A Snowy Day in the Ozarks

The snow started last night around 8 o'clock and has been falling ever since. It started as a fine powdery snow but the flakes are starting to get a little bit bigger now. It looks like a little bit more that 4-5 inches and it's still falling nearly 20 hours after it started. Soon I'll have to make my way out to where the horses are and make sure that they have some food and water. I'll also have to get out and shovel off the driveway (again) but might wait to see if it stops within the next couple of hours.

All-in-all, it makes for a nice afternoon to enjoy a book, a blog or to just sit and relax.

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I haven't commented on the daily Bible passages because they are passages that I talked about in December as Christmas was approaching. Today's reading begins the Earthly ministry of Jesus as told by Matthew. If you want to read a little bit about John the Baptist (not this--John, the Baptist; THE John the Baptist) you can check out Chapter one of Luke's account.

John's ministry was foretold in the prophesies of the Old Testament. He would prepare the way for the Messiah. His message is the same message that Jesus preaches as He begins His work--"Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near." John also tells that we must show our repentance (turning away from our own way and turning towards God) by the fruit that we produce. We'll see this same message from Jesus in a few days as we finish reading the Sermon on the Mount.

Then Jesus comes and is baptized by John. It may seem odd that Jesus gets baptized before He begins His ministry, but I think that Jesus sets the example for us. I truly believe that before a Christian can have a successful, Spirit filled ministry, they must begin by obediently following Jesus in baptism. Matthew ends his account by recording Jesus' command that we make disciples, baptize the believers and teach all of the things that He commands. It was important that Jesus was baptized because it is important that we are baptized.

Just imagine what it would have been like on that day. Day after day, people came and were baptized by John. But on this day, after this man Jesus is baptized, the Spirit descends upon Him and a voice booms from heaven, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased."

Awesome!

John <><

New Testament reading for Jan 3--Matthew 3.