BVOV Magazine 2013 - present

No one wanted to say, “I was wrong.” You see, excuses indicate three things: a lack of repentance, a lack of honor and a lack of attentiveness. When I ask my children a question, I do not want to hear excuses—just like God doesn’t. I want an answer. All I want to hear is, “Yes, ma’am. I apologize. I was wrong.” That’s the way we need to respond, too. Excuses only train us for defeat. They will keep us from turning from error and getting back into the will of God—and one excuse will lead to another. Excuse #6: Lack of Supply My dad always taught me that having money, or not having money, is no reason to do or not do anything. Whether something is going to make you money, or cost you money, should never enter into the deciding factors regarding anything in your life. Jesus exposed this kind of wrong thinking and excuse making in Matthew 16:5-9: "Now when His disciples had come to the other side, they had forgotten to take bread. Then Jesus said to them, ‘Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees.’ And they reasoned among themselves, saying, ‘It is because we have taken no bread.’ But Jesus, being aware of it, said to them, ‘O you of little faith, why do you reason among yourselves because you have brought no bread? Do you not yet understand, or remember the five loaves of the five thousand and how many baskets you took up?’" The disciples made excuses for not having bread with them, and they reasoned it all out in their minds. But Jesus didn’t accept those excuses. This is such an important lesson. If God tells you to start a church, or go help a certain minister or ministry, and the first thing out of your mouth is, “Well, Lord, I don’t have the money to do that,” you’ve just given Him an excuse. Jesus’ answer to this problem every time is, “I supply.” That’s what He told the disciples, and that’s what He’ll tell you. Remember Jesus Matthew 25 records the story of the talents. In verse 25, when the master confronted the servant about what he did with his talent, the servant answered, “I was afraid.” His excuse was fear. In Jeremiah 1:6, Jeremiah told the Lord, “Behold, I cannot speak, for I am a youth.” Boy, was he wrong. No one is ever too young to be used by the Lord. In fact, no one is too old, too fat, too skinny or too anything! The bottom line to excuses is that we need to never give them. James 1:22 says we are to be doers of the Word and not hearers only. James goes on to say that one who is a hearer only deceives himself. Excuses are Satan’s tools to cause deceit in your life and they will keep you from living in victory. By making excuses, you make Jesus' sacrifice of no effect. Instead of allowing Him and His sacrifice to be your justification, you are justifying yourself. When you feel an excuse about to pop out of your mouth, remember what Jesus said in the garden of Gethsemane. He didn’t want to go to the Cross. He didn’t want to be separated from God. “He went a little farther, and fell on the ground, and prayed that if it were possible, the hour might pass from Him” (Mark 14:35). But He also said, “Not what I will, but what You will” (verse 36). Don’t allow yourself to argue with God. Don’t allow yourself to give excuses to others. Just say yes to the Lord and walk in the abundant blessings a life of no excuses provides. V * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * One of my fondest memories When I was about 11 years old, we were in Hawaii at a Full Gospel Business Men’s meeting where Dad was speaking. For some reason, I was asked to sing before a luncheon. I’m still curious as to why they asked—UNLESS my parents told them I loved to sing. In any case, it was my first time to sing in public. Dad took me aside and told me about his first time to sing. He was just a little boy singing at a church picnic. He said he had eaten too much at the picnic, so when he got up to sing, a big burp came out! I remember laughing, and not being nervous anymore about my debut! My big takeaway that day? Don’t eat too much before you sing! One thing I love about Mom and Dad is their love, support and belief in others. They didn’t require me to be perfected and developed in my gift and calling before allowing me to be part of ministry with them. I don’t consider myself to have a great singing talent, but I’ve always had a heart to sing for Jesus. They saw that, and made room for it. They may have even bragged on me to Demos Shakarian, the founder of FGBMF, who had a similar “love others, value others,” Jesus kind-of-outlook on life. I don’t recall how it turned out, but I remember I felt valued by these love heroes in my life. It inspires me to look beyond the surface for people’s value—to see beyond their troubles and look at the call. We’re all called by Jesus, and we have everything we need to live out that call. I’m grateful that I can see others through His eyes, and to be available to Him to give someone else an open door or a first opportunity. Giving someone that open door after Satan has tried to wipe them out is powerful. I am grateful to everyone who ever saw something in me that was a seed of what God had planted. Those doors, encouragements and platforms gave me the opportunity to grow up, and eventually become who I am today. I can remember many people my parents believed in—people who received opportunities to shine. Fledgling ministers who were promoted, others forgiven and allowed to grow up and become great. These are memories that I love about my parents, and what Kenneth Copeland Ministries represents. V Kellie 26 : BVOV

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