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

Monday, June 27, 2016

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"If one of these little children believes in me, and another person causes that child to sin, then it will be very bad for that person. It would be better for that person to have a millstone tied around his neck and be drowned in the sea."
— Mark 9:42 NLT
Illustration of Mark 9:42 NLT — "If one of these little children believes in me, and another person causes that child to sin, then it will be very bad for that person."

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 equation: woe to us if we exclude someone who Jesus sees as belonging 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 because of the hard-headedness, hard-heartedness, 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 and my actions be an encouragement rather than a discouragement to your people. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Hebrews 12:13
  • Romans 14:20
  • 1 Corinthians 8:9

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About This Devotional

What Jesus Did is a one-year devotional guide through the gospels, using one short passage each day and following the Gospel in consecutive order. Each devotional consists of a passage, reflection and a prayer which opens up the day's scripture and shows how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware.

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.

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