Daily Devotional May 19th - May 23rd
Monday, May 19
The Power of Small Beginnings
Matthew 13:31–32 (ESV)
“He put another parable before them, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field. It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is larger than all the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.’”
Matthew 17:20 (ESV)
“For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.”
Devotional:
Jesus doesn’t shy away from smallness. In fact, He often chooses it as the starting point for His Kingdom work. The mustard seed is not only tiny, but easily overlooked—yet under the right conditions, it grows into something strong, welcoming, and useful.
What Jesus teaches is radical: what begins in obscurity can end in abundance. The same is true for our faith. It’s not the size of your faith that changes things—it’s where your faith is placed. When rooted in Christ, even the smallest act of obedience carries eternal significance.
Take a moment to consider: Where have you undervalued the small things God has placed in your hands? A prayer, a smile, a single word of encouragement—these are seeds.
Prayer:
Lord, help me not to despise the small things. Teach me to value mustard seed moments and trust that You are doing more than I can see. Grow my faith—not through hype, but through quiet trust in You. Amen.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Tuesday, May 20
The Slow and Certain Growth of the Kingdom
Mark 4:26–29 (ESV)
“And he said, ‘The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground. He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how. The earth produces by itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. But when the grain is ripe, at once he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.’”
1 Corinthians 3:6–7 (ESV)
“I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.”
Devotional:
Spiritual growth often doesn’t follow our preferred timelines. We want change to be visible and fast, but the Kingdom of God grows like a seed—slowly, and often unseen. And yet, it grows.
Jesus wants us to trust that when we plant in obedience, He will bring the harvest in His timing. Even when we can’t explain how or when, we can rest knowing that God is not passive—He’s just patient.
If you’re tired of waiting, or wondering if what you’re doing matters, remember this: God grows what we surrender.
Prayer:
Father, teach me to wait well. Help me trust Your timing more than my timeline. Grow in me a deep faith that believes You are at work—even when I don’t see it. Amen.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Wednesday, May 21
The Transforming Influence of the Kingdom
Matthew 13:33 (ESV)
“He told them another parable. ‘The kingdom of heaven is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, till it was all leavened.’”
Luke 17:20–21 (ESV)
“Being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, he answered them, ‘The kingdom of God is not coming in ways that can be observed, nor will they say, “Look, here it is!” or “There!” for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you.’”
Devotional:
Leaven doesn’t need applause to be effective. It works slowly, silently, and thoroughly. So does the Kingdom of God. One small introduction—one prayer, one friendship, one surrender—can spread influence far beyond what you imagine.
You are part of that leaven. If Jesus lives in you, then the places you live, work, and serve are rising with Kingdom potential. The world may not see it—but the Spirit is working through you.
What’s quietly rising around you because of Christ in you?
Prayer:
Jesus, make me leaven. Use my life to bring quiet transformation in the spaces I inhabit. Work through me in ways I may never fully see—until the whole is filled with Your presence. Amen.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Thursday, May 22
Faith in the Unseen
Hebrews 11:1–3 (ESV)
“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation. By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.”
2 Corinthians 4:16–18 (ESV)
“So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen.”
Devotional:
We often put our trust in what we can measure, post, or prove. But Jesus calls us to live by faith in the unseen. Kingdom realities—like grace, transformation, and hope—often work under the surface before they rise.
Faith isn’t a feeling; it’s confidence in God’s character. And when you anchor your life in that unseen reality, it will shape how you walk through your very visible world.
Where do you need to shift your eyes from what’s seen to what’s eternal?
Prayer:
God, give me eyes to see beyond what’s visible. Strengthen my trust in Your invisible work. Help me to fix my heart on what’s eternal, and to walk by faith, not by sight. Amen.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Friday, May 23
The Quiet Kingdom in a Loud World
1 Kings 19:11–13 (ESV)
“And he said, ‘Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord.’ And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks…but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper.”
Matthew 6:5–6 (ESV)
“But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”
Devotional:
God’s greatest movements often come in whispers. Elijah didn’t encounter God in the earthquake, wind, or fire—but in the stillness. Likewise, Jesus tells us that some of the most powerful Kingdom moments happen behind closed doors.
In a noisy world obsessed with performance, Jesus calls us to the secret place—where faith is refined, intimacy is cultivated, and power is made perfect in stillness.
As you finish this week, ask yourself: Am I making space for the whisper? Because in the quiet, unseen places, God is often doing His deepest work.
Prayer:
Lord, quiet my soul. In a world full of noise, help me listen for Your whisper. Lead me into secret places where You shape my heart and renew my strength. Let me live from that place today. Amen.
The Power of Small Beginnings
Matthew 13:31–32 (ESV)
“He put another parable before them, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field. It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is larger than all the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.’”
Matthew 17:20 (ESV)
“For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.”
Devotional:
Jesus doesn’t shy away from smallness. In fact, He often chooses it as the starting point for His Kingdom work. The mustard seed is not only tiny, but easily overlooked—yet under the right conditions, it grows into something strong, welcoming, and useful.
What Jesus teaches is radical: what begins in obscurity can end in abundance. The same is true for our faith. It’s not the size of your faith that changes things—it’s where your faith is placed. When rooted in Christ, even the smallest act of obedience carries eternal significance.
Take a moment to consider: Where have you undervalued the small things God has placed in your hands? A prayer, a smile, a single word of encouragement—these are seeds.
Prayer:
Lord, help me not to despise the small things. Teach me to value mustard seed moments and trust that You are doing more than I can see. Grow my faith—not through hype, but through quiet trust in You. Amen.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Tuesday, May 20
The Slow and Certain Growth of the Kingdom
Mark 4:26–29 (ESV)
“And he said, ‘The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground. He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how. The earth produces by itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. But when the grain is ripe, at once he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.’”
1 Corinthians 3:6–7 (ESV)
“I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.”
Devotional:
Spiritual growth often doesn’t follow our preferred timelines. We want change to be visible and fast, but the Kingdom of God grows like a seed—slowly, and often unseen. And yet, it grows.
Jesus wants us to trust that when we plant in obedience, He will bring the harvest in His timing. Even when we can’t explain how or when, we can rest knowing that God is not passive—He’s just patient.
If you’re tired of waiting, or wondering if what you’re doing matters, remember this: God grows what we surrender.
Prayer:
Father, teach me to wait well. Help me trust Your timing more than my timeline. Grow in me a deep faith that believes You are at work—even when I don’t see it. Amen.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Wednesday, May 21
The Transforming Influence of the Kingdom
Matthew 13:33 (ESV)
“He told them another parable. ‘The kingdom of heaven is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, till it was all leavened.’”
Luke 17:20–21 (ESV)
“Being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, he answered them, ‘The kingdom of God is not coming in ways that can be observed, nor will they say, “Look, here it is!” or “There!” for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you.’”
Devotional:
Leaven doesn’t need applause to be effective. It works slowly, silently, and thoroughly. So does the Kingdom of God. One small introduction—one prayer, one friendship, one surrender—can spread influence far beyond what you imagine.
You are part of that leaven. If Jesus lives in you, then the places you live, work, and serve are rising with Kingdom potential. The world may not see it—but the Spirit is working through you.
What’s quietly rising around you because of Christ in you?
Prayer:
Jesus, make me leaven. Use my life to bring quiet transformation in the spaces I inhabit. Work through me in ways I may never fully see—until the whole is filled with Your presence. Amen.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Thursday, May 22
Faith in the Unseen
Hebrews 11:1–3 (ESV)
“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation. By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.”
2 Corinthians 4:16–18 (ESV)
“So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen.”
Devotional:
We often put our trust in what we can measure, post, or prove. But Jesus calls us to live by faith in the unseen. Kingdom realities—like grace, transformation, and hope—often work under the surface before they rise.
Faith isn’t a feeling; it’s confidence in God’s character. And when you anchor your life in that unseen reality, it will shape how you walk through your very visible world.
Where do you need to shift your eyes from what’s seen to what’s eternal?
Prayer:
God, give me eyes to see beyond what’s visible. Strengthen my trust in Your invisible work. Help me to fix my heart on what’s eternal, and to walk by faith, not by sight. Amen.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Friday, May 23
The Quiet Kingdom in a Loud World
1 Kings 19:11–13 (ESV)
“And he said, ‘Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord.’ And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks…but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper.”
Matthew 6:5–6 (ESV)
“But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”
Devotional:
God’s greatest movements often come in whispers. Elijah didn’t encounter God in the earthquake, wind, or fire—but in the stillness. Likewise, Jesus tells us that some of the most powerful Kingdom moments happen behind closed doors.
In a noisy world obsessed with performance, Jesus calls us to the secret place—where faith is refined, intimacy is cultivated, and power is made perfect in stillness.
As you finish this week, ask yourself: Am I making space for the whisper? Because in the quiet, unseen places, God is often doing His deepest work.
Prayer:
Lord, quiet my soul. In a world full of noise, help me listen for Your whisper. Lead me into secret places where You shape my heart and renew my strength. Let me live from that place today. Amen.