What Jesus Did! 'No Stumbling Blocks Accepted' — Mark 9:42

Thursday, June 27, 2024

[Jesus continued,] "But if you cause one of these little ones who trusts in me to fall into sin, it would be better for you to be thrown into the sea with a large millstone hung around your neck."
— Mark 9:42 NLT

Key Thought

So often in our passion to preserve the purity of the faith, we begin to exclude others. While purity in our faith is important, Jesus reminds us of the other side of the matter: woe to us if we exclude someone who Jesus sees as belonging to him or do anything to cause another to lose faith. New Christians, weak believers, and children are all precious to God. He doesn't want a single one to lose faith for any reason and certainly not because of the hardheadedness, hardheartedness, or arrogance of another believer.

Today's Prayer

God, please help me be more careful in what I say and how I act. I don't want to discourage a single believer from following you. Help my life, my words, and my actions to be an encouragement rather than a discouragement to your people. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

Illustration

Illustration of Mark 9:42 NLT — [Jesus continued,] "But if you cause one of these little ones who trusts in me to fall into sin, it would be better for you to be thrown into the sea with a large millstone hung around your neck."

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Thursday, June 27, 2024

Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'Satan Wants Us to Use Only Human Wisdom'
"Jesus turned to Peter and said, 'Get away from me, Satan! You are a dangerous trap to me. You are seeing things merely from a human point of view,..."
Quotemeal
A daily dose of Christian quotes to inspire and encourage.
Quote by John Bate:
"If the mind of God as discovered to us in His word and works is so vast and deep, what must His mind be in all its undisclosed resources in the infinity and..."
God's Holy Fire
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
'Wait for the Promise' (Lk. 24:48-49)
"[Jesus said,] "You're the first to hear and see [the fulfillment of the prophecies about the Messiah]. You're the witnesses. What comes next is very important:...."
Daily Wisdom
A daily devotional featuring wise counsel found in Scripture.
Proverbs 4:25-26
"Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you. Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More What Jesus Did!