Crowds of people went to John the Baptist, "told how sorry they were for their sins" and were baptized in the Jordan River. Referring to Jesus Christ, John the Baptist told the people, "I baptize you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit!" Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist.

• Am I truly sorry for my sins?
• What turning points can I identify in my life?
• Have I been baptized with the Holy Spirit?
• Does my life witness to others that I have been transformed by the Holy Spirit?

    Jesus' teaching about whom God blesses is notably contrary to the world's ideas of what we should strive for. God blesses those who depend only on him, who grieve, who are humble, who want to obey him more than to eat and drink, who are merciful, whose hearts are pure, who make peace, and who are treated badly for doing right.

• Do I live on the world's terms of what is desirable or on God's terms?
• Do I depend only on God, or do I look for security to such things as money, power, popularity and "success"?
• Do I care more about doing God's will than having enough to eat?
• How would I need to change in order to live the way God would have me live?

    The Gospels are full of healing stories, and a few cases of raising from the dead. Jesus frequently says to people needing healing, or those seeking healing for others, to "Just have faith!" In response to the disciples' questions why they couldn't heal someone with demons, Jesus responded, "Only prayer can force out that kind of demon."

    In our experience, we see that not all people who have faith, not all people who are earnestly prayed for, are physically healed. This often causes us to question God's power, and our ability to summon it.

• Do I have faith that Jesus can heal me?
• Do I pray with the fervency that can force out demons?
• Do I have faith that God is working in my life and in the lives of those for whom I pray even when I cannot see obvious physical results?

    Jesus tells us not to worry about our lives, because our Father in heaven will take care of us. He tells us, ". . . put God's work first and do what he wants. Then the other things will be yours as well."

• What do I worry about?
• Do I put God's work first and do what he wants, trusting that he will take care of me?

    This famous story of The Prodigal Son shows a father's love that is not diminished by the wrongful behavior of the son. The parable shows two ways we can go astray - by trying to find fulfillment in a hedonistic lifestyle, and by a legalistic adherence to a higher standard based on duty rather than joy and thankfulness for being loved. In either case, God continues to love us and longs to welcome us back into his fold.

• Do I seek fulfillment in the pleasures of this world? If so, am I aware that God would be eager to welcome me back in his fold?
• Do I do the "right things" out of a joyless sense of duty? Am I aware of how much God loves me and longs for my joy?

    In the first story, Jesus is roused during a storm that has terrified his disciples, who fear their boat is about to sink. Jesus calms the storm and rebukes the disciples for their lack of faith. In the second story, Jesus insists that his disciples feed the huge crowd that is listening to him. They protest that there is little food, but Jesus blesses it and there is more than enough.

• When the storms of life seem to be buffeting me, do I remain calm through faith in a loving and merciful God?
• Do I see scarcity around me, or do I trust in a God who always provides for us?

    Jesus asks that we hold to a higher standard than exacting just retribution for a wrong and loving only those who love us. He calls on us not to get back at those who harm us, to give to those who ask, to love our enemies and to pray for those who mistreat us. This is God's standard.

• Do I insist on the world's standard of justice in my life, or do I act loving even toward those who misuse me?
• Do I pray for those who mistreat me?
• Can my colleagues at work and people with whom I interact in my daily life see by the way I behave that I am not interested in getting my fair share but rather in showing God's love to all I meet?

    In the first passage, Jesus preaches the good news and calls to fishermen about their work. The fishermen follow him at once, leaving their nets behind. In the second passage, Jesus reminds his disciples of his love for them and his willingness to die for them. He calls them his friends, and commands them to love one another.

• Am I ready to drop whatever I'm doing to respond to God's call to me?
• Do I love my brothers and sisters in the faith as God loves me?

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