The
Common
Trait of
Uncommon
People
By Lawrence Powell
Success is the inherited possibility
of every born again child of God.
However, such potential remains
dormant and wishful thinking
if we fail to work our faith in
accordance with sound, Biblical
principles. Anyone can dream,
but uncommon people are a cut
above the rest: they see their
dreams come true in the fervor of
diligent pursuit. After all, pursuit
is the proof of desire.
I was inspired to write this
message while reading a book I
only discovered a short time ago.
It is entitled “The Richest Man Who
Ever Lived: King Solomon’s Secrets
to Success, Wealth, and Happiness”
by Steven K. Scott – a powerful
book.
The chapter on diligence really
caught my attention. You see,
diligence is a rarity. Many people
have the goods, the talents and
the smarts, but lack the diligence
necessary to make something of
them. Uncommon people possess
a trait of distinction that does not
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The Common Trait of Uncommon People
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allow them to live carelessly beneath their potential and privilege.
That trait is an unwavering commitment to diligence.
Diligence simply means, “a persistent and hard working effort in doing
something.” Synonyms include the words meticulous, conscientious,
thorough, and careful.
Success is the inherited possibility of every born
again child of God. However, such potential remains
dormant and wishful thinking if we fail to work our
faith in accordance with sound Biblical principles.
The author shares a perspective on hard work worth mentioning. He
wrote that he prefers to substitute “hard working” for “smart working.”
To illustrate the point, consider this: you can possibly topple a tree
with a hammer in time and with much exertion. This would be an
example of “hard work” for sure. But a chainsaw would bring that
same tree down in minutes, changing “hard work” to “smart work.”
Face it - a lot of people work hard, but not necessarily smart.
Beloved, you will need to be a smart working person if you wish to
walk with uncommon people.
“Diligence” also means to be “industrious” and to exhibit “eager
determination.” I’ve met many people, underachievers, who resort to
being haters instead of following the examples of super achievers.
Brother, sister, you don’t have time to waste being a hater. Change
the way you think and act. If you want something you’ve never had,
simply do something you’ve never done.
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sincerely love God, we keep all of His commands, and
His commands are never burdensome to us (1 John
5:3). He gives us all-sufficient grace to accomplish
whatever is expected of us in the Kingdom.
Diligence pays off. Scripture teaches us the Lord is a
rewarder of those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews
11:6). When you excel in diligence, you can expect
unlimited blessings from God. Here are just seven
heavenly rewards the diligent can look forward to
while here on earth:
You will gain an insurmountable advantage over
others. “The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty, but
those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty,” Proverbs
21:5. It doesn’t matter where you’re employed; your
employer may determine your income, but they can’t
determine your increase.
You will be the head and not the tail. “The hand of
the diligent will rule, but the lazy man will be put to
forced labor,” Proverbs 12:24. You can read this again
in Deuteronomy 28 verses 1 through 13. God wants
you to be in control of your situation. Lazy people
miss opportunities by default.
You will enjoy lasting fulfillment. “The soul of a lazy
man desires, and has nothing; but the soul of the diligent
shall be made rich,” Proverbs 13:4. To be made rich is
to have and enjoy an abundance that produces real
and lasting satisfaction.
If you want to gain wisdom, Solomon says, you’ve got to walk with the
wise (Proverbs 13:20). You must surround yourself with uncommon
people, those who’s learning and enlightenment surpasses your own,
who can pour into you and direct you to their level of achievement
and beyond.
You will stand before kings. “Do you see a man who
excels in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not
stand before unknown men,” Proverbs 22:29. God will
cause you to have the respect and admiration of those
in authority when you walk in diligence.
Diligence is essential to serving in the Kingdom of God. Jesus said to
occupy until He returns (Luke 19:13). The word “occupy” is a military
term denoting extreme diligence in martial affairs. It means to take
care of the King’s business as a good soldier of Jesus Christ and
without the distractions of civilian or common life (2 Timothy 2:3,4).
Unfortunately, many Christians believe they are somehow exempt
from fulfilling this command. But we know the truth - when we
You will have your needs met. “He who tills his land
will have plenty of bread, but he who follows frivolity
will have poverty enough,” Proverbs 28:19.
You will experience increase. “Wealth gained by
dishonesty will be diminished, but he who gathers by
labor will increase,” Proverbs 13:11.
There’s Power in your Seed.
As you sow your seed into the
good soil of Lawrence Powell Ministries, you are helping reach men,
women, and children in need of
the life-changing message of the
Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Your generous financial support enables us to
feed and clothe those who are in need, to provide restoration and hope each day to people
from all walks of life. As you sow, you are do-
ing your part to fulfill the Great Commission
to “go out into all the world and preach the
Gospel to all creation” (Mark 16:15).
When you partner with this ministry, not
only are you helping us reach lost and hungry
souls, but you also connect yourself and your
loved ones to the anointing and favor of God
that rests on this ministry. As you join your
faith with ours this day, I believe that God is
making provision for your needs. Friend, the
key to seeing an overflow of blessings in your
own life is releasing the seed that’s in your
hand! By planting your seed in good ground,
the Lord Himself will reward you with an
abundant harvest.
October 2008 • 3
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Recovering Your Cutting Edge
The world desperately needs what you
have to give.
You must be able to deliver the goods God has deposited within you.
Forfeiture is failure. You must not run from your assignment. Instead, you
must take your rightful place so as to make a mark that cannot be erased.
In order to accomplish such a significant task, you must be properly
equipped. You can’t make a difference empty handed and ill prepared.
This two-part message will challenge you to rediscover your passion for
the ministry of the Kingdom. It will also teach you how to remain “spiritually sharp” in the world today despite the many things that come to rob
you of your cutting edge.
Let the Word of God enrich your life and strengthen your walk as you
listen and learn how to recover your cutting edge.
8
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To order this Single CD, call us at 732.680.9800
or visit us online at: www.agapecenter.org
When you excel in diligence, you can expect unlimited blessings from God.
You will profit in all your efforts. “In all labor
there is profit, but idle chatter leads only to poverty,”
Proverbs 14:23. God wants you to be profitable.
I like the way David says it in Psalm 1, “Blessed is
the man [whose] delight is in the law of the LORD,
and in His law he meditates day and night.” That’s
diligence, my friend. “He shall be like a tree planted
by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its
season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever
he does shall prosper.” That’s a promise - whatever
he does with diligence shall prosper!
to be uncommon. All you need to do is excel in
diligence. Let this be your constant passion in
God, in life and in ministry.
Take a moment right now and make a genuine
commitment to be an uncommon person. If you
will be diligent in doing right things, the Lord
can have His way in you and raise you to the
heights He has called
you to occupy.
Whatever you do,
from this day on, in
word and deed - in
exercise, in diet, in
marriage, in parenting,
in work, in ministry,
do it heartily with
I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to be a diligence unto the Lord for His glory, honor and
common person, content to live the status quo. praise. As you do, expect these seven promises to
I want to be uncommon to the glory of God. manifest in your life. God’s Word is true, and it
Common people are a dime a dozen. God’s will work for you.
looking for some extraordinary people willing to
go the extra mile. You don’t have to be perfect
It’s true that God sends rain on the just and
the unjust (Matthew 5:45). But if you want
uncommon blessings, you have to be an
uncommon person. Diligence is that quality that
separates extraordinary people from average folk.
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Lawrence Powell Ministries • P.O. Box 1623 • Rahway, NJ 07065
9/16/2008 1:01:13 PM