Daily Devotional
What Are Your Excuses?
“By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.”
1 John 5:2-3
November 20, 2022
Ponder This
A man came to talk with his pastor and said, “Pastor, I don’t know what’s wrong with me, but God is not real to me anymore. I don’t have the joy and presence of God in my life like I used to.” The wise pastor asked him a direct question. He said, “Is there any unconfessed sin in your life?” The man said, “I used to bring a tithe of my income to God. But some time ago I got the idea that perhaps God didn’t need that as much as I needed it.” Then he said, “Yes, Pastor, I have ceased to be honest with God.” The pastor said, “Do you know what you’ve done? You’ve begun to steal from God. Would you steal from the offering plate when it is passed?”
There will always be someone who will give you a reason or an excuse to disobey God; it may even be a religious leader. They’ll lead you into an unscriptural marriage, immorality, or some transgression of the commandments of God, and they’ll say, “Times have changed, and things are different.” But I remind you that Jesus says “He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him” (John 14:21).
- What excuses have you made to God for your sin in the past?
- What would it look like to truly love God and keep His commands? What would change? What would stay the same?
Practice This
Create a list of the excuses you have made to God. Make another list of all the reasons to trust God and His commands.
FOR YOUR GIFT TO THE MINISTRY
Front Porch Moments by Gayle Foster
WITH KEY INSIGHTS FROM HER FATHER, ADRIAN ROGERS
I try to unplug each morning with Jesus with just my rocking chair, my Bible, and a pen.
Having a secret place is very important because I know that Jesus is always there waiting for me. I know where I can find Him! His presence is everywhere, but there are places where it is so thick you can cut it with a knife. You may not even have a front porch, but there is a secret place for you as well. God’s invitations are for anyone who will respond. There is no more important request than the one found in Psalm 27:8: “My heart has heard You say, ‘Come and talk with Me.’ And my heart responds, ‘Lord, I am coming.’”
