Today's Devotional

Lord, Increase Our Faith

April 28, 2026 ●

By Pastor Jerry A. Burns

Luke 17:5–6

"And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith. And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you."

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Faith is something every Christian desires, yet many of us feel the same burden the disciples felt when they cried, “Lord, increase our faith.” Life has a way of exposing how small our faith can be. When trials come, bills pile up, prayers seem unanswered, or the future feels uncertain, we quickly realize how much we need to trust God more. The disciples had walked with Jesus, seen miracles, and heard His teaching, yet they still felt their need for stronger faith. That should encourage us—growing in faith is part of the Christian journey.

Jesus answered them in a surprising way. He did not speak about having “more” faith as much as having genuine faith. Even faith as small as a mustard seed can accomplish great things when it is placed in a great God. The power is not in the size of our faith, but in the object of our faith. A tiny seed of true trust in the Almighty can move mountains of fear, doubt, and discouragement. Sometimes we think we need extraordinary faith, when really we need simple obedience and steady trust in the Lord.

Faith grows when it is exercised. Just as muscles grow stronger through use, faith strengthens when we choose to trust God in daily life. We trust Him in prayer, in giving, in waiting, in suffering, and in obedience. Faith is not merely believing God can—it is resting in the confidence that He knows what is best. Abraham believed when he could not see. Peter stepped out of the boat before he understood how it would end. Faith is often walking forward while still holding unanswered questions.

If today you find yourself weak, uncertain, or struggling, do not be ashamed to pray the disciples’ prayer: “Lord, increase our faith.” God is not offended by honest dependence. In fact, He welcomes it. He delights in children who know they need their Father. Bring your fears to Him. Bring your doubts to Him. Ask Him for stronger faith, and then trust Him one step at a time.

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Application

Ask yourself today: Am I trusting God, or am I only trusting what I can see? True faith rests in God’s promises even when circumstances feel uncertain. Pray daily, “Lord, increase my faith,” and choose to obey Him in the small things.

Victory Verse

"For I know that my redeemer liveth, And that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth" — Job 19:25

Additional Verses

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."

"Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."

"And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief."

"So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."

"And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you."

Daily Scripture Reading

Join us as we read through the Bible in one year, growing together in God’s Word day by day. Click on any underlined verse to access Pastor Burns’ helpful study notes and deeper insights.

Standard Plan

Mixed Plan

Chronological Plan

1 Samuel 15-16

Luke 20:1-26

1 And it came to pass, that on one of those days, as he taught the people in the temple, and preached the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes came upon him with the elders,

2 And spake unto him, saying, Tell us, by what authority doest thou these things? or who is he that gave thee this authority?

3 And he answered and said unto them, I will also ask you one thing; and answer me:

4 The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men?

5 And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then believed ye him not?

6 But and if we say, Of men; all the people will stone us: for they be persuaded that John was a prophet.

7 And they answered, that they could not tell whence it was.

8 And Jesus said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.

9 Then began he to speak to the people this parable; A certain man planted a vineyard, and let it forth to husbandmen, and went into a far country for a long time.

10 And at the season he sent a servant to the husbandmen, that they should give him of the fruit of the vineyard: but the husbandmen beat him, and sent him away empty.

11 And again he sent another servant: and they beat him also, and entreated him shamefully, and sent him away empty.

12 And again he sent a third: and they wounded him also, and cast him out.

13 Then said the lord of the vineyard, What shall I do? I will send my beloved son: it may be they will reverence him when they see him.

14 But when the husbandmen saw him, they reasoned among themselves, saying, This is the heir: come, let us kill him, that the inheritance may be ours.

15 So they cast him out of the vineyard, and killed him. What therefore shall the lord of the vineyard do unto them?

16 He shall come and destroy these husbandmen, and shall give the vineyard to others. And when they heard it, they said, God forbid.

17 And he beheld them, and said, What is this then that is written, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner?

18 Whosoever shall fall upon that stone shall be broken; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.

19 And the chief priests and the scribes the same hour sought to lay hands on him; and they feared the people: for they perceived that he had spoken this parable against them.

20 And they watched him, and sent forth spies, which should feign themselves just men, that they might take hold of his words, that so they might deliver him unto the power and authority of the governor.

21 And they asked him, saying, Master, we know that thou sayest and teachest rightly, neither acceptest thou the person of any, but teachest the way of God truly:

22 Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Caesar, or no?

23 But he perceived their craftiness, and said unto them, Why tempt ye me?

24 Shew me a penny. Whose image and superscription hath it? They answered and said, Caesar's.

25 And he said unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar's, and unto God the things which be God's.

26 And they could not take hold of his words before the people: and they marvelled at his answer, and held their peace.

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This Week's Radio Program

Week Eighteen • May 3, 2026

Trust in Him

Trusting God With Tomorrow (Pt. 3)

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In this final part of the message, “Trusting God with Tomorrow,” we are brought face to face with a powerful truth from Scripture—while we often plan our days and assume the future, the Bible teaches us that life is fragile, uncertain, and completely in God’s hands. As James reminds us, our life is “even a vapour” that appears for a little time and then vanishes away . The issue is not planning, but planning without God—living as though we are in control of what only God knows.

This message walks through the heart of biblical trust: having a proper perspective of tomorrow, a humble posture before God today, and a surrendered plan that says, “If the Lord will.” Whether facing uncertainty, fear, or the illusion of control, we are called to draw near to God, rest in His care, and trust that His will is good, even when tomorrow is unknown. Because Christ has risen, our future is secure—not in our plans, but in His perfect hands.

Listen to Past Programs

Trust in Him Trusting God With Tomorrow (Pt. 2) Week Sixteen • Apr 19, 2026