Everyone loves prizes! God loves rewarding His children. This verse tells us that when Jesus returns He comes with prizes. We will be given crowns for the things we do here on earth that please Him. Not for things we try to do to earn salvation BUT for things we do because we love our Lord and desire to make Him happy.