Seed 1: Humility is the Seed for Honor
It is a consistent truth in the Bible that honor always follows humility. For example, Jesus honored John the Baptist by declaring him the greatest of all in the Old Testament. However, just a few months prior to this recognition, John learned that Jesus was gaining more disciples than he was and his response was, “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30). John demonstrated humility and glorified Jesus despite the circumstances. Because of this humility, he received one of the greatest honors recorded in the Bible. Similarly, when you choose to humble yourself in the face of intimidation, correction, or when someone else is promoted, you are preparing yourself for God’s promotion and honor in your life.
Seed 2: Thanksgiving is the Seed for Happiness.
In these verses, the Psalmist encourages himself to remember God’s goodness and teaches his soul to praise Him. If you are feeling unhappy or depressed, this is what you need to do: thank God and praise Him for every good thing you’ve received from Him. Practicing thankfulness helps you recognize that you are blessed, and joy follows when you realize how much you get to be grateful for.
Keep in mind that thankfulness doesn’t come naturally. Our minds are often inclined to complain, murmur, and focus on what we lack. That’s why it’s essential to make a conscious effort to be thankful.
Friend, jealousy stems from focusing on other people’s blessings instead of your own. It’s easy to believe that others are more fortunate than we are. Today, take the time to reflect on how good God has been to you. Choose to be thankful and commit to being joyful. Remember, thankfulness is the seed of happiness.
Seed 3: Showing Mercy is the Seed for Receiving Mercy.
Everyone makes mistakes. Our days are filled with opportunities to become angry, say something hurtful, or think negatively. When we give in to these emotional moments and sin, it’s important to remember that mercy is available to us. We can come to God in humility and receive the mercy that is freely offered through the work of Jesus on the cross.
Here’s the key point: when you experience mercy yourself, you become more willing to extend it to those around you. You forgive others for their mistakes, release any anger or bitterness, and learn to overlook offenses. By doing this, you are building up mercy for yourself in the eyes of others. When you inevitably make a mistake or experience failure, a wealth of mercy will be directed toward you. Therefore, be merciful, because you may find yourself in need of a lot of mercy from those around you in the future. Remember, mercy is the seed that produces more mercy.
Seed 4: Kindness is the Seed for Personal Wellness.
For instance, in Joshua 2:12, Rahab risks her life to help the spies sent by Joshua to scout the land of Jericho. As a result of her kindness, she and her entire family are saved when the city is destroyed. Furthermore, in Ruth 3:10, Boaz tells Ruth that because she went out of her way to support her mother-in-law Naomi, he will do everything in his power to redeem her. The reward for Ruth’s kindness is that Boaz marries her, and she becomes a prosperous landowner, blessed in every way.
Like Ruth and Rahab, when you make an effort to be kind to others, you are planting seeds for a fruitful harvest of personal wellness in your life. So, be kind. Help someone in need. Pray for someone who is sick. When you act with kindness, God will bring good things into your life.
Seed 5: Honor is the Seed for Access
We honor people through our words as well as through our kindness and respect. When it comes to honoring our leaders and elders, receiving correction with grace is especially important. We honor our parents by providing for them financially and by valuing their wisdom as we make pivotal decisions in life.
Beloved, your future is shaped by whom you choose to honor or dishonor. Remember to honor people not necessarily for who they are, but because of who you are: a child of God and a person of honor. Choose the path of honor, and you will experience open doors that lead you to the fullness of your destiny.
Seed 6: Submission is the Seed for Favor
For instance, when David submitted himself to serve King Saul, Saul wrote to David’s father, Jesse, saying, “David has found favor with me, so let him stay with me” (1 Samuel 16:22). We also see the example of Esther, who submitted to the authority of Hegai, the palace official, and as a result, received favor in the eyes of everyone (Esther 2:15). Ultimately, she was crowned as the queen of the land.
Friend, if you aspire to achieve greatness in life, you will need favor. Your talents, performance, and skills can take you only so far. To reach greater heights, you need God’s hand of favor to rest upon your life. Here’s an important insight: submission to authority is the seed for favor.
Seed 7: Giving is the Seed for Growing.
This principle also applies to sharing knowledge. When we give knowledge to others, we often gain even more in return. Some of the most profound revelations I have received from God have come during times of preaching or teaching. Remember, we don’t just grow from listening; we also grow when we share what we know.
So, beloved, let your life be like a river: the more it flows, the more abundant it becomes. As it flows, it remains clean, fresh, and drinkable. In contrast, stagnant waters, like those in a sea or pond without an outlet, become murky and uninviting. If you want your life to be fulfilling and vibrant, embrace the act of giving. Share your blessings and knowledge. Always remember that giving is the seed for endless growth.
Friend, life becomes powerful and purposeful when you start treating everything you have, everything you do, and everything you’ve experienced as a seed. A seed represents the beginning of something. It is a gift from God that allows you to realize the fullness of His promises. This means that you can achieve desirable results if you know the right seeds to sow. However, sowing requires effort, while the harvest brings joy. I hope you will begin sowing the right seeds today, positioning yourself to reap favorable outcomes and fulfill God’s calling on your life.
You are blessed!