“Woe to the world because of its stumbling blocks! For it is inevitable that stumbling blocks come; but woe to the person through whom the stumbling block comes!” (Matthew 18:7)

The world is often placing before us things that will cause us to go astray.  Be wary of the way of the world.  Do not buy into the lies of this age.  With stealth and shrewdness, be obedient, but do not believe all that you are told.  Believe rather what the Lord says.  A child often has more wisdom in discerning than many adults.  Listen to the Holy Spirit and be guided by what is right and fitting for every situation.

Lord, I am unable to discern all the fraud and lies that bounce around in our hurried world.  Give me eyes and ears that discern so that I may obey Your counsel.  Guide me in Your goodness and mercy to walk humbly under Your guidance so that I know garbage when I see it.  Through all things, continually remind me that You know what I am facing, and that You have a plan for my next steps.

Holy Spirit, help me to always be aware of and listen to You as You guide me through the stumbling blocks of this age.  I need Your guidance to keep me from falling into the pit of lies and deception which are all around me.  Despite what others may think or say, help me to remain faithful to Your calling now and always.  Speak Your word to me that I may have understanding and wisdom.  Amen.

“So whoever will humble himself like this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.  And whoever receives one such child in My name, receives Me; but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it is better for him that a heavy millstone be hung around his neck, and that he be drowned in the depths of the sea” (Matthew 18:4-6).

A child knows they are not in charge.  A child will want things but understands when the family places limits.  A disciplined child knows how to behave.  A child does not do well when berated or put down.  Be like a child and do not treat others as some do when it comes to children.  We are all in the same situation and need what only the Lord can and will provide.  Come into the Lord’s salvation as a humble child.

Lord, You are making of me a child of Yours.  You know what I need and what needs to be changed.  Take away the “adult” attitudes and behaviors and bring back the child-like wonder I had when I was young.  Continue to teach me all that this means and help me to understand the goals You have placed before me.  Keep me from causing anyone to stumble so that together we may grow according to Your will.

Lord Jesus, this teaching has always flown in the face of the reality of culture.  Culture wants me to grow up and be a responsible adult – whatever that means.  I know You do want me to be childish but teach me what You really mean and through Your Holy Spirit, guide me to have an attitude and demeanor that is pleasing to the Heavenly Father.  Through all things, be the One who leads me.  Amen.

“And He called a child to Himself and set him among them, and said, “Truly I say to you, unless you change and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:2).

Become like children, but do not be childish.  A child does not worry about the provision but accepts the circumstance.  A child wonders at the marvel of creation.  A child is easily occupied by the moment.  A child learns easily, willingly, and constantly.  Children know how to play.  This world wants you to be mature – whatever that means.  The Lord wants you to be His child.

Lord, there are things in my heart which only You know about which delight me.  Help me to learn again how to delight in the life You have given me.  Guide me in Your goodness to be as a child, but not immature.  You know fully what You mean by this.  I need Your help to fully discover what this means in and throughout my life.  Guide me in the way You know I need to go.

Lord Jesus, this simple principle is hard to live.  Help me to not be wrapped up in this world’s expectations but live according to the goodness You intend for me.  Guide me through those places where I forget that I am a child of the Heavenly Father.  Lead me to live according to what is pleasing in the Father’s eyes.  Through all that will come, help me to keep my eyes upon You.  Amen.

“At that time the disciples came to Jesus and said, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” (Matthew 18:1)

In this world, we are worried about position and status.  People crawl all over one another wanting what they want.  You are who you are.  The Lord has placed you right where you need to be.  Rather than worry about getting ahead – remembering that if you strive to gain the whole world, but lose your soul, you gain nothing   Spend your time and energy on doing what the Lord gives you to do.  Be guided by His grace and mercy.

Lord, You know the ambition in my heart.  Help me to be whom You are making me to be.  Guide me in Your goodness and mercy to know that in You I have my being.  You will place me where You will place me.  Guide me to understand that only in You do I have life.  You are the Creator, and I am Your creature.  Create in me the heart You want me to have and help me to be content with whom You are making me to be.

Holy Spirit, I cannot do this on my own, for selfish pride will rise in me.  Guide me in the path of humility to be who You are making me to be.  Help me in Your goodness to know that in You I have my being.  May I learn from You how to live according to Your goodness.  May I be guided by You so that no matter my position, I am content to abide with You.  Lead me in the way I need to go.  Amen.

“When Peter said, “From strangers,” Jesus said to him, “Then the sons are exempt.  However, so that we do not offend them, go to the sea and throw in a hook, and take the first fish that comes up; and when you open its mouth, you will find a stater. Take that and give it to them for you and Me” (Matthew 17:26-27).

You have been freed from the recompense of the law but use your liberty graciously.  It may be okay for you, but do not cause another to stumble.  We are obligated to render what is required in this world but do so cheerfully.  What is money to the Lord?  He owns everything.  What then?  Learn to be a good steward and rejoice in the gifts that You have been given.  Know that the Lord provides for your every need.

Lord, I often make things more complex than they need to be.  You are transforming me into the truth of Your presence and purpose.  Guide me so that I live understanding the freedom I have, knowing that the command of loving my neighbor should cause me to consider my behavior.  Lead me in the way You would have me live, knowing that You will transform me to become like Jesus.

Lord Jesus, Your words strike home to the heart of who I am.  I am often prideful in my attitude.  Help me to be sensitive.to others, whom I often dismiss.  Help me to pay attention and think of others.  Help me to be considerate.  In all things, lead me from the inside out so that I trust You above every circumstance and follow You in the way You know I need to go.  Lead me today my Lord and Savior.  Amen.

“Now when they came to Capernaum, those who collected the two-drachma tax came to Peter and said, “Does your teacher not pay the two-drachma tax?”  He said, “Yes.” And when he came into the house, Jesus spoke to him first, saying, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth collect customs or poll-tax, from their sons or from strangers?” (Matthew 17:24-25)

This world is filled with those who take from others for their own benefit.  Yes, we need a certain amount of taxes to pay for what is in common, but there is always something more that is taken for the benefit of those who hold the authority to do this.  It has not changed in this age.  We must render what needs to be rendered, but do not lose sight of the One who calls you and me to come to Him.

Lord, I become angry at injustice.  When I see taxes squandered, I want justice.  Only You will mete out true justice.  Meanwhile, teach me to render what I must in this age and be law-abiding not only before you, but also before others.  There has always been favoritism in this age.  You come bringing true favor to all who will accept Your offer of grace.  Lead me in Your grace to give away what You have given me knowing that there is justice through You alone.

;Lord Jesus, even with these small things You showed obedience.  You through whom all things were made, obeyed the laws of the land – even though some things were done which promoted injustice.  Guide me to look to You to learn obedience.  Lead me in the upward call You have given me to walk humbly with You in all of the things I will encounter in this age.  May I be found faithful in everything I do, seeing it all as obedience to You.  Amen.

“And while they were gathering together in Galilee, Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be handed over to men; and they will kill Him, and He will be raised on the third day.” And they were deeply grieved” (Matthew 17:22-23).

Jesus tells us before it happens so that we will not fear.  We often confuse our own ideas with truth.  Jesus said it plainly.  God has a purpose in everything.  Why do we fear death?  We will all die.  Is a few more moments in this age worth giving up your immortal soul?  Live your life and trust the One who has come to join you with Him in eternity.  Do not be grieved by your sinful society but lament the rebellion in this age.

Lord, You have said that we are blessed if we mourn.  Help me to not be grieved.  Things will come to pass just as You have told us they will.  Lead me in faith to trust You above all things.  Guide me in Your goodness and mercy to leave behind my anxieties to come to the place where I do trust You and believe that all things You direct me to do are possible.  Lead me to live a life of faith.

Lord Jesus, I do grieve when things do not go the way I planned.  I imagine them one way, but then, they go in another direction.  Guide me to always look to You, the author and finisher of my faith and follow Your lead.  Lift me up to obey all that You have commanded and lead me in the Gospel way which You have set before me.  In You alone is there hope.  Help me to abide in the hope You give me.  Amen.

“Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?”  And He said to them, “Because of your meager faith; for truly I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you” (Matthew 17:19-20).

Do you believe in the Lord?  Belief is trusting the Lord such that if He says to you, “Do this,” you believe that what He has told you to do will happen if you do it.  We have our doubts and fears.  We are often driven by those doubts and fears rather than the reality that the God of all creation has called us to walk in His presence.  This is behind the Scripture which reminds us that with God, all things are possible.

Help my unbelief, Lord.  I say one thing, but in my heart, harbor doubts and fears and so I do another.  Guide me out of the darkness of my unbelief to understand that in You alone is hope and an eternal future.  Let me not go looking for special powers, or thinking that I have some kind of special gift because I can do things, but learn how to humbly walk with You knowing that You can do through me whatever you ask.

Lord Jesus, I often make things more complex than they need to be.  Help me, I pray, to walk humbly with You and trust You in and through all things.  Guide me in Your goodness to trust Your command and follow You where You lead.  Help me to be Your servant in every circumstance and not marvel at what You do through me, but marvel that You have included me in Your kingdom.  Amen.

“And I brought him to Your disciples, and they could not cure him.”  And Jesus answered and said, “You unbelieving and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring him here to Me.”  And Jesus rebuked him, and the demon came out of him, and the boy was healed at once” (Matthew 17:16-18).

I sometimes wonder how often we exasperate the Lord.  We do not believe, and it does not happen.  Yes, our Lord is slow to anger, but He does get angry.  Do not be threatened by this but turn to the Lord so that He will turn your unbelief into belief.  All of creation is subject to the One through whom all things have their being.  He has told us that if we have just a small amount of faith, we can move mountains.

Lord, I look to myself and then wonder why certain things do not happen.  Guide me, Lord, so that I look to You, knowing that with You all things are possible.  It is not just what I need to learn, but what You will ask me to do that matters most.  With and through You, I can do all that You ask me to do.  Guide me, Lord Jesus, in the way You will have me go.  Teach me to look to You in all things.

Lord Jesus, I live in a perverse and adulterous generation.  You call me out of this generation to live by faith.  Guide me now and always to live into the life of faith which You have given me by Your grace.  Help me to understand that I can do nothing apart from You.  With You, I can do all things necessary.  In Your goodness and mercy, guide me this day in the righteousness You give so that I may humbly follow You and do the Father’s will.  Amen

“When they came to the crowd, a man came up to Jesus, falling on his knees before Him and saying,  “Lord, have mercy on my son, because he has seizures and suffers terribly; for he often falls into the fire and often into the water” (Matthew 17:14-15).

There are many calamities that happen in this age.  We think we know, but we do not.  Sometimes science answers the what, but it will never answer the why.  Jesus answers both the what and the why.  Many false teachers in this age will lead us away from the One true God, but our Lord Jesus has come to restore the relationship, remove the wickedness, and lead us to do the Father’s will on earth as it is done in heaven.

Gracious Lord, You have revealed the truth that there are wicked forces that fight against us in this age.  Some things are not going to be cured with medicine.  Lead us to live into the life You have given us by grace through faith so that we may humbly walk in the truth of Your presence and purpose.  Keep us safe from any forces or powers that would lead us astray and restrain us from humbly walking with You.

Lord Jesus, the world today often does not believe in what Your word tells us is true.  Let me neither go to the place of unbelief or fanaticism, but to the place where I trust You in all circumstances.  Guide me today, Jesus, to know that You will guide me through every trial and any tribulation that may come my way.  In Your goodness, keep me close to You, looking to the salvation You bring moment by moment.  Amen.