Lenten Readings: John 3

Lenten Readings: The two-year Bible reading plan puts the Gospel accounts of Luke and John right between Ash Wednesday and Easter. Whether you're doing the reading plan or not, you can follow along on the blog and read daily meditations based on the accounts of Jesus, whose life and death we remember and cherish during this season of Lent. Check back every day starting on February 14 and until Easter Saturday.

Tuesday, March 13, 2018
READ John 3
MEDITATE on John 3:6, "That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit." Think about this verse all day long. How has and is the Spirit giving birth to things in your life?

REFLECT
If you are Christian, then you will notice the Holy Spirit at work in your life. The clearest indication of the Spirit's presence is the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23): love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. If someone claims to be a Christian but these traits are not evident in their lives, then we would wonder if they genuinely turned away from sin and turned to Christ for salvation.

Some people try to live with one foot in the world and one foot in heaven, meaning that they want to still indulge in the desires of the flesh or the desires that bring temporary pleasure but lack heavenly character while also trying to claim the promises of heaven. Nicodemus was trying to make sense of what it meant to believe and to follow God. He was not yet ready to go all-in; he came to Jesus at night so as not to negatively affect his reputation as a Jewish leader. Later in the Gospels, he identifies himself more freely with Jesus; after Jesus' death, he helps Joseph bury Jesus in the tomb.

How are you feeding the flesh? How are you giving the Spirit reign over your life? Is it time to go all-in with Jesus? Reading the Bible and praying daily, singing praise songs throughout the week, talking about Jesus with others - these are ways which you can feed your spirit with the Spirit's food for us. God's Spirit will give birth to fruit when you come to Jesus wholeheartedly.

PRAY

Pray for honesty with how you're feeding the flesh versus feeding your spirit. Pray for an awareness of how great God's love and mercy are for you. Pray for help from the Spirit to follow.