Today's Verse: John 3:3

Sunday, December 31, 1961

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
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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.

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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 — 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 Sunday, December 31, 1961

Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'My Life, God's Message' (2 Co. 3:3-6)
"Dear Father, all-sufficient God, Let me be a letter from Christ written to people who need to hear the Good News, written not on paper with ink but....."
God's Holy Fire
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
'A Long Gaze into Glory' (Ac. 7:55)
"[Just before Stephen was stoned:] But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed steadily into heaven and saw the glory of God, and he saw Jesus standing in the..."
What Jesus Did!
A daily guide from the gospels that challenges readers to live for Jesus.
'Not My Own Ideas' (Jn. 7:16)
"So Jesus told [the people at the Temple where he was teaching], "My message is not my own; it comes from God who sent me.""
Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'Heartbreaking Reality' (Acts 9:36-37)
"There was a believer in Joppa named Tabitha (which in Greek is Dorcas). She was always doing kind things for others and helping the poor. About this...."

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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