By Elizabeth Prata
SYNOPSIS
Reflecting on travel documentaries like Pole to Pole, I admire exploration yet feel sadness when the explorer expresses awe of nature but fails to glorify God for it. In many of these docs, I watch seekers yearn for meaning but misattribute the meaning of life to creation.
By Elizabeth Prata
SYNOPSIS
The church is one body, formed by the Spirit, who places each believer intentionally. Like a pointillist painting, individual lives lived further afield may seem indistinct, yet from God’s perspective every placement contributes to a unified, beautiful masterpiece completed in heaven according to His sovereign design.
Continue reading “Seen from Heaven’s Distance”By Elizabeth Prata
SYNOPSIS
Reflecting on Revelation 2, I examine Jezebel of Thyatira, distinguishing her followers from her ‘children,’ a second generation of false teachers. Citing verses, commentators and modern examples, the piece warns that Christ patiently allows repentance yet ultimately judges churches and the people that tolerate doctrinal pollution within them.
Continue reading “The Danger of Spiritual Mothers Who Lead Astray”By Elizabeth Prata
SYNOPSIS
This essay examines biblical warnings against dishonest gain and applies them to modern commerce, exposing shrinkflation, deceptive marketing, and exploitative practices. It contrasts false scales in today’s marketplace with God’s call for integrity, honesty, and the hope of a kingdom where people are never treated as merchandise.
By Elizabeth Prata
SYNOPSIS
For the past two days I’ve written about marriage or divorce. Today I compiled other essays about marriage, divorce, or singleness I’ve written into one spot. In various links, I highlight the sanctity of marriage as ordained by God and examines contemporary issues surrounding divorce in the Christian community, calling for thoughtful consideration of this common yet serious topic.
By Elizabeth Prata
SYNOPSIS
Divorce is a violent act that disrupts the God-ordained covenant of marriage. I emphasize the sacredness of marriage as a union between one man and one women involving God, and urge both spouses to cherish their commitment, resisting the attacks of fleshly sin. Link in next post.
Continue reading “Divorce: The Violence of Tearing What God Joined”By Elizabeth Prata
SYNOPSIS
My personal divorce reflects sin’s violent fracture of marital, cosmic, and divine peace. I urge fidelity, repentance, and fleeing temptation always.
Continue reading “From One Flesh to Fracture”By Elizabeth Prata
SYNOPSIS
I witnessed a Facebook controversy where a local restaurateur’s accusations went viral worldwide, then collapsed under video evidence. The episode illustrates social media’s power to spread gossip, destroy reputations, and implicate hearers, urging Christians to remember God’s omnipresent witness and use words only to edify others.
Continue reading “The Algorithm of the Tongue”By Elizabeth Prata
We tend to think of Revelation being the “hard” chapter. But Paul’s little missive to the Galatians has some tough language in it, and stern words for the Christians of his day and for Christians of all time. Paul sends curses out twice in this short passage. False doctrine is extremely important to tend to. A little leaven spoils the whole lump.
Paul wrote:
“I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.” (Galatians 1:6-9).
Paul mentions here that:
–Christians desert solid doctrine
–Christians accept a different gospel
–Christians be warned that some come in who trouble us
–Christians be warned that some who come in purposely distort the Gospel
–Do not ‘dialog’ with the Gospel-perverters. Instead, let them be accursed!
“Have you ever noticed how difficult sometimes it is to reject a false system because the people in it are so nice? Paul says, “I don’t care if it’s me or if it’s a beautiful angel from heaven, let him be accursed.” So many buy false doctrine because the package is so nice. Don’t you know Satan knows that?” (source)
Far from being tolerant, having a ‘let them be mentality, or promoting inclusiveness; Christians should be exclusive to the Gospel only, intolerant of false doctrine, and vigorous in defending Christ.
By Elizabeth Prata
Glorious Grace by Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758). Read the rest at the link.
“And he shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shouting, crying, grace, grace!“—Zechariah 4:7
“The mercy of God is that attribute which we, the fallen, sinful race of Adam, stand in greatest need of, and God has been pleased, according to our needs, more gloriously to manifest this attribute than any other. The wonders of divine grace are the greatest of all wonders. The wonders of divine power and wisdom in the making [of] this great world are marvelous; other wonders of his justice in punishing sin are wonderful; many wonderful things have happened since the creation of the world, but none like the wonders of grace. “Grace, grace!” is the sound that the gospel rings with, “Grace, grace!” will be that shout which will ring in heaven forever; and perhaps what the angels sung at the birth of Christ, of God’s good will towards men, is the highest theme that ever they entered upon.” ~Jonathan Edwards
the-end-time.org 