What Jesus Did! 'So You Won't Abandon Your Faith!' — John 16:1-4

Thursday, October 13, 2022

[Jesus said,] "I have told you these things so that you won't abandon your faith. For you will be expelled from the synagogues, and the time is coming when those who kill you will think they are doing a holy service for God. This is because they have never known the Father or me. Yes, I'm telling you these things now, so that when they happen, you will remember my warning. I didn't tell you earlier because I was going to be with you for a while longer."
— John 16:1-4 NLT

Key Thought

Jesus doesn't pull any punches with his disciples. What happens to the Master will also likely happen to many of his disciples. They need to know that Jesus had warned them so they won't be overly discouraged when it does happen. Amazingly, Jesus' concern in the face of his own death is his disciples' preparation for facing similar struggles. Jesus wants them to know that they are not alone and what they face was something to be expected. Jesus warned them about it before he returned home to heaven.

Today's Prayer

Father, please bless those who are being persecuted and mistreated because of their faith. Give them the courage to stand up to the onslaught and mistreatment. Be present with them through your Spirit; not only guide their words but please also give them strength. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Luke 12:8-12
  • 2 Timothy 3:10-12
  • John 15:21

Comments

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Thursday, October 13, 2022

Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'Be Thankful, Prayerful, Vocal, and Glad in Him'
"Give thanks to the Lord and pray to him. Tell the nations what he has done. Sing to him; sing praises to him. Tell about all his miracles. Be glad..."
God's Holy Fire
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
'True Worshipers' (Jn. 4:23)
"[Jesus said,] "Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of..."
Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'Dead in Sins' (Ep. 2:1-3)
"Dear Father, King of the Ages, Thank you for the new life you have infused into my being. I once was dead because of the misdeeds and sins in which I..."
Daily Wisdom
A daily devotional featuring wise counsel found in Scripture.
Matthew 5:4
"Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted."

Illustration

Illustration of John 16:1-4 NLT — "I have told you these things so that you won't abandon your faith.

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.

More What Jesus Did!