Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:3 ESV
A dog’s pregnancy lasts for 63 days. It is divided into three trimesters of twenty-one days each. There aren’t as many bodily changes as in a human’s pregnancy so it is sometimes hard to tell that the doggie is pregnant. The changes are on the inside as the puppies grow and develop.
Jesus talks about new birth in our scripture today. He says that we must be born again. Not physically, but born again spiritually. A birth that is like the wind; unseen except for its results. Jesus says we must be born of water and the spirit. John 4:24 tells us, “God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” We must have the Holy Spirit to worship God in Spirit and in truth.
John 14:26 states, “But the helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor-Counselor, Strengthener, standby), the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name [in My place to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will help you remember everything that I have told you. The fruits of the Spirit are listed in Galatians 5; love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
The Holy Spirit draws us to Jesus. He convicts us of sin and our need of a savior. When we come to Jesus in repentance, asking for him to save us from our sins; new birth begins. Little by little as we submit to him, the Holy Spirit teaches and fills us. We can worship God and learn from him. The bible becomes alive (Hebrews 4:12) as we are instructed. Changes are occurring on the inside as we grow in the wisdom and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Just as a puppy matures, so do we. As we walk with Jesus we begin to grow up. Old things have passed away, all things have become new (II Corinthians 5:17). The fruits of the Spirit become visible as we are molded into the image of God. The journey with Jesus is new every day.
Jesus said we must be born again. Have you started the birth process? Are you still thinking about it? II Corinthians 6:2 says, “For he says, ‘In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.’ I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.” There is no time like the present to ask Jesus into your heart. There is nothing cuter than a new baby.
Just Another Dog Devotion 