Have you ever come to the end of a season in your life that you believed you have worked very hard, you were sincere in your efforts, and believed you were productive but to find no gain or reward? Then you know how it feels when the pursuit of excellence is merely a pursuit.

Heavenly Father, we ask for humble spirits. As we study your Word may we gain wisdom. May our heart and mind desire to pursue what is good and acceptable to you, Lord. May we always be thankful for your many blessings. In Jesus name. Amen.

Really in this life what pursuit is profitable?
Jesus asked this question to his disciples. In Matthew 16:24-27 Jesus is explaining the paradox of discipleship; to lose life is to find it; to die is to live. To deny oneself is not to assume some false, external self-discipline, but to put the interest of God’s kingdom first and foremost in one’s life. To take up the cross does not mean to endure some irritating responsibility, but to give up self-centered ambitions. Such sacrifices result in eternal life and the fullest experience of kingdom life now.

The Study 

Complete p.7-12 which gives insight to the motivation that drives one to excellence. This is a tough lesson. I discovered things about myself….well lets just say God is not finished with me yet. Many things are not easy, there are few things in life you really enjoy doing that don’t require practice to be proficient. So don’t be discouraged. Be motivated to be the woman of Proverbs 31, a woman of excellence. Excellence with Simple Elegance: The Study.

Both books can be purchased easily by copying &  pasting this website to your browser. Purchase The Study (workbook) for $8.99 and Excellence with Simple Elegance will be Free.

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Identify what inflated expectations, unrealistic dreams, difficult seasons and unfair consequences that have emerged into your life  hindering you from experiencing the abundance that God has for you. A life of purpose, hope, and fulfillment.

Read the story of Eve in Genesis 1-3.

Identify what motivated Eve. What did Eve hope to gain? Author Anne Graham Lotz wrote a devotional thought titled ‘Consider the Consequence’. She speaks of Eve’s sin and the consequence she endured.
“ There are serious consequences to sin. Always. Without exception. Adam ate the forbidden fruit his wife had offered, ‘Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked’ (Gen. 3:7, NIV).
Satan had told Eve her eyes would be opened and she would be like God, knowing good and evil. In one sense he had been right. Eve’s eyes were opened, but in a grotesque way. She knew good, but also that she was separated from it. She knew evil because now she was saturated in it. She knew good and evil in a way God never intended her to know — through her own experience. And she was deeply ashamed.”

Scripture tells us that we have all sinned and come short of the glory of God. We have to concede that many times it is our actions, our choices and our reaction to life’s experiences that bring about disappointment, lack of purpose and unfulfillment in our life.

Excellence, Simple,  Elegance       Write their definitions down, and grasp the impact these principles can have on your life when fully embraced.

The principles of Excellence will change your perspective, your outlook, your plan and how you operate on a daily basis. This commitment to excellence can shift your thinking and bring about drastic change, not only in your own life, but in the lives you serve.

1. Identify your day-to-day activities
2. Identify the big things that matter to you and God.
3. Are the activities that occupy your day taking you away from what really matters?
4. Are you using your influence to further God ‘s kingdom?
5. Are you truly experiencing the kingdom life in your day-to-day activities?

“If you know God’s purpose for your life and focus your energies into fulfilling it, you will run your spiritual race with excellence.” John Osteen

Promise       

“delight yourself in the Lord, and He shall give you the desire of your heart..”

Blessing
“The Lord bless you, and may you see the prosperity all the day of your life.”