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John 3

 3In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again."

 4"How can a man be born when he is old?" Nicodemus asked. "Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb to be born!"

 5Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. 6Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7You should not be surprised at my saying, 'You must be born again.' 8The 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? 11I tell you the truth, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. 12I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? 13No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man. 14Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.

 16"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son. 19This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. 21But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God."

For any believers passing by, please pray for my daughter, Nicole.  She is having surgery on her elbow Monday.  Doesn't sound like much, but she has been in pain from this old soccer injury for a couple years.  She already had surgery a little over a year ago, but it didn't help - actually made it worse.  I pray that the Lord will guide Dr. Morgan (different surgeon-actually Dr. for the Red Sox) during the surgery, helping him find all the bone chips, and giving him wisdom to do whatever necessary to get her all fixed up so she can live without pain, and also that she has a quick recovery so she won't miss too many classes.   Hopefully her professors will be understanding.

Wisdom from some of Proverbs 12.  May we always seek to be wise in God's ways; not our own.

 1 Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid.

 2 A good man obtains favor from the LORD, but the LORD condemns a crafty man.

 5 The plans of the righteous are just, but the advice of the wicked is deceitful.

 6 The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the speech of the upright rescues them

 15 The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice.

 16 A fool shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult.

Psalm 9:

7 The LORD reigns forever; he has established his throne for judgment.

 8 He will judge the world in righteousness; he will govern the peoples with justice.

 9 The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.

 10 Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.

Psalm 145

 2 Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever.

 3 Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom.

 4 One generation will commend your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts.

 5 They will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty, and I will meditate on your wonderful works.

 6 They will tell of the power of your awesome works, and I will proclaim your great deeds.

 7 They will celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness.

 8 The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love.

 9 The LORD is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.

 10 All you have made will praise you, O LORD; your saints will extol you.

 11 They will tell of the glory of your kingdom and speak of your might,

 12 so that all men may know of your mighty acts and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.

 13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations.  The LORD is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made.

 14 The LORD upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down.

 15 The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time.

 16 You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing.

 17 The LORD is righteous in all his ways and loving toward all he has made.

 18 The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.

 19 He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them.

 20 The LORD watches over all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy.

 21 My mouth will speak in praise of the LORD.  Let every creature praise his holy name for ever and ever.