Luke 17:1-5 Repeated offense without repentance...remains offensive.

Matthew 18:6–7 “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes!

God is love! Any who say He is not are missing His love for mankind in sending us Jesus to die for us! John 3:16

1 Corinthians 2:7-8 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

But as it is written:

“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard,

Nor have entered into the heart of man

The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”

We find ourselves in a familiar predicament today. The profound wisdom of God, encapsulated in the enigma of salvation bestowed upon Jesus Christ, remains largely misunderstood and unappreciated by the majority. Our actions are solely determined by our choices. We choose to believe by faith. The majesty of God is evident to all of humanity in the wonders of creation. The question of our eternal destiny awaits us, and we have the power to choose whom we will serve. We are presented with this extraordinary gift, but it is up to us to accept it. 

Colossians 1:24-28 I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church, of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God which was given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God, the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints. To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.

Paul endured hardships in his ministry, imparting the profound mysteries of God. From the outset, salvation, offered to all of humanity through Jesus Christ, remained concealed. Christ within us lies the assurance of eternal glory with Him. We must shed the past and embrace the freshness of Christ in the Holy Spirit. Carla

Luke 17:1-5

17 Then He said to the disciples, “It is impossible that no offenses should come, but woe to him through whom they do come! 2 It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones. 3 Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. 4 And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him.” 5 And the apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.” The New King James Version

This section recounts some of Jesus’ sayings from His journey to Jerusalem; He teaches about stumbling blocks, forgiveness, faith, and service. Stumbling Block was a  large stone used to grind grain in a mill. Faithlife Study Bible

offend (Gk. skandalizō) (17:2; Matt. 5:29; 13:21; John 6:61; 1 Cor. 8:13) Strong’s #4624: The word is the verb form of a Greek noun that means “stumbling block” or “snare.” The term refers to the trigger which springs a trap. In the NT it means anything that hinders someone from doing what is right or causes one to sin or fall away from the faith. Jesus emphatically warns that stumbling blocks are sure to come our way. Nonetheless, He condemned those who put stumbling blocks in the way of believers. He says that death by drowning would be preferable to offending “one of these little ones” in the faith.

Jesus warned that judgment awaits those who cause others to stumble. The severe form of the warning suggests that false teaching, or leading someone into apostasy, is in view here. A millstone was a heavy stone used in a grinding mill. The NKJV Study Bible

Matthew 18:15 “Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother.

Mark 9:42 “But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea.

The Proverbs 31 woman demonstrates a long list and wide variety of skills, giftings and responsibilities, all because she "fears the LORD" (Proverbs 31:30).

● Valuable: She is far more precious than jewels (Proverbs 31:10).

● Industrious: She willingly fulfills her responsibilities, whether in the household (Proverbs 31:13-15) or initiating business endeavors (Proverbs 31:16; Proverbs 31:24).

● Persistent: She uses the strength God has given her (Proverbs 31:17-19).

● Compassionate: She cares for the poor and needy (Proverbs 31:20).

● Creative: She creates beautiful and functional goods (Proverbs 31:21-22).

● Dignified: She wears strength and dignity like clothing (Proverbs 31:25).

● Faithful: She fears the Lord, resting fully in His provision for her life (Proverbs 31:30).

● Wise: She instructs others with insight and kindness (Proverbs 31:26).

● Worthy of praise: She will be rewarded for her godly living (Proverbs 31:28; Proverbs 31:31).

Let's consider this list of characteristics and ask God to align our desires with His! With the help of the Holy Spirit, we can bring glory to Him as His effective and humble servants. First5

Jennifer Gayle’s reminder, “When you look at life through eyes of gratitude, the world becomes a magical and amazing place.”

"In Hebrew the opposite of holy is chol, which is translated not as 'profane' but as 'empty'; in other words, 'not yet filled.'" writes Irwin Kula. "The word for holy in Hebrew is kedusha. A more accurate translation of kedusha is 'life intensity.'  To be holy is to be intensely dynamic, ever-changing, and ever-realizing. The Biblical command 'You Shall Be Holy' is an invitation to celebrate what philosopher Mark Taylor calls 'a maze of grace that is the world.' Live as richly and passionately as possible; that's as close to meaning as you will get."

True, to experience delight is a risk. And to share it with someone is also a risk. But when we do so, we are affirming that there is indeed another way. In this life, we can risk loving. We can risk living less than tidy lives. We can risk asking for less than perfection from others (and ourselves).

In a glance. In a word. In a touch. Yes, in a gesture, there is healing and kindness and hope... and the permission to dance is offered. We cannot change the pain in our lives or the lives of others. However, we can (and must) accompany each other, and along the way. Sabbath Moments 

Joel 3:1-3 God's promises never return void.

 Romans 5:20-21 Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

What were the two commandments that fulfilled all of the commandments? “Love God above all and our neighbors as ourselves.” God remains unchanging; He is the same today, tomorrow, and will always remain the same.

Brotherly love encompasses a wide range of sins. Love one another and pray for one another, for in the peace of our leaders and our people, we find peace. Only in Christ are we shielded from the evils of the world. We cannot afford complacency. When we become materially obsessed, we can forget the ways of God. God will establish a new Jerusalem under the leadership of the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. In Him alone, there is peace! He approaches our door, but we must allow Jesus in. 

2 Timothy 3:1-5 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!

During the final days of the Church age, society will experience instability, and individuals will prioritize their own interests. Their materialistic pursuits will lead to covetousness, boastfulness, pride, disobedience, and ungratefulness. They will despise those who strive to benefit others. Consequently, they will never attain a comprehensive understanding of God and His truth, resulting in their own destruction and the destruction of those whose lives they impact. 

However, there is hope in the midst of widespread sin: His grace is abundant. For God’s love for His creation is so profound that He offers redemption through Jesus Christ.

God will hold the nations that oppose His people accountable for their actions. All the promises made to Abraham and his descendants will be fulfilled. His promises are never unfulfilled. Carla

Joel 3:1-3

3 “For behold, in those days and at that time, 

When I bring back the captives of Judah and Jerusalem, 

2 I will also gather all nations,

 And bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat; 

And I will enter into judgment with them there 

On account of My people, My heritage Israel, 

Whom they have scattered among the nations; 

They have also divided up My land. 

3 They have cast lots for My people, 

Have given a boy as payment for a harlot, 

And sold a girl for wine, that they may drink. The New King James Version 

An unknown location with a symbolic name that means “the Valley where Yahweh will judge.” This is the place where Yahweh gathers the nations for judgment. 

Judaism, Christianity, and Islam all include a tradition of a final divine judgment in this valley. The traditional identification connects the site with the part of the Kidron Valley just east of Jerusalem. The pseudepigraphal book of 1 Enoch also describes a final judgment taking place in a deep valley. 

Both Assyria and Babylon were responsible for deporting Israelites. The scattering was one of the punishments emphasized in the covenant curses (Leviticus 26:33). 

Israel became an Assyrian province after 722 bc. Judah was a province of Babylon and Persia (586 bc and 539 bc). Judah had no independent political existence until after the successful Maccabean revolt in 167 bc. 

Casting lots was a form of divination. People determined the will of the gods through the ancient equivalent of throwing dice. Here, it refers to the method of dividing up the spoils of conquest. Faithlife Study Bible

In those days indicates a time in the prophetic future. The judgment will take place after the Lord has restored His people to the land.

Valley of Jehoshaphat: The name Jehoshaphat means “The Lord Judges.” The location of this valley is not known. Perhaps this was merely a symbolic name for the location of the great battle in the end times. The NKJV Study Bible

The restoration of the Jews, and the final victory of true religion over all opposers, appear to be here foretold. The contempt and scorn with which the Jews have often been treated as a people, and the little value set upon them, are noticed. None ever hardened his heart against God or his church, and prospered long. Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Isaiah 66:16 

For by fire and by His sword

The LORD will judge all flesh;

And the slain of the LORD shall be many.

Jeremiah 25:31 

A noise will come to the ends of the earth—

For the LORD has a controversy with the nations;

He will plead His case with all flesh.

He will give those who are wicked to the sword,’ says the LORD.”

Joel 3:11–12 

Assemble and come, all you nations,

And gather together all around.

Cause Your mighty ones to go down there, 

O LORD.“Let the nations be wakened, 

and come up to the Valley of Jehoshaphat;

For there I will sit to judge all the surrounding nations.

Obadiah 11 

In the day that you stood on the other side—

In the day that strangers carried captive his forces,

When foreigners entered his gates

And cast lots for Jerusalem—

Even you were as one of them.

1 Timothy 2:1 (ESV) "First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people ..."Paul stressed the importance of praying for all people. Pray.

The importance of prayer in the life of a believer is indisputable in Scripture. Through prayer, we draw near to God (Psalm 145:18), cast our burdens at His feet (Philippians 4:6), and reframe and align our will with His. Jesus Himself prayed this way in the garden of Gethsemane before He went to the cross (Luke 22:42).

Prayer is a powerful tool that aligns us with the will of God, infuses us with wisdom and courage, and invites the divine to intervene on our behalf. First5

Be the church. Protect the environment. Care for the poor. Forgive often. Reject racism. Fight for the powerless. Share earthly and spiritual resources. Embrace diversity. Love God. Enjoy this life.”
I saw this meme posted online, and I smiled big.

And then read a few of the comments. “But that’s not the church today.” “The church is missing the message.” “I wouldn’t say be the church because they’re not doing a good job today.” “This is the opposite of what is happening.”
Okay, I wasn’t ready for that. And yes, this kinda undid me.
You’ll get no arguments from me about too many of us not reflecting the light very well.
However, just because that is true, please let us not allow it to derail us.
Such comments (perspective) see only what is missing. Only the scarcity.
We see only the “empty boxes”. And allow scarcity to determine what we choose to do.

Jesus said, “Love one another.”  Jesus said, “Love your enemy.”
And we could say, “that sounds good, but we’re not doing a very good job.”

Maybe not. But guess what? The invitation is still there. And not just the invitation, the affirmation that the love—kindness, empathy, compassion—is alive and well and inside of every one of us… and ready to be shared and spilled to the world around us. Maybe not the big world, but the small world, to the people we see, and touch, and greet, and listen to.

And I’m here today, literally, because there are people who did not give in to the scarcity mentality. They continued to give and love and care, even when the box looked “empty”… because they knew the light was still there.

We do indeed walk one another home. And today, we need to remember that more than ever. Sabbath Moments

In this broken world where hope is often tentative,

and courage is too easily vanquished by fear,

we give thanks that a holy presence has invaded our life.

As autumn leaves lose their luster,

and as a lengthening night draws near,

we are grateful that the light that has come into the world

is even now establishing in us a beachhead for kindness,

touching whatever we know of sorrow.

And we ask that that presence, that caress,

embolden us to be gracious to all whose lives we touch.

And may we know joy. Alleluia.

Martin Townsend

On the wall of a concentration camp, a prisoner carved the following words:

I believe in the sun, even though it doesn’t shine.
I believe in love, even when it isn’t shown.
I believe in God, even when he doesn’t speak.

What hand could have cut such a conviction? What eyes could have seen good in such horror? There’s only one answer: eyes that chose to see the unseen. Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 4:18 (NCV), “We set our eyes not on what we see but on what we cannot see. What we see will only last a short time, but what we cannot see will last forever.” We can see either the hurt or the Healer.

Mark it down. God knows you and I are blind. He knows living by faith and not by sight doesn’t come naturally. He will help us. Accept his help. Either live by the facts or see by faith! Max Lucado