God Doesn't Want To Hear Excuses

Written by Harold Herring.

Hebrews 12:12-13 in the Message Bible says:

“So don't sit around on your hands! No more dragging your feet! Clear the path for long-distance runners so no one will trip and fall, so no one will step in a hole and sprain an ankle. Help each other out. And run for it!”

I started wondering why people sit on their hands and drag their feet….and realized it happens when people make excuses.

Believe me, I’ve heard hundreds, maybe thousands of the excuses … and some that would make you laugh if you didn’t know the person speaking the words was serious.

I believe if I set my mind to it…I could come up with some of the greatest excuses in the world.

But the real question is what does the greatest book ever written have to say about excuses.

Proverbs 24:11 in the Message Bible says:

“Rescue the perishing; don't hesitate to step in and help. If you say, "Hey, that's none of my business," will that get you off the hook? Someone is watching you closely, you know— Someone not impressed with weak excuses.”

2 Thessalonians 3:10-13 says:

Make The Rest Of Your Life...The Best Of Your Life (May 2024)

Written by Harold Herring.

Have you ever read a quote by someone that just ignited in your spirit.  I read it this morning and it was a quote by Anonymous that fired me up.  Here it is:

“I’m gonna make the rest of my life, the best of my life.”

I really like that quote, however, I would make a small, but significant change.

I’m gonna make the rest of my life, the best of my life because the Word of God says I can!

There’s no question God wants us to have the best life we can.  In fact, in this teaching you’ll read 40 scriptures where we’re told to and how to experience the good life.

So what does it really mean to live the good life?

Does the good life consist of having what the world has in the latest electronic toys and gadgets. . .traveling to exotic locations for lengthy vacations. . .living in the biggest house in the nicest neighborhood. . .being successful in business and in your investments…but loving Jesus along the way?

For those who are sick. . .battling a disease or condition. . .the good life is divine health.

For those who’re having trouble with their children.  . .the good life is everybody knowing and serving Jesus as Lord.

Getting Unanswered Prayers. . .Answered (May 2024)

Written by Harold Herring.

As my fine wife, Bev and I were in special prayer for our partners...God allowed us to see the intense spiritual battle faced by some our partners and His many children.

We felt the concern of His children over their prayers going seemingly unanswered.

You may have been praying for changes in your finances...a new job or a promotion...a healing for your body...turning lack into more than enough or overcoming addictions to alcohol, drugs or sin…but your answer hasn’t manifested…yet.

As we were praying. . .our attention was turned to Daniel 10:12-13 where He drew a direct parallel to what happened to Daniel and what may be happening to you.

“Then he said to me, Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your mind and heart to understand and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come as a consequence of [and in response to] your words.”

Here are seven keys to getting your prayers answered.

1.      Fear Not

You Are Strong, Important And Necessary (May 2024)

Written by Harold Herring.

I vividly remember the first time I heard 1 Corinthians 12:22 in the New Living Translation.  I immediately knew it was a verse that should be taught and/or quoted on a regular basis.

I knew God would use this verse to touch and change people’s lives who feel they are weaker or less important to Him as others.

The entire verse of 1 Corinthians 12:22 in the New Living Translation says:

“In fact, some parts of the body that seem weakest and least important are actually the most necessary.”

As I was re-reading that verse God immediately gave me seven reasons why you and every other believer are strong, important and necessary to the Body of Christ.

Before getting to the seven reasons you are necessary I want to share 1 Corinthians 12:22 in two other translations.

First, the Contemporary English Version of 1 Corinthians 12:22, says:

"In fact, we cannot get along without the parts of the body that seem to be the weakest."

Second, the New International Reader’s Version of 1 Corinthians 12:22, says:

“In fact, it is just the opposite. The parts of the body that seem to be weaker are the ones we can’t do without.”

Overcoming What Tries To Hold You Down Or Back (May 2024)

Written by Harold Herring.

If I had a penny for every time someone said to me. . . “the enemy is just trying to hold me down” or “my circumstances are holding me back”. . .I would be able to pay for my dream trip of two weeks in Bora Bora.

When people say that to me my usual response is. . .you know. . .you’re right. . and I don’t want to know your circumstances.

Dictionary.com defines circumstances as:

“a condition, detail, part, or attribute, with respect to time, place, manner, agent, etc., that accompanies, determines, or modifies a fact or event; a modifying or influencing factor”

Spiritually speaking. . .I define circumstance as the circle you’re standing in.

We shouldn’t be standing still. . .we should be moving from glory unto glory. (2 Corinthians 3:18)

In which case, we would be leaving our circumstances behind.

So for me. . .the question is why do I want to hear about what the person ought to be leaving behind.

Every time someone painstakingly reviews, renews and refreshes their circumstances they are forcing themselves to live them again.

We don’t need to revive our current dilemma . . .we need to seek answers. . .ways to rise above our circumstances. . .whatever they may be.

However … in a chronic circumstance… it may call for changing how we view those circumstances.

Why God Wants You Successful (May 2024)

Written by Harold Herring.

There is absolutely, no doubt that God wants you manifesting biblical success in your life.

It’s important to understand the significance of biblical success. . .that’s where you and everyone around you. . .recognizes that God makes you successful.

Deuteronomy 30:9 in the New Century Version says:

The Lord your God will make you successful in everything you do. You will have many children, your cattle will have many calves, and your fields will produce good crops, because the Lord will again be happy with you, just as he was with your ancestors.”

Did you notice that first sentence in this passage of scripture says“The Lord your God will make you successful in everything you do. . .”

First off, He’s not just any God.  He’s your God. . .your personal God, the one who has your picture on His refrigerator. Yes, He loves you that much!

Second, He will make you successful in EVERYTHING you do.  Not just some things.  Or the most pressing or important things.  No, He, the Lord God Almighty, is going to make you successful in ALL you do.

The key to our biblical success is our obedience to His instructions.

Joshua 1:7 in the New Century Version says:

Be strong and brave. Be sure to obey all the teachings my servant Moses gave you. If you follow them exactly, you will be successful in everything you do.”

Our obedience to God’s instructions as a pre-requisite for our success is mentioned several other times in scripture as well.