DATE WRITTEN: Wednesday, 2021-03-03
WRITTEN AT: Okeechobee, FL

BIBLE REFERENCE: Matthew 18:7
TRANSLATION: The Voice (VOICE)

BIBLE TEXT: ⁷ Beware indeed of those in a world filled with obstacles and temptations that cause people to turn away from Me. Those temptations are woven into the fabric of a world not yet redeemed, but beware to anyone who lures righteous women and men off the narrow path. 

OBSERVATION: On the heals of Jesus teaching with a young child on his lap, He then went on to warn His disciples and audience about the wicked world in which we live, and that we will face temptations and obstacles throughout our time on earth. I believe this is still true today, but the biggest warning came when Jesus spoke to those who tempt and lure believers into sin. As we meditate today, I hope that we will examine ourselves to determine if there is anything that we may do in this respect that may cause God to sorrow in us.

APPLICATION: I believe that God caused me to stop and ponder this Scripture today, but in all honesty I am struggling with what He is trying to have me share with you. However, I have asked God to open the floodgates of heaven and not only draw to my attention what He wants to teach me in this, but to also share His heart on challenging you. I am reminded of cases where the work of pastors were destroyed, as they were found guilty of sin. I have also seen church members challenged on sinful actions they were caught in. From a humanly perspective, we may think that God may be referring to the individuals who drew these pastors away from their ministries, and also the ones who distracted church members from their respective ministries. But friends, I am always leery of trying to point fingers at what others may have done, for I know that God loves me way too much to see my failures go unchecked. So I believe that before any of you turn your minds towards heaven and seek God’s will for your life, I sincerely believe that my God wants to remind me that daily He places people in my path that He wants me to share His love with. It’s not my duty to seek revenge, for I might place another brother or sister in the path of sin. It’s not my duty to verbally abuse someone that God made perfectly. You see, we often tear into people who are not like us, nor do they speak like us or act like us – you know, we call them less than perfect!!!! But friends, when I love them like God chose to love this imperfect child, they are forced to stop and question my motives and who my Leader/Director might be. God placed us here on earth as equals, for we are all His creation. He provided His Book to teach us all, right from wrong. That’s not just for us who knows Him personally. His Word is for all. So just as He corrects, leads and directs us through His Word, He also does the same for our brothers and sisters. Therefore it’s not in our place to do His job for Him. He is very capable and will discipline, correct, warn and love us all. I believe that we get in the way when we try to do God’s job. I believe our self-righteous words and actions often strikes the other party in such a challenging way, that they are tempted to fight back – sin. So my friend, God’s Word today and everyday is for us personally. Let’s learn to listen closely, apply His Word and live like He lived. I believe that God will bless us immensely as we seek to love others like He first loved us. He is very capable of also reaching the hearts of all those we love, so let’s concentrate on our relationship with Jesus and ask Him to teach us His way, every day, while also correcting and teaching those we love.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, I am thankful that You spoke to my heart many years ago and caused me to seek forgiveness of my sin, and accept You as my personal Savior. I thank You for Your Word and for every correction You placed there to help us live like You commanded, and like You exampled for us. Lord, please help us to concentrate so much on our personal relationship, that we won’t have time nor the desire to meddle in the lives of others, for we are afraid that this may cause them to move deeper into sin. Thank You for the warning to those who lure Your children into sin. I pray that my readers and I will remain free of this practice, for I truly believe that You do a perfect job at that for all of us. AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: There are two more pages on my blog at https://NuggetsFromGodsWord.org that will provide you with additional information, one of them being ‘To Know Jesus’. If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading or listening to this devotional, please go to the above page, or speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Please allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to Nuggets From God’s Word and see all of my posts, or you may freely subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. I would encourage you to find a church home near by your home, and attend as frequently as you could. Get to know God, and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian walk, while making every effort to be a blessing to them. God is at work among His people! Please consider growing in your faith, as you worship with fellow believers!