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<\/a><\/p>\nIn a display case just inside the door of the arts building was a glass covered case that displayed works that had won, “Best of Show”.\u00a0 These were huge purple ribbons with gold print and rosettes.\u00a0 This represented the entries that went above and beyond what was expected in their category.\u00a0 These were for those who had done their work with excellence.<\/p>\n
It made me think of the difference between a person who was a nominal Christian and one who was totally sold out to Jesus.\u00a0 We can do a good job at any number of things, but where do we shine the brightest?\u00a0 Which ministry do we perform with excellence?\u00a0 Serving God with a the wrong motives and desires will not get you a “Best of Show” from our Lord.<\/p>\n
It’s the difference between someone who walks as close to the world as they can and still make to Heaven; and someone who walks as close to God as they can every day.\u00a0 The one who chooses to separate themselves from the world is the one who get the huge purple ribbon.<\/p>\n
The scriptures tell using Matthew 6:24 that no man can serve \u00a0two masters.\u00a0 We cannot serve God and our our selfish desires at the same time; not if we want that big purple ribbon.\u00a0 II Corinthians\u00a0 6:17, we are told to separate ourselves from the world and it’s evil forces.\u00a0 In\u00a0 Matthew 6:21, God says that where our treasure is, there also will be our heart.<\/p>\n
By fulfilling these scriptures we can truly serve God with excellence and hope to earn that special prize when we see Him face to face.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
I think we all start out with the intention to serve God with all our hearts.\u00a0 We make a commitment to yield ourselves; body, soul, and spirit.\u00a0 But something often happens as we pursue our dreams and ambitions, and we get sidetracked. A few months ago when I was at the county fair I was…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":420,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3,14],"tags":[42,11,45],"class_list":["post-735","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-encouragement","category-inspiration","tag-choices","tag-convictions","tag-personal-growth"],"yoast_head":"\n
Serving God With Excellance - Small Town America<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/smalltownamerica\/2012\/02\/serving-god-with-excellance.html\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Serving God With Excellance - Small Town America\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"I think we all start out with the intention to serve God with all our hearts.\u00a0 We make a commitment to yield ourselves; body, soul, and spirit.\u00a0 But something often happens as we pursue our dreams and ambitions, and we get sidetracked. 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