Guidelines for living.
August 27, 2026

Why You Should Cultivate Excellence in Your Life

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15



The greatest accomplishments in life - believe it or not - are made not by the smartest people in the world but by those who didn't know enough to quit. They were the ones who kept trying, kept plodding, kept practicing, who kept investigating until they stumbled onto success. That fact was driven home to me when I was studying in the university. There were two men in my classes who were geniuses. Their IQs were way up there. At the end of a class, they slapped their books shut and generally didn't open them. They were smart.

Frankly, I was among those who had to dig it out. People thought I was really gifted; no, I just knew how to work and to study. My parents spent hard earned money and sent me to school to study, not party. I knew why I was there and I made the most of the opportunity.

Learning to apply myself was something I happened to grow up with, but everybody didn't have a dad who cut the handles off of brooms, making them short enough for me to use as a kid, or has you work alongside him. But you can learn to work. You can develop discipline yourself. You can set goals and eventually reach them.

One of my heroes was Sir Edmund Hillary, who along with his Sherpa guide, Tensing, crested Mount Everest for the first time. Awesome achievement, and that before a lot of high-tech gear which climbers use today. When asked how he accomplished this when others had failed, he replied that when he was tempted to turn back, he took just one more step.

William Carey, the father of modern missions, said that his greatest ability was to plod in the face of adversity. When Thomas Edison had tried 10,000 ways to produce an incandescent globe and hadn't succeeded, he was urged to quit. He responded that he had found 10,000 ways that wouldn't work. And he would eventually find one that did. He did! I've sometimes wondered how many determined, stubborn individuals we have today with that same tenacity.

The foundation of our modern achievements was laid by thousands of unknown individuals who lived in obscurity and died unknown, who faithfully contributed to what has enabled us to send men to the moon, to circle the globe with communication, and to accomplish great and mighty things through technology and science. They laid the foundation; we have built upon their research, hard work, and trial and error. Their strength and energy, like a gradually falling barometer, were meted out in hard work, years of often-unrecognized service, and yes, blood, sweat and tears. But they did not quit. They did not look for something with less work and more money attached to it.

I've been told that in an European Cathedral, high in the rafters where no one ever goes, are some intricate carvings of exquisite beauty, done by a master craftsman whose name has long since been lost to posterity. Why did he take time to do some of his finest work, using an abutment of wood that will never be seen by the public? He valued excellence. He took seriously the admonition of the Bible that instructs: "Whatever your hands find to do, do it with all your might, for in the grave, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom" (Ecclesiastes 9:10).

Cultivate excellence. Make it a passion. Refuse to let the world and our culture shove you into the mold of mediocrity. Thank God for teachers who inspire excellence, for mothers who have the patience to bring the best out of their children, for dads who have the patience to teach a little boy how to do something. Do it, friend. Someday, you will be very glad you did.

Resource Reading: Ecclesiastes 9:1-10

Verse of the Day
Colossians 3:1 NIV
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.

My Symphonic Rock Worship Song from the "Song of Solomon" depicting the intimate love relationship between Christ and His church.
"Set me as a seal."
Click on the link to listen:
https://suno.com/s/je174LDYgJe828ru

EVIL DOERS AROUND NATIONS — GOD'S JUDGEMENT OF CORRECTION NOW SUBJECTED ON YOU

1 Pet 4:17 — For time has come for judgment to begin at house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be end of those who do not obey gospel of God?

Hear me, evil doers — workers of iniquity — around nations — altars of darkness — voices — persecutors — lovers of sin.

God has judged His house first — and finished.

You saw Red 7 vision l saw in sky after vanished was first a disciplinary action of suffering , testing which was subjected on me His house that l had fallen. and I repented as his house of my fall + shame before God & got cleansed by his blood. 1john1:7 & his word in eph5:26-27 which made me pure before God. 1Tim4:5. Thus this discplined me, corrected me & restored holiness back to me— born again — true Israel — Believer not practising sin. His word says in 1peter4:17-18 after this judgement of correction made on His house-- me & done . Now subjected to evil doers now.. thus repent, obey & live pure before God through faith in Christ or refuse will perish in sin.

My hedge was bleached — not removed — to test — to purify.

Job 2:6 — Behold, he is in your hand, but spare his life.

I was wounded — motorcycle, dog, flesh torn — but not given to death — Ps 118:18 — Lord chastened me severely, but has not given me over to death.

My faith was tested by fire — 1 Pet 1:7 — but failed NOT — gold came out pure — Job 23:10 — I shall come forth as gold.

Red No.7 means complete — John 19:30 — It is finished. My correction is done.

NOW YOUR TURN — JUDGEMENT OF CORRECTION NOW ON YOU

1 Pet 4:17 — if it begins with us first, what will be end of you?

Because God finished with His house, He now turns to you.

Your judgement of correction is now set — now subjected on you — this is order of God — Ezek 18:30 — Repent, and turn from all your transgressions, so that iniquity will not be your ruin.

This is not accident — this is ORDER on you.

And hear warning: This punishment to you will be harsher than that subjected on His house.

Luke 12:47-48 — that servant who knew his master's will, and did not prepare... shall be beaten with many stripes. For everyone to whom much is given, much will be required.

To His house — bleach hedge — wound — but spare life — to preserve for calling.

To you evil doers — many stripes — because you knew — you built altars — you sent voices — Eph 6:12 — you fought calling that fights Satan — 1 John 3:8 — you persecuted to make calling fail — Rev 12:17 — you knew.

To me — chastening of son — Heb 12:6 — whom Lord loves He chastens.

To you — wrath of judge — Heb 12:8 — if you are without chastening... then you are illegitimate and not sons.

Matt 10:15 — it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in day of judgment than for that city.
Heb 10:29 — Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled Son of God underfoot?

Voices — of evil altars — the motorcycle accident — dog hit in accident— God counted them.

Now unless you repent and live pure before God through faith in Christ, harsher correction falls — disease beyond wound — torment beyond voices — shame beyond nakedness — loss beyond flesh — Ps 11:6 — Upon wicked He will rain coals; fire and brimstone and burning wind shall be portion of their cup.

WHAT GOD DEMANDS NOW:

Repent — Acts 17:30 — God now commands all men everywhere to repent.

Believe in faith — 1 John 1:7 — blood of Jesus Christ cleanses from all sin — 1 Tim 4:5 — sanctified by Word and prayer.

Live pure — Rev 14:4-5 — These are ones not defiled... without fault before throne of God — 1 John 3:9 — whoever born of God does not practice sin.

Be true Israel — not practising sin — Matt 6:33 — seek first Kingdom and His righteousness, and much more shall be added.

IF YOU REFUSE — JUDGEMENT OF DESTRUCTION FOLLOWS

If you refuse to repent now in this correction — judgement of destruction is already appointed.

Prov 11:21 — Though hand join in hand, wicked shall not go unpunished.
1 Pet 4:18 — If righteous one scarcely saved, where will ungodly and sinner appear?
2 Thess 1:8-9 — In flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from presence of Lord.
Rev 20:15 — Anyone not found written in Book of Life was cast into lake of fire.
Gal 6:7 — Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; whatever man sows, that he will reap.

Look Up

It’s normal, as well as understandable, to spend our time, energy, and attention focusing on the here and now. We’re busy, after all. Sometimes we're preoccupied. And when we stop to really think about it, it’s difficult to perceive something beyond our five senses.

But in his letter to the Colossians, Paul encourages his fellow believers to look up:

“Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand.”
‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭1‬ ‭NLT‬‬

As you think about Paul’s words and the realities of heaven, here are four things to consider:

- First, heaven isn’t some vague, dream-like state. It’s a real place, with real people, where God is the true King.

- Second, there will come a day when we will all meet God face to face. We will no longer need faith or hope, because that which we’ve hoped for will finally be revealed.

- Third, our troubles and our heartbreaks (and even death itself) are temporary! Scripture tells us that, eventually, God will do away with pain and death and sickness and suffering—forever.

- Lastly (and most importantly), God is still on His throne, with Jesus beside Him in the place of honor. No matter how crazy, senseless, or heartbreaking the world can seem, we can have confidence knowing that nothing is outside of God’s sovereign plan.

So when you’re tempted to look around at others or look inward at yourself, look up instead. Heaven is wherever God is, and that’s the truest reality of all.

Colossians 3:1 NLT
[1] Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand.

https://bible.com/bible/116/col.3.1.NLT

Look Up

It’s normal, as well as understandable, to spend our time, energy, and attention focusing on the here and now. We’re busy, after all. Sometimes we're preoccupied. And when we stop to really think about it, it’s difficult to perceive something beyond our five senses.

But in his letter to the Colossians, Paul encourages his fellow believers to look up:

“Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand.”
‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭1‬ ‭NLT‬‬

As you think about Paul’s words and the realities of heaven, here are four things to consider:

- First, heaven isn’t some vague, dream-like state. It’s a real place, with real people, where God is the true King.

- Second, there will come a day when we will all meet God face to face. We will no longer need faith or hope, because that which we’ve hoped for will finally be revealed.

- Third, our troubles and our heartbreaks (and even death itself) are temporary! Scripture tells us that, eventually, God will do away with pain and death and sickness and suffering—forever.

- Lastly (and most importantly), God is still on His throne, with Jesus beside Him in the place of honor. No matter how crazy, senseless, or heartbreaking the world can seem, we can have confidence knowing that nothing is outside of God’s sovereign plan.

So when you’re tempted to look around at others or look inward at yourself, look up instead. Heaven is wherever God is, and that’s the truest reality of all.

WHAT IS SIN?

1 JOHN 3:4 KJV 4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.

Sin is breaking the Law, missing the mark set by God.

The word "sin" is a translation of the Greek word "hamartia" which means to miss the mark.

ROMANS 3:23 NLT 23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God's glorious standard.

Religious tradition labels many things as sin which the Bible does not. People make up all kinds of rules based on what they think is right. But God is the judge and only God can decree what sin is.

MARK 7:9 KJV 9 And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.

God has not left us to wonder what sin is. The Bible reveals it to us. We don't have to guess, or make it up as we go.

Just because you do something someone else thinks is wrong does not mean it is a sin. So don't let people condemn you over things the Bible does not clearly say are wrong. God is the judge.

COLOSSIANS 2:8 NKJ 8 Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.

Another error is to think being tempted is a sin. Temptation itself is not sin. You cannot help being tempted. Even Jesus was tempted -- but He never yielded.

HEBREWS 4:15 NKJ 15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.

A common mistake is believing that having bad thoughts is a sin. It is not a sin to be tempted with bad thoughts. It only becomes a sin when we embrace those thoughts as our own and decide to act on them.

JAMES 1:15 NLT 15 These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.

God is against sin because it is deadly. Sin brings forth death, not life and blessing. God loves people, so He is against everything that harms people.

All sin harms people. (Just because you don't see how a sin would harm anyone, does not mean you know more than God.)

But no human can be right with God by never sinning. We have all fallen short and need a Savior. It is only by God's grace and His forgiveness that we can be right with God.

ROMANS 3:20 NLT 20 For no one can ever be made right with God by doing what the law commands. The law simply shows us how sinful we are.

We can be glad because Jesus came to save sinners, and He paid the price for the forgiveness of all sins by shedding His blood.

EPHESIANS 1:7 NKJ 7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace

SAY THIS: Only God has the authority to decide what sin is.

God bless you!

THE TRAP SET FOR YOU IS ABOUT TO BACKFIRE!

HAMAN'S GALLOWS BECAME HAMAN'S END!

WALK OUT FREE!

A DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR 27TH AUGUST 2026.

HAPPY READING AND SHARING.


BLESSINGS..!

https://www.istandinthegap.com/escape-while-they-fall-psalm-141-10/

Daily devotion for August 27th
Drastic Action
I was greatly displeased and threw all Tobiah's household goods out of the room. I gave orders to purify the rooms, and then I put back into them the equipment of the house of God, with the grain offerings and the incense.

Nehemiah 13:8-9
The high priest had allowed his grandson to marry the daughter of Sanballat, the governor of Samaria, who was an ally of Tobiah the Ammonite. Both of these were vitriolic, bitter enemies of Nehemiah. This cozy alliance led to an invitation to Tobiah to actually move into the temple itself. To make room for him, the high priest took over the storeroom that was set apart for the grain, oil, and incense used by the Levites in their purification and ritual ceremonies. So there were two wrongs involved. An Ammonite and his family were actually living in the temple, contrary to the Law of Moses; and, they had deliberately defrauded the Levites of their rights of storage.

When Nehemiah returned he went into prompt and passionate action. He threw the baggage out, fumigated the room, and returned the oil, grain, and incense to their proper place. Many people feel that he overreacted. Today we do not get upset by the presence of evil and think it strange that a man should act like Nehemiah did. We have lost to a great degree our ability to express outrage and public indignation over things that are wrong.

We must remember, however, that this is similar to the incident in the New Testament when Jesus came into the temple and found it filled with moneychangers. Jesus reacted in a way similar to Nehemiah. He made a whip and went around the temple, upsetting tables and driving the moneychangers out. It indicates that there is a time for strong stands against the evils that others have indifferently accepted.

Evil invades us quietly. Before we are aware of it, we have compromised and gone along with standards widely accepted. We find the people of God have often been corrupted by this kind of thing. When it comes down to individuals, this is a picture of our struggle with our flesh. We must be prepared to be drastic and take often painful action to clear up the things that are wrong in our own affairs. Many Christians allow evil to take root in their own lives. This story pictures the way these false forces can invade our lives and take up rooms in the very temple of our spirit, polluting and destroying us in the process. Take action. Do not allow these evil things to remain. Even if it takes painful effort to do so, end it! That is what this great story teaches us.

Lord, forgive me for the ways in which I allow subtle compromises to creep into my thinking and my choices. Help me to be as ruthless in judging and dealing with my own sin.