Let your character sustain your calling
And the LORD said unto Moses, See, I have called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. (Exodus 31:2) Your calling, gifts, abilities, and opportunities are valuable, but your character is what determines how you will carry them. A person can have great potential and still […]
Excellence requires stability
Reuben, thou art my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power: Unstable as water, thou shalt not excel. (Genesis 49:3–4) Reuben had great potential. He was Jacob’s firstborn, the beginning of his father’s strength, and he carried the excellency of dignity and power. Yet […]
Your true life as a Christian
As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him. (Colossians 2:6) Receiving Christ is the beginning, not the end, of your journey as a believer. You have received Him, and now you must walk in Him. There is a life to live after salvation. Christianity is not simply about having […]
Excellence is not an accident: it’s a choice!
And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel… (Daniel 1:19) Excellence doesn’t happen by accident. You have to condition yourself for it. Just because you are born again and have the Holy Spirit in you does not mean you should stop developing your character. The life of God […]
Let excellence become your standard
Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him. (Daniel 6:3) Daniel’s excellence became so evident that it could not be ignored. His superiors noticed it. His colleagues noticed it. The king noticed it. He didn’t have to advertise himself. His life spoke for him. This is […]
Set high ideals for yourself
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report… think on these things (Philippians 4:8) Excellence begins with a decision. You have to make up your mind that you will pursue something higher than mediocrity. If […]
Cultivate a Teachable Spirit
He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding. (Proverbs 15:32) One of the fastest ways to grow spiritually is to remain teachable. God often uses His Word, His Spirit, and godly leaders to correct, guide, and strengthen us. Unfortunately, pride causes many people to resist correction, even when […]
Cultivate Loyalty and Honor
And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. (1 Thessalonians 5:13) One of the most overlooked principles in the Christian life is the principle of loyalty and honor. God places people in our lives to teach us, guide us, encourage us, and help us grow. When we learn to value and […]
Love Guided by Wisdom
And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment. (Philippians 1:9) Love is one of the greatest evidences of spiritual growth, but biblical love is not driven by emotions alone. God desires that our love increases together with understanding and discernment. When love is guided […]
Lessons from the life of Elijah
Elias (Elijah) was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit. (James 5:17-18) […]