beliver

All of these can keep a person from responding to God's call, but I think riches are the most dangerous, if you have everything, why would you need Jesus. Most people with a lot of money and stuff just feel they have everything and they have no need of Jesus and His gift of eternal life.

According to the Bible those who fall away are those who have no root in them. When trials and difficulties come they loose heart and give up. It is a good possibility that they never truly repented of their sins. My husband and I see people who say they know Jesus, but their life does not show. They have a profession but not a posession. Those on good ground will produce fruit. The Bible says you will know them by their fruit.

Repentance means a turning from and turning to something. If we never see sin as God sees sin, we can never truly be saved. We need to turn from our sin and turn to Jesus for He is the only hope of eternal life. Baptism shows our death and burial to sin and raising to a new life in Christ. Christ cannot reign in an unrepentant heart becasue God cannot not live in a heart that has not truly repented. God cannot dwell in a person who has not truly been converted. We cannot have two masters we need to decide who we are going to serve the flesh or the Spirit, will we serve with all our heart, mind and soul or we live a halfhearted life, God wants all or nothing. He is a jealous God and He will not settle for anything less than complete surrender to His will and way in our life. Daily we need to surrender to the Holy Spirit and daily read His word and pray, seeking His will and way in our life. I love Him more and more each day because I see the sin in my life and I long to me more like Him everyday, so others can see Christ in me the hope of glory. Thank you Lord for saving my soul, thank you Lord for making me whole, thank you Lord for giving to me thy great salvation so rich and free. He expects praise each day, life can be fuller if we fully surrender to the Lord each day.

John's baptism was for those who made a profession of faith in Jesus, it was by water. Jesus' baptism was to send the Holy Spirit to convict us of sin, and to guide us into all truth. The one thing that would hinder this would be willful sinning after receiving Christ as Savior. I long each day to be more like the Savior day by day, minute by minute. I need to daily crucify the flesh and keep my mind focused on Jesus and what He would have me to do in all circumstances of life. Each day reminding myself what I was like before and praising the Lord where He has brought be to. I love the Lord because He has given me a new purpose in life, praising Him and telling others about His wonderful gift of salvation, whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord, shall be saved. Thank you Jesus

As Christians we face persecution is many different ways. Through family, friends, and the media. Revelation shows that no matter what we are the victors is the battle against good and evil. Christ won the victory at Calvary, praise His name. No matter what we face we are over comers. Many do not witness because of fear, and because we do not study our Bible enough and study the verses needed for witnessing. We really do not understand what will happen to people if we do not tell them about Jesus. My husband and I are missionaires to the United States. We travel to fairs and festival tell people how they can have a personal relationship with Jesus and know for sure how they can get to heaven. I was not always bold, but being in this ministry helps us to witness more and be more aware of those around us. May God help each of us to win someone to the Lord each day or witness each day. Take tracts along where ever you go. If you are afraid to witness hand them a gospel tract. Pat