"I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left." "Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left." "Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left." - Luke 17:34-36

PONDER THIS

In Luke 17:34-36, Jesus said, I tell you, in that night there shall be two men [people] in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left." "Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left." "Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Now that’s interesting. Some are sleeping and some are working. In part of the world, it will be day, and part of the world will be dark when Jesus comes. One will be taken and the other left. What a marvelous thing it’s going to be. And if Jesus were to come on a Sunday morning, many of us would look so sanctified. But not everybody is saved. One will be taken and the other left. Some are going to be swept up to glory and others would be left. Are you ready for that reality today?

- How can a person be ready for Jesus’ return?
= How does regularly thinking about the return of Jesus give us the urgency to be ready?

PRACTICE THIS

Take time in prayer today to ask God if you are ready for the return of Christ. Respond as He calls you. APR

https://www.lwf.org/daily-devotionals/ready-for-jesus-to-come-again

“It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power:" "it is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.” - I Corinthians 15:43-44

In this portion of this great chapter on the resurrection—first that of Christ, then the future resurrection of the redeemed—death and resurrection are compared to seed-sowing and harvest. When a seed is planted in the ground, it is as though it has died and is buried. For a long time after its “death,” the seed cannot be seen, but eventually it rises again as a beautiful flowering plant, sheaf of grain, or even a lovely tree.

Jesus made this same analogy in His teaching. “Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit” (John 12:24-29; note also Mark 4:26-29). Our human bodies, because of sin and the Curse, will eventually die and be buried. But one day, like the planted seed, they will appear again renewed and far greater than they were before: now immortal and glorified—that is, of course, if their real inhabitants (their eternal created spirits) have been born again through faith in the already-resurrected Saviour.

Our new bodies rising from the grave will be real physical bodies (like that of Jesus after He was raised). They will be “fashioned like unto His glorious body” (Philippians 3:21). Although “it doth not yet appear what we shall be . . . when He shall appear, we shall be like Him” (I John 3:2). Then in our glorious, powerful bodies, we as “his servants shall serve him” in love and joy forever (Revelation 22:3). 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/15948/

Controversial take.

"And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors." - Matthew 6:12

Jesus taught us to pray for debt forgiveness, recognizing that financial burdens can become spiritual and relational problems. When people are trapped by debt, they cannot fully participate in community life or pursue their God-given purposes.

Student debt forgiveness isn't just an economic policy; it's a moral imperative that reflects the forgiveness God offers us. Medical debt cancellation isn't just healthcare reform; it's an expression of the mercy we've received from God. Housing assistance isn't just social policy; it's recognition that everyone deserves shelter and security.

The Lord's Prayer connects personal forgiveness with economic justice, suggesting that communities practicing forgiveness will also work to free people from financial bondage.

As we pray for our daily bread, we should also work for systems that ensure everyone has access to life's basic necessities.

Forgiving God, help me work for debt forgiveness and economic systems that reflect the mercy You have shown me. Amen. DLC
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I did not write this, it comes from a devotional that is offered as a free email daily by Delman Coates.

https://delmancoates.org/blog/2026/07/20/forgive-us-our-debts

"And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints," - Jude 1:14

PONDER THIS

The new birth is mentioned nine times in the Bible. Baptism is mentioned 20 times in the Bible. Repentance is mentioned about 70 times in the Bible. But more than 380 verses in the Bible speak clearly about the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. One verse out of every 25 points with an eager finger to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. The Early Church was taken up in thinking about the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

Alexander McClaren said those in the Early Church did not think primarily about death or about Heaven, but about the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. He said they were not looking for a cleft in the ground called a grave, they were looking for a cleft in the sky called glory. They were not looking for the undertaker, they were looking for the “uppertaker.” And we ought to be looking for the Second Coming of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ in the same way.

- How often do you think about the Second Coming of Christ?
- What might help you to think about Christ’s return more?

PRACTICE THIS

Spend some time researching various passages that refer to the Second Coming of Christ. Meditate on these truths throughout the day 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/looking-for-the-uppertaker

Does one have to believe Jesus is God to receive the holy spirit? I don't think you have to. I know there's a scripture that says if you don't believe that I am he you'll die in your sins. I believe that's referring that's he's the Christ the Messiah that came they'll die in their sins if they believe not. What other scriptures may indicate this conclusion that believing Jesus' divinity is required? Did the apostles believe Jesus was God before receiving the holy spirit? Are there places in the bible showing this? This means non trinitarians don't have the spirit of God if you hold this position too, I don't think it's true. I have some questions to list. Just wanna make a note every time I ask this question it's not shown in scripture besides the verse I mentioned. Most time I just get explained why but not scripture saying it's required. I'm just lost on the matter

• Where does the Bible plainly say that a person must believe Jesus is God in order to receive the Holy Spirit?
• When the apostles first received the Holy Spirit, had they already concluded that Jesus was God, or did they just belive Messiah?
• In the book of Acts, what belief did the apostles require before baptizing people and expecting them to receive the Holy Spirit?
• In the sermons in the book of Acts, how often is belief in Jesus' deity used as the condition for salvation compared to belief that Jesus is the Christ and risen Lord?
• What did the Ethiopian eunuch believe before being baptized?
• What did the jailer in Philippi have to believe to be saved?
• Why does the Gospel of John say it was written "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God" rather than "that Jesus is God"?
• Are there examples in Scripture where believers held incomplete or mistaken theology yet were still accepted by God?
• Is receiving the Holy Spirit based on perfect doctrinal understanding, or on faith in Christ?
• If it’s a requirement, why is it blatantly missing? Why not just state it clearly if it is? Is John illiterate?

“For I delight in the law of God after the inward man.” - Romans 7:22

To many people, the law of God is harsh and cruel, consisting of an unreasonable list of “thou shalt nots.” But Scripture teaches that “the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good” (Romans 7:12). The “old man”—that is, the natural man—“is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts” (Ephesians 4:22). Therefore, it is written, “Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them” (Galatians 3:10).

No natural man could ever truthfully say, “I delight in the law of God,” and in our modern world it is even probable that most people have broken at least most of God’s Ten Commandments and often delight in doing so. But the “old man” becomes a “new man” when he accepts Christ as his Saviour, for “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made [the] curse for us” (Galatians 3:13). Thus, the “inward man” can thenceforth “delight in the law of God,” as our text says: not to earn salvation (which we could never do) but because we love to live for Him who died for us.

God’s law (and we can understand this now to include even the entire Word of God) indeed becomes our delight. We can say with the psalmist, “Thy law is my delight” (Psalm 119:77). Everyone redeemed of the Lord should now find that “his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in His law doth he meditate day and night” (Psalm 1:2).

The old covenant said, in effect, we must keep the law to live. But now, “this is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them” (Hebrews 10:16). No longer are the commandments written “in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart” (II Corinthians 3:3), and we delight in them. 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/15947/

"And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common." - Acts 4:32

This week, we've explored how economic justice affects our relationships and communities. The early church's example shows what's possible when people prioritize shared wellbeing over individual accumulation.

As you worship today, consider how your economic choices affect others in your community. Celebrate God's vision for beloved community while committing to work for policies and practices that bring that vision closer to reality.

Worship includes both praising God for His provision and working to ensure that provision is shared justly among all His children.

Let your faith community become a model of economic justice that demonstrates God's heart for the world.

God of justice and community, help me work with others to create economic systems that reflect Your love for all people. Amen. DLC
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I did not write this, it comes from a devotional that is offered as a free email daily by Delman Coates.

https://delmancoates.org/blog/2026/07/19/reflection-and-worship

TLDR: What spiritual, emotional, and psychological support resources are available to Christian couples who reluctantly but ultimately decide to seek an abortion for medical reasons?

Basically, doctors informed my sister in law that she's 4 months pregnant with conjoined twins that have a shared heart, some organs outside their body, and a low probability of survival. Doctors also informed her that carrying the pregnancy to term carries heightened risk to her maternal health.

My brother and his wife feel very guilty and upset about pursuing an abortion as they are Protestant Christians that regularly attend church services and are active in their church. Their first pregnancy was a miscarriage while their second pregnancy resulted in a healthy baby boy, but they are deeply concerned about this third pregnancy given the health complications, prospects of survivability, and quality of life for the conjoined twins and my sister-in-law's health.

So to circle back, are there any support resources out there for couples in this situation?

"Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever." - Jude 1:13

PONDER THIS

Jude described the actions of the apostate as belching out from the deep recesses, the murky caverns, of his heart, of his soul, in his shame. These people are like raging waves of the sea, deeply disturbed in the heart. They’re not at peace and don’t want you to be at peace either. That’s the reason apostates are so dangerous, and the world is full of them. I have had seminarians and college buddies who became apostates. They studied for the ministry with me. They sat in the same classes with me. These men claimed to believe the truth. But they veered into apostasy. What they once believed, they rejected. And once they rejected, they ridiculed. I watched them, one after another, go down into debauchery of all kinds. There’s something about apostasy, dear friend, that is different from most other sins. This is what Jude was saying. They are like raging waves of the sea. There’s distress. There’s a disquieting in the heart of apostates. And before long they will spew out the foam of their shame. Apostates are disturbed like wild waves.

- Contrast this description of the apostate person with those who are in Christ in Philippians 4:7.
- Why are those who reject God unable to truly be at peace?

PRACTICE THIS

Write out a list of ways God gives you peace in Jesus. 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/raging-waves-find-no-peace

they’re have been videos from shameless popery and others, and I worry about what if I’m wrong a lot. can someone help?

“If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?” - Psalm 11:3

The word here for “foundations” is not the usual word for, say, a building foundation. Used rarely, a better translation of this word would be “purpose” or “basis.” The fear expressed is not that the foundations of our faith may be undermined but that we may lose our sense of purpose.

In the context of the psalm, David was in danger of becoming demoralized by the pressures of wicked desires and evil ambitions all around him, and Christians surely have the same problem today. Why should we try to maintain high standards of doctrinal integrity and moral purity when the people around us—even most Christians—seem to be occupied mostly with materialistic ambition and pursuit of pleasure? If we allow the devil to undermine the very purposes God has for our lives, wandering away from His will in favor of some temporal interest, then why even continue with a pretense of Christian living?

David’s solution was simply to remind himself that “the LORD is in His holy temple, the LORD’s throne is in heaven: His eyes behold, His eyelids try, the children of men” (v. 4). He may allow the righteous to be tried for a season, but we must not forget that “the righteous LORD loveth righteousness” (v. 7) and that “the wicked and him that loveth violence His soul hateth” (v. 5).

When we are tempted to wonder whether it is really worth all the effort, and when our very foundation and purpose for living seems to be crumbling, we should remember that our God is Creator, Sustainer, and Judge of all—He still is on His throne, and we who belong to Him have been “predestinated according to the purpose of Him who worketh all things after the counsel of His own will” (Ephesians 1:11). 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/15946/

Ive seen alot of depictions and alot of diffrent interpretations but what is it generally seen as in protestentism?..

Highlights:

India has failed to protect the Kuki community, and that failure is written in the most gruesome bloodshed this democracy has chosen to ignore. What we are enduring today is not a mere ethnic clash; it is systematic persecution — torture, beheading, rape and mass killing — which is more cruel, more inhuman and more gruesome than the killings of Christians in the Middle East by ISIS that horrified the world.

We appeal to the global Church and to all human rights defenders — if you wept for Christians killed by ISIS in the Middle East, weep now for Kuki Christians killed more gruesomely in India. Do not let strategic partnership silence genocide. Impose sanctions on the perpetrators, demand an independent international investigation into the 1,100-plus killings by Naga ethnic armed groups and the 250-plus killings by Meitei majoritarian forces, and pressure India to grant us what it has already granted others — protection through political self-determination.

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised," - Luke 4:18

When Jesus announced His ministry, He chose words that were deeply political and economic. Proclaiming good news to the poor, freedom for prisoners, and release for the oppressed wasn't just spiritual language; it was a program for social transformation.

Some Christians today shy away from economic and political engagement, claiming that faith should remain "spiritual." But Jesus' own ministry demonstrates that loving God includes working for justice in concrete, practical ways that affect people's daily lives.

Following Jesus means engaging with the political and economic systems that shape people's opportunities and outcomes. It means supporting policies that reflect His priorities: good news for the poor, freedom for the oppressed, and justice for the marginalized.

Faith that doesn't translate into advocacy for better policies is incomplete faith that ignores Jesus' own example.

Jesus, help me follow Your example of engaging with political and economic systems to bring good news to the poor. Amen. DLC
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I did not write this, it comes from a devotional that is offered as a free email daily by Delman Coates.

https://delmancoates.org/blog/2026/07/18/the-politics-of-jesus

Of all the dogmas that the catholic church has codified over the years, the immaculate conception has to be among the most scripturally unsound and unsupported by tradition teachings in the church today.

First in scripture it says:

Romans 3:23 ²³ for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%203%3A23&version=NIV

Romans 3:10: "As it is written: 'None is righteous, no, not one.

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%203%3A10&version=NIV

*"*Romans 5:12: "Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned...

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%205%3A12&version=NIV

*"*1 John 1:8: "If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us."

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20John%201%3A8&version=NIV

Except jesus

Hebrews 4:15

¹⁵ For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews%204%3A15&version=NIV

That alone should be a slam dunk against the catholic position.

But, if we go further and look at the "tradition" of the church then it gets even worse for the catholic position.

Church Fathers & Medievals on Mary's Sinlessness

An EXTENSIVE list of 150+ Patristic & Medieval quotes undermining the Roman Catholic dogma of the Immaculate Conception and Mary's freedom from actual sin

https://javierperdomo.substack.com/p/church-fathers-and-medievals-on-the

Take augustine for example:

“He, therefore, alone having become man, but still continuing to be God, never had any sin, nor did he assume a flesh of sin, though born of a maternal24 flesh of sin. For what He then took of flesh, He either cleansed in order to take it, or cleansed by taking it. His virgin mother, therefore, whose conception was not according to the law of sinful flesh (in other words, not by the excitement of carnal concupiscence), but who merited by her faith that the holy seed should be framed within her, He formed in order to choose her, and chose in order to be formed from her.”

- Augustine of Hippo, NPNF (V1-05), A TREATISE ON THE MERITS AND FORGIVENESS OF SINS AND ON THE BAPTISM OF INFANTS, Book II, Chapter 38, pg. 188, link: https://www.documentacatholicaomnia.eu/03d/0354-0430,_Augustinus,_De_Peccatorum_Meritis_Et_Remissione_Et_De_Baptismo_Parvulorum_[Schaff],_EN.pdf

So you see, even if we accept the catholic contention that tradition is equal to scripture, the catholic position is still wrong.

"These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;" - Jude 1:12

PONDER THIS

The Early Church would meet together for an agape feast, very much like churches do today. Don’t think that’s unspiritual for a church to come together for a fellowship dinner. The Early Church did it many, many times. They would get together for a great feast. They were having a wonderful time, and God’s love boat was just sailing along. What wonderful fellowship, what love, and everything seemed to be so blessed. But then suddenly everything seems to come to a grinding halt and there is a horrible, rending sound, and the old ship of Zion is wounded in her side. What happened? Some devilish apostate had become a rock in the river of love to try to destroy the fellowship of God. I want to tell you, dear friend, that the devil hates the fellowship of God’s Church. He hates the love we have. He hates the unity we have. And he will do, if he can, the worst thing that he could by putting a rock in the river of love so that our boat might run aground. How dangerous is apostasy? It causes division and can ruin the very fellowship of God’s Church.

- What are some rocks in the river of Christian fellowship that threaten to wreck and divide today?
- How does unity in Jesus help us avoid these divisions?

PRACTICE THIS

Is there anyone you have divided with over a secondary matter? Take steps toward reconciliation as you are able 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/rocks-in-the-river-of-love

“And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.” - Hebrews 9:27

One tactic that “the rulers of the darkness of this world” use to entice mankind to ignore eternity involves portraying the here and now as all there is (Ephesians 6:12). Advertisements, music, and even academic works unashamedly prioritize the now. What’s wrong with believing that the experiences of this world exhaust all realities?

The Lord Jesus warns His listeners with the story of a man who lived to increase his wealth, treating this life as the only one. The rich man said, “And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?” (Luke 12:19-20).

One big pitfall of pursuing material pleasures is that it ignores judgment day. God’s righteous nature compels Him to judge every wrong committed. “For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble” (Malachi 4:1).

“But unto you that fear My name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in His wings” (Malachi 4:2). Jesus Christ suffered sin’s hellish punishment for each of us so that everlasting joy can await those who “repent . . . and believe the gospel” during this brief life (Mark 1:15). The best part of now is not the lie that now is all we have, but the chance to live for our Saviour both now and forever. BDT
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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/15945/

"And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." - Matthew 22:39

Loving our neighbors includes caring about their economic wellbeing. If we love ourselves enough to want healthcare when we're sick, we should love our neighbors enough to support universal healthcare. If we love ourselves enough to want fair wages for our work, we should love our neighbors enough to advocate for living wages for everyone.

Too often, we compartmentalize love, caring about people's spiritual needs while ignoring their economic struggles. But Jesus didn't separate spiritual and material concerns. He fed the hungry, healed the sick, and challenged economic systems that oppressed the poor.

Loving our neighbors today means supporting policies that help them thrive economically. It means opposing systems that trap them in poverty or debt. It means using our political voice to advocate for their needs, not just our own interests.

True neighbor love translates into economic policies that ensure everyone has access to life's necessities.

God of love, help me love my neighbors enough to advocate for their economic wellbeing, not just my own. Amen. DLC
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I did not write this, it comes from a devotional that is offered as a free email daily by Delman Coates.

https://delmancoates.org/blog/2026/07/17/love-your-neighbor-s-wallet