Scripture

Matthew 15

Click here to read today’s passage on Bible Gateway

Observation

How did Jesus respond to the accusation of disobeying tradition? What happened in the interchange with the Gentile woman? How did the people respond to Jesus healing those brought to Him? Why did He feed the 4000?

Application

Am I more concerned with human traditions than God’s Word? Am I willing to humble myself before God and ask for His aid? Do I give God the glory when He works in my life? Am I thankful for an empathetic Savior?

Prayer

Pray today’s Scripture back to God:

Dear Father in Heaven, May I never be guilty of elevating the teachings and traditions of men above Your eternal Word. May I follow the example of the Gentile mother in today’s passage, who pleaded and strove with Christ in faith to meet her need. May I always give You glory for who You are and what You do! Thank You for loving me, and thank You that Jesus understands what it is to be human and empathizes with my weakness and frailty. I pray this in His name, Amen.

Pray to BLESS!

One good way to pray for people is to use the acronym BLESS to pray for God’s blessing on every area of their lives:

• B – BODY (physical health)
• L – Labor (their job or school)
• E – Emotions (emotional health as well as guarding against letting emotions rule)
• S – Social (relationships with family, friends, co-workers, neighbors, church, etc)
• S – Spiritual (remaining true to God and growing in Him)

SATURDAY

Spend some time praying for the following people and ministries.

• Travis & Consuela Sauer (Mikayla, Christian, Donte, Cheyenne, Sera, Ella, Thomas)
• Chris & DeAnn Smith (Sasha, Noah, Gavin, Natalie)
• Ross & Christy Stoltey (Spencer, Garrett, Conner, Katie, Grace)
• James Williams
• Jason & Danielle Youngblood (Kayla, Kendra)

Ministry:

• Chapel Mission India

CLF:

• That we would be devoted to thanksgiving and praise to our Lord–for what He has done, for what He is doing, for what He will do, and for who He is–in good times and bad.

Community: Pray for Ontario…

• That city leaders would submit to God
• That people can find and keep gainful employment
• For sound financial management by city officials
• Salvation for unbelievers
• For the mayor, city council members, and public works officials

SUNDAY

• Jenn Austring
• Amy Brueggemann
• Debbie Brueggemann
• Chris Carlton
• Mike Daniels

Ministry:

• Provenance

CLF:

• That we will be devoted to evangelism and growth; that the Lord will add to our numbers those who are being saved.

Community: Rural towns in Treasure Valley – Emmett, Greenleaf, Homedale, Marsing, Middleton, New Plymouth, Parma, Payette, Wilder, Weiser, etc…

• That city leaders would submit to God
• That people can find and keep gainful employment
• For sound financial management by city officials
• Salvation for unbelievers
• For the mayor, city council members, and public works officials

MEMORY VERSE OF THE WEEK:
Although I am a free man and not anyone’s slave, I have made myself a slave to everyone, in order to win more people. – 1 Corinthians 9:19 (HCSB)