Today's Verse: John 3:3

Wednesday, December 31, 1969

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.

Comments

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Wednesday, December 31, 1969

What Jesus Did!
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'One Last Word' (Mt. 28:18-20)
"So Jesus came to them and said, "All authority (power) in heaven and on earth is given to me. So go and make followers of all people in the world...."
Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Evening Thought: Jeremiah 8:20
"Not saved! Dear reader, is this your mournful plight? Warned of the judgment to come, bidden to escape for your life, and yet at this moment not..."
Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'The Good News Is Unstoppable!' (Acts 28:28-31)
"[Paul concluded his meeting with Jewish leaders in Rome — many of whom rejected his message about Jesus being the Messiah — with these words:] "So I...."
Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'Filling the Earth with God's Goodness' (Philemon)
"Dear Father, bestower of freedom, Thank you for the love and the faith which you have put in your people. Please help them share this with each other..."

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."

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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