eternallysaved

Bearing fruit means several things to me. Primarily it involves meeting others, conversing with others, learning about others, caring about others, and hopefully helping others. On my own I can pray and read the Bible, and learn God's Word and His Will for me. And I can love others in a Christ - shown way. I can witness without even a spoken word if I really show compassion and live as an example. I can learn the Gospel well and share it with optimistic pleasant confidence, as others have with me. Finally, for me being in a certain church helps me root in good soil. The church I attend does crazy things like strictly adhere to the Bible without introducing made up human ideas or convenient social bending.

For me, worries and fears are the biggest thorn. With riches (which I have never had monetarily) I could be thankful and rejoice, and care for others and give generously to my church for example. Pleasures can come from many forms, and not all are evil. I can get pleasure from learning, from my children or spouse for instance. I could be tricked by thinking alcohol could give me pleasure, when actually for me it is a depressant and an intoxicant. I am somewhat plagued by worries and fears. I cannot seem to find a job to support my family, cannot pay important bills, and worry for example about losing my home. I am reading Job and I know things could be much worse for me and others, although for me care is Christian and I care about my family and not having them suffer loss because of my unemployment. I pray about this all of the time, and I have for months. This has led me to get briefly upset that my prayer is not being answered, at least in any time that could help me now. I know many others are facing problems similar to mine, and I pray for them and you reading this, my local businesses and leaders to move our economy in a better direction. I have a college degree and years of professional experience, and I am ready to do God's Will which I hope for me includes work and supporting my family.

For me life is lived one day at a time in the present; not in grief for the past or doubt about the future. Spiritually, I need to remember patience, acceptance, humility, honesty and prayer. Staying by myself can start to isolate me, and lead me toward selfish thoughts of how the world me temporarily satisfy me. Satan can then whisper and cause me to stumble. Remaining thankful of grace and redemption I can reflect on a lighted path which frees me from darkness. I need to remember others and how I may help and care about them, and ask for God's Will for me every day to not drift away...

Q4. Why is repentance so central to the Kingdom of God? Why is baptism important to converts to the King? Can Christ reign in an unrepentant heart? If I do not repent, I do not honor, respect or appreciate the sacrifice Jesus has paid and given for me; and I do not care about the desire He has for my life in this world. Baptism is a gift and saves me by the resurrection of Jesus Christ. I Peter 3:21 (NIV)

Q3. (Matthew 3:11) What is the point of comparison between John

Not to copy an above entry, but I do not have an abundance of understanding related to this question, and I would agree that some felt they obeyed the Law and that was enough; some saw no need for Baptism and others were blessed to receive it.

I do not wish to judge others. I hope to look at myself and my own sins. I will never be perfect - I thank Jesus Christ as my Savior! I have His robe of Righteousness to count on. If I sin, it is surely some form of selfishness. If I fear or doubt or am troubled by others, I either can repent and return to forgiveness or suffer guilt and shame. I attend a church that includes communion; if I partake in that service I need to repent for my sins lest I bring judgment on myself. Luckily, I believe God knows I am not perfect and knows I will not be. That is not an excuse for my sin; I try each hour of each day to obey His laws and live in His Grace.

Q1. (Luke 1:31-34) What did the angel's announcement say about who Mary's Child was and who he was to become? 'You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.' She was to have a son, to be named Jesus, who will be called Son of the Most High. God is to give Jesus a reigning throne whose kingdom will never end.

Hello all. My name is John and I live near the Rocky Mountains in Colorado USA. I hope and plan to deepen my personal prayer and rely as much as I can on spiritual focus this holiday season. I am underemployed and have an unemployed wife and two beautiful children. I am grateful for this Christmas Incarnation study and I look forward to learning and sharing with you soon.