Now, what do we do with that faith? Do we do nothing and assume that’s all we need or do we grow our faith and see what happens?

In the parable of the mustard seed in Luke 13:18-19, a man took a mustard seed and planted it in his garden and it grew and became a large tree and the birds of the air nested in its branches. The mustard seed is a very small seed but can produce a tree 30 feet tall.

Our faith is like that mustard seed it needs to be sown, it needs to be planted. So even if you have a little faith you can begin to grow it.

So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.  Romans 10:17 NKJV

God’s Word is Truth. We grow our faith by getting the truth into our heart. We need to be disciplined and obedient to read God’s Word daily. If not the weeds of life will come in and choke it out. Then we will forget what the Word says and how to apply it to the situations in our life.

But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is the rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.  Hebrews 11:6 NKJV

We will be rewarded for our diligence in seeking God and His Word. Numerous times in the scriptures Jesus says your faith has made you well and your faith has saved you.

Now let your faith be like that mustard seed though extremely small when we sow it, it will grow and grow and produce works in you that you never thought possible.

For we walk by faith, not by sight.  2 Corinthians 5:7 NKJV

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things unseen.
Hebrews 11:1 NKJV

Above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.  Ephesians 6:16 NKJV

I have been crucified with Christ, it is no longer I who live but Christ lives in me, and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.  Galatians 3:20 NKJV

Wherever you are in your walk of faith I challenge you today to sow, plant and grow your faith. Just like we can’t see a seed taking root and getting ready to break through the ground, our faith is the same. Its taking root, growing, and maturing ready to break through and become a strong tree growing tall in the Lord.

Amen!

Have you ever ran after something, pursued it and then when you got it or accomplished it, it left you feeling empty? When you thought it would fulfill you.

It is worth nothing for you to have the whole world if you yourself are lost. Mark 8:36 ERV

Until we commit our hearts and lives to Jesus all of our pursuits will feel empty, look pale and leave us poor. They won’t fulfill us.

I have come into the world to be a light. No one who believes in Me will stay in darkness.  John 12:46 NIRV

Jesus brings and sheds light into our lives where there was emptiness, darkness and want. As we pursue Him, He will fulfill us. He will take our emptiness and fill us to overflowing. He will transform our pale, colorless life and give it meaning and purpose. He will take our poor, wanting souls and make us rich in spirit as we grow and follow hard after Him! There is nothing that can compare to knowing the love of Jesus, His forgiveness, His peace and His truth.

Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.  Philippians 3:8 NLT

As the passions, obsessions and ambitions for our lives are first to follow after Jesus and be His disciples then He will lead us and guide us in His way and truth.

But more than anything else, put God’s work first and do what He wants. Then the other things will be yours as well.  Matthew 6:33 CEV

Amen!

Have you ever heard someone’s problem or hardship and were moved with compassion? But then you didn’t know what to do? The disciples felt that way in the story of the feeding of the five thousand. They saw the need and knew the people were hungry but then wanted to send them away.

Send them away, that they may go into the surrounding country and villages and buy themselves bread, for they have nothing to eat.  Mark 6:36 NKJV

But Jesus answered and said to them, “you give them something to eat.”  Mark 6:37 NKJV

Jesus was teaching His disciples not to send people away but to meet their needs. Jesus freely gives to us, so we in turn need to give to others. The disciples only had five loaves of bread and two fish. But, they offered it to Jesus and He blessed it, broke it, multiplied it and gave it back to His disciples and they served it to the people.

We must be willing to offer to Jesus the little we have and then share the abundance He gives us with others. Don’t be a hoarder.

Let each of you esteem and look upon and be concerned for not merely his own interests but also each for the interests of others.  Philippians 2:4 Amplified Bible

Jesus fed the five thousand and there were leftovers. Jesus is always enough and will always supply all our needs. Whether we are giving to someone in need or are the one in need.

Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full-pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.  Luke 6:38 NLT

If you see a need today or are moved with compassion don’t be afraid and send them away hungry. Step out, have faith, offer what you have and allow Jesus to multiply it.

When you feel like you have nothing to offer a person or situation, remember that nothing is small in the eyes of God. Do all that you do with love.

Amen!

Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.
Hebrews 13:15 NKJV

No matter what you are facing today let the sacrifice of praise be on your lips. Praise is our best weapon. And we need weapons to fight our daily battles. When we praise God we are proclaiming that our Great God is worthy of praise no matter what our circumstances are. Praise produces victory and victory stirs up praise. The process is cyclical.

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,
And into His courts with praise.
Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.
Psalm 100:4 NKJV

When we praise God we bring glory to Him. And it turns our attention off of our problems and we focus our mind on God and proclaim His goodness. What a privilege it is to bring God joy! He gives us everything we need when we need it. May we give back to Him today and offer up to Him the glory and honor He deserves.

Give to the Lord the glory due His name,
Bring an offering, and come before Him.
Oh, worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness!
1 Chronicles 16:29 NKJV

I will bless the Lord at all times,
His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
Oh, magnify the Lord with me,
And let us exalt His name together.
Psalm 34:1,3 NKJV

God is near to those who seek Him. He fulfills our needs and desires, delivers us and preserves us. Therefore, He is worthy of our praise!

Amen!

Psalm 27:14 (NKJV) tells us
Wait on the Lord
Be of good courage
And He shall strengthen your heart
Wait, I say, on the Lord!

As we wait on the Lord for an answer to prayer, I think we have to ask ourselves, what is the Lord showing us during this time of waiting? Maybe we need to learn to be patient, or how to trust, or to be obedient, or how to persevere, or maybe we need to surrender trying to control everything. Ouch! Whatever He is showing you through this time may your ears be ready to hear, may your eyes be open to see and may your heart be willing to understand.

Just as a farmer plants a seed in the ground and waits for a harvest, we too need to wait for God’s perfect harvest in our lives. But the farmer doesn’t idly stand by, he waters it, fertilizes it and nourishes it. We to need to water, fertilize and nourish our time of waiting. We need to continue praying, continue to read God’s Word and continue to seek Him.
Knowing and trusting that what we can’t see taking place, God is working out for our good.

Isaiah 40:31 (NKJV)
But those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint.

There is a song titled While I’m Waiting by John Waller. It tells us to be hopeful, to be patient, to be bold and confident, to be obedient and to serve and worship the Lord while we are waiting.

Heavenly Father help us to wait on You and Your timing in our lives. May we not move ahead or try to intervene but know with confidence You are working everything for our benefit and Your glory.

Amen!

God wants to bless you with so much. But first, He wants you and to hear from you. Spend time with your Heavenly Father today. That in itself is your first blessing of the day.

Ask Him to enlarge your territory and watch what He does. But don’t  just ask, you have to believe, have faith, you have to do something, you have to move.

Remember, God made each one of us special and different. He has an important work for you to do that no one else can do. He has put you in a certain place, among certain people, with special opportunities to serve. And He has equipped you with the tools you need to do it.

Be strong and of good courage, and do it; do not fear nor be dismayed, for the Lord God-my God-will be with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you, until you have finished all the work for the service of the house of the Lord.
1 Chronicles 28:20 NKJV

Gods hand will be with you as He guides and directs you through your day. Ask Him to keep you from evil, that you may not cause pain to your family, to your friends, to those who need His love and salvation, or to yourself.

Heavenly Father may Your hand be with me today as I seek to do Your will for my life. Direct my steps and lead me that I may be a blessing to those you have placed in my life.

Amen!

As I think about Christmas time and giving gifts, I ask myself have I opened all the gifts from Jesus? Are there still unopened ones under my tree?

Scripture tells us Jesus is our:
Savior
Redeemer
Provider
Healer
Shepherd
Helper
Hope
Teacher
Immanuel – God with us
Prince of Peace
The Way
The Truth
Bread of Life
Light of the world
The list goes on and on….

Don’t stop at one or two gifts from Jesus. Continue to open each one and receive all the blessings He has offered and provided for us.

John 10:10 NKJV
The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

The enemy of our souls wants to steal those gifts, (like the grinch who stole Christmas). He wants to destroy them so we can’t open them and receive all that Jesus came to give us. Don’t allow him to steal, kill and destroy your gifts.

Jesus came to give each one of us an abundant life. Start opening those gifts that remain under your tree and begin living the (more) abundant life Jesus provides.

James 1:17 CEB
Every good gift, every perfect gift, comes from above. These gifts come down from the Father….

Heavenly Father I pray that we open, receive and accept every gift You have given us. Thank You for all You have provided to us through Your Son Jesus.

Amen!

For unto us a Child is born,
Unto to us a Son is given,
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6 NKJV

With so much turmoil and unrest in the world today and in our hearts and minds may we experience the peace that Jesus came to give us.

Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you, not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
John 14:27 NKJV

As we read and study the scriptures daily it produces peace within us and His presence creates a quiet confidence, regardless of circumstances, situations or people.

You will keep him in perfect peace,
Whose mind is stayed on You,
Because he trusts in You.
Isaiah 26:3 NKJV

Every scripture I read on peace settled my heart and spirit. Just saying the word brings peace. As you search the scriptures on peace may you receive His peace, experience His peace and have lasting peace.

For the word of God is living and powerful…
Hebrews 4:12 NKJV

Heavenly Father I pray for Your peace to settle our minds, comfort our hearts and reign in our lives.

Amen!

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 NKJV

The Lord instructs us through His Word:

How we should live and conduct ourselves in the world.
Teaches us how to have a right relationship with Him and others.
It is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path.
It gives us discernment and helps us to grow and mature.

Show me Your ways, oh Lord
Teach me Your paths
Lead me in Your truth and teach me.
Psalm 25:4-5 NKJV

We must listen to how God speaks to our hearts through His Word and then act on what He teaches us. Apply the Word of God into your life daily and watch what He will teach you.

My prayer today is that we would all have a teachable spirit and a willing heart to allow God to do His handiwork in each of our lives.

Amen!

Are you dwelling in unity with your family, friends and neighbors? Do you have a broken relationship with someone? God can mend those relationships as we allow Him to. Do you need to extent forgiveness to someone, confess a sin of bitterness or resentment?

There is a verse in a song that says, show me how to love like You have loved me. Break my heart for what breaks Yours….. Ask Jesus to help you love those who are hard to love. Help us to see others as Jesus sees them. When we ask believing, He will help us and give us the strength we need. Have faith!

John 13:34-35 NKJV  A new commandment I give to you that you love one another, as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.

Let Jesus be our example of how to love and ask Him to help when it gets hard. Remember no one is perfect and Jesus loves us, unconditionally.

Heavenly Father help us to dwell together in unity with one another and show us the relationships that need to be restored. May we have godly love and compassion for others. And as we do we will see how good and how pleasant it is to dwell together in unity!

Amen!