Excel Still More

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It is important to grow and learn and do great things for God. But it is crucial to remember that the power to do so is not in you. On our own we are wayward, weak and lost. But with God's power, anything is possible... everything is possible! We must see God near us. We must visualize Christ right here in the room with us. When God's hand is upon us, and we tap into it, we can change lives and honor His name!  To demonstrate this, let's look into the life of a man named Ezra.  You know his name, not because of his personal strength, but the hand of the Lord his God upon him!

- How strong are you on your own faith and strength?

- How far away is God? Is He in heaven or is He near you?

- What becomes possible when we know Jesus is in the room?

- How did Ezra draw strength from the nearness of God?

- What was Ezra able to do by the strength of God in his life?

Reach Out: Please include your email and I will get back to you. Thanks!

Reach Out: Please include your email and I will get back to you. Thanks!

Have you ever heard of Charlie Tremendous Jones? Yeah, me neither. At least, not until recently.  He provided a quote a handful of years ago that I am sure will help you!

The sermon at the Lindale church of Christ on Aug. 23rd 2020 was titled "Increase Our Faith." We talked about what areas of our faith need to increase and looked into how God might go about doing that.  In this episode we will look at 5 different ways that God helps you get stronger.  The first three are common to us and found in the Scripture.

The last two... well, we've got Charlie to thank for that!  He explains that there are two things in your life that change you.  To the extend that you have them, do them, and embrace them, you will grow tremendously.  So tune in and check it out!

- Do you ask God to "increase my faith?"

- In what ways do you want God to help you get better?

- What are the main factors in changing someone over time?

- How do you get information outside of what you know to help you grow?

- Will you pursue new people and great books to see what knowledge can do for you?

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Partnerships are important.  Each of us has deficiencies that keep us from fulfilled potential. But in a partnership, you have the chance to get what you need to grow from another, and they from you. At least, that's the way it is supposed to work. Sadly, many relationships, friendships, partnerships, aren't like that at all. Some don't share benefit, or don't help the people around them. We want to build great partnerships. Let's talk about what that looks like and see it described through the new sponsorship the ESM podcast now has with Cunningham Financial Group. 

- What is a partnership?

- What makes a partnership terrible? bad?

- What makes a partnership good? great?

- How can the relationship between ESM and Cunningham illustrate this?

- Are you ready to evaluate the value of partnerships in your life?

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Willpower is important. Knowing what you want to do matters. Professing things you want to avoid, also good. However, most people find that will power and proclamations don't last. Life is hard and we fall back on bad habits if we aren't careful. And of course, good habits can fade quickly.  

However, one decision, made daily and in many ways, can make all the difference in the world. If we begin to own the power of sight, the reactions to things we see, then we can begin to take control of our future. The willingness to redesign and control the environment will trigger good behavior and keep bad behavior far away. Give your willpower a little environmental help and you will find success much easier to maintain. 

- What senses control our behavior?

- What is the connection between sight and action?

- How powerful is environment in lining up a day of moral success?

- How can we design our environment by connection habits to locations?

- What are practical ways to create distance from time wasted on the cell phone?

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Welcome to our very first Bonus Episode! Occasionally, on Thursdays, you will find a shorter episode to help encourage you into the weekend.  Today we talk about how to become a great conversationalist.  Talking with others is just a part of life. Everyone will do it, almost all of us on an everyday basis. But few are able to do it well. So many people are distracted, or not listening, or self-centered. Let's do better!  These three keys, and especially the third one, will make all the difference!

- What makes conversations unfulfilling?

- What makes people comfortable in conversations?

- How can you prove that you are focused on the speaker?

- What is the power of the follow up question?

- Can you do this patiently to help show others a better way?

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Andy Stanley wrote a great book, "The Principle of the Path." Let's review the content of this book. It is based on one simple idea:  You Get Where You Are Going. Yep, it really is that simple. However, accepting and understanding this idea can change your life forever. People make poor choices and genuinely wonder why they are not in a place they want to be. Connecting steps with destination is incredibly powerful. Then we can set great destinations, consider each day momentum in that direction, and use one powerful key about God to keep it all held together.  

- What is a Principle and why does it matter?

- What is "the Principle of the Path?"

- How can I begin to take ownership of my present situation?

- How powerful are daily choices in long term goal setting?

- What is the power of Submission and why must I channel it?

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The Donut Principle affect us all. For many, the outside looks great. Their life seems full of good works and godly choices. But unless the heart is the source of this work, unless love is behind all of it, that hole in the middle will cost them. God isn't just looking for people to do the right stuff. He is looking for them to be the right person from the core. Let's look at the Pharisees and their donut example. 

- What is "The Donut Principle"?

- Why are good works just not enough?

- How important is love in the Christian life?

- What mistakes did the Pharisees make?

- How can we fill in the center and act out of a compassionate heart?

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Let's continue our discussion on "Anxious For Nothing." Jesus comes right out and says it three times in Matthew chapter 6:  "Do Not Worry."  That's a big ask. But He goes on to explain exactly how we can get there from here. There are a series of points in this podcast, so I'll list them here for reference.

- Invest Fully In Your Mission
- Manage Your Inputs
- Announce Your King
- Trust The Creator
- Ask Critical Questions
- Schedule Faith First
- Just Get Things Right Today

We can do this. We can find peace and focus in any situation... in Christ. He will guide us there. If you are interested in a journal to help along the daily pathway, head over to www.excelstillmore.life.  

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So many people have simply excepted that being stressed out is just a part of this life. We will be worried and bothered and pulled in 100 directions, and that's just life on this earth. This is a lie.  This is a lie the devil tells to help people justify being pulled away from God. But Christians know better.  We understand that life will have its problems, pains, losses, fears and frustrations. However, those thing do not have to weigh us down. They must not be allowed to pull us from God. Let's look at God's good plan for you, regardless of your circumstances. 

- When you should we rejoice in the Lord?

- Where is the Lord?

- What does it mean to "be anxious for nothing?"

- What are we supposed to be taking to the Lord?

- How do my inputs affect my mental strength?