Silver Falls State Park, Silverton, Oregon
We often take water for granted until that water disappears.
As many of you know, I come from Oregon. When people think about Oregon they usually think about rain...and for good reason. I grew up with plenty of water.
Living in Colorado is not the same thing. We're prone to drought in Colorado Springs. A few years ago we were only allowed to water our yards twice a week. Ugh. Needless to say, my yard wasn't very green.
Our lives are dependent on water.
"Jesus answered, 'Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit.'" John 3:5 New Revised Standard Version
Jesus was speaking to a Pharisee by the name of Nicodemus who had come to him at night. Jesus and Nicodemus got into a tug-of-war about rebirth. Nicodemus heard Jesus say that a person must be born again, when Jesus was actually saying that one must be born from above. The Greek word Jesus used means both "again" and "above."
Our new birth does not come through human will but from the Spirit of God; the Spirit of renewal that is given us through our washing in baptism (Titus 3:4-5).
You and I have been born of the Spirit and as a result today is not merely a do over, it is a start over. That's what God does when we're born from above.
Today's Challenge: As you take a shower or wash your face, remember that God has given you new birth by the washing of the Holy Spirit, and pray that God would give you the eyes of faith to see and believe in your new birth.
Join the conversation at Praying With the Eyes on Facebook. http://www.facebook.com/groups/173881749421231/
(Click on picture to enlarge.)
Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2012-2014Douglas P. Brauner. ARR.
As many of you know, I come from Oregon. When people think about Oregon they usually think about rain...and for good reason. I grew up with plenty of water.
Living in Colorado is not the same thing. We're prone to drought in Colorado Springs. A few years ago we were only allowed to water our yards twice a week. Ugh. Needless to say, my yard wasn't very green.
Our lives are dependent on water.
"Jesus answered, 'Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit.'" John 3:5 New Revised Standard Version
Jesus was speaking to a Pharisee by the name of Nicodemus who had come to him at night. Jesus and Nicodemus got into a tug-of-war about rebirth. Nicodemus heard Jesus say that a person must be born again, when Jesus was actually saying that one must be born from above. The Greek word Jesus used means both "again" and "above."
Our new birth does not come through human will but from the Spirit of God; the Spirit of renewal that is given us through our washing in baptism (Titus 3:4-5).
You and I have been born of the Spirit and as a result today is not merely a do over, it is a start over. That's what God does when we're born from above.
Today's Challenge: As you take a shower or wash your face, remember that God has given you new birth by the washing of the Holy Spirit, and pray that God would give you the eyes of faith to see and believe in your new birth.
Join the conversation at Praying With the Eyes on Facebook. http://www.facebook.com/groups/173881749421231/
(Click on picture to enlarge.)
Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2012-2014
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