Today's Verse: John 3:3 (KJV)

Wednesday, December 31, 1969

Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
— John 3:3 (KJV)

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.

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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 (KJV) — Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Wednesday, December 31, 1969

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A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
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The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Evening Thought: Isaiah 26:4
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'The Gospel Saves through Faith' (Ro. 1:16-17)
"I have complete confidence in the gospel; it is God's power to save all who believe, first the Jews and also the Gentiles. For the gospel reveals how...."
Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'Christ, the Stumbling Block' (Ga. 5:7-12)
"Dear Father, guarantor of freedom, Help me to run well! Help me not to be hindered from obeying the truth! Don't let me be persuaded by a viewpoint....."

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.

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