Posted on 02/20/2023 4:59:21 AM PST by metmom
"So that you may approve the things that are excellent" (Phil. 1:10).
In a world of mediocrity and confusion, God calls you to excellence and discernment.
There's the story of a pilot who came on the loudspeaker mid flight and said, "I have some good news and bad news. The bad news is we've lost all our instrumentation and don't know where we are. The good news is we have a strong tail wind and are making great time." That's an accurate picture of how many people live: they have no direction in life but they're getting there fast!
We as Christians are to be different because we have divine guidance and eternal goals. Our lives are to be marked by a confident trust in God and a pursuit of spiritual excellence.
"Excellent" in Philippians 1:10 speaks of things that are worthwhile and vital. Approving what is excellent refers to testing things as one would test a precious metal to determine its purity and value. It goes beyond knowing good from evil. It distinguishes between better and best. It involves thinking biblically and focusing your time and energy on what really counts. It involves cultivating spiritual discipline and not being controlled by your emotions, whims, moods, or circumstances.
Many organizations and businesses have adopted the motto, "Commitment to Excellence" to convey their desire to provide the finest product or service possible. If secular-minded people strive for that level of achievement, how much more should Christians pursue excellence for the glory of God!
Look at your life. Is it filled with godly love, discernment, and the pursuit of excellence—or has worldly trivia crowded out those virtues?
Suggestions for Prayer
Read Isaiah 12:1-6 as a psalm of praise to the God of excellence.
Ask God to give you a heart constantly set on pursuing excellence for His glory.
For Further Study
Daniel was a man who pursued excellence. Read Daniel 1:1—2:21.
What was Daniel's decision regarding the king's food and wine, and how did he handle the situation?
How did Daniel and his three friends compare in wisdom and understanding to the magicians and conjurers?
What principles do you see in those two chapters that apply to your life?
From Drawing Near by John MacArthur Copyright © 1993. Used by permission of Crossway Books, a division of Good News Publishers, Wheaton, IL 60187, www.crossway.com.
Studying God’s Word ping
Our Abba Father
Dear Heavenly Father, I bless You and praise Your name that I should be called Your child, and that I can come before Your throne of grace, Abba, my Father.
Thank You that I have been born into Your family and have been made a joint-heir with the Lord Jesus Christ.
Thank You that I have been given the indwelling Holy Spirit to lead and guide and have not been given the spirit of fear.
Lead me Abba Father in the way that You would have me go and may all glory and blessing be given to You, for only You are worthy of our praise and worship.
Amen.
“For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father!” (Romans 8:15)
Source: https://prayer.knowing-jesus.com/Prayers-of-Blessings#290
And in that day thou shalt say, O LORD, I will praise thee: though thou wast angry with me, thine anger is turned away, and thou comfortedst me. Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.
Isaiah 12:1-6 KJV
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