Have you ever thought about how one small act of faith can create a ripple effect that reaches far beyond what you could ever imagine? It’s like tossing a pebble into a pond—those ripples keep spreading. Michael Walker’s message this past weekend, “Celebrating The Goodness and Faithfulness of God,” reminded us that God’s faithfulness not only impacts our lives, but it also reaches out to others in ways we may never fully understand.
Michael talked about how the Israelites crossed the Jordan River, and God instructed them to set up memorial stones to remind future generations of His faithfulness. It wasn’t just about that moment—it was about making sure others would know the story. In the same way, our acts of faith, no matter how small, can have a ripple effect, reaching others in ways we might not expect.
One of the things Michael said that really stuck with me was this: “God’s faithfulness doesn’t just stop with us. It continues through us.” Have you ever considered that your faith could be the encouragement someone else needs? That’s the ripple effect in action.
In Matthew 25:35-36, Jesus speaks about how we show His love through simple acts of kindness:
“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.”
The beauty of this passage is that Jesus is reminding us that these simple acts of faithfulness—these seemingly small ripples—are actually monumental in His kingdom. It’s easy to underestimate the impact of a small gesture, a prayer, or a helping hand, but these are the stones we are setting up in our lives, just like the Israelites did.
Michael also shared about how Church in the City became a beacon of hope, starting from the smallest of beginnings. That storefront next to a tattoo parlor on Colfax? God used it to ripple out, impacting lives across the community. Every act of faith and trust in God led to something greater—lives transformed, needs met, and a testimony that continues to grow.
Here’s the challenge: What small act of faith can you do today that might ripple out and touch the life of someone else? Sometimes we think it has to be a grand gesture, but often it’s the little things—checking in on a friend, praying for someone, offering a word of encouragement—that God uses to spread His love and faithfulness far beyond what we can see.
Think of one “stone” you can drop into the water today to start that ripple effect.
Let’s pray: Father, thank You for Your faithfulness that not only reaches me, but spreads through me to others. Help me to see the opportunities in my life to make an impact, even through small acts of faith. I know that You are using my life as a testimony of Your goodness and provision. Lord, let the ripple effect of Your love flow through me, so that others may be encouraged and drawn closer to You. Give me the courage to trust that no act of kindness is too small, and that You will use it for Your glory. May I be a light to those around me, reminding them of Your faithfulness through my actions. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Here’s the key point: God’s faithfulness doesn’t just impact us—it spreads through us. Just like the Israelites set up stones to remind future generations of God’s work, our faith and actions ripple out, touching the lives of others in ways we may never fully understand.
Call to Action: Consider sharing this devotional with someone who might need encouragement today. Check out the podcast replay of this message on your favorite podcast platform. Search for “CITCBA Insights” today. You can listen at churchinthecity.org/podcasts. And if you’re in the area, join us at Church in the City for one of our services. Our Saturday service at 10 a.m. has a Messianic theme, and our Sunday contemporary service starts at 10:45 a.m. Church in the City began as an outreach in the early 80s and became a church in 1991, dedicated to reflecting Christ in our community and the world.