WHERE DO YOU PLACE YOUR ‘BUT’?

The first time I heard this statement from a minister, I chuckled along with the congregation. It was more than the statement itself; it was the way he said it – and the mischievous grin on his face:

“Where do you place your ‘BUT’?! Put your ‘BUT’ in the correct place!”

It was hilarious.

However, beyond the humour, that single word-placement will radically influence your walk with God.

Let me explain.

Look at the following statements:

– “I know the Bible says ‘By his stripes I was healed’, BUT I still feel sick. So…”
– “I know the Word says ‘God will satisfy us with long life’, BUT I know people who have died young.”
– “I know God will not allow me be tempted beyond my strength, BUT, man, temptations are everywhere!”
– “I know God said, ‘The righteous will not beg for food’, BUT I know many poor and beggarly Christians.”

Now, compare them to:

“I still feel sick, BUT the Bible says, ‘By His stripes I was healed.’”
“Yes, I know people have died young, BUT the Word says, “God will satisfy us with long life.”
“Temptations are everywhere, true; BUT ‘God will not allow me to be tempted beyond my ability.’”
“I know many poor and beggarly Christians, BUT God has said, “The righteous will not beg for food.”

Can you see the difference? Exactly.

Let me tell you why the correct placement of your ‘BUT’ is so important:

(1) It Forces You To Test The Integrity Of God’s Word For Yourself
PM shared a story of how they didn’t have children in the first eight years of their marriage. She and her husband would preach, and she would tell people, “God’s Word works 100% of the time.”
Finally, a pastor in their church came up to her and told her to reduce preaching in that line.
Confused, she asked why – and he hesitantly indicated her flat belly with a wave of his hand, telling her that the 100% wasn’t showing in her life.
She looked him square in the face, pointed at him and told him, point-blank, “God’s Word works 100% of the time!”
Today, she has three children.

Placing your ‘BUT’ in the correct position – and standing on it – compels God to honor His Word.
Sadly, many of us don’t see the manifestations because (1) we don’t stand long enough, and (2) we have mentally prepared backups/options.

(2) It Lets You Know God For Yourself
For many of us, our relationship with God is greatly influenced by family, friends, background, even church – so we easily spout the Bible; but when push comes to shove…and we don’t see results, we begin to doubt it.

However, when you stand on the Word irrespective of what you see, it forces you to ask God questions – which in turn causes Him to lead you into deeper revelations (which is what He wanted all along.)
When you come through the process – and you finally see the manifestation of the promise – you would have known God personally in a way you didn’t before.

(3) It Reveals Man’s (Ir)Responsibility
Placing your ‘BUT’ in the right place does two things:
(i) It settles that God’s Word is ALWAYS true.
(ii) It reveals that, most times, man has a major part to play in the fulfilment of that Word.

It takes a huge dose of Humility to accept that perhaps, the outcomes you see in your life/other people’s lives – which are contrary to the Word – are as a result of something you/they have/haven’t done: ignorance, a lack of wisdom, disobedience, pride, hypocrisy, wrong confessions, etc.

Placing your ‘BUT’ correctly and humbly before God opens up your heart to truth.

(4) It Makes You Unshakable
When you experience the first three points, you are not easily swayed or moved anymore. Rather, you are grounded, and your convictions become personal.

You know God’s Word can be trusted.

Now, go back and look at the first set of statements again. What do they do?

They make you doubt, question, disbelieve God’s Word – which is ALWAYS the plan of the enemy.
Remember Eden and “Has God really said?”

Exactly.

Be smart. Don’t fall prey.

Put your ‘BUT’ back in the right place!

*****

Would you like to give your life to Jesus? Simply pray with your lips, “Lord Jesus. I am sorry for all my sins. Come into my heart, forgive me and cleanse me with your Blood. I believe You died and rose again, and I accept You as my Lord and Savior. Amen.” Welcome to the family! 🤗 Drop a note, and we will be glad to reach out!

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