Strive for Excellence

Do you remember the old U.S. Army recruiting slogan?    "Be all you can be."

The idea was simple. Whatever you wanted to become, the Army would give you the training to get there. No limits. No excuses. Just show up and go all in.

I believe there is a spiritual counterpart to that in the Christian faith.

Philippians 4:13 says: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." 

That is not a passive, sit-back-and-hope Bible verse. That is a challenge. A call to stop being held back and start becoming everything God designed you to be in your walk with Him.

So let me ask you something: Are you living like an overcomer or are you living like a victim?

I don't want to be a "woe is me" Christian who acts like the devil is always singling me out. Here's the truth: he is after all of us, all of the time. The difference is not whether you are being attacked. The difference is whether you have made up your mind that you are more than a conqueror. Because that is exactly what the Bible calls you in Romans 8:37, if you are in Christ.

If you are not conquering, it is time to start.

The Christian life is a life of offense, not defense.

God has not left you empty-handed. Ephesians 6:13-18 lays out the spiritual weapons He has already placed in your hands. It is time to pick them up and use them.

Stop waiting for the devil to make his next move. Start offending his kingdom of darkness instead.

How? By reading God's Word, meditating on it, and speaking it boldly over every area of your life and every situation you are facing. And especially by spending time in believing prayer. Not just going through the motions, but praying with real faith.

Because prayer changes things.

So be all you can be, in Christ.