praying effectively: Do Not Hinder One Another (Rom.14:13-23)

(Romans 14:13-23)  Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this—not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother’s way. 14 I know and am convinced in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself; but to him who thinks anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean. 15 For if because of food your brother is hurt, you are no longer walking according to love. Do not destroy with your food him for whom Christ died. 16 Therefore do not let what is for you a good thing be spoken of as evil; 17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 For he who in this way serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. 19 So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another. 20 Do not tear down the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are clean, but they are evil for the man who eats and gives offense. 21 It is good not to eat meat or to drink wine, or to do anything by which your brother stumbles. 22 The faith which you have, have as your own conviction before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves. 23 But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and whatever is not from faith is sin. 

Reminder:  "praying effectively" involves knowing God's will.  When we pray in His will (in His name), He may choose to not answer those prayers in the time period that we would like, or HOW we would like - but He will answer those prayers!

It is God's will:

- that we should not be shaken, but be confident in God's will, and that whatever we have determined to be good, should not be deemed evil (14:16-17, 22-23)

- that we do not cause other believers to stumble by promoting our personal standards (14:13-15)

- that we do not do anything to cause a fellow believer to stumble, even if it is okay to do (14:21)

- that we do not judge other believers (14:13)

- that we do not judge each other on what we eat or drink (14:16-17)

- that we do not tear down the work of God for any reason (14:20)

- that we focus on serving each other in righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit (14:16-18)

- that we pursue the things which make for peace (14:19)

- that we build each other up (14:19)

Today's prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for the freedom that we have in You.  Guide us towards better knowing You, and give us confidence in living out Your will and standing firm in Your truth.  Convict our hearts when we are doing anything which undermines Your work or Your believers, so that we may change our ways.

Help us to be sensitive towards each other, always striving to get along in unity and love.  Help us to be encouraging, always building each other up and never tearing each other down.  Help us not to be focused on the do's and don't's, but guide us to serving each other, all in Your righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.  Amen.