Mustard Seed
Posted by bransonsheets | Tags: branson, haitiAgain Jesus said, “What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest seed you plant in the ground. Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds of the air can perch in its shade.” Mark 4:30-32 (NIV)
Apparently Jesus understood the power of a small contribution. Jesus said that the Kingdom of God is like a tiny, little mustard seed. It starts small and then becomes a tall and powerful tree. You might remember that Jesus said if our faith is even the size of a mustard seed, we can move mountains.
Many times we think that our small acts of service, our individual steps of faith, or seemingly small monetary gifts don’t count for much. What a strategy of Satan! “It won’t matter if you worship today. No one will miss you in that big crowd. Why give that little bit of money. My tithe is not significant and won’t make any real impact in the total offering. It won’t matter if I show up for my turn in the nursery today.”
Nonsense! What difference can one person make? The answer, of course is…a lot!
Being a student of God’s word today will not change me much, but if I make it a regular habit, the scriptures will change my character over time.
Last week, we collected a $25,000 offering to help the Haitian people recover from their disastrous earthquake. We had a few $1000 checks, but the most prominent monetary units in the offering were ONE DOLLAR BILLS.
I’m discipling one man right now. Just one! Imagine, though, if I were to keep doing that over and over; eventually I would have helped a whole army of men become mature in their faith.
That’s the way the Kingdom works. The Holy Spirit speaks to one person about their sin. They are moved to repent, to turn away from that sin. They make decisions about honoring Jesus with their lives. They grow. They take a small step of faith and then the Spirit speaks to them about another area of their life. They learn what obedience is and they take some more small steps of faith. Eventually, they are much more mature than they even realized.
In a church like Covenant, there are hundreds of people going through a similar process of taking small steps of faith as they learn to listen to the Lord’s leading in their lives. Individually, it may not look like much, but together it’s a powerful movement of God!
What about you? What small steps have you been taking that you have considered to be insignificant? Will you share it with us and, in doing so, encourage others who will read this article and your experience with this? Please comment now.
See you this weekend,
Branson
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Rob Hall says:
Branson,
Great words, thank you, brother.
I would like to issue a challenge to the readers of this article, myself included…
The challenge is to start intentonally looking for opportunities to replace the phrase “I’ll keep you in my prayers” with “Can I pray for you right now?”
Sounds simple, sounds small.. but this shift in our approach is one that's packed with power.
On the flip side, I know that this change to our radar takes both time and courage…
Two things that many of us struggle to manage and maintain.
But let's focus on the victory.
When you take a step of faith to stand in the gap for someone that is hurting, the Holy Spirit will take over when you ask him to!!!
And God's Holy Spirit, our comforter and guide, has an UNLIMITED supply of time and courage!!!
Strength through HIM,
Brother Rob
Salli says:
I am quite an introvert and really don't talk to people, ha ha. However, through prayer, I am learning that when I open my mouth to share Christ, I immediately feel this courage take over and sometimes I hear my words and wonder "Is that me talking?" Well, we know that answer right?
Sandra says:
Thank you so much for this article. I was so encouraged and reminded that the little mustard seed of faith if all I need for God to move mightly in my prayers, etc. I have been told before from people and that mean ole voice from the devil that "I don't have enough faith" and that's why my prayers aren't being answered. But when I heard God speak ot me when driving down the road and He specifically said, God see ______" When I did it was like at the right time the person needed it. Or when He hs told me to call __________ and I did it was always when they needed, right on time, God's time. Adn I was able to minister to and pray with the person. And I agree with Rob. Thanks and God bless!
Donine says:
EI have found myself many times without a church "home" since I became born again..Just when I found my church home, Covenant, I had to go overseas, to a country where I didn't speak the language. I tried going to church there, but didn't get much out of it. I found that the best way for me to have an intentional walk with Jesus was to decide for Him to be the very first and the very last person I engage in dialogue with everyday. I also engage in dialogue with Jesus all during the day. And I can testify that Jesus has never failed to show up right on time, every time, to deliver me, impart wisdom to me, even as I was about to lose faith altogether. Once, Jesus delivered me in literally five steps (I was lost in that foreign country). I believe it is all about Jesus teaching me to trust Him and keep on trusting Him. Jesus is a man of action. He has shown me over and over again that my trust in Him is well-placed. Now, when I am challenged, confused and wondering what it all means, I endeavor to say in my mind with each step I take, "I trust you God. I trust you God. I trust you God." Donine