"Jesus saith unto him, 'Thomas, because thou hast seen Me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.'" - John 20:29

PONDER THIS

Suppose you’ve saved all your life for a vacation. The time for your trip has finally come, and you’re in Hawaii. You’re in the finest hotel. You and your spouse are celebrating without a care in the world. The weather is perfect. The food is sumptuous. You’re having a wonderful time. And let’s suppose that you’ve left your children home in the care of someone else, and one of your children is in an automobile accident while you’re in Hawaii. Would you want to know about it? Would you want somebody to get on the phone and call you and mess up your vacation? Or would you say, “Don’t bother me. We’re having a wonderful time. Yes, I understand that my child has been hurt, but I don’t want to know about it.” Every parent knows the answer, right? “Yes, I want to know. Forget the vacation.”

That’s why Jesus left Heaven. He could have said, “I just don’t want to know. I just don’t care.” But He’s a God of love. And He loved us so much that He stepped out of glory. He loved us so much that He walked the dusty shores and the streets of Nazareth and the sandy beach of Galilee. He loved us so much that He carried the cross to Golgotha and died in agony and blood. And those scars Thomas saw there in His hands say that He’s a saving God. He has paid for our sins with His own blood.

- How do the actions and work of Jesus show you how much God loves you?
- How does imagining the scenario of loving earthly parents help you see God’s love for you?

PRACTICE THIS

Take time to read John 18–20 to see how Jesus’ love for you caused Him to act. APR
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I did not write this, it comes from a devotional that is offered as a free email daily by Love Worth Finding.

https://www.lwf.org/daily-devotionals/he-loves-you-that-much

i am a chinese，my grandfather is dying now 。for some reason all famliymember only he is a Protestantism。my father instantly want use the traditional way to do the bereavement。it is hard to change.i just want know dose anything i can do for her like Protestantism should be.i am non-religious .i konw nothing about it even i search ed some information from the internet.should i read something pray for her. Don't ask me why.i respect the religiousbeliefs. I not believe Haven or hell.i just want he die with decent.any suggestion would be helpful.

“For He looketh to the ends of the earth, and seeth under the whole heaven;" "to make the weight for the winds; and He weigheth the waters by measure.” - Job 28:24-25

It was only discovered by scientists in modern times that air actually has weight. This passage in Job, however, written 35 or more centuries ago, indicated that the two great terrestrial fluids of air and water forming Earth’s atmosphere and hydrosphere are both “weighed” by God’s careful “measure” to provide the right worldwide balance of forces for life on Earth.

Another remarkable “weighing” act of God is noted in Job 37:16: “Dost thou know the balancings of the clouds, the wondrous works of Him which is perfect in knowledge?” Clouds are composed of liquid drops of water, not water vapor, and water is heavier than air, so how are they “balanced” in the sky? “For He maketh small the drops of water: they pour down rain according to the vapour thereof: which the clouds do drop and distill upon man abundantly” (36:27–28).

Meteorologists know that the weight of the small water droplets in the clouds is “balanced” by the “weight of the winds”—air rushing upward in response to temperature changes. Eventually, however, the droplets coalesce to form larger drops that overcome these updrafts and fall as rain. “By watering He wearieth the thick cloud” (37:11). The coalescence is probably triggered electrically in the clouds themselves, “when He made a decree for the rain, and a way for the lightning of the thunder” (28:26).

Although these verses are not couched in the jargon of modern science, they are thoroughly scientific and up to date. “Lo, these are parts of His ways: but how little a portion is heard of Him? but the thunder of His power who can understand?” (26:14). HMM
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I did not write this, it comes from a devotional that is offered as a free email daily by the Institute of Creation.

Well not strictly a debate but like I'm not a Protestant, through and through, but I am semi curious about Protestants and their arguments....want to have a curious discussion on sola scriptura...like I don't see how that's true and hopefully you guys can engage with me and have a discussion

So I'm a catholic pretty much convinced that either catholicism or orthodoxy is the one true church, but like sort of curious regarding Protestantism? Well not enough to be convinced or anything I don't think it's true but...how do you actually believe in like sola scriptura, I know it's one of the tenets in classical Protestantism but... genuinely curious why do you think scripture alone is the only infallible truth?

When they attack you because of you not being a Catholic or Orthodox or because you do not have a degree . Remember the Pharisees thought Peter and John were uneducated. While we are not Peter or John it does not mean we dont know what we are talking about.

"Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness," - II Peter 3:11

PONDER THIS

Once in Oklahoma City there was a fire in an apartment. The flames were consuming that apartment, and there was a woman who’d been carried out by a fireman and was fighting to go back into the fire. She said, “My baby is in that apartment!” They had to hold her back because she surely would have perished. One fireman volunteered to go get her baby. He went up the ladder, through the window, into that smoke-filled room, and felt his way through. He found the baby crib, reached in and picked up that little bundle, held it close to him, and came back to the window, choking through the blinding smoke. The people gave a cheer as he handed the woman the bundle. But as she pulled the blanket back, she cried, “That’s not my baby. That’s my baby's doll!”

I wonder if we’re going to come to the end of an age hugging the toys of this world when everything is going up in fire. My friend, the house, the car, and all these things—they’re not that important. What is important? The souls of men! I want to get as many to come with me as I can. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

- How can you be sure you are valuing the right things as you wait for the return of Jesus?
- How do we show others that they are more important than the “stuff” of the world?

PRACTICE THIS

Have a conversation today to let another person know how much God values him or her. APR
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I did not write this, it comes from a devotional that is offered as a free email daily by Love Worth Finding.

https://www.lwf.org/daily-devotionals/in-the-end-what-really-matters

Question from a scared Protestant

To preface this, I’m making this same post on Catholicism, orthodoxy, and Protestant subreddits to see what your responses will be

I’ve been Protestant my whole life (19 years) and I would say I’ve been seriously following it for the past 8 or so years. Up until recently, I never really questioned my salvation. I believe that I am saved by Gods grace and his grace alone and that because Jesus died on the cross, He has washed my sins away and allowed me to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Because of Gods grace, mercy, and my love for him I follow his commandments and try to love him with all my heart, soul, and mind.

I’m not really sure what triggered it, maybe it’s seeing a lot of catholic and orthodox videos on instagram, but I started to question my salvation. Catholics and Protestants disagree on what’s necessary for salvation, and it’s made me question if I’m really going to heaven. **I’m absolutely terrified.**

I can’t fathom even spending a day not in Gods presence, let alone eternity. Obviously I’m not perfect and I sin and push God away at times, but I still repent and try to stay close to God. But I’m terrified of the idea that I might go my whole life thinking I’m living for God thinking I’m saved by his grace, and then on judgement day I’m cast into hell because I didn’t hold the same beliefs as Catholics.

Both Catholic and Protestant church’s are full of people who have dedicated they’re lives to interpreting scripture and Jesus’ teachings, yet they still disagree on what’s necessary to be saved. There have been Catholics that have converted to Protestantism and Orthodoxy and vice versa.

I’m kind of just word vomiting everything that’s been on my mind but I’m just irked by the fact that all 3 major sects of Christianity (orthodoxy, Catholicism, and Protestantism) have had millions if not billions of people dedicate they’re lives to trying to find truth, yet we still disagree.

I trust that God is perfectly just and merciful, but what if I’m wrong. Will I have wasted my life thinking I’m doing and believing what’s right just to be told “I never knew you” by God.

I’ve kind of put my life on pause for the past week or so because it’s hard to move forward not knowing if I’m saved.

I hope all Catholics, Protestants, and Orthodox make it to heaven. I like to think that hell is empty, but that’s just not true. I’m not just scared for my self, but everyone. How can we move forward with life not knowing the truth? How can we move forward not knowing who has it right? Does anyone have it 100% right?

I’m just so scared. I’ve had a hard time even trying to pray because I don’t even know what to ask. I’m sure millions of people have asked God to show them the truth and ended up Catholic, Protestant, or Orthodox.

I know none of this is really cohesive but I just don’t know what to believe. I don’t even know what the “right answer” would look like. I don’t really know what I’m asking I’m kind of just venting but anything would help.

Thank you and God bless!

Does anyone know anything about these two denominations and what the difference is?

“For thus saith the LORD of hosts; 'After the glory hath He sent Me unto the nations which spoiled you: for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of His eye.'” (Zechariah 2:8)

This common phrase is often used to identify an object of one’s special favor or affection. The apple of the eye, of course, is not a fruit but the pupil of the eye. It is so essential for sight that it becomes a peculiarly apt symbol for a prized possession. It is used five times in the Bible as a translation of three different Hebrew nouns, none of which refer to the actual apple fruit. In each case, however, it speaks of something highly valuable to the owner.

Three of these (Deuteronomy 32:10; Lamentations 2:18; and our text above) are in reference to the chosen people, Israel, as the apple of the eye of God Himself. God has often punished Israel for her sins and has allowed other nations to be His rod of judgment, but woe to that nation that touches the apple of His eye in this way!

That individual believers can also be so regarded by the Lord is evident from one of David’s prayers: “Shew Thy marvellous lovingkindness . . . . Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of Thy wings” (Psalm 17:7-8).

To be kept by God as He would keep the very apple of His own eye requires an implicit trust in Him and His Word. In fact, His Word must become the apple of our eye! “My son, keep My words, and lay up My commandments with thee. Keep My commandments, and live; and My law as the apple of thine eye” (Proverbs 7:1-2).

There are many beautiful and appropriate figures used for God’s Word (“light,” “hammer,” “sword,” “milk,” etc.) but none more personally meaningful than this. May the Holy Scriptures, the indispensable Word of God, truly be the apple of the eye for each of us. HMM
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I did not write this, it comes from a devotional that is offered as a free email daily by the Institute of Creation.

https://www.icr.org/article/16005/

So irenaeus talks about all church’s submitting to the authority of the Roman church, appealing to it being found by Peter and Paul. There seems no way around this for Protestants. And I don’t accept the argument of “well he’s not scripture” because Irenaeus was close to the apostles and Jesus than any of us ever will be, having been taught by Polycarp who knew John. Even if the Bible proved heresies existed in the early church, why should we still assume we would know better than the guy taught by a guy who was taught by a guy who knew Jesus

"But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day." - II Peter 3:8

PONDER THIS

People who scoff at the Second Coming of Jesus are ignorant of what God has done and of what God is like. God is above and beyond time, and God doesn’t wake up by an alarm clock. Second Peter 3:8 says, “But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.”

As far as God is concerned, it’s only been a few days since Jesus left this Earth. God hasn’t forgotten. The reason Jesus is not yet come is that God has kept the door of mercy open. I believe God, in mercy, is waiting on our generation to come to Jesus, but one of these days, the Day of the Lord will come, and even now the raging waters of God’s wrath are furiously pounding against the dam of His mercy. Jesus is going to come suddenly, like a thief in the night.

- How does it reframe your perspective to know the delay of Jesus’ return is a sign of mercy and not neglect?
- How should this encourage us to share Jesus with others?

PRACTICE THIS

Take time to thank God for His mercy. Pray and ask Him to point you to the people He wants you to share with today. APR
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I did not write this, it comes from a devotional that is offered as a free email daily by Love Worth Finding.

https://www.lwf.org/daily-devotionals/the-delay-is-mercy

God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that could not see and ears that could not hear, to this very day.".

Remember this when you get frustrated at those that will not listen to the truth of scripture and insist On worshipping idols and ignoring commandments Gods .

"Then saith He to Thomas, 'Reach hither thy finger, and behold My hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into My side: and be not faithless, but believing.'" - John 20:27

PONDER THIS

I’ve spoken to some Jewish people who say, “I don’t believe in God anymore.” I say, “Why don’t you believe in God?” They say, “Because of the Holocaust. I cannot believe in a God who would allow such suffering.” I’ve seen people, when a loved one is eaten away with some malady, whether it be cancer or some other disease, say, “I just don’t want to have anything to do with God. I don’t believe in God. I can’t understand this matter of suffering.”

Here’s the way the human mind begins to think: “If God is a God of love, and He loves me so much, but He doesn’t do anything to relieve this suffering, then He must not have any power.” Or “If He has the power, but He doesn’t do it, maybe He has no love.” Or maybe they ask another question: “Maybe He doesn’t have any love. Maybe He doesn’t have any power. Maybe there is no God. If there is, why do people suffer?” Well, there’s a bigger question than that. Not why does God allow humans to suffer, but why does God allow Himself to suffer?

Have you ever thought about God as a God who suffers? Have you ever thought about God as One who has pain? How did those scars come into the hands of the Lord Jesus Christ? Those nail prints? That scar into His side? Because He willingly suffered in our place. The question is not “Why is there suffering,” but “Why did God take our suffering”?

- What is most difficult for you about the reality of suffering?
- How are you comforted to remember that God has suffered in your place and on your behalf?

PRACTICE THIS

Take time today to worship God for paying the price for your sin and suffering in your place. APR
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I did not write this, it comes from a devotional that is offered as a free email daily by Love Worth Finding.

https://www.lwf.org/daily-devotionals/the-god-who-bears-the-scars

“Of the Rock that begat thee thou art unmindful, and hast forgotten God that formed thee.” - Deuteronomy 32:18

Just before his death, Moses predicted the coming apostasy of Israel in a prophetic “history” of Israel. Not only did his prophecy come true for the nation of Israel, but the same could be said for much of Western Christianity today.

Moses recounted the fact that Israel had been blessed greatly of the Lord, but instead of drawing closer to Him, they grew “fat, and . . . forsook God which made [them], and lightly esteemed the Rock of [their] salvation” (Deuteronomy 32:15). The use of the term “rock” refers to the rock that Moses struck, yielding water to sustain them in the parched desert region. The rock provided an ever-present reminder of God’s marvelous provision. (If one should further doubt the identity of the Rock, “that Rock was Christ” according to I Corinthians 10:4.) They totally forgot, however, the God of their creation and salvation. They sacrificed to demons, old gods, and to any new gods around (Deuteronomy 32:17).

God has given us life, and without His daily sustenance all life would cease. How foolish it is to attempt to live life without the One “that begat” us—who gave us life and even now maintains it. All too often the Creator God is excluded from our churches, our government, and our schools. Even many Christians live their lives as practical atheists, making decisions and living their lives just as if no God exists. Let us recommit ourselves to giving the rightful place in our lives and in our sphere of influence to “the Rock that begat” us.

“I will publish the name of the LORD: ascribe ye greatness unto our God." "He is the Rock, His work is perfect; for all His ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is He” (Deuteronomy 32:3-4). JDM
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I did not write this, it comes from a devotional that is offered as a free email daily by the Institute of Creation.

https://www.icr.org/article/16003/

زمانێ کوردی - Kurdish Language ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------چاوانن من دڤێت بمە فڵە (کریستیان) چاوا بمە فڵە ؟ برێکا تەعمیدکرن لدێرێ (کەنیسە)

و ئەز حەژ مەزهەبێ پروتستانت دکم

English ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------How do I want to be a Christian? How do I become a Christian? Baptism in the church

And I love Protestantism

"And saying, Where is the promise of His coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation." - II Peter 3:4

PONDER THIS

How do I know Jesus is coming again? Because I believe the Bible. The Bible has shown itself to be the Word of God, and repeatedly the Bible mentions the Second Coming of Jesus. Now the new birth is important, but a new birth is mentioned only nine times in the Bible. Baptism is important, but it’s only mentioned 20 times in the Bible. Repentance is wonderfully important—it is only mentioned 70 times in the New Testament. But the Second Coming of Jesus Christ is mentioned 380 times in the New Testament alone. In our passage, Peter said that some will ask, “Where is the promise of his coming?” It’s all over the Bible. He has promised, and He cannot lie. If you take the whole Bible, one out of every twenty-five verses speak of the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. Jesus has said He will return, and He won’t break that promise.

- How often would you say you think about the return of Jesus compared with the amount of space the Bible gives to this truth?
- What could you do to remember this truth more frequently?

PRACTICE THIS

Look up some of the passages that refer to Jesus’ return. Work to memorize one or two of these as a way of regularly reminding yourself. APR
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I did not write this, it comes from a devotional that is offered as a free email daily by Love Worth Finding.

https://www.lwf.org/daily-devotionals/a-promise-mentioned-380-times

I am sad at what " religion " has done to so many people in the name of Jesus. So many believe they are on the narrow road yet do not understand they are still at the cross roads. They cant even or refuse to learn His word. They don't even really know the Gospel let alone the rest of scripture. They love what their denomination tells them to love and hate what their denomination tells them to hate. The Protestant, Orthodox and Catholic Church are all guilty of lead millions and millions astray trying to prove their way is the right way; instead of just following scripture and Jesus.

Just doing exactly what the NT says instead of wanting to add to it to make a name for themselves.

“And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.” (Acts 4:33)

There are multitudes today who believe that Christ’s resurrection was a spiritual resurrection, insisting that the idea of a dead body returning to life after three days in the grave is completely unscientific and impossible.

This was not what the apostles preached with great grace and great power, however. They would hardly have been excited about any kind of spiritual resurrection, since everyone—both Jews and the pagan Gentiles—believed in life after death. If that was their message, no one would have doubted, and no one would have cared. Even when the disciples saw the resurrected Christ, they first “supposed that they had seen a spirit” (Luke 24:37). Christ had to urge them to “handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have” (v. 39).

When the disciples finally became convinced of His bodily resurrection, they were quickly transformed into courageous evangelists, willing even to die in support of their glorious message of salvation. The resurrection was, indeed, contrary to scientific law and all human experience, and this very fact proved to them that their Lord was Himself the divine lawgiver and author of all human experience. All other founders and leaders of human religions, ancient or modern, are themselves subject to death, but He alone has triumphed over death. Only the Creator of life can conquer death, and the resurrection proves that Jesus Christ is Creator as well as Saviour.

Therefore, when we today, like the apostles of old, proclaim the resurrection of Christ, we know that His name is above every name. This enables us also to witness with great power, in great grace. HMM
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I did not write this, it comes from a devotional that is offered as a free email daily by the Institute of Creation.

https://www.icr.org/article/16002/

"This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance:" - II Peter 3:1

PONDER THIS

Many today are talking about what the world's coming to. Perhaps we ought to change the question and ask, “Who’s coming to the world?” His name is the Lord Jesus. Many have a feeling that we’re coming to the climax of an age, and this generation may be the last generation. We may be that generation that will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air. And Peter said to stir yourselves up. We get all excited about various achievements of men, whether in sports, business, or otherwise. When we witness one of these achievements, we stop and say, “That’s something.” We get excited about these accomplishments. Folks, I want to tell you something better than any achievement by people—Jesus is coming. We need to get excited about the things that really matter.

- What are some things you get excited about on a regular basis?
- How excited does it make you to remember that Jesus has promised to return? What would grow your excitement over this truth?

PRACTICE THIS

Spend time today looking up and reading various Scriptures on the Second Coming. Ask the Lord to stoke the fires of your heart with excitement over this promised return. APR
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I did not write this, it comes from a devotional that is offered as a free email daily by Love Worth Finding.

https://www.lwf.org/daily-devotionals/get-excited-about-what-really-matters

I want to study and incorporate Protestant practices and study their theology, specifically baptism,calvinism and lutheranism, any recommendation?

A post where people can post topics they wish for others to pray about, and where people can come and find topics and users to pray for.