“Do you see a man who excels in his work? He will stand before kings; He will not stand before unknown men.” (Prov. 22:29 NKJV)

Excellence: The state, quality, or condition of excelling; superiority; to take the lead; to be the best; possessing good qualities in high degree.  

Christians must always strive for excellence 

What you do represents who you are and who you’re connected to. God is your father, Jesus is your Savior and Lord. Why would you want to settle for less?

Excellence examples in the Bible 

• Daniel’s excellent spirit

“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.” (Dan. 6:3 KJV)

• Joseph’s excellent work 

“You shall be in charge of my house, and all my people are to obey your commands. Only with regard to the throne will I be greater than you. Pharaoh also told Joseph, "I hereby place you over all the land of Egypt." (Gen. 40-41)

• Mordecai’s excellent behavior 

“For Mordecai the Jew was second only to King Xerxes, preeminent among the Jews and highly favored by his many kinsmen, seeking the good of his people and speaking peace to all his countrymen.” (Est. 10:3)

Therefore…

“And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ; having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. (Phil. 1:9-11)

“And may the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we do for you, so that your hearts are strengthened in holiness to be blameless before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.” (1 Thes. 3:12-13)

Quotes:

“The quality of a person's life is in direct proportion to their commitment to excellence, regardless of their chosen field of endeavor.” - Vince Lombardi

 “The secret of living a life of excellence is merely a matter of thinking thoughts of excellence. Really, it's a matter of programming our minds with the kind of information that will set us free.” - Charles R. Swindoll

“Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (James 1:4 NIV)

Perseverance: endurance, tenacity, determination; continued effort to do or achieve something despite difficulties, failure, or opposition : steadfastness.

Don’t grow wearing of doing good

“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” (Gal. 6:9 ESV)

Endurance produces character

“More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” (Rom. 5:3-5 ESV)

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast

Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.

“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” (James 1:12 ESV)

Therefore…

“For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.” (Heb. 10:36 ESV)

“If we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us…” (2 Tim. 2:12 ESV)

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us…” (Heb. 12:1 ESV)

“Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely, and may your entire spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Thess. 5:23)

Quotes:

“God knows our situation; He will not judge us as if we had no difficulties to overcome. What matters is the sincerity and perseverance of our will to overcome them.” - C.S. Lewis

“Nothing paralyzes our lives like the attitude that things can never change. We need to remind ourselves that God can change things. Outlook determines outcome. If we see only the problems, we will be defeated; but if we see the possibilities in the problems, we can have victory.” - Warren Wiersbe

“Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise.” (Prov. 6:6 ESV)

Responsibility: the state or fact of being responsible, answerable, or accountable for something within one's power, control, or management; duty, obligation, role, assignment, mission, job. 

Be responsible to God in whatever you do 

“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men…” (Col. 3:23 ESV)

Be responsible in doing little things 

“One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much.” (Luke 16:10 ESV) 

Train up your children to be responsible

“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” (Prov. 22:6 ESV) 

Therefore…

“And if you faithfully obey the voice of the Lord your God, being careful to do all his commandments that I command you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, if you obey the voice of the Lord your God. Blessed shall you be in the city, and blessed shall you be in the field. Blessed shall be the fruit of your womb and the fruit of your ground and the fruit of your cattle, the increase of your herds and the young of your flock. Blessed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl. Blessed shall you be when you come in, and blessed shall you be when you go out.” (Deut. 28:1-6 ESV)

Quotes: 

“The greatest day in your life and mine is when we take total responsibility for our attitudes. That's the day we truly grow up.”

- John C. Maxwell

“We need to realize that in all things our first duty and responsibility is to God Himself.” - Harry Ironside

“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.” (John 14:1 NKJV)

 With so much negativity present in the news and all over social media platforms, it would be easy to become troubled if you let yourself be. But, don’t let your heart be troubled because you can control your heart! The above statement by Jesus, says, “Don’t let your heart be troubled.” That statement is a command by Jesus and He would never command you to do anything  you could not do! In fact, He will help you do it if you ask Him!

 “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” (Psalm 51:10 ESV)

 “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” (John 14:27 ESV)

 Draw near to God with trust 

 “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” (James 4:8 ESV)

 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” (Prov. 3:5-6 ESV)

God will put a new heart and Spirit within you

“And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.” (Eze. 36:26 ESV)

Therefore…

“Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.” (Prov. 4:23 ESV)

“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:7 ESV)

“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 6:12 ESV)

Recognize the enemy at work 

“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8 ESV)

“And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.” (2 Cor. 11:14 ESV)

We have been given divine power for spiritual battles 

“For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.” (2 Cor. 10:4 ESV) 

“And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 11:32 ESV)

“For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.” (1 John 5:4 ESV)

Therefore…

“Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.  Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;  and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints…” (Eph 6:13-18 ESV)

“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7 ESV)

Quotes:

"Enemy-occupied territory…… that is what this world is. Christianity is the story of how the rightful king has landed, you might say landed in disguise, and is calling us all to take part in a great campaign in sabotage." C.S. Lewis

“The trumpet still plays the notes of war. You cannot sit down and put the victory wreath on your head. You do not have a crown. You still must wear the helmet and carry the sword. You must watch, pray, and fight. Expect your last battle to be the most difficult, for the enemy’s fiercest charge is reserved for the end of the day.”Charles Spurgeon

“For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named…” (Eph. 3:14-15 ESV)

A family begins when a man and woman joins together becoming one flesh

“Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” (Gen. 2:24 ESV)

Wives be subject to your own husbands

“Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives…” (1 Pet. 3:1 ESV)

Husbands love your wives 

“Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her…” (Eph. 5:25 ESV)

“However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband (Eph. 5:33 ESV)

Husbands and wives submit to each other 

“Submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.” (Eph. 5:21 ESV)

Children are a heritage and reward from the Lord

“Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.” (Psalm 127:3-5 ESV)

A family grows together 

“Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around your table.” (Psalm 128:3 ESV)

Parents train up your children in the way they should go

“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” (Prov. 22:6 ESV)

Children honor and obey your parents in everything

“Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.” (Col. 3:20 ESV)

“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.” (Exo. 20:12 ESV)

“My son, keep your father's commandment, and forsake not your mother's teaching.” (Prov. 6:20 ESV)

Provide for your family

“But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” (1 Tim. 5:8 ESV)

Manage your own household well

“For if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church?” (1 Tim. 3:5 ESV)

Therefore…

“But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” (Josh. 24:15b ESV)

“But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children's children, to those who keep his covenant and remember to do his commandments.” Psalm 193:16-18 ESV)

“One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much.” (Luke 16:10 ESV)

If you think little things you do don’t matter, think again. The Bible is filled with many examples of how little things do big things. 

Little things do much

• Faith the size of a mustard seed — “He put another parable before them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field. It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is larger than all the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.” (Matt13:31-32 ESV)

  “He said to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.” (Matt. 17:20 ESV)

• A little boy’s lunch that fed thousand — There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?” (John 6:9 ESV)

• The small rudder guides a large ship — “Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs.” (James 3:4 ESV)

• A small stone brought down Goliath — “Then he took his staff in his hand and chose five smooth stones from the brook and put them in his shepherd's pouch. His sling was in his hand, and he approached the Philistine.” (1 Sam. 17:40 ESV)

• A little bit of yeast affects the entire loaf of bread —  “A little leaven leavens the whole lump.” (Gal. 5:9 ESV)

• The small tongue has great power — “So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire!” (James 3:5 ESV)

Therefore…

“For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.” (1 Cor. 1:26-29)

“Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.” (Jer. 33:3 ESV)

Quote:

“And if you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of my followers, you will surely be rewarded.” – Jesus Christ 

“Blessed are those who have regard for the weak; the Lord delivers them in times of trouble. The Lord protects and preserves them— they are counted among the blessed in the land— he does not give them over to the desire of their foes. The Lord sustains them on their sickbed and restores them from their bed of illness.” (Psalm 41:1-3 NIV)

There are three promises given in the first three verses of Psalm 40 for those who regard the weak. Each one is stated twice. Repetition is often used in Scripture to provide emphasis about something God wants you to understand clearly. 

For those who regard the weak

1)    God blesses them – “Blessed are those who have regard for the weak” and “they are counted among the blessed in the land.”

 2)    God protects and preserves them - “The Lord protects and preserves them” and “he does not give them over to the desire of their foes.”

3)    God heals them -“The Lord sustains them on their sickbed and restores them from their bed of illness.”

Therefore…

“ I know that you are pleased with me, for my enemy does not triumph over me. Because of my integrity you uphold me and set me in your presence forever. Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Amen and Amen.” (Psalm 40:11-13 NIV)

“A quarrelsome person starts fights as easily as hot embers light charcoal or fire lights wood.” (Prov. 26:21 NLT)

There are quarrelsome people everywhere and they are quick to start an argument and stir up trouble and create strife. If you spend any amount of time on social medea platforms you will undoubtably be confronted by argumentative people with no filters on what they say. If you respond to them in any way, you will get further abuse. The answer is to give no answer to them. If you do, you end up getting caught up in their argument and you will become just like them. So, once again, don’t answer them!

Give no answer to foolish arguments 

“Don’t answer the foolish arguments of fools, or you will become as foolish as they are.” (Prov. 26:4 NLT)

“Do not speak in the hearing of a fool, for he will despise the good sense of your words.” (Prov. 23:9 ESV)

“A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back.” (Prov. 29:11 ESV)

Stay away from argumentative people

“Stay away from those who have foolish arguments and talk about useless family histories and argue and quarrel about the law. Those things are worth nothing and will not help anyone” (Titus 3:9 NCV).

“A wicked person listens to deceitful lips; a liar pays attention to a destructive tongue.” (Prov. 17:4 NIV)

Therefore…

“Do all things without grumbling or questioning…” (Phil. 2:14 ESV)

“Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.” (Titus 3:1-2 ESV)

“Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.” (Prov. 19:11 ESV)

Quote:

“One day, we’re going to give an account of every word we used on the Internet or our phones. That ought to give anyone pause before they post anything.” – Rick Warren