Today's Verse: John 3:3

Thursday, December 31, 2009

In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again."
— John 3:3

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

"Fast away the old year passes..." But we can be new and fresh and clean (cf. 2 Cor. 4:17). Kingdom people are those who have been born fresh and new through the power of the Spirit and the grace of God (cf. John 3:3-7; Titus 3:3-7; John 1:11). So as we close out the old year, with its good things and bad, achievements and failures, successes and disappointments, let's approach the New Year as Kingdom people. God's mercies are new every morning and our lives can be made new everyday by the Holy Spirit who lives in us. Yes, we have been born again. But each sunrise offers us the opportunity to be made new, to live in a fresh new way, as God's grace rekindles our hopes and the Holy Spirit makes us new as we trust in Jesus our Lord.

My Prayer...

Heavenly Father, you are holy and righteous. I confess that as hard as I have tried and as much as I have wanted to be holy and righteous, without your grace and the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit, I fail. Thank you for your forgiveness. Please make me new. As I stand on the threshold of a new year, please empower me beyond my weaknesses and besetting sins. Open my eyes to your work in the world around me and use me in your work of grace. Fire my passion to live fully for your Kingdom and my King, Jesus Christ, in whose name I pray. Amen.

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

18 Related Resources by Heartlight

A New Start!
Devo: What Jesus Did!
"Jesus replied [to Nicodemus], "I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.""
Be Born Again!
Illustration of John 3:3
Inspirational illustration of John 3:3 -- In reply Jesus declared, I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.
I Doubt It: The Delivery Room
Article by Phil Ware
If Nicodemus needed grace despite all his religious accomplishments and his genuinely God-seeking heart, then we desperately need grace, too. Phil Ware continues his series on 'I Doubt It' by talking about Jesus' encounter with Nicodemus and his need to be born of God, from above, born again.
Becoming a Citizen
Article by Tim Archer
What's the easiest way to become a citizen? The only way to become a citizen in God's kingdom is to be born a second time, born of water and God's Holy Spirit.
See All 18 Related Resources about John 3:3

Illustration

Illustration of John 3:3 — In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again."

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Thursday, December 31, 2009

Quotemeal
A daily dose of Christian quotes to inspire and encourage.
Quote by John Owen:
"If we would talk less and pray more about them, things would be better than they are in the world: at least, we should be better enabled to bear them."
Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'Spreading a Limited Flame' (Acts 11:19)
"Meanwhile, the believers who had been scattered during the persecution after Stephen's death traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch of..."
Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'Elders' Prayers Are Powerful' (Ja. 5:14-15)
"Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to come and pray over you, anointing you with oil in the name of the Lord. Such a..."
Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Morning Thought: Exodus 8:28
"This is a crafty word from the lip of the arch-tyrant Pharaoh. If the poor bondaged Israelites must needs go out of Egypt, then he bargains with them...."

About This Devotional

Today's Verse is a free daily devotional that includes a Bible verse, thought and prayer.

The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware.

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.

More Today's Verse