God – Page 6

Advent, Thirty Days of Jesus: Day 11, He was obedient

Posted on December 6, 2025 by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

With today’s post, we’ve flowed through the first section of this series, in looking at verses that prophesy Jesus’ coming, His arrival, and His early life.

Starting tomorrow, from Day 12-16 we will look at verses that focus on Jesus as The Son.

From Day 17-26, verses will focus on the preeminence of the Son, His works, and Ministry.

Days 27-30, His resurrection, ascension, and return.

Jesus’ Obedience

Coffman’s Commentaries on the Bible

The precocious wisdom of the boy Jesus, and his certain consciousness of his unique relationship to the Father in heaven, were not looked upon by Jesus as sufficient to his earthly mission; he recognized himself still to be a child. The hour of his emergence as the world’s Saviour would be awaited by him until some sure indication of the Father’s will informed him that “his hour” had come. In the meanwhile, he would not disgrace himself as a child prodigy. He manifested the noblest quality of youth, that of loving submission to his earthly parents.

Some Christmas specials, “history” documentaries, and apocryphal writings or media depict Jesus as a boy healing injured birds or raising dead children. None of this happened. Firstly, the word of God does not contain any such events. Secodnly, His prophetic timetable was specific and sure. Jesus repeatedly said in the Gospels He would not do certain things because ‘his hour had not come’.

Further Reading

Answers in Genesis: Christ’s Obedience to the Father
Jesus honors the authority of His Father through complete obedience. A very clear but seldom pondered truth of the New Testament is that Christ’s entire life and ministry were orchestrated by His Father and that Jesus was careful to carry out every detail according to the will of His Father. “Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come . . . to do thy will, O God’” (Hebrews 10:7).

Jesus Obeyed His parents
“Among all the miracles and surprises surrounding God himself becoming man, Luke 2:51 may sound the most unexpected note of all: Jesus “went down [from Jerusalem] with [Joseph and Mary] and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them.””

advent, theology

Advent: Thirty Days of Jesus, Day 10- the Boy Jesus at the Temple

Posted on December 5, 2025 by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

The Bible is intentionally blank where Jesus’ boyhood is concerned. After His birth, the Bible is silent on what Jesus was doing. All we know is He lived in Galilee. We know as a child, not a baby, He was taken by his parents to Egypt, to flee Herod’s rage. And now suddenly He is 12 years old and in the Temple.

With Him are wisdom and might; To Him belong counsel and understanding (Job 12:13).

Other than the Magi’s visit to the child, this alone stands out as the sole incident recorded in the Bible about Jesus childhood, or even adulthood before the first Miracle at Cana. Since the Holy Spirit chose to include this single event in the boy Jesus’ life, it bears study.

Further Reading:

The Day Jesus Went AWOL
Second, in this account are recorded the very first words of our Lord Jesus. Naturally, no words were recorded from the birth and infancy of Christ. Many of our Lord’s words were recorded from His later ministry. But the words of our Lord in this text are His first recorded words, and very important words they are indeed.

Twelve-year-old Jesus goes to the Temple
After the host of witnesses to Jesus in Luke 1:5–2:40, Jesus now speaks for himself for the first time. This is the literary climax of Luke’s initial section and shows the sense of mission and self-awareness Jesus possesses. Jesus has a unique relationship to God and a clear sense of his calling, one that transcends his relationship to his earthly parents.

The Son of God at twelve years old
This is the only story in the gospels about Jesus between his infancy and his public ministry as a man. Some have argued that the story is a legend created by the early church to fill in some of the gaps in their knowledge of Jesus’ life. What shall we say to this claim?

theology, thirty Days of Jesus

Advent- Thirty Days of Jesus: Day 9, The Child Grew

Posted on December 4, 2025December 4, 2025 by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

We are still in the section of verses from the Bible depicting the prophecy of Jesus’ coming, His arrival, and His early life before ministry. With two more days to go, afterward we shift into looking at Jesus Himself, His earthly ministry, and the different aspects of Himself that He displayed in His incarnation.

John MacArthur preached on Jesus’ brother James in a sermon called James: The Brother of Our Lord. In it, MacArthur discusses the early home life of Jesus and contrasts it to the rest of Jesus’ siblings. From the siblings’ point of view, especially the focus of James, what was it like to grow up with literally a perfect brother? The venerable theologian proposes this:

“I don’t know how many times Joseph and Mary said this, but they must have said it more than they ought to, “Why can’t you be like your brother?” which doesn’t really help either.”

LOL.

There are not many verses recounting the childhood and pre-ministry life of Jesus, but there are a few. Here is one:

thirty days of jesus day 9 — Photo by Samuel Zeller on Unsplash

Further Reading

What happened during Jesus’ childhood? (GotQuestions)
Other than Luke 2:41–52, the Bible does not tell us anything about Jesus’ youth. From this incident we do know certain things about Jesus’ childhood. First, He was the son of parents* who were devout in their religious observances. As required in the law, Joseph and Mary made the yearly pilgrimage to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover. When Jesus was 12 years old, they brought Him along on the trip to celebrate the Feast with them. Luke paints a picture of a typical boy in a typical family of that day.

Why doesn’t the Bible say much about Jesus childhood?
Both Matthew and Luke speak about the birth and infancy of Jesus, but share little concerning other details of His early life. Why not?

The boyhood of Jesus (Biblehub)
Although the boy Jesus was gifted with a wisdom far beyond His years — a wisdom which was His because He was the Son of God, yet He lived much as other boys lived, doing the tasks that were given Him by His parents and being subject to them in all things.

theology, thirty Days of Jesus

Advent: Thirty Days of Jesus, Day 4; Angelic Comfort

Posted on November 29, 2025 by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

Advent series in scripture photos. We are in the section of my Advent thirty day flow where we examine PROPHECY, ARRIVAL, and EARLY LIFE of Jesus.

‘He will save from sin…’ Do we even know of our sin?

Sin is the reason Jesus came. Sin is our great problem. Sin is a deep evil against a holy God.

“What we celebrate at Christmas is not so much the birth of a baby, as important as that is, but what’s so significant about the birth of that particular baby is that in this birth we have the incarnation of God Himself.” ~RC Sproul

Jesus flesh had no sin, nor was He able to sin.

Matthew Henry says of the parallel Luke 1:35 verse:

JESUS! the name that refreshes the fainting spirits of humbled sinners; sweet to speak and sweet to hear, Jesus, a Saviour! We know not his riches and our own poverty, therefore we run not to him; we perceive not that we are lost and perishing, therefore a Saviour is a word of little relish. Were we convinced of the huge mass of guilt that lies upon us, and the wrath that hangs over us for it, ready to fall upon us, it would be our continual thought, Is the Saviour mine? And that we might find him so, we should trample on all that hinders our way to him. ~Matthew Henry Concise Commentary

thirty days of jesus day 4

What is sin?
“Sin is a riddle, a mystery, a reality that eludes definition and comprehension. Perhaps we most often think of sin as wrongdoing or transgression of God’s law. Sin includes a failure to do what is right. But sin also offends people; it is violence and lovelessness toward other people, and ultimately, rebellion against God. Further, the Bible teaches that sin involves a condition in which the heart is corrupted and inclined toward evil”.

What is the definition of sin? – Got Questions
“Sin is described in the Bible as transgression of the law of God (1 John 3:4) and rebellion against God (Deuteronomy 9:7; Joshua 1:18). Sin had its beginning with Lucifer, probably the most beautiful and powerful of the angels. Not content with his position, he desired to be higher than God, and that was his downfall, the beginning of sin (Isaiah 14:12-15). Renamed Satan, he brought sin to the human race in the Garden of Eden, where he tempted Adam and Eve with the same enticement, “you shall be like God.”

Matthew Henry on Matthew 1:18-25
That she had conceived by the power of the Holy Ghost; not by the power of nature. The Holy Spirit, who produced the world, now produced the Saviour of the world, and prepared him a body, as was promised him, when he said, Lo, I come, Heb. 10:5. Hence he is said to be made of a woman (Gal. 4:4), and yet to be that second Adam that is the Lord from heaven, 1 Co. 15:47. He is the Son of God, and yet so far partakes of the substance of his mother as to be called the fruit of her womb, Lu. 1:42. It was requisite that his conception should be otherwise than by ordinary generation, that so, so though he partook of the human nature, yet he might escape the corruption and pollution of it, and not be conceived and shapen in iniquity.

Henry, M. (1994). Matthew Henry’s commentary on the whole Bible: complete and unabridged in one volume (p. 1613). Hendrickson.

encouragement, Uncategorized

Advent: Thirty Days of Jesus, Day 2; He will come!

Posted on November 27, 2025 by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

Thirty days of exalting Jesus through selected verses with pictures representing the prophecy, life, death, resurrection, and Second Coming of our Savior.

We are in the flow of verses that prophesied his coming.

Day 1: The Virgin Shall Conceive

Ligonier: A Shoot from Jesse’s Stump: Devotional explains-

History tells us this is exactly what happened, with David’s royal dynasty all but dying out as a result of God’s judgment of His people through Assyria and Babylon. Nevertheless, Isaiah also saw that while the Davidic line would seem to be dead, life would remain within the stump. A shoot—life barely detectable at first—would emerge. But once this shoot went forth, it would become a mighty tree.

Matthew Henry’s Commentary on Isaiah 11:1 says-

He comes forth out of the stem, or stump, of Jesse. When the royal family, that had been as a cedar, was cut down, and only the stump of it left, almost levelled with the ground and lost in the grass of the field (Dan. 4:15), yet it shall sprout again (Job 14:7); nay, it shall grow out of his roots, which are quite buried in the earth, and, like the roots of flowers in the winter, have no stem appearing above ground. The house of David was reduced and brought very low at the time of Christ’s birth, witness the obscurity and poverty of Joseph and Mary. The Messiah was thus to begin his estate of humiliation.

In Lockyer’s book All the Named Men of the Bible: Jesse, it says,

Jesse —jehovah exists or firm. The son of Obed and father of David, and grandson of Boaz and Ruth, and an ancestor of Christ (Ruth 4:17, 22). Jesse had eight sons and two daughters by different wives (1 Sam. 17:12-14, 25). Isaiah speaks of “the stock of Jesse,” a phrase indicating that it was from Jesse the Messiah would come. The humble descent of the Messiah is contrasted with the glorious kingdom He is to have (Isa 11:1).

Further Resources

Ligonier: A Shoot from Jesse’s Stump

“This is the famous text that foresees a shoot coming forth from “the stump of Jesse,” a shoot whose reign would destroy all evil and bring peace to the earth (Isa. 11:1–11).”

theology

Where is joy?

Posted on November 23, 2025November 23, 2025 by elizabethprata

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).

Pink wrote:

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.

end time, end time. prophecy, gratitude

The Gift of an Unshaken Heart

Posted on November 21, 2025November 21, 2025 by elizabethprata

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.

Continue reading →

theology

Seeing God’s Creativity in Every Feather

Posted on November 19, 2025 by elizabethprata

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. Seen off Canadian coast at Seal Island. EPrata photo

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!

FLamingoes. Seen in The Everglades of Florida. EPrata photo

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.

theology

Echoes of Jezebel: Modern Warnings from Ancient Judgments

Posted on November 17, 2025 by elizabethprata

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 →

heaven, jesus

Your new name!

Posted on November 16, 2025 by elizabethprata

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!