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Posted by Dion Todd April 22nd, 2024 2,383 Views 18 Comments
Jesus told His disciples a parable about the kingdom of God using a tiny mustard seed. Though mustard was the smallest seed a Palestinian farmer would plant in his field, it would grow into the largest plant in his garden.
(Matthew 13:31–32 NKJV) Another parable He put forth to them, saying: "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field, which indeed is the least of all the seeds; but when it is grown it is greater than the herbs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches."
Jesus is speaking of something that has a small beginning but yields great growth. The tiny mustard seed overcomes obstacles, and its roots push through the gravel and around rocks. Its core always grows toward the light. There is no instant explosion but a steady increase while using all its abilities and relying on what God supplies. When applied to our faith, it's a faith that doesn't give up because of difficult circumstances.
(Luke 17:5–6 NKJV) And the apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith." So the Lord said, "If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, 'Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea,' and it would obey you.
A small amount of faith can go a long way and accomplish great things. Too often, we get discouraged because we don't have something yet, or it's taking too long. Don't give up just because things get a little difficult; keep pressing on. Keep reaching towards the light, and grow in your faith.
Faith is defined as "Complete trust or confidence in someone or something." It is believing that God will do what He told you enough that you are willing to take action on it. You walk across the floor because you have faith that it will support you (usually). That is how faith works.
God told Abram to leave his country and his father's house, which would have been his inheritance.
(Genesis 12:1 NKJV) "Now the Lord had said to Abram: "Get out of your country, From your family And from your father's house, To a land that I will show you."
In verse 4, it simply reads: "So Abram went." Abram heard from the Lord and started packing his bags without even knowing where he was going. Only that it was to "a land that I will show you." James later wrote:
(James 2:23 NKJV) "And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness." And he was called the friend of God."
Abraham became God's friend because He believed what God had told him enough to take action on it. That faith was accounted to him for righteousness.
The provision is in the vision: When Sylvia and I felt the Lord wanted us to start an online church, we sat down with an excel spreadsheet and calculated that if we used some leftover hardware we had around, we could get started with $2,500. That was more than we had at the time.
We prayed about it and felt the Lord wanted us to do this. So I pulled an old Dell server we had out of the closet and began to format it on our kitchen table. Within thirty minutes, someone came in and donated exactly $2,500.
We were shocked because we had never received a gift over $100 and had not told a single soul about our plan. The $2,500 was the exact dollar amount that we needed to do the task we had been given.
- We felt that we heard a word from the Lord.
- We got our toolbox and began to work.
- God provided what we needed.
It begins with a word from Him. Then it is seeing the invisible and trusting God to back you up.
Faith is a major part of our armor that protects us from enemy attacks. The Apostle Paul wrote the Thessalonians:
(1 Thessalonians 5:8 NKJV) "But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation."
When the enemy comes in and attacks your car, lawn mower, or washing machine, you think he is after your stuff, but he is after your faith. Attacking your stuff is just a way to dishearten you, to stop you from doing what the Lord told you.
If your faith fails, then you have nothing left to stand on. The enemy attacks those things that you care about to destroy your faith, to make you bitter, to get you to give up, to get you to put your toolbox up and stop working for God.
Hang onto that small mustard seed faith and let it grow one day at a time. Depend on the Lord to supply what you need daily. "Lord, give us today our daily bread."
You can pray this with me if you like:
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you so much for all You do for me. Please give me a clear vision and help me get in tune with what You are doing on the Earth today. Help my faith grow. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!
Note: Happy Monday! FYI, if you are subscribed to the Full Text version of the devotional, you should be getting the entire devotional to your Inbox instead of the usual Summary and link to the website. The only exception is Monday, which is when we send the weekly video devotional. That one is set up in a different way, and you will still get the Summary and link that day. We appreciate your understanding and patience! You can change any of our subscriptions from your Subscription Settings.
On Scott Riegelmann - I was able to get an update from Cristy Herzberg, who lives near him. Scott is in hospice and on morphine for the extreme pain he has been in. The hospice nurse said she did not think he had long left. Please lift up him up for a peaceful transition and comfort for his sons and loved ones 🙏
"They that sow in tears shall reap in joy!"" Oh dear Pastor Dion & Sylvia, you are facing so many obstacles in reaching out and sowing the seed, and you just keep on going!!! May our prayers surround you and build a wall of protection I pray in the name of Jesus, Amen!!! "Numbers 6:24-26"
Amen and Amen and Amen!!! As the trials and hardships seem to be increasing and multiplying, including nature itself round about us, among other things such as the heavy distractive storms that we are facing, it is as if nature itself is rebelling! But, we have the word of God that tells us, prepares us, and gives us confidence and peace in our hearts and last but not least the precious gift of FAITH, thanks be to our Lord & God!!! My faith was as tiny as a Mustard Seed when I began as a believer, but it grew thanks to my Lord, being the gardener!!!
Amen. This is the day the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it.
Comment from Debi Burton
11 months ago
Heavenly Father, thank you so much for all You do for me. Please give me a clear vision and help me get in tune with what You are doing on the Earth today. Help my faith grow. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen! ❤️
The Mustard Seed from Refreshing Hope Ministries on Vimeo. Jesus told His disciples a parable about the kingdom of God using a tiny mustard seed. Though mustard was the smallest seed a Palestinian farmer would plant in his field, it would grow into the largest plant in his garden. (Matthew 13:31–32 NKJV) Another parable He put forth... Read the full post here: The Mustard Seed
Comment from Liesel aka lisa Wardle
3 hours ago
Amen and Amen and Amen to all of the prayers said!!! 🙏 Please join me while going to the Prayer Network to pray for our dear brother, as we jointly increase our prayers and supplications, making Scott's time of transition much lighter and much more peaceful!!! Also, dear Lord, please be with his sons and entire family, draw them all closer to You and closer as a family, in the name of Jesus Christ we ask and pray, AMEN!!! 🙏
Comment from Mari Kaufmann
3 hours ago
Merciful God if it be thy will please heal Scott. Amen🙏🏼🩷
Comment from Lynn Brown
9 hours ago
Dear Father, I pray You would relieve Scott's pain and give him peace and comfort. Surround his family and friends with peace and comfort as well. I am grateful to have known our brother Scott here at RHM. I know he will be with Jesus in paradise and we will meet him there face to face for eternity!🙏❤️🙏
Comment from Wanda Pennington
9 hours ago
Heavenly Father, I pray that You give Scott and his family peace, and comfort during this sad time. Take his pain away and wrap your arms around Scott. We ask in Jesus Christ name, Amen
Comment from Stephanie Cusato
9 hours ago
Jesus be with Scott as he’s in hospice and in a lot of pain. I pray your will be done with him. May you use him for your glory. Lord, I pray our brother is as comfortable at the end of his life and may you welcome him with open arms when you choose to take him, thank you for Scott. I pray you are with him Lord, be a comforting presence to his loved ones. Make your presence known in this “goodbye for now” moment with Scott. I pray all these things in the mighty name of Jesus. amen. 💐
Comment from Shara Abel
10 hours ago
Praying for Scott and his family. Dear Lord please remove his pain and give him a peaceful transition. Help his sons and family find comfort through this and the following days. Amen.
Comment from Richard Mondello
11 hours ago
Sent prayer for Scott and his family. Please Jesus have mercy on Scott. Amen
Comment from Valeri Frank
11 hours ago
Lifting up Scott and his family. 🙏🏼🕊️
Comment from Bella Colliander
13 hours ago
Prayers for my brother in Christ, Scott, be lifted to heaven. Father, if it is time for Scott to go home, please take away his pain, give him comfort and let him feel Your presence with the beautiful peace only You can give. I know Scott's transition will be beautiful. Just let Him feel Your unconditional love. Please bring comfort to Scott's sons, loved ones and all of us that love him so. Thank you Lord. Amen. 🙏
Comment from Susan Petho
14 hours ago
Praying for a peaceful transition for Scott, and for comfort for his sons and loved ones.
Comment from Nell Neathery
1 day ago
As I am praying for mine and brother's diagnoses of cancer, I lift up Scott Riegelmann, even though I don't know his diagnosis, to the LORD. Take away his pain, God. I ask for you to give peace and comfort to his sons and loved ones. I pray in Jesus' name, Amen
Comment from Dion Todd
1 day ago
Heavenly Father, please have mercy on our dear brother Scott, and his sons. Send the Comforter to them and cover them with Your presence. If it is time for Scott to go to You, then please make this transition graceful and peaceful. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen. 🙏