THE CHALLENGE OF EXCELLENCE
Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm (Daniel 6:3).
Before I was a teenager, I said to some of my friends, “I’ll never be poor.” They laughed and said, “How dare you say that? Do you know the future?” Then I gave them an answer they probably didn’t expect. I said, “one of the reasons I know I’ll never be poor is that I can shine shoes and I can wash cars too.” Back then, I used to clean my dad’s shoes, and wash his cars, and I was very good at them because I learnt from him.
Even as a child, I added value to myself. I learned skills, developed abilities and was determined to be excellent at whatever I did. And excellence is not just about skill; it’s a mindset. The Bible talks about Daniel, that an excellent spirit was found in him, and the king made him a ruler because of it. Excellence promotes you!
In everything you do, refuse mediocrity. Develop your mind. Broaden your knowledge. Study, read, learn, and grow. Excellence requires diligence and hard work, but it’s worth it. Even the way you dress should reflect the excellence of Christ. You’re royalty. You’re a child of the King; therefore, dress neatly, talk intelligently, and carry yourself with honour. Don’t be late to work or for your appointments. Arrive early, plan your day, and strive to always be ahead.
God doesn’t suddenly make you a king; He trains you first. Every experience in your life is part of that training. You’ve got to win at each level to move higher. If you’re a leader, put more into your leadership. If you teach or lead a cell, study more and make your meetings richer and more impactful. Let people see growth in you. Don’t be the same person you were last year; grow, improve, and advance.
If you’re into sports, be the best. Be so valuable to your team that they’ll do anything to keep you. Excellence makes you indispensable. Be so excellent at what you do that no one can ignore you. That’s the challenge of excellence: becoming the best for the glory of God!
PRAYER
Dear Father, I thank you for the spirit of excellence at work in me. I’m diligent, disciplined and dedicated to improvement. My mind is alert and productive; I’m creative and innovative. I function with wisdom and distinction, and I’m continually adding value to my world. I excel in all I do, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
If you’re blessed by this devotional, believing every words you heard by faith in your heart, and would love to make Jesus the lord of your life, then speak the confessions below out loud, and mean them with your heart:
“O Lord God, I believe with all my heart in Jesus Christ, Son of the living God. I believe He died for me and God raised Him from the dead. I believe He’s alive today. I confess with my mouth that Jesus Christ is the Lord of my life from this day. Through Him and in His Name, I have eternal life; I’m born again. Thank you Lord, for saving my soul! I’m now a child of God. Hallelujah!”
If you just said the prayer of salvation, we have a free gift for you, but first kindly click on this link, so we can connect with you, and help you grow in Christ.
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Message by Rev. Chris Oyakhilome Dsc. Dsc. DD.
FURTHER STUDY
Proverbs 22:29 KJV Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.*
*Philippians 3:13-14
KJV Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, [14] I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Colossians 3:23 KJV
And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;*
DAILY SCRIPTURE READING
1-Year Bible Reading Plan
Mark 1:21-45 &
Leviticus 8
2-Year Bible Reading Plan
Acts 18:12-23 &
Psalm 21-22
