April Word of the Month Study: No More Excuses

The first category is Doing Nothing: Visionless, without dreams, and having no idea what's next. Just living life day to day on autopilot without a sense of purpose.

This category can also be diagnosed by the following:

- Lack of fruit. There are no measurable results of value being added as a result of your actions. (Matthew 7:16)

- Faith that produces no results. There's a good "talk game" when it comes to faith, but there is no action behind it. (James 2:26)

- Mental health issues. Oftentimes, when we are living without a point or purpose, that can be the enemy's door into sowing depression and hopelessness into our minds. (Proverbs 29:18)

Let us examine a "character" in the Bible who fit this category and how Jesus Himself addressed. It is a sobering example, but one that must be presented.

In Matthew 21, we see Jesus confront a fig tree as an analogy of a person: "Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then he said to it, 'May you never bear fruit again!' Immediately, the tree withered."

Again, we see the word about someone who is created to bear fruit, but does not:

Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. (Matthew 7:19)

Finally, we visit with the Parable of Talents in Matthew 25. The servant was absolutely entrusted with talents to sow and multiply, but because he did not steward them well, the Master condemned him upon His return.

Sobering words indeed.

Let us turn the tide of this conversation. If, after you have examined yourself before the Lord, you discover that this is you, there is no condemnation! First things first: God's mercies are new every day. Repent of not stewarding the gifts and talents that God has given you and accept God's forgiveness! He is faithful to give us another chance to get it right.

Let me pour life into you:
You were created intentionally and with purpose. (Ephesians 2:10)

God has called you to specific works, assignments, and gifts that are needed in the Earth. (1 Peter 4:10)

If you don't show up, the world will miss out on why God created YOU. YOU MATTER. The purposes planted within you matter. You are not an accident or pointless. (Esther 4:14)

If you don't believe me, study these Scriptures to believe GOD HIMSELF. You have purpose and assignment planted within you. Can you imagine if Jesus had not shown up for His assignment? But because HE did, so should we. Make today the LAST day you fit this category of people whose divinely assigned purposes go unfulfilled. Get this Word down deep, repent, ask God to fill you with passion for His purpose for you, and take the first step. He is faithful. 

The next category is one that all of us succumb to at one point or another: Distracted.

By definition, in our introduction, those who are distracted may know that there is a big vision! They may also have an idea of the steps they need to take, but they find themselves distracted by other things that keep them from actually accomplishing the assignment.

2025 is a season of distraction. Everywhere we turn, there are distractions. Current events and news, social media, debates and arguments, family issues, and financial ups and downs are everywhere.

Let me give you this: NONE OF THIS HAS ANYTHING TO DO WITH OUR CHOICE TO FOCUS AND OBEY THE WORD OF THE LORD.

Sometimes our own vision and ideas can distract us! We spend so much time laying out strategy and plans that we get distracted from JUST DOING IT! We can be our own worst enemy!

What does the Bible say about being distracted? Let us examine it.

"A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways." - James 1:8

Distraction often leads to double-mindedness—wanting to follow God, but constantly pulled by other things. The result is instability and confusion.

"...the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful." -Mark 4:19

Jesus explains how distractions—like worry, riches, and desires —can choke out the fruitfulness of God’s Word in our lives.

Distraction isn’t just a lack of focus—it’s often a spiritual battle. The enemy loves to keep us busy, anxious, or entertained, as long as we stay distant from God's purpose. But Scripture calls us to be alert, focused, and intentional, fixing our eyes on Jesus and removing anything that gets in the way.

The character we see this concept operate in is Peter. When he successfully followed the Lord's assignment to come to Him by walking on water, Peter's laserlike focus kept him afloat! The second he got distracted by the wind and the waves, he began to sink! 

JESUS HELP US TO LOOK NEITHER TO THE RIGHT NOR TO THE LEFT! 

This week, we are going to fast. Let's just go in hard. This week, begin by praying and asking the Holy Spirit to show you the distractions that have begun to keep you from your assignment. When He shows you, fast from them this week. Ask God to remove the taste of them from you so that you might concentrate on HIS purpose for your life! If you find yourself scrolling social media reels for hours instead of taking action, fast social media. If you find yourself binge-watching Netflix instead of taking action, fast Netflix. 

You cannot have obedience without sacrifice. Let the Holy Spirit show you what you need to sacrifice that you might show up for what He has for you. He is faithful to remove those things from you that you might steward well the vision that He has given you. Let's go. 

Doing Something: We know there is a purpose and vision around our lives. We know what it looks like and are actively taking steps to make it happen.

That is us. That is who God designed us to be.

Who are our doers in the Bible: 

Caleb + Joshua. We see them in Numbers as part of the 12-spies crew. Out of 12 spies, only Caleb + Joshua saw what God saw and were willing to move. The other 10 spies died as a result of their unbelief. 

Abraham. We see Abraham in Genesis fully prepared to raise the knife and sacrifice his son without knowing that provision would be made to avoid this heinous act. He obeyed anyway.

Gideon. Even after having to ask God three times to be sure his assignment was true, and having to go in "unprepared" by his standards, he went to war anyway.

Jesus. Even knowing the torture that awaited Him and even after a night spent in bloody sweat-soaked prayer, HE DID IT ANYWAY. 

What we see in these examples are things that all of us will experience at some time: 

Distraction. 
Anxiety. 
Not knowing where the provision would come from. 
Standing in belief when others around us don't,
Fear.
Overwhelming odds. 

BUT GOD. 

The story ALWAYS ends the same: 

Obedience in the DOING brings about the DREAM. 

Caleb + Joshua conquered the Promised Land. 
Abraham walked under the largest covenant ever. 
Gideon won the battle and didn't have to raise a finger. 
Jesus saved the world. 

OH JESUS GIVE US THE COURAGE TO WALK INTO BEING NOT JUST HEARERS OF THE WORD BUT DOERS OF THE WORD! 

What has He entrusted YOU with that will require you to come from places of doing nothing, being distracted, or just dreaming and go into the posture of DOING? Will you be brave this week and come forward and take your place? 

You are not alone. 
I am in the trenches with you. 

Let us begin. 
NOW. 

We've got this because the Lord's got us.