Do Not Despise Small Beginnings -- part 4

Mothers of Nations, are you enjoying our current topic “Don’t Despise Small Beginnings?”  I certainly have gained much insight as I studied and prepared these weekly blog entries for you.

Today we will finish our discussion with several concluding thoughts. First, let’s look at several examples from the Word of others who faced small beginnings or took small actions.

•  The widow in the temple. Her sacrifice was the key to this small act being great. Mark 12: 41-44 -- ⁴¹ Jesus sat down near the collection box in the Temple and watched as the crowds dropped in their money. Many rich people put in large amounts. ⁴² Then a poor widow came and dropped in two small coins. ⁴³ Jesus called His disciples to him and said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has given more than all the others who are making contributions. ⁴⁴ For they gave a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she had to live on.”
•  Mary anointed the feet of Jesus. Her small desire to anoint His feet was a small gesture of love. God honored this by anointing her. John 12: 3-6 -- ³ Then Mary took a twelve-ounce jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard, and she anointed Jesus’ feet with it, wiping his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance. ⁴ But Judas Iscariot, the disciple who would soon betray him, said,⁵ “That perfume was worth a year’s wages. It should have been sold and the money given to the poor.” ⁶ Not that he cared for the poor—he was a thief, and since he was in charge of the disciples’ money, he often stole some for himself.
•  The 120 praying in the Upper Room – God saw this small act and met them in a wonderful way. The Church was born! 
•  A cup of cold water – Matthew 10: 42 --  And if you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of My followers, you will surely be rewarded.”
•  Daily being His hands, His heart, His eyes to those we meet:  Matthew 25: 34-40 ³⁴ “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. ³⁵ For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. ³⁶ I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’ ³⁷ “Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? ³⁸ Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? ³⁹ When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ ⁴⁰ “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’

I love this verse found in Luke 16:10a. If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. Through my own life serving the Lord I have learned that:

• Small things can make a difference. A small life impact can produce big results. In the nations we have given gifts of bicycles, Bibles, teaching materials, and touched the lives of young and old in so many other ways. I know beyond any doubt that these “small things” have brought tremendous blessing and strength to so many.
• Small thoughts can accurately lead our lives. We move in the direction of our thoughts. Philippians 4: 8 -- And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.
• Small words can bring life or death, break down or build up. The power of our words is undeniable and just a few can bless or curse.
• Small changes can result in abundant life. For example changing negative talk to positive declarations will bring blessing to ourselves and to others.
• Small habits or small routines can change who we are. We are what we repeatedly do. Small habits shape us.

Mothers of Nations, I encourage you to always be faithful in the day of small things. Again looking at Luke 16:10a:  If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones.

God’s blessing, approval and glory is available to each of us. I do not know what He has planned for you in your “small beginnings,” but I do know that He is a Rewarder. He is pleased by faithfulness and He will bring to pass what He has promised each of us. He is faithful to His Word.

Sometimes when we are in the beginning of something, we can be tempted to quit. But don’t give up! Don’t compare your beginning with that of someone else. Endure the frustrations and difficulties that come your way.

Small beginnings have no value to you if you despise them. Don’t miss the good things, the fun and excitement of a new adventure with God! You may be at the very start of stepping out into a whole new thing!

• The beginning of a new relationship
• The beginning of a new partnership
• The beginning of a new ministry
• The beginning of a new season

I pray you have been blessed and even more so encouraged by these discussions of “Don’t Despise Small Beginnings.”  Maybe you are looking at a very tiny mustard seed in your hand today, a small beginning that carries the potential of incredible growth and blessing.

Sending my love to you today,

Dr. Sharon Predovich