TOPIC: EXCELLENCE BY THE SPIRIT
MEMORIZE:
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
READ: Acts 6:1-8
1 And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.
2 Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.
3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.
5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:
6 Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.
7 And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.
8 And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.
MESSAGE
When people say, "You can do better than your best," they mean that a person can still improve on his or her greatest achievement. However, when we talk about excellence, it means that something is so good that it cannot be improved upon.
In Luke 1:31-32, the angel told Mary that the baby she was about to conceive would be great. In Philippians 2:9-11, the Bible says that God gave Him a name that is above all names. John 3:34 also says that God gave Jesus the Holy Spirit without measure. What determines how great a believer will become is how full of the Holy Spirit he or she is. Jesus was excellent because He did not carry the Holy Spirit in a measure; He was totally full of the Holy Spirit.
One of my children once came to me and asked, "Daddy, do you know the Bible very well? Who is Prochorus?" I asked, "Is that name in the Bible?" He then said, "I thought you said you know the Bible." He asked again, "Who is Nicanor?" I told him I didn't know. "Who is Timon?" I said, "You mean Simon?" He said, "No, Timon." I replied that I didn't know Timon. Then, he told me that all the names he mentioned were part of the first seven deacons. This shows that in a group of selected people with the same qualifications and experience, some of them will still stand out as being excellent. They all had the same qualifications; however, when asked to list the names of the first deacons in the Bible, most people will only mention Stephen and Phillip.
In today's Bible reading, we see that Stephen was excellent and did great wonders and miracles among the people because he was full of faith, power, and the Holy Spirit. Being full of the Holy Spirit is in different levels, and your level of thirst will determine the level of fullness you will operate in. Beloved, to achieve excellence, prioritize being filled with the Holy Spirit at all times. Spend quality time in God's presence, praising and worshipping Him. As you do this, you will become full of the Holy Spirit, and you will be empowered to excel even above those who are considered to be the best.
PRAYER POINT
Holy Spirit, please fill me until I overflow, in Jesus’ name.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Chronicles 13-16
AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A ADEBOYE
HYMN 24: I WANT TO BE LIKE JESUS
1 I want to be like Jesus,
So lowly and so meek;
For no one marked an angry word
That ever heard him speak.
2 I want to be like Jesus,
God's well beloved Son;
I want to be like Jesus,
The pure and holy One.
3 I want to be like Jesus,
So frequently in prayer;
Alone upon the mountain top,
He met his Father there.
4 I want to be like Jesus,
Engaged in doing good,
So that of me it may be said,
He hath done what he could.
5 Alas! I'm not like Jesus,
As any one may see;
Thy gentle Spirit, Savior, send,
And make me like to thee.
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