encouragement

Kay Cude poetry: When We Remember

Posted on October 5, 2025 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.

text is below the picture

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7b/Polenov_MechtySAR.jpg

WHEN WE REMEMBER

The love of Christ
is a constant Guardian over His redeemed. With never wavering eyes is His sight steadily upon us. Selah

O Lord God our Saviour,
You are our ever-present Vigilance; in You our salvation remains inscribed. You are our Strong Tower; in You we live and exist and have our being. You are the Watchman over our spirit; in You is the permanence of our eternal forgiveness. You are the Appointed Hope and Source of our resurrection; You are the Propitiation through Whom we are reconciled to God the Father.

The Gate of our heart

is Yours, and with the jealousy of a husband do You stand in its entryway. Against the adversary is Your Word positioned as our Shield and Defender. Nothing prevails against You, our Bulwark.

These things we know–these things we believe, O God our Saviour! In our weakness Lord, we may forget; yet You lift us up from the depths of our weakness, and we remember! O Lord, with thanksgiving our hearts are prone before You – we remember!

Redeemed of GOD, with rejoicing, recount the patience and lovingkindness GOD THE I AM proffers through the Finished Work of

MESSIAH CHRIST, GOD THE SON! Selah

Kay Cude, September 08, 2017©

CHRIST OVERLOOKING JERUSALEM (c. 1885), Vasily Polenov. The State Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow. wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7b/Polenov_MechtySAR.jpg

theology

Another great preacher passes away?! What is God doing?

Posted on September 27, 2025 by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

The post reflects on the recent loss of notable Christian leaders, prompting questions about God’s purpose. While experiencing grief, the author emphasizes the importance of home ministry and discipleship beyond even public ministry. Encouragement in reminding readers of God’s sovereignty and the significance of every believer’s role in spreading light in the world.

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theology

“A foretaste of glory divine”… Thoughts and reflections on the John MacArthur Memorial service

Posted on August 25, 2025 by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

The memorial service for John MacArthur, held on August 23, 2025, celebrated his impactful 56-year ministry at Grace Community Church. Attendees honored his dedication to preaching and discipleship, reflecting on his friendship, encouragement, and unwavering focus on God. MacArthur’s legacy as a faithful servant will inspire future generations.

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bible, encouragement, scripture

Encouragement: The Road is Long and Winding Road but ends at Jesus’ feet

Posted on July 14, 2025 by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

A short burst of encouragement from a verse, with photo.

Friends, the road is long. The road is winding. We cannot see around the curve. We know there are dangers, roils, and snares as well as blessings and joys. However, we know the end of the story. It ends in glory. Keep walking the road in Jesus’ name, rejoicing as you go.

What glories await! There are things now conceived of, inexpressible and majestic! Paul was overwhelmed with the vision of our future home and the surpassing greatness of the revelations he was blessed to receive.

A song by Matt Papa and Matt Boswell at the Getty’s site, “Almost Home”. Every day that passes is one day closer to seeing Jesus, our eternal Rest, and reunion with loved ones. Hang in there, walk joyfully toward the Great Light!

theology

Strengthening Your Spiritual Armor: A Pep Talk

Posted on July 7, 2025 by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

SYNOPSIS

I discuss the necessity of spiritual discernment, wisdom, and readiness in today’s challenging times. Believers should be rooted in scripture, cherish their relationship with Jesus, and remain vigilant. Encouragement, kindness, and sharing faith are crucial as we navigate difficulties, anticipating Christ’s return and the opportunities to reflect His love amidst despair of the lost.

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prophecy, Uncategorized

Waiting for the Groom: The Church’s Radiance in the World

Posted on May 14, 2025May 14, 2025 by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

SYNOPSIS

The post reminds believers of the beauty and purity of the Church as the Bride of Christ, contrasting it with the sinful world. It highlights believers’ anticipation for our union with Jesus, celebrating our forgiveness and holiness through His sacrifice. The message encourages faithfulness during this betrothal period as we prepare for the wedding day. The Bride is always beautiful.

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theology

How Minor Biblical Characters Impact Major Stories

Posted on February 18, 2025 by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

I love learning about the major people in the Bible. I have a biography of Moses I plan to read. I read one on Paul. It’s fun to look all the verses that mention the top three apostles, Peter, John, James and learn of their backgrounds and personalities. It’s good to remind myself that these are real people, not characters in a book.

I’ve also developed a series of “Little Known Bible Characters”. The series is linked below. The ones who are mentioned a few times and which the Bible gives some details of their lives. I became curious about people such as Trophimus, Eutychus, Iddo, Esther’s Harbonah the Eunuch. There is enough in the record to be able to glean something of their lives and their service to God in providential ways.

But comes now a short essay I read from a favorite author of mine, JR Miller. He was an American who lived from 1840-1912. He was “was a popular Christian author, Editorial Superintendent of the Presbyterian Board of Publication, and pastor of several churches in Pennsylvania and Illinois” says Wikipedia.

We have the major people in the Bible, we have the minor people in the Bible, and we have the (seemingly) insignificant people in the Bible. JR Miller has something to say about this last group, that I thought was wonderfully comforting. Here is Pastor Miller-

Treasures from J.R. Miller (1840 — 1912)

Mordecai gave Hathach a copy of the decree issued in Susa that called for the death of all Jews, and he asked Hathach to show it to Esther. He also asked Hathach to explain it to her and to urge her to go to the king to beg for mercy and plead for her people. So Hathach returned to Esther with Mordecai’s message.

Then Esther told Hathach to go back and relay this message to Mordecai …” Esther 4:8-10

We are apt to overlook the minor actors in Scripture stories — in our absorbed interest in the prominent ones. Yet ofttimes these lesser people are just as important in their own place, and their service is just as essential to the final success of the whole — as the greater ones.

–The little girl in the story of Naaman the leper, is scarcely seen among the splendors of the Syrian court; but without her part, we would never have had the story at all.

–The young lad with the basket, is hardly thought of when we read the account of the miracle; but they were his loaves with which the Master fed all those hungry thousands that day on the green grass.

The smallest links in a chain — are ofttimes quite as important as the greatest links.

Hathach was one of these obscure characters. But his part was by no means unimportant. Without his being a trustworthy messenger, Mordecai’s communication with Esther would have been impossible — and the whole nation would have perished!

If we cannot do brave things like Esther, nor give wise counsels like Mordecai — we may at least be useful, as Hathach was, in faithful service. And perhaps our lowly part may someday prove to have been as essential — as the great deeds which all men praise. We may at least help some others in doing the great things that they are set to do in this world. –END JR Miller

You may feel like the smallest ant in a great civilization. You may be thinking, ‘What am I to contribute? How will the Lord use me? My spheres are so small, my resources so few…’ But God. He uses those who love Him in many ways. Naaman’s servant girl had the fewest resources of all, but she had the greatest knowledge, of the One True God. The boy with the basket had barely anything, and he isn’t even named. But his generosity and kindness speaks through the millennia.

Friend, keep living a life in obedience to God and your life itself is the service. Speak of Him where you can. Raise those children, as Eliza Spurgeon did, who was Charles’ mother and whose son became the Prince of Preachers. Even if your son or daughter is also ‘invisible’ to the world at large, no one is invisible to God. He sees all. He has placed you where you are on purpose, according to His will.

Little Known Bible Characters series

Little Known Bible Characters #6: King Cherdolaomer
Little Known Bible Characters #5: Harbonah the Eunuch
Little Known Bible Characters #4: Eutychus
Little Known Bible Characters #3: Trophimus
Little Known Bible Characters #2: ‘The List of Offenders’
Little Known Bible Characters #1: Iddo

Prata’s Place-Graceful Garlands: Image Bearers

Image• Posted on November 9, 2024 by elizabethprata

theology

What a comfort the Psalms are!

Posted on October 17, 2024 by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

The Psalms are personal, warm, and human. As Joni Eareckson Tada said, “The Psalms wrap nouns and verbs around our pain better than any other book.“

Here is Psalm 32:10, one verse out of the 2,461 verses in all of the Psalms.

The sorrows of the wicked are many, But the one who trusts in the LORD, goodness will surround him.

Charles Spurgeon in his commentary on the Psalms called The Treasury of David, wrote of Ps 32:10,

Faith is here placed as the opposite of wickedness, since it is the source of virtue. Faith in God is the great charmer of life’s cares, and he who possesses it, dwells in an atmosphere of grace, surrounded with a body-guard of mercies.

As Robert Godfrey said in his book Learning to Love the Psalms (teaching series and workbook available at Ligonier)

“In the Reformation, the recovery of the Bible for all in the church meant also a recovery of the Psalms. Luther had learned the Psalms early as a monk and continued to love them. He called the Psalter “a little Bible,” saying, “The Psalter ought to be a precious and beloved book, if for no other reason than this: it promises Christ’s death and resurrection so clearly and pictures his kingdom and the condition and nature of all Christendom-that it might well be called a little Bible.”

The value of the Psalms (aside from being God’s perfect word, of course) is that “…the Psalter explained the life they lived in relation to both the wicked who opposed them and to the God who sustained them,” said Godfrey.

As we are living in such a turbulent period of our human history here on earth, and as it is likely to become more turbulent in the days and months ahead, remember the Psalms. All of God’s word is sufficient for reproof, teaching, correcting, training in righteousness, but the Psalms allow us to sink into comfort like no other book. Stand firm on where to turn for help and comfort.

Martin Luther loved the Psalms. He said, “The human heart is like a ship on a stormy sea driven about by winds blowing from all four corners of heaven. The Book of Psalms is full of heartfelt utterances made during storms of this kind. Where can one find nobler words to express joy than in the Psalms of praise or gratitude? In them you can see into the hearts of saints as if you were looking at a lovely pleasure-garden, or were gazing into heaven. How fair and charming and delightful and the flowers you will find there.“

‘Heartfelt utterances’, Luther said. Do we sometimes forget that the Bible is populated with real people who endured real pain, trials, and successes? We will meet them one day. Until then, we can ‘meet’ them in the pages of God’s holy word, to see their humanity and perhaps to see ourselves in it too; and to learn how they turned to God for help in of trouble. Our God is a very present help.

Troubles don’t change, because sinners don’t change. Life in Luther’s time, life in Paul’s time, life now, all the same. They dealt with wicked rulers and leaders, injustice, apathy, rejection, atheism, idolatry, beatings, wars, famine…the list is endless of the troubles humans endure on this earth. The Psalms give us a taste of our union with former believers and the view of God’s help in them.

As Spurgeon wisely said,

May it be given to us of the Lord at all times to believe in the mercy of God, even when we cannot see traces of its working, for to the believer, mercy is as all-surrounding as omniscience, and every thought and act of God is perfumed with it. The wicked have a hive of wasps around them, many sorrows; but we have a swarm of bees storing honey for us.

Remember that in the days ahead.

gethsemane, mighty, sword

The Mighty Jesus, Our Savior

Posted on September 13, 2024 by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

Weariness, concern, anxiety, frustration…all feelings we may be feeling in these difficult times. Financial hardship to emotional stress, to outright persecution, there is no doubt that many are stumbling, suffering, or staggering.

Look to Jesus.

The scene in Gethsemane usually focused on is the sweet scene where Jesus is praying, alone. It touches the heart to see the beginning of the emotional and physical travail our Savior endured for our sakes. But John’s Gospel alone has the scene where Judas arrives with the soldiers and the soldiers approach Jesus. Jesus asks the soldiers whom they seek:

Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye? They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them. As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground. (John 18:4-6)

This is a picture of what will happen in Armageddon. Both the Old and the New Testaments are replete with passages that at once depict live events, events that are partial fulfillments of the near future, and are complete fulfillments of things that will happen in the far future. One example comes to mind, the destruction of Sodom for sin, and how Peter advised us that what happened at Sodom is an example of what will happen to the ungodly in the future.

As Jesus spoke, his very words (almost) slew the soldiers, and they fell onto their backs. This is a picture of Rev 19:15, 21,

The Coming of Christ
From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty. And the rest were killed with the sword which came from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse, and all the birds were filled with their flesh.

And to confirm, Isaiah 11:4;

But with righteousness He will judge the poor, And decide with fairness for the afflicted of the earth; And He will strike the earth with the rod of His mouth, And with the breath of His lips He will slay the wicked.

THIS is the mighty God we serve! He speaks, and the wicked fall. He speaks and worlds are made. He speaks, and angels fly. He speaks, and billions are redeemed. He is mighty and wonderful! No matter what comes upon us in this world, He will see us through it, and then soon, so we shall be with Him always!