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Posted in prophecy, Uncategorized

Kay Cude Poetry: Desertion

Posted on by elizabethprata

Kay Cude is a poet whose sensitivity to the glorious salvation of Jesus Christ is uniquely expressed through poetry and picture. Here is her latest offering, in which she explains her thought process. Enjoy

—————————–Kay Cude—————————–

If you look closely at the tower, you’ll see a tiny figure of someone, which refers to the statement, “As gazed I o’er the valley fair, to there below from tower high.”

That little figure caught my eye, as well as the city lighted up and the storm approaching from the left (approaching spiritual death). So I began to write. The city represents the safety of true salvation in Christ and understanding His Gospel.

The people represent those captured by a “different gospel” suggested as the “real” place of safety. Even though they “know” God’s truth — they are persuaded to run to false teaching and reject Christ.

Christ’s refuge is known to them and still stands in its truth, but when extreme peril approaches, they are convinced by someone’s whim (spiritual deception), to flee to eternal death and separation. Even the donkey digs in his heels against the “unknown” way,” and the dog barks at their sudden rejection.

Their end is eternal separation and eternal living death because they quickly deserted Christ’s truth for a distorted gospel.

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Posted in encouragement, Uncategorized

East is from the west: cardinal directions in the Bible

Posted on by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

People don’t refer to cardinal directions of north, south, east, west very much any more. If someone asks for directions and you tell them to go north three blocks, they look at you like you just lapsed into Hindi.

In the days before we were too reliant on GPS, people traveled by using the sun, moon, and stars. They spoke of cardinal directions.

In the Bible there is a lot of talk about the east and the west. (Of course, north and south is also spoken of but I’m concentrating on east-west today).

East is a major direction in the Bible and not just for the directions, but for the symbolism.  Let’s look at a few examples.

The Garden of Eden was planted toward the east. (Genesis 2:8).

The scriptures specify the LORD placed cherubim  at the eastern entrance of the Garden, to protect it and the tree of life.

After God drove out the man, He placed a cherubim with flaming sword to protect this eastern entrance. (Genesis 3:24).

The tabernacle faced east. (Numbers 3:38).

When God’s glory comes/came to the Temple, it comes/came from the east:

Then he led me to the gate, the gate facing east. And behold, the glory of the God of Israel was coming from the east. And the sound of his coming was like the sound of many waters, and the earth shone with his glory. (Ezekiel 43:1-2).

The wise men followed the star which had risen in the east.

Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. (Matthew 2:2 KJV)

The Lord will return from the east. (Matthew 24:27):
For as the lightning comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.

The sun rises in the east and its rays shine from that direction. John 1:5 says God is Light, in Him there is no darkness at all. The west is where the sun sets, bringing darkness. The east is where the Light is.

When the sun rises, the light comes from the east. When the Son returns, His Light comes from the east.

There is much more that can be studied on even so mundane a topic as cardinal directions. The wonder of the Bible is that you can take practically any topic, any word, and explore. And do you know what you will come up with?

Jesus.

That’s why the Bible is so great. All scripture points to Jesus.

Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. (John 5:39 KJV)

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Posted in encouragement, Uncategorized

Kay Cude poetry: Our Fortress Prevails

Posted on by elizabethprata

Poetry by Kay Cude. Used with permission.  Right click on image to open larger in new tab. Artist’s statement below.

I keep returning to our (me!!) needing to “remember” God’s promises and provision. GOD THE I AM is the only fortress in Whom we find a righteous protector, defender and provider. He is the only place of eternal refuge from the world’s continuing tragedies and chaos. He is the stronghold Who is and Who will provide peace, wisdom, understanding, instruction and endurance.

OUR FORTRESS PREVAILS

Posted in poetry, Uncategorized

Kay Cude poetry: When We Remember

Posted on by elizabethprata

Kay Cude poetry. Used with permission. Artist’s statement below.

As I continue to go through them my perspective is reinforced with the fundamental truth: it is necessary that we learn and grow through “issues” and situations we’d rather avoid. They will either drive us deeper into Scripture and prayer, or we will allow them to drive us into despondency, confusion and sorrow. When we experience breath-knocking blows, above all else it is necessary that we “remember” Who our first love is and that He, Christ is our ever-present secure help. He is our All-in-All, our sufficiency, protection, strength and giver of wisdom. We must remember that issues and circumstance have eternal purpose for His beloved redeemed.

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7b/Polenov_MechtySAR.jpg
Posted in prophecy, Uncategorized

The cycle of war will soon be broken

Posted on by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

The LORD makes us some promises that are fear-inducing. Other promises He makes are awe-inspiring. Some are both at once. They are bookends of man’s folly and God’s glory.

In Joel’s prophetic book, at chapter 3 verse 10, it is written: “Beat your plowshares into swords And your pruning hooks into spears; Let the weak say, “I am a mighty man.”

Most of us have heard the line that we will beat our swords into plowshares. That verse is located at Isaiah 2:4 – “And He will judge between the nations, And will render decisions for many peoples; And they will hammer their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not lift up sword against nation, And never again will they learn war.”

Did you know that there were opposite prophecies concerning the plowshares, the one in Joel and the other in Isaiah? God is great and His Word is great.

Continue reading “The cycle of war will soon be broken” →
Posted in poetry, Uncategorized

Kay Cude poetry: Awake Shepherds of Christ

Posted on by elizabethprata

Kay Cude poetry. Used with permission. Artist’s statement below.

kay cude original etching

Kay Cude:

I was captured immediately by Samuel Palmer’s etching “The Lonely Tower.” I haven’t researched the reason behind this particular work of his; but that light shining from the tower became one of the particulars for developing my text. (“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Psalm 119:105). The “lone traveler” with the ox-cart became the “example” of a true shepherd of Christ and the shepherds “at watch” a reminder of “inattentive” shepherds. The “traveler shepherd” had Christ’s name inscribed upon his forehead; the “sheep’s shepherds” were brought to the piteous reality they had been asleep with the sheep while on watch!

I begin my explanation with several absolutes: the Lord Christ Jesus is our “Light” shining; He is our strong tower; in Him we live and move and exist. No matter how dark the surroundings of this present world or our circumstances, He remains our beacon of God’s truth; our refuge, strength and confidence; our life’s purpose, reason and eternity! Finally, He has not left us without help, but has appointed shepherds to equip, protect and oversee us as we “journey” on this earth. We are His lambs, His flock.

Notice that the attention of the reclining shepherds is focused on the tower and the traveler. Although it appears the sheep are resting (or sleeping) securely, the shepherds’ attentiveness is no longer centered on their flock. Attention has shifted onto a nominal curiosity. In context for these “latter days,” how many of the redeemed are “resting” or “asleep,” assuming they are secure under the watchfulness of their shepherd? Do they understand that “watchfulness” includes their pastor’s ensuring that the following Christian disciplines are provided under his leadership: instruction in discernment–how to recognize true doctrine from false; discipleship training–the process by which we grow in Christ and are equipped by the Holy Spirit; understanding–true salvation versus false conversion; understanding–baptism of the Holy Spirit versus being filled with the Holy Spirit; knowledge–about the three distinct persons of the Trinity? And so much more!

It is through Scriptural TRUTH and the attentive exhortation of sound doctrine that our shepherds become the vigilant and effective leaders/teachers they are called to be. They must always be attentive to Christ’s flock, ready in season and out to rightly handle and administer God’s revealed Word; for these are the latter days, more perilous than ever before in the history of mankind.

If our shepherds preach Christ as revealed through the Canon of Scripture, we the flock are cared-for, protected and equipped to serve Christ. When shepherds are at constant guard, they will not allow inattentiveness to keep the door to the sheepgate ajar. (“Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.” Acts 20:28).

AWAKE, SHEPHERDS OF CHRIST
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Posted in poetry, Uncategorized

Kay Cude Poetry: No Condemnation for the Redeemed

Posted on by elizabethprata

Kay Cude poetry. Used with permission. Excerpted Artist’s statement below. Right-click on picture to open larger in new tab.

THE BALM OF GILEAD AND SOURCE OF MERCY

We know this world is not our home; it is the residence of the Adversary’s “world-system” and its participants. As “strangers” we sojourn here for the specific amount of time measured-out by God Himself. In His perfect and inerrant will He has not notified us about that exact day, the specific hour or the year of our departure, whether it be by death or by our catching away. But He has forewarned and made clear that during our sojourn we will have trials and tribulations, and that it is He (not us) Who is the Source of our peace, courage and endurance. “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) and “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.” (John 14:27) and “But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, Who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” (James 1:5).

We will recognize and remember that “our failures” are temporary. We will remember that we are new creations in Christ, living according to the Spirit. We will remember that we ARE NOT who we used to be! We ARE the redeemed; and as such, know that the redeemed of Christ will be perfected in and through Christ. “For I am confident of this very thing, that He Who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6).

For the redeemed of God, the remedy for anxieties or stresses encountered during trials and tribulations is Christ, the Balm of Gilead. Let Him apply upon us lavishly His balm through His inerrant, revealed Word!