But God; the Believer’s Semicolon
Scripture: Psalm 37:23-24 – The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD,
And He delights in his way. 24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down;
For the LORD upholds him with His hand.
The semicolon is a period on top of a comma. In writing, the semicolon is used to connect two independent but relatable thoughts. The semicolon represents a decision by the writer to continue the sentence where it could have been ended. Just like in writing, when you see a person with a semicolon tattoo or semicolon jewelry it often symbolizes that the wearer decided not to end their life or that he decided to stop self-harm. Ofttimes, persons who are battling depression, suicidal thoughts, or self-harm behaviors don a semicolon to remind them of what they have overcome. The semicolon represents continuing where an end was possible. The semicolon connects relatable ideas, where the word BUT connects contrasting ideas. But God, is the Believer’s semicolon. It represents a time where the Lord decided to show grace & mercy instead of giving you what you deserve. You were sinking deep in sin; BUT GOD. Life was beating you down; BUT GOD. You were told there’s no hope; BUT GOD. But God symbolizes continuance; it shows that your story didn’t end at your diagnosis, at your sin, at your mistake, or at your situation. But God is the hope that all Believers should have, in God. As you deal with life’s circumstances, ailments, and adversities remember the mercy of the Lord has allowed you to continue, to thrive. The Lord directs the steps of the godly and delights in every detail of their lives and even though he may fall, he will not be overwhelmed, because the Lord is holding his hand…But God!!!.............
Everyone in the Bible has had a But God moment and so has every Believer and even non-believers. But God is the Believer’s semicolon. Noah, his family, and the animals would have been floating along forever; But God (Gen. 8:1). Abraham would have been mourning his son; But God (Gen. 22). David would have been captured by Saul; But God (1 Samuel 23:14). Jonah would have died inside of the large fish; But God (Jonah 2:10). Joseph’s brothers set out to harm him; But God (Acts 7:9-10). Jesus, in His human form, was crucified and buried; But God (Acts 13: 29-30). Believers were lost in sin; But God (Romans 5:8). The cost of sin is death for the Believer; But God (Romans 6:23). Believers were dead in their trespasses and sin, controlled by Satan and willingly fulfilling the desires of the flesh; But God (Ephesians 2: 1-10). So whenever, you see a semicolon (that period over a comma) remember what the Lord has saved you from, remember that life’s circumstances are not the end of your story. You would have…But God.
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father thank you for your grace and mercy. Thank you for our But God moments and making it possible for us to continue despite of ourselves. Lord, thank you for not allowing our story to end with our sin but instead with You getting the glory for making us brand new. Forgive us Lord for taking those But God moments for granted and often grieving You. Thank you, Lord for sacrificing Your Son to cover our sins, past, present, and future. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen.
(by Patricia Towns)
And He delights in his way. 24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down;
For the LORD upholds him with His hand.
The semicolon is a period on top of a comma. In writing, the semicolon is used to connect two independent but relatable thoughts. The semicolon represents a decision by the writer to continue the sentence where it could have been ended. Just like in writing, when you see a person with a semicolon tattoo or semicolon jewelry it often symbolizes that the wearer decided not to end their life or that he decided to stop self-harm. Ofttimes, persons who are battling depression, suicidal thoughts, or self-harm behaviors don a semicolon to remind them of what they have overcome. The semicolon represents continuing where an end was possible. The semicolon connects relatable ideas, where the word BUT connects contrasting ideas. But God, is the Believer’s semicolon. It represents a time where the Lord decided to show grace & mercy instead of giving you what you deserve. You were sinking deep in sin; BUT GOD. Life was beating you down; BUT GOD. You were told there’s no hope; BUT GOD. But God symbolizes continuance; it shows that your story didn’t end at your diagnosis, at your sin, at your mistake, or at your situation. But God is the hope that all Believers should have, in God. As you deal with life’s circumstances, ailments, and adversities remember the mercy of the Lord has allowed you to continue, to thrive. The Lord directs the steps of the godly and delights in every detail of their lives and even though he may fall, he will not be overwhelmed, because the Lord is holding his hand…But God!!!.............
Everyone in the Bible has had a But God moment and so has every Believer and even non-believers. But God is the Believer’s semicolon. Noah, his family, and the animals would have been floating along forever; But God (Gen. 8:1). Abraham would have been mourning his son; But God (Gen. 22). David would have been captured by Saul; But God (1 Samuel 23:14). Jonah would have died inside of the large fish; But God (Jonah 2:10). Joseph’s brothers set out to harm him; But God (Acts 7:9-10). Jesus, in His human form, was crucified and buried; But God (Acts 13: 29-30). Believers were lost in sin; But God (Romans 5:8). The cost of sin is death for the Believer; But God (Romans 6:23). Believers were dead in their trespasses and sin, controlled by Satan and willingly fulfilling the desires of the flesh; But God (Ephesians 2: 1-10). So whenever, you see a semicolon (that period over a comma) remember what the Lord has saved you from, remember that life’s circumstances are not the end of your story. You would have…But God.
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father thank you for your grace and mercy. Thank you for our But God moments and making it possible for us to continue despite of ourselves. Lord, thank you for not allowing our story to end with our sin but instead with You getting the glory for making us brand new. Forgive us Lord for taking those But God moments for granted and often grieving You. Thank you, Lord for sacrificing Your Son to cover our sins, past, present, and future. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen.
(by Patricia Towns)
Archive
2022
January
Dissing Double MindednessCome-to-Jesus MomentNew Year, Same God!Is God Real?O Me of Little FaithNot Another Password!Lamb of GodA Tale of Two SongsGod WinksJesus Working Through MeA Real Friend with BenefitsGod is Trying to Tell Us SomethingEven the Lord, RestedGod’s Word to the RescueLiberty and ConscienceHaving a Made-Up MindMarch Like a SoldierThe Reality of UnityLostMiracle on the Roman RoadA Reference Point, Not a ResidencePromised TranquilityListening/Obeying ChristOf ValueHeart FlowThe Implications of “Won’t He Do It”
February
March
STANDING IN VICTORYSelf WillWho are you?Wait a MinuteNOT IF, BUT WHEN (Part 1)NOT IF, BUT WHEN (Part 2)NOT IF, BUT WHEN (Part 3)God Given IdentityHe Knows Our Heart!Witnessing FalselyBut God; the Believer’s SemicolonGod’s Fingerprint – The Living WordHeart OwnershipDeception Among BelieversAn Extraordinary ManEven IfHe Saw the Best in MeNot Quite, Almost, Nearly \"NOPE!\"Jesus’ Teaching About WorshipTHE RIGHT ATTITUDE FOR PRAYER (Part I)THE RIGHT ATTITUDE FOR PRAYER (Part II)Fruits of the SpiritDifferent Time but Same AgendaI Am the GreatestTrusting the FatherListen, God is Speaking to You
April
What’s in A Name?I’m DelightedWhat a Friend We Have in JesusGod Promises a Life of New BeginningsChrist Formed in YouSlow to SpeakThe Eternal God is Our RefugeHis Marvelous Grace and Omniscience!Hosanna! Hosanna! Hosanna!WHEN FAITHFULNESS BARES IT\'S THROAT!Things Change in His PresenceESCAPE THE WOE!Declare the Lord’s Immutability!WAS THE CRUCIFIXION OF JESUS, A DONE DEAL?Jesus Needing a Drink"Yisemah Adams" And The Day Of Many 'Likes'"Yisemah Adams" And The Day Of Many 'Likes' - Part 2THE Greatest TRUE Story (Part 1)THE Greatest TRUE Story (Part 2)He Dropped the ChargesWho’s the Big Deal!Don’t Just Marvel: BELIEVE!Treasures Found in Your Dark SeasonsOpen the Eyes of My HeartDAYS AS HANDBREADTHS?
May
Awaiting A Divine SequelWorship - Being in the Lord’s PresenceOpen the Eyes of My HeartJESUS SAVIOR, PILOT MEDoubt Your DoubtsGod Directs Our PathsLifeLiving as Children of GodHe Foreknew MeThe Act of LoveBEFORE 'YONDER'BEING USED OF GODOur Lord, the Master Engineer of Every ThingWhen Faithfulness Bares Its Throat (Part 1)When Faithfulness Bares Its Throat (Part 2)The Act of LoveYour Close Friendship CircleI Got Everything I NeedI Won’t ComplainONE MIGHTY SOUNDLESS SOUNDYOU ARE WITH ME
2021
January