Day 15

January 23

Michal Tuttle

John 3:3-8

Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!” Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ”You must be born again.” The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” 

What does it mean to be born again? I believe it means that you get a new life to learn again with a constant helper, the Spirit of God. It means that your life can be transformed and your mind renewed as you learn how to walk again, how to speak again, how to love deeper, and how to depend on God more. Your eyes are open to a new world of wonder as you realize that God is there to surround you each and every step. Spending time with God gives you strength, peace, hope, calm. He is faithful and He never fails to keep a promise. Though we may not see Him with our eyes, we can see Him through His blessings as He shows up in so many ways: 

In the words of a song that gives just the right encouragement when you need it most.

In the actions of a stranger who serves others when they see a need or feel an indescribable urge.

When His people lift up their voices and sing His praises as the joy of His Spirit sweeps through a room. 

To be born again is to see God’s beauty and love with new eyes as He works around us. 

Prayer: Lord, please work in our hearts to see and hear You more. Help us to feel You more as Your Spirit renews us. Remind us that You are here with us and that You give strength to the weary and increase the power of the weak. We place our hope in You, that You will help us to persevere through all of the challenges we are facing in our world as You hold us upright. Thank You for loving us and showing us how to live through Your Word. Thank You for never letting go and never giving up on us, even when we rebel and try to do our own thing. You are everything. Nothing can fill us as You do. You are more precious than anything we could even fathom.

Thank you, my Father. Amen.