Hey everybody, welcome to the podcast, I’m Nick and it’s amazing to be here with you today.
Today is September 20.
Each day, we follow a simple rhythm: Slow Down, Read, Notice, Reread, Meditate, Respond, and Exercise.
Let’s begin.

Slow Down

Jesus is here.
He’s sitting in your favorite spot, waiting for you to join Him.
You have a million things on your mind that need your attention, but right now it’s time to be with Jesus.
Set those things aside, relax, and calm your body.
Close your eyes. Take a deep breath in, then slowly release it.
As you inhale, whisper: “Jesus, increase my faith.”
As you exhale, pray: “I will exercise my faith muscle.”
Do this three times, then rest in His presence.

Read

The apostles said to the Lord, “Show us how to increase our faith.” The Lord answered, “If you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘May you be uprooted and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you!
(Luke 17:5–6, NLT)

Notice

What stands out to you in this passage?
Is there a word or phrase that catches your attention?
Hold it in your heart for a moment.

Reread

Hear this passage again — and notice what Jesus is saying to you.

Meditate

The apostles ask Jesus to increase their faith, and His response reframes what they're actually requesting.
This request comes right after Jesus's teaching on radical forgiveness—forgiving someone repeatedly, even seven times in a single day. The disciples recognize that such forgiveness feels impossible without divine help. Their plea for increased faith stems from recognizing they need God's power to obey what He's calling them to do.
So they ask: "Show us how to increase our faith." Give us more. Make us stronger. Help us feel more confident.
But Jesus doesn't grant a miraculous boost. Instead, He tells them something shocking: "If you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, 'May you be uprooted and be planted in the sea,' and it would obey you!"
The mustard seed symbolizes extreme smallness. It's tiny. Insignificant. Yet Jesus uses it to show that even minimal faith accomplishes wonders. Even faith the size of a mustard seed can uproot trees.
Here's the point: The apostles don't lack faith. They misunderstand what faith actually does.
They're waiting for stronger faith before they attempt difficult obedience. They think: "Once I feel more confident, once I have more faith, then I'll forgive. Then I'll obey. Then I'll trust."
But Jesus inverts that logic. Faith doesn't grow through passive reception. Faith grows through use. Just like muscles build strength through exercise, faith builds strength through obedience.
The faith you need isn't a bigger faith. It's faith that's alive. Faith that moves. Faith that acts. Faith that obeys even when it feels impossible.
Jesus is saying: Stop waiting to feel ready. Start using what you already have. Exercise your faith muscle. Obey. Trust. Act. And watch what happens.
Take a few moments to sit with this question:
How can I use the faith I already have to obey Jesus completely?

Respond

Jesus, I choose to exercise my faith through obedience. I'm not waiting for stronger feelings or more confidence. I'm using what I have right now. Help me forgive. Help me trust. Help me step out. Help me move the mountains in my life through faith that acts.

Exercise

The rush of life will meet you again when you leave this sacred place—but you can carry this moment into your day by forming new habits.
Habit: Exercise Your Faith
Today's habit is an act of courageous obedience.
Jesus said faith grows through use. So today, you're going to identify one area where you've been waiting to feel more faith before obeying—and you're going to act anyway.
Spend 15–20 minutes on this exercise:
Part 1: What Are You Waiting For? Identify one specific thing Jesus has called you to do that you've been postponing. Something that requires faith. Something that feels impossible.
Write it down.
Part 2: Why Are You Waiting? Now ask yourself: What am I waiting for? Am I waiting to feel more confident? More ready? More certain?
Be honest about what's holding you back.
Part 3: Exercise Your Faith: Finally, commit to one action today that exercises your faith muscle.
It doesn't have to be dramatic. It could be:
Having the difficult conversation
Making the phone call
Speaking the truth
Forgiving
Trusting
Stepping out
Before you act, pray: "Jesus, I'm not waiting anymore. I'm exercising the faith I have right now. I'm choosing to obey even though I'm afraid. I'm trusting even though I don't feel ready. Help me move forward with mustard seed faith."
Then do it. Today.
Faith grows through use. Start exercising.

I have two asks of you before you go, could you please share this podcast with one person today and check out the review of this podcast on Elevate Society?
That’s your two minutes with Jesus for today.
Now, take what you’ve heard…share it and live it.
Until next time, keep slowing down, keep listening, and keep walking with Jesus.