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Dear brothers and sisters in our Lord Jesus, part of the growing repentance remnant, members of His flock, of which Jesus is the Shepherd (John 10:16), Jesus being the first to preach His gift of repentance (Matthew 4:17), now calling on each of us also to preach repentance (Luke 24:47).
My friend Barney Cargile has a very good word:
WHO'S THE REAL BULLY?
On September 24, Amy Jones of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, walked into Rufus King High School and spent three class periods impersonating a teacher. Eight teachers were sick that day, so Jones seized the opportunity to pull off her con.
She “taught” by making inappropriate comments, using profanity, and bullying students. Jones was arrested and faces six felony charges that could lock her up for twenty-one years. Her explanation? She “hates kids and just wanted to [mess] around” because she “was bored.” Her attorney claims she posed no danger to anyone. (News of the Weird, October 9, 2026)
Not a danger? Let’s see. She sneaked onto a school campus, impersonated a teacher, admitted she hated children, and verbally abused and bullied them. By whose definition is that a victimless crime?
We live in an age when people seem eager to accept credit for success, but not responsibility for failure. The blame game is nothing new, however. When God confronted Adam with eating the forbidden fruit, Adam pointed his finger at his wife. Eve in turn, blamed the serpent (Genesis 3:11-13).
Likewise, when Aaron made the golden calf, he blamed the people by telling Moses they are “prone to evil.” Then he stated, “They gave me the gold, and I threw it into the fire, and out came this calf!” (Exodus 32:22-24). He conveniently omitted the detail that he molded it into an idol.
Spiritual maturity begins when we stop making excuses and start taking responsibility for our actions. A three-year-old can point a finger.
It takes humility to admit, “I was wrong.”
God promises, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).
The next time you’re tempted to make an excuse, resist the urge to point a finger. Swallow your pride, own your actions, and make things right with God and anyone you’ve hurt. Why not start today?
PONDER:
- Under what circumstances do you find it most difficult to admit you’re wrong?
- Is there someone to whom you need to admit a mistake or make things right?
PURSUE: Read and meditate on Exodus 32.
Lord, forgive my sins and my foolish pride. Help me stop making excuses, to acknowledge my wrongdoing, and walk humbly before You. Amen.
If you enjoyed this article, please tell your friends, and visit my website at BarneyCargile.com
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The move of days of national repentance is growing! We had a remarkable time with the Holy Spirit on our October 23 NDR zoom for the USA. Repentance brings holiness. The National Day of Repentance call is now on YouTube [natonaldayofrepentance 2536]; I encourage you to listen to the whole 2 hours and 16 minutes, starting with a beautiful prayer from Rodney from Australia. If time needs to be shortened, start at minute 57.
NDR now actively supports the national gathering of the Nehemiah Alliance on the Mall in DC on October 31. That same day Australia will have its third national day of repentance this year; and South Africa is planning a national day of repentance on November 2.
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