photography courtesy of Donna Bremner, https://www.facebook.com/ben.bremner3
“Woe to the world because of its stumbling blocks! For it is inevitable that stumbling blocks come; but woe to that man through whom the stumbling block comes!
As I was reading today’s verse I found myself recounting my various “stumbling blocks” over the years, and there have been many. Some have been quite serious, while others have just been downright annoying. There have been times I lost my peace over some of these, but as I have aged I am glad to report that I have become more relaxed. Sometimes God has taken my stumbling block and turned it into a foundation stone for a work to His glory.
Call me crazy, but I like looking up words or phrases…even when they seem obvious like today’s one. The KJV Bible uses “offence” rather than “stumbling block,” which makes sense to me – some stumbling blocks are downright offensive. The New Testament Greek for this is skandalon; scandal in English. Interestingly the meaning of this can be “a trap” or “snare,” which says a lot about the spiritual purpose of stumbling blocks/offences. Every painting has an artist somewhere, and stumbling blocks are created by someone who seeks to trip God’s children.
Dear Reader, our enemy Satan delights in setting stumbling blocks for believers. He delights even more when the stumbling block is another believer…then he gets two for the price of one. Brethren, let us examine ourselves and how we treat one another. Let not our hearts be filled with selfish motives, that we forget to practice the love of Christ with one another every day.
Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
1 John 4:11
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- Psalm Sunday (119:48)
Devotional Treasure 
Excellent post Alan. Sometimes I’m too blind to see the stumbling block until too late.
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Thank you Nicola. I too sometimes don’t see them immediately, and end up playing catch up.
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Sobering may we be watchful not only not to sin but not to stumble
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But our Father gives us the tools to avoid both sin and stumbling , we only need to use them brother. God bless you today 🙏
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Amen He’s given us what we need for Holiness
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That is so interesting about how so many different words tell a story about meaning and can enlighten us even further.
My biggest stumbling block, I think, is myself. Satan must find it very easy to make entertainment from me. I especially love the concluding paragraph in your post, Alan. Thank you!
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The simple stumbling blocks are the most dangerous ones, Satan uses them to great effect. Pride is a real slippery slope for me sometimes, which requires a lot of Biblical grit so I can walk safely in Him. Tomorrow’s post “Lost Sheep” ties in to the last paragraph of today’s post; stumbling blocks can lead to lost sheep!
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Yes, I would say stubbornness is one of my biggest faults and that’s entwined with pride.
I’m looking forward to tomorrow’s post and somehow feel that I will relate to it. 🙂
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Well written, Alan!I pray to be a stepping stone rather than a stumbling block. I pray that I will continue to look and build my life on Jesus our Rock.
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Ooh, great twist on that metaphor!!
Morning Mandy 🙂
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Thank you sister, God bless you today 🙏
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Exactly what Mandy said!!! ^^^
Andy B
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Cheers bro 😁
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I like how you pointed out our stumbling blocks can sometimes be each other, and that this gives the enemy of our souls a two-for-one special. 🙏May God grant us the wisdom to keep the main thing the main thing—pointing others to Christ.
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Well said David, God bless you today brother 🙏
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Amen brother. This is it: “Let not our hearts be filled with selfish motives, that we forget to practice the love of Christ with one another every day.”
Blessings from mighty King Jesus.
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Thank you brother Michael, God bless you today 🙏
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Love this song! What a beautiful message! Blessings, Alan! I like the line: “He loved me even though He knew I was wrong.”
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I had never heard this song before Cindy, or even the artist. God bless you today sister 🙏
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Oh, and that photo is incredible! God’s creation never ceases to amaze me!
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Another great pic by Ben & Donna, they make a great team.
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I certainly enjoy a good Word Study journey. It always casts a deeper understanding on the text. Thank you for the reminder that “Sometimes God has taken my stumbling block and turned it into a foundation stone for a work to His glory.”
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Yes, He is the Master Potter Beth, moulding any situation to His Glory! 🙂
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