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Today our text comes from Mark 9:38-50.\xa0
May God bless you as you hear his word.

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\u201cTeacher,\u201d said John, \u201cwe saw someone driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us.\u201d

\u201cDo not stop him,\u201d Jesus said. \u201cFor no one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, for whoever is not against us is for us. Truly I tell you, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to the Messiah will certainly not lose their reward.

\u201cIf anyone causes one of these little ones\u2014those who believe in me\u2014to stumble, it would be better for them if a large millstone were hung around their neck and they were thrown into the sea. If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go into hell, where the fire never goes out. And if your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than to have two feet and be thrown into hell. And if your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell, where

\u201c\u2018the worms that eat them do not die,
\xa0 \xa0 and the fire is not quenched.\u2019

Everyone will be salted with fire.

\u201cSalt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt among yourselves, and be at peace with each other.\u201d

This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

As you journey on, go with the blessing of God: \xa0 \xa0

Guide us waking, O Lord, and guard us sleeping,
That awake we may watch with Christ, and asleep rest in his peace.
May Almighty God bless, preserve, and keep us, this day and forevermore.\xa0
Amen.