1.3.2012 LJ

S:
Luke 3:9-11 ESV

Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire." And the crowds asked him, "What then shall we do?" And he answered them, "Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise."

O:
John the Baptist responds to their question of "what then shall we do?" I wonder what the full context od the question really was?
"What should we so to avoid hell?"
"What should we do to get right with God?"
"What do I do to bear good fruit?"
It depends on what viewpoint they look at that message.
John responds to three groups: crowds, tax collectors and soldiers. Its strange how only three groups get addresses in this passage. Im not a tax collector or a soldier so I wasn't very engaged to that response but Johns response to the crowd stuck with me. Love others..

A:
If I have faith but no deeds my faith is nothing. If I havr deeds but no faith..it is nothing. They cannot be true without each other. I wonder ...did John speak to them the Gospel messagr and tie in deeds and faith to avoid the bandwagoners who wouldn't really follow Christ... I ponder and continue to reflect on my horrible focus on good fruits all the while missing the target of knowing Jesus as the goal of my life and ministry. Perhaps a tangible way is to love. "Love God and love others..nothing else matter'" such a simple but profound complicated motto for life..yet it makes sense.......did I miss loving others???

P:
God help me..teach me..show me how to love others. Fill my heart with compassion of You in me when I see others. Fill me with more of You(Love) so that I can love others in the overflow of my heart. Teach me Lord...please teach me and change me to love. In Jesus name amen.