Matthew 3:1-12, Acts 3, Psalm 5, Genesis 12-14

Recall:
Matthew 3:10 "Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire."

Acts 3:6 "But Peter said, 'I have no silver or gold, but what I have I give you; in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, stand up and walk."

Genesis 13:17 "Rise up, walk through the length and the breadth of the land, for I will give it to you."

Reflect:
John the Baptist's statement is powerful and its easy to fall into a view of a fierce, retributive God which, honestly, is the view of God that John the Baptist had. The statement is true, however. Not because God is walking around with an ax at our knees, but because if we're not bearing good fruit, we put ourselves in the fire. It's never for good though, we can always hop out, no matter how charred we are.

I love the scene with Peter and John at the temple. What I have I give you. We can only give what we have--we are only responsible for giving what we have.

God's words to Abraham, at best, are words to a specific person at a specific time in a specific place. But this morning, I can't help but hear them as God's words to me. "I will give it to you." I'm not sure what "it" is, but I know God wants good for me.

Respond:
I want to give what I have. I want to be fruitful. Continue to fill me God. Make me an example of what you can do in a life.