Kay Cude poetry, right-click in new tab to enlarge. Used with permission
Author: elizabethprata
Christian writer and Georgia teacher's aide who loves Jesus, a quiet life, art, beauty, and children.
We walk, we stumble, but how do we deal with aftermath of a stumble?
By Elizabeth Prata
What life in Jesus is really about, in truth, is our walk. We will fall. We will gossip. We may mentally lust. We might watch porn. We might be jealous and cut out a family member. We might lash out in anger, and not a righteous anger, either. We might drive drunk. We might, God forbid, stray from the marital bed. One of a million different sins could become public and embarrass us. What do we do? We repent.
But what is your reaction to the fall? To rising up again? Therein lay the difference. What happens after we fall?
When you fell, did you stay down? Did you lay there? Did you give up?
Did you say “woe is me, I fell, I’m not worthy of Jesus”? There are many people who and engage in continued public self-flagellation in false humility, like the Pharisees.
When you got up, did you then trudge? Paul says do not trudge but spring up and finish the race! Have joy. The race is a “good” race! It is a “good” fight!
Jesus knows we are faulty, that we will stumble, that we fail. But He is there to lift us up, the Spirit is there to encourage us. “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,” (Ephesians 3:20). What awaits you when you arise is the Holy Spirit, there with hand extended, to help you immeasurably!
We all fall, the joy is in the getting up and finishing, knowing that Jesus forgives our sin, and throws it as far as the east is from the west! There might be consequences, there usually are, but joy is ours to possess.
Keep looking ahead to the finish line. A crown awaits. Our home in New Jerusalem awaits. Eternal joy awaits. Our Lord awaits. Get up, get up! Pilgrims, the time is short, our time here is shortening daily. Spring up and with all joy and energy, run to the finish line!
“However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me–the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.” (Acts 20:24)
Will you be able to say “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith;” (2 Timothy 4:7)
The problem with parachurch organizations…
By Elizabeth Prata
Today John Piper is trending on social media. Whenever a prominent Christian pastor or teacher is trending, I look into why. It’s usually not because the world has suddenly decided that these men are worth listening to and are applauding their wisdom. No. It’s usually the opposite. They have said something contrary to the world, and the word takes issue, even the professing Christian world. Or, they died.
Since it was Piper and he’s elderly (77 years old), I looked into the trend right away. Gladly, he is still alive and walking- and speaking. The controversy for today is that John Piper said in his podcast a few days ago, responding to a listener’s question, that para-church organizations should not be run or led by women. You can hear the 13-minute conversation at the link or read the transcript.
The questioner went on with saying that in his globally well-known parachurch ministry, “Women will [now] be permitted to teach men from the Scripture, to be in positions of spiritual authority over men, to shape and correct doctrine within the organization, and to mentor men in their ministry roles. The reason given for this change is that a parachurch organization is not the church…”
The Christian Post wrote about Piper’s reply it, here.
The Christian Mail weighed in with Piper’s reply also, here.
Nancy Pearcy, a well-known teacher and author, took issue with Piper’s stance, saying on Twitter, “Piper keeps digging in deeper. I am a professor at a Christian university. Some of my students are men–which means, I teach men. Many men also read my books, which could be construed as a type of teaching.”
I have written about parachurch ministries several times. I’ll link those below. Some reasons I am reserved about some parachurch organizations is that they directly and purposely compete with local churches. Some just have no accountability that we can detect. Some draw women away from their home church infect them with false teaching and send them back to the home church to infect it. Or, they are run by women with a poor understanding of scripture and gradually become unorthodox.
Here, J. Mack Stiles at 9Marks writes,
The standard cliché for parachurch is that it’s not the church, but an arm of the church. Yet historically, that arm has shown a tendency to develop a mind of its own and crawl away from the body, which creates a mess. Given the grand scope and size of many parachurch ministries, those which go wayward can propagate error for years: missionary organizations become gyms, heretical seminaries pump out heretical pastors, and service organizations produce long-term confusion between the gospel and social action. So what should mark a healthy parachurch? Read on to find out what Mr Stiles considers marks of a healthy parachurch.
I can’t be totally against parachurch organizations across the board, of course. Gideon’s International is a parachurch ministry. So is Ligonier from RC Sproul. Samaritan’s Purse that helps so many people after a disaster, is considered a parachurch ministry. Many parachurch ministries are healthy. But of the ones founded and/or led by women, I do have reservations. It doesn’t matter they “are not the church” as Piper explained, the ministry still should not be led or run by women-
Let me offer two reasons for thinking this way. One is that when the apostle Paul gave his instructions that only spiritually qualified men should teach and exercise authority in the church, his argument was not based on culture or on family or church or structures — ecclesiastical structures or any others. It was based on two things: (1) the order of man and woman in creation and (2) the dynamics between man and woman in the fall.
I’ll link to some of the articles I’ve written about parachurch ministries. Some of these organizations are bastions of false doctrine, hotbeds of feminism, and synagogues of satan, cloaked in flowery social media banners with softening filters and comfy women speech. Do not be deceived. Stay true to the Bible’s guardrails for orthodoxy and be careful of the teachings you choose to absorb, whether the teachings are in, or out of, the church.
I’m suspicious of para-church organizations. Here’s why
The issue with Parachurch organizations – especially ones founded by women Part 1 of a 3-part series
The issue with Parachurch organizations – especially ones founded by women part 2: Yada Factor
The issue with Parachurch Organizations – Especially Ones Founded by Women, part 3
IF:Gathering- More Information I’ve written about IF parachurch ministry several times. Some of those links are inside the essay here. Or you can plug IF:Gathering into the search bar to find more.
Failure to actively oppose false doctrine/false teachers is a sin
By Elizabeth Prata
In reading 1 and 2 Kings, patterns emerge. In a blog essay a few years ago I’d mentioned that reading the books of the Kings is like watching the tide go in and out. The king was good, the borders enlarged. The king was bad, the borders came in. In and out. Repeat.
Another pattern is seen in the LORD’s declaration of where on the spectrum the king’s goodness or badness was. Sometimes the King was declared by God as outright evil. Sometimes not so bad. Sometimes good. Here is an example. In 2 Kings 3:2a this is what is declared of Jehoram the son of Ahab who became king over Israel in Samaria:
“He did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, though not like his father and mother,”
Why wasn’t he as bad as Ahab and Jezebel? After all, “he put away the pillar of Baal that his father had made.” (2 Kings 3:2b). But Jehoram also clung to the sin of Jereboam which had made Israel sin, and this angered the LORD.
The lesson is twofold. Leaders set the example. When they are below reproach, the followers follow suit, also falling below reproach. In addition, you can’t repudiate some sins, you must repudiate all sins. There is no picking and choosing.
Now, how about Jehu, tenth king of Israel??
“Thus Jehu wiped out Baal from Israel. But Jehu did not turn aside from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, which he made Israel to sin—that is, the golden calves that were in Bethel and in Dan. And the Lord said to Jehu, “Because you have done well in carrying out what is right in my eyes, and have done to the house of Ahab according to all that was in my heart, your sons of the fourth generation shall sit on the throne of Israel.” But Jehu was not careful to walk in the law of the Lord, the God of Israel, with all his heart. He did not turn from the sins of Jeroboam, which he made Israel to sin.” (2 Kings 10:28-31).
Did you catch that? “All His heart”. King David was a man after God’s own heart. (Acts 13:22). This is a high honor bestowed on a man. Why was David given such an honor in the bible? He loved and feared the Lord. He had absolute faith in God. You might wonder, David was a great sinner, how could he be deemed a man after God’s own heart? He sinned, but he repented, fully. His heart was always pointed toward God.
David loved God’s law. (Psalm 119:47-48) He delighted in it! Yet you note that despite Jehu doing what was in the LORD’S heart, he “was not careful to walk in the law of the LORD.”
David was grateful for God. God was not a means to a kingly end for David, God was the end. (Psalm 26:6-7; Psalm 100:4).
In another case of the LORD deeming a king pretty good, we see Amaziah. “And he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, yet not like David his father.” (2 Kings 14:3). Amaziah did not remove the high places and the people still sacrificed to other gods there. (2 Kings 14:4). However he did follow through on a point of God’s law whereupon ‘he struck down his servants who had struck down the king his father’ but correctly did not kill the children of those, as the Law states. (2 Kings 14:5-6).
As you read through the Kings the recurring theme is worship of other gods on the high places. The First Commandment is to have no other gods before Him. That the King worshiped God wasn’t good enough, he must set the example by destroying the altars of other gods. Leaving them in place is an implicit agreement with them.
This theme is seen in most of the NT books whereupon the Apostles or authors of almost every book decries false teaching. Following false teaching is following another god. Failure to repudiate false teaching is also a sin. See Revelation 2:20,
“But I have this against you, that you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and is teaching and seducing my servants to practice sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols.“
The church at Thyatira knew this woman, a Jezebel-type, was teaching falsely, and they tolerated it. Some of them weren’t following her, which was good, and Jesus said that was good.
But they did not strike her down from her high place, as it were. The Lord commended them for not following actively (Revelation 2:24) but was still against them that they didn’t dig out the cancer of her false teaching and protect the daughters of hell she was creating. (Revelation 2:23).
Discernment is active on all fronts. It means relying on the Spirit to open our eyes to false teaching, and actively asking Him to do this. It means practicing discernment by reading the word and testing what teachers teach against it (Acts 17:11). It also means when you see brethren falling under the beguiling sway of false teachers, to do something about it. Don’t tolerate it. If you do, thee Lord has that against you. Do what it right in the sight of the Lord!
“So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.” James 4:17)
The purpose for this ministry
By Elizabeth Prata
This summer the Lord blessed me with an abundance of new followers. I am so grateful you’re here! I want you to know I take seriously the things I publish, and I work hard to answer questions or comments with grace, in the Lord.
I thought now would be a good time to post an answer to a few questions I’ve received from newcomers, or just to refresh the Mission Statement of this ministry, for the newbies and oldies.
Short Bio
I grew up in New England, a very God-less region. I had little-to-no exposure to church and neither parent was religious. In fact, my father was a fervent atheist. Nevertheless, grace came and I was saved at age 43. I was married and divorced before salvation, now I’m permanently single. I work. I’ve been a teacher for my career and now I’m a teacher’s aide in a public school system. I was also a journalist for a while, and I’ve always been a writer of some sort throughout.
Spiritual influences
Shortly after salvation I started listening to Joel Osteen, who was coming into huge fame at that time (~2004). I enjoyed his positive attitude and also the rhetorical arc of his speeches. But then someone gave me a Bible and when I followed along I realized by the grace of God and the influence of the Holy Spirit, that Osteen was false. Then I began listening to Adrian Rogers. I moved to Georgia and at that time I also began listening to John MacArthur and the people in that circle. (Phil Johnson, Mike Riccardi, Paul Washer, Voddie Baucham, RC Sproul etc). I began attending and still attend a church each week, church attendance is important. I am a Reformed Baptist member of a local church, elder led, expository preaching, with faithful attendance. I am mentor in real life to some younger women, and I love the church gathering whether it’s Sunday service, family small groups, or Sunday School.
Mission Statement
I am 62 years old as of this writing. That means I was about 32 before the internet became a household utility. Prior to that there was no internet. So when I was saved, the opportunity to self-publish content was a gracious gift and I established a blog in 2006. It is called The Quiet Life, based on 1 Thessalonians 4:11. and contained content of personal thoughts. As I grew in the Lord, increasingly I was posting about religious matters, so I established The End Time in 2009 devoted exclusively to our faith matters.
My mission is to publish essays for women, my intended audience, that-
1. Honor Jesus by being biblically accurate (“rightly divided word”) and well written (do all to the glory of God”),
2. Point to credible resources for women to have handy to learn more from credible preachers and theologians,
3. Use social media to employ to the glory of the Holy Spirit the spiritual gifts He has bestowed on me.
Blog Subjects
I write what I feel passionate about, and I believe that passion stems from the spiritual gifts the Spirit has given me, along with personal interests I have. He stirs up affections, and my affections are for right doctrine, and good discernment. I believe the Spirit has given me gifts of exhortation, encouragement, and discernment, so I write about doctrine, encouragement, and discernment. I also personally enjoy natural history, the lands and animals of the Bible and write about them occasionally too.
Why “The End Time”?
No I’m not a fringe end times buff. I named this ministry the end time because we are IN the time of the end. This is the period bracketed by His ascension and His return. The End Time. (Please note, no ‘s’). I want women to remember that and thus, be about our Father’s business with eagerness and fervency. Someday, time will end. Have we worked out our salvation with fear and trembling? Live in such a way that you won’t have regrets when we face Jesus.
I’ve posted every day since January 2009. I started the blog on Blogspot (Blogger) and exported it to WordPress in 2016. I’ve written 6000+ essays, with only a few repeats and very few guest posts. This is a testament to the Holy Spirit sustaining me in this writing ministry and the Bible’s endless wonders whose depths I plumb in amazement.
My earliest, earliest blogs were newspaper eisegesis, that is, looking at the news and backdating it to match what the Bible says. As a new believer I was so flushed with amazement at learning the hows and whys of the world I was basking in my new-found worldview. Soon enough that settled down and I put the Bible first rather than the news.
Podcast
As new technology came along and as I observed the ladies in my church growing up, marrying, and now having children, I saw that a podcast would be helpful for them since they rarely had time anymore to sit down and read a blog. I started recording my blog on a ‘podcast’ which I put in quotes because it is not long form, has no guests, and is simply me reading what I wrote. But if listening is easier for women, then I am all for adjusting to the times and employ the podcast capability. My goal remains, get good, biblical content in front of women and point to credible resources.
Conclusion
It is a joyous thing for me when a woman says she is no longer following a false teacher or is growing in the Lord or has gained wisdom in some way, by something I wrote. It is a wonderful thing to grow in the Lord. I’m grateful for my readers. Thank you!
All to the glory of God.
Abandonment vs Refreshment: Which friend type are you?
By Elizabeth Prata
PODCAST- embed link for Spotify not working today, here is the link to go listen-
https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/elizabeth-prata/episodes/Episode-454-Abandonment-vs-Refreshment-Which-type-of-friend-are-you-e268hen
If you have ever been in the midst of a controversy, you soon begin to see who your real friends are. As the controversy heats up, your friends edge away. They stop calling. They make excuses. They don’t sit with you in the workplace cafeteria. It becomes obvious they don’t want whatever ‘taint’ from your controversy to singe them, and they stay out of the circle of scorched earth you’re in.
Peter was one of those, after Jesus had been arrested, in attempt to separate himself from the stink of disgrace, Peter denied Jesus three times. Paul was deserted several times- John Mark left, Demas departed because he loved the world, and in 2 Timothy 4:16 Paul said ‘all’ had abandoned him at his first trial.
Of course we know that in the end, out of thousands who had followed Jesus in his heyday, only 4 women and John stayed with Jesus at the cross.
Self-preservation is strong in the human soul. It takes a strong person to stick with you when the chips are down. In 2 Timothy 1:15-18 we read Paul’s statement that ‘all who are in Asia turned away from me’. No matter how strong in the Lord a person is, it is still heartbreaking to be abandoned. Here, Paul mentions two specific men who left him: Phygelus and Hermogenes.
You are aware of the fact that all who are in Asia turned away from me, among whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes. (2 Timothy 1:15)
That hurts. For Paul to specifically name these guys must have meant that the letter recipients knew the two men. No doubt it brought uncertainty to the heart of some, who may have wondered, ‘should I leave? Why did they leave? Should I stay associated with Paul, or distance myself?’ Abandonment is disheartening. How do we know? Because Paul uses the opposite to describe one who stayed.
The Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains; but when he was in Rome, he eagerly searched for me and found me— the Lord grant to him to find mercy from the Lord on that day—and you know very well what services he rendered at Ephesus. (2 Timothy 1:16-18).
We learn much just from those 3 verses. (By the way, Onesiphorus is not Onesimus, the fugitive slave of Philemon).
1.He refreshed me- often! Visiting a dear friend who’s down is refreshing- to both of you. Sharing your joy in the Lord is refreshing. Singing together is refreshing. Just being there physically is refreshing. We don’t know for sure exactly what Onesiphorus did for Paul that was so refreshing but no doubt it included some of those things. And Onesiphorus did it often. Not a perfunctory visit. Not a putting in the time looking at the watch kind of visit, but many deep, refreshing sojourns.
2.’Not ashamed of Paul’s chains’- Onesiphorus’ identity was so strongly in the Lord he was not afraid to have his own reputation damaged by being seen at the disgraceful jail with this questionable character of Paul. This is a true friend. Self-preservation was not on his plate, selflessness was.
3.’Eagerly sought Paul’. It is refreshing just to know that someone is searching for you, eager to visit, and not grudgingly. It makes you feel loved! That’s refreshing!
4.’Service rendered at Ephesus.’ This is a man who loves the Lord and serves in many ways. Paul ended his letter with greetings to Onesiphorus’ household (2 Timothy 4:19). Onesiphorus’ service to Paul was really unto the Lord. Paul was blessed by it, no doubt Onesiphorus was blessed (Mark 9:41), and importantly, the Lord was blessed.
Choose your friends wisely. (Proverbs 12:26). Some may want to be your friend because of something they can get from you:
Many will seek the favor of a generous man,
And every man is a friend to him who gives gifts.
All the brothers of a poor man hate him;
How much more do his friends abandon him!
He pursues them with words, but they are gone. Proverbs 19:6-7
Maybe Phygelus and Hermogenes felt that way.
The Apostles and Disciples weren’t infallible. Sometimes they made mistakes. Philip baptized Simon the Magician. Demas was revealed to be a non-believer. John Mark failed for a while and bounced back, but not without fracturing a relationship and some heartache in between. But a true friend is good as gold.
What is a true friend? (List from GotQuestions)
A true friend shows love, no matter what (Proverbs 17:17).
A true friend gives heartfelt advice, bringing joy to the heart (Proverbs 27:9).
A true friend rebukes when necessary, but the correction is done in love (Proverbs 27:5–6).
A true friend influences, enlivens, and sharpens (Proverbs 27:17).
A true friend avoid gossip (Proverbs 16:28).
A true friend forgives and does not hold grudges (Proverbs 17:9).
A true friend is loyal (Proverbs 18:24).
A true friend helps in time of need (Ecclesiastes 4:9–12).
The time may well come when a friend of yours enters into difficulty because of the faith. What kind of friend will you be? Stalwart, loyal, selfless? One who refreshes?
Or craven, undependable, selfish? One who abandons? Gear up now. These decisions will be happening.
Our reactions reveal whether the piety in our heart is fake or real
By Elizabeth Prata
If you as a younger women are told or read that an older women in the faith says “So-and-so is a false teacher,” and you follow that teacher, there is only one appropriate reaction from you.
“Oh no! Jesus means too much to me and doctrinal purity is too important to risk losing progress in my sanctification by following someone unholy. I’d never want to taint His name by participating in darkness! Can you please show me where she is false, and I’ll take a look.”
Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them, (Ephesians 5:6-7)
Now for your part, younger women, if you ask an older women for scriptural evidence to support her claim that So-and-so is a false teacher, or, this-or-that doctrine is unbiblical, she should gratefully receive this request. She should joyfully provide you with scriptural support.
Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. (Colossians 4:6)
The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked blurts out evil. (Proverbs 15:28).
What you should hear or read, younger woman, is a reply something like- “I’m thrilled you asked! I would be happy to provide you with some proofs that your walk may be harmed by following this woman. Let’s go to the word together.”
If she becomes defensive, closed off, resentful, or aggressive, this is an indicator that she has no such backing evidence and worse, that she may be a false teacher herself.
Iron sharpens iron, So one man sharpens another. (Proverbs 27:17)
What does ‘iron sharpening iron’ mean?
Barnes’ Notes on the Bible: “The proverb expresses the gain of mutual counsel as found in clear, well-defined thoughts. Two minds, thus acting on each other, become more acute.”
I liked that explanation. When I’m asked, I never answer a question without prayer, research, and thoroughly consulting the Bible. This sharpens me, particularly with topics I have little knowledge of. I’m sharpened by the questions because I want to make sure I’m answering correctly, but more importantly, that the answer is aligned with God’s word.
This is how it’s supposed to work, both in real life and online.
Anyone who refuses to answer with scripture and/or biblical concepts, rightly divided, is suspect. Anyone who becomes defensive, closes comments as a matter of routine, or behaves in ways without self-control and kindness is suspect.
I say these things because the online world displays poor behaviors both in the belligerent or gotcha ways of asking, and the defensive, oppositional ways of responding. If you are online enough, you may begin to think that this is the new normal of iron sharpening iron. It isn’t.
If you as a younger woman feel defensive or refuse to delve into why a teacher you follow is false when you’re told so, examine yourself. If you’re an older woman dealing harshly with the tender hearts of the younger who ask you about a teacher or ministry, or even challenge your own teaching, examine yourself. It happens a lot online but hopefully isn’t happening to you in real life. (But I know it does there too, sadly).
If you ask a question about a Bible doctrine or something that someone is teaching, the reply should be filled with gratitude that you even asked. And the responder should be grateful for an opportunity to the asker to show how wonderful God’s word is and how we can stand firm on it no matter the earthly circumstance.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. (Colossians 3:16).
Be of one mind and heart, united in Jesus and His holiness, seeking wisdom, truth, and love.
Kay Cude poetry: Keep Christ central in the midst of trials
Kay Cude poetry. Used with permission. Click to enlarge
Artist’s statement:
The beginnings of a trial can be tumultuous and heart-wrenching, as well as physically and emotionally exhausting. But as we seek Scriptural guidance and encouragement from fellow believers, we quickly see that all of our communication and advice must center upon Christ and our personal relationship with Him. It is when one relies upon “other” solutions (or self), that one quickly experiences the futility of our “natural” reasoning and responses. When our trials exclude Christ as the resource of resolution, fleshly reactions will lead us into deeper distress with greater turmoil; an impasse can arise and anger, hurt feelings, confusion and chaos usually pursue.
I don’t like painful trials; I don’t know anyone who does. Yet I am so very grateful that Christ captures my attention during those times and makes it abundantly clear that He is the only source who can truly sustain, teach, discipline and encourage me while He refines and strengthens me, in and for Him. It is Christ who must always be the primary topic during our trials, because without the working of His indwelling spirit, our words and actions become futile.
right-click to open larger in new tab
El Shama: A God who hears, He is a God who listens
By Elizabeth Prata
Yesterday I posted about how Jesus Intercedes for Us. My goal was to encourage and assure ladies that the Triune God hears our prayers, supplications, appeals, and repentances.
Doesn’t it just crush you to pray to Jesus…and know He hears us? It’s incredible, and a privilege we always remember in gratitude.
As Isaiah cried in his wonder and grief, “I am a man of unclean lips!” (Isaiah 6:5). In my case, a woman of unclean lips. Why should I be able to use these lips to pray to Jesus when I am the chief of sinners, wretched woman that I am? What is man that God should be mindful of us? (Psalm 8:4). Why should He hear us?
But He does.
Though ‘El Shama’ is not an official name of God, it refers to the fact that God hears…He listens. God told Hagar to name her soon to be born son Ishmael. Ishmael is is a combination of el and shama, “God hears” or “God listens”. The name would be a reminder to Hagar and all who knew them that He heard Hagar’s cry in the wilderness. (Genesis 16:11). He listens.
Psalm 17:6 says
I have called on you, for you will hear me, O God: incline your ear to me, and hear my speech.
Gill’s Expositions says of the Psalmist’s plea in verse 6,
“for thou wilt hear me, O God; God is a God hearing prayer; he is used to hear his people, and they have frequent experience of it, and they may be assured that whatsoever they ask according to his will, and in the name of Christ, he will hear; and such an assurance is a reason engaging the saints to a constant calling upon God, Psalm 116:2; and such confidence of being always heard Christ had, John 11:41;”
1 John 5:14 says,
And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.
Did Peter forever relive his anguish each morning of his remaining life, when he heard the rooster crow the day awake and remembered his own perfidy? Owww, Peter, I understand your grief, the pain of betraying Jesus in word or in deed from our own sinful actions. Yet…Jesus prayed for Peter. Luke 22:32. He did not pray for Judas. Both men betrayed Jesus, but Jesus prayed for Peter.
If you’re a Christian, Jesus prays for you, too. It’s staggering to consider that the God of the Universe prays for us. He hears us, and He prays for us. We have a superlative God, One who is true and kind and loving and compassionate. Sister, no matter what you are going through, Jesus hears your prayer and He takes your cares to the Father in prayer. Be encouraged.
Jesus intercedes for us
By Elizabeth Prata
When you were in grade school no doubt you had friends who helped you if you fell down on the playground, or picked you to be on their team at recess. In High School, you were probably in some clique, that’s what we called them back then, a group of kids who always hung out together, helped each other with homework, had your back. As you grew up you had family who would go to bat for you in any situation.
It feels good to know there’s people behind you. They’re on your side no matter what. It is a relief to have this support. It’s part of relationships to love someone by offering the gifts of loyalty and protection.
Now multiply that feeling 100 times infinity…
And in the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness, for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. (Romans 8:26-27)
Who will bring a charge against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies; who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. (Romans 8:33-34)
We see that word “intercede” three times in rapid succession in Romans! The Spirit and the Christ intercede for us!
Holman treasury of key Bible words defines and explains the word intercedes here-
“The New Testament writers borrowed the Greek term enteuxis to describe Christ’s heavenly ministry of “intercession.” After Christ offered Himself on the cross as the sacrifice for sins, He ascended to the Father and entered the heavenly sanctuary where He now represents His people (Heb. 7:25). The letter to the Hebrews depicts Christ as a Priest engaged in His continuing ministry of intercession. Christ’s heavenly intercession is a sequel to His earthly sacrifice accomplished once for all (Heb. 10:10–18). Jesus said, “Everyone therefore who shall confess Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven” (Matt. 10:32, NASB). His continuing intercession is recognized in such New Testament phrases as “through Jesus Christ” (Rom. 1:8; 16:27; 1 Pet. 2:5) and “through Him” (Col. 3:17; Heb. 13:15).”
“The doctrine of Christ’s heavenly “intercession” is explicitly affirmed in four New Testament texts. The apostle Paul spoke of Christ, “at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us” (Rom. 8:34, NASB). The writer of Hebrews affirmed that Christ “is able to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them” (Heb. 7:25, NASB). Further, Christ has entered “into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us” (Heb. 9:24, NASB). The apostle John also described that ministry: “If anyone does sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous” (1 John 2:1, NASB). The Greek word for “advocate” meant a legal counselor who appeared before a magistrate to plead a client’s cause. John thus pictured the ascended Lord as appearing before God on behalf of His people.”
(Source: Carpenter, E. E., & Comfort, P. W. (2000). In Holman treasury of key Bible words: 200 Greek and 200 Hebrew words defined and explained (p. 312). Broadman & Holman Publishers.)
I don’t know who feels alone at this moment. Maybe a mom, folding laundry alone in the house except for the baby who’s fussing. Or a young woman alone in a dorm room trying to study and having a hard time adjusting to the hectic pace of college or the military. Or an older woman whose grown kids are scattered and gone and feeling like she’ll face a long widowhood alone.
But if you are in Christ, then the Spirit of God is in you. Jesus is physically in heaven, interceding for you. That means offering help, making peace, listening to the Spirit translating your groanings that you can’t even articulate, to the Father. You have HELP. You have support, aid, attention. You have a group, a posse, clique, in the form of the Three-In-One God! You are not alone.
Put your hands together and pray. He is a God who hears your prayers and supplications and petitions and even groanings. Open your eyes and read the sweet promises in the Word. In Psalm 17:6, when we ask this,
I have called on you, for you will hear me, O God: incline your ear to me, and hear my speech.
He will listen. 1 John 5:14 says,
And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.
He intercedes. If you are born-again believer, you have the biggest most perfect, wise, and loving support in the universe.
Photo by Keenan Constance on Unsplash
Photo by Tom Barrett on Unsplash
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