By Elizabeth Prata
The article discusses the biblical principle of women’s silence in church, citing 1 Corinthians and 1 Timothy. While it emphasizes women’s submission, it does not imply total silence. It encourages women to embrace their role in church as silent witnesses to God’s glory.
Continue reading “Embracing Quietness: Women’s Role in the Church”By Elizabeth Prata
The Syro-Phoenician woman from the Bible persistently sought Jesus’ mercy for her tormented daughter. Her humility and faith exemplify the importance of persistence in prayer and pursuit of divine help.
Continue reading “The Power of (Humble) Persistence: Lessons from the Syro-Phoenician Woman”By Elizabeth Prata
I discuss the significance of singing in the faith of believers, as highlighted in RC Sproul’s teachings on Biblical songs of praise. I recount Gladys Aylward’s experience in China, where her hymns reach Tibetan priests who long sought understanding of God’s love. Singing expresses knowledge of God and His gift of redemption.
By Elizabeth Prata
SYNOPSIS
The post critiques the modern emphasis on dreams and visions within charismatic circles, asserting that such experiences were not part of historic Christianity after the closure of the canon. It emphasizes reliance on scripture over personal revelations, warning against false teachings that distort biblical truth.
We worship an orderly God, whose prophecies, whose seasons, whose mankind progresses according to His will. What a blessing it is to know we submit to a God who is perfect, whose mighty hand is outstretched to make Himself known and His works, including the animal world, are a wonder.
Below is a poem by Kay Cude. Right-click to enlarge in new tab. Or read below-
“Foamy crystal drops of damp, and he alights with ease;
to rest upon a liquid bed, his heart content and pleased;
To linger there and end his day, the journey hard and long;
the banks call out to lay upon, his heart by rest made strong.”
1There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every matter under heaven—
2A time to give birth and a time to die;
A time to plant and a time to uproot what is planted.
3A time to kill and a time to heal;
A time to tear down and a time to build up.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-3
Kay Cude is a Texas poet. Used with permission.
By Elizabeth Prata
SYNOPSIS
The term ‘fool’ is used over 300 times in scripture, indicating its seriousness in the biblical context, often linked to rejecting God. Various meanings include deliberate sinfulness and moral corruption. Contrary to light-hearted interpretations, biblical foolishness signifies evil character and ultimate condemnation, emphasizing the importance of recognizing God’s wisdom.
Continue reading “The True Meaning of ‘Fool’ in Scripture”By Elizabeth Prata
SYNOPSIS
The text discusses the debate surrounding women’s roles in church leadership, emphasizing that women are biblically unqualified to pastor. It challenges modern fanciful interpretations of scripture, advocating for adherence to the plain scripture of the Bible. The author argues against female pastors, citing specific biblical passages and historical context while encouraging women to fulfill their rightful roles in accordance with scripture.
Continue reading ““Women can’t preach?! What about Deborah?””By Elizabeth Prata
A man who wanders from the way of understanding Will rest in the assembly of the dead. (Proverbs 21:16).
The phrase ‘assembly of the dead’ is especially vivid. Assemble is active, but dead is passive. Inert, even. We don’t usually think of the dead assembling, or being assembled. But they will all be there, together, away from God. This is a horrifying thought.
I was struck by this illustration when I was looking for stock photos. The clamorous crowd of women reminds me of so many women today, prominent women, whose actions and teachings are a raised fist against God.
Contentious women, rebellious women, haughty women, are a dishonor to the Lord. Proverbs 25:24 says
It is better to live in a corner of the roof Than in a house shared with a contentious woman.
A woman like that is not easily lived with, not in the home nor in the church or in the denomination or in the global church.
No man or women decides to wade into the bog where death lurks. He thinks he is going “my way”, or the “right way”. Or even, the ‘It’s OK, Way”. This is the very bottom of the barrel of sin, which is pride.
Does man, or woman, know better than God? Will there be absolution for those who claim “ignorance of the Law?”
There is only one way, and it is the only right way, as the Bible shows repeatedly in Proverbs 16:2, 25; 21:2. To stay in what the Proverb calls “the way of understanding,” or the Gospel, we love God’s precepts, obey His commands, and mortify our own opinions and philosophies. (2 Corinthians 10:5).
The flesh will want to rear up, (Genesis 4:7, Romans 6:12), so staying in the Word and in constant prayer (1 Thessalonians 5:17) will subdue those inclinations.
Ladies, we are gentle, soft-spoken, kind, teaching and teachable. We are dignified and loving, patient and diligent. We’re moms and widows, virgins and singles. We are strugglers and overcomers, sinners and repenters, but most of all we are loved by Jesus as His own. We are and always will be part of the assembly of the living. Praise Jesus for that!
By Elizabeth Prata
SYNOPSIS
Nehemiah, distressed by Jerusalem’s state, was authorized by King Artaxerxes to oversee its reconstruction against local opposition. He developed a strategic plan, assigning families to rebuild specific gates crucial for defense and community. The gates held historical significance, reflecting their role in city governance and security throughout Jerusalem’s 5000-year history. Let’s explore these magnificent gates.
Continue reading “Nehemiah and the Rebuilding of Jerusalem’s Gates”By Elizabeth Prata
Normally I write about a little-used word but one that we as believers need to know. I’ve written about aseity, omnipotence, and justification, for example. But this week’s word will be Light.
It seems like it is an easy word, and it is, but as with all things in the Bible, there are layers of meaning.
The word Light is used in the Bible in several different ways. There is created light, as when God said “Let there be light”…and He separated the light from the dark. This is literal. There is miraculous light, as in the glory light of Jesus when He transfigured. And there is figurative/symbolic Light, as in the Word is a light or when we are ‘in the light’ as opposed to those sinners who are ‘in darkness’, or ‘don’t hide your light under a bushel’.
In the ATS Bible Dictionary, we read,
One of the most wonderful, cheering, and useful of all the works of God; called into being on the first of the six days of creation, by his voice: “Let there be light;” and there was light. No object better illustrates whatever is pure, glorious, spiritual, joyful, and beneficent. Hence the beauty and force of the expressions, “God is light,” 1 John 1:5, and “the Father of lights,” James 1:17; Christ is the “Sun of righteousness,” and “the light of the world,” John 1:9 8:12. So also the word of God is “a light,” Psalm 119:105; truth and Christians are lights, John 3:19 12:36; prosperity is “light,” Esther 8:16; and heaven is full of light, Revelation 21:23-25. The opposite of all these is “darkness.”
The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia explains
The word “light” is Divinely rich in its comprehensiveness and meaning. Its material splendor is used throughout the Scriptures as the symbol and synonym of all that is luminous and radiant in the mental, moral and spiritual life of men and angels; while the eternal God, because of His holiness and moral perfection, is pictured as “dwelling in light unapproachable” (1 Timothy 6:16). Every phase of the word, from the original light in the natural world to the spiritual glory of the celestial, is found in Holy Writ.
The ISBE even goes on to further separate the different concepts of Light into Natural Light, Artificial Light, Miraculous Light, Mental, Moral, Spiritual Light; and explores its symbolism, expressive terms, and more. Check it out!
We first read the word light in Genesis 1:3 and the Bible closes with it in Revelation 22:5. Light. It’s such a simple word, but such a complex theme.
Further Resources:
Q&A: What Does it Mean that God is Light?
Devotional: Walk in the Light
Study: Light and Darkness
Blog post: Light of the World
the-end-time.org 