Saturday, December 4
Matthew 3:1-12 http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=158471204
Fruitful living
John the Baptist understood that the fulfillment of God’s promise of a time of peace and justice, as foretold by the prophets, would come when the people confessed their sins, repented, and began to bear living fruit worthy of the changes in their lives. Many heard John’s message, changed their lives and began to show that they were a new people. Others, like the scribes and Pharisees, wanted the benefits of John’s message without actually doing the hard work. They thought that as descendants of Abraham they were entitled to God’s blessing. John told them to examine their lives. If they weren’t “producing good fruit,” they were not worthy and would eventually be cast aside from the kingdom of heaven.
Where’s the fruit? That is a wonderful question for us to ask as we examine our lives and reach out to others during this 27 days of giving. Are we bearing fruit worthy of the kingdom of heaven ...or have we settled for something less?
Advent Blessings,
Rich
This Christmas give the gift that only you can give,
...give yourself this Christmas. (Peter Mayer)
I have started saying "Merry Christmas and God bless you" to people I see in stores, etc. Some look at me like I'm an alien and others smile and say it back. Wonder if John the Baptist encountered things like this way back then. I tend to think he did, but he ended up beheaded.
ReplyDeleteToday, I decided to journal each day for 27 days and reflect on my actions. To my surprise, I could not remember day 2,3 and 4. How quickly we forget! I invite others to journal daily.
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