16-June-24 (Mark 4:26-34)

Jesus said that the Realm and Rule of God is like a mustard seed. It starts out small, almost insignificant, easy to overlook. As it grows, it becomes something much larger and much more significant.
It starts when we return a bit of God's blessings, whether it's financial resources or some of our time or abilities. It seems like such a small thing then.
But because of my gift, someone hears about the love of God for them and for all people. Someone sees that love acted out in tangible ways: They have food on the table for the first day in some time. Someone visits them at a time when they thought no one remembered them at all. Across the world from us, someone drinks fresh water for the first time in their life.
It starts out small, but it becomes something very big and very important.
Wouldn't you like to be a part of that. All it takes is to give back, even just a little bit.
Think about that as we take up our offering for today.

Prayer:

Please join me now in prayer.
God who empowers and expands our gifts and all we do, we pray that you would bless these gifts we return to you, that these mustard seeds would become words and actions of your love in our communities, our nations, and our world.
Bless us as well, that our faith would grow as we see your love shared in these words and deeds..
We pray in the name of Jesus, our Christ, AMEN.