Daily Devotional: Unless God Breaks In
- David A. Case
- Jan 7
- 4 min read
By David A. Case
Life Sayings:
My heart flows filter my hearing.
I hear according to what is currently in my heart.
I am more blind to myself than I am to any other person.
“Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.’” (John 3:3, NKJV)
“No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him…” (John 6:44, NKJV)
“Do not be deceived… Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights…” (James 1:16–17, NKJV)
Jesus said something that should stop me in my tracks: unless a man is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God (John 3:3). The issue is not only whether I believe. The issue is whether I can even see. The word translated “again” carries the idea of “from above.” I cannot see the kingdom unless God intervenes from above and breaks into my world.
This creates a dilemma that humbles me. I need God desperately, yet I tend to interpret life according to what is already inside me. My heart carries passions, fears, wounds, and the old writing of years. Those internal flows filter what I hear. They filter what I notice. They filter what I assume. Without outside intervention, I keep reinforcing what I already believe. The result is not truth. The result is a reflection of where I have been.
John 6:44 deepens the point: no one can come to Jesus unless the Father draws him. Movement toward God starts with God. Every truly good and perfect gift comes down from above (James 1:16–17). Self-made is an illusion. Every strength, opportunity, insight, and rescue is either a direct gift from God or an indirect gift that still traces back to Him.
God often uses people as part of His “break-in.” God can sow good through an unexpected mentor, an inconvenient conversation, a hard season, or even a crisis. Sometimes those people do not even recognize Him. If God could only work through people who openly preach, He would have little access to most lives. His mercy is larger than our categories. He breaks in through whatever door will open.
This matters because the way I see determines the way I respond, and the way I respond determines the outcomes I receive. Jesus’ story of the talents shows this clearly. One servant viewed the master as harsh, so he acted from fear and hid what he was given. The other servants saw the master as giving, so they acted with faith and stewardship. Their perceptions shaped their actions. Their actions shaped their outcomes. Life can become a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Many people try to fix this by choosing a positive mindset. A positive mindset can produce better results than a negative one. The problem is that I cannot simply choose a new worldview and sustain it. A fallen world pushes hard. Old heart flows pull me back. Without consistent help from the outside, my “new perspective” eventually collapses under the weight of old instincts.
This is why spiritual change requires more than optimism. It requires revelation. It requires God breaking in. It also requires invitation. Revelation 3:20 pictures Jesus knocking, not forcing. God draws, yet He does not violate the will. Here is the painful twist: sinful humanity often views God as an intruder. Light feels threatening when darkness is being protected. John 3 describes people avoiding the light because exposure feels dangerous, while those who practice truth move toward the light (John 3:20–21).
My view of God matters more than I realize. If I see Him as harsh, I will hide. If I see Him as loving, I will come near. If I see Him as a taskmaster, I will manage appearances. If I see Him as a Father, I will seek relationship. Unless God breaks in and corrects my sight, I can remain mastered by my own blindness.
The hope is that God does break in. He draws. He knocks. He sends gifts from above. He brings moments that interrupt the old filters. When I recognize that interruption as mercy, I can respond with a forceful choice to invite Him in. That invitation begins the transformation of how I see, how I hear, and how I live.
Reflection Question
Where might my heart flows be filtering what I hear and see, and what would change if I asked God to break in and show me the truth?
Prayer
Father, I confess that I often see life through old filters. My fears, wounds, and habits can shape what I assume is true. Break into my world from above. Draw me to Jesus and help me recognize Your kindness when You are knocking. Correct my view of You where it has been distorted. Give me the humility to invite You in, the courage to come into the light, and the willingness to let You change how I see. Amen.
Today’s Step of Obedience
Write down one belief you carry about life or about God that “feels right” instinctively. Hold it up to John 3:3 and ask God to show you whether it is truth or a filter. Take one practical step that invites outside help from above, such as praying Revelation 3:20 aloud, asking a trusted mentor to speak honestly into your blind spots, or spending ten quiet minutes listening for God’s gentle correction.
This devotional was inspired by the book Heart Change Handbook by David A. Case. If you found it helpful, please consider it for your own self-study and suggest it to your church small group or recovery community as a basis for small group study.
If this message has encouraged you to pursue deeper transformation, I invite you to continue the journey through The Heart Change Handbook. It provides a practical, biblical path for spiritual growth and is an excellent resource for church small groups and recovery communities. Consider getting your copy today and introducing it to your group as a guide toward meaningful heart change.
👉 Learn more about Small Group Resources from Heart Change U.
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