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, and the miracles.

We're going to read three chapters a day usually and finish in 30 days every other month. So each month we are going to read all four books. February has been a little bit different and in order to finish in 28 days, we have to read a couple of extra chapters here and there.

So today we're going to be reading four chapters instead of three. Go ahead and subscribe. We are starting the book of John. Jump in with us and let's read the Gospels together.

So today is February 23rd, day 23, and I will be reading John chapters one through four and the translation I'm reading from this month is the ESV.

John one in the beginning was the word and the word was with God and the word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him and without him was not anything made that was made in him was life.

And the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it. There was a man sent from God, his name was John.

He came as a witness to bear witness about the light that all might believe through him. He was not the light but came to bear witness about the light, the true light which gives light to everyone was coming into the world.

He was in the world and the world was made through him yet the world did not know him. He came to his own and his own people did not receive him.

But to all who did receive him who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God who were born not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

And the word became flesh and dwelt among us and we have seen his glory glory as of the only son from the father full of grace and truth.

John bore witness about him and cried out this was he of whom I said he who comes after me ranks before me because he was before me.

For from his fullness we have all received grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

No one has ever seen God the only God who is at the father side he has made him known.

And this is the testimony of John when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him who are you.

He confessed and did not deny but confessed I am not the Christ and they asked him what then are you Elijah he said I am not.

Are you the prophet and he answered no. So they said to him who are you we need to give an answer to those who sent us.

What do you say about yourself he said I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness make straight the way of the Lord as the prophet Isaiah said.

Now they have been sent from the Pharisees they asked him then why are you baptizing if you are neither the Christ nor Elijah nor the prophet.

John answered them I baptize with water but among you stands one you do not know even he who comes after me the strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.

These things took place in Bethany across the Jordan where John was baptizing the next day he saw Jesus coming toward him and said behold the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

This is he of whom I said after me comes a man who ranks before me because he was before me I myself did not know him but for this purpose I came baptizing with water that he might be revealed to Israel.

And John bore witness I saw the spirit descend from heaven like a dove and it remained on him I myself did not know him but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me he on whom you see the spirit descend and remain this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit and I have seen and have born witness that this is the son of God.

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