For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.

 Matthew 15-16, Mark 7-8

 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9

Day 304 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) continues as I move further into the New Testament - tonight focusing a number of encounters around Galilee, including north of Galilee, such as Tyre and Sidon, and it includes one particular encounter Jesus has with a Canaanite woman who pleads with Jesus to heal her daughter. My commentary notes: "[a]s descendants of Noah’s son Ham, against whom a curse had been directed, the Canaanites are looked down upon by the Jews as unworthy of God’s blessings. So the woman’s request is an excellent opportunity for Jesus to teach his disciples once again about the universality of his kingdom." My reading also includes a warning by Jesus to his disciples to beware of the "yeast" of the Pharisees and Sadducees - with the yeast being the hypocritical teaching of these groups who denied Jesus.

*Smith, F. LaGard. The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®). Harvest House Publishers. Kindle Edition. 

The encounter with the Canaanite woman of course underscores how we must remember that all deserve the Good News of Jesus Christ - all are deserving of salvation; it also not up to us to save but only to share the Good News - . 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who gave me faith - thank You Jesus!  I am grateful but I am undeserving of such a gift as salvation - the greatest gift of all time.  My sin continues...worry, etc.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.