⚠️ NextVerse Weekly Devotional 🧱

📅 June 15 – 21, 2025

🧊 Theme: “Millstone Warnings: Guarding the New in Faith”

✍️ By JK Woodall

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💭 Devotional Thought

When Jesus spoke of “the little ones,” He wasn’t just talking about children. He was speaking to a deeper spiritual truth — those new in faith, those just learning to walk in trust, grace, and obedience. 🐣🛐

New believers are spiritually vulnerable, often full of questions, still shedding old habits, and discovering the voice of God. Jesus issues a stern warning: "If you cause one of these to stumble, it’s better to have a millstone tied around your neck and be cast into the sea." That’s not harsh — it’s holy protection. 💥🛡️

God’s heart fiercely defends those stepping into the light for the first time. This week, examine your example. Are your words lifting up or tearing down? Are your social posts and conversations helping others grow in faith or leaving them confused?

Let’s choose accountability, humility, and mentorship over carelessness. Let’s protect the spiritual steps of those just learning to walk. 🚶‍♂️🕊️

📖 Anchor Scripture

> “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.”

— Matthew 18:6 (NIV) 🪨🌊

📚 Supporting Scriptures

“We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves.” — Romans 15:1 (NIV) 💪🤝

“Let us not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God.” — 1 Corinthians 10:32 (NIV) 🚫✝️

“Be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling block to the weak.” — 1 Corinthians 8:9 (NIV) ⚠️

🗓️ Daily Reflections

Sunday: Reflect on your influence. New believers are watching and learning. 👀

Monday: Model humility and grace in your daily life. 🤲

Tuesday: Be a mentor, not a misleader. 🧭

Wednesday: Watch your words — they carry weight. 🗣️🪶

Thursday: Encourage someone new in Christ today. 📩❤️

Friday: Pray for discernment in your example. 🙏✨

Saturday: Protect and guide, like Christ does for you. 🛡️🕊️

🙏 Prayer

Lord,

Thank You for trusting me to walk beside those new to Your kingdom.

Help me to be a light, not a distraction.

May my words nurture and my actions build up.

Give me the wisdom to protect the vulnerable and the grace to walk humbly.

In Jesus’ name, Amen. 🙌🔥