Mustard Seeds - Walking on Mustard Seeds

Nine Benefits of God’s Will for You

a young boy building Legos on a blanket.

I write to bring you peace within yourself, with God, and within your community. At the end of 2022, I wrote about God’s will for 2023, and this month, I have been writing with the goal of embracing God’s will.

When I am obedient to God’s ways, it brings a peace that nothing else can provide.

As long as humankind has existed, so has a struggle of will, self-will versus God’s will. God always and forever gives people a choice between his will and our own.

You may sometimes tarry, as I do, wanting your will over God’s. Please be gentle with yourself and remember, even Jesus cried out to God, asking him to remove death on the cross if it would be His will.

The intangible gifts of obedience.

Trust: A deeper trust in God and in yourself.

Contentment: You can rest because the results are in God’s capable hands.

Amazed: You feel great doing the right thing for the right reason.

Energetic: Not having mental fatigue trying to make things work that are not supposed to.

Strong: There is no worry about consequences.

Hopeful: The future looks brighter because you have nothing to hide.

Excited: Enjoying what you are doing because God has trusted you with it.

Vital: Your act is a good example to others.

My personal favorite:

Confidence: You’ve done the right thing, and nothing can take that away.

a woman in a greed suit throwing confetti.

Your turn

What would you add to this list, and which is your favorite? I would love to know.

Until next week, keep Walking on Mustard Seeds,

Michele Marie Weisman

For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. Romans 11:29

P.S.

Sowing Seeds of Faith & Hope

Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash (blocks)

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What is God’s view of small things?

There are no small things in God’s view, and who could better guide us?

A Carten of half a dozen eggs one in the middle is broken.

“Whoever can be trusted with small things can also be trusted with large things. Whoever is dishonest in little things will be dishonest in large things too.” (Luke 16:10 ICB)

Recently, while baking, I was reminded of a basic spiritual truth. A guaranteed promise from God that will not fail us, but we forget to use it. Like setting the timer on the oven.

My time in the kitchen was like that, a reminder of how easy it is to unintentionally not turn to God.

Attempting to make almond bread, something I do every week, the dough looked too goopy. After two batches that looked wrong, adding a little extra Greek yogurt to one and an extra egg white to the other; this being the extent of my abilities to try to fix the situation, I combined the two loaves, spread them on my baking sheet and placed them in the oven for a nine-minute bake.

Resting it to cool on my stovetop, it looked like my almond bread, kind of. But not quite right.

When it cooled, I cut a slice and took a bite. It was chewy. Chewy. Too much chewing, but it was edible.

What had gone wrong? I measured everything correctly. I used each ingredient. So what was the answer to this mystery?

Are you doing the things you know to do, but the outcome is not good?

Details matter and something was off.

Plagued all day with wanting to find what went wrong in the kitchen, I realized that the almond flour had a clumped look to it. Opening my canister up, I saw that, indeed, the flour was not as loose as it should be.

I grabbed my mesh strainer, as I would use for powder sugar, and sifted enough for a fresh loaf of almond bread. It worked! The bread dough was perfectly moist. Too much flour was the issue.

Do you need to sift some things using God’s view?

Often I forget to take my everyday regular activities and seek God’s guidance with them.

Do I need to delegate some of my chores? I can’t say yes to every opportunity at church, so which ones does God want me to participate in? The season of our family has changed, so I can not expect my kids to be present like they were in the past. Where do I need to let go a bit more and enjoy the times they choose to hang with us instead of friends?

God wants to guide us daily. I need to take every task and opportunity before God, big or small. There are no small things in God’s view, and who could better guide us? If he provides food for the smallest of the birds, won’t he care about the smallest of your daily details?

God, I trust you with the big and small things in my life. May I give each task and obligation the time that is needed to accomplish them well. But first, show me which ones to do and when, what to let go of, and what to add to. Thank you. Amen.

Until next week, keep Walking on Mustard Seeds,

Michele Marie Weisman

For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. Romans 11:29

PS I attended an event this week where a speaker shared about the realities of human trafficking. Earlier this month, I wrote about sex trafficking. Because of the presentation, I may update my original blog post. Please pray for those in your county or city who are being trafficked; they are there.

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Photo by Natallia Nagorniak on Unsplash (photo 2)

Photo by Duncan Kidd on Unsplash (photo 3)

God’s Will for 2023 — Your Footing

Looking for love, trust, and guidance in 2023?

Over the last two weeks, we have discussed God’s will for you in 2023. It is a bit of a tease because God’s will stands through all time.

In week one, we covered that God loves you and is trustworthy. (Psalm 143:8A)

Week two was embracing God’s guidance on your path in 2023. (Psalm 143:8B)

So what is the finale to this series?

You are mine

“Teach me to do your will, for you are my God!” (Psalm 143:10 ESV)

Did you notice the exclamation point? Knowing who God is versus calling him “mine!” makes a difference.

How do you interact with your children compared to a stranger’s child at the grocery store?

A passionate relationship with God, rather than one in passing, calls for more because you want more from Him.

More of the love, trust, and guidance only he can bring to your life.

But wait — there is more.

The psalmist is crying out for God to give instructions on how to walk in his will.

We ask Google, friends, family, educators, and experts to teach us things we do not know. Then, we can ask God to teach us the most crucial skill.

To live within his will.

His will brings peace, hope, love, direction, inspiration, comfort, and wisdom.

Let’s pray

God, your will shows me how to treat others, providing peace with my neighbors, tells me how to use money with insight to live within my means. Teach me what I am to know to live in your will for 2023. Thank you for always being with me. Amen.

Until next week, keep Walking on Mustard Seeds,

Michele Marie Weisman

PS If his series blessed you, please consider sharing it with a friend.

“Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.”

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God’s Will for 2023 — continued…

Last week we looked at how God’s unfailing love makes him trustworthy.

Wouldn’t it be nice if 2023 was trustworthy? Maybe this is why people throw themselves into resolutions at the start of the year. If they can predict their own behavior for the new year, all 365 days, the year won’t look so daunting.

What do you trust?

As Christians, we trust God’s unfailing love and his promises.

Matthew 11:28-30 explains when we trust Jesus, our burden will be light. Burdens are a promise, but so is the lightness — when we allow him to direct our hearts and actions.

The Exception

“Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you.” (Psalm 143:8b NLT)

The exception is whether or not, you will allow yourself to be fully guided by God. If not, you will feel the total weight of your burdens.

If you keep your new year’s resolution, you may feel good about yourself, but the burdens will be crushing.

Trusting God’s love means you can trust his insight and allow him to guide you. (John 14:16, John 14:26, Romans 8:26)

Ultimate Choice

We can choose to trust God with our future and follow his plans for us, or we can choose not to.

The celebration of the birth of Christ is remembering that God kept his promise of salvation for mankind. Not everyone wants this gift, but for those of us who do, can we receive that gift but refuse his guidance with our everyday plans and problems?

Prayer

God, I am sorry when my trust in you falters becasue I do want your plans for my life. Direct my heart and actions as I walk through today. May your peace go before me. Amen.

Wishing you and your loved ones a very Merry Christmas!

Until next week, keep Walking on Mustard Seeds,

Michele Marie Weisman

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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Photo by Gareth Harper on Unsplash (baby Jesus)

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God’s Will for 2023 –a series of sorts

a dark room with eight holes letting streems of light in.

For the remainder of this year, I will write a series about God’s will. I don’t claim to have any foreknowledge about 2023, and as we look forward to Christmas, I realize a post about the new year might seem out of place.

But God

In the book of Psalms, three lines are pressing into my heart with peace-filled wisdom. I will share the first of the three with you — shortly.

The stress of the holidays is upon us. If I were to make a list of the possible stressors, it would just stir them up more.

I was curious to know how the pressure of Christmas is unique, so I popped onto Google and asked. This research revealed that heart attacks are at their highest! And not just in December, but on Christmas Eve! (I am not in the medical field or attempting to give medical advice. Please call your doctor, or better yet, 911 if you don’t feel well.)

black and white tik tack toe with three red harts going down the middle.

Christ’s birth brought stress.

We know the story of Christmas so well that it is easy to overlook the pressure this young family was under. Upon his birth, Jesus did not need to worry. He was, of course, a baby. But Mary and Joseph did. (Matthew 2:13) King Herod wanted to have the newborn King killed.

God told Joseph in a dream to take his family and flee to Egypt. This was an order to hurry, make haste, a quick exit. And so they did.

Do you feel pressure NOT to feel pressure at this time of year?

You aren’t running from a king, but you also cannot deny the added responsibilities and expectations Christmas brings.

God’s Will

“Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning,
for I am trusting you.” (Psalm 143:8 NLT)

I am sure Mary and Joseph listened to and trusted in God as they fled with baby Jesus. In a quiet morning moment, we can also turn our attention to God’s love and trustful ways before we rush into the day.

This won’t erase what we need to do, but it can help sort through it all. God wants to guide us always — whoops, I don’t want to give away the final installment of this series.

Acknowledge His love for you and trust Him.

The perfect guide.

God’s word is the perfect guide for every situation. Join me next week as I draw us toward the second of three verses in Psalms, bringing me insight for 2023.

Announcement

An old fashioned type writer on a white Surfus.

Thank you to all who ordered the anthology, Inspire Courage. I hope you are enjoying it!

I should be getting my copies shortly. 🙂

Until next week, keep Walking on Mustard Seeds,

Michele Marie Weisman

Photo by Paul Green on Unsplash (light)

Photo by Kiley Lawson on Unsplash (hearts)

Photo by Mitchell Orr on Unsplash (flee)

Are we there yet?

Road trip, anyone? Most of us can tell a story about a long road trip to a grandparent or relatives’ home for Thanksgiving. And yet, when we arrive, we know there will be a return trip, driving home this time.

God’s Table

Reading through the Old Testament, it too is a long journey, and one soon realizes how much celebrating occurred with food along the way. God-sized triumphs seemed to require a feast. This was a specific time set aside to eat celebratory food, enjoyed together what God had seen them through. Triumphantly.

Each meal was a time of thankfulness and awe for God.

Their Table

The meal of remembrance that we eat every Thanksgiving recalls a time that seems impossible, the Native Americans celebrating a meal with the Pilgrims. But it did happen, and it was right and good.

Many bad things occurred outside of the Pilgrim’s purpose in coming to the Americas. People are tempted to make choices outside of what God would will. The Old Testament and world history testify to that.

But this community of Pilgrims, far braver than most today, carved out a life with help. Help from God and from the people who were here, full of the knowledge of how to survive this land.

Your Table

four children in rain boots covered in mud.

The people you gather with this Thanksgiving are likely people you have traveled through many obstacles and joys with. Together, you have won large and small victories. You have likely been at odds with, nurtured, held, and cheered on one another.

Heaven’s Table

Six silhouettes of people in front of a sunset.

You may be missing those who are celebrating at another table, ones who are at God’s table, or you may be surrounded by everyone you cherish.

No matter where you are or who you are with, may we join together, knowing Jesus came so we can and will have an eternal thanksgiving with God.

Until next week, keep walking on mustard seeds,

Michele Marie Weisman

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Photo by Chang Duong on Unsplash (sun set freinds)

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Who says what is good?

a woman thinking with a yellow backround. — Photo by Diana Polekhina on Unsplash

November blows in the cooler weather, and it seems a to-do list on every brown and auburn leaf. Thanksgiving approaching quickly relays the fact that Christmas is soon before us with to-do lists of its own.

No sweat, right? A grocery trip or two, food preparation, baking, cleaning, and phone calls to be made. Maybe fit in some early Christmas shopping?

It’s all good, right?

We, as a nation, celebrate Thanksgiving every year, yet it is never unhurried. Toil and stress gather with us to celebrate this feast of giving thanks.

Before we get tied up in every detail for the big day — or perhaps unraveling because of its expectations — we could look for clues on how to best handle each day between now and Thanksgiving Day.

Clues in Genisis

We won’t have to dig very far into the book of Genesis, the first book of the Bible. Chapter one is the location of these helpful hints.

How many clues are given, you ask? Six. Plus, a bonus. Yeah. A bonus help from God.

A magnifne glass a pad of paper and a pencil. — Photo by Mediamodifier on Unsplash

Here goes, with evidence! The verses are noted, of course. 😉

God created light.

“God saw that the light was good.” (Genesis 1:4 ESV)

God divided the land from the oceans.

“And God saw that it was good.” (Genesis 1:10 ESV)

God created trees that grew food.

“And God saw that it was good.” (Genesis 1:12 ESV)

God created night and day.

“And God saw that it was good.” (Genesis 1:18 ESV)

God created sea animals and birds.

“And God saw that it was good.”(Genesis 1:2 ESV)

God created animals for land.

“And God saw that it was good.”(Genesis 1:25 ESV)

God created people.

“And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good.” (Genisis 1:31 ESV)

What the clues tell us

If God can claim, at the end of each day, “it was good,” can’t we say the same to ourselves? No matter what you did not get done, just say to yourself, “What I did was good.” Maybe you needed rest and took it. It was good. Maybe you accomplished fewer things than you wanted to, but you still got something done. It is good.

Let’s address the “very good” perspective from God. Man and woman are the cherries on top of his creation. He sees you as a very good part of his whole creation.

A piece of pumkin pie. — Photo by Element5 Digital on Unsplash

Are we perfect? No. Not ever. But we are part of what God calls “very good.” So be good to yourself, and use kind words as you reflect on what you did today. There will never be another Thanksgiving like this one. Even if you burn the yams or forget an ingredient, I bet — no, I know — God thinks your gathering is very good.

Congratulations to Erralee, winner of the drawing for the new ebook release by Dianne Marie Andre, Dress Shop Miracles! Thank you to all who participated!

an image of a man lifting a woman both laughing.

The Sweetest Resound

As October draws to a close, celebrations are on their way. Celebrations in the Old Testament are reminders pointing to God’s power and enjoyment of the people echoing their awe of their God.

When the Israelites crossed through the Red Sea, they broke into song, recalling and praising God for all the ways he poured out his power for them. (Exodus 15)

When God worked through Nehemiah’s faithfulness to rebuild Jerusalem’s wall, the Jewish people celebrated with choirs. Plural, not one but many. (Nehemiah 12:27-47)

Celebrations that continue generation after generation are hard-won.

The story of Thanksgiving is a story of pilgrimage for freedom to worship the Lord. Making it across the sea to North America and creating a relationship with the inhabitants was no small feat. God was in all the details.

How easy is it to walk down the street and meet a neighbor we don’t know? God can be in those details too.

In the New Testament, we see God’s promise of eternity with him being born through Jesus Christ. His life was not an easy one – hunted from his birth by a king. Over thirty years later, he was turned over to the cross by his own people.

Why would we celebrate the story of a life that battled so much? Jesus was fighting a bigger battle than anyone could see with their eyes. Jesus came to win our souls for the spiritual empire – heaven.

Jesus was born a King, is a King, and will always be King. That is what we celebrate on Christmas day. The King of promise, hope, joy, love, and grace. The very birth of faith.

What do we sacrifice so others can hear about Jesus?

There are other celebrations in life. Birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, retirements, and the passing of loved ones, to name a few.

A sonagram of a small fetus. — Baby Weisman 10/17/2012

This month of October, my family celebrates my dad’s birthday and our daughter’s birthdays. Our girls were born four years and seven days apart, so it is a busy and much-loved time.

In the mix is another life we celebrate. Ten years ago this October, our unborn son or daughter slipped into heaven instead of our arms.

Celebration, created by God for God, allows the sweetest resound when we know he created a path to his eternal Kingdom.

God, there are so many times to stop and celebrate. Show us the significance of the hard-won remembrances. May the sweetest resound rise up from those times, stirring our faith and sharing it with others. Amen.

What are you celebrating? Please share in the comments so we may celebrate with you.

Until next week, keep Walking on Mustard Seeds,

Michele Marie Weisman

PS. If you havn’t heard, my magazine artical is now out, EGM Times has several great articals. Be sure to check it out!

Photo by Sofiya Levchenko on Unsplash (balloons)

What do math and foolishness have in common?

“As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his foolishness.” (Proverbs 26:11 NLT)

A black Adorable old dog with a camo bandana on. — Our loved puppy, Sammy.

If you have a dog, you know they return to vomit. As gross as it is, they eat it. We love our two dogs, Sammy and Brady, and if one of them does throw up, we clean it up quickly. This is a process of holding them away from the liquid mash and hurriedly wiping it up, and tossing it out. They are obsessed with getting that business back inside them.

God does not pull any punches as He fully delivers the insult of being — well — foolish. And who has not been foolish at some point? Either for an extended period of time or momentarily.

There are some people who live their entire lives this way. While any of us can raise a hand at repealing something that – has no other word that truly calls it out – is foolish. You know, doing the thing you wish you would not be doing, but there you are doing them again. For me, it is eating the wrong foods or too much of them.

What I realized the last time Sammy vomited…

He was nose pointed at it, ready to slurp it back up while having 355 other degrees to turn to, but he chose the five degrees with the mess. We all have 355 degrees to choose from rather than recreating a foolish decision again and again.

Prayer

Like a loving pet owner keeps their pet from the act of eating vomit, God, please strengthen us to keep away from what we harm our spirit, mind, and body with. Light up the other 355 degrees for us. Thank you, Father. Amen.

A brick road with a heart in it. — Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash

Your turn

How do you stay away from that five percent? Please share in the comments.

Announcement

a train Tunell with a sign that says blow your horn. — Photo by Rita Morais on Unsplash

Blowing a horn for Jesus!

I am excited to announce that ELOHIM Gospel Ministries has published the magazine issue with my article in it. If you want to take a peek, it is titled Zacchaeus’ Riches in Jesus. I hope and pray it is a blessing for you. If it does bless you, please consider sharing it with someone.

Until next week, keep Walking on Mustard Seeds,

Michele Marie Weisman

Do you have trouble making decisions? This will help.

We can stand confident in knowing that He is leading us.

“The Lord directs our steps, so why try to understand everything along the way?” (Proverbs 20:21 NLT)

A red background with dozens of arrows pointing in every direction.

“No two children are alike,” the adage says. My second child let me know early on that parenting her would be a completely different experience. I had to let go of the ideals I held about being a good mom. For instance, as a toddler, she would roam around and not obey my command, “Now, stand here for just a moment.” This could happen by the car in the parking lot, during a visit to the zoo, or at church in the large quad. I would turn my attention for just a second, and she was gone. I knew what I had to do, purchase a lead for my child. Yes, I needed to become a lead-carrying mom to preserve the life of my child. Pride and embarrassment had to go out the window. That was just a warm-up for things to come. A decade later, she walks around with blue, pink, and perhaps soon, red hair. Thankfully, I learned to ignore any gawking when we were in the lead stage, and she gets some lovely compliments on her hair.

God created us individually and will also guide our lives uniquely, within His perfect boundaries. I could not make sense of why a lead for a child was a good idea until I realized it was going to save her life.

When God leads us in a small detail for our day or in a major shift in life, we need not take stalk of what others think or might say. More importantly, we need to put aside any pre-decided ideas and go with God’s plan. Fear and worry will try to surface as we try something new and unknown. But God sees the end of the situation before we have taken the first step into it.

A mother with two children showing them something on a tablet.

My youngest has taught me to not care what others think. When moments of doubt come, stand firm, knowing God designed me and approves of me.

His word tells us that we can hear His direction for us. We can stand confident in knowing that He is leading us.

God, thank you for Your guidance and direction for every detail today.

Your Turn 🙂

What has been a turning point where you listened to God and not gone on with your own plans?

Bursting at the seams to tell you!

My submission to EGT Times has been accepted! I am so grateful and humbled that they have agreed to print my article in their bi-monthly magazine. It should be online and in print by the end of October. If you want to see what they are about, click here -> Elohim Gospel Ministries

Until next week, keep Walking on Mustard Seeds,

Michele Marie Weisman

PS. If this post blessed you, tell your friends! There is a new post every Thursday where, together, we are sowing seeds of faith. Thank you!

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Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.