July 2014 Devotional

Excuses: Its My Wifes Fault

June 1

Bible Reading: Genesis 3:1-12Key Verse: Verse 12 - And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat.Key Words: she gave me of the tree, and I did eatNow, its not like Adam didnt know he was doing wrong! As a matter of fact, when you look at Genesis 2:16-17, the command NOT to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil was given, not to Eve, but to Adam. He surely knew he was doing wrong, so his excuse is, the woman thou gavest me.

Zig Ziglar writes: My brother, the late Judge Ziglar, loved to tell the story of the fellow who went next door to borrow his neighbors lawnmower. The neighbor explained that he could not let him use the mower because all the flights had been canceled from New York to Los Angeles. The borrower asked him what canceled flights from New York to Los Angeles had to do with borrowing his lawnmower. It doesnt have anything to do with it, but if I dont want to let you use my lawnmower, oneexcuseis as good as another."

Thats usually true. Excuses often make no sense except to the one giving them.

What to do: Remember, excuses make you look really bad!

********************Excuses: The Devil Made

Me Do It

June 2

Bible Reading: Genesis 3:13-21

Key Verse: Verse 13 And the LORD God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.

Key Words: The serpent beguiled meNow lets see if Ive got this right. Eves excuse is that its the serpents fault. So now lets weigh this out. God said and the serpent said. Now, which one do I believe, the true and living God or a talking snake? Sounds like a pretty clear decision; unless, of course, you are looking for an excuse to sin.

This reminds me of a story I read recently.

Lawyer and statesman, Daniel Webster, was a powerful orator who gave early evidence of his quick mind and way with words. One day Websters father, who was to be absent from home, left Daniel and his brother Ezekiel specific work instructions. But on his return he found the task still undone, and questioned his sons about their idleness.

What have you been doing, Ezekiel? he asked.

Nothing, sir.

Well, Daniel, what have you been doing?

Helping Zeke, sir.

Have you ever noticed that our failures are seldom our fault? Really, really? Someone elses fault??

What to do:

Repeat after me, I did it. Its my fault, and Im truly sorry.Excuses: A Lie

June 3

Bible Reading: Genesis 12:10-20Key Verse: Verse 13 Say, I pray thee, thou art my sister: that it may be well with me for thy sake; and my soul shall live because of thee.

Key Words: that it may be well with me

Not all excuses are a lie, but all lies are excuses. Let me explain. Abraham didnt lie about the beauty of Sarah but when he made the excuse that you have to lie and tell them you are my sister, or I will diethat made the lie an excuse.

Every excuse involves a lie.

Adam lied when he blamed Eve.

Eve lied when she blamed the serpent.

We are all responsible for our own actions.

The commanding officer was furious when nine GIs who had been out on passes failed to show up for morning roll call. Not until 7 p.m. did the first man straggle in. Im sorry, sir, the soldier explained, but I had a date and lost track of time, and I missed the bus back. Being determined to get in on time, I hired a cab. Halfway here, the cab broke down. I went to a farmhouse and persuaded the farmer to sell me a horse. I was riding to camp when the animal fell over dead. I walked the last ten miles, and just got here. "Though skeptical, the colonel let the young man off with a reprimand. However, after him, seven other stragglers in a row came in with the same story -- had a date, missed the bus, hired a cab, bought a horse, etc. By the time the ninth man reported in, the colonel had grown weary of it. Okay, he growled, now what happened to you? Sir, I had this date and missed the bus back, so I hired a cab . Wait! the colonel screeched at him, "dont tell me the cab broke down." "No, sir," replied the soldier. The cab didnt break down. It was just that there were so many dead horses in the road, we had trouble getting through.Like Ive already said, all lies are excuses!

What to do:

Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.********************

Excuses: Im A Nobody

June 4

Bible Reading: Exodus 3:11-22

Key Verse: Verse 11 And Moses said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?Key Words: Who am I

The truth is that if God didnt use nobodies He would never use anybody, because thats all any of us are: a bunch of nobodies that God has made into somebodies.

If we use the excuse who am I then what do we do with the twelve disciples? Fishermen, one was a tax collector, the other a zealot (rebel), but God took twelve nobodies and changed the world.

One thing we have to remember: its not about us, its all about Him!!

One day I had a gentleman in my office who said, I want to do something for God. I suggested the bus ministry. No, he said, Im not very good with kids. So I suggested maintenance around the church. Again he said, No, Im not very good with that either. Can you push a mower? I asked. No, I break out in a rash if I get hot. What about helping with the Prime Timers? I asked. No, I cant communicate with that age, was his reply. Finally, after realizing he wasnt looking for a ministry but an excuse, I said, You know one thing youve excelled at: giving excuses.

This wasnt the last excuse Moses would give. He had become quite efficient at giving excuses. Ive discovered in the ministry, there are many whose gift is making excuses.

What to do:

Remember, its not who I am but who He is.

********************

Excuses: Nobody Will

Listen to Me

June 5

Bible Reading: Exodus 4:1-9

Key Verse: Verse 1 And Moses answered and said, But, behold, they will not believe me, nor hearken unto my voice: for they will say, The LORD hath not appeared unto thee.

Key Words: they will not believe meIts God who makes us believable. He did so with Moses by using a rod. He did so with Elisha by raising an axe head. He did so with Peter by raising Dorcas. He did so with David by directing the rock that slew Goliath.

But we never accomplish anything by using excuses. As a matter of fact, its our silly excuses that make us unbelievable. For example the following entries people actually put down on insurance claims:

Coming home, I drove into the wrong house and

collided with a tree I dont have.

The other car collided with mine without giving

warning of its intentions.

I thought my window was down, but found it

was up when I put my hand through it.

I collided with a stationary truck coming the

other way.

The guy was all over the road; I had to swerve a

number of times before I hit him.

I pulled away from the side of the road, glanced

at my mother-in-law, and headed over the embankment.

Its our following God that makes us believable!!

What to do:

People will listen as you follow the Lord.

********************

Excuses: Who Does He

Think He Is?

June 6

Bible Reading: Numbers 12:1-10

Key Verse: Verse 2 And they said, Hath the LORD indeed spoken only by Moses? hath he not spoken also by us? And the LORD heard it.

Key Words: hath indeed the Lord spoken only by MosesMiriam's and Aaron's jealousy of Moses is not that God hath spoken by Moses only, that was just the excuse they used to vent their anger. They were really jealous over the fact that Moses had married an Ethiopian woman.

Often the excuses that people give are nothing more than a cover-up for their real frustrations.

I once heard a story about an Amish farmer who bought a new pair of overalls. Of course, the Amish are famous for their simplicity and trying to avoid pride. As he put on his new overalls and looked in the mirror, he said, Oh, this will never do! Ill be proud in these! So he removed the new overalls and put on the patched, worn, and dirty ones. He stood again in front of the mirror and said, Ahh, youd look good in anything! Excuses like pride can be so deceitful, that you can be proud that you're not proud.

There is a song that begins with the words, excuses, excuses, we hear them everyday. And boy, do we!!

What to do:

Be loving, but truthful.

Excuses: Produced by Fear

June 7

Bible Reading: Numbers 13:17-33

Key Verse: Verse 31 But the men that went up with him said, We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we.

Key Words: for they are stronger than weWe often make excuses for not accomplishing and fulfilling God's will because of fear. It's easier, we think, to make excuses than to fulfill our God-given task.

We often think that it's faith that abolishes fear. Now, not to be argumentative, but it's love, love for God, that casteth out fear.

Even before America and Japan went to war in 1941, America's missionaries were already being mistreated by Japanese soldiers. One such incident was when a missionary was told to march down a dirt road filled with broken glass while carrying a pan full of milk. He was told that every drop of milk he spilled a family member would die. He watched the milk without spilling a drop. Later, a UPI writer asked him if he wasn't afraid. His response was, Sure, I was afraid! But my love for my family was greater than my fear so all I focused on was my family.

We often make excuses because of fear, but our love for God not only casts out fear, it also removes excuses.

What to do:

Remember, our love for God can be revealed by the excuses we make.

Excuses: For Defeat

June 8

Bible Reading: Joshua 7:1-9

Key Verse: Verse 7 And Joshua said, Alas, O Lord GOD, wherefore hast thou at all brought this people over Jordan, to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us? would to God we had been content, and dwelt on the other side Jordan!

Key Words: wherefore hast thou at all brought this people over Jordan to deliver us into the hands of the Amorites to destroy us?Have you ever noticed that after defeat, rather than searching for why we were defeated or why we failed, we begin to make excuses? In this case, it seems as though Joshua is using God as his excuse.

General Mark Clark was one of the great heroes of WWII. He led the Salerno invasion that Winston Churchill said was the most daring amphibious operation we have launched, or which, I think, has ever been launched on a similar scale in war. At the time Clark was promoted to Lt. General, he was the youngest man of that rank in the U.S. Army. He graduated from West Point in 1917. At the top of his class? Nope. He was 111th from the top in a class of 139! Even if you never earned a college degree, dont worry, youre in good company. Irving Berlin, for instance, only had two years of formal schooling. He never learned how to read music. When he composed his songs, he would hum the melody and a musical secretary would write down the notes. He became one of the greatest songwriters the country has ever known.

The point is: when you fail, don't make excuses, just keep trying.

What to do:

Remember, when we fail we will respond in one of two ways: 1) we will try again, or 2) we will make excuses for our failures.

********************

No Excuses, Part OneJune 9

Bible Reading: Judges 11:29-40

Key Verse: Verse 39 And it came to pass at the end of two months, that she returned unto her father, who did with her according to his vow which he had vowed: and she knew no man. And it was a custom in Israel,

Key Words: who did with her according to his vow

We all know about Jephthah's vow that if God would allow him to lead Israel to victory over the Ammonites, he would sacrifice to God the first thing out of his house...which turned out to be his daughter. But he fulfilled his vow!! Ecclesiastes 5:4, When thou vowest a vow unto God defer not to pay it.

No excuses from Jephthah, just action!

As the wealthy oil tycoon lay on his deathbed, his pastor talked of God's healing power. "Pastor," he gasped, "if God heals me, I'll give the church a million dollars." Miraculously, the man revived and within a few short weeks was out of the hospital. One day, several months later, he and the pastor chatted on the sidewalk in front of a hardware store. "You know," the pastor said, "when you were in the hospital dying, you promised to give the church a million dollars if you got well. We haven't got it yet." "Did I say that?" the tycoon asked. "I guess that goes to show how sick I really was!"

Don't make excuses for breaking your vows, fulfill them.

What to do:

No excuses, just fulfill your vows; and yes, this includes your wedding vows.

********************

No Excuses, Part Two

June 10

Bible Reading: Ruth 1:1-10

Key Verse: Verse 8 - And Naomi said unto her two daughters in law, Go, return each to her mother's house: the LORD deal kindly with you, as ye have dealt with the dead, and with me.

Key Words: the LORD deal kindly with youIf anyone had a reason to make an excuse to be bitter, it would be Naomi. Her husband had died, her two sons had died, and she was living in the midst of a famine with no man to help her. But Naomi didn't become bitter, and she made no excuses. She was determined to go back to her homeland and serve God, which she did as she mentored Ruth.

Warren Wiersbe wrote a book called Victorious Christian about a woman named Fanny Crosby. Crosby was the author of over 8,000 songs including several that we sing today. In fact she wrote so many that she had to write under pseudonyms just so she could get more of her songs into the hymnbooks. At 6 weeks of age Fanny Crosby developed a minor eye inflammation and was taken to a local doctor for treatment. However, the doctor who treated her used the wrong medicine on her eyes and she became totally and permanently blind because of his carelessness. Interviewed years later, Fanny Crosby said she harbored no bitterness against the physician. In fact, she once said, If I could meet him now, I would say thank you, over and over again for making me blind. She felt that her blindness was a gift from God to help her write the hymns that flowed from her pen.

So often we make excuses by blaming God and other for the things which happen in our lives. It's always good to remember that God doesn't do things to us, but for us.

What to do:

Remember, when life hands you a lemon, you can drink the bitter juice from it or make lemonade with it. But no excuses!

********************

Excuses: It's the People's Fault

June 11

Bible Reading: I Samuel 15

Key Verse: Verse 15 And Saul said, They have brought them from the Amalekites: for the people spared the best of the sheep and of the oxen, to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God; and the rest we have utterly destroyed.

Key Words: for the people spared the best of the sheep and of the oxen, to sacrifice to the Lord thy GodSaul had been given clear instructions that the Amalekites and all of their animals were to be destroyed which we know Saul did not do. But when confronted about the failure, he attempted to excuse himself by blaming the people.

We have to come to the place where we accept the fact that we are accountable for our obedience to God...no excuses accepted.

Here are some humorous examples.Excuses for School AbsencesAfter discussing how students must at least be competent in reading, writing, listening, analyzing and computing before they will be graduated from high school in 1978, one administrator contacted provided the following list. The excuses it contains were actually turned in by parents to one school district.

1. Dear school: Please ackuse John for bring absent on Jan. 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33.

2. Chis has an acre in his side.

3. Mary could not come to school because she is bothered by very close veins.

4. John has been absent because he had two teeth taken off his face.

5. I kept Billie Home because he had to go Christmas shopping because I didnt know what size she wear.

6. My son is under the doctors care and should not take P.E. Please execute him.

7. Please excuse Ray Friday. He has lose vowels.

8. Please excuse Joyce from P.E. for a few days. Yesterday she fell out of a tree and misplaced her hip.

9. Please excuse Jimmy for being. It's his father's fault.

When we make excuses we do tend to look pretty foolish! Just saying.

What to do:

It's the truth that makes you free and it's the excuses that make you look foolish.

Excuses: The Problem Is Too Big

June 12

Bible Reading: I Samuel 17:1-11

Key Verse: Verse 11 When Saul and all Israel heard those words of the Philistine, they were dismayed, and greatly afraid.

Key Words: They were dismayed and greatly afraidMark the word dismayed. It carries the idea of breaking down emotionally and/or mentally. The Israelites used the size of Goliath as their excuse not to fight. But then David came along. You see, to the Israelites Goliath was too big, but to David he was too big to miss.

Problems should be an opportunity for improvement, not an excuse to lay down and quit.

Consider this: Walt Disney was fired by a newspaper editor for lack of ideas. Walt also went bankrupt several times before he built Disneyland. Michael Jordan, perhaps the greatest basketball player of all time, did not make his high school basketball team his sophomore year. Beethovens teacher called him hopeless as a composer. Winston Churchill failed the sixth grade. He did not become Prime Minister until he was 62. His greatest contributions came when he was a senior citizen. Henry Ford failed and went broke five times before he finally through persistence succeeded.

Most excuses are nothing more than an attempt to justify our quitting.

What to do:

Remember, a quitter never wins and a winner never quits.

Excuses: Jealousy

June 13

Bible Reading: I Samuel 18:1-9

Key Verse: Verse 8 - And Saul was very wroth, and the saying displeased him; and he said, They have ascribed unto David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed but thousands: and what can he have more but the kingdom?

Key Words: what can he have more but the kingdomEnvy is different from jealousy. Envy is when you want what someone else has; jealousy is when you don't want others to have what you've got.

Saul was jealous of David. It became his excuse for his anger and attempts to take David's life. Saul said, He's trying to get my kingdom.

Jealousy is quite often one's excuse for anger, bitterness, and resentment.

Irish novelist and playwright Samuel Beckett received great recognition for his workbut not everyone savored his accomplishments. Becketts marriage, in fact, was soured by his wifes jealousy of his growing fame and success as a writer. One day in 1969, his wife Suzanne answered the telephone, listened for a moment, spoke briefly, and hung up. She then turned to Beckett and with a stricken look whispered, What a catastrophe! Was it a devastating personal tragedy? No, she had just learned that Beckett had been awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature!

What a shame!

What to do:

Remember, he who does not have victory over jealousy will always have an excuse to be angry...not a reason, just an excuse.

Saul's Excuse

June 14

Bible Reading: I Samuel 28:3-20

Key Verse: Verse 6 - And when Saul enquired of the LORD, the LORD answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets.

Key Words: the LORD answered him notKing Saul's excuse for delving into the occult was that God answered him not.

There have been times that people become so desperate they do delve into occultism rather than correcting their lives and beseeching God to intervene on their behalf. What a shame that Saul became so desperate that he not only turned to the demonic world, but used God's refusal to answer his request as his excuse.

Occult means "hidden." It covers practices that are not approved of by God,e.g., astrology (Isaiah 47:13), casting spells (Deut. 18:11), consulting with spirits (Deut. 18:11), magic(Gen. 41:8), sorcery (Exodus. 22:18), witchcraft (Deut. 18:10), and spiritism (Deut. 18:11). Those who practice the occult open themselves up to demonic activity, possession, and oppression.

Occult practices such as Ouija boards, tarot cards, Wicca, astrology charts, contacting the dead, sances, etc., are to be avoided by the Christian.

Mark Twain heard a man boast he was going to climb Mt. Sinai and read the Ten Commandments. Twain said, I got a better idea. Stay where you are and live them.It is never righteous to use God as an excuse for doing wrong.

What to do:

Remember, it's not about what God is or is not doing. If you get no response from God, it's about what you have done or are not doing.

Excuses Removed

June 15

Bible Reading: I Kings 3:5-15

Key Verse: Verse 7 - And now, O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in.

Key Words: I know not how to go out or come inSolomon wasn't making an excuse in verse 7, he was simply stating that he could never fulfill his kingly duties without God.

If the truth be told, none of us have an excuse for not fulfilling the call of God on our lives so long as we rely upon God, not ourselves.

The stirring words uttered by Patrick Henry in an address to the House of Burgesses, Virginia, in March, 1775 are worth re-reading: They tell us sir, that we are weak; unable to cope with so formidable an adversary. But when shall we be stronger? Will it be next week, or the next year? Will it be when we are totally disarmed? Shall we gather strength by irresolution and inaction? Shall we acquire the means of effectual resistance by lying supinely on our backs, and hugging the delusive phantom of hope, until our enemies have bound us hand and foot? Sir, we shall not fight our battles alone. There is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations. The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, and the brave. There is no retreat but in submission and slavery! Our chains are forged!

What to do: Relying upon God removes all excuses.

Excuses: It's Elijah's Fault

June 16

Bible Reading: I Kings 18:7-20

Key Verse: Verse 17 - And it came to pass, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said unto him, Art thou he that troubleth Israel?Key Words: Art thou he that troubleth Israel?Ahab reminds me of so many who, living in sin and selfishness, have things go away never thinking about the fact that it's their fault, they excuse themselves by blaming others.

Adam used Eve as his excuse.

Eve used the serpent.

Cain used Abel.... and so it goes.

All blame is a waste of time. No matter how much fault you find with another, and regardless of how much you blame him, it will not change you. The only thing blame does is to keep the focus off you when you are looking for external reasons to explain your unhappiness or frustration. You may succeed in making another feel guilty about something by blaming him, but you won't succeed in changing whatever it is about you that is making you unhappy.

One evening several college students spread limburger cheese on the upper lip of a sleeping fraternity brother. Upon awakening the young man sniffed, looked around, and said, "This room stinks!" He then walked into the hall and said, "This hall stinks!" Leaving the dormitory he exclaimed, "The whole world stinks!"

When everything around you stinks, you have found the reason. Yes, it's you! And making excuses for it will never resolve the stinking problem.What to do:

Remember, when you point a finger at someone, there are three more pointing back at you.

No Excuses for Quitting

June 17

Bible Reading: I Kings 19:9-18

Key Verse: Verse 10 - And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.

Key Words: I, even I only, am leftElijah had stood firm until Jezebel threatened to take his life. Then he ran and hid. His excuse for running....I'm the only one doing anything for God. All the others have either been killed or they have compromised.

God's answer to Elijah reminds us that we are not done (verse 18), Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel , all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal.

I personally believe that Elijah was emotionally exhausted and he had grown weary. He did not fear Ahab, nor the prophets of Baal, but in his moment of human frailty, he ran and made excuses for doing so.

Lt. General Sir William Dobbie (Dobbie of Malta) was Governor General of Malta during the Second World War -- at a time when the defense of Malta was at its darkest hour. Dobbie, a committed Christian, realized the weakness of his position and that God alone was his present help in trouble. His first Special Order of the Day, defining policy governing the defense of the island read: I know that the courage and determination of all ranks will not falter and that with Gods help we will maintain the security of this fortress, I therefore call upon all officers and other ranks humbly to seek Gods help and then in reliance upon Him to do their duty unflinchingly.

And we should do the same.

What to do:

Remember, we are never in the battle alone. Keep fighting the good fight of faith.

********************

Excuse: This Isn't Right

June 18

Bible Reading: II Kings 5:20-27

Key Verse: Verse 20 - But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, Behold, my master hath spared Naaman this Syrian, in not receiving at his hands that which he brought: but, as the LORD liveth, I will run after him, and take somewhat of him.

Key Words: my master hath spared Naaman this SyrianGehazi didn't believe that Elisha had done right by not receiving goods for his services. So his excuse for following Naaman and taking the goods was Elisha, this isn't right.

We may not always agree with our spiritual leader but we should never go against nor stand against them simply because we do not agree, unless it is unscriptural. Be loyal and supportive.

I was just a runt of a kid but I did love to hunt. On one of these hunting excursions my dad and I were on, an unusual thing happened. I was sitting about 60 feet from a big oak and I saw a squirrel eating acorns. I slowly took aim and fired. Thinking I had shot my prey I slowly walked toward the big oak when suddenly my dad, seemingly coming out of nowhere, appeared and said, Don't move! I, realizing my dad would not give a command such as this without a reason, stopped. Out of the corner of my eye I saw my dad taking aim at what looked like my leg and foot, still knowing my dad would never intentionally hurt me, I stood motionless. It was then dad fired off his 12-gauge shotgun. It was also then I saw the cotton mouth moccasin come flying up in the air. I then knew Dad saw what I had failed to see, and his decision saved me from much pain.

So it is with our spiritual leaders. It is one thing to stand against someone for doctrinal reasons, and another thing when you make excuses to go against them.

What to do:

Do right.

********************Excuse: I Am the King

June 19

Bible Reading: II Chronicles 26:16-23

Key Verse: Verse 16 - But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction: for he transgressed against the LORD his God, and went into the temple of the LORD to burn incense upon the altar of incense.

Key Words: But when he was strongNow you don't find Uzziah saying, I'm the king, I can go where I want and do what I want and say what I want. But you do find the attitude of pride and arrogance. The king no doubt was saying Look at what I've accomplished, look at my position. I'm the king.

No position, whether it be king, president, or pastor gives us the right to break the Word of God!!

Uzziah had to learn that because he had power, he didn't necessarily have authority. Let me explain.

Many people can simply force people to do what they want because they have the power to make them do it. However, few people like to be forced to do anything. Eventually such power driven leadership destroys relationships. On the other hand, some have the ability to lead through authority. Authority is different than power. Power is something you have and force on people. Authority is something you gain. It is given to you by the people you lead. How does one gain authority from those they lead? Only through service and sacrifice. When people see that you have their best interests at heart, when they see you are willing to sacrifice and serve them, they will be willing to follow. Thats servant leadership, thats authority.

We all need to understand that because we hold a position of power, it still gives us no excuse to disobey God.

What to do:

Power is not authority. Leadership is authority.

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The Atheist Excuse

June 20

Bible Reading: Psalm 14

Key Verse: Verse 1 - The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.

Key Words: The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God.

For the atheist not believing in God is a convenience thing. It makes it easy to live a corrupt life when you have convinced yourself that you are not and will never be accountable to God. Being atheistic makes it easier to do abominable things. So the atheist is at the top of the fool chain and his excuses for living a corruptible and abominable life is there is no God.

John Baillie in his book, Our Knowledge of God, writes According to the teaching of our Lord, what is wrong with the world is precisely that it does not believe in God. Yet it is clear that the unbelief which he so bitterly deplored was not an intellectual persuasion of God's non-existence. Those whom he rebuked for their lack of faith were not men that denied God with the top of their minds, but men who, while apparently incapable of doubting him with the top of their minds, lived as though he did not exist.

Atheism is nothing more than one's excuse for living a corrupt and abominable life.

What to do: Pray for the atheists.********************Excuses for Laziness

June 21

Bible Reading: Proverbs 22:1-16

Key Verse: Verse 13 - The slothful man saith, There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets.

Key Words: The slothful man saith there is a lion withoutIf you are going to make excuses for being lazy you might as well make it a doozy. I can't go to work, out there somewhere there is a lion.

Now, I'm sure out there somewhere there is a lion, out there somewhere there is a snake, and a mad dog...and the list goes on and on. There will always be those who would rather make excuses than work.

Sheer laziness has probably been responsible for more shortcuts, not to mention valuable inventions, than we are ready to admit. Most of us are continually on the lookout, at least subconciously, for easier ways to perform onerous or routine tasks.

An example of imagination spurred on by outright lethargy is contained in the story of an old mountaineer and his wife who were sitting in front of the fireplace one evening just whiling away the time. After a long silence, the wife said: "Jed, I think it's raining. Get up and go outside and see."

The old mountaineer continued to gaze into the fire for a second, sighed, then said, "Aw, Ma, why don't we just call in the dog and see if he's wet." What to do:

Some people would rather do anything in order to be able to do nothing. Don't be one of those people.

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No Excuses Allowed

June 22

Bible Reading: Jeremiah 1:1-10

Key Verse: Verse 6 - Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child.

Key Words: I cannot speakJeremiah was called of God before he was even born; but like so many, Jeremiah felt inadequate to perform the task before him. So like many, Jeremiah offered up his excuse, I cannot speak.

If humility is not thinking of yourself, then Jeremiahs words were not words of humility but were his excuse for his lack of ability. Like the old saying goes: The best ability is availability.

Once upon a time, the animals decided they should do something meaningful to meet the problems of the new world. So they organized a school.They adopted an activity curriculum of running, climbing, swimming and flying. To make it easier to administer the curriculum, all the animals took all the subjects.

Theduckwas excellent at swimming; in fact, better than his instructor. But he made only passing grades in flying, and was very poor at running. Since he was slow in running, he had to drop swimming and stay after school to practice running. This caused his web feet to be badly worn, so that he was only average in swimming. But average was quite acceptable so nobody worried about that--except the duck.

Therabbitstarted at the top of his class in running, but developed a nervous twitch in his leg muscles because of so much make-up work in swimming.

Thesquirrelwas excellent in climbing, but he encountered constant frustration in flying class because his teacher made him start from the ground up instead of from the treetop down. He developed "charlie horses" from overexertion, and so only got a C in climbing and a D in running.

Theeaglewas a problem child and was severely disciplined for being a non-conformist. In climbing, he beat all the others to the top of the tree, but insisted on using his way to get there.

The obvious moral of the story is a simple one: Each creature has its own set of capabilities in which it will naturally excel. If God has called you to a service for Him, He will provide you with the ability to fulfill that calling. So may I remind you? No excuses allowed!

What to do: ?????????????????????Excuses: God Is Too Gracious

June 23Bible Reading: Jonah 4

Key Verse: Verse 2 - And he prayed unto the LORD, and said, I pray thee, O LORD, was not this my saying, when I was yet in my country? Therefore I fled before unto Tarshish: for I knew that thou art a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repentest thee of the evil.

Key Words: I knew that thou art a gracious God

Wow!! What an excuse Jonah used for fleeing from God to Tarshish! God is too gracious. This may be the poorest excuse of them all. When was the last time you ever heard anyone use the graciousness of God as an excuse to run from God? My answer would be NEVER.

Praise God for His graciousness! Its that same graciousness that saved you and me.

When a person works an eight-hour day and receives a fair day's pay for his time, that is a wage. When a person competes with an opponent and receives a trophy for his performance, that is a prize. When a person receives appropriate recognition for his long service or high achievements, that is an award. But when a person is not capable of earning a wage, can win no prize, and deserves no award - yet receives such a gift anyway - that is a good picture of God's unmerited favor. This is what we mean when we talk about the graciousness of our gracious God. And this was Jonahs excuse!!

What to do: Be careful; excuses make you look like a fool.Excuses: Unwashed Hands

June 24

Bible Reading: Matthew 15:1-9; Mark 7:1-5

Key Verse: Verse Matt. 5:2 - Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread.

Key Words: for they wash not their handsWhen the best you can do for not accepting Jesus is that His disciples ate with unwashed hands, you have a real problem.

I marvel at the excuses people use today to justify their rejection of Jesus.

I would have to give up things I love to do.

It would take up all my time with things like going to church.

I would have to give up some of my money.

I would lose my friends.

Christians are hypocrites.

None of these things are true when one is born again.

The things you love will change.

Your priorities change.

You realize its not your money, but its all His money anyway.

You dont have to lose your friends. You want to lead them to Christ.

The lost can be and are hypocrites as well.

But of course, when you are looking for excuses, one is just about as silly as another.

So, lets just stick with the Pharisees excuse for not accepting Jesus: His disciples eat with unwashed hands.

What to do:

Remember, you can excuse yourself into hell; but you cant excuse yourself out.

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Excuses: What We See

June 25

Bible Reading: Luke 15:20-32

Key Verse: Verse 30 - But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.

Key Words: But as soon as this thy son

The story of the Prodigal Son has always intrigued me. I guess because I see this same sin so much in our churches.

The Prodigals sin was a sin of action. He drank and slept with harlots. His sin was one of action.

The Prodigals brothers sin was one of attitude. He had a sinful attitude toward his brother and would not forgive his brother.

I see those who dress and act in ways they shouldntand they are certainly sinning; but then I watch and listen to the attitudes of others toward them, and hear their sin of attitude coming from their words. This was the big brothers sin: making excuses for his attitude.

Both the hummingbird and the vulture fly over our nations deserts. All vultures see is rotting meat, because that is what they look for. They thrive on that diet. But hummingbirds ignore the smelly flesh of dead animals. Instead, they look for the colorful blossoms of desert plants. The vultures live on what was. They live on the past. They fill themselves with what is dead and gone. But hummingbirds live on what is. They seek new life. They fill themselves with freshness and life. Each bird finds what it is looking for. We all do.

What to do:

Remember, the sin of attitude is no better than the sin of action.

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Excuses: You Are Different

June 26

Bible Reading: John 4:1-9

Key Verse: Verse 9 - Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.

Key Words: How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria?

The Samaritan womans excuse for not getting Jesus a drink of water was that He was a Jew.

How often do we use the excuse of the color of ones skin or the religion of another as our reason for not reaching out to them, not having compassion on them, or not witnessing to them?

Some years ago on a hot August day I sat in my car in a public parking lot waiting for a family member to buy a few groceries. As I was sitting there, a couple drove up in a truck, got out and pulled from the bed of their truck, cases of water bottles. They began to give the water to a black man, a Mexican, a white man. They gave water to women and children. As I sat there I was thinking what a kind gesture. It was then there was a tap on my window and a nice lady was standing there with a bottle of water. I rolled down my window and told her I was fine and didnt need the water. She caught me off guard when she said, Oh, we are not looking for those who need it; we are looking for opportunities to give it which she did.

It just reminded me that we all should be looking for opportunities to share the grace of God with others without respect of color or creed...because all men need Jesus. No excuses accepted for not sharing.

What to do:

Share Jesus with others, no excuses accepted.

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Excuses: I Dont Have Permission

June 27

Bible Reading: Acts 1:1-8

Key Verse: Verse 8 - But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.Key Words: receive powerThe word power carries the idea of authority, not to be rebellious, nor a zealot, but I have been given permission to witness by the Lord Himself. The Holy Spirit opens doors for our witnessing that we think would never be possible.

During election time there are fierce battles waged to win the votes of Americans. Both Democrats and Republicans blitz the media, attempting to get people to vote for their respective party. Spinmeisters and pundits alike do everything they can to let voters know where they stand. Signs, posters, and bumper stickers serve to plaster candidate names in plain view of as many eyes as possible. Whether in the barbershop or in the foyer of the church, the discussion is thick about the pros and cons of each person. There is commitment to a party, to a man, and to a philosophy that is visible by the intent of efforts to persuade people to one side or the other.

As important as the American political process is, it pales in comparison to the spiritual conflict in which we are engaged. Here there are two opposing positions two opposing kingdoms. Christians are called to be unashamed of our representative, our spokesperson, Jesus Christ. Your vote should be clear and there ought not be any ambiguity over who has it. If you name the name of Jesus Christ, somebody else, other than yourself, ought to know it.

God has called each one of His children to be public spokespersons for the King of Kings and Lord of Lords and for His kingdom, with the goal of winning folks over. We should be definitive in our purpose of calling people out of the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light. This process is called evangelism or missions. Has your voice been heard?

Remember, youve already got permission.

What to do:

Remember, no excuses accepted when it comes to our witnessing.

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Excuses: Jesus Is Coming

June 28

Bible Reading: II Thessalonians 3:1-10

Key Verse: Verse 10- For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.

Key Words: that if any would not work, neither should he eat

The theme of II Thessalonians is the return of Jesus Christ. But some of the believers at Thessalonica were using the Lords return as an excuse not to work.

Isnt it amazing the excuses man uses to get out of work? Jesus is coming! The Lords return shouldnt be used as an excuse to not work, but rather it should give us a reason to work.A gardener for a large estate in northern Italy was conducting a visitor through the castle and the beautiful, well-groomed grounds. As the visitor had lunch with the gardener and his wife, he commended them for the beautiful way they were keeping the gardens. He asked, "By the way, when was the last time the owner was here? He said, "It was about ten years ago." The visitor asked, "Then why do you keep the gardens in such an immaculate, lovely manner?" He said, "Because Im expecting him to return." He persisted, "Is he coming next week?" The gardener replied, "I dont know when he is coming, but I am expecting him today." Although he didnt come that day, he was living in the light of the owners imminent return. The gardener wasnt hanging over the gate, watching down the road to see whether his master was coming. He was in the garden, trimming, cutting, mowing, weeding, and planting. He was busy. That is what Paul is talking about when he says we should be established in the work of the Lord in the view of the fact that He is returning.

If any would not work, neither should he eat. You see, the Thessalonians had a few fanatics who simply withdrew themselves and decided that they were going to spend all their time looking for the Lords return. Paul writes, Dont feed them. They have to go to work!

Amen and Amen!What to do: We will work til Jesus comes, not we will sit and wait til Jesus comes.

Excuses: Everyone Else Is

Doing It

June 29

Bible Reading: II Timothy 4:14-22

Key Verse: Verse 16 - At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge.

Key Words: At my first answer no man stood with me

Not much is known about Alexander, other than he stood opposed to Paul, which means he was wrong doctrinally. You can also read about him in I Timothy 1:20. We also know that at first everyone stood with Alexander (verse 14). Im sure their excuse was Well, everyone else is doing it.

I used to use that excuse as a child, Well, Mom, everyone else did it too. (Didnt work for me, either.)

Reminds me of the following.

Once a spider built a beautiful web in an old house. He kept it clean and shiny so that flies would patronize it. The minute he got a "customer" he would clean up after him so the other flies would not get suspicious.

Then one day this fairly intelligent fly came buzzing by the clean spiderweb. Old man spider called out, "Come in and sit." But the fairly intelligent fly said, "No sir, I don't see other flies in your house, and I am not going in alone!"

Presently the fly saw on the floor below him a large crowd of flies dancing around on a piece of brown paper. He was delighted! He was not afraid if lots of flies were doing it. So he came in for a landing.

Just before he landed, a bee zoomed by, saying, "Don't land there, stupid. That's flypaper!" But the fairly intelligent fly shouted back, "Don't be silly. Those flies are dancing. There's a big crowd there. Everybody's doing it. That many flies can't be wrong!" Well, you know what happened. He died on the spot.

Some of us want to be in the crowd so badly we end up in a mess because we didn't listen or search out a situation.

What does it profit a fly (or a person) if he escapes the web only to end up in the glue?

Moral: Be careful who you follow. Because everyone else is doing it doesnt make or mean its right.

What to do:

Stand right live right even if you do it all alone.

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Excuses: For PartialityJune 30

Bible Reading: James 2:1-17

Key Verse: Verse 3 And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool:

Key Words: Sit thou here in a good placeIn the church there is no place for big Is and little Us for there is no respect of persons with God. Note James 2:9, But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin.

Oftentimes we excuse our actions and the actions of others because of the standing of some people. There is no excuse for favoritism. We all have our gifts and talents, both the rich and the poor, and God uses both in His work.

Theres a wonderful story about a Chicago bank that once asked for a letter of recommendation on a young Bostonian being considered for employment. The Boston investment house could not say enough about the young man. His father, they wrote, was a Cabot; his mother was a Lowell. Further back was a happy blend of Saltonstalls, Peabodys, and other of Bostons first families. His recommendation was given without hesitation.

Several days later, the Chicago bank sent a note saying the information supplied was altogether inadequate. It read: We are not contemplating using the young man for breeding purposes. Just for work.

Neither is God a respecter of persons but accepts those from every family, nation, and race who fear Him and work for His kingdom (Acts 10:34-35).

What to do:

We often miss out on the blessings some can be to the church because of our partiality and favoritism. Dont play favorites.

Notes:I deeply appreciate the help ofMary Parsons

Glenda Myrick

And my lovely wife, LindaWithout God using these people to help, this devotional would not have been possible.Dr. Mike Rouse

is a ministry of SHAPE

Refreshing Daily

in Gods Word

Emphasis on

EXCUSES

June 2015

Excuses are the cradle ... that Satan rocks men off to sleep in. D.L. Moody

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