Excellence

Excellence

Focus Word: Excellence
Focus Verse: Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
Declaration: Excellence marks everything I build; I serve the Lord with my best effort and attitude.
Only if our thoughts change can our life change. For example if a person joins a gym, their body may change but their life won’t. That changes only when your mind changes.
Repentance isn’t just a momentary confession. It is a constant change of mind.
Romans 12:1,2 “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
Excellence begins in the mind
Paul begins with what we think about. Only when we are aware of what we think do we understand where our life is going. Excellence doesn’t start with actions. It start with the quality of our thoughts.
Our mind is a thought factory. Thoughts can be negative, sad, angry, or even lustful. But Paul tells us to focus on the thoughts that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable.
When your thoughts are filled with excellence and purity, your life also turns towards that direction.
Proverbs 23:7 For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. “Eat and drink!” he says to you, But his heart is not with you.
2 Corinthians 10:5 “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”
The mind is the workshop where excellence is first formed. Right thinking produces excellent outcomes.

2. Excellence focuses on what is noble and pure.

Paul lists qualities that deliver the soul: true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable. Excellence grows where our attention is directed towards what is good and noble.
What do you desire to see? Begin to build your thoughts there.
Colossians 3:1,2 “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”
Psalm 119:9 “How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word.” Live according to God’s word.
Parents work hard to give a good life to their kids, but more than any material thing, the best thing a parent can do for their kids is to give them the Word of God. That will direct their life forever. Not raising kids in the Word of God is the largest failure a parent can have.
Psalm 101:3 I will not look with approval on anything that is vile. I hate what faithless people do; I will have no part in it.
The quality of what fills our life directs our life. This is why God told Joshua to keep meditating on God’s Word. What we allow into our minds influences our character.

3. Excellence is our habit of daily practice.

Not once in a while, but daily. This should be our policy. To live each small decision in the best way.
Colossians 3:23 “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,”
1 Corinthians 10:31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
Some things aren’t explicitly said to be wrong or right in the Bible. So then what we do is ask ourselves if that act glorifies God or not. Does this benefit or harm my body and mind?
Proverbs 22:29 “Do you see someone skilled in their work? They will serve before kings; they will not serve before officials of low rank”.
Excellence grows with diligence and faithful effort.

4. Excellence honours God and inspires others.

If we live in excellence, our life becomes a testimony. It reflects respect towards God and love for people.
Mathew 5:16 “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Daniel 6:3 “Now Daniel so distinguished himself among the administrators and the satraps by his exceptional qualities that the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom.”
1 Peter 2:12 “Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.”
Our excellence can lead people to God. It reflects God’s work in our life and glorifies Him.