God's Holy Fire: 'A Great Have-To'

Tuesday, August 12, 2025

[Jesus said,] "So don't be surprised when I say, 'You must be born again.'"
— John 3:7 NLT

Key Thought

We sometimes fail to realize that Nicodemus is the ultimate good guy - he is the best of the best. He is a religious leader and teacher. He has come to Jesus out of darkness to find light. He has noticed what Jesus has said and done and believes the only way Jesus could do those things is that he has come from God. But knowing and saying the right things about Jesus are not what makes a person a true follower of Jesus, a disciple, a real Christian. If Nicodemus, the best of the best, has to be "born again," then so do all the rest of us! Being born again is a great essential, a great "have to," that we all must experience. So where are you? Have you been "born of water and the Spirit" (John 3:5)? Have you been born of God? Have you been born again?

Today's Prayer

O Father, thank you for my "new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade"! Thank you for the cleansing power and the new life that comes from the Holy Spirit. I praise you in Jesus' name. Amen.

The quotation in the prayer is from 1 Peter 1:3-4.

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

15 Related Resources by Heartlight

Spurgeon AM Devo for Mar. 6th
Devo: Morning & Evening
"Regeneration is a subject which lies at the very basis of salvation, and we should be very diligent to take heed that we really are "born again," for...."
Only the Holy Spirit
Devo: What Jesus Did!
"[Jesus said to Nicodemus,] "Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life. So don't be surprised when I say,..."
Reborn
Illustration of John 3:5-7
e card of John 3:5-7 - Reborn - I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the spirit.
Your Best Is Not Good Enough
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Beloved, What do you do when you recognize that your best isn't good enough to get you to God? That's the essential question that every..."
See All 15 Related Resources about John 3:7

Illustration

Illustration of John 3:7 NLT — [Jesus said,] "So don't be surprised when I say, 'You must be born again.'"

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Tuesday, August 12, 2025

Daily Wisdom
A daily devotional featuring wise counsel found in Scripture.
Hebrews 11:6
"And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him."
Quotemeal
A daily dose of Christian quotes to inspire and encourage.
Quote by Author Unknown:
"In the sorest trials God often makes the sweetest discoveries of Himself."
Today's Verse
A daily devotional featuring a Bible verse, thought and prayer.
Philippians 4:11
"I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances."
A Year with Jesus
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
'First Mission Is Completed!'
"Dear Disciple, In today's verses, Luke writes about the last part of Paul and Barnabas' first missionary journey. As you saw yesterday, they..."

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.

More God's Holy Fire

Translations