The Spirit of Excellence (Part 1 - Written December 2015)

Excerpt from a magazine column I write for ("Sistah to Sistah" owned by Catherine Tukes):

What an interesting year 2016 will be. I have so much to share but must pace myself as the Holy Spirit is downloading so much and so will therefore present this information as a series over the next couple of months. According to the Jewish calendar we entered into the new year 5776 or (Ayin Vau) in September 2015. And like at the beginning of every new year on our regular calendar we take the time to reflect on the past year and make resolutions for the current year. Likewise the same has been happening over the last couple of months with an emphasis in December. There are some things Lord has been talking to his people about and so has slowed things down a bit for us so that we can be attentive to his voice. Seeing that 2016 is a year of the Holy Spirit and promotion, he wants us to not only experience life at the top but live there. My father always said, “Ability takes you to the top but character keeps you there.” The Lord wants us to lie at the place of victory, healing, abundance and overflow.

 The increase that is coming is not “if it happens” but “when it happens” and the Holy Spirit wants us, like the wise virgins to be ready with enough oil.So what is that oil? The Spirit of Excellence....There is a difference between the spirit of excellence and doing things in excellence. The two should not be used synonmously. One is performance based the other is character based. One can do things in excellence but not have the spirit of excellence, whilst one with the spirit of excellence can do things in excellence. Excellence is when mind over matter is exercised and one does everything in their will power to be the best at what they do. To perform with intense quality to produce above average results. Whereas the spirit of excellence involves one’s moral convictions, core values and character base. In Daniel 5, Belshazzar sees the writing on the wall that he cannot translate. His wise men and astrologers cannot interpret it. His wife recommends Daniel and says that in him was found the spirit of excellence. Let me pause right there and share this: this year your name will be in the mouths of those who have the ear or prominent leaders who are able to promote you. Amen! Daniel is then called he translates the writing on the wall. In Daniel 1 we see how this spirit began in Daniel and it is out of this chapter that the series on the spirit of excellence will be shared. The first thing Daniel did that the Holy Spirit wants to focus right now is that Daniel set himself apart: Daniel 1v8a “But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not DEFILE HIMSELF with the portion of the King’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank...” In ancient times to have sat down to sup with someone meant that you agreed with their lifestyle. That’s why the Pharisees didn’t care for Jesus sitting down and eating with sinners.

Daniel purposed in his heart that in order to not caught up in Babylonian culture and customs he was going to set himself apart by not eating what they ate. Even though God had given them the okay in Jeremiah 29 to settle down in Babylon (they would be there for 72 yrs), he chose to stay faithful to the Lord’s way of doing things. Today we are in a modern Babylonian type culture. Everything goes, worship what/who you choose, money is god, your sexuality is of your definition and choosing, look out for you, YOLO (you only live once), science rules, and desensitized by the media to serious issues like witchcraft, lust and all kinds of sin. With promotion on the way we must TODAY decide what things we will not defile ourselves with. We need to take a closer look at us, each person doing a self examination of what needs to go. What things in this Babylonian culture are we not going to participate in that are so easy to be a part of? What things have we allowed into our minds and homes that will be used for our demise when our promotion comes? Or will cause us to miss our Kairos moment because we never dealt with it today? Let’s take a closer look at our relationships... what people are sucking the life out of you and killing your dreams? What churches are spiritually abusing you and not using you in your core purpose? What jobs are draining the talent out of you? What movies are keeping you busy and out of prayer and in the word? What foods are making us lethargic and unhealthy? What ill words and curses are lurking in our soul, keeping us bound and stagnant? it’s time to let you and say goodbye to things that are not benefiting you for the assignment ahead.

Taking one bite (Adam and Eve) of the forbidden will cost you so much? Is that bite, that sip really worth it? Take the time to look at all that concerns you and begin to make some changes in what you are holding onto. Find out who are named after, their character and what your name means. Those things are important. If negative is found cancel it in the name of Jesus and embrace the testimony of Jabez whose name meant bitterness or sorrow. The clothes you borrow can carry things that are bringing disturbance (mantles, healing, etc in the OT were passed through material and clothes). Church let us not be ignorant and perish for the lack of knowledge. Let us begin to look and see things as God sees them and become aware of the world we are living in. Let us consecrate or sanctify ourselves today for tomorrow God will do wonders among us (Joshua 3v5). 

Blessings 

Prophet Victoria Scott