Excuses, Excuses! What is an excuse? According to the dictionary it is a defense of some offensive behavior or some failure to keep a promise. You take away the excuses of life and we are faced with accepting the responsibly of our actions! Honesty is the best policy and dealing with the excuses in our life requires that we deal honestly between yourself and God. Real progress in life begins when we learn to be honest and stop making excuses.

Why do we make excuses? Is it because we don’t want to take responsibility? Is it because we don’t want to face the truth about the situation or ourselves? Every day we make choices some good, some not so good. I’ve heard the story many times about the bank executive being interviewed and asked what he attributed his success too. He states it is bad choices. Each time he made a poor choice he learned.

Learning to make good choices is an art. Choices have been around since the beginning. GN 2:16-17 talks about the choices that Adam and Eve were faced with. Look at the ramifications of their choices. We are still paying the price for their choices. Because of the choices they made sin entered the world. The choice of disobedience to God was and is costly. Do we learn from our mistakes? Do we want to learn from our mistakes? I see so many people going around the same cycle in life over and over. It is difficult to learn from our mistakes.

GN 2:16 And the LORD God commanded the man, "You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; 17 but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die."

God’s command is clear in this passage. He even tells Adam what the consequence of disobedience will be. So why did Adam and Eve let Satan question and create doubt in what God says? GN 3:1 1 Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, "Did God really say, 'You must not eat from any tree in the garden'?" Adam and Eve believed Satan’s lie. Even when God had filled the world with everything they could possibly need and/or want, they believed Satan and focused on the one thing they were told they could not have. How like stubborn little children we are, tell me to do one thing and I will do the opposite. God gives us many choices in the world, unfortunately Satan likes to tempt us by contradicting or twisting what God says. Don’t believe Satan; learn to recognize him. Study God’s word so that you have the tools for recognizing Satan.

God gives us the freedom of choices. He wants us to come to Him willingly. He doesn’t want followers who have been coerced. When we do something voluntarily we usually feel more like putting our whole being into it rather than just doing enough to get by. God will help us make the right choices so that His work can be accomplished in your life. JN 8:31-32 31To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

The opportunity to choose the right and wrong is something we have to guard very carefully. Without the choice there would be no victory in choosing the right one. The Old Testament is full of examples of how God gave the people choices. GN 22:1-18 tells of the choice that Abraham had to make to obey God. He chose to sacrifice his son at God’s command. According to GN 22:12-18 what was the result of Abraham choosing to obey God?

GN 22:12-18 "Do not lay a hand on the boy," he said. "Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son." 13 Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram [1] caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. 14 So Abraham called that place The LORD Will Provide. And to this day it is said, "On the mountain of the LORD it will be provided." 15 The angel of the LORD called to Abraham from heaven a second time 16 and said, "I swear by myself, declares the LORD , that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, 17 I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, 18 and through your offspring [2] all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me."

Another example.
Joshua 24:14-15 "Now fear the LORD and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your forefathers worshiped beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. 15 But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD." Joshua is speaking about the choices the people had made and what was facing them at that moment. They were at a crossroads; they could choose to follow God or to not follow God.

Each of these leaders took responsibility for their choices. They each choose to follow God! When right choices are made God’s rewards and blessing are made. The ultimate choice we make is when we choose to follow God. Philippians 4:8 8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things. The results are wonderful when we use God for the guidance and wisdom to make right choices.

Titus 2:11-14 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, 12teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, 13looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.

Choices and boundaries go hand in hand. Boundaries are the rules that we set up to let others know about proper actions towards us. God’s commands clearly establish the bounds for proper actions and let us know the consequences of stepping outside the boundaries. Adam and Eve had all they needed to make the right choice in the Garden but they choose to go outside those bounds set by God. We must be very careful to consider our boundaries in conjunction with Gods commands. It is so easy to get our boundaries misplaced and become miserable. Choosing to set your boundaries within Gods guidelines is the answer to many problems.

Psalm 1:1-3 Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; 2But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.

The delight we experience in God’s word comes as we meditate on Gods words day and night. Learning to resist the false statements and half-truths of those who reject God is a never-ending pursuit. The obedient life in Christ is characterized by vitality, energy and purpose. GAL 5:22.

The Old Testament records many instances in which people chose to disobey God. When they chose to disobey, God rained down punishment time and time again. The Israelites had short memories and continued to make wrong choices; yet several individuals chose to follow God and obey His plans and direction. One such man was Daniel. Daniel 1 indicates that Daniel had some tough choices to make. V 9 indicates that Daniel gained favor and goodwill as a result. Daniel 1:8-9 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. 9Now God had brought Daniel into the favor and goodwill of the chief of the eunuchs. When we are obedient to God he rewards us. 17As for these four young men, God gave them knowledge and skill in all literature and wisdom; and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.

Gideon is another example of one who was obedient to God. In Judges 7 you can read the account of Gideon. Gideon had many excuses before he finally made the choice to follow God. He prepared to fight a battle with a large army, but God continued to instruct Gideon to make the army smaller and smaller. Finally, he had only 300 soldiers left to fight the might army of the Midianites. Yet each time Gideon did as he was instructed, he was blessed. Judges 7:19-20 So Gideon and the hundred men who were with him came to the outpost of the camp at the beginning of the middle watch, just as they had posted the watch; and they blew the trumpets and broke the pitchers that were in their hands. 20Then the three companies blew the trumpets and broke the pitchers--they held the torches in their left hands and the trumpets in their right hands for blowing--and they cried, "The sword of the LORD and of Gideon!” Victory was given to Gideon because of his obedience to God. Throughout the Bible we are shown how to live in obedience to God’s directions. Make the right choices in life, with Gods help, and you will prosper and flourish.

It is strange the first choices made in the world, by man, were concerned with food. How many choices a day do we make around food? How many should be made around spiritual food? From this thought we can conclude that food prompted the world’s first excuses! Overindulgence on any level for any length of time causes physical and or spiritual problems. Some common excuses:

Ø I don’t have time to exercise. I don’t have time to read the
Bible

Ø This problem runs in my family. No one I know reads the
Bible

Ø I’m nervous, and I do this because I might learn something I
it calms my nerves don’t want to know about and
I’d have to worry.

Ø I have too much to do after work. I don’t want to think about God.

Ø It’s a medical problem. My Doctor knows best.

Ø Peace is found in a relationship with God. I don’t want another relationship.

Excuses are wonderful. Have you made any new ones lately? It’s easy to find excuses for not doing what is right and to indulge in things that may harm your health and life. When it comes down to the bottom line, you must admit the truth. No one else is responsible for your actions. In GN 3:12-13 Adam and Eve offered the following excuse after eating the forbidden fruit: 12Then the man said, "The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate."
13And the LORD God said to the woman, "What is this you have done?" The woman said, "The serpent deceived me, and I ate."

Excuses can be lies disguised as reasons. Adam’s excuse was the most creative. Who was he blaming, Eve or God? Adam, like so many didn’t want to assume responsibility for his actions. Can’t you just hear the stammering and stuttering of his excuses to God? Eve joined Adam in dodging responsibility. She blamed the serpent.

GN 3:9-10 Then the LORD God called to Adam and said to him, "Where are you?" 10So he said, "I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself." God asked Adam where he was at because He wanted Adam to know that He knows what they had done and why they were hiding. Do we attempt to fool others with our excuses and rationalizations about life? You may fool other people, and you may even fool yourself into believing your excuses. However, you will never fool God. Satan will twist Gods words and urge you to believe your own excuses. He baits and traps you with lies people love to believe. Have you ever heard?

Ø This really isn’t that bad
Ø It might hurt some people, but it won’t hurt me.
Ø I deserve better than this.
Ø Don’t expect God to look out for you. You’re on your own

One of Satan’s greatest tools is doubt. If he can convince you to doubt something God has said he can position you for a wrong choice. This is what he did with Eve; he planted doubt and consequently she made a wrong choice. Don’t fall for Satan’s oldest tricks. It is hard to grow as a Christian and not accept responsibility for your own choices.

God know all about us. He knows the number of hairs on our head. Matthew 10:30
And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So why do we make it so difficult to be honest with God and ourselves? If you’ve made poor choices in the past, confess them to God and he will forgive you. If your choices have created tough consequences, work at accepting them. Only then can God begin to work to transform both you and your consequences.

God knew about David’s sin of killing Uriah. David knew that he couldn’t hide his sins from God, but he ignored what he had done until confronted by the prophet Nathan. Faced with reality David went to the Lord. Psalm 69:5 You know my folly, O God; my guilt is not hidden from you.

In Psalm 51 David chooses to be honest with God. V 3 shows us his confession. Psalm 51:3-4 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. 4 Against you, you only, have I sinned
and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are proved right when you speak and justified when you judge.
Prayerful consideration and request.
Psalm 51:10-12 Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. 11 Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

And the resulting sacrifice that God wants of us.

Psalm 51:17 The sacrifices of God are [3] a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

Excuses are like jail bars that trap you and keep you from living a responsible life. You cannot make the changes you need to make, and God cannot work in you until you are honest with Him and confess your sins. Keep your focus and Satan will turn each time you resist him, but he doesn’t give up.

The memory verse for this week reminds us that God knows our heart. He knows our sins. We cannot hide from Him, just like Adam and Eve could not hide from God. He gives us choices just like he did Adam and Eve. We make choices about everything, the clothes we wear, the things we eat, places we go, follow Jesus or not, responses to people, what to do on the job, spending leisure time and money, the list goes on and on.

Many of the choices we make are automatic. How earnestly do we seek God’s help in making all choices? He is interested in everything we do or say. He gives us direction for our life. Sometimes when we can’t make wrong choices right, as was the case with Adam and Eve, we must take the responsibility for our actions and bear the consequences. God will forgive us when we come to Him with repentant hearts. Perhaps he was more disappointed in Adam and Eve than He was angry. Their sin, and consequently our sin, led to the greatest sacrifice ever made –the death of God’s own Son, Jesus Christ.

God has given us His word to help us know how to make right choices. No excuses!

Memory Verse:
You know my folly, O God, my guilt is not hidden from you.
Psalm 69:5
John 14:21
Matthew 21:22
MatthewØ I don’t have time to ______. I don’t have time to read the
Bible, I’ll let someone else
tell me what it says.

Ø This problem runs in my family. No one I know reads the
Bible. This doesn’t apply.

Ø I’m nervous, and I do this because I might learn something I
it calms my nerves don’t want to know about and
I’d have to worry about it.

Ø I have too much to do after work. I don’t want to think about God.

Ø It’s a medical problem. Peace is found in a relationship with
God.

Ps. 69:5
You _ _ _ _ my _ _ _ _ _, _ _ _ _; my _ _ _ _ _ is _o_ hidden _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ you.

John 14:21
Whoever has my _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ and _ _ _ _ _ them, _ _ is the _ _ _ who _ _ _ _ _ me. He who _ _ _ _ _ me _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ e _ by my Father, and _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ and show _ y _ _ _ _ to him."

Matthew 21: 22
Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him."

Matthew 21:22
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _, _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ whatever _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _