Seeds of Greatness
The eleven best-kept secrets of total success.
Years ago when I started my dental practice and career, I looked to those who were successful. I first turned to Dr. L. D. Pankey of Coral Gables, Florida. I was exposed to his teaching while at Baylor. Later I followed Zig Ziglar, who wrote “See You at the Top.” Also, I read Denis Waitley’s book “10 Seeds of Greatness.” Also, I got to know Dr. Norvel Hayes, Kenneth E. Hagin, Kenneth Copeland, Jerry Savelle, and Billie Joe Daughtery.
As I followed the principles I learned, I had a very successful career of 30 years in dentistry. I retired at the age of 55 years. I started pastoring in 1996 and have had 20 years of successful ministry. God has been so good to me and our church. It is all to His glory that I can say these things. As I partnered with God, He blessed the work and gave the increase.
Now I want to pass on some pearls that I have learned to you, so you can be the success that God wants you to be (3 John 2). You must know it is God’s will for you to prosper. Let’s look at 11 seeds of greatness:
1. Seed of total success is that of Self Esteem:
You must feel God’s love inside before you can give it to others. Don’t allow fear of how you look to hold you back. In 2 Timothy 1:7, Satan sends weeds of fear to keep you from stepping out and accomplishing what He wants you to become. 2 Corinthians 5:7 – “Walk by faith and not sight.” Hebrews 11:6 – “Faith pleases God. He will reward you.” See yourself the way God sees you in Him.
2. Seed of Creativity:
Proverbs 23:7 – You are what you think. Your life will be directed by your thoughts. So be very careful about what you watch and hear. What you see and hear will effect your belief systems. Many of your decisions in your life will be based on things that are imagined on hearsay, but not truth. The only real truth. John 8:31-32 is God’s word. Make your decisions based on God’s word. Look to the Proverbs and Psalms.
3. Seed of Responsibility
Each one must bear the responsibility of protecting your name. A good name is better than gold or silver. A good name is better to have than riches. Luke 9:25. The rewards in life will depend on the quality and quantity of the contributions we make in life. The habits of a nations’ youth show a nations’ condition. Don’t drink and drive. Be a responsible person. Take responsibility for your own actions. Never play the blame game. Be responsible for your own personal needs and don’t leave it up to others. Never make excuses for anything. It just won’t work. Obey the law, it will protect you.
4. Seed of Wisdom
Proverbs 4:5 says, “Get wisdom! Get understanding!” Proverbs 4:7 says, “Wisdom is the principle thing.” Proverbs 3:13-14—You can ask God for wisdom. James 1:5-6—this is supernatural. God given wisdom. You get knowledge through lots of study and reading. You get understanding from knowledge. A large vocabulary implies a broad general knowledge—characterizes the more successful persons, regardless of their occupations. Never stop learning or studying. Get knowledge. It will open a lot of doors for you.
5. Seed of Purpose and Goal Setting
You must set goals for your life. Have a purpose in your life. Get a vision for your life. Proverbs 29:18—You must see yourself successful. The reason many people fail to achieve their goals in life is that they never really set them in the first place. Be a goal setter. Where do you want to be in 1 year? 5 years? 10 years? 20 years? What do you want to accomplish?
6. Seed of Communication
You must be able to communicate with others. Let your words be wholesome for the edifying of others. Speak positive faith filled words. Speak words of blessing. James 3:5-9. Blessings and curses. You must be honest and be able to express yourself.
7. Seed of Faith
Hebrews 11:1 and 11:3. When you speak faith, think faith and act in faith. You will receive what you believe. 2 Corinthians 4:13, “We believe and therefore speak.”
8. Seed of being Adaptable
Are you going to change stumbling blocks into stepping stones? Habakkuk 3:17-19. Are you going to stumble over life’s tests and trials or will you use them as stepping stones to success? Think of some of the wounded warriors you see.
9. Seed of Perseverance
Are you willing to pay the price to succeed? Success is what winners work at doing while the majority of the population is not willing to do so. To succeed, it takes lots of hard work and lots off dedication. Never give up or quit. Quitting is never an option. Winning isn’t everything, but the will to win is everything. Don’t ring the bell—Navy Seals.
10. Seed of Happiness
Be happy. Psalm 112:1-3, “Happy or blessed is the man that delights to the Word of God.” Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute while love, grace, and gratitude. This treasure is within you.
11. Seed of Obedience
It pays to obey. Being obedient to God’s Word brings you many rewards. On the other hand, being disobedient and rebellious will you cost you those rewards. Obedience is love expressing itself. John 14:14-15—As you follow God’s plan for your life and do these principles, you will live a victorious life and be very successful.
Amen!
Years ago when I started my dental practice and career, I looked to those who were successful. I first turned to Dr. L. D. Pankey of Coral Gables, Florida. I was exposed to his teaching while at Baylor. Later I followed Zig Ziglar, who wrote “See You at the Top.” Also, I read Denis Waitley’s book “10 Seeds of Greatness.” Also, I got to know Dr. Norvel Hayes, Kenneth E. Hagin, Kenneth Copeland, Jerry Savelle, and Billie Joe Daughtery.
As I followed the principles I learned, I had a very successful career of 30 years in dentistry. I retired at the age of 55 years. I started pastoring in 1996 and have had 20 years of successful ministry. God has been so good to me and our church. It is all to His glory that I can say these things. As I partnered with God, He blessed the work and gave the increase.
Now I want to pass on some pearls that I have learned to you, so you can be the success that God wants you to be (3 John 2). You must know it is God’s will for you to prosper. Let’s look at 11 seeds of greatness:
1. Seed of total success is that of Self Esteem:
You must feel God’s love inside before you can give it to others. Don’t allow fear of how you look to hold you back. In 2 Timothy 1:7, Satan sends weeds of fear to keep you from stepping out and accomplishing what He wants you to become. 2 Corinthians 5:7 – “Walk by faith and not sight.” Hebrews 11:6 – “Faith pleases God. He will reward you.” See yourself the way God sees you in Him.
2. Seed of Creativity:
Proverbs 23:7 – You are what you think. Your life will be directed by your thoughts. So be very careful about what you watch and hear. What you see and hear will effect your belief systems. Many of your decisions in your life will be based on things that are imagined on hearsay, but not truth. The only real truth. John 8:31-32 is God’s word. Make your decisions based on God’s word. Look to the Proverbs and Psalms.
3. Seed of Responsibility
Each one must bear the responsibility of protecting your name. A good name is better than gold or silver. A good name is better to have than riches. Luke 9:25. The rewards in life will depend on the quality and quantity of the contributions we make in life. The habits of a nations’ youth show a nations’ condition. Don’t drink and drive. Be a responsible person. Take responsibility for your own actions. Never play the blame game. Be responsible for your own personal needs and don’t leave it up to others. Never make excuses for anything. It just won’t work. Obey the law, it will protect you.
4. Seed of Wisdom
Proverbs 4:5 says, “Get wisdom! Get understanding!” Proverbs 4:7 says, “Wisdom is the principle thing.” Proverbs 3:13-14—You can ask God for wisdom. James 1:5-6—this is supernatural. God given wisdom. You get knowledge through lots of study and reading. You get understanding from knowledge. A large vocabulary implies a broad general knowledge—characterizes the more successful persons, regardless of their occupations. Never stop learning or studying. Get knowledge. It will open a lot of doors for you.
5. Seed of Purpose and Goal Setting
You must set goals for your life. Have a purpose in your life. Get a vision for your life. Proverbs 29:18—You must see yourself successful. The reason many people fail to achieve their goals in life is that they never really set them in the first place. Be a goal setter. Where do you want to be in 1 year? 5 years? 10 years? 20 years? What do you want to accomplish?
6. Seed of Communication
You must be able to communicate with others. Let your words be wholesome for the edifying of others. Speak positive faith filled words. Speak words of blessing. James 3:5-9. Blessings and curses. You must be honest and be able to express yourself.
7. Seed of Faith
Hebrews 11:1 and 11:3. When you speak faith, think faith and act in faith. You will receive what you believe. 2 Corinthians 4:13, “We believe and therefore speak.”
8. Seed of being Adaptable
Are you going to change stumbling blocks into stepping stones? Habakkuk 3:17-19. Are you going to stumble over life’s tests and trials or will you use them as stepping stones to success? Think of some of the wounded warriors you see.
9. Seed of Perseverance
Are you willing to pay the price to succeed? Success is what winners work at doing while the majority of the population is not willing to do so. To succeed, it takes lots of hard work and lots off dedication. Never give up or quit. Quitting is never an option. Winning isn’t everything, but the will to win is everything. Don’t ring the bell—Navy Seals.
10. Seed of Happiness
Be happy. Psalm 112:1-3, “Happy or blessed is the man that delights to the Word of God.” Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute while love, grace, and gratitude. This treasure is within you.
11. Seed of Obedience
It pays to obey. Being obedient to God’s Word brings you many rewards. On the other hand, being disobedient and rebellious will you cost you those rewards. Obedience is love expressing itself. John 14:14-15—As you follow God’s plan for your life and do these principles, you will live a victorious life and be very successful.
Amen!