As part of our church service, our congregation goes to the neighbourhood to invite people to worship God with us. Those who come are encouraged to give their lives to Jesus. Our next door neighbour, a forty-year old man called Kobina who sold provisions, always had a ready excuse why he couldn’t join us today. “Go and come,” was his regular apology. “You will see me next Sunday.” The last time I invited him, he said, “I promise, as for next Sunday, you will see me.” The next Sunday his shop was closed. I thought, Good, today our man will come to church; he has closed his shop. But there was a red-cloth ribbon hanging on the doorpost of the shop. A few people stood by looking sad. Alarmed, I asked, “What happened?” “Kobina is gone,” I was told. “Gone where?” I asked. “He died during the week!” Tricks of Satan: This true story repeats itself every day. Delay tactics, or indecision, is one of Satan’s most effective tricks for deceiving people. When some people hear the Good News of Jesus Christ, they want to believe. They want to receive him. They want to attend church and worship him. But they keep on postponing the decision and action until it is too late. One day Jesus invited people to follow him. Many of them gave excuses. One said he was attending a funeral. Another said he was going for a wedding. Yet another said he was going to the farm. Someone even said he had a business to attend to. They missed the opportunity to follow Jesus and receive the salvation of their soul. More excuses: Today, people give different excuses why they don’t want to join the church to worship the Lord: • Don’t worry, next week I will come to church . . . • Thanks for inviting me, but go and come . . . • These days I’m so busy travelling . . . • Times are hard; I do business every day . . . • The people in the church are all bad people . . . • Jesus will not come back now . . . • I used to go to church before . . . These excuses are delay tactics, and they can be deadly. Don’t wait until it is too late. “Decide quickly!” When Jesus met Zacchaeus, the short man had climbed a tree. “Come down quickly,” Jesus told him. Quickly is an important word when you make the decision to follow Jesus. Decide quickly—before you change your mind. Decide quickly—before Satan decides for you. Come to Jesus quickly—before you give more excuses. Now is the day: Paul wrote, “Now is the acceptable time; now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2 ). Salvation is the gift from God for everybody who will receive Jesus Christ as Lord. Salvation means eternal life. After this world, God will receive us into His Kingdom if we have salvation. No more excuses. Today, receive Jesus by praying: “Lord Jesus, I confess my sins. Please forgive me. I receive Jesus as my Lord and Saviour. Come into my heart today. If you’ve said this prayer sincerely from your heart and mean it, believe that you have salvation. Join a church where the Bible is preached and serve the Lord.