Stumbling Stones

I want to share with you today a great concern that I have in my heart. It is the fact that there are people in this world who make it their mission in life to defile and corrupt others. Jesus addresses this subject in Matthew. He speaks harshly of those who make others stumble and sin. In Matt. 18:1-7, He talks about children in their innocense and how He admires their trust. He also mentions that it is important to care for them. He says that the way we treat them, is how we are treating Him. He takes it personally! In vs 7, He then mentions the fact that it is inevidable for temptations to come in this world, BUT WOE to those people by whom they come. He says that, (vs 6)>It would be better for this person who tempts and corrupts "little ones", to "have a great millstone hung around his neck and be sunk to the bottom of the sea". Wow! Jesus sounded angry! (A righteous anger.) I am reminded of a friend's son who was corrupted by their neighbor. The man would invite the 12 year old over to their garage, give him alcohol to drink, and Lord knows what else, year after year. Now the son is grown and has a very sad life. He has a son out of wedlock, involvement in drugs and heavy drinking, the mother of his child is in prison, and you might can imagine what his life is like. What happened? I know that instead of a godly influence, the "devil in disguise" defiled him, and he then made poor choices because of the evil baggage he carries. It really breaks my heart because he is such a good-looking guy, smart, and from a well-off family. He certainly "had it all" from the world's point of view. BUT, no one took the time to regularly impart God's love and godliness to him like the neighbor who made the concerted effort to impart evil. Could a godly influence have made all the difference. I think so. I saw him recently, before "all hell" broke out in his family. I felt that the Lord wanted me to speak strongly to him to do things God's way and that he would be blessed. As I was speaking to him I wondered if I was getting too strong and personal with him, but I was deeply concerned in my spirit. He agreed with me and yet didn't take the necessary action to follow the Lord. It almost seemed too late. Well, soon there after it was. Major damage came into his life that will never be completely redeemed in this world. I want to strongly exhort all who read this blog to take time to be God's love and hand extended to the young, the innocent, and the babes in Christ. If we are not kind, reaching out and caring, then I believe that we will be held responsible to some degree. Consider the heart of our Shepherd> in Matt. 18:11-14, we see that Jesus came to seek and to save the lost." He says that it is not His will that any would be lost or perish. We prove our love for the Lord by reaching out to others with His heart of love. Kindness and caring go a long, long way in encouraging others to follow Him. Love is more powerful than evil! Love never fails (1 Cor. 13:8). We will never fail as we allow the love of the Lord to flow through our lives. Let that be our mission. This is my prayer: Forgive me Lord where I may have caused someone to stumble in some way. Please help me to love and reach out to others as You want me to. I want to make a difference in someone's life for good! Thank You for Your mercy and for Your grace that enables me to be a blessing to others!