Posted in theology

Open Hearts in a Closed World conference: “Reverence in Radical Times”

Posted on by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

This summer there is a free, online-only conference that I encourage you to ‘attend’. It will be live but also recorded so if you miss it you can see it later on American Gospel TV, again for free. The line-up of women speaking is solid, the topic is relevant, and the material will be edifying. The founder of this conference, now in its second year, is Brooke Bartz. In just a year, the conference has gained the backing of Media Gratiae, The Master’s Seminary, and American Gospel TV, which will broadcast it! For the second year, CityAlight will perform the music!

Brooke Bartz is the founder of the “Open Hearts in a Closed World” online Women’s conference, bringing together biblically based solid women teachers to encourage and exhort women to live Christ honoring lives from the scripture.

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Posted in theology

The first thing satan did was corrupt gender roles

Posted on by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

Recently I’ve watched a growing wave of corruption of gender biology and more push-back about it than I’ve ever seen. In the secular world, the madness of trans-gender has become a pitched frenzy. The church isn’t unaffected. Even inside ‘Christian’ circles, sassy or angry or ignorant women are howling themselves into usurping madcaps more each day.

How do strong Christian women fight against this? First, by remembering this verse from Ephesians 6:12,

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.

We combat this tsunami of falsehood secondly by staying in the word of God, wielding the word of God (Ephesians 6:13-17), and quoting the word of God.

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Posted in theology

Kay Cude Poetry: In Song and In Praise

Posted on by elizabethprata

Kay Cude is a Texas Poet. Used with permission.

Artist’s statement. She has been through an extremely rough year,

“… and yet as I’ve been brought to repentance and a deeper desire to draw close to the Lord in obedience and worship, I find that some of the greatest encouragement and rest for me comes through this beautifully simple hymn! Therefore, I am compelled to share it with the redeemed as a reminder and with the lost as an encouragement to respond to a call to salvation. I am far from how I desire to be!

Dear reader, when you go through tough times, rely on the scriptures, and bathe in good hymns, too. The older ones have scripture IN them, or are closely based on scripture. Find comfort in God’s word.

Posted in theology

Prata Potpourri: Behave and Hush; Influencers and Influencing; Pray for What We Own Already; Good Cheap Eats; More

Posted on by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

It’s the little things that make me happy. Children giggling. Birds splashing in the puddle. Sunbeams stirring up dust motes. Morning mist making the blossoms look soft. It’s spring here in my part of the world and the change of season is welcome.

It was a busy week. We had a tornado touch down near us while we were at school. That is always exciting. Spring Break is nearing, and everyone is dragging their bodies toward that much-anticipated finish line. I plan to do some spring cleaning inside and outside. I’m looking forward to Resurrection Sunday! I’ve already started reading blog essays and listening to sermons focusing on the event. It brings me to tears every time. I’m grateful for that. The moment I don’t have tears in thinking of the agony of the cross, the wonder of the imputation, and the glory of the resurrection, I will know my heart has drifted from Jesus. These matters are eternal matters and the ONLY thing that matters.

Here are a few links to edifying material you may enjoy.

Continue reading “Prata Potpourri: Behave and Hush; Influencers and Influencing; Pray for What We Own Already; Good Cheap Eats; More” →
Posted in jesus christ

Everything else will fade

Posted on by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

From Twitter–

A Heavenly Inheritance

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” (1 Peter 1:3-5)

Jesus is our inheritance. There is no finer treasure in all the universe.

Posted in bible jesus, end of days. prophecy, messiah

Do you have a divided heart, or a whole heart?

Posted on by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

Hand to the plow, (or mower) look ahead, not back.
EPrata photo

Jesus at His zenith of popularity… Big crowds, laudatory accolades, and promises, promises by the naive:

“And another also said, “Lord, I will follow You, but let me first go and bid them farewell who are at my house.” But Jesus said to him, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:61-62).

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary says of that verse, “As ploughing requires an eye intent on the furrow to be made, and is marred the instant one turns about, so will they come short of salvation who prosecute the work of God with a distracted attention, a divided heart. … The expression “looking back” has a manifest reference to ‘Lot’s wife’.“

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Posted in theology

Another danger of direct revelation: It’s making women who should be lionesses into wet paper tigers

Posted on by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

Edmonton pastor James Coates was released from jail yesterday. In case you have not heard of this situation, Coates pastors a church in Edmonton Canada. Canada has been making restrictive COVID-19 requirements, and for churches, it meant that severe attendance caps had been enacted, masks required, and much more. Coates decided to continue preaching in his church with no mask requirement and no attendance caps, in violation of said health regulations. He chose not to restrict his gathering, by default, locking out some saints while allowing others in.

He was jailed for his action.

The imprisonment of the pastor was a shock and a surprise to many, since Canada has a charter that protects religious liberty. Others were surprised the restrictions were so severe, because churches have not been spreaders in the province. Others, because we are familiar with the jailing of pastors in the 10/40 window of hostile nations but haven’t seen such activity in First World countries.

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Posted in end time, end time. prophecy, holy spirit, salvation

The Spirit pursues you

Posted on by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

How do I even think of the Immeasurable and Infinite God, pouring Himself into a human flesh with all its limitations, and living for three decades on this earth? I can’t, it defies the imagination. Even more so, His sacrifice of becoming flesh so He could die for our sins is for all time. He will never go back to being Spirit, but is the once for all sacrifice (Hebrews 10:10) and will remain glorified flesh forever. (Luke 24:36-43).

Epiphany, by Giotto, circa 1320
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Posted in jesus, new earth, pets, rapture

Pets and the Rapture*

Posted on by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

I’m asked more often lately about what will happen to our pets when we’re raptured. Some ask about the animals we keep, being a farm community. My county abounds with cows, bulls, buffalo, mules, goats, chickens, sheep, pigs and more. I find the question fascinating, and also encouraging. I’m personally invested in the question, too, being an inside cat owner.

The book of Genesis tells us that we are unique in God’s creation, being made in His image and likeness. Also, though we and the animals have the breath of life in us, we were made to have dominion over the animals. Jesus died on the cross for salvation of his people, not animals, who as far as I know do not have a soul, at least, not an eternal soul. It is reasonable to assume that our futures will be different, being of different flesh and having had different roles on earth.

Continue reading “Pets and the Rapture*” →