When Jesus was baptized, he went up immediately from the water.
The heavens suddenly opened for him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming down on him.
And a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased.” (Matthew 3:16-17)
Father, how is it that by your grace, you open up heaven to me, give me your Spirit, and say, “You are my beloved child. In you I am well pleased?”
How is it? That’s incredible to me!
So Father, let me bear the fruit of repentance. You know the sins that I still struggle with.
Father, don’t let me be like the Pharisees and Sadducees, merely pretending to be righteous. Let me truly bear the fruit of righteousness in my life
Jesus, you said I am already clean because of the Word you have spoken and I have believed. Now let your words abide in me.
Pruning me. Shaping me. Transforming me. Changing the way I think and act. Convicting me of sin.
Yet reminding me of your forgiveness and love. Encouraging me to take the next step forward with you, becoming more like you.
You are the vine. I am the branch. Teach me what it means to abide in you. Without you I can do nothing. But with you, I will bear much fruit. And I do want to bear fruit for you. (John 15:3-7)
Holy Spirit, as you filled and led Jesus throughout his earthly life, fill and lead me, moment to moment, day to day.
In Jesus’ name, amen.
Moment to Moment (Bible blog) 