Seizing Divine Moments: The Power of Small Acts

Devotional

Day 1: Seize the Moment—One Decision Can Change Everything

Throughout Scripture, we see that a single moment, a single decision, can define a life and even alter the course of history. Whether it’s a lesser-known figure like Shamgar saving Israel or the thief on the cross choosing faith in his final hour, these stories remind us that God places divine opportunities before us. We may not always recognize the significance of a moment as it happens, but being alert and ready allows us to make choices that have lasting impact. Are you prepared to seize the opportunities God gives you, no matter how small or unexpected they may seem? [22:09]

Ephesians 5:15-16 (ESV)
"Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil."

Reflection: Think back on a recent situation where you had a chance to do good or speak up for what’s right—did you seize that moment, or let it pass by? What would it look like to be more alert to these opportunities today?

Day 2: Small Acts of Faith Can Make a Big Difference

It’s easy to believe that only grand gestures matter, but the Bible is full of stories where small acts of faith changed lives. The boy who offered his five loaves and two fish didn’t perform the miracle—he simply gave what he had, and Jesus multiplied it. You don’t have to be extraordinary or have abundant resources; God can use your willingness, no matter how small, to make a difference in someone’s life or even in the world. Don’t underestimate the power of your small acts when placed in God’s hands. [16:59]

John 6:8-9 (ESV)
"One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, 'There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?'"

Reflection: What is one small thing you can offer to God today—your time, a word of encouragement, a listening ear—that He might use to bless someone else?

Day 3: Be Ready—God’s Opportunities May Come Unexpectedly

Sometimes, the chance to make a difference isn’t something we plan for or even want. Like Simon of Cyrene, who was compelled to carry Jesus’ cross, we may find ourselves in the right place at the right time, not by our own choosing. God can use us in unexpected ways if we are willing to respond, even when the opportunity feels inconvenient or uncomfortable. Trust that God’s placement is purposeful, and be open to the moments He brings your way. [18:53]

Luke 23:26 (ESV)
"And as they led him away, they seized one Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, and laid on him the cross, to carry it behind Jesus."

Reflection: Recall a time when you were unexpectedly called to help or serve—how did you respond? How can you cultivate a heart that is ready to say “yes” to God’s interruptions?

Day 4: Look for God’s Opportunities—Be Intentional and Watchful

Opportunities from God don’t always announce themselves loudly; sometimes, they require us to be intentional and watchful. The little maid in Naaman’s story was attentive to her moment to witness, even in a place of captivity and obscurity. We are challenged to live alert, to look for ways God might want to use us each day, and not just drift through life hoping something will happen. Being intentional means seeking to get something from the day, not just get through it. [11:47]

2 Kings 5:2-3 (ESV)
"Now the Syrians on one of their raids had carried off a little girl from the land of Israel, and she worked in the service of Naaman’s wife. She said to her mistress, 'Would that my lord were with the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy.'"

Reflection: As you go about your day, ask God to open your eyes to someone who needs encouragement or hope—how will you intentionally look for and respond to that opportunity?

Day 5: Small Changes Lead to Big Impact

We often think that making a difference requires a dramatic, 180-degree turn, but sometimes it’s the small, consistent changes that lead to transformation. Just as a one-degree shift in direction eventually leads to a completely new destination, small steps of faithfulness and obedience can have a profound effect over time. Don’t wait for everything to be big—embrace the power of small, daily choices to follow God and serve others. [34:38]

Zechariah 4:10 (ESV)
"For whoever has despised the day of small things shall rejoice, and shall see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel."

Reflection: What is one small, positive change you can make today in your attitude, habits, or relationships that, over time, could lead to a greater impact for God’s kingdom?

Sermon Summary

Life is often defined not by the sum of our days, but by the moments when we choose to act with faith and courage. Throughout Scripture, God uses ordinary people—many of them barely mentioned in the biblical record—to make an extraordinary impact because they were ready to seize the opportunities He placed before them. Whether it’s Shamgar, who saved Israel with a single act of bravery, or the little maid who pointed Naaman toward healing, these stories remind us that one moment, one decision, can change everything.

We often think greatness is reserved for those who are always in the spotlight, but the truth is, it’s the moments—sometimes fleeting, sometimes forced upon us—where our faith and willingness to act make all the difference. Like the boy who offered his small lunch to Jesus, or Simon of Cyrene, who carried the cross for Christ, sometimes our role is simply to be present and willing, even if we don’t fully understand the significance of our actions at the time.

God’s opportunities are not always grand or obvious. Sometimes, they come disguised as small acts of kindness, a word of encouragement, or a chance to stand for what is right when others remain silent. The challenge is to live alert and ready, not waiting for the “big” moment, but being faithful in the small ones. It’s not about being in the “right place” as much as it is about making the most of wherever God has placed us, trusting that He can use even our smallest offerings for His greater purpose.

We are called to look for these divine opportunities, to be intentional about our days, and to aspire not just to get through life, but to get something from it—to grow, to serve, to make a difference. Small changes, small acts of faith, can have a ripple effect far beyond what we can see. God’s story is bigger than any one of us, but He invites each of us to play our part, to seize the moment, and to trust that our one-time encounter may be part of His eternal plan.

Key Takeaways

1. One moment of faith can define a lifetime. The stories of Shamgar and the little maid show that even those who appear only briefly in Scripture can have a lasting impact when they act decisively in the opportunities God gives them. Our willingness to step up in a single moment can change the course of history for ourselves and others. [06:34]
2. God often works through the ordinary and the overlooked. The boy with the loaves and fishes didn’t perform a miracle—he simply offered what he had. Sometimes, our greatest contribution is simply to be present and willing, trusting that God can multiply our small acts into something far greater than we imagine. [16:59]
3. Divine opportunities are not always planned or sought after; sometimes, they are thrust upon us. Simon of Cyrene didn’t volunteer to carry Jesus’ cross, but his willingness in that moment became part of the greatest story ever told. We must be open to God’s interruptions, recognizing that being in the right place at the right time is often God’s doing, not ours. [18:53]
4. Faithfulness in small things matters more than waiting for big moments. We often think we need to make dramatic changes or wait for grand opportunities, but even a one-degree shift in our direction can, over time, lead to a completely new destination. Consistent, small acts of obedience and kindness can have a profound impact. [34:03]
5. Living intentionally means looking for God’s opportunities each day. It’s not enough to simply get through the day; we are called to get something from it—to seek out ways to serve, to witness, and to grow. Seizing the moment requires alertness, intentionality, and a heart that is open to God’s leading, even in the most ordinary circumstances. [36:30]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:12] - The Power of One Moment
[01:11] - Seizing the Moment in Everyday Life
[02:27] - Sports and Movies: Remembering the Moments
[04:32] - Old Testament Example: Shamgar
[06:53] - Jael’s Courage and Unexpected Victory
[09:48] - The Little Maid’s Testimony
[13:41] - New Testament Example: The Boy with Loaves and Fishes
[17:10] - Simon of Cyrene: Right Place, Right Time
[19:24] - The Thief on the Cross: Last-Minute Faith
[22:09] - The Ripple Effect of One Decision
[23:56] - Recognizing Divine Opportunities
[26:12] - Living Alert and Ready
[29:01] - Making the Most of Where You Are
[31:42] - Small Acts, Big Impact
[34:03] - The Power of Small Changes
[35:20] - God’s Big Story and Our Part
[36:30] - Living Intentionally and Seizing the Day
[37:55] - Closing and Questions

Bible Study Guide

**Bible Study Discussion Guide: Seizing the Moment**

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### Bible Reading

- **Ephesians 5:15-16 (ESV)**
> "Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil."

- **Judges 3:31 (ESV)**
> "After him was Shamgar the son of Anath, who killed 600 of the Philistines with an oxgoad, and he also saved Israel."

- **John 6:8-9 (ESV)**
> "One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, 'There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?'"

---

### Observation Questions

According to Ephesians 5:15-16, what does Paul say about how we should live and use our time?
In Judges 3:31, what did Shamgar do, and how is he described in the biblical record?
In John 6:8-9, what role did the boy with the loaves and fishes play in the miracle?
The sermon mentioned several people who made a difference in just one moment. Who are some of these people, and what did they do? [[04:32]]

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### Interpretation Questions

Why do you think the Bible highlights people like Shamgar or the little maid, who only appear briefly but make a big impact? What does this say about how God works? [[06:34]]
The sermon said that sometimes we are in the “right place at the right time” not by our own planning, but by God’s design. How does this idea challenge the way we think about our daily routines and interruptions? [[18:53]]
The boy with the loaves and fishes didn’t perform the miracle—he just offered what he had. What does this teach us about our own contributions, even when they seem small? [[16:59]]
The sermon talked about making small changes, like a “one-degree shift,” instead of waiting for big moments. Why might small, consistent acts of faithfulness be more important than dramatic actions? [[34:03]]

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### Application Questions

Think about your past week. Was there a moment when you could have acted with faith or courage, but hesitated or missed the opportunity? What held you back, and what could you do differently next time? [[23:56]]
The sermon said, “It’s not about being in the ‘right place’ as much as it is about making the most of wherever God has placed us.” Is there a situation in your life right now where you feel stuck or overlooked? How might God want to use you there? [[29:01]]
The little maid in 2 Kings 5 spoke up and pointed Naaman toward healing. Is there someone in your life who needs encouragement or direction, and how could you be bold to speak up this week? [[11:24]]
The boy with the lunch simply offered what he had. What is something “small” you have—time, a skill, a resource—that you could offer to God or others this week? [[16:17]]
The sermon challenged us to “live alert and ready,” looking for God’s opportunities each day. What is one practical way you can be more intentional about noticing and acting on these opportunities? [[26:12]]
Sometimes, like Simon of Cyrene, we are given opportunities we didn’t ask for. Can you think of a time when you were “volunteered” for something unexpected? How did you respond, and what did you learn from it? [[18:53]]
The idea of making a “one-degree shift” suggests that small changes can lead to big results over time. What is one small, specific change you could make in your daily routine to be more open to God’s leading? [[34:03]]

---

**Closing Thought:**
God’s story is bigger than any one of us, but He invites each of us to play our part. Let’s look for the moments—big or small—where we can step out in faith and make a difference.

Sermon Clips

What we trying to say is that we have got to always be prepared because we never know when something is going to happen that allows us to make the proper decision to make a difference either in our own life or in the life of others. But we got to seize the moment. [00:21:12] (30 seconds) #OneDecisionMatters

``One decision in one moment can matter forever. One decision in one moment can make a difference. We need to understand that. [00:22:00] (19 seconds) #DivineOpportunities

God places divine opportunities in our lives. You believe that? Do you really believe that? Are you looking for it? Are you looking for that opportunity? [00:23:51] (24 seconds) #BeAwakeToOpportunity

I would suggest that wherever you are, that's what God wants you to be at that moment. The question is, how do you take advantage of where you are at that moment? The thief is on the cross. If you'd ask the thing what he wanted to be on the cross, the thief probably would have said, no way. No way. But he took advantage of where he was. He took advantage of the place where he was. I urge each one of us to do the same thing. Don't be overly concerned about where we are, open up our eyes, open up our ears, and make sure that we take advantage of, of the opportunities that God's going to give us. [00:29:05] (60 seconds) #SpeakUpWithLove

Are you making wrong decisions? You don't like the professor because professor gives a lot of homework, okay? So you can, so you complain. Everyone else hears you complaining. Is that right? That's what you should be doing, complaining. No, you should not be complaining. People are talking about other students in the class, how they look, how they dress. Do you participate in those conversations or do you demonstrate God's love by not participating in those conversations? And, and, and in fact, witnessing that? That is something that is wrong. It's not enough just to sit there and say nothing. You've got speak up. You've got to speak up, okay? And demonstrate. [00:30:39] (67 seconds) #SmallActsBigImpact

Small acts of faith can change lives, can change the whole world, okay? But you can change one person. You can affect the life of one person. Small, small ass, little boy, little fish, little bread. But he was Christ, was able to make a big difference by the small things. Don't wait for everything to be big, okay? Don't wait for everything to be big. [00:31:50] (44 seconds) #SmallChangesBigResults

We think that we got to make this big change. All you got to do is make a small change. One degree, one degree. Because you're here. You go here. And if you go out far enough, what happens? Wider and wider and wider. You can't just go one degree of stop. You Gotta change one time, just a little bit and keep going. And when you keep going, it. You change, change, change, change, change. And all of a sudden you don't know where you. You're okay. Stop thinking about it. Having to be something big. Doesn't. Just little changes, just little changes will make a difference. Okay. Just small changes. [00:33:59] (54 seconds) #PartOfGodsPlan

When you understand God has an opportunity for you, you've got to also understand that you got to look for it. You got to look for it. You can't just think it's going to happen. It's not. The moment is going to have going to come. You got to seize it. In order you to seize it, you got to see it. And in order for you to see it, you got to look for it. You got to look for it to take an opportunity, because the opportunity to present itself, it will. Whether or not you see the opportunity and whether or not you seize the opportunity, that's our decision, how we live our life. Seized in the moment. [00:36:51] (68 seconds)

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