by Rev Steve Nickodemus

God gives the growth….

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

“… the kingdom of God is like… a mustard seed, which is the smallest of all seeds on earth.  Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds can perch in its shade.”
Mark 4:31-32

From this humble log cabin school in Perry County, Missouri, came a vibrant, mission oriented Christian denomination called the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod.  No one could have predicted that from such humble beginnings such great things would come about.

Jesus tells us that the kingdom of God, God’s working through His Word, is just like a tiny mustard seed that is planted and grows into a great tree.  From a blood stained cross on Calvary has come redemption for the whole world.  From the suffering and perseverance of a few believers has come the spread of Christianity over the whole world.  From the tiny faith of one child can come the conversion of a whole community.

How does this happen?  Not by might, nor by power, but by the working of the Holy Spirit.  By God’s will and God’s Word, mountains are moved and people are saved.

Do not be discouraged by small beginnings, by your tiny faith.  It is not the amount of faith that changes the world, it is in whom that faith resides!  The Lord Jesus has conquered sin and death and opened up eternal life.  He will bring about great things if we simply call on His name, for everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved!

Small, humble beginnings?  The world may scoff at them, but God loves them.  Through such small beginnings He shows Himself faithful and loving and powerful.  For this is how the kingdom of God works….

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado