Most of us know the mustard seed of faith parables taught by Jesus that say if we have faith the size of a mustard seed we can tell a mulberry tree to be uprooted and be planted in the sea that it must obey (Luke 17:6), tell a mountain to move and it will move, and that nothing will be impossible for us (Matthew 17: 20).

Sometimes, though, I wonder if my faith is even as large as a mustard seed because mountains don’t seem to move and mulberry trees in my way don’t uproot themselves.

Then I see the same parable that shows the “mustard seed faith” in a completely different light!

“It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his garden. It grew and became a tree, and the birds perched in its branches.” LUKE 13:9 NIV.

“He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. ³² Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.” Matthew 13:31-32 NIV).

FAITH GROWS!

We are all given a measure of faith by God (Romans 12:3).

Romans 10:17 (NASB) says “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.”

God plants a seed of faith into our hearts but it is up to us to feed it with daily doses of His Word, nurture it with Son-light and allow Christ to prune as needed.  Soon, we have a beautiful, wonderful, big “tree” of faith that not only nurtures us; it provides a place of rest for others. Our faith then produces seeds that God can plant into the lives of others and then they grow a tree of faith and so on and so on!

Faith grows when we open our Bibles, meditate on its treasures and place them in our hearts.

(all bold italics in quoted scripture are my emphasis.)

While doing my Bible Study homework, I read three sentences in the workbook that dropped me to my knees.

The assignment included reading the passage in Acts about the first martyr for Christ, Stephen. Stephen was full of God’s grace and power (Acts 6:8) and he had the face of an angel (Acts 6:15).

Stephen was doing the very thing for which he was made. It’s sometimes hard to digest, but at times our trials are part of our calling. Sometimes it’s to get us to our calling, sometimes it’s to strengthen our faith while doing our calling and well, sometimes the trial IS our calling. That was the case for Stephen. He was stoned to death for his belief and ministry of Jesus Christ. As he was being stoned he looked up to Heaven and saw God’s Glory and Jesus standing at His right hand (Acts 7:55).

What caught my attention was this statement: “Worthy, indeed, was his calling. It brought the Son of God to His feet. He stood in Stephens honor …”

When I read that, I just sat in awe of Jesus. What an amazing and wonderful thing to see in God’s Word. When we face our trials, our Stephen moments, when we feel like the stones won’t stop….Jesus is there, standing at the right hand of God Almighty, cheering us on and strengthening our faith and perseverance!  He is shouting come on (insert your name), I know you can make it! I’m here; there is nothing that can stop you now! You were made for this moment! You were made to be a witness for Me. There is so much power in that knowledge!

Thank You, Jesus for believing in me and for giving me the strength and the courage to do what you have called me to do!