Most of my blog posts are inspired by Scripture. I read random books in the Bible, going back and forth between Old and New Testament and I always find something to write about. Recently I have been reading the books of James, Jeremiah, Nehemiah and last week I started with Romans.
How many times have I read the book of Romans? I lost track, but I am sure I have gone over every word, every sentence and every chapter with great care and hunger. I don't need proof that God's Word is alive, I know it! As soon as I started reading, a sentence in the first chapter jumped off the page: I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world (Romans 1:).
Wow! Just think about that for a second. Can you imagine that your faith, or the faith of your family, your church, your town or your country would be reported all over the world? Can you imagine that your faith would be the talk of the town, that reporters would write favorable articles about your faith? That newspaper headlines would tell of your faith... What kind of faith would that be? Well, according to the Bible size doesn't matter. It doesn't have to be big faith, it needs to be faith in action!
I like what Jesus said about it in Matthew 17:20 (TEV), I assure you that if you have faith as big as a mustard seed, you can say to this hill "Go from here to there!" and it will go. You could do anything! Notice that this translation says faith as BIG as a mustard seed, while others say 'as small as a mustard seed'. Jesus' perception of size is different than ours! He basically tells the disciples, and us today, what mustard seed faith is: something very small you can use in order to do something very big!
Faith won't grow by itself, we need to put it into action. Go ahead, use what He has given you!
Hi Marja - wow, a whole new slant on a scripture. Great point to ponder.
ReplyDeleteGod bless
Tracy
Don't you love it when that happens Tracy?!
ReplyDeleteHi Marja -
ReplyDeleteIn a way our faith is being broadcast via the Internet. Facebook, blogs, Twitter, websites, etc. all serve as a way to share.
I started the Book of Acts this morning. Isn't it funny how something in a greeting can explode with life?
Blessings,
Susan :)
Yes Susan, most of the time I sort of skip over the greeting, or read it too fast... and yet, the greetings contain gems, for sure!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your input.
Marja:
ReplyDeleteI spent time this morning pondering John 1:1 for something I am writing. I had been having problems putting into words what my research showed but God finally led me to the right words.
Little by little I hope it is growing in me. At times I fail but so thankful that He keeps pushing me forward. :O)
ReplyDeleteCecelia, I am glad He came to your rescue. I know He always will :)
ReplyDeleteSometimes we need to be pushed Diane, otherwise we would never move :)
ReplyDeleteLOVE it!! As BiG as a mustard seed. I will let those words echo in my heart today.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your visits, Marja, and, yes, you may copy my "home improvement" list. ;)
Off to read your other posts and catch up a little.
Much love!
Great insight, Marja! Noticed the difference in the translations right away - big v. small faith. Your conclusion is important: "Faith won't grow by itself, we need to put it into action." Just like the book of James points out! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteMarcia, thanks for your comment. Big seed, small seed... size doesn't matter, it's the SEED that counts, and seeds need to be planted in order to grow!
ReplyDeleteHi Maria, I had never noticed the difference in translations before. It tells me the size of the seed is a matter of perception.
ReplyDeleteThanks for leaving your words of wisdom.
Wow-- I can picture that if our faith was all over and reported! I can imagined that we would want our faith to grow and grow.
ReplyDeleteThank you for visiting my blog!!!