Rhapsody of Realities Daily Devotional ; Monday, 27th May 2019 ;
Pastor Chris Oyakhilome DSc., DD ;
EXCELLENCE REQUIRES DISCIPLINE ;
Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men (Proverbs 22:29).
When it comes to the quality of your work, it’s either what you do is excellent or it’s lackluster. As a child of God, whatever you do, wherever you work, make up your mind to be excellent, because you’re of an excellent spirit. Tell yourself, “If it’s not excellent, I’m not done.” Everything you do and are involved with must be the best because you’re a child of the best. Don’t settle for average. To be excellent, you’ve got to practice it. If you’re a structural engineer, for example, don’t construct mediocre structures; structures that can’t, and wouldn’t stand the test. Go all out to apply the right engineering principles and technology to build quality design and construction. Refuse to cut corners; use only the best materials.
“I’m only a janitor!” someone might say, but it makes no difference. Be excellent. Discipline yourself well enough to carry out your responsibilities with due diligence. Follow the standard operating procedures and use your checklists. Carry out detailed research on your work, on the right tools and materials you need to make you the best and the preferred amongst many other great options. Distinguish yourself as someone with an excellent spirit. The Bible says concerning Daniel, “…an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm” (Daniel 6:3).
Yes. Excellence makes you a leader, but it requires discipline. The Bible says, “And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things…” (1 Corinthians 9:25). The word, “temperate” means discipline, to have self-control. 1 Corinthians 9:27, “But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection….” Again, this refers to discipline; subjecting yourself to the right and necessary training, and sometimes rigors, in order to be the best at what you do. There’s excellence in your spirit, and it’ll manifest in all you do as you carry out your assignments with a lot more diligence.
CONFESSION
I have an excellent spirit, and I produce excellent results in all I do. The Holy Spirit is at work in me, both to will and to deliver excellence, in accordance with His perfect will. I’m a success, because I function with the wisdom of Christ and His superabundant grace. Glory to God!
FURTHER STUDY:
Proverbs 10:4 MSG
Sloth makes you poor; diligence brings wealth.
Philippians 4:8 NIV
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.
1 Corinthians 9:23-27
23 And this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.
24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown, but we an incorruptible.
26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:
27 But I keep under my body and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
DAILY SCRIPTURE READING
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
John 13:1-30 & 2 Kings 20-22
2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
Mark 13:12-23 & Numbers 30