Excuses

            So around our church we always hear good, bible-based, anointed preaching. The past several weeks have definitely been no different. I've been amazed on several occasions lately. You know those instances when you are dealing with something and you mention it to the Lord and then that night someone says exactly what you need to hear? Yeah, that is how it has been. I'm like 'how do you do that?!' and then it all makes sense because He is God, you know?
           Pastor has been teaching the adult class a series called "I want to be a Christian" and it has been so challenging and thought provoking! I've enjoyed it immensely!
          On Sunday, Pastor preached a message that was on our level both individually and collectively. I definitely found some more areas that I need to work on! Let me share a bit of his message with you...





Luke 14:16-24

Our pride often keeps us from being honest with ourselves and with others.-especially in areas that we need to change and work on.
We tend to make excuses for ourselves in an attempt to justify our sin. This may make us feel better about our sin, but in reality, it should make us feel worse. Why? God hates excuses.
The best thing to do for your sin is to acknowledge it before the Lord, and repent. Excuses not only drive you further from God, but it results in self-deception. There is a point when your pastor or another man of God can't reach you because you are so entangled in the excuses that you made for yourself. Making excuses is dangerous and can only end in destruction.

Furthermore, the Bible says that no man knows the day nor the hour in which the Lord will return. I definitely don't want to be making excuses for my sin when the sky is rolled back like a scroll to signal the return of Christ! I want to be ready to meet Him at any time and have peace in my heart, knowing that I'm right with Him.

This service ended on a bit of a different note. It was more joyous and worshipful and we had several visitors seeking God and making things right.-One even got baptized!
I was personally challenged by this message. I thought of all the things that I make excuses for. A bad attitude, 'because' someone treated me wrongly, an unkind remark 'because' someone said something that I didn't like or found rude. In reality, they aren't responsible for my actions. I must make the decision to say something in manner that is not pleasing to God. They are responsible for their actions and I am responsible for mine. I shouldn't make excuses for my failure to act as a true Christian. I'm working on it...sometimes I think it would help if I had a string on my steering wheel. (For all the home folks. Ha!)