Forever Home in the Eternal Family of God

Daily Encouragement for the Family of God by Kenton Cheek

4 March 2025

Reading From Mark 9:30-50

“If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them if a large millstone were hung around their neck and they were thrown into the sea.”

—Mark 9:42

     I don’t always get it right.  Sometimes I make mistakes.  But I pray that God protects those around me when I do falter and that He shows me how to handle those mistakes correctly, because I first want to do no harm.  My desire is to be a blessing to others and therefore glorify my Father in Heaven.  If I breeze through this text without ruminating on what is really being said here, I might be tempted to think that Jesus was only talking about children, but He explains that all of us who believe in Him are His little ones, His dear little children called by His Name.

     When I was born again, I was set apart for His holy purposes.  I need to remember that when I am interacting with other people.  If I am hurtful to them, they might go away thinking, “well, if Kenton is a Christian and that’s how Christians act, then I don’t want any part of that!”  I would be devastated to think that something I had done or said caused someone to stumble or not want to seek the Lord’s will for their life.  I need to pause more and reflect on how I can communicate the love and message of Jesus rather than lashing out when I’m cranky or be ready with a smart aleck remark when someone gets mouthy with me. 

“Help me Lord be more like You.  I pray that I would decrease and that You would increase.  Change me from the inside out with Your love so that I can share that love with others.  Forgive me for my sins.  Show me how to learn from my mistakes.  Thank You for Your grace and Your mercy.  May I extend grace and mercy to others even when they’re ornery or even hateful.  Empower me by Your Holy Spirit to love my enemies and those who are annoying, because I sure can’t do that on my own.  In Your matchless Name I pray these things, Amen.”

And in all things show yourself to be an example of good works, with purity in doctrine [having the strictest regard for integrity and truth], dignified, sound and beyond reproach in instruction, so that the opponent [of the faith] will be shamed, having nothing bad to say about us.

Urge bond-servants to be subject to their own masters in everything, to be pleasing and not talk back, not stealing [things, regardless of value], but proving themselves trustworthy, so that in every respect they will adorn and do credit to the teaching of God our Savior.

—Titus 2:7-10