1) Silence, Stillness and Centering before God (2 min.)
2) Scripture Reading: John 3:7-15 (click to listen)
7 You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 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. 9 “How can this be?” Nicodemus asked. 10 “You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things? 11 Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. 12 I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? 13 No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man. 14 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up,15 that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.”
7 You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 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. 9 “How can this be?” Nicodemus asked. 10 “You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things? 11 Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. 12 I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? 13 No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man. 14 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up,15 that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.”
3) Devotional
Have you ever felt the frustration of reading a passage of scripture and not being able to understand what it said? This happened to me a lot, especially before I had a relationship with God through Jesus. Now that I do have a relationship with God through Jesus, reading a passage of scripture without understanding happens only on rare occasions. I can’t help but think that Nicodemus felt the same frustration I had felt when he was speaking with Jesus. “How could this be?”, was Nicodemus’s reaction when Jesus was trying to explain the meaning of being “born again.” He just could not understand the teaching of Jesus.
What is the difference between reading scripture with or without understanding? It is the Holy Spirit. When we enter into a personal relationship with God by accepting Jesus as Savior and Lord, God gifts us with His Holy Spirit. One of the works of the Holy Spirit is the illumination of the scriptures. In other words, Scriptures that were read before without understanding now have meaning. Since Nicodemus did not have the Holy Spirit, he could not understand what Jesus was saying.
Have you ever felt the frustration of reading a passage of scripture and not being able to understand what it said? This happened to me a lot, especially before I had a relationship with God through Jesus. Now that I do have a relationship with God through Jesus, reading a passage of scripture without understanding happens only on rare occasions. I can’t help but think that Nicodemus felt the same frustration I had felt when he was speaking with Jesus. “How could this be?”, was Nicodemus’s reaction when Jesus was trying to explain the meaning of being “born again.” He just could not understand the teaching of Jesus.
What is the difference between reading scripture with or without understanding? It is the Holy Spirit. When we enter into a personal relationship with God by accepting Jesus as Savior and Lord, God gifts us with His Holy Spirit. One of the works of the Holy Spirit is the illumination of the scriptures. In other words, Scriptures that were read before without understanding now have meaning. Since Nicodemus did not have the Holy Spirit, he could not understand what Jesus was saying.
4) Thoughts to Consider:
If you are reading the scriptures and not understanding them, you either need a personal relationship with God through Jesus or you need a mentor to help you. Either way, please reach out to an elder or staff member. We can meet with you and find you a mentor or help you to begin a personal relationship with God through Jesus which will transform your life.
If you are reading the scriptures and not understanding them, you either need a personal relationship with God through Jesus or you need a mentor to help you. Either way, please reach out to an elder or staff member. We can meet with you and find you a mentor or help you to begin a personal relationship with God through Jesus which will transform your life.
5) Prayer: Almighty God, I know you have the ability to help me understand the Bible. You want me to understand Your Word and apply it to my life. Please make the words on the pages real to me so I can apply them to my life and accomplish your will on Earth. In Jesus name I pray these things, Amen.
6) Conclude with Silence (2 min)
