Mark 7:1 13 Message Bible "The Pharisees, along with some religion scholars who had come from Jerusalem, gathered around him. They noticed that some of his disciples weren't being careful with ritual washings before meals. The Pharisees-Jews in general, in fact-would never eat a meal without going through the motions of a ritual hand-washing, with an especially vigorous scrubbing if they had just come from the market (to say nothing of the scourings they'd give jugs and pots and pans). The Pharisees and religion scholars asked, "Why do your disciples flout the rules, showing up at meals without washing their hands?" Jesus answered, "Isaiah was right about frauds like you, hit the bull's-eye in fact: These people make a big show of saying the right thing, but their heart isn't in it. They act like they are worshiping me, but they don't mean it. They just use me as a cover for teaching whatever suits their fancy, Ditching God's command and taking up the latest fads." He went on, "Well, good for you. You get rid of God's command so you won't be inconvenienced in following the religious fashions! Moses said, 'Respect your father and mother, ' and, 'Anyone denouncing father or mother should be killed.' But you weasel out of that by saying that it's perfectly acceptable to say to father or mother, 'Gift! What I owed you I've given as a gift to God, ' thus relieving yourselves of obligation to father or mother. You scratch out God's Word and scrawl a whim in its place. You do a lot of things like this." Tradition is defined to be: ritual, practice, institution, habit, belief, folklore. Not once is tradition described as knowledge! As a consequence, our minds and hearts have been filled with all the above attributes of man's traditions whether it is societal, political or religious! Once again this is not knowledge! The wisdom within the pages of this book is the antithesis to that which is traditional, institutional, theological or religious habit. To continue to live like this negates the Truth of God's Word in place of the deceptions and misunderstandings of this world.
About the Author: Brother Ed Marr is an ordained lay-minister and published author. He is a graduate of Calvary Cathedral International Bible School in Fort Worth, Texas. Almighty God has groomed Ed as one of His Prophets (Right Reverend) to preach and teach Repentance as a true indicator of his authenticity as a true Prophet of God. Lamentations 2:14 "Your prophets have predicted for you falsehood and delusion and foolish things. And they have not exposed your iniquity and guilt, to avert your captivity [by causing you to repent]; but they have divined and declared to you false and deceptive prophecies, worthless and misleading." He is a retired California Highway Patrol Officer. His law enforcement career has taught him specific investigative skills, specifically the necessity for the economy of words. Ed's style of writing reflects this bare bones investigative technique. Prior to this, he served 7 years in the United States Marine Corps. His notable duties were as a Marine Security Guard (Saudi Arabia & Saigon) and a Drill Instructor (San Diego, Ca.) God has used Ed throughout his law enforcement career. During his twelve year employment as a State Traffic Officer, Brother Ed experienced angelic visitations in his patrol car as well as at collisions. At crime scenes, Officer Marr has had demonic encounters, and as a uniform officer, hundreds have accepted salvation through the ministry Almighty God has called him to. Over the past thirty years, Brother Ed has experienced the power of prevailing prayer in that 3 people have been raised from the dead, and powerful creative miracles have occurred as a direct and immediate result of prayers of faith! Brother Ed has taught repentance to the prisoners at the Okmulgee County Jail where he was able to test the message of repentance, where frequently he received spontaneous standing ovations! Ed believes that it is just a matter of time before the pulpits of America will open the doors to him and this NOW WORD of and about Repentance. "Mister" Ed (as he is often called) is not another cookie cutter preacher who parrots others. His disposition is laid back, and his presentations are subdued. The very power of righteous words makes the impact, penetrating hearts, decimating carnality. Although a big man with a big voice, Ed does not rely upon these physical attributes to impress. Rather, he permits the fire power of The Word to express itself in truth!