By Elizabeth Prata
SYNOPSIS
The essay reflects on biblical gratitude, highlighting the lone thankful leper as a model for believers. It contrasts outward blessings with deeper spiritual gifts and reminds Christians to thank Jesus not only for physical provision but also for salvation and enduring spiritual blessings, especially at Thanksgiving (and always).
Continue reading “More Than the Nine: A Call to Spiritual Thankfulness”By Elizabeth Prata
SYNOPSIS
The holidays bring extra time off but also heightened stress, family pressures, and unrealistic expectations. A Blue Cross PSA highlights how social media increases comparison and anxiety. It offers tips for healthier online habits. I reminds school employees of available mental-health resources and free counseling support.
Continue reading “A Blessed Season, a Stressed Season”By Elizabeth Prata
AW Pink wrote about Joy. He said in “The Scriptures and Joy“
The ungodly are ever seeking after joy, but they do not find it: they busy and weary themselves in the pursuit of it, yet all in vain. Their hearts being turned from the Lord, they look downward for joy, where it is not; rejecting the substance, they diligently run after the shadow, only to be mocked by it. It is the sovereign decree of heaven that nothing can make sinners truly happy but God in Christ; but this they will not believe, and therefore, they go from creature to creature, from one broken cistern to another, inquiring where the best joy is to be found. Each worldly thing that attracts them says, “It is found in me”; but soon it disappoints. Nevertheless, they go on seeking it afresh today in the very thing that deceived them yesterday. If after many trials they discover the emptiness of one creature comfort, then they turn to another, only to verify our Lord’s word, “Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again” (John 4:13).”
I have found this to be true. I searched for lasting joy unknowingly and then later, knowingly. I had achieved all my goals, graduated from college, was married, owned a home, had the job I wanted..but I was never lastingly happy. I could not figure out why.
Temporarily, yes. I’d be happy with a professional success, a compliment, joke. Unsaved people are happy, happiness is not foreign to humans. But where was true joy? A lasting joy that went down to the bones? Not to be found.
When I was approaching the cross, a process that took about two and a half years, I was also learning the craft of bookbinding. I found it easier to put my thoughts and feelings into picture form. Unknown to me, the Holy Spirit was starting to infuse biblical allusions and metaphors into my mind that came out in my art. Later after salvation when I read the Bible, I would constantly go, “Oh, so THAT’S what that meant!’ I used the metaphors of flies, shepherds, lions, angels, walk, transform, kingdom, etc.
I wrote a little picture book about a girl who was looking for the kingdom, who was always thirsty, who was unsatisfied but had nothing visible to be unsatisfied about, who tried to find the ‘map’ leading her to the kingdom but frustratingly could not find it.
I learned at the time of my repentance, of course, that the visible will not lead me to the Kingdom. Invisible sin is the problem, which I learned when the Lord sent some saved people into my life to explain the Gospel and answer questions I had about the Bible (mostly about Creation and the earth).
but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never be thirsty; but the water that I will give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up to eternal life. (John 4:14).
It is not a carnal joy that we are here urging, by which we mean a joy that comes from carnal sources. It is useless to seek joy in earthly riches, for frequently they take to themselves wings and fly away. Some seek their joy in the family circle, but that remains entire for only a few years at most. No, if we are to “rejoice evermore,” it must be in an object that lasts for evermore.
Jesus and the word of God illuminated by the Holy Spirit is that joy.
I’ll finish with Pink-
The spring of joy is faith: “Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing” (Romans 15:13). There is a wondrous provision in the gospel, both by what it takes from us and what it brings to us, to give a calm and settled glow to the Christian’s heart. It takes away the load of guilt by speaking peace to the stricken conscience. It removes the dread of God and the terror of death that weighs on the soul while it is under condemnation. It gives us God Himself as the portion of our hearts, as the object of our communion. The gospel works joy because the soul is at rest in God.
Bio of Arthur W. Pink (1886-1952).
Chapel Library’s mission statement: Our purpose is to humble the pride of man, to exalt the grace of God in salvation, and to promote real holiness in heart and life, by sending Christ-centered materials from prior centuries worldwide without charge.
By Elizabeth Prata
SYNOPSIS
I reflect on entering a short rest period with deep gratitude for God’s spiritual and earthly blessings. Anchored in Christ’s unshakable kingdom, I emphasize learning contentment through all circumstances, inspired by Paul, and encourage believers to remain steadfast, faithful and definitely grateful amid any challenges.
By Elizabeth Prata
SYNOPSIS
I lament rising social-media conflict, highlighting Beth Moore’s recent divisive comments as an example. Reflecting on Christian discernment, I emphasize that teachers’ actions must match their words and that pursuing long-term holiness, especially in speech and conduct, is essential for evaluating true faith and character.
By Elizabeth Prata
At the thrift store, I got this book called “Bizarre Birds”, a youth Peterson Bird guide. It lists 20 birds that have an unusual quality: such as feeding, migration, looks, call and so on. I am pleased that I’ve seen 10 of them!
Puffin
Arctic Tern
Snail Kite
Flamingo
Anhinga
Loon
Pileated woodpecker
Roadrunner
White Pelican
Roseate Spoonbill
The Peterson Guide explains how a flamingo eats:
“Did you know? A flamingo’s bill is unlike any other bird’s. It contains rows of bony plates that act like filters. A flamingo finds food by dipping its head into the bottom of saltwater bays. It sucks up the ooze and uses its tongue to force the mud out through these bony filters, leaving a rich meal of tiny crustaceans in its mouth. A flamingo feeds with its head upside down. Unlike the jaws of other birds, the flamingo’s upper jaw moves up and down instead of its lower jaw.”
Cool. This couldn’t have evolved. The first flamingo to try eating like that would drown. God is amazing in His creative abilities! I also learned that the Arctic Tern migrates from the North Pole to the South Pole and back every year. That’s 22,000 miles round trip, and mostly over ocean!
Think on Him as Creator for a moment. He made all the birds of the air in one day, on Day 5 of Creation Week. Each bird uniquely suited to its habitat. Each bird delightfully different in plumage. God’s creative ability is so infinite my finite mind can barely even comprehend how He even made all the birds of the world in one day! Along with other animals, too. Wow.
Let’s pause for a moment and praise Him.
Then God said, “Let the waters teem with swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth in the open expanse of the heavens.” 21And God created the great sea creatures and every living creature that moves, with which the waters swarmed, according to their kind, and every winged bird according to its kind; and God saw that it was good. 22God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.” 23And there was evening and there was morning, a fifth day.
By Elizabeth Prata
SYNOPSIS
Exploring Ezekiel 13:4, I examine why false prophets are compared to jackals, studying their scavenging, predatory, and nocturnal behaviors. By probing metaphors and using historical resources, the piece encourages deeper biblical questioning and highlights the spiritual danger posed by deceptive teachers.
By Elizabeth Prata
SYNOPSIS
I discuss Ezekiel 13’s severe judgments against false prophets, especially women who claimed divine authority to speak in His name. I warn that modern figures who say “God told me” repeat this danger. I urge believers to avoid such teachers, to trust Scripture, and to rely on the Holy Spirit for truth.
Continue reading “Echoes of Jezebel: Modern Warnings from Ancient Judgments”By Elizabeth Prata
Here is a prophecy to look forward to!
Believers, if you have been faithful and your persevering walk is evidence of that faith, you will be given a pass into eternal glory upon which the Lord of Hosts, the Ancient of Days, the Holy-Holy-Holy Lord has written upon it Himself, personally for just YOU!
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it.’’ (Revelation 2:17)
“But there’s an interesting little historical note, when a victor won in the games, whatever great games were being held, it was not uncommon for the victor to be given as part of his prize a white stone. And the white stone was his admission pass into the festival that was held following the games for all the victors. Could it be that the overcomer will receive the ticket to the eternal victory in heaven?”
Commentary on that verse:
“And then He says, “And a new name written on the stone,” and I read where they would do that. They would give the victor, like a trophy, a stone with his name and he alone could use it as his pass. “A new name written on the stone which no one knows, but he who receives it.” I can’t tell you how many people have asked me…what is that name? A lady will come to me any time I preach on the book of Revelation and say, “What is the name that no man knows?” Folks, I don’t know what the name is. If I knew what the name was then this verse couldn’t say what it says, it would have to say, “And no one knows except John MacArthur.” The only one who knows what it says is the person who receives it, that’s how personal it is. What it is to me is some kind of personal message from Christ to the one He loves which is given as an admission pass into eternal glory. I’ll know mine and you’ll know yours and we’ll know the Lord wrote them for each of us and for none of the others of us.” (source)
WOW! It is huge to think of the precious Savior not only saving me, not only guiding and protecting me, not only providing for me, but when He brings me to glory (amazing!) He gives me a personal message just for me, out of the millions thronging there!
Friend, if you have ever been picked last at PhysEd, if you have ever had unwanted divorce thrust upon you, if you have ever been fired from a job, marginalized at home, or left in any feeling invisible and unwanted, THIS should pick you up. A secret message/name is waiting for you, just for you, with the Savior’s love and care personally imprinting it and gracefully extending it to you in heaven. What a day that will be!
SYNOPSIS: People wonder when it is reasonable to leave off following a teacher. What are the standards for giving loving benefit of the doubt, or assessing them as false and banning them completely from your purview? Both are called for in the Bible.
Continue reading “When to Follow or Reject a Teacher: Biblical Guidance”
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