God's Holy Fire: 'Pride of God's Life!'

Thursday, March 12, 2026

[When John the Baptizer was proclaiming the coming of Jesus], Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. The moment he came out of the water, he saw the sky split open and God's Spirit, looking like a dove, come down on him. Along with the Spirit, a voice: "You are my Son, chosen and marked by my love, pride of my life."
— Mark 1:9-11 MSG

Key Thought

I hope you can look back on your baptism and remember it as a precious and powerful moment. What great joy to know that:
  1. We can share in an event similar to one Jesus experienced.
  2. God's Spirit came to us in that event to cleanse us and live in us.
  3. The Father says a similar thing about us that he said about Jesus.
  4. We are chosen and marked by his love.
What sweet grace!

Today's Prayer

O God, my righteous Father in heaven, you are holy - nothing compares to you. I pray that your rule over my life will increase and the Holy Spirit will increasingly influence my heart and my thinking. May my life be a holy praise to you! In Jesus' name, I ask this. Amen.

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10 Related Resources by Heartlight

Dear Loved by God
Devo: Spiritual Warfare
"One day Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee, and John baptized him in the Jordan River. As Jesus came up out of the water, he saw the heavens..."
Baptized
Devo: What Jesus Did!
"One day Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee, and John baptized him in the Jordan River."
Great Joy!
Devo: What Jesus Did!
"And a voice from heaven said [to Jesus following his baptism], "You are my dearly loved Son, and you bring me great joy.""
Mark 1:11
Devo: Today's Verse
"And a voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.""
See All 10 Related Resources about Mark 1:9-11

Illustration

Illustration of Mark 1:9-11 MSG — "You are my Son, chosen and marked by my love, pride of my life."

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Thursday, March 12, 2026

Today's Verse
A daily devotional featuring a Bible verse, thought and prayer.
James 1:19
"My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry."
Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'Freed from the Power of Sin!' (Ro. 8:1-2)
"So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you..."
What Jesus Did!
A daily guide from the gospels that challenges readers to live for Jesus.
'You Will Know!' (Jn. 7:17)
"[Teaching in the Temple, Jesus continued,] "Anyone who wants to do the will of God will know whether my teaching is from God or is merely my own.""
Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Morning Thought: Psalms 38:21
"Frequently we pray that God would not forsake us in the hour of trial and temptation, but we too much forget that we have need to use this prayer at....."

About This Devotional

God's Holy Fire is a daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

The Thoughts and Prayer for God's Holy Fire are written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture quotations marked MESSAGE are taken from THE MESSAGE, copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

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