*********** CHLOE STUMBLED....
We got several inches of snow here [in New Jersey] yesterday. The girls took my dog, Chloe, outside to throw her ball because she loves the snow. Before I knew it, they came in and brought Chloe to me with a hurt paw. She couldn't put any weight on it and could barely walk. We think that she actually tripped on a large concrete stone block that had been left in the grass and was hidden under the snow where she could not see it. Now she is suffering... with being
- hurt / in pain / frustrated
- immobile / paralyzed / handicapped
- weak / broken / suffering
- unable to work or play
- down for the count
Matthew 16:20-24
20 Then He warned His disciples not to tell anyone that He was the Christ.
Jesus Predicts His Death
21 From that time on Jesus began to explain to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that He must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.
22 Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him. "Never, Lord!" he said. "This shall never happen to You!"
23 Jesus turned and said to Peter, "Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men."
Leviticus 19
13 " 'Do not defraud your neighbor or rob him.
" 'Do not hold back the wages of a hired man overnight.
14 " 'Do not curse the deaf or put a stumbling block in front of the blind, but fear your God. I am the LORD.
15 " 'Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly.
1 Corinthians 8:9
Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak.
I Peter 2 (selected)
The Living Stone
4 As you come to Him, the living Stone—rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to Him— 5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For in Scripture it says: "See, I lay a stone in Zion,
a chosen and precious cornerstone,
and the one who trusts in Him
will never be put to shame."
7 Now to you who believe, this stone is precious.
But to those who do not believe,
"The stone the builders rejected
has become the capstone,"8 and,
"A stone that causes men to stumble
and a rock that makes them fall."
They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for. [all Scripture emphasis added]
May we seek to be considerate of one another in our walk with the LORD - causing no one to stumble or fall. Let us live our lives so that Christ becomes the precious cornerstone to others - not a stumbling block.
Looking UPward and Choosing JOY,
Stephanie
[Time to FLY]
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3 comments:
Stephanie - I so needed this today! This kinda hit me square in the face! I do not want to be a stumbling block EVER!
Say a prayer for me please. The one person who can cause me to be this is my oldest daughter's m-i-l. Long long story, but just pray for me!
In Him,
Beth
Stephanie,
Stumbling blocks are a frightening thing, when we realize just how easy they can creep in.
Love to you as I reach for Higher Grounds,
Yolanda
Aw poor Chloe!! I'm putting her on my prayer list. And just when she got to play in the snow too. How disappointing for her. What a beautiful dog you have.
Great analogy too. I am working on not being a stumbling block to others. Sometimes my mouth gets in the way of that. :) I am so thankful that God can fix even me.
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