Excel Still More

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Are you the kind of person who takes the stairs? Or have you been the kind of person who doesn't even think about how important they are?  Is the easy way the best way in all things? The world is full of people looking for shortcuts. The problem is, they are shortcuts to nowhere. They don't achieve what they want. They don't get to where they want to go, because they weren't willing to do the little things. They only did what they wanted, so they didn't get where they wanted to be. We can do better. We must.  With some simple imagery, and a few tools:  M.I.D., you can make each day a part of who you are becoming.

- Why do more people take the escalator over the stairs?

- Do little choices, like a flight of stairs, really matter?

- Do little things we choose to do say big things about who we are?

- How can mindfulness, intentionality, and direction make all the difference?

- Which did you choose this week?  (Faith, Moral Excellence, Knowledge, Self-Control, Perseverance, Godliness, Brotherly Kindness, Love)

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Self Confidence is defined as a feeling of trust in one's abilities, qualities, and judgment. Each of us have a measure of self confidence, and I would argue that it is designed by God to be good. But it is not always good. Sometimes it is driven by pride and built upon the wrong idea, high self estimation. This does all kinds of damage. But when self confidence is built on something else, something amazing from God, then everything about it is wonderful. And you can have more of it, in the name of Jesus, than ever before. 

- What is "self confidence"?

- Is it a good thing or a bad thing?

- What happens when my confidence is based upon pride?

- Is it possible to have high self confidence and be a humble person?

- What role does God's Grace have in your self estimation and confidence?

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Why is evangelism so hard for so many of us? And why have so many churches failed to create a culture of evangelism? God has a plan for His people - to spread the Word through us.  But another sermon telling people to do it won't amount to anything. We need to show people how to make it easy, make it automatic, and make it doable by everyone, not just a few. Today we will look at Jesus interacting with the woman at the well. Here are seven wonderful tips on evangelism that anyone can do, shown to us by our Savior and King.

- See Opportunity Everywhere

- Establish Common Interest

- Make Spiritual Connections

- Build Rapport Patiently

- Suspend Just Condemnation

- Stick to the Issue

- Accomplish Something Definitive 

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People seem to be afraid of everything! Some things are dangerous, but why in the world would we add the Fear Of Missing Out? How much is there to fear I am afraid of everything in the world I am not doing? Wow. God has a better plan. He wants you to live a life of joy and purpose, where you aren't burdened by "What If?" God directs us to pick holy paths and make them as great as possible in the short time we have here. 

- What is the FOMO?

- Why are people afraid of paths not taken?

- What does that do to the life you are now living and where you now are?

- But what if the path we have taken so far is not a good one?

- How does being right with God always represent a fearless pathway?

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Credit to Don Truex for today's title. He was reflecting recently on the passing of his father. His dad taught him to make things better in every circumstance. And to leave things better than when he found them. This is something that should shine in the life of every believer. Let's look at what it means to make things better, and then fold in the idea of how leaving often complicates things. But leaving is part of life, even the best of lives.

- What is your purpose in every relationship you have?

- What does it mean to be love and light in the image and character of Jesus?

- If you had to leave a situation right now, any situation, how was it affected by your presence?

- How important is it to manage a departure and keep things from going south?

- What is "the bus factor" and why should it lead you to action right now?

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"Life is easier when you know what you want." I love this line by James Clear. He goes on to note that few people have taken the time to figure out what they want. Maybe family or culture decide that for them. Maybe they just do things in hopes of finding purpose. We can do much better than that. You owe it to yourself to take some private time and decide what you believe is worth while in your life. What do you really want? When you do this, a few really cool things happen. These things will bring a smile to your face and make life easier!

- Why do people work for things they don't really even want?

- How much time do you spend determining if your efforts are going to the right thing?

- How many valuable things to you already exist in your life?

- What will you do if something that really matters is right in front of you?

- Are you ready to accept that some things you want aren't things you need?

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Everybody knows we should be saving at least a small portion of money. If you are spending everything you make, you know the stress of that. I won't focus on that today. But if you are able to save anything, even the smallest amount, what you are doing with it? Are you excited for what that means? Today let's look at three separate, and I do mean separate, categories of saving. The first isn't exciting but it matters the most! The second is a little technical but will help you very soon. And the third is fun and risky, but okay if kept in its proper place. In the end, let's be savers. Let's see that grow and create less stress and more ability to give!

- Why don't more people save money at the end of the month?

- What do you think could motivate someone to make sacrifices and start saving?

- What is bucket 1, and why does it need to be easy and automatic?

- What is bucket 2, and how does it make this next year a lot easier?

- What is bucket 3, and why must you never let the wrong funds get into it?

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Did you know that elephants are the most dangerous animal in the world? They are responsible for 500 human deaths every year. And yet, throughout history, mankind has continue trying to tame this animal. Why? Because they are so strong, powerful and useful!  The process by which they are controlled is grueling and cruel, but it is necessary to break them down so that they might be built up differently, under control. I am in no way supporting such a process. I think we should just leave them alone. But it takes what it takes.

Did you know there is an elephant in you? It is also very dangerous, wild and strong. Yet, if you learn how to train it, it can change you in unimaginable and powerful ways. You can do more good than you've ever imagined. But we need to understand the challenge and get serious about undertaking it.

- How dangerous are elephants?

- So why do people tame them?

- What is the elephant that lives in you?

- What happens if you fail to tame it?

- What happens if you take a stand and force the creature to bend to your will?

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Hard Work is good. Everybody knows we should be working hard. However, it is not the best thing. It is not the first or most important thing. The better thing is to Work Smart. Wisdom in our pursuits, strategy in our path, is way more important. Plenty of people grind and get few results. For some reason, they keep grinding, and it doesn't do any good. In fact, it leads to giving up. We can do better. But we have to be humble enough to admit: "maybe I'm not doing this the best way it can be done." Let's do a little research and get much better results!

- Why do we champion working harder and longer as the key to success?

- Why is wise working much more important than laborious work?

- Are you willing to reevaluate where you are putting your time and energy toward goals?

- What if we add in something smaller, but better into the process?

- What if we cut out one hard, but really useless, element in the day?

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Peace within the soul is a joy to all who have it. But with the darkness of the world and the uncertainties of life, many live with only passing moments of peacefulness. Christ has promised you so much more. He wants to house something in your soul that abides, that stands the test of time and life itself. Today we will talk about what that peace is, what cannot replace it, and how to build the real thing in your life. 

- How would you define the word "peace"?

- Is this even attainable in the physical world?

- If you are struck by despair, will you reach out for help?

- Can a cup of coffee or moments of happiness ever replace real peace in Jesus?

- How can T.A.G. change everything for you, one day at a time?