We’re halfway through the year already. For some, that’s exciting as goals are being crushed, plans are working out, and momentum is strong. For others, it feels like the year is slipping away, and the energy that came with January 1st has long faded.
Wherever you find yourself on that spectrum, now is a great time to pause and ask: What will make me stand out in the months ahead? What is that one thing that will set you apart?
People everywhere are talking about pushing harder, resetting goals, and making the rest of the year count. And that’s good—we should strive to grow, improve, and use our time wisely.
But here’s something that’s often overlooked: beyond talent, ambition, and strategy, there’s one key ingredient that will truly set you apart, and that is God’s presence.
Look at this moment from Scripture:
One of them said he knew a young fellow in Bethlehem, the son of a man named Jesse, who was not only a talented harp player, but was handsome, brave, and strong, and had good, solid judgment. “What’s more,” he added, “the Lord is with him.” 1 Samuel 16:18 (TLB)
David had skill. He had strength. He had the look. But what made him stand out? God was with him.
Israel was home to numerous talented musicians. Music was a huge part of their culture. Yet, when King Saul was tormented and desperate for peace, only one name came up: David. Not because he was the best performer, but because he carried something supernatural.
It wasn’t the harp that calmed the king. It was the presence of God in David’s life that made his music powerful. That same presence helped him defeat Goliath. Those stones didn’t win the battle—God did.
So here’s the real question for you this season:
What’s the “one more thing” that sets you apart?
At your workplace, everyone may have the same qualifications. In your business, others may have more resources or experience. Among your friends, you may not be the most outgoing or popular. That’s okay. The X-factor is not your talent but God’s presence in your life.
Are you going to be just another name on the list, or will you be the one people look to because they sense something different about you? Peace. Wisdom. Clarity. Purpose. That’s what comes from living in God’s presence.
Maybe you’re in a relationship and your current “growth goal” is more romantic getaways or cute Instagram photos. Inasmuch as there is nothing wrong with that, what if you also focused on being the kind of person who brings spiritual strength to the relationship?
Or maybe you’re aiming to improve your image, career, or influence. Great! But beyond the surface, how’s your soul? Are you investing in the one thing that really lasts?
This season is full of opportunities—but it’s also full of distractions. Don’t get caught up in the noise. Refocus. Reconnect. God’s presence will bring clarity, direction, strength, and favor in ways you can’t manufacture on your own.
People may not always be able to put it into words, but they’ll notice. They’ll be drawn to the person who carries real peace, real power, and real purpose. That’s what David had. And it’s available to you too.
And when you truly walk with God, you’ll find that excellence follows. God’s Spirit doesn’t produce mediocrity. But His presence isn’t automatic, you have to pursue it. You have to practice being aware of God daily, in both quiet moments and busy ones.
So don’t let the second half of this year go by on autopilot.
Choose to be the one who carries the presence of God. That’s what will truly set you apart.
That is respect for individuals. People are like ladders. Does he treat people well? How about his mum, sisters, father, colleagues, etc. Is she courteous? Is she respectful? Does she disdain folks with a passion?
6. The Test of Excellence
That is wisdom. Is he hungry for wisdom or does he thinks he knows it all? A friend who isolates himself will crash. He or she cannot be corrected. There are no authority figures that can speak to him or her.
Let me tell you something here. The moment you look at a person and there is nobody you can report him to, there are no regards for parents or pastors, he is just an island by himself, you need to reconsider such friendships.
It is a trap of the devil and such tendencies are symptomatic of an unhealthy outlook to life.
7. The Test of God’s Fear
He must love God. She must be a God lover. Does he value God and His word? Does she revere God? This is the ultimate acid test. If he doesn’t love God, he cannot love you!
If he treats the things of God shabbily, he will end up treating you the same way. Let him or her be a person that fears God!
It is not enough to say one is born again these days, because the term has been grossly misapplied. It is not even enough to say one is a pastor or a choir leader or administrator in church; the question is does he or she fear God?
It was the fear of God that made Joseph run away from adultery. It was lack of God’s fear that made Samson with all his anointing to get into sexual sins repeatedly until he brought himself down. God gave him a long rope because the scripture says he judged Israel for twenty years.
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY I have the Spirit of wisdom to discern and choose that which is good for my destiny.
PRAYERS FOR THE DAY Holy Spirit, fill me afresh with your wisdom in the affairs of my relationship.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY Pro 21:5 MSG Careful planning puts you ahead in the long run; hurry and scurry puts you further behind.
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY Commit your ways unto the Lord
Poverty is not your portion! Lack is not part of your redemptive package!
Your prayer should be that God should help you obey Him in giving and other instructions.
For constant financial blessings, there are seeds that must be in the ground. It is a universal law that will never be broken as long as you see day and night.
While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease. – Genesis 8:22 (KJV)
You can break the back of poverty with your seed and your confession, not just with prayers.
So, your prayer should be that God should give you a heart that gives and obeys God promptly. Always listen to what He has to say and do it.
You should reject poverty with every fibre of your being. Refuse to accommodate flashes and pictures of lack and insufficiency!
The devil likes to flood your mind with images of lack and insufficiency. Passionately refuse, reject and divorce those images. Rather, fill your mind with God’s word about increase and prosperity and that becomes your experience.
4. Mediocrity
We serve an excellent God and we are to do things excellently!
God loves excellence.
There is none like unto the God of Jeshurun, who rideth upon the heaven in thy help, and in his excellency on the sky. – Deu 33:26 (KJV)
He is an excellent God! Everything you do should be done, not with the least energy but with all you have, surpassing expectations and going before the norm.
Oh, when you have that excellence perspective, nobody can just slide into your skirt or trousers! No way!
That excellent spirit abhors chaos, disorder and gate crashing! When a guy wants to gate crash, the excellent spirit in you will not allow such invasion!
Mediocre spirit accommodates nonsense and every kind of violation! Mediocrity celebrates generosity of one’s body!
An excellent spirit births a strong self esteem that makes you secure in who you are in God!
Say with me, “I have an excellent spirit!
May God grant more understanding.
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY I will no longer be delayed. I cooperate with God.
PRAYER FOR THE DAY Pray against the spirit of delay.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY Romans 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
Being a super couple, I have found out is all about getting it right Spirit, soul, and body. It is about being wholesome individually and extending it to yourselves as a couple.
As a believer, we know all things begin and end with God.
Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. – Pro 4:7 [KJV]
God has to come first, then, He gives you the needed strength, wisdom, knowledge, and understanding to be all that you can be in 2020 and beyond.
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. – Mat 6:33 [KJV]
1. Worship
God demands to be worshipped, and that is the starting point. Let us learn to give our waking moments to God in worship, seeking His help, and looking up to Him as the Almighty.
Worship God because He deserves to be worshipped.
Worship also entails studying your bible and praying. Form the habit of talking to God about every detail of your marriage. Put God first and all will fall in place.
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2. Understand your spouse
Know how to press the mumu key of your spouse. Understand your spouse. Seek to learn and know your spouse. There are things he/she likes and does not like. Know what your spouse cannot resist.
For some husbands, it is jeru trip. For some, it is good food. Understand your spouse’s love language and temperament.
It is foolishness to want to spend the rest of your life with someone and you don’t take time to study them.
In 2022, tell yourself no more foolishness. Be tired of fighting to have your way. It is time to become mature. Sometimes, we need to stoop to conquer.
For example, if your spouse is choleric, you don’t do power tussle with them. A choleric wants to be in charge, a phlegmatic needs gentle persuasion, a sanguine needs fun and a melancholy needs their love tank always full. Understand these dynamics and you are on your way to success.
3. Excellence
No one can resist an excellent spouse. Be an excellent communicator, be an excellent friend and companion, be an excellent provider, excellent support, be excellent in bed, be an excellent cook, be a better organizer, don’t be haphazard with managing the home and children, be an excellent dresser and stop being an embarrassment to your spouse.
In being an excellent person, you may be required to go out of your comfort zone most of the time to learn. Be willing to change, improve and learn better ways of doing the same things you used to do.
God bless your marriage!
To be continued tomorrow by God’s Grace.
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY I get it right in my marriage.
PRAYER FOR THE DAY Pray for the spirit of excellence
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY Mat 6:33 [KJV] But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
