Today's Verse - 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."

—John 3:3

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 celebrat 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.

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.

Today's Verse - John 1:12

Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God...

—John 1:12

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Isn't it incredible that we are called children of God!? But that is precisely who we are (1 John 3:1-3): God's children! Our Father created the universe with its billions and billions of stars and planets. Our Father paints a new sunset every evening and chases away the darkness every single morning. Our Father not only loves us; he also claims us as his own and will bring us to his eternal home. Why? Because we heard God's message to us in Jesus. Because we received God's grace offered to us in his Son. Because we trust that God's grace is received and made real to us through our faith in Jesus. Incredible! Glorious! Grace! Adoption!

My Prayer...

Abba Father, thank you for claiming me as one of your children because of your grace and through my faith in Christ Jesus. I praise and thank you in his name. Amen.

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.

Today's Verse - John 1:11

He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.

—John 1:11

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Jesus came to his own things - the world he had created and the land God had promised his people - and his very own people didn't receive him. Sometimes we are misled by OUR desires and OUR dreams for what Jesus will do for us that we miss what God wants for us and from us. Let's not let the following be true in our lives. "Jesus came to me, but I wasn't ready to receive him. I had other things I wanted to do and other things I wanted to experience before I fully surrendered my heart to him."
Each time we put off surrendering our will to Jesus, each time we push him away as LORD, we allow our hearts to harden, and it becomes easier and easier to push him away. Now, while our hearts are still attentive to his grace, let's renew our commitment to him, wholly and afresh, offering Jesus our hearts and lives to be used for his glory and grace. Let's not put it off. It may be too late for us if we do!

My Prayer...

Holy God, I surrender my heart to your will. Precious Jesus, now more than ever, I recognize you as my LORD. I want to serve you and honor you in all areas of my life. Please forgive me for resisting your guidance or turning away from your commands. I know you left everything and gave up everything to save me. So now, dear LORD, please mold me into the person you want me to be and use me in ways that bless others and bring you glory. Amen.

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.