Text: Luke 14:16-21
Memory verse:
“redeeming the time, because the days are evil.”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭5‬:‭16‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

There is a traditional African proverb that says, “The house of a person you don’t want to visit is always a far distance”. This is to say, you will always find a way for what you want to do and find excuses for what you don’t want to do. Excuses are signs that the thing is not important to you because you will always find a way for what is important.
Now, let’s look at our text for today. The first person excused himself for material things. “…‘I have just bought a field and must inspect it. Please excuse me.’” (Luke‬ ‭14‬:‭18‬ ‭NLT‬‬). The second, his excuse was work. “…I have just bought five pairs of oxen, and I want to try them out. Please excuse me.” ‭‭(Luke‬ ‭14‬:‭19‬ ‭NLT‬‬). The third person’s excuse was family. “I just got married, so I can’t come.” ‭‭(Luke‬ ‭14‬:‭20‬ ‭NLT‬‬).
Are the excuses – my house/car/clothings/jewelries, my work/business, my family – different today? But, were they excusable? On hearing these excuses, the Master was furious (Luke 14:21 NLB). People who make excuses for divine invitation always attract the fury of God rather than His favour!
The truth is that the excuses were given to avoid attending the banquet. They only found excuses for what wasn’t important to them. Even people who always come late to church could make excuses of traffic on the road; diversions caused by road construction work; inability to get cloths ready because of power failure; children delay etc.
Notice that the master didn’t waste time to replace the excuse makers. It is dangerous to miss your hour of visitation (Luke 19:44). Excuses will always be there for you but opportunities won’t. Always ask yourself when you want to make excuses, “If it’s important, will I not find a way out?”

Prayer points
1. Father, help me to value Your gracious invitation more than earthly invitation and to challenge excuses that could hinder me in Jesus name.
2. Father, let me never waste divine opportunities, lest I turn Your favour over me to fury in Jesus name.

Today’s declarations

1.Making excuses for God’s gracious invitation attracts God’s fury rather than favour and subsequently, a replacement.
2.Kingdom business is important to me, so I find a way and not excuses.

Contact: pastor@thf.org.ng