Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today- August 4, 2010
“He replied, “Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” Matthew 17:20
Belief brings possibilities, while unbelief limits possibilities. It’s the prison of unbelief that locks up dreams and big visions. Why do we jail what Jesus could do through us? Why do we trust Him with our soul’s salvation, but not with our life’s calling? It’s forgetting the basic belief in God to do anything that limits the manifestation of grace.
What is the Lord asking you to do that seemed impossible in the past, but is knocking on the door of your heart today? What will it take for you to open the door and walk through? Is it enough money? If so, can He provide in ways outside of the conventional system of the world? Yes of course, Christ can be unconventional in His provision.
Jesus described the degree of His care by contrasting our needs with natures nourishment, “If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? (Matthew 6:30)?” The possibilities our heavenly Father offers is illustrated by His care of creation.
When faith falls short we fail to see the extent of God’s ability to engage opportunity. But when we believe with big thoughts, they transcend our meager offerings and latch on to what the Lord can accomplish. Defective faith dies for dread of what might happen, but effective faith thrives over the hope of what can happen. What is the object of your belief? Is it Jesus alone or Jesus plus what your mind can comprehend? Belief trusts Him.
A mind released by God’s revelation is positioned for great things, so by faith ask Him to show you His grand plan for your next season of service for Jesus. Do not allow unbelief to hold you back. Instead embrace the possibilities from your heavenly Father’s portfolio of opportunities. Be open to career transition, mission work, aggressive giving, writing, traveling the world, Bible study in your neighborhood, marriage and graduate school. Yes, build a bigger business or church, but all for the glory of God. Belief in Him trusts Him.
“You are my witnesses,” declares the LORD, “and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me” (Isaiah 43:10).
What do I need to give over to God and trust Him in exchange for eternal possibilities?
Related Readings: Psalm 106:12; Habakkuk 1:5; Mark 5:36; 1 Thessalonians 2:13
Boyd Bailey is the author of Wisdom Hunters daily devotional and two devotional books, Infusion and Seeking Daily the Heart of God
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Thank you so much for this passage and devotional. I recently signed up to go on a mission trip and i think my parents think i have gone off the deep end. I have a belief that its my calling and this devotional helped confirm my faith.
Thanks!
Let me be transparent….When I saw the email soliciting sign-ups from Family Christian Store I said “Please”. And I did not delete it I just looked at it every day for a week wondering if this would be WEAK! I finally signed up lat Sunday evening and my first devotional came hat same night which I read the next day.
I have been literally blown away. I have been on the phone discussing it with friends and forwarding it to those I think it can benefit. BOYD BAILEY GOD is doing a wondrous thing through you. I literally get spanked, love and encouraged all at the same time in this 1 devotional! THANK YOU FOR LETTING GOD USE YOU!!
Natalie you are welcome. You will be more blessed than those you serve. Maybe one day your parents can join you on a mission trip!
In Christ,
Boyd
Mari you made my day, thanks for being SO transparent and real about what the Lord is teaching you.
Blessings!
Boyd
Hi Boyd…
I’ve been a member of Family Christian Bookstore for quite some time now. When they started sending me emails and I saw a link to your webpage called “Wisdom Hunters”, I clicked on it. I began to read the devotional–and immediately, the Lord spoke to my heart! I said to myself, “This is amazing! Better sign up my husband as well.” So I did. Now both of us are so hooked into it that we even use it as one of our devotions when we’re spending time with the Lord–to prepare our hearts as we read His Word.
This particular devo meant so much to my husband and I because we’ve been constantly praying and watching how the Lord would answer our prayers regarding having a baby. My husband lost his first wife and his baby 7 years ago. He never got to see his baby. He was still in her womb when she passed away. My fiance passed away 3 years ago–just when we were about to get married. Both my husband and I never got the chance to hold a baby at all (with our previous partners). When we got to the part of the devo where it said, “A mind released by God’s revelation is positioned for great things, so by faith ask Him to show you His grand plan for your next season of service for Jesus. Do not allow unbelief to hold you back. Instead embrace the possibilities from your heavenly Father’s portfolio of opportunities. Be open to career transition, mission work, aggressive giving, writing, traveling the world, Bible study in your neighborhood, marriage and graduate school. Yes, build a bigger business or church, but all for the glory of God. Belief in Him trusts Him…”–it just blew us away! Tears began to fall and we just ended up hugging each other, praising God for speaking to us through the devotion! He was just not referring to Him blessing us with a child in His own time–but everything else–job, ministry opportunity, Bible study… it was just mind-blowing! Now, we are more confident than ever that God is in perfect control of everything–that whatever happens in our lives is a result of putting our complete trust and faith in an Almighty, All-knowing, All-sovereign God–who truly deserves all the praise, honor, and glory!
May our good and loving Heavenly Father continue to bless you and your ministry!
In Him,
Paula