cannyben

Luke 19:1-10 "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed, life does not consist in an abundance of possessions. " Luke 12:35. After talking to Jesus, a rich man went away sad, but Zacchaeus, the tax collector gave away half of what he had spent his life acquiring. In His grace, we can find a healthy perspective of the things we possess, and they should not become the things that destroy us.

Matthew 5:9, 13-16 "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God". Matthew 5:9. Jesus calls us to be peacemakers. To make peace is to bring harmony, and to become the "salt of the earth", and the "light of the world."

1 John 4:7-19 God is love. Whoever lives in love in God, and God in them. 1 John 4:16. "God is love ", John wrote, repeatedly, perhaps because the truth that God's love is the foundation of reality, amid the deception and power struggles. God's love remains a light that shines in the darkness, inviting us to learn the way through humility, trust and love.

Mark 8:11-21 He said to them, "Do you still not understand? " Mark 8:21. Jesus reminded His disciples that when He fed five thousand with five loaves, the disciples collected twelve basketfull of leftovers. And when He fed four thousand with seven loaves, they filled seven baskets of leftovers. The Lord's miraculous work for our physical needs points to the greater truth, Jesus is the Bread of Life.

Philippines 4:8-13 "Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set hearts on things above...." Colossians 3:1. Sometimes, circumstances seem to surround us with difficulties. However, with faith, we can conquer the difficulties. The Lord enables us to rise above our circumstances and find courage and calmness. Paul wrote, "...I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances".

Jonah 4 "...whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God.... " Colossians 3:17. When Jonah was angry because God spared the wicked city of Nineveh from destruction, God caused a plant to shade him from the sun. Then He made it wither. When Jonah complained, God answered, "...Is it right for you to be angry about the plant? " Jonah focused only on himself. But God challenged him to think about others and have compassion.

Hebrews 10:10-23 "...we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body. " Hebrews 10:19-20. The curtain symbolized the reality of the cross, a new way. Jesus, the Man on the cross, had shed His blood as the last sacrifice. This allows all who believe in Him to enjoy forgiveness, and enter into a relationship with God.

Ephesians 2:4-10 " ...we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. " Ephesians 2:10. Paul wrote to the Ephesians of their purpose in this world, describing them as "God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works. " Paul goes on to say that God's "handiwork" of creating us would result in our "handiwork" of creating good works for His glory in our world.

Hebrews 11:1-6 "...my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. " Philippians 4:19. "...faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. " The foundation of this confidence and assurance is God Himself, who "...rewards those who earnestly seek him. " God is faithful to keep His promises.

Luke 22:39-46 "Greater love has no one than this : to lay down one's life for one's friends ". John 15:13. When Jesus was waiting for His arrest and subsequent execution, He prayed, "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me ...". But He concluded that request with an example of courage, love, and sacrifice. "...yet not my will, but yours be done". Jesus' death and resurrection made our eternal life possible.

Matthew 6:19-21 "Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. " Matthew 6:20. Jesus told us to store up "treasures in heaven". We do that when we become "rich in good deeds", "rich in faith", helping others and sharing Christ with them.

1John 4:7-12 "We love because he first loved us. " 1 John 4:19. God is love. Christ's death on the cross, the ultimate demonstration of love, displays the depth of His passion for us. Because God loves us and lives in us, we can love others, based on who He is and what He has done.

Mark 1:9-15 "The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news! " Mark 1:15. Jesus began His mission with these words. Instead of running to places that entrap us, or being ruled by fear, Jesus explains that we can be ruled by God, who lovingly leads us to new life and freedom.

2 Corinthians 4:16, 5:9 "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 2 Corinthians 4:16. What's true about an old house, is also true about our body. Our bodies, like an old house, will eventually look like a bit worse with time. But as Paul explains, there is good news. While we gradually lose the physical vibrancy of youth, the spirit, within us, is continually renewed, and grows.

1 Peter 4:7-11 "God demonstrates his own love for us in this : While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. " Romans 5:8. Peter explained, "Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins. " The love Jesus showed through His death on the cross frees us from the debt for our sins and opens the door for our reconciliation with God. His forgiveness empowers us to forgive others. When we love others because our Saviour loves them, God gives us strength to let go of the past and go forward with Him.

2 Corinthians 5:12-21 "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, the old has gone, the new has come." 2 Corinthians 5:17. Before knowing Christ, we followed our desires wherever they led us. But when we repent, and begin to walk with Christ, the passions that once dominated our lives fade away, as we're transfomed. "All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ ...."

"I will not leave you as orphans, I will come to you. " John 14:18. Time and again, the scriptures remind us of the ever presence of God. There is nowhere we can go that He is not there. He will never leave us nor forsake us. Jesus, after promising to send the Holy Spirit, told the followers, "I will not leave you as orphans, I will come to you. "

Proverbs 11:23-31 "A generous person will prosper, whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. " Proverbs 11:25. When we are generous with others, we're likely to experience generosity. But we shouldn't give, expecting something in return. But when we're generous, God is pleased, and often finds a way to refresh us, sometimes materially, and other times spiritually.

Acts 5:15 "... people brought those who were ill into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter's shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by. " How could a shadow heal people ? Peter's reputation as a man of God empowered to heal was so widespread that people tried to get as close to him as they could. When people respond in faith to God's work, He responds in various ways.

Romans 12:3-8 "We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. Romans 12:6. Paul affirms the value and purpose of the diverse gifts God has dispersed to His people. Every member of His family is equipped to glorify the Lord and build others up in love. Paul encourages us to identify and use our gifts to edify others and point to Jesus, serving diligently and cheerfully.