Stop Showing your “But”

Excuses are the same as Buts- everyone has one!

Here in the great state of Georiga, showing your but is slang for being rude, obnoxious, or making a scene.

We all have “buts” in our lives. I would invite more people to church, “but”. I would sing a little louder during worship, “but”. I would wake up and open my bible before I opened my phone to check instagram or tik tok, “but”. You see, we are so quick to make excuses and give in to them! Every excuse that you give and then give in to is an area where you prefer your way over God’s way. God’s way is always better, so stop selling out for so little when God wants you to go all in for so much. Get your “but out of the way and bring your “but” to church!

Jesus deals with the heart. He wants YOUR heart!

He doesn’t need you, He wants you! He wants you to ask Him for help, “but” you say I can handle this on my own.

Every time I have told God I can do it alone and don’t need Him, I have either disappointed myself, disappointed someone else, or both! God’s way is ALWAYS the best way.

More often then not when I am doing something my way, my intent is selfishly motivated. I want to do something that I thought of and succeeded and then feel good about it.

Reality is though, that if I would have included God in my plans, it would have been 10x better! I want your way God but let me do this myself.

Don’t strive to do something to get the approval of others! It. Doesn’t. Matter.

Strive with everything you do as if you were doing it for God. Seek righteousness!

Don’t toot your own horn

Matthew 6:1 ““Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. Otherwise, you have no reward with your Father in heaven.”

What is righteousness? The quality of being right in the eyes of God.

How do I know what is right in the eyes of God? Read. His. Word.

In a culture right now where everything is “me” centered. I need more likes, I need more views, I need more more more!

God is saying, you will never be satisfied with worldly more, He alone is enough for you.

Next time you do anything, have this question primed and ready, “Am I doing this to get the approval by others, or am I doing this to get the approval by God?”

Be humble, “sit down”. God know’s your heart and what your motive is.

If your motive is to glorify Him, He will reward you His way. Which is the best way.

The Wrong Way

Matthew 6:2 “So whenever you give to the poor, don’t sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be applauded by people. Truly I tell you, they have their reward.”

What is a hypocrite? An actor, FAKE, one who wears a mask and portrays himself to be what is not.

Being FAKE is exhausting. Just. Be. Real.

When you seek the praise of others, you give up the rewards from God!

Don’t give up “Awesome” for “just ok”!

The Right Way!

Matthew 6:3–4 “But when you give to the poor, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”

The context for this verse is pertaining to giving. But it goes a lot deeper.

Once again Jesus is talking about your heart and what your motive is.

Is your motive, in regards to anything that you do, to seek validation from others or is your motive to seek righteousness with God?

Spoiler alert: Choose the second

Righteousness leads to real rewards!

Here in the great state of Georgia, showing your but is slang for being rude, obnoxious, or making a scene.

If you listen to God, He will speak to you. If you obey God, He will provide for you. If you give for God, He will bless you.

For the 1st Youth of 2024, What But do you need to get out of the way? I would read my bible more, “But”. I would be on my social media less, “but”. I would pray more, “but”. I would invite more, “but”. I would come to YTH more, “but”. Whatever your excuse is, Don’t let it stand in the way of your blessing!