Today's Verse: John 1:12-13

Wednesday, July 31, 2019

To all who received [the Word, that is Jesus Christ], to those who believe in his name, he gave the right to become children of God — children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.
Now you can listen to Today's Verse on iTunes, Spotify, Echo devices, and more!

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

We live in a time and culture obsessed with individual rights. "It's my right to ___." Just fill in the blank. But none of us has the right to be God's child on our own merit, status, or position. God's grace gives us that right. This right came to us at great cost to God. Jesus came to earth, lived, died, and was raised from the dead. We receive this grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-10). God gives us new birth as we trust in Jesus as Lord (Romans 10:9-10). And we get to be baptized into Christ Jesus and share in his death, burial, and resurrection (Romans 6:3-14). We are born a new child of God through the power of the Holy Spirit (John 3:3-7; Galatians 3:26-29; Titus 3:3-7). To be born of God, to be born from above, to be born "again" (John 3:3-7) means we are adopted as children into God's family with all the rights of heirs and as co-heirs with Christ Jesus (Romans 8:14-17; Galatians 4:1-7).

My Prayer...

Abba Father, thank you for including me in your family. May my life today reflect your influence, character, mercy, holiness, compassion, righteousness, and love. I want to be like you, my Father. So just as I was born into your family by the power of the Holy Spirit, please fill me with your Spirit today so that I will reflect you in all I do and say this day. I want to be a child that reflects my Father's nature. In the name of my older brother Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

38 Related Resources by Heartlight

Illustration

Illustration of John 1:12-13 — To all who received [the Word, that is Jesus Christ], to those who believe in his name, he gave the right to become children of God — children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Wednesday, July 31, 2019

A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
"[Jesus said,] "Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of..."
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
"Dear Father, ruler of heaven and earth, When you raised up Christ, you raised me out of my dead state as well. You set me on a throne of honor with....."
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
"Truly God is good ... to those whose hearts are pure."
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
"Dear Precious One, Each of My disciples is precious to Me. I hate for any of them to have to go through unfair trials and difficulties...."

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.