TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
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. John 3:8
Read: John 3:1-17
Listen: John 3
TODAY’S MESSAGE
Nicodemus doesn’t understand what Jesus is saying. He’s unsure of what it means to be born again. Jesus tells him it’s a spiritual thing. Then Jesus says something about the wind. The wind isn’t seen, but the effects of the wind are seen or heard. Jesus tells Nicodemus it’s that way with being born again. If a person is born again, the Spirit will lead them. Later in the book of John, we see Nicodemus risking his life to help bury Jesus. Perhaps this is a sign that the Spirit is leading Nicodemus.
Jesus said we must be born again. But it can be easy to wonder if we are and what it means for us. Two key parts of this story help us understand. First, there’s the belief element. Jesus says the way to be born again is to believe. Second, there’s the part about being led by the Spirit. If we can tell there’s a difference in us from when we first believed to now—it’s a sign that we’re born again. It may look like saying yes to putting others first or giving generously. We might be saying no to a lifestyle or choices that don’t honor God. It could also mean that we’re more sensitive to what we do wrong and quicker to apologize to God and others. Those are signs that the Spirit is leading us. They’re signs that we’re born again.
IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY
Open your journal (or notes app) and write “Born of the Spirit” at the top of a page. Think of where you were five years ago and where you are today. Create a list of how God has changed you in those five years. Write down the things you say no to now that you wouldn’t have five years ago. Note the things you say yes to that you didn’t five years ago. Jot down how your attitude has changed over the last five years. Thank God for helping you grow. Ask God to continue to open your heart to the things he has for you and that the Spirit will continue to lead you.
2023 SPIRITUAL PRACTICES
Join us all of 2023 developing a different spiritual practice each month. SPIRITUAL PRACTICES are intentional regular activities to deepen our relationship with God and mold us to be more like Jesus.
July is SOLITUDE. Keep track of our spiritual practices at beyondtheweekend.org/spiritualpractices.
Download a printable PDF of the BTW week here.
