Excellence

Thoughts on and notes from Becoming a Woman of Excellence by Cynthia Heald (First Study: "The Goal Worth Pursuing"):

"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 remain aincere and blameless until the day of Christ."

-Philippians 1:9,10

Motivation: to point to the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31)

To be excellent, dwell on excellent things. (Philippians 4:8)

If there is one thing worthy of excellence (worthy of my best at the moment and my desire and pursuit to become better), it is loving God, and then loving others. (Matthew 22:36-39)

How do we receive power to become better? To fill our mind with excellent things? From God, asking Him through prayer. Pray this for ourselves and for others: that we may be filled with the knowledge of His will so that we can walk in a manner pleasing and worthy of the Lord, bear fruit, and increase in the knowledge of God Himself. (Colossians 1:9,10)

Also, Isaiah 43:10: He proclaims us as His witnesses so that we may know Him, believe Him, and understand that He is who He says He is.

Let us be diligent in these things: to come before the Lord, never being bound to shame, allowing ourselves to be approved to God as His workmen, pursuing accuracy in handling the truth. (2 Timothy 2:15)

Let us dwell on the word of truth so that we can handle it with accuracy and give opportunity through obedience for God to reveal His truth and power. With His Word we shall renew our minds to be strong in the Lord and for the Lord, emptying ourselves and presenting ourselves as clean vessels, ready and equipped to do the will of God.

"Exellence is not perfection, but essentially a desire to be strong in the Lord and for the Lord."

-Cynthia Heald

"Do we so appreciate the marvelous salvation of Jesus Christ that we are our utmost for His highest?"

-Oswald Chambers

Goal: to be diligent in pursuing the meaning of excellence and how to live it out as a woman.

"I know of no other single practice in the Christian life more rewarding, practically speaking, than memorizing Scripture. That's right. No other single discipline is more useful and rewarding than this. No other single exercise pays greater spiritual dividends! Your mind will become alert and observant. Your confidence and assurance will be enhanced. Your faith will be solidified."

-Charles R. Swindoll