Best Year Ever
There are daily things that we do for the explicit purpose of deepening our faith and treasuring the promises and power of God.
Season 7, Episode 1 · Best Year Ever
Play the original Excel Still More episode here without leaving the article.
The story behind the idea
Not a whole bunch of them, perhaps, but enough of them that they stuck in your mind and they really shine. You might not remember the daily cadence of how you investigated deeper connections to God or the way you cultivated relationships, which I think are hugely important and we'll get into today. You just remember good and you don't remember bad and it becomes your favorite.
What stands out
Maybe you cannot say that, in which case, please go back and catch some episodes or get with the program. There are daily things that we do for the explicit purpose of deepening our faith and treasuring the promises and power of God. If that's what you've been doing, how can it not be the best year you've ever had if you are as close to Jesus as you've ever been? When we are one with Christ and His people, what we learn from Scripture is we are not moved by circumstances.
Why it matters
Do you have a better understanding about yourself, your own tendencies and needs, and also the needs of others than you've had in the past? The things that God has taught you, shown you, brought you through, had you face, did those train you?
A faithful way forward
That's the way I've been thinking about it this year, and this by no means is pride, like, oh, I'm so much smarter now, it's going to go so much better. Look, it's all about the mercy of the Lord and our faith in Jesus that makes any of this possible, but he is training us. He has given us years of life to learn and mature and experience this world. If you're better equipped, you have a greater chance of success.
Put it into practice
I saw something recently that I think can really help. It has broader application, and you're welcome to use it for that, but particularly faith and self-evaluation. The title of this particular image was The Secret Is There Is No Secret. Maybe that's you listening right now going, man, I want that attitude.
Take the idea with you.
- 01What idea from this study most needs my attention right now?
- 02Where does this challenge the way I am currently thinking or living?
- 03What is one faithful step I can take this week?
Prefer listening?
The original episode player is available near the top of this article, so you can listen without leaving the page.