Verse of the Day 5/15

Through the Bible - 2 Kings 15-17, John 6:22-59   Good morning, G.K. Chesterton wrote, "The whole difference between construction and creation is exactly this: that thing being constructed can only be loved after it is constructed, but a thing created is loved before it exists."   We saw in Psalm 51 where David had fallen.  The world he had "constructed" had come crashing down around him.  He prayed for the Lord to "create in me a clean heart".  God heard his prayer as he hears the same prayer from us if we pray it.  He will do the building and construction because He first loved us before our love for Him existed.   For today's verse we'll go to John chapter 3 where Jesus, speaking to Nicodemus, says "you must be born again".  He explains this further in today's verses.   John 3:5 Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.  6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.   NKJV Nicodemus had built his life as a Jewish teacher and had become a member of the Sanhedrin, the highest level that he could achieve as a teacher.  He spoke to Jesus as a colleague, a fellow teacher, and wanted to know more about Him.  Jesus would show Nicodemus that he had underestimated Jesus by revealing a mystery to him.   Jesus spoke of the kingdom of God, entrance to that kingdom came only through the Spirit, through God's call.  The Greek phrase translated "born again" can also mean "born from above".  Both are correct.   We can't work our way through the ranks into God's kingdom,  He calls us through the Spirit to follow Him and the response of our heart's will be like David's.   Ps 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. ...... 13 Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, And sinners shall be converted to You.    NKJV That is how to become a true teacher, born from above, by the will of God.   Can you see the difference between creation and construction in your life?   In Christ, Mike   John 3:1-13 The New Birth 3 There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, "Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him." 3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." 4 Nicodemus said to Him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?" 5 Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.  6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.  7 Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.'  8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit." 9 Nicodemus answered and said to Him,"How can these things be?" 10 Jesus answered and said to him, "Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not know these things?  11 Most assuredly, I say to you, We speak what We know and testify what We have seen, and you do not receive Our witness.  12 If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things? NKJV