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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.