Nine Steps to Achieving Christian Excellence

     1 Corinthians 12:31 And yet I show you a more excellent way

1. DECIDE YOU WANT TO EXCEL Philippians 1:10 that you may approve the things that are excellent.

2. FOLLOW THE APOSTLES'PATTERN

     2 Thessalonians 2:15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our      epistle.

3. CONCENTRATE ON WHAT WORKS FOR YOU

     1 Corinthians 12:12, 27

     12 For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is      Christ. 27 Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.

4. TAKE THE INITIATIVE AND START

     Ecclesiastes 9:10 Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might.

5. CONCENTRATE ON THE BENEFITS AS WELL AS THE OBLIGATIONS

     Matthew 25:23 His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you      ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.'

6. REMEMBER THE PAST TO HELP YOU, BUT NOT TO HURT YOU Philippians 3:13-14

     13 forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead,
     14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

7. BE CONFIDENT, BUT NOT CONCEITED

     2 Timothy 1:7

     7 For God has not given us a spirit offear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

8. COMPARE WITH OTHERS FOR MOTIVATION, BUT NOT TO DESPAIR

     1 Corinthians 11:1 - Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.

9. PERSEVERE

     Hebrews 6:11-12

     11 And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end,
     12 that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

April 25, 1999 Pasted from