A Spirit of Excellence – Part II

Publish date: 09/30/2017

Foundation Scriptures:
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 KJV

A good (healthy) tree cannot bear bad (worthless) fruit, nor can a bad (diseased) tree bear excellent fruit [worthy of admiration]. Matthew 7:18 AMPC

1. A Spirit of Excellence Has a Positive Attitude and Directs How You Think, Speak, and Act.
For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. Proverbs 23:7 AMPC
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; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Philippians 4:8 KJV
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they who indulge in it shall eat the fruit of it [for death or life]. Proverbs 18:21 AMPC
Your thoughts shape and direct your attitude. Your attitude shapes and directs your every choice, word, and action. This means that whatever you think, ponder, and meditate on continually is the real you. If your thinking is stinking then so is your life.
Your attitude is contagious. Is yours worth catching?
You must have a positive image of yourself, and know who you are in Christ Jesus. Many people are held back because they are their own worst enemy. What is your opinion of yourself? What is God’s opinion of you? A spirit of excellence makes no room for insecurity.
Many, presently, are not where they want to be because of what they spoke over themselves in the past. Your thinking and speaking are either producing life or death.
A positive attitude is enthusiastic and is excited about the future and life. A negative attitude is depressed, discouraged, and pessimistic.

2. A Spirit of Excellence Establishes Plans, Works Hard, and Succeeds. Roll your works upon the Lord [commit and trust them wholly to Him; He will cause your thoughts to become agreeable to His will, and] so shall your plans be established and succeed. Proverbs 16:3 AMPC
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. 5 Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. Psalm 37:4-5 KJV
You must have goals in your life. You cannot hit a target that you do not have and cannot see. Where do you want to be a week, month, year, or decade from now? Small and consistent steps will lead to and produce big results.
If you have a destination that you are trying to reach, establish your present position or starting point.
Remember the 5Ps: Proper Planning Prevents Poor Performance.<
“If I cannot do great things, I can do small things in a great way.” – Martin Luther King Jr. It’s time to dream again! Faith believes; faith dreams, and faith achieves.
Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider her ways and be wise!— 7 Which, having no chief, overseer, or ruler, 8 Provides her food in the summer and gathers her supplies in the harvest. Proverbs 6:6-8 AMPC
Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep—34 So shall your poverty come as a robber, and your want as an armed man. Proverbs 24:33-34 AMPC
Laziness is a friend to poverty and an enemy to excellence. Faith without works is dead. If a man will not work, he will not eat.
You can tell a man’s character by what he turns up when offered a job – his nose or his sleeves.
The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is the little extra.

3. A Spirit of Excellence Has Good and Godly Habits.
And the Lord answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. 3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry. Habakkuk 2:2-3 KJV
Excellence must become a habit. Habit is born in consistency.
Good habits develop excellence and ensure success. Bad habits result in discouragement, lack, and failure.
Repetition develops either good habits or bad habits in your life.
Habits are a process, not an event. Studies show that it takes 21 days to form a new habit. How do you begin developing good habits? Well begun is half done! How do you eat an elephant? You eat it one bite at a time.
Write down some of your good habits to encourage yourself. Write down some bad habits so you can change them. Examples: Relationship with God, financial stewardship, paying bills on time, keeping your word, career, diet, weight, personal hygiene, cleanliness, organized, time, work habits, and procrastination.

4. Excellence and Perfectionism Are Not the Same.
Definition of excellence: the quality of being outstanding or extremely good, distinction, quality, superiority, brilliance, greatness, merit, caliber, eminence, and mastery.
Definition of perfectionism: a personal standard, attitude, or philosophy that demands perfection and rejects anything less.
As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him. Psalm 18:30 KJV
For by the grace (unmerited favor of God) given to me I warn everyone among you not to estimate and think of himself more highly than he ought [not to have an exaggerated opinion of his own importance], but to rate his ability with sober judgment, each according to the degree of faith apportioned by God to him. Romans 12:3 AMPC
Excellence is humble, teachable, and free. Perfectionism is proud, arrogant, and legalistic. • Excellence is being led by the Holy Ghost. Perfectionism is driven. • Excellence is about preferring others. Perfectionism is only about you.  • Excellence is faith driven. Perfectionism is fear driven. • Excellence flows like a river. Perfectionism is performance with pressure. • Excellence is always green and growing. Perfectionism is ripe and rotting. • Excellence has joy. Perfectionism has depression. • Excellence is a journey. Perfectionism masks itself as a destination.

5. You Are Not in This Alone. God Is on Your Side.
When you feel weak, remember that God is strong.
In your weakness, press into His strength.
You are more than a conqueror. With God, nothing shall be impossible.
But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also. Matthew 6:33 AMP

Confession: Father, in the name of Jesus and by the power of the Holy Spirit, I ask You to help me develop an excellent spirit. I thank You for a blueprint from Heaven for my life. I thank You that I have Your favor and Word working in and through my life. I can do all things through Christ Jesus Who strengthens and loves me. I desire godly character. I ask You, Father, to show me Your ways. Burn out legalism and everything that is contrary to Your Word. I choose love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. I thank You that Your mercies are new every morning and great is Your faithfulness. I will fulfill all that You have called me to do and will produce much fruit by Your grace and for Your glory. I choose to run my Heavenly race, with joy, in Jesus’ name. Amen.