What Jesus Did! 'God's Children' — John 8:44-47

Tuesday, June 23, 2026

[To the Jews, Jesus continued,] "For you are the children of your father the devil... So when I tell the truth, you just naturally don't believe me! Which of you can truthfully accuse me of sin? And since I am telling you the truth, why don't you believe me? Anyone who belongs to God listens gladly to the words of God. But you don't listen because you don't belong to God."
— John 8:44-47 NLT

Key Thought

God is the true Father of all people who look to his Son for their salvation. They listen to Jesus and do what he says. The faithful are not simply those on a list of notable people who have lived for Jesus in spectacular ways. No, the litmus test for all of us as children of God is this: Do we live what Jesus teaches?

Today's Prayer

Father God, please help my discipleship involve the way I live all of my life, not just my language at prayer time. Please forgive me for sometimes letting my discipleship and passion for Jesus not make it past my prayer time. Empower me as I seek to show my love for you in the way I live my life. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

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6 Related Resources by Heartlight

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Illustration

Illustration of John 8:44-47 NLT — "For you are the children of your father the devil...

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About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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