Hi friends, I'm Annie F. Downs. Let's read the Gospels. The Gospels are the first four books of the New Testament in the Bible, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. These are the stories of Jesus Christ's life on earth, the friendships, the parables, the sacrifices, the meals, the miracles. So here is how it works. I'll read three chapters to you. You can listen or read along in your own Bible or online, and then I'll pray, and that's it. Today is day 22, and I'll be reading

Matthew 3 through 5 in the New Living Translation, and we are on page 145 in the Let's Read

the Gospel's Guided gospel's guided journal.

Matthew 3.

In those days, John the Baptist came to the Judean wilderness and began preaching.

His message was, repent of your sins and turn to God, for the kingdom of heaven is near.

The prophet Isaiah was speaking about John when he said, he is a voice shouting in the wilderness,

prepared the way for the Lord's coming, cleared the road for him. John's clothes were woven from coarse camel hair, and he wore a leather belt around his waist. For food, he ate locusts

in wild honey. People from Jerusalem and from all Judea and all over the Jordan Valley went

out to sea and hear John. And when they confessed their sins, he baptized them in the Jordan

River. But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming to watch and baptize, he denounced

them. You brood of snakes, he exclaimed. Who warned you to flee the coming wrath?

Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God.

Don't just say to each other, we're safe for we are descendants of Abraham.

That means nothing.

For I tell you, God can create children of Abraham from these very stones.

Even now, the acts of God's judgment is poised, ready to sever the roots of the trees.

Yes, every tree that does not produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire.

I baptize with water those who repent of their sins and turn to God.

But someone is coming soon who is greater than I am, so much greater that I'm not worthy even to be his slave

and carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. He is ready to

separate the chaff from the wheat with his winnowing fork. Then he will clean up the threshing area,

...