“The apostles said to the Lord, ‘Increase our faith!’” (Luke 17:5, NET)
Can you relate to this desperate plea? I know I can! I am longing for Jesus, the Author of my faith, to ever strengthen my confidence in Him. Thankfully, He has revealed to us a number of ways to intentionally engage with the process as He takes our trust deeper.
We can find one of them in this same passage, in Jesus’ answer to the disciples’ request: “So the Lord replied, ‘If you had faith the size of a mustard seed, you could say to this black mulberry tree, “Be pulled out by the roots and planted in the sea,” and it would obey you’” (v. 6).
Listen to the kindness in the tone of His voice. Jesus’ point was not to disparage their faith. He was not saying, “Get it together, guys. If you really had some faith — even a tiny bit — we’d be seeing results!” Rather, He was lovingly directing their attention to one of the main keys to seeing our faith grow: using it.
Mustard seed faith. A seed is of no use if you keep it in your pocket or on the shelf in your shed. It will only produce fruit if you activate the life inside of it. You must plant it in the ground and allow its roots to begin to grow. In the same way, we must activate our faith if we desire to see it come to fruition in our lives.
Jesus was giving a vitally important lesson to His dear friends. Practice! Flex your faith muscle! Put it to work! Use it! Speak it out! In this way, it will begin to grow. Roots will develop. As you persevere in working out your faith, you are going to see some massive obstacles pulled up out of your path and relocated in the heart of the sea.
What is a practical step you can take today to activate your faith? Do you need to make a phone call? Enroll for a class? Initiate a conversation? Declare the Word of God over your circumstance? Ask Holy Spirit to show you the next action point He has in mind for the development of your faith. He will surely answer!
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Do you sense Holy Spirit right now nudging you towards a specific faith step?
Feeding On Jesus 
Dear Jennifer, I pray each day that my faith, which God has given me, increase in measure according to what challenges and deeds He purposed me for. To remember in that moment, when doubt or fear enters in, that He that is in me is greater then anything in my path. I have seem by faith grow in leaps and bounds, yes, when put to the test. I claim FAITH beyond measure. Amen Len Wisniewski
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Yes Lord Jesus! Thank you for ever-growing, ever-strengthened faith, as You take us from faith to faith!
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Coming here to commune with TrueBelievers stokes my faith, each time I see the Word working in each of you. You remind me to get past the carnal nature and keep me in touch with the Holy Spirit nature. TY. :))
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I’m so very glad you find strength and encouragement here, my dear sister! Grace and peace be yours in abundance as you continue to grow in Holy Spirit every day! ❤ ❤
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Definitely yes. It’s been six and a half years since ordination, and I sense the Spirit has given me time to get used to it all and settle in overall. Now I get the occasional poke that, now that I have some experience behind me, it’s time to push harder to make a difference for Christ. And my gut tells me that, at the right time, a book is in my future, not for my profit, but for others, and His. New ground for me, so I pray the Divine Editor will be alongside. And He will be.
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That just stirred excitement in my spirit! I feel His confirmation, a sense that He will greatly bless that effort as you move forward in obedience!
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“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
Romans 10:17 KJV
Take a step out onto His Word! Be as Abraham and know that what He promised, He will deliver. Just like running, slow but steady at first, then comes speed and strength!
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Running really is the perfect analogy. I’ve thought about that one a lot. How Isaiah 40 says that even young people get tired (which think can symbolically represent those who are young in the faith), but those who wait on the Lord… keep taking those vital steps of faith on His Word… keep at the training with step after step forward… will “run and not grow weary!” We develop into a place where our faith is hearty enough where we don’t get worn out so quickly. Thank you for pointing out that vital connection, John 🙂
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So powerful Jennifer!!! Thank you!!
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You are welcome, dear Jackie! ❤
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YES…several! 🙌
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Awesome!!
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Thank you for sharing this. I needed to see it the way you wrote it. It hit home for me. Planting roots and becoming active is the only way to grow my faith. 🙂
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Praise God! My heart rejoices to hear that it blessed you. Grace and peace be yours in abundance as you keep pressing forward in the race marked out for you! 🙂 🙂
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Thank you for encouraging post and comments. May our God ignite and continue to use the pens of all His Children in these days. The ones who will write the blessed, comforting beautiful and Holy into the lives of others change the atmosphere and can be used of Him in ways we perhaps can’t imagine. Keep writing! Keep proclaiming the news of Christ in our world with whatever means He gives you. Blessings!
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Amen and amen! To live is Christ and means fruitful labor for all of us! The richest of blessings to you too, Faye!
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