Good morning friends! Open a Bible and look up Matthew 3. Work through all or part of the prayers, scripture, questions, and reading below. May you find spiritual nourishment in whatever portions you complete. May the Lord bless you as you do so. As a result of this work, I pray we would grow to be more like Christ in our humility!

— Praise: (1)
Glory be to you, O God,
whom we worship in awe and wonder.
You are the author of all beginnings
and all that is pronounced “good.”
In you both day and night have purpose,
both calm and storm have meaning.
Open the eyes of our imagination,
that we may be ready to receive your gifts
and discern your activity in our midst.
In the name of Jesus,
in whose baptism we too are baptized. Amen.

— Scripture:
Come Holy Spirit, open our minds and hearts as we read your word:
Matthew 3:13-17

— Answer these four questions:
What does this passage say about God?
What does this passage say about people?
As a result of this reading, what is one step God is inviting you to take?
Who is one person you will tell about that step today?

— Response: (2)
Lord Jesus, why were you baptized?
But to fulfill all righteousness.
Lord Jesus, why were you baptized?
But to identify with us, whom you came to save.
Lord Jesus, why were you baptized?
But that the heavens would open,
The Spirit would descend,
The Father would declare to all that you were His beloved Son
With You, He was well pleased.
Lord Jesus, in humbling yourself you have been exalted.
And you invite us to follow you.
Come Holy Spirit, empower us to say, “Yes”!
Amen.

— Devotional: (3)
I want to simplify your lives. When others are telling you to read more, I want to tell you to read less; when others are telling you to do more, I want to tell you to do less. The world does not need more of you; it needs more of God. Your friends do not need more of you; they need more of God. And you don’t need more of you; you need more of God. For we do not progress in the Christian life by becoming more competent, more knowledgeable, more virtuous or more energetic. We do not advance in the Chirstian life by acquiring expertise. Each day, and many times each day, we need more of God. Back to square one.
– Eugene Peterson

— Closing Prayer: (4)
God, you know all things
you know our thoughts and needs better than we ourselves.
Accept the prayers that we now offer
and strengthen us to do your will,
through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

(1) Original with excerpts from The Worship Sourcebook, 2004, Faith Alive Christian Resources.
(2) From The Worship Sourcebook, 2004, Faith Alive Christian Resources.
(3) From “Back to Square One: God Said (The Witness of Holy Scripture)” Crux April 10-14.
(4) From The Worship Sourcebook, 2004, Faith Alive Christian Resources with original edits.