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.
From M22 - Thank you baba for another beautiful fellowship day. We pray that you will continue to strengthen and guide us as we improve our character through your Word! Thank you Abba! Amen.
Lord, we lift up our sister CMD. We call on You to kindly grant her and her family the strength to endure their season of mourning. We call on You to anoint them with joy and bless them as they deal with their loss.
IJMN, Amen.
We ask that as You bless her and her family, You will equally help others experiencing a mourning season, IJN, Amen.
From M22 - Thank you Abba for sis @FFJ . Thank you for strengthening her every single week to keep this community moving. Thank you for speaking your word through her. I pray you will continue to bless her, her family, her job, her business and interests IjMN amen.
From sis OD - Thank you, God, for this message. Give me the grace, wisdom, and understanding to apply this message in my daily life to represent you to the saved and unsaved.
fROM m22 - Abba I pray that we will continue to exemplify you in our character, deeds, actions and behaviors. I pray that we are vessels that continually win souls to your kingdom. I pray that when people see us, your glory radiates through us that they are led to you IJMN amen.
From M22 - Abba I pray for people struggling with addiction and mental illness. I pray Abba that you will heal them and turn their lives around. I pray that you will do beyond what Amy therapy or recovery program can do in their lives IJMN amen.
From M22 - Baba I pray for couples seeking the fruit of womb. I pray you turn their waiting season into fruitfulness. I pray that you bless them with babies that they will nourish and nurture in your ways! IjMN amen.
From M22 - Abba I pray for my siblings! I thank you for guiding us for the past decade! I pray Abba that in every circumstance, we will continue to offer you Thanksgiving IjMN. I pray that your will be done in our lives IJMN amen. Help us focus on you not on life's storms. IjMN amen.
From M22 - Abba I pray for your mercy and forgiveness over every single Peppers online and offline. What can wash away our sins! Nothing but the blood of your son Jesus. So I pray Abba that wash us as white as snow. I pray that you purge us of everything that turns us to sin. Cleanse our hearts, minds, bodies, spirits and souls. You bought us with a high price according to your word in 1Corinthians 6:20 and for that Abba may we continue to be your vessels IjMN amen!
From M22 - Abba I pray for the sick and recovering. I pray they are healed by your stripes. I pray that your healing power permeates their cells, organs, vessels, systems and every inch of their bodies. I pray that you coordinate their hands, eyes, hearts and minds of operating surgeons to carry out successful surgeries. I pray Abba that you will strengthen medical staffs as they work around the clock to ensure better quality of lives for these individuals! IjMN amen.
From M22 - Abba I pray for people that are new in their walk with you. A lot don't know where to start from, a lot are shy about whom to approach. And what church to attend. I pray that you will grant them clarity and discernment as they start their walk with you. I pray that you will do mighty works through them and they will be a blessing to your kingdom! Amen!
From M22 - Abba I lift up children into your care! I pray that you will continue to shield them from abuse, harm and violence. Help them to grow in your word and may their lives exemplify who you are Abba! Help them utilize their God given potential. I pray they will continue to advance your kingdom here on earth! Amen
LAST 10 MINUTES
We've got 10 more minutes or so. Take a moment and ask the Lord what you should use these last moments of fellowship to do.
Let the Lord lead.
I pray you will receive instruction and obey.
God bless you.
From M22 - Baba I pray for everyone affected by layoffs! I pray that you grant them your peace that surpasses all understanding. I pray that you grant them clarity and Discernment as they start to job hunt. Help them find companies where they can have a stable job security and not have to worry about unexpected termination IjMN amen.
From M22 - Abba I pray that we will continue to exemplify you in our character, deeds, actions and behaviors. I pray that we are vessels that continually win souls to your kingdom. I pray that when people see us, your glory radiates through us that they are led to you IJMN amen.
Today, Lord, I thank You for Peppers and pray for them according to Ephesians 1:17-19.
I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.
I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people,
and his incomparably great power for us who believe.
Father, may this group be filled with Your spirit of wisdom and revelation. May the individuals touched by this ministry experience and seek the greater things of the Holy Spirit. May there be a deeper relationship with You this year, IJMN, Amen.
Lord, I lift up the situation in Ukraine before You. Thank You for You are He who stills the turmoil of the nations. No matter what satan schemes, Your purpose and plan are fulfilled fully. Glory be to You, Good God!
Father, You who are big enough. All sufficient. I come before You and ask that You send the invading forces running. You did it for Gideon, sending the larger Amalekite army running and slashing themselves in fear from an army of 300.
Psalm 68:30 - Rebuke the beast among the reeds, the herd of bulls among the calves of the nations. Humbled, may the beast bring bars of silver. Scatter the nations who delight in war.
Miraculous God. Hear and act. Forgive Lord. Move that the world see and know You are indeed the only God and the only solution. IJMN, Amen.
From sis FJ - Almighty God, You are He who works a perfect work. Every gift from You is perfect, without toil attached. You are the God of the heavenly lights, He who does not change like shifting shadows. (James 1:17, Prov 10:22).
God I go back to sis CD's testimony, where You removed cancer from her and the bloodline after her.
Jehovah Rapha, You worked this good work from the inside out.
My King, I call out to You to reward those who put their trust in You in a similar way. Perfectly take care of their problems, erasing even the minute possibility of such trouble happening again.
As in Ecc 5:20, "God keeps such people so busy enjoying life that they take no time to brood over the past"
This I pray over all my brothers and sisters in Christ. Let them receive the fullness of Your blessing. Let them live life in abundance, to the fullest (John 10:10) because that's what our Saviour came for.
From M22 - Abba I pray for your mercy and forgiveness over every single Peppers online and offline. What can wash away our sins! Nothing but the blood of your son Jesus. So I pray Abba that wash us as white as snow. I pray that you purge us of everything that turns us to sin. Cleanse our hearts, minds, bodies, spirits and souls. You bought us with a high price according to your word in 1Corinthians 6:20 and for that Abba may we continue to be your vessels IjMN amen!
From M22 - Abba I pray for the sick and recovering. I pray they are healed by your stripes. I pray that your healing power permeates their cells, organs, vessels, systems and every inch of their bodies. I pray that you coordinate their hands, eyes, hearts and minds of operating surgeons to carry out successful surgeries. I pray Abba that you will strengthen medical staffs as they work around the clock to ensure better quality of lives for these individuals! IjMN amen.