Mark Twain once quipped, “It ain’t those parts of the Bible that I can’t understand that bother me, it is the parts that I do understand.” One passage I clearly understand – that “bothers” me greatly – is this one from Luke’s gospel. Jesus said:

“Temptations to sin (literally: “snares”) are sure to come, but woe to the one through whom they come! It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were cast into the sea than that he should cause one of these little ones [God’s children: us] to sin.” (Luke 17:1-2)

Dear God, please allow your servant to be keenly aware of my daily habits. And show me if there be anything I regularly do or say that might cause a brother or sister to stumble. Amen nw