Committed To Excellence

Daniel 6:3

Then this Daniel became distinguished above all the other high officials and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him. And the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom.

1. Integrity

*Titus 2:7*

7 Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity,

2. Grace

*2 Cor 8:7*

7 But as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you—see that you excel in this act of grace also.

3. Nature

*2 Peter 1:3-4*

3 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, 4 by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.

4. Thoughts

*Phil 1:9-10*

9 And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, 10 so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,

“The secret of living a life of excellence is merely a matter of thinking thoughts of excellence. Really, it’s a matter of programming our minds with the kind of information that will set us free.” - Chuck Swindoll

5. Actions

*Col 3:23*

23 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,

“The test of the artist does not lie in the will with which he goes to work, but in the excellence of the work he produces” - Thomas Aquinas

Committed To Prayer

Daniel 6:10-11

10 When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house where he had windows in his upper chamber open toward Jerusalem. He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously. 11 Then these men came by agreement and found Daniel making petition and plea before his God.

a. Worship (I Kings 8:22-24)

b. Sorrow (Psalm 88:1-7

c. Thanksgiving (Daniel 2:20-23)

d. Requests (Eph 3:14-21)

e. Rescue (Jonah 2)

f. Confession (Psalm 51:1-4)

g. Wisdom (Jer 10:23-24)

*Phil 4:6 *

do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

Committed To Peace

Psalm 28:7

7 The Lord is my strength and my shield;

in him my heart trusts, and I am helped;

my heart exults,

and with my song I give thanks to him.

a. The Right Sword

*Matthew 26:52*

52 Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword.

b. The Right Strive

*Hebrews 12:14*

14 Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.

c. The Right Spirit

*2 Cor 10:5*

5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,

d. The Right Stay

*Romans 8:6*

6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.