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Mark 7:24-30; Matthew 15:21-28; Mark 7:31-37; Matthew 15:29-31; Mark 8:1-10; Matthew 15:32-16:4; Mark 8:11-21; Matthew 16:5-12<\/strong><\/span> Mark:<\/strong> Mark chapter 7 opens up with a gentile woman begging Jesus to release her daughter from the control of a demon.\u00a0 Verses 27 through 29 are a fascinating look at Jesus\u2019 ministry \u2013\u00a0 \u201cJesus told her, \u201cFirst I should help my own family, the Jews. It isn\u2019t right to take food from the children and throw it to the dogs.\u201d She replied, \u201cThat\u2019s true, Lord, but even the dogs under the table are given some crumbs from the children\u2019s plates.\u201d \u201cGood answer!\u201d he said. \u201cAnd because you have answered so well, I have healed your daughter.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 Here we see that Jesus\u2019 ministry was initially to the Jews, but here he heals a gentile woman\u2019s daughter because of her humility and faith.\u00a0 And of course as we get to the Great Commission at the end of the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus\u2019 ministry is clearly for \u201call nations\u201d.\u00a0 In fact, Mark\u2019s Gospel is a good indicator of how Jesus\u2019 ministry quickly expanded beyond the Jews as Mark likely wrote this Gospel in Rome and to a primarily Roman gentile believer audience.\u00a0 Jeff Miller from Bible.org\u2019s commentary on Mark chapter 7 is <\/span>at this link<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n Today in chapter 7 verses 32 through 34 we read \u2013 \u201cA deaf man with a speech impediment was brought to him, and the people begged Jesus to lay his hands on the man to heal him. Jesus led him to a private place away from the crowd. He put his fingers into the man\u2019s ears. Then, spitting onto his own fingers, he touched the man\u2019s tongue with the spittle. And looking up to heaven, he sighed and commanded, \u201cBe opened!\u201d Instantly the man could hear perfectly and speak plainly!\u201d <\/em>I love this image below based on these verses\u2026 please meditate on this image for a few moments\u2026\u00a0 What do you think is going through this man\u2019s mind at this moment?\u00a0 What is he experiencing? <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span> Bible.org\u2019s commentary on today\u2019s readings in Matthew chapter 15 titled \u201cA Lesson in Hermeneutics\u201d<\/strong> is <\/span>at this link<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n Worship Video:<\/strong>\u00a0 Today\u2019s readings reminded me of Lincoln Brewster\u2019s awesome song \u201cEverlasting God:\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \n
~ Click here to read today\u2019s Scripture on Bible Gateway ~<\/span><\/em>
~ Listen to today\u2019s Scripture with <\/em>The ESV Bible<\/em><\/span> ~<\/p>\n
Matthew:<\/strong> In Matthew chapter 16 verses 11 & 12 stood out to me today: \u201cSo again I say, `Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.\u2019 \u201d Then at last they understood that he wasn\u2019t speaking about yeast or bread but about the false teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 And I wonder today \u2013 are there false teachings that we should beware of today?\u00a0 \u00a0I believe there are\u2026\u00a0 and there have been times in my life where I have bought into false teaching\u2019s.\u00a0 How can we know if a teacher is false?\u00a0 That is a great question.\u00a0 I would say that each of you are doing an amazing thing to help discern whether a teacher is false by reading the entire Bible.\u00a0 I believe the Bible to be the ultimate Truthful teaching that we can read \u2013 and thus, if you come across teachers that differ radically or go against the teachings of the Bible, you need to be wary.\u00a0 Don\u2019t get me wrong \u2013 every pastor \/ minister \/ priest is going to have some different takes or views or interpretations of the Bible.\u00a0 By slight degrees\u2026\u00a0 If there are major differences, then you should be worried.\u00a0 In addition to knowing the Bible relatively well, the key to discerning false teachers will be the Holy Spirit.\u00a0 If you are getting bad \u201cgut feelings\u201d (hopefully coming from the Holy Spirit) over and over again about a teacher, there might be an issue.\u00a0 Pray to God about this and ask for his guidance.\u00a0 I realize this can be a sensitive issue!\u00a0 I\u2019d say don\u2019t freak out about this and start wondering if your pastor is a false teacher\u2026.\u00a0 \ud83d\ude42\u00a0 But, be aware.\u00a0 I do believe there are still false teachers out and about today unfortunately.\u00a0 If you ever feel like you are being confused by someone today, keep your eye on the way out of confusion through God\u2019s Word!<\/span><\/p>\n