“Then He said, “To what shall we liken the kingdom of God? Or with what parable shall we picture it? It is like a mustard seed which, when it is sown on the ground, is smaller than all the seeds on the earth; but when it is sown, it grows up and becomes greater than all herbs, and shoots out large branches so that the birds of the air may nest under its shade.” (Mark 4: 30-32 NKJV).

The mustard seed was one of the smallest seeds in the vegetable kingdom that grew in the Middle East during the time of Jesus. The mustard plant is still grown there today. Though a very small seed, the plant can grow from 10 to 15 feet in height when mature.* And the branches of the plant are large enough that a small bird can build its nest on them. Jesus used the mustard seed to illustrate how God takes small things and uses them to produce great things. He used this parable to illustrate what the Kingdom of God is like.

Sometimes we feel small and inadequate as followers of Christ. Because we may not be as talented or as gifted as others, we sometimes wonder how God could possibly use us! We often forget that God delights in using small things! In Exodus 4:2 & Exodus 14, God used a shepherd’s rod in the hand of Moses to bring devastating plagues upon Egypt that resulted in Israel’s deliverance from slavery after 400 years. Later God used a young teenage boy named David and a shepherd’s sling to destroy the giant, Goliath, and route Israel’s enemies (1 Samual 17: 45-50). In Matthew 14:17-21, Jesus took five small loaves of bread (about the size of a man’s hand – what we would call a biscuit today) and two small fish (from a boy’s lunch) and used them to feed over 5,000 people! And Jesus took 12 ordinary men (1 of whom was a traitor – Judas) and with them, He established His Kingdom in the earth that continues to grow around the world today and will be ultimately consummated at His return! (Luke 6: 12-16 & 1 Corinthians 15: 19-26).

The Lord wants us to know that anyone or anything that is yielded unto Him has virtually unlimited potential in His hands! It is not our ability that makes the difference in usefulness. It is His (Luke3 18:27)! God has always used small things. He still does! So, rejoice if you feel small and inadequate. You are the perfect instrument that He can use to bring great glory to His Name!

James W. Black

*Source: Unger’s Bible Dictionary page 1335).

“The wicked freely strut about when what is vile is honored among men.”

Psalm 12:8 NIV -1985 Edition

We have reached a point  in our culture  when almost  nothing is considered to be immoral or indecent. Every form of filth and degrading deviancy is not only embraced but is now promoted and openly flaunted without guilt or  shame!    Things that once were considered as “sin” are now promoted as “normal” and should be (we are told) accepted by everyone.  And if you have the audacity to disagree, then you are considered as being unsophisticated, bigoted, hateful, unloving  and unkind.

How did we get to this point?  How did we come to the place where now some in the higher echelons of education and government  are openly stating that even pedophilia should NOT  be considered a crime?*   We came to this point when many pastors,  churches and whole denominations,  beginning in the early 20th century,  completely abandoned the Word of God!  Now as a result of “sowing to the wind” we are reaping the whirlwind (Hosea 8:7).   And professing ourselves to be wise, we have became fools!   (Romans 1:22). 

What we see is another confirmation of the reality and the truth of God’s Word!  Galatians 6:7 declares: “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.”  That is true for individuals, families, churches, communities and nations.  No one is exempt.  When that which is vile is embraced, the wicked strut about in pride and arrogance!  There is no longer any restraint!  

The remedy is a return to God!  The Remedy is a return to His Word! The remedy is a transforming revival!   The remedy is for the redeemed of God to stand in the face of the darkness and declare and live out the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ! 

Rev. James Black

*California’s New Law  October 12, 2020 article by Rosa Elias.  

“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.” (1 Peter 3:15 KJV).

Often Christians are accused of putting their faith in something that may be hopeful but is not logical or rational. Nothing could be further from the truth! Our faith is based upon fact not fiction! Our faith in Christ is rooted in logic and reason. It is based upon reliable, verifiable, and historical facts. In other words, it is indeed a logical and rational faith.

The fact that Jesus lived is supported not only by the Bible but also by other historical, non-Christian writers during the same period (Cornelius Tactitus – A Roman Historian; Flavia’s Josephus – A Jewish Historian, And a Letter in the British Museum written about 73 AD by a Syrian named Mara Bar-Serapion who mentions the death of Christ are only a few among many).*

The Resurrection of Jesus is also a reliable, verifiable, and historical fact that is recorded not only in the Bible but outside of it as well! The fact that the enemies of Jesus sought to bribe and suppress the message of His Resurrection (Matthew 28: 11-15) in reality actually supports the Resurrection! If the Resurrection was not true, all they had to do was to present the body! They did not need to bribe anyone. And the transformation of Saul of Tarsus, an enemy of Christ (Acts 9), who became one of the greatest defenders of Christ is further evidence of the Power of Christ and His Resurrection. Thus our faith is rooted and grounded in truth, not fiction.

As we grow in our walk with the Lord we can, with confidence, be ready at any time to give a logical explanation to anyone as to why we believe in and follow Jesus. The greatest evidence we can give is to share how Jesus has transformed our life. For no one can argue with a changed life. The evidence should be irrefutable.

Rev. James Black