This week at Haven we studied Excellence vs Perfection. I have to confess, I had my toes stepped on a lot! I'm an all or nothing kind of person, which can be a good thing and a bad thing. Perfectionist tendencies means that I tend to make myself neurotic in getting it right, or not doing it all. But what does God say? Does He expect perfection from us?
Actually, God expects excellence from us. He knows we aren't perfect. That's way He sent Jesus to us. Jesus was the only perfect one. We are wasting our time when we are seeking perfection or asking our children to be perfect. We will not attain! But we can certainly strive for excellence and He expects us too. Michael J Fox said, "I am careful not to confuse excellence with perfection. Excellence, I can reach for; Perfection is God's business." Edwin Bliss once said, "The pursuit of excellence is gratifying and healthy. The pursuit of perfection is frustrating, neurotic, and a terrible waste of time."
Excellence is to do a common thing in an uncommon way. How on earth do we do that? This strikes me as a perfect parallel for living through grace, as opposed to the law. No one could keep the perfect letter of the law. Perfection is legalistic. Excellence is striving to be better than what you already are. When you strive for perfection, You will always be miserable because that’s a standard that you will never achieve. But when you strive for excellence, you will stay motivated because you just have to grow as a person and become better than what you are. How can we do that? Phil. 4:8 "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." also 1 Cor 12:31 "But eagerly desire the greater gifts. And now I will show you the most excellent way." The most Excellent Way = LOVE! If you will notice, when He explains excellence, he goes right into the famous love chapter 1 Cor 13. We can't do anything of excellence without putting love into it! I encourage you to go read that chapter!
Henry Kissinger, in his book The Whitehouse Years, tells of a Harvard professor who had given an assignment and now was collecting the papers. He handed them back the next day and at the bottom of one was written, "Is this the best you can do?" The student thought, "no," and redid the paper. It was handed in again, and received the same comment. This went on ten times, till finally the student said, "Yes, this is the best I can do." The professor replied, "Fine, now I'll read it." What if God did that? What if every time we did something, He asked us, is this the best you can do? That's what He wants from us. Our Best! And He deserves it, after all, He gave us His best.
What kind of things keep us from excellence? Cynthia Heald lists these 7 things that keep us from achieving excellence:
Unconfessed Sin- Psalm 32:3-5; Anger-Eph 4:26; An unforgiving spirit-Eph 4:32; Self-centeredness-Phil 2:3-4; Anxiety-Phil. 4:6-7;. Neglecting responsibilities-Pro 31:27; Fatigue Psalm 127:1-2 Physical Disorders-2Cor 12:7-10
I found this on the internet and the author is unknown. I wish I knew who wrote it. It's full of wisdom. I pray you will take the journey of excellence, and give up on perfection. He never asked that of us anyway.
Excellence vs. Perfection
_____________________________
Perfection is being right.
Excellence is being willing to be wrong.
_____________________________
Perfection is fear.
Excellence is taking a risk
____________________________
Perfection is anger and frustration.
Excellence is powerful
_____________________________
Perfection is control
Excellence is spontaneous
_____________________________
Perfection is judgment
Excellence is accepting
_____________________________
Perfection is taking
Excellence is giving
_____________________________
Perfection is doubt
Excellence is confidence
_____________________________
Perfection is pressure
Excellence is natural
_____________________________
Perfection is the destination
Excellence is the journey
____________________________
-author unknown
www.natalielowe.blogspot.com
Friday, March 27, 2009
Saturday, March 21, 2009
One Thing
The enemy uses BUSY-ness to make us ineffective for the kingdom. How many times have I been busy in the name of the Lord, and totally ineffective?
One thing, Christ always did, was point to the Father. Always, Always, He was about the Father’s business. Not anything else. He hoped to please His Father. He loved Him that much. I’ve always thought by serving God through the church, and various other activities, I would be pleasing the Father. Yet, if I am not very careful, I can be pulled into an idol. I could spend more time serving, than worshipping. I could spend more time fellowshipping, than praying. I could spend more time fixing my hair and getting ready for church, than having a relationship with the King. I could spend more time driving to the church, than praising My God. I could spend more time eating donuts and drinking coffee, than learning. I could spend more time griping about someone’s outfit; than listening to His Word. Do the things I do, speak or even think, at church or elsewhere always point to the FATHER? Ashamedly, I would have to answer “no.”
The only time I know without a doubt that I am doing the “One thing” is when I’m sitting at my Daddy’s feet. When I’m doing my Bible study. When I’m praising and worshipping my Lord and Savior. When I’m teaching His Word. Most other times, it’s about me. In Luke 10:38-42, 38As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. 40But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!"
41"Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, 42but only one thing is needed.[a] Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."
I would like to point out some things that God put in my heart about these verses that you may have missed before……First, we see Mary sitting at Jesus’ feet hearing His words. My Strong’s dictionary says “Hear” is to understand and give audience to. Mary sat at Jesus’ feet and gave audience to Him. She understood Him. How often do we hear but we don’t understand? Do you come before Him to sit at His feet, to understand Him, to give audience to Him??? To really HEAR Him?
The Bible says her sister Martha was encumbered(KJV) with much serving. Encumbered is to “drag all around” or “distracted.” What keeps you encumbered? The fight with the kids on the way to church? The bills on the kitchen counter? The deadline at work you were supposed to finish last night? The laundry piled up? The things you need to do when you leave? I don’t know about you, but I’ve been encumbered with much serving. I have been encumbered with the fight with the kids. I have walked in the door on Sunday morning and dragged it around with me and been distracted with it. Distracted enough to not even let God in.
Distracted enough to do little else but complain, which is exactly what Martha did. “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to serve alone?” And Jesus replied, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things, but only ONE THING is needed.” “Natalie, Natalie, you are worried and troubled about many things, but only ONE THING is needed.”
ONE THING means “primary”. Needed means “required, requirement, demanded.” It’s as if Christ is saying, “Natalie you have only one primary requirement. Only one thing I demand of you.” Mary chose the better part and it will not be taken away from her.
Do you see what He is saying? It was her choice!! Mary CHOSE the better part(portion or share!) and because she did, it won’t be taken away from her. Mary CHOSE to get her PORTION or SHARE of Christ and he certainly wasn’t going to take it away from.
Sometimes we get so caught up in doing, we lose site of the better part. We forget to stop and CHOOSE to get our Portion or Share of Christ!! In Psalm 119:57-58 “You are my portion, O Lord, I have promised to obey your words. I have sought your face with all my heart; be gracious to me according to your promise..”
I have a tendency to become like Martha. I have to make a conscience choice, to be prayed up when I walk in the door. To choose to do my quiet time. To choose the better part. To choose to read my Bible. To choose to lay down the things I’m encumbered with and pick up the garment of praise. If I mess up my priorities. Then my portion is taken away. My portion is my joy and freedom in the Lord to love and serve Him as He wishes not as I wish. Because when I sit at His feet, when I focus on Him, when I do everything around Him, it doesn’t matter what happens.
But when I choose the wrong way, when I become encumbered and then drag it around with me; I drag myself down. I drag others down. And I lose my portion of joy. If I seek His face with all my heart and follow his precepts, by doing the ONE THING, then the enemy won’t be able to steal my joy.
I will be doing the ONE THING. Loving Him with all my heart, my soul, and my mind. Listening to His Word, obeying and keeping Him first and not turning things of this world into idols and distractions that take away from the better part. He doesn’t force us. It’s our choice. Will we choose the better part or continue to be encumbered?? When is the last time you sat at your Daddy’s feet and rightfully chose to drink in your portion? To lay your head in his lap? Are you worried and troubled about many things? Right now, He is saying to you, only one thing is needed. How can we be true servants of Christ, if we forget the One Thing?
“Be still and KNOW that I am God.” Psalm 46:10
Is there an area in your life He is telling you to be still and know that He is God?
"One Thing"
Only one thing is needed
Don’t you know by now?
You won’t be defeated
I will show you how.
Just sit at my feet
And lay your head in my lap.
And there we will meet
Don’t let anything distract.
Don’t be upset and don’t you worry
Just be still and know!
Don’t be too busy or in a hurry
Just let our time together grow.
And soon you will understand
The ONE THING is life’s best.
You are my beloved friend
And I want to give you rest.
So hush my child,
Just come to me.
I’m waiting my child
To set you free.
I haven’t moved
I’m still waiting on you.
Haven’t I proved,
I have nothing but the best in store for you?
Choose what is better
It will not be taken away!
Choose what is better
Your heart with mine to stay! By Natalie Lowe 3-9-09
Luke 10:41-42 41"Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, 42but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."
“_____________________, ______________________”the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, 42but only one thing is needed!!!
www.natalielowe.blogspot.com
One thing, Christ always did, was point to the Father. Always, Always, He was about the Father’s business. Not anything else. He hoped to please His Father. He loved Him that much. I’ve always thought by serving God through the church, and various other activities, I would be pleasing the Father. Yet, if I am not very careful, I can be pulled into an idol. I could spend more time serving, than worshipping. I could spend more time fellowshipping, than praying. I could spend more time fixing my hair and getting ready for church, than having a relationship with the King. I could spend more time driving to the church, than praising My God. I could spend more time eating donuts and drinking coffee, than learning. I could spend more time griping about someone’s outfit; than listening to His Word. Do the things I do, speak or even think, at church or elsewhere always point to the FATHER? Ashamedly, I would have to answer “no.”
The only time I know without a doubt that I am doing the “One thing” is when I’m sitting at my Daddy’s feet. When I’m doing my Bible study. When I’m praising and worshipping my Lord and Savior. When I’m teaching His Word. Most other times, it’s about me. In Luke 10:38-42, 38As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. 40But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!"
41"Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, 42but only one thing is needed.[a] Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."
I would like to point out some things that God put in my heart about these verses that you may have missed before……First, we see Mary sitting at Jesus’ feet hearing His words. My Strong’s dictionary says “Hear” is to understand and give audience to. Mary sat at Jesus’ feet and gave audience to Him. She understood Him. How often do we hear but we don’t understand? Do you come before Him to sit at His feet, to understand Him, to give audience to Him??? To really HEAR Him?
The Bible says her sister Martha was encumbered(KJV) with much serving. Encumbered is to “drag all around” or “distracted.” What keeps you encumbered? The fight with the kids on the way to church? The bills on the kitchen counter? The deadline at work you were supposed to finish last night? The laundry piled up? The things you need to do when you leave? I don’t know about you, but I’ve been encumbered with much serving. I have been encumbered with the fight with the kids. I have walked in the door on Sunday morning and dragged it around with me and been distracted with it. Distracted enough to not even let God in.
Distracted enough to do little else but complain, which is exactly what Martha did. “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to serve alone?” And Jesus replied, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things, but only ONE THING is needed.” “Natalie, Natalie, you are worried and troubled about many things, but only ONE THING is needed.”
ONE THING means “primary”. Needed means “required, requirement, demanded.” It’s as if Christ is saying, “Natalie you have only one primary requirement. Only one thing I demand of you.” Mary chose the better part and it will not be taken away from her.
Do you see what He is saying? It was her choice!! Mary CHOSE the better part(portion or share!) and because she did, it won’t be taken away from her. Mary CHOSE to get her PORTION or SHARE of Christ and he certainly wasn’t going to take it away from.
Sometimes we get so caught up in doing, we lose site of the better part. We forget to stop and CHOOSE to get our Portion or Share of Christ!! In Psalm 119:57-58 “You are my portion, O Lord, I have promised to obey your words. I have sought your face with all my heart; be gracious to me according to your promise..”
I have a tendency to become like Martha. I have to make a conscience choice, to be prayed up when I walk in the door. To choose to do my quiet time. To choose the better part. To choose to read my Bible. To choose to lay down the things I’m encumbered with and pick up the garment of praise. If I mess up my priorities. Then my portion is taken away. My portion is my joy and freedom in the Lord to love and serve Him as He wishes not as I wish. Because when I sit at His feet, when I focus on Him, when I do everything around Him, it doesn’t matter what happens.
But when I choose the wrong way, when I become encumbered and then drag it around with me; I drag myself down. I drag others down. And I lose my portion of joy. If I seek His face with all my heart and follow his precepts, by doing the ONE THING, then the enemy won’t be able to steal my joy.
I will be doing the ONE THING. Loving Him with all my heart, my soul, and my mind. Listening to His Word, obeying and keeping Him first and not turning things of this world into idols and distractions that take away from the better part. He doesn’t force us. It’s our choice. Will we choose the better part or continue to be encumbered?? When is the last time you sat at your Daddy’s feet and rightfully chose to drink in your portion? To lay your head in his lap? Are you worried and troubled about many things? Right now, He is saying to you, only one thing is needed. How can we be true servants of Christ, if we forget the One Thing?
“Be still and KNOW that I am God.” Psalm 46:10
Is there an area in your life He is telling you to be still and know that He is God?
"One Thing"
Only one thing is needed
Don’t you know by now?
You won’t be defeated
I will show you how.
Just sit at my feet
And lay your head in my lap.
And there we will meet
Don’t let anything distract.
Don’t be upset and don’t you worry
Just be still and know!
Don’t be too busy or in a hurry
Just let our time together grow.
And soon you will understand
The ONE THING is life’s best.
You are my beloved friend
And I want to give you rest.
So hush my child,
Just come to me.
I’m waiting my child
To set you free.
I haven’t moved
I’m still waiting on you.
Haven’t I proved,
I have nothing but the best in store for you?
Choose what is better
It will not be taken away!
Choose what is better
Your heart with mine to stay! By Natalie Lowe 3-9-09
Luke 10:41-42 41"Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, 42but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."
“_____________________, ______________________”the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, 42but only one thing is needed!!!
www.natalielowe.blogspot.com
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