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."

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

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

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

A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
"Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me."
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
"Dear Father, creator of new creations, Far be it from me to glory except in the cross of Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me..."
A daily devotional featuring a Bible verse, thought and prayer.
"My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one."
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
"Dear Beloved Child of God, I love Peter's statement about the apostle Paul's writings:And remember, our Lord's patience gives people time to be..."

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.