Today's Verse: John 3:3

Tuesday, December 31, 2013

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
Now you can listen to Today's Verse on iTunes, Spotify, Echo devices, and more!

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

"Fast away the old year passes..." But we can be new and fresh and clean in Jesus (2 Corinthians 4:17). Kingdom people are those who have been born fresh and new through the power of the Spirit and the grace of God ( John 3:3-7; Titus 3:3-7; John 1:11). So as we close out the old year, remember 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 every day by the Holy Spirit who lives in us. Because we are the Father's born-again children, each sunrise offers us the opportunity to greet life as a gift. The Father's grace can rekindle our hope as the Holy Spirit makes us new, trusting in Jesus our Lord. Our God is the God of new things, and we will celebrate that today even though it is the theme of tomorrow!

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 righteous, without your grace and the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit, I know I will 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. Please open my eyes to your work in the world around me and use me in your work of grace in fresh ways. 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 Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Morning Thought: Matthew 12:15
"What a mass of hideous sickness must have thrust itself under the eye of Jesus! Yet we read not that he was disgusted, but patiently waited on every....."
A Year with Jesus
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
'Walking in the Light of Grace'
"Dear Beloved, I came to your world to be God among you and die as the atoning sacrifice for your sins. However, My ministry for you did not end with...."
Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'Who Can Compare?' (Ps. 71:19)
"Your righteousness, O God, reaches to the highest heavens. You have done such wonderful things. Who can compare with you, O God?"
Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'The Unstoppable Spirit' (Acts 8:39-40)
"When [Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch] came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away. The eunuch never saw him again but went..."

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