Strive For Excellence

This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.  

 Joshua 1:8

Part of being in a right relationship with God is knowing His specific will for our life. a good illustration of this is Joshua. God's will for Joshua was very specific and ensured Joshua's spiritual success. Talents, positions and titles given by man will only take us so far. In order to be spiritually successful in our work for God make sure that you:

        ARE CALLED OF GOD

We will not be successful in our spiritual efforts unless we know and minister in the specific calling of God, using the spiritual gifts which He has given us.  Operating outside of the will of God for uour life may give us material or temperol success but does nothing for our spiritual success.

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.  Jeremiah 29:11

        EXPERIENCE THE PRESENCE OF GOD

It is the presence of God that prospers ministry:

And the Lord was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. And his master saw that the Lord was with him, and that the Lord made all that he did to prosper in his hand.  Genesis 39:2-3

God can only be "with you" when you are walking in fellowship with Him, ministering in your specific calling, and living a holy life.

        HAVE THE ANOINTING OF GOD

We need this anointing to be successful in ministry.

And the Spirit of the Lord will come upon thee, and thou shalt prophesy with them, and shalt be turned into another man.  And let it be, when these signs are come unto thee, that thou do as occasion serve thee; for God is with thee.  1 Samuel 10:6-7

        FACE PROBLEMS AND DECISIONS

Refusing to face problems and decisions leads to failure. Confront problems promptly and make decisions wisely.  The Lord had to prompt Joshua when he wallowed before God in self pity.

And the Lord said unto Joshua, Get thee up; wherefore liest thou thus upon thy face?  Joshua 7:10

        KNOW YOUR PURPOSE

God has a specific purpose for each believer. Knowing your purpose involves having spiritual vision, a knowledge of why you exist and what God has called you to do.

A man with a vision does not live in the past, fretting over mistakes and failures or gloating over success. A vision and clear knowledge of purpose helps us focus on the future. As Apostle Paul said:

Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before.  

Philippians 3:13

         HAVE A PLAN

You will never achieve your purpose unless you have a plan to do so.

And the Lord answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.  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

        IMPLEMENT THE PLAN

Having a good plan is not enough to achieve your purpose in ministry. You must also implement the plan. You must be able to organize, delegate, and supervise. One test of good spiritual leadership is whether or not it results in the successful achievement of God's purposes and plans.

        LIVE A HOLY LIFE

We can only be successful in ministry if we live a holy life and meet the qualifications for leaders. Sin guarantees failure. Holiness assures success.

He that covereth his sins shall not prosper; but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.  Proverbs 28:13

        SEEK WISDOM FROM GOD

Human wisdom is not sufficient to make good decisions and lead others. You must have wisdom from God to be a successful leader:

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.  James 1:5

        STRIVE FOR EXCELLENCE

Do not settle for "good enough".  Strive for excellence:

That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ.   Philippians 1:10

        DO ALL FOR GOD'S GLORY

If you do everything for God's glory instead of your own, you will be successful:

And whatsoever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God. . .   Colossians 3:17

        SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM

You will be successful if the Kingdom of God is your priority:

But seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness; and all these things (including success) shall be added unto you.   Matthew 6:33

Kingdom priorities can be set through proper organization. 

But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.  Acts 6:4

        FOLLOW THE EXAMPLE

Jesus is the example of the greatest spiritual leader. Jesus said:

For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.   John 13:15

When you compare yourself to anything other than the example of Jesus Christ, it is not good. 

For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.  2 Corinthians 10:12

• Jacob compared Joseph to his brothers and set in motion events motivated by jealousy and hatred. 
• The people of Israel compared themselves to other nations and adopted their wicked ways. 
• Saul heard a comparison of himself and David and was poisoned by jealousy.

Comparison may be useful to stretch your vision and challenge you to fulfill your potential. But another person's achievements are not the standard for your life. Your success is not measured in relation to the performance of others. For this reason Peter's question to the Lord about John, "Lord, what about this man", received a rebuke, 

Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do?  Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.   John 21:21-22

Actually, success can be easily summarized in one statement:

Follow the example of Jesus in 

decision, discipline, direction, and determination.

Apostle Paul did this:

Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.  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.  I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air; 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.   1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Apostle Paul made a decision. He wanted to be successful. He wanted to win the "race" of life (Verse 24). 

To do this, he realized he must be disciplined, which means to be temperate in all things (Verses 25 and 27). 

He had direction. He did not run or fight aimlessly. He was not uncertain about his purpose or plans (Verse 26). 

He was also determined to obtain; to be successful (Verses 24-25).

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