A Little Leaven

Written by Brigitte Straub

By Brigitte Straub

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“A little leaven leavens the whole lump” Galatians 5:9

We live in an age where we are surrounded by many different belief systems, theologies and doctrines that can become very confusing for those who want to simply seek God with all their heart and walk in His ways.
The dictionary says this: “Leaven is a pervasive influence that modifies something or transforms it”. Leaven is a symbol of a penetrating influence.

Scripture warns us to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod which was the spirit of unbelief that prevailed in their hearts and minds.

Yet there is another leaven we read about in the scriptures, and that is the leaven of the Kingdom of Heaven.

This is why Jesus came, “preaching the gospel of the Kingdom of God” (Mark 1:14). He also sent out His disciples imploring them to preach, “the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand” (Matthew 10:7).

The Kingdom of Heaven is ultimately God’s realities and ways. God wants His people to rise up into walking in His Kingdom ways as Jesus, our perfect example, did. Penetrating the earth with this alive and active leaven within us will help cause a shift in the atmosphere while creating a place where heaven invades earth.

In spite of the unbelief and doubt in God and His ways these days there seems to also be a growing awareness and a desperate hunger to encounter God in a real way that will be life changing. We need the leaven of the Kingdom of God to be alive in us. Father’s heart longs for us to spread His word and His ways throughout the earth so that nations would come to know Jesus as real.

Let us join together as those who follow Jesus with sincere faith to preach and demonstrate the Kingdom of God, in bringing His awesome reality into the earth allowing Him to invade this place with His Glory. Let us be the leaven, that pervasive influence transforming the world around us.

~ Heavenly Father, thank You for Your ways that are so much higher than ours. We love You and are committed to walking how You have called us to! Remove all doubt and unbelief that is within me. Fill me with faith and belief in who You are. Thank You for Your Spirit, empowering us to go forward in sharing Your Kingdom and walking in Your ways. Become so alive and active in us that everyone that encounters us will see that Jesus is real. Amen.

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Question: What does it mean to “leaven” something? How can your life leaven the lives of others?

About this Author: Brigitte Straub

3 Responses to “A Little Leaven”

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kanj says:

October 15, 2008 at 7:28 pm

thank you Brigitte for this devotional. to answer your question: what does it mean to ”leaven” something? i’ll be totally honest is saying that i knew that the word ”unleavened” was associated with bread when i woud see it in scripture. i did not understand the meaning until i began to study His word further. in Galatians 5:9(The New Revised Standard Version) is says: ”A little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough ”. my life(the ”little yeast”) has already got those that knew me then(in every which way that negative can be in a person’s life) and know me now, has them asking the million dollar question: ”How is it possible, this transformation?” must be on medication,(never), must be seeing someone(was but it was all a waste of their time and mine as i was never open enough). i feel that if I was able to even turn one un-believer’s head enough to ask such questions then imagine once the whole batch see’s and feel’s the same. Praise the Lord for His mercy and may His influence in my life effect the whole batch of dough(my family)
DonnaL says:

October 13, 2008 at 12:35 am

Hi Linda,
What are you doing up so late? ;) How are you my friend? Having trouble sleeping? I fully agree with you Linda, sometimes our own Christian walk is the greatest influence on others. God in his grace allows us to be His representatives on this earth. That’s why its so important to keep our focus on Jesus and with the help of the Holy Spirit we will be people who will be salt and light in a fallen world. It’s a great responsibility but so worth it. Praying that our God will work in mighty ways so that people will hunger after Him and without a doubt know that Jesus is real. Loving you all from here. Praying for you Linda….Donna
Linda R says:

October 12, 2008 at 9:55 pm

I think it is how we influence those around, how we live our Christian lives and what kind of testimony we are for The Lord. You often hear it said that your life is the only Bible some people will ever read. I strive each day to be more like Jesus and will continue too until I go home to be with Him in Heaven. I am not perfect and never will be but it is my desire to be used of God in any way that He desires to use me each and everyday. I love that Old song called :

“Jesus Use Me”

. DEAR LORD I’LL BE A WITNESS, IF YOU WILL HELP MY WEAKNESS.
I KNOW THAT I’M NOT WORTHY, LORD, OF THEE. BY EYES OF FAITH I SEE THEE, UPON THE CROSS OF CAL-V’RY, DEAR LORD, I CRY, “LET ME THY SERVANT BE”

CHORUS:

JE—SUS. USE ME, AND O LORD, DON’T REFUSE ME, FOR SURELY THERE’S A WORK THAT I CAN DO. AND EVEN THO’ IT’S HUMBLE
HELP MY WILL TO CRUMBLE, THO’ THE COST BE GREAT, I’LL WORK FOR YOU.

2. I’LL STAND FOR THEE DEAR JESUS, ‘THO DEATH MAY COME MY WAY
I’LL SPREAD THE GOSPEL TO THE FALLEN HERE
BUT IF IT BE THY WILL, TO GO ACROSS THE SEA, LORD, HELP ME TO BE WILLING TO SAY “YES”

CHORUS:
JE—SUS. USE ME, AND O LORD, DON’T REFUSE ME, FOR SURELY THERE’S A WORK THAT I CAN DO. AND EVEN THO’ IT’S HUMBLE
HELP MY WILL TO CRUMBLE, THO’ THE COST BE GREAT, I’LL WORK FOR YOU.

3. HE’S THE LILY OF THE VALLEY, THE BRIGHT AND MORNING STAR,
HE’S THE FAIREST OF TEN THOUSAND TO MY SOUL’
HE’S THE BEAUTIFUL ROSE OF SHARON, HE’S ALL THE WORLD TO ME, BUT BEST OF ALL HE IS MY COMING KING

CHORUS:
JE—SUS. USE ME, AND O LORD, DON’T REFUSE ME, FOR SURELY THERE’S A WORK THAT I CAN DO. AND EVEN THO’ IT’S HUMBLE
HELP MY WILL TO CRUMBLE, THO’ THE COST BE GREAT, I’LL WORK FOR YOU.

I Told You It Was A Old Song! Hugs, Linda!!!