By Allen White
He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. 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.”
He told them still another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds of flour until it worked all through the dough.”
Jesus spoke all these things to the crowd in parables; he did not say anything to them without using a parable. So was fulfilled what was spoken through the prophet:
“I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter things hidden since the creation of the world.” Matthew 13:31-35
In these parables, Jesus compared the kingdom of God to something small that increases exponentially. A mustard seed is not the smallest seed on earth, but it would have been the smallest one known to His audience. Yeast is also very small. It doesn’t take much yeast to multiply dough.
Faith starts small, but has enormous potential. Just like a tiny mustard seed becomes a plant large enough to support birds or minute yeast rises and expands bread dough, the Kingdom started with One, Jesus Christ, who invited twelve, who gathered 120 in the upper room at Pentecost, who saw 3,000 saved in a day, who spread the Gospel throughout the known world. But, there’s another Kingdom principle here.
The seed of faith that once took root in each of our lives has enormous potential to transform our lives and affect the world around us. While we have an enemy whose mission is to kill, steal and destroy, we have a God who trumps him and intends abundant living for us (John 10:10).
I’m sure you’ve had the experience where you get an idea, get excited about it, then discouragement immediately sets in. “You can’t do that. Who do you think you are? You’ll never amount to anything.” Ever had thoughts like that? Those thoughts don’t come from God. Guess the source?
When God plants a dream in our hearts, the enemy’s goal is to kill that seed before it can even take root. While the enemy can’t physically overpower us, he can certainly mess with our heads enough to squelch the dream. Sometimes he even works through the people around us to discourage.
Both mustard seeds and yeast require the right conditions to grow. Seeds need the right light, soil, minerals and moisture to thrive. Yeast requires the right temperature, light and environment to expand. How is your situation encouraging your dream? How is your environment holding you back?
God believes in you. God has great plans for you. God has planted His seed in your heart. Are you letting that seed of faith take over your life? Are you filling your mind with encouraging thoughts or are you listening to the old tapes? Who are you surrounding yourself with? Are they fueling your dream or extinguishing it?
As soon as you can (or sooner), get alone with God and ask Him to clarify the dream. Read His Word. Dream big dreams. Nurture that seed of faith, then watch it grow.
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