21Leaving that place, Jesus w...

21Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon.

22A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is demon-possessed and suffering terribly."

23Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, "Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us."

24He answered, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel."

- P104

25The woman came and knelt before him. "Lord, help me!" she said.

- P105

26He replied, "It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs."

27"Yes it is, Lord," she said. "Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table."

28Then Jesus said to her, "Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted." And her daughter was healed at that moment.

- P105

A Canaanite woman approaches Jesus and asks Him to heal her demon-possessed daughter. The woman is persistent, and the disciples urge Jesus to send her away. They see this non-Jewish woman as an outsider and a nuisance that is interrupting their day. Jesus uses this experience as an example to expand the disciples’ understanding of who is worthy of His attention. We should never impose limitations on who we think is worthy of God’s help or who deserves to have their prayers answered. - P106

The truth is, none of us is worthy of God’s help or deserving of His grace. God extends His free gift of salvation to all who recognize their need and come to Him. - P106

Jesus‘ answers to the woman‘s repeated pleas seem harsh. This does not deterher, however, and she continues to look up to Him for help. His seemingly *cold answers draw out her faith and Jesus responds to it by healing herdaughter.  - P106

Jesus uses the woman‘s persistence to teach the disciples whatthey failed to understand: God‘s mercy extends to all who come to Himin faith. Jesus has a masterful way of humbling the proud who think theyare special and elevating those who are overlooked by society and comHim forWhenmercy. we see others through the eyes of Jesus, we begin tounderstand the depth of God‘s love for all people.
- P106

"God is not looking for polite pray-ers-he is looking for persistent, prevailingpray-ers."-Jon Bloom - P106

Jesus was a master teacher. He often used the power of parables to conveycomplex truths in a practical way that even children could understand.
Other times, like with the Canaanite woman who came to Him for help,
He turns a real-life situation into an opportunity for His disciples (and us!)to learn a lesson they would never forget. When Jesus draws out the answerHe is looking for from the woman, the disciples have their "aha" moment.
They see that someone who was neither an Israelite nor a man, and whowas marginalized from society by her daughter‘s condition, was not beyondredemption. The woman exercised faith and Jesus commended her for it;something none of the disciples would have expected. - P107

God, You humble the proud but give grace to the humble. You ask me to be persistent in prayer. Provide me with the strength to do so. - P107

When I feel like giving up, remind me of Your grace that is ready to meet me. In Jesus’ name, amen. - P107

It Started at Church!
Young Mother Is Grateful for Compassion‘s Survival Intervention. - P12

"From my first time attending Promised Land Baptist Church,
I decided to go to church regularly. I started to feel there was apurpose in life and that my being a motherwas not an accident." - Rhenzel - P13

 He is not honored by lip servicebut by heartfelt obedience. It is easy to say we love God, just as the religiousleaders that opposed Jesus did. It is another thing entirely to obey God byserving Him, and serving Him is often done by serving others. - P61

3Jesus replied, ˝And why do y...

3Jesus replied, "And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition?

4For God said, ‘Honor your father and mother’ and ‘Anyone who curses their father or mother is to be put to death.’

5But you say that if anyone declares that what might have been used to help their father or mother is ‘devoted to God,’

6they are not to ‘honor their father or mother’ with it. Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition.

7You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you:

8"‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.

9They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.’"

- P100

12Then the disciples came to him and asked, "Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this?"

13He replied, "Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by the roots.

14Leave them; they are blind guides. If the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit."

- P101

Jesus teaches the crowd that, unlike what the Pharisees teach, it is not whatgoes into a person‘s mouth that defiles them but what comes out of theirmouth. Jesus calls the Pharisees blind guides because they claim to leadpeople to God when they themselves do not know how to relate to Him.
The Pharisees relate to God through rigorous rule-keeping while ignoringthe deeper issue of the condition of their hearts.  - P102

When our outward displaysof righteousness are not in line with the condition of our hearts, we havefallen into a pit from which we will never emerge until When our outward displaysof righteousness are not in line with the condition of our hearts, we havefallen into a pit from which we will never emerge until we allow Jesus tofirst cleanse our hearts and align our lives to Him. allow Jesus tofirst cleanse our hearts and align our lives to Him. - P-1

When our outward displaysof righteousness are not in line with the condition of our hearts, we havefallen into a pit from which we will never emerge until we allow Jesus tofirst cleanse our hearts and align our lives to Him. - P102

The Lord isn‘t looking for somebody who pretends to have it all together;He is looking for honesty, integrity, humility, and surrender. In 1 Samuel16:7, Scripture reminds us that "the LORD does not look at the thingspeople look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looksat the heart." I am still a work in progress, but God in His faithfulness hasbeen healing my heart and changing my character as I spend time in HisWord and in His presence. And He will do the same forWhen wesubmit to the Lord and seek His will above all else, we will be transformedby the renewing of our hearts and minds; then we will experience truechange from the inside out. - P103

Lord Jesus, draw my heart closer to You so that I may follow You from the inside out. Search my heart and take away whatever sin tries to take root in me so that my thoughts, words, and actions may truly please You. In Your name, amen. - P103

After he had dismissed them, ...

After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, - P96

25Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake.

26When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. "It’s a ghost," they said, and cried out in fear.

27But Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid."

28"Lord, if it’s you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water."

- P96

31Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?"

32And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down.

33Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God."

34When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret.

35And when the men of that place recognized Jesus, they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought all their sick to him

36and begged him to let the sick just touch the edge of his cloak, and all who touched it were healed. - P97

Jesus sends His disciples ahead by boat and goes to pray alone. During thenight, He walks on the water toward them. Peter walks toward Him on thewater but begins to sink when he is afraid, and Jesus saves him. They arrive atGennesaret, where people bring their sick to Jesus, and those who just touchHis cloak are healed. - P97

Jesus directs His disciples to sail to the other side of the lake. While He stays behind, the disciples row against the wind and the waves. Jesus later meets them, walking on the water. They mistake Him for a ghost and are terrified, but He tells them not to be afraid. - P98

There are times in all our lives when we sense our Lord calling us to go somewhere or do something that results in a crisis of faith. Fear overtakes us. We feel helpless and alone. But through the howling winds, we hear a voice calling out, "Do not be afraid." These words are Jesus’ invitation to lay aside our fears and come to Him in faith. As we do, He reaches out and saves us. - P98

Jesus and His disciples land at Gennesaret. As soon as the people recog-nize Jesus, the news of His arrival spreads quickly to the entire region andthe sick come to receive healing. At this point, the narrative says nothingabout Jesus‘ teaching in this area. The emphasis is on His presence andcompassionate power.  - P98

When people‘s attention is drawn to Jesus‘ personand character, the word spreads quickly, people come to receive salvation,
and the testimony of Jesus goes forth in power. Teaching is important, butwe must not forget what people really need, which is the loving presenceof Jesus through His Holy Spirit in our lives and churches. For this, thereis no substitute. - P98

Notice that Peter does not try to swim back to the boat. When he begins to sink, hecries out to Jesus for help. Today, as you fast, bring your needs to Him. Before rushingto brainstorm solutions or diving into your work or studies, make time to share yourfears and desires with Jesus-openly, honestly, and with trust.
-Pastor Sam An - P99

Lord Jesus, I know that in my weakness Your great power is displayed. May You be glorified as I courageously step out in faith, seeking to accomplish what so often appears impossible. In Your name I pray, amen. - P99

15As evening approached, the ...

15As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, "This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food."

16Jesus replied, "They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat."

- P92

17"We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish," they answered.

18"Bring them here to me," he said.

19And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people.

20They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.

21The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.

- P93

When He hears of John’s tragic death, Jesus withdraws with His disciples to a quiet place. But they cannot escape the crowds, who soon hear of their whereabouts. Moved with compassion, Jesus heals the sick among them. His disciples, however, tell Him to send the crowds away to get food. It is easy to react the way the disciples do here: Ministry is tiring and when what seems like an impossible need arises, they are more than ready to give up. But Jesus, though He is undoubtedly just as exhausted, sees an opportunity for God to do something remarkable. - P94

Sometimes we see God’s greatest works when we look beyond the weakness of our flesh and trust in His strength and provision. - P94

When the disciples suggest sending the crowds away, Jesus tells them togive the people something to eat. In response to this seemingly impossiblechallenge, the disciples bring Jesus their meager five loaves and two fish.
The result is that not only is the crowd fed; but twelve baskets of brokenbread and fish remain for the hungry disciples.  - P94

Sometimes, as we followJesus. He sets before us challenges we know we lack the resources to solve.
But everything about this story reminds us that Jesus uses those who arewilling to come to Him just as they are. We can entrust the little we have toHim and use it as He directs us. When we do so, we will see His generositystep in to provide. - P94

"Little is always much in the hands of Christ."-William Barclay - P94

The fear of the Lord refers to awe, reverence, and obedience. Godis not looking for perfection in order to bestow His blessings on us; He islooking for obedience. - P95

There are many examples in the Bible that illustrate this important prin-ciple: God asking Moses to raise his staff before parting the Red Sea, Jesusinstructing Simon Peter to lower his nets again before bringing him morefish than his nets could contain, God telling Noah to build the ark beforeany sign of rain, and Jesus asking His disciples to feed the thousands beforemultiplying the fish and loaves for them. All of these miracles had some-thing in common: Each one required obedience in order to experiencedeliverance. - P95

If we want to see the Lord‘s incredible provision in our lives, we do not haveto strive to earn His favor or love. He already gives these freely to those whotrust Him and promises to provide for them. As we wait for Him to act,
we can show that we trust Him by training our hearts
 towards humility ,gratitude, and obedience. - P94

Lord Jesus, I so often feel inadequate as Your disciple. The tasks to which I feel You have called me seem overwhelming. I bring my insecurities and inadequacies to You, knowing that little is much in Your hands. In Your name I pray, amen - P95

3Now Herod had arrested John ...

3Now Herod had arrested John and bound him and put him in prison because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife,

4for John had been saying to him: "It is not lawful for you to have her."

- P88

Prompted by her mother, she said, "Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist."

9The king was distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he ordered that her request be granted

10and had John beheaded in the prison.

11His head was brought in on a platter and given to the girl, who carried it to her mother.

12John’s disciples came and took his body and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus.

- P89

Herod hears about Jesus and thinks He is John the Baptist risen from the dead.
The passage recounts how Herod had John imprisoned because of Herodias.
At a banquet, Herodias‘s daughter dances, and Herod promises her anythingshe wants. She asks for John‘s head on a platter. Herod orders John to bebeheaded. John‘s disciples bury his body then tell Jesus what happened. - P89

When Herod the tetrarch hears the reports about Jesus, he is convinced it is John the Baptist risen from the dead. Herod had arrested John because he told him his marriage to his sister-in-law Herodias was unlawful. By imprisoning his nemesis, Herod sought to silence the truth of the prophet’s words, but God’s words can never be silenced. - P90

God’s words can never be overcome, even by those who wield worldly power and authority. Let us always remember that our allegiance is to God and God alone. - P90

Times change, worldly powers come and go, but the Word of God endures forever. - P90

Despite all of Herod‘s power, prestige, and worldly authority he is a slaveto his passion and pride. Herod‘s foolish oath and a weakness for his stand-ing in the eyes of his dinner guests result in the tragic death of John theBaptist.  - P90

Even the most cursory reading of Scripture confirms that sufferingand death are, more often than not, the worldly "reward" of those faithfulprophets who challenge the rulers of this world. The cross of Jesus is evidence of this truth.  - P90

But a willingness to be faithful to our Lord even untodeath brings eternal rewards that far outshine the pain and suffering we mayexperience in this life. - P90

Lord Jesus, grant me the courage to live my life for You, and if it comes to it, to die for You. I desire to experience Your resurrection life in the midst of a dying world. In Your name, I pray, amen.
- P91