Dear Friends,

Have you ever noticed how some of the tiniest things can have the potential for great power, whether constructive or destructive? Let me give you a few examples:

• A grain of sand – It may seem insignificant on its own, but together, grains shape entire landscapes and beaches. Plus, the tiniest piece of sand can bring a machine to a halt!
• A matchstick – One tiny flick, and it can light up a dark room—or even start something monumental. And just a tiny spark can cause a devastating forest fire!
• Words – A single word has the power to inspire, encourage, or even change the course of history.

Proverbs 18:20-21 says, “If you speak words that help people, they are like good food. Words have the power to bring life or death. So be careful if you talk a lot!” (EASY)

Although many things have the potential for great power, a catalyst must set them in motion! Thoughts, no matter how trivial, can lead to actions that shape outcomes for better or worse. It’s called the ripple effect. Like dropping a stone in water, our actions often have far-reaching implications. This is the potential power of our thoughts that become words or deeds!

So, what else is tiny but mighty when put into motion? The MUSTARD SEED! In Mark 4:30-32, Jesus said,

“How can I describe the Kingdom of God? What story should I use to illustrate it? It is like a mustard seed planted in the ground. It is the smallest of all seeds, but it becomes the largest of all garden plants; it grows long branches, and birds can make nests in its shade.” (NLT)

Here, Jesus used the mustard seed to describe how the Kingdom of God begins and grows in the believer’s life. If you are a child of God, you have been given the seed of the Kingdom of God. Jesus said in Luke 12:32,

“Do not be afraid and anxious, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” (AMP)

What we do with our Kingdom mustard seed makes all the difference in our lives and the lives of others. The act of PLANTING and TENDING to the seed will cause it to gradually grow and overtake all the puny insignificance in our lives! This is the power of the Kingdom seed in action!

Everything Jesus said, He said for a reason. Here, Jesus tells us not to fear or be afraid! Fear is just the opposite of faith. Fear robs us of joy and progress, sucking the very life out of us! We must resist the temptation to fear—not by fighting it but by turning our attention to the One who is PEACE, GOODNESS, and our eternal JOY!

There are several things we can do with our Kingdom mustard seed. As in the Parable of the Talents in Matthew chapter 25, the master gave His goods to three servants. Notice how Jesus states that the Kingdom of Heaven is like this parable.

In Matthew 25:14-19, Jesus said, “Again, the Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. He called together his servants and entrusted his money to them while he was gone. He gave five bags of silver to one, two bags of silver to another, and one bag of silver to the last—dividing it in proportion to their abilities. He then left on his trip…

The servant who received the five bags of silver began to invest the money and earned five more. The servant with two bags of silver also went to work and earned two more. But the servant who received the one bag of silver dug a hole in the ground and hid the master’s money. After a long time their master returned from his trip and called them to give an account of how they had used his money.” (NLT)

The story goes on to say that those who faithfully used the master’s talents and gained a profit were rewarded with more talents. Unfortunately, when the master finds the one servant who fearfully and lazily buried what was given to him, he lost what little he had. In verse 25 of this chapter, we see the servant’s excuse to the master saying, “I was afraid I would lose your money, so I hid it in the earth. Look, here is your money back.” (NLT)

Again, the servant acted in fear rather than faith, and as a result, his life never profited, and his seed never grew past the initial stage! This is a critical lesson in life not to allow ourselves to be motivated or driven by fear to hoard or bury the God-given abilities entrusted to us. If we take time to develop and use our divine gifts and talents, they will grow, and our godly influence will expand!

We need to pay attention to the times when Jesus said, “the Kingdom of God is like…” to better understand how the Kingdom of God works and how to work with Him in it! When we learn these things, we will live full and satisfying lives while making a godly and eternal impact on those around us. It’s that simple, but we must patiently and persistently practice the things Jesus taught in Scripture to enjoy its benefits!

Thinking about and helping others is the key to increasing joy and happiness. Philippians 2:4 explains that we need to think the new Christ-like way, “Do not think only about the things that you want to do for yourself. Each of you should think also about how you can help other people.” (EASY)

The Holy Spirit, often called “the Helper” in the Scriptures, empowers us to reach out and assist others daily, teaching us that we also find support and encouragement in the process. It may not make sense to the natural mind, but it’s how the Kingdom of God works!

In Matthew 25, Jesus lists some simple things we can do to help others. Speaking about the day of judgment, He says to those who did not dismiss the small promptings of the Lord: “‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me…’

Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ ‘And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’” Matthew 25:34-40 (NLT)

Think about it: the specific deeds Jesus mentions here are things anyone can do! They are not complicated or require special training or skills to perform. The only thing needed is a heart of compassion for those suffering! I’m certain the righteous did not recall their ordinary deeds because this was their LIFESTYLE. These acts were not special events; they were not done for recognition—it was just who they were!

Jesus tells us to be careful of our motives when doing good deeds. Doing things secretly or anonymously quells the pride that so easily erupts and spoils everything! “But when you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.” Matthew 6:4 (NLT)

What are you doing with your Kingdom seed? Have you used it lately? Or have you placed it on a shelf, thinking you would get to it later? Maybe it’s buried under a stack of to-do lists! Listen, your Salvation and divine gifts are just the beginning of a life of endless possibilities! But you can only discover these things through a personal relationship with Jesus. The Lord gives us divine abilities and works with us to develop these gifts. He then directs and empowers us to bless others, all the while being blessed in sharing them!

But remember, the small things can make the most significant impact! These Kingdom moments are presented to us nearly every day—they are sometimes so small we can miss them if we’re not looking for them. We never know how our kindness can open the door in a person’s life to make a connection for Christ! Isn’t that what our new life is all about? It’s about being ambassadors for Christ in this world, and as ambassadors, we may often leave the confines of our desks to actively pursue those we strive to unite, face to face and heart to heart! (2 Corinthians 5:20)

Not able to get out and about much? No problem! With today’s technology, there are a plethora of ways to communicate your love to others. What about a simple phone call or an old-fashioned letter? The point is to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit in our daily activities. He loves to prompt us to do small, seemingly insignificant things that create a huge ripple effect for the Kingdom of God!

Don’t have a Kingdom mustard seed? All you have to do is ASK! Jesus stands prepared to give you what is undeserved but desperately needed! Give Him all the broken pieces of your life and access to every corner of your emptiness. Let Him relieve your burdens, calm your anxiety and worry, and lift you from your disappointments and sorrow. Pray the following prayer and receive the seed of life from the Creator Himself!

In His Loving Name,

Life With Father Ministries

YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN!

Speaking with Nicodemus in John 3:37, Jesus said, “I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit. Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life. So don’t be surprised when I say, ‘You must be born again.’” (NLT)

Have you been Born Again by the Spirit of God? Did you know you could receive a NEW LIFE from God? Did you know that all your miserable mistakes, failures, and disappointments can be wiped away? Did you know that your trauma and wounds of the past can be healed and your life restored? This is what happens to the person who surrenders to the One who loves us unconditionally. All you have to do is turn around and ask the Lord to change the trajectory of your life from downward to upward! And even if you feel like you’re stuck and can’t turn around—even if you feel enslaved by addictions and worldly vices, you can reach out to the Lord with a sincere heart and ask Him to help you turn away from the things that are destroying you! This is just who Jesus is and what He does for us!

If you are unsure where you stand with God today or where you will spend eternity, why don’t you make that decision today? With all sincerity, pray the Prayer of Salvation below and ask the Lord to give you the gift of new life!

PRAYER FOR SALVATION:

Dear Jesus, I acknowledge that I am a sinner and I have not always done the right things or made the right decisions. I ask you to forgive me. Jesus, I accept your sacrifice on the Cross as payment for my sins. Jesus, come into my heart, make me a new person, and give me eternal life. I ask you to be my Lord and Savior. Give me strength, Jesus, to live for you every day! Help me to live a life that is honest, honorable and full of faith. Now lead me forward and shower me with your grace and glory. Thank you, Lord, for giving me newness of life! Amen.