Three little, powerful words to encourage us on, no matter where we are (successful in the world’s eyes or in a not so successful season of days): excel still more. I say “in the world’s eyes” because things may look so different from God’s perspective. What we see and enjoy as success, He may KNOW is a detour from His perfect plan; and likewise, what we are considering a complete waste and failure, He sees as the perfect tool and path to make us exactly who He wants us to become: conforming us to the image of His Son (see Romans 8:28-29).
Amplified version of 2 Thess. 4:1 reads, “Furthermore, brethren, we beg and admonish you in [virtue of our union with] the Lord Jesus, that [you follow the instructions which] you learned from us about how you ought to walk so as to please and gratify God, as indeed you are doing, [and ] that you do so even more and more abundantly [attaining yet greater perfection in living this life].”
Hey, you’re actually doing it. Good job. But don’t be satisfied to stay there.
May we always have this attitude, looking to Jesus for our direction (“I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you.” Ps. 32:8), and “forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead,” let us press on to lay hold of (grasp) and make my own, that for which Christ Jesus (the Messiah) has laid hold of me and made me His own, and press on toward the goal…Phil 3:12-14.. and excel still more.
Don’t settle. Keep growing, keep grasping, keep seeking His face, and keep being transformed by the power of the Word, by the renewing of your mind.
We beg and admonish you, request and exhort you to “walk in a manner worthy of the Lord,
to please Him in all respects,
bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might,
for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience;
joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light.” Col 1:10-12
You are doing it and doing it well yet, “Excel still more!”
Taste and see that I am good...partake...and be enabled to "excel still more" for it is I who works in you to will and act according to My good purpose. Psalm 32:8, Phil. 2:13
3 comments:
I love it Traci and I love that you have stepped out in faith. I can't wait to bookmark you as soon as I post this comment! What fun :) It will be a blessing for me to hear again those precious, rich, and powerful tokens taken from your time spent in God's word.
Hi Traci!
Looking forward to reading these devotionals. You are truly using the gifts God has given you. (Good job Anna or Rachel!)
Traci, I can't tell you happy I am to hear from you again and all that God has put on your heart to share. I also received your Christmas card today and LOVE it! All my old phone numbers for you are wrong, but I would sooo love to talk to you and plan a visit w/ your family. Call me at 803-960-0283 or email: betsysd2002@yahoo.com. Merry CHRISTmas!!!! Betsy
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