The Everyday Prayer

Re:Verse passage – John 3:1-9  (day four)  How does our Re:Verse passage make you feel?  Hopeful? Inquisitive? Confused? Relieved?  Nicodemus exhibits some of these emotions.

We are privy to his honest conversation with Jesus. We get to see and sense the savior’s heart and kindness towards those who are genuinely seeking Him. Jesus demonstrates patience, gentleness and truthfulness to Nicodemus. Don’t leave out the last one. Above all else, even bringing confusion and tension, Jesus points to and tells Nicodemus the truth.

For me, I tend to feel alarmed. Here’s one of the most religious men that you will ever meet. A devout knower and keeper of the scriptures. A religious leader. He was extremely religious but not redeemed- born again. Had tons of scriptural knowledge. Knew and followed the scriptures devoutly. Yet, he was NOT a believer.  Jesus hones in on it from the start. It’s a warning that we all must heed. This rebirth and new life happens internally. In the heart- a place where priorities, values, actions and attitudes are formed. Leading to trust and surrender. Nicodemus had missed it. What he had in his head and his mind had not transformed his heart.

But, I am also encouraged that Jesus goes straight to the truth that Nicodemus must hear and wrestle with- being born again. When I am confused or am unaware of God’s truth and wisdom, I am encouraged that God through His Spirit will challenge and confront me with the truth I must trust and follow. My honest conversations these days are in large part, daily asking and begging the Lord to patiently and constantly show me the truth and wisdom I must follow and obey. What about you?  Are you willing to have an honest conversation with the Lord? Will you listen to the truth He will speak?

Re:Verse passage – John 3:1-9  (day four)

To be born again means to submit yourself to something new. When we are born in the first instance, we’re submitted to the flesh. Our natural tendency is to serve our fleshly desires, both the good and the bad. Though a life devoted to fulfilling your own desires at first sounds like freedom, it quickly shows itself to be a form of slavery. To submit to the flesh is to become a slave to the flesh. The initial fun of fulfilled cravings quickly gives way to an endless pursuit of chasing satisfaction that is always out of reach.

Nicodemus learns here that life in Christ requires submission to something else. When we’re born again by the Spirit, we are now to live in submission to that Spirit instead of the flesh. This is a completely different experience. We’re still “slaves” to something, but Romans 6 tells us that those who are in Christ are now “slaves to righteousness” and “slaves of God.” When we submit ourselves to the Spirit, we inherit God’s holiness and eternal life. A life of submission to the Spirit means a life of unique joy, hope, and peace that can’t be found anywhere else.

Following Jesus costs us something. It costs us our entire life. But it replaces our old life that was headed for death with a new life that is headed for eternity.

Re:Verse passage – John 3:1-9  (day three)

⁶ That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

In this after-dark conversation with Nicodemus, Jesus draws a figurative line in the sand. On one side of the line are true believers. On the other side are those that choose not to follow and love God. There is no area in between the two sides. You are either fully in or fully out. We are either born of the flesh (seeking to lift ourselves up) or born of the spirit (seeking to lift God up).

We know that, at this point in his life, Nicodemus knew everything there was to know about being a devout religious person. He could recite the scriptures, point out the ways to follow the Law, tell others what sacrifices were needed, and knew a myriad other things, but he did not know Jesus as his Lord. Jesus addressed this with Nicodemus. Head knowledge lands us on the side of the flesh. We can know all the right things to say at church. We can know all the ways to act to look like good followers. We can lie to ourselves and think we are doing okay. We can even believe the things we hear and read in the Bible but miss the main point of salvation and living for Jesus (even Satan believes Jesus died and rose from the grave, but he is not born again!).

So where does that leave you? For us to disciple others, we must first understand which side we are on. Which side of the line are you on? If you find yourself on the side of the flesh, do you have someone you can ask questions of like Nicodemus did? If you find yourself on the side of the spirit, do you have someone you are discipling to that side?

Re:Verse passage – John 3:1-9 (day two) 

Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born, can he?” v. 4

Each week during the children’s time in worship, we are answering questions that kids have asked Pastor Jimmy in the past few months. It is a lesson in discipleship, for sure. Kids have no guile, just inquisitive spirits. All of us have questions, but often, age and pride have often dulled our willingness to ask the questions. Nicodemus fought through his trepidation, and asked Jesus to explain how a man could possibly be born twice. Yes, he came at night and away from the crowds, but he found a way to get to Jesus with his questions. Notice that Jesus did not chastise him for the hour or location of the interview, and he was patient with this sincere inquiry. For Nicodemus, he took a great risk to come to Jesus. He was in a position where people expected him to have all the answers, and yet he was humble enough to recognize his need.

Along your journey of being a disciple you will likely find yourself in both positions. Someone will ask you a tough question. Recognize their vulnerability and help them; don’t make them feel ashamed for not knowing. At the same time, examine your own journey and find someone whom you trust; ask them the hard questions. Dig into the truth of scripture together. This is how we grow.

Re:Verse passage – 1 Corinthians 16:15–18; Acts 18:1–8; 11:22–26 (day seven) 

For they have refreshed my spirit and yours. Therefore acknowledge such men. 1 Corinthians 16:18

I feel refreshed. Though my body aches and my eyes keep on closing, I have never felt more refreshed in my life. If you are unaware, I have spent the last week at Impact camp with hundreds of teenagers and a dozen churches from all across the state. You probably would not expect “refreshed” to be the word choice for that experience, but my soul and my spirit have never been more refreshed.

An intensive time of discipleship like this can be draining, but what becomes refreshing is seeing the product at the end. Watching students give their life to Christ for the very first time, students rededicating their life, and students being called into vocational ministry are well worth the time and energy that go into a week like this.

It may not be camp, but if you feel the weight of discipleship, serving, or teaching, keep looking toward the goal because your spirit will never feel more refreshed than when the people you have been leading finally get it.

Re:Verse passage – 1 Corinthians 16:15–18; Acts 18:1–8; 11:22–26 (day six)

The news about them reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas off to Antioch. Acts 11:22

When news reached Jerusalem that Gentiles were coming to faith in Antioch, the church sent Barnabas to investigate. This was not a small development. For generations, God’s people had understood themselves through the story of Israel. Now, through Jesus and the work of the Holy Spirit, the nations were being gathered into God’s covenant family.

When Barnabas arrived, he “saw the grace of God” and rejoiced (Acts 11:23). What he witnessed expanded his vision of what God was doing in the world. Antioch was not the destination; it was the beginning. If God could do this among Gentiles in Antioch, where else might He work? Philippi? Corinth? Rome?

The same Spirit is still at work today. One of the challenges of discipleship is allowing God to enlarge our vision beyond ourselves, our church, and our expectations. Where might God be inviting us to see His grace at work in ways we’ve never imagined?

Re:Verse passage – 1 Corinthians 16:15–18; Acts 18:1–8; 11:22–26 (day five) I love the picture of faith formation and growth in the Acts 18 passage. It is powerful, intentional, and relational. It is happening at work, home, and church. I wonder and pray about conversations and observations between parents and their children from these past two weeks (VBS and Youth Camp). I know of children and teenagers who will go into their homes where not everyone is a believer. They will be the catalysts that God will use to cause a “household” to believe. I know of many parents determined to influence and deepen faith in their homes. Creating and carving out moments for biblical and spiritual conversations and teaching is a monumental task. I know of workplaces where believers work, serve, and witness together.
Would you describe your faith in these places and contexts as intentional, powerful, and relational?  Paul seemed optimistic and confident as he was always looking for and aware of, people and places for new life and growth. May we be just as hopeful and determined that our faith can flourish in these places with our family, church body, and coworkers as well.