Good morning people who have made a decision to honour God no matter what.

John 16:2 NIV “They will put you out of the synagogue; in fact, the time is coming when anyone who kills you will think they are offering a service to God.”

This is a strong verse. But it is also a verse that we need to think about in the days that we are living in.

We know that persecution is happening around the world, including the tragic loss of life in persecuted countries. Martyrdom is a very real issue in our world today.

And it is coming to western nations.

I am fully aware that this is not the kind of devotion that you want to read this morning. There are many other delightful things I could write on. But this is in God’s Word and it is part of the scriptures that Father has led me to walk through.

The day is fast approaching when believers will need to choose which side of the line they will stand on. Straddling the line and having a foot in both camps will no longer be an option. It’s decision time.

It’s important to understand the reason why this will happen. It is not actually about us; it’s about God. Here’s what the next verse says:

John 16:3 NIV “They will do such things because they have not known the Father or me.”

May we all be people who encounter God so deeply that we are willing to lay down our lives and follow Christ. And may it all be for the Father’s glory.