Don't Cause Others To Sin - Friday Praise & Pray (for others) January 12, 2024

No matter how often we read the Bible, there will always be a nugget in there that is mind-blowing. One such verse is 1 Corinthians 10:32 - Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God.

I'd previously learned to not cause a fellow believer to stumble in their walk with God (1 Corinthians 8:13). However, this verse implied something new (at least to me) - that I have a similar responsibility to nonbelievers. And that was astounding.

Imagine there's a self-professed Christian on social media with a sizable following. Let's call her Alice. She occasionally shares stories about her faith and experiences as a believer. Maisha is a young girl who is inspired by Alice and follows along with the daily scriptures she shares. Although an atheist, she likes how Alice relies on scripture to stay calm while navigating challenges.

One day, Maisha sees Alice at the local farmer's market. Wide-eyed and excited, she hurries to thank Alice for encouraging her to consider Christ. Alas, in her haste, she trips, spilling her nachos, covered in dip and cheese, all over Alicia's white shoes. Understandably upset, the influencer screams in horror at the state of her shoes. As Maisha stutters an apology, Alicia shouts a string of profane insults. She then shoves the fan out of her way and saunters off. Maisha doesn't hold back either, firing salvo after salvo of curse words. She catches up with Alice, grabs her hair, and soon, both come to blows.

Dan, a fellow shopper, livestreams the entire incident and comments flood in. They range from insulting both girls to saying disparaging things about Christians, and even God.

This scenario may seem overly dramatic but the probability of this happening is high in a world filled with angry people who are easily triggered. And I see exactly how today's scripture comes into play in such a situation.

Alicia's inability to keep her cool caused her to speak to Maisha in anger and disrespectfully. This violates the instruction to Christians to do all they can to be at peace with others (Romans 12:18). Maisha, an atheist, reacted in kind thereby sinning by using coarse language, something the Bible instructs people not to do (Ephesians 4:29). The fighting is problematic because Jesus said in Matthew 5:39 - But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. He didn't encourage people to get into fights. Dan, amused by the mess of it all, had no care for either girl's welfare (Ephesians 4:32). Instead of stopping the fight, he created an opportunity for people to insult and slander both girls, Christianity and even the Lord (Proverbs 10:18). God despises slander and will silence those who do it (Psalm 101:5).

This illustration is a reminder that believers need to be careful. We must remember that just because we can do something or are justified in doing something doesn't mean we should. We have a responsibility to others and our behavior is key. What we choose to do or not do can influence others and if we influence others to sin, that is not a good thing.

Listen, all of us will make mistakes but if we rely on God, Jesus, and His Holy Spirit, we will receive the help needed to make the right choices at the right time so as not to be the reason why people sin. May the Lord help us, IJMN.

Selfless - Tuesday Praise & Pray (for others) January 9, 2024

1 Corinthians 10:24 - No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.

I recently read this verse and to be honest, my heart skipped a beat. It wasn't with the flutter of adoration and the 'squishiness' a girl has for a boy they like. Nope, my heart jumped in a panic because I wondered, Lord, how am I supposed to do this? How can I ever become so selfless?

God in His mercy gave me some understanding by reminding me that His Holy Spirit is more than able to keep me mindful of this instruction as well as show me how and when to put it into action.

The worry remained until I got to the last verse of the chapter. Paul said in 1 Corinthians 10:33 - I try to please everyone in every way. I don't think about what would be good for me but about what would be good for many people so that they might be saved.

That's when I got it! I grasped why it is important to be more concerned about others than just myself. The objective is the salvation of souls and the role I can play in reconciling people with God.

If I am conscious of the need to be selfless, the Holy Spirit will guide me to be more selfless. And in being more selfless, I could earn a soul for the Lord. Knowing what's at stake reminded me of Christ's time on earth. He walked for miles, talked to countless people, and spent hours healing the lame, the blind, the deaf, and the dumb. He tirelessly freed individuals from the demons that tormented them. All of this must have been taxing on His human body but He gave selflessly because He knew that each soul was precious and needed to be freed from the devil's clutches. That's also why He bore the embarrassment, hunger, and pain of crucifixion for people who despised Him as well as those yet unborn like you and me.

Praise God, we are not expected to give up our lives. Yet, if we remember the instruction to be selfless, our behavior could lead a soul to Christ. The reverse is true too - our behavior could lead a soul away from the Savior. However, with the Holy Spirit as our guide, we'll make godly and righteous choices that draw people to the Lord - even if just one person.

And when that happens, the heavens will sing for the one who was set free from sin. Jesus said in Luke 15:10 - In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.

The year is still young and I pray you will remember to be selfless. You might not get it right at first, but trust the Lord to help you get better daily as you become the vessel He uses to introduce others to Him. The Lord will help us all IJMN Amen.

See you at Noon EST.

Onward Christian Soldier - Friday Praise & Pray (for others) January 5, 2024

How many of us realize that when we signed up to have Jesus as our Lord and Savior we also signed up to be a part of an army? As believers in the Lord and what He stands for, we have joined the Army of God. You likely didn't understand that your choice meant voluntary conscription into military service but that is exactly what has happened.

The devil knows this only too well, however. And that is one reason why it attacks you in numerous ways. Its goal is to weaken you on the battlefield and remove you from the equation (John 10:10). If you become an ineffective soldier, the area you were meant to defend suddenly becomes susceptible to the devil.

This is why many people report that their lives got worse when they chose to walk with God - when a person truly commits to the Lord that the enemy sees them as a threat. Once that happens, it will do everything it can to get that individual to give up their position in God's army. That way, the territory under their protection is left undefended and is easy to attack. That territory could be the person's family, their office, their neighborhood, or even a specific individual God wanted them to cover with the anointing upon their life.

​Do you see why it is so crucial to keep forging ahead with the Lord even when things get difficult? Think about the countless lives that will be affected if you drop your spiritual weapons and walk away from your duty post. Job experienced this. The devil wanted him to curse God and turn from Him. If Job had submitted to satan's will, his friends would not have been blessed when he prayed for them. Additionally, he would not have received the double restoration God had waiting (Job 42:10).

This should remind us why praying for others is so important as opposed to just praying for ourselves and our loved ones. Each of us has someone or something God wants us to prayerfully watch over. He has given us the authority to wield the weapons of our heavenly warfare and determine the outcome of situations for individuals, families, nations, and even generations (Psalm 149).

Are we going to let satan punk us out of our assigned position? Shall we go AWOL from the battlefield abandoning the vulnerable that need us? Will we leave our fellow Christian soldiers undefended? Will we let the enemy win?

This year, we have to be mindful of our status as soldiers in God's army. He has strategically positioned us to bring His light into dark places. Put on your uniform, Christian soldier. Pick up your weapons of prayer, praise, fasting, evangelism, and intimate time with God's word. Strike the enemy down wherever it is trespassing, knowing that this earth, along with everything in it, belongs to the Lord (Psalm 24:1). Remember that Jesus has given us great power. Luke 10:19 - I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.

We are well-equipped soldiers in God's army and cannot be harmed by the enemy. Plus, no weapon formed will prosper, by His grace. So, sign up for the Lord's army today, and don't quit. Don't let the enemy convince you to give up on God and His plans for you. Be on the offensive, using Your spiritual weapons to wage war as Your Commander instructs. Onward, Christian Soldier. Onward.