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	<title>prayer Archives - Cheryl Elton</title>
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		<title>Book Review: The Autobiography of George Müller</title>
		<link>https://www.cherylelton.com/book-review-the-autobiography-of-george-muller/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=book-review-the-autobiography-of-george-muller</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Cheryl Elton]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sat, 08 May 2021 05:05:31 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Book/Movie Reviews]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Faith/Trust]]></category>
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					<description><![CDATA[<a href="https://www.cherylelton.com/book-review-the-autobiography-of-george-muller/" title="Book Review: The Autobiography of George Müller" rel="nofollow"><img width="623" height="1024" src="https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/The-Autobiography-of-George-Muller-Book-Cover-LARGE-copy-623x1024.jpg" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="Book Cover-The Autobiography of George Müller" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="1" decoding="async" fetchpriority="high" srcset="https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/The-Autobiography-of-George-Muller-Book-Cover-LARGE-copy-623x1024.jpg 623w, https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/The-Autobiography-of-George-Muller-Book-Cover-LARGE-copy-304x500.jpg 304w, https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/The-Autobiography-of-George-Muller-Book-Cover-LARGE-copy-768x1263.jpg 768w, https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/The-Autobiography-of-George-Muller-Book-Cover-LARGE-copy-934x1536.jpg 934w, https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/The-Autobiography-of-George-Muller-Book-Cover-LARGE-copy-487x800.jpg 487w, https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/The-Autobiography-of-George-Muller-Book-Cover-LARGE-copy-243x400.jpg 243w, https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/The-Autobiography-of-George-Muller-Book-Cover-LARGE-copy.jpg 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 623px) 100vw, 623px" /></a><p>George Müller’s ministry to orphans began almost 200 years ago, yet the example of his uncomplicated trust in God for every daily provision continues to inspire people around the world today. In The Autobiography of George Müller, his richness of faith is on full display. The book gives a rare glimpse into Müller’s life through excerpts from his personal diary. We see his early life of rebellion lead to a striking conversion as a young man. We share his daily struggles and triumphs as he answers God’s call to establish the first orphan houses in Bristol, England. During his lifetime...&#160; </p>
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<p>The post <a href="https://www.cherylelton.com/book-review-the-autobiography-of-george-muller/">Book Review: The Autobiography of George Müller</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.cherylelton.com">Cheryl Elton</a>.</p>
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										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<a href="https://www.cherylelton.com/book-review-the-autobiography-of-george-muller/" title="Book Review: The Autobiography of George Müller" rel="nofollow"><img width="623" height="1024" src="https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/The-Autobiography-of-George-Muller-Book-Cover-LARGE-copy-623x1024.jpg" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="Book Cover-The Autobiography of George Müller" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="1" decoding="async" srcset="https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/The-Autobiography-of-George-Muller-Book-Cover-LARGE-copy-623x1024.jpg 623w, https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/The-Autobiography-of-George-Muller-Book-Cover-LARGE-copy-304x500.jpg 304w, https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/The-Autobiography-of-George-Muller-Book-Cover-LARGE-copy-768x1263.jpg 768w, https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/The-Autobiography-of-George-Muller-Book-Cover-LARGE-copy-934x1536.jpg 934w, https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/The-Autobiography-of-George-Muller-Book-Cover-LARGE-copy-487x800.jpg 487w, https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/The-Autobiography-of-George-Muller-Book-Cover-LARGE-copy-243x400.jpg 243w, https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/The-Autobiography-of-George-Muller-Book-Cover-LARGE-copy.jpg 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 623px) 100vw, 623px" /></a><p>George Müller’s ministry to orphans began almost 200 years ago, yet the example of his uncomplicated trust in God for every daily provision continues to inspire people around the world today.</p>
<p>In <em>The Autobiography of George Müller,</em> his richness of faith is on full display. The book gives a rare glimpse into Müller’s life through excerpts from his personal diary. We see his early life of rebellion lead to a striking conversion as a young man. We share his daily struggles and triumphs as he answers God’s call to establish the first orphan houses in Bristol, England.</p>
<p>During his lifetime (1805-1898), Müller cared for more than 10,000 orphans as the director of the Ashley Down orphanage and provided Christian education to over 120,000 children in the 117 schools he established.</p>
<p>Yet in all these endeavors Müller never asked anyone for financial support, held a fundraiser, or went into debt. He only petitioned God for his needs and waited for him to move through people. Often he received food donations only hours before they were needed to feed the children. Through countless struggles God supplied every need—each victory further bolstering Müller’s faith.</p>
<p>Christians can find inspiring takeaways sprinkled throughout this book. Mine follow:</p>
<p><strong>Müller spent much time in prayer.</strong> He learned that his first concern of the day was not how to serve the Lord, but to have his soul nourished. Müller found rising early in the morning to do so worked best.</p>
<p><strong>Müller meditated on Scripture before praying.</strong> Thus, he said his heart was “comforted, encouraged, warned, reproved, and instructed.” This also helped him combat a wandering mind while praying.</p>
<p><strong>Müller trusted God’s timing.</strong> Müller faced continual challenges and uncertainties in ministry just as we do. He persisted in prayer for more than <em>3 years</em> for enough funds to come in to begin building the large Ashley Down orphanage. Because he was certain that the assignment was from God, Müller fully trusted He would supply. When money didn’t come in as soon as he would have liked, he adjusted his thinking to trust God’s timing, which always proved right.</p>
<p><strong>Müller never borrowed money.</strong> Frequently he was questioned as to why he didn’t buy supplies on credit and trust God to pay for them later.  “I could buy a considerable amount of goods on credit, but the next time we were in need, I would turn to further credit instead of turning to the Lord,” he said. “We consider it our precious privilege to continue to wait upon the Lord instead of buying goods on credit or borrowing money from kind friends. God is now in the tenth year of feeding these orphans, and He has never allowed them to go hungry. He will care for them in the future also.”</p>
<p><strong>Let God work for you.</strong> Müller learned that when we work deliverance to a problem solely on our own and don’t wait patiently for God’s help and solution, with every subsequent trial our faith decreases. He shows us that God will prove His willingness to help and deliver at the perfect time. Our faith then will increase.</p>
<p>At first glance this book could be viewed as a dry and boring read, but it progresses into an inspiring testament of unwavering faith. Müller’s words of wisdom on how to trust God in life and ministry will inspire any Christian who wants to wholeheartedly serve the Lord they love. It’s a book I’m glad I read, and will continue to glean inspiration from throughout the coming days.</p>
<h6>Copyright © 2021 Cheryl Elton</h6>
<h6>test</h6>
<p><a class="a2a_button_facebook" href="https://www.addtoany.com/add_to/facebook?linkurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cherylelton.com%2Fbook-review-the-autobiography-of-george-muller%2F&amp;linkname=Book%20Review%3A%20The%20Autobiography%20of%20George%20M%C3%BCller" title="Facebook" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"></a><a class="a2a_button_twitter" href="https://www.addtoany.com/add_to/twitter?linkurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cherylelton.com%2Fbook-review-the-autobiography-of-george-muller%2F&amp;linkname=Book%20Review%3A%20The%20Autobiography%20of%20George%20M%C3%BCller" title="Twitter" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"></a><a class="a2a_button_email" href="https://www.addtoany.com/add_to/email?linkurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cherylelton.com%2Fbook-review-the-autobiography-of-george-muller%2F&amp;linkname=Book%20Review%3A%20The%20Autobiography%20of%20George%20M%C3%BCller" title="Email" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"></a><a class="a2a_dd addtoany_share_save addtoany_share" href="https://www.addtoany.com/share#url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cherylelton.com%2Fbook-review-the-autobiography-of-george-muller%2F&#038;title=Book%20Review%3A%20The%20Autobiography%20of%20George%20M%C3%BCller" data-a2a-url="https://www.cherylelton.com/book-review-the-autobiography-of-george-muller/" data-a2a-title="Book Review: The Autobiography of George Müller"></a></p><p>The post <a href="https://www.cherylelton.com/book-review-the-autobiography-of-george-muller/">Book Review: The Autobiography of George Müller</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.cherylelton.com">Cheryl Elton</a>.</p>
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		<title>SMART Goals for the New Year</title>
		<link>https://www.cherylelton.com/smart-goals-for-the-new-year/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=smart-goals-for-the-new-year</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Cheryl Elton]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 01 Jan 2020 06:05:18 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Holidays]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[faith]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[growth]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[holidays]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Lord's voice]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[peace]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[purpose]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[transformation]]></category>
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					<description><![CDATA[<a href="https://www.cherylelton.com/smart-goals-for-the-new-year/" title="SMART Goals for the New Year" rel="nofollow"><img width="1024" height="683" src="https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/New-Years-Resolutions-3500-shutterstock_1565011036-copy-1024x683.jpg" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="New Year&#039;s resolutions, goals" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="1" decoding="async" srcset="https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/New-Years-Resolutions-3500-shutterstock_1565011036-copy-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/New-Years-Resolutions-3500-shutterstock_1565011036-copy-500x334.jpg 500w, https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/New-Years-Resolutions-3500-shutterstock_1565011036-copy-768x512.jpg 768w, https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/New-Years-Resolutions-3500-shutterstock_1565011036-copy-800x534.jpg 800w, https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/New-Years-Resolutions-3500-shutterstock_1565011036-copy-600x400.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a><p>A new year brings hope, a sense of fresh beginnings and better days. For many, it’s a time to set goals and sharpen our focus on what is truly important. Enter the “SMART” acronym . . . A well-known business model for setting goals and objectives says SMART goals are: S-specific; M-measurable; A-attainable; R-relevant; T-time-bound. A lot has been written on these highly effective concepts, and they offer a practical measuring stick for success when making personal goals. But let’s also consider Ephesians 6, which gives us the crucial reminder that at its core, all of life is spiritual. Finally,...&#160; </p>
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<p>The post <a href="https://www.cherylelton.com/smart-goals-for-the-new-year/">SMART Goals for the New Year</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.cherylelton.com">Cheryl Elton</a>.</p>
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										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<a href="https://www.cherylelton.com/smart-goals-for-the-new-year/" title="SMART Goals for the New Year" rel="nofollow"><img width="1024" height="683" src="https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/New-Years-Resolutions-3500-shutterstock_1565011036-copy-1024x683.jpg" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="New Year&#039;s resolutions, goals" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="1" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/New-Years-Resolutions-3500-shutterstock_1565011036-copy-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/New-Years-Resolutions-3500-shutterstock_1565011036-copy-500x334.jpg 500w, https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/New-Years-Resolutions-3500-shutterstock_1565011036-copy-768x512.jpg 768w, https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/New-Years-Resolutions-3500-shutterstock_1565011036-copy-800x534.jpg 800w, https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/New-Years-Resolutions-3500-shutterstock_1565011036-copy-600x400.jpg 600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a><p>A new year brings hope, a sense of fresh beginnings and better days. For many, it’s a time to set goals and sharpen our focus on what is truly important.</p>
<p>Enter the “SMART” acronym . . .</p>
<p>A well-known business model for setting goals and objectives says SMART goals are: <strong>S</strong>-specific; <strong>M</strong>-measurable; <strong>A</strong>-attainable; <strong>R</strong>-relevant; <strong>T</strong>-time-bound.</p>
<p>A lot has been written on these highly effective concepts, and they offer a practical measuring stick for success when making personal goals.</p>
<p>But let’s also consider Ephesians 6, which gives us the crucial reminder that at its core, all of life is spiritual.</p>
<blockquote><p><em>Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.  (Ephesians 6:10, 12-13)</em><em> </em></p></blockquote>
<p>For those endeavoring to live a “God-first” life with spiritual goals front and center, I offer a complement to the original SMART model with this new version:</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>S</strong>-Spirit-led; <strong>M</strong>-meaningful; <strong>A</strong>-actionable; <strong>R</strong>-redeemable; <strong>T</strong>-timely.</p>
<p>When setting goals, let’s consider:</p>
<p><strong> S</strong>PIRIT-LED:  Are we seeking God’s wisdom in making our goals? Let’s be sure He is directing us to do what we do, so our lives can bring glory to Him.</p>
<p><strong> M</strong>EANINGFUL:  Will this goal help or hinder my spiritual growth? Is it significant to my life, my personal ministry, or the kind of person I want to become?</p>
<p><strong> A</strong>CTIONABLE:  Am I able to take action on this goal? How will I do so?</p>
<p><strong> R</strong>EDEEMABLE:  Does the goal help me overcome poor habits I may have had in the past, and draw me closer to God?</p>
<p><strong> T</strong>IMELY:  Is this the right time for pursuing this goal?</p>
<p>As we enter a new year, let’s make sure we spend quality time with the Lord to gain His wisdom and direction in setting our goals—SMART goals that we can live out to His glory!</p>
<h6>Copyright © 2020 Cheryl Elton</h6>
<p><a class="a2a_button_facebook" href="https://www.addtoany.com/add_to/facebook?linkurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cherylelton.com%2Fsmart-goals-for-the-new-year%2F&amp;linkname=SMART%20Goals%20for%20the%20New%20Year" title="Facebook" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"></a><a class="a2a_button_twitter" href="https://www.addtoany.com/add_to/twitter?linkurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cherylelton.com%2Fsmart-goals-for-the-new-year%2F&amp;linkname=SMART%20Goals%20for%20the%20New%20Year" title="Twitter" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"></a><a class="a2a_button_email" href="https://www.addtoany.com/add_to/email?linkurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cherylelton.com%2Fsmart-goals-for-the-new-year%2F&amp;linkname=SMART%20Goals%20for%20the%20New%20Year" title="Email" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"></a><a class="a2a_dd addtoany_share_save addtoany_share" href="https://www.addtoany.com/share#url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cherylelton.com%2Fsmart-goals-for-the-new-year%2F&#038;title=SMART%20Goals%20for%20the%20New%20Year" data-a2a-url="https://www.cherylelton.com/smart-goals-for-the-new-year/" data-a2a-title="SMART Goals for the New Year"></a></p><p>The post <a href="https://www.cherylelton.com/smart-goals-for-the-new-year/">SMART Goals for the New Year</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.cherylelton.com">Cheryl Elton</a>.</p>
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		<title>Peace Through Pruning</title>
		<link>https://www.cherylelton.com/peace-through-pruning/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=peace-through-pruning</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Cheryl Elton]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 01 Oct 2019 05:05:24 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Peace/Rest]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[anxiety]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[growth]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Lord's voice]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[peace]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[prayer]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[purpose]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[stress]]></category>
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					<description><![CDATA[<a href="https://www.cherylelton.com/peace-through-pruning/" title="Peace Through Pruning" rel="nofollow"><img width="1024" height="818" src="https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/pruning-dead-branches-1024x818-1024x818.jpg" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="1" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/pruning-dead-branches-1024x818.jpg 1024w, https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/pruning-dead-branches-1024x818-500x399.jpg 500w, https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/pruning-dead-branches-1024x818-768x614.jpg 768w, https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/pruning-dead-branches-1024x818-800x639.jpg 800w, https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/pruning-dead-branches-1024x818-501x400.jpg 501w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a><p>Autumn finds many of us removing dead plants from gardens and preparing homes and yards in anticipation of the coming winter months. Some plants require pruning—the process of removing dead branches and stubs—which promotes beneficial rest for the plant while allowing room for new growth next season. Pruning also deters pest infestation while supporting a plant’s natural shape and healthy growth. Recently I was reminded of the importance of personal “pruning”. On an episode of a weekly podcast I enjoy, one of the co-hosts shared his experience of a complete mental breakdown. It triggered the realization that he had taken...&#160; </p>
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<p>The post <a href="https://www.cherylelton.com/peace-through-pruning/">Peace Through Pruning</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.cherylelton.com">Cheryl Elton</a>.</p>
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										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<a href="https://www.cherylelton.com/peace-through-pruning/" title="Peace Through Pruning" rel="nofollow"><img width="1024" height="818" src="https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/pruning-dead-branches-1024x818-1024x818.jpg" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="1" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/pruning-dead-branches-1024x818.jpg 1024w, https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/pruning-dead-branches-1024x818-500x399.jpg 500w, https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/pruning-dead-branches-1024x818-768x614.jpg 768w, https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/pruning-dead-branches-1024x818-800x639.jpg 800w, https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/pruning-dead-branches-1024x818-501x400.jpg 501w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a><p>Autumn finds many of us removing dead plants from gardens and preparing homes and yards in anticipation of the coming winter months.</p>
<p>Some plants require <em>pruning</em>—the process of removing dead branches and stubs—which promotes beneficial rest for the plant while allowing room for new growth next season. Pruning also deters pest infestation while supporting a plant’s natural shape and healthy growth.</p>
<p>Recently I was reminded of the importance of personal “pruning”. On an episode of a weekly podcast I enjoy, one of the co-hosts shared his experience of a complete mental breakdown. It triggered the realization that he had taken on way too many responsibilities and wasn’t doing any of them well—nor were they bearing much fruit.</p>
<p>His life required some serious “pruning”:  reassessing his work, ministry commitments, and relationships, while prioritizing and making “cuts” where necessary.</p>
<p>The end result was much less anxiety, and greater peace as he moved through his days and tasks.</p>
<p>Isn’t busyness one of the greatest peace-robbers of our time?</p>
<p>Taking on more than we should, we end up juggling too many spinning plates, not able to put enough time into any one activity to do a job well. Personal enjoyment and fulfillment go out the window and are replaced by anxiety, as we walk around stressed over all we have to do.</p>
<p>As Christians, shouldn’t we want to make sure <em>all </em>we do is God-directed, to the end that our lives bear His wonderful fruit, and glorify Him?</p>
<p>So, with the change of seasons I decided to take stock of what I’m doing with my life, and ask the Lord to show me if there’s something that should go. In a nutshell, here’s what I came up with:</p>
<p>What does my work as a writer and speaker look like, and how much time can I and should I devote?</p>
<p>In my various ministry responsibilities, including as administrative assistant and Board member of an international ministry, as well as serving at my local church—am I taking on only work directed by the Lord, or am I saying yes to other things, motivated by pleasing people or otherwise?</p>
<p>Is managing two online small businesses and 3 websites too much? Oh, and how about being a wife, mother, homemaker, house secretary, as well as other interests for exercise and enjoyment?</p>
<p>You get the idea . . .</p>
<p>In the last 3 weeks I’ve been asked to edit someone’s book and be part of a team embarking on a large marketing project that will probably go on for several years. Initially excited, but quickly overwhelmed by the prospects, I sought the Lord, asking,  “what do You want me to be doing?”</p>
<p>So He’s helped me do some pruning, and affirmed what He wants me to be doing in each category. Like the podcast host, I too realized I’m not good at juggling too many plates. Making necessary cuts and saying “no” has allowed me to put the proper time and heart into each task to do my best.</p>
<p>I have greater peace, resulting in excellence and fruit that glorifies Him.</p>
<p>How about you? Would you benefit from some personal pruning?</p>
<blockquote><p><em>I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.</em><em><sup> </sup></em><em>Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. . . . </em><em><sup> </sup></em><em>Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.  (John 15:1,2,4 NKJV)</em></p></blockquote>
<p>Pruning can be painful in the moment and feel like a setback. But as we abide in Christ and take our nourishment from Him, we come back healthier and stronger, able to bear even more fruit.</p>
<p>Take time to abide in Christ, the vine, and receive nourishment from Him today. He’s waiting to help us with every decision, every action.</p>
<p>He’s waiting to give us peace.</p>
<h6>Copyright © 2019 Cheryl Elton</h6>
<p><a class="a2a_button_facebook" href="https://www.addtoany.com/add_to/facebook?linkurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cherylelton.com%2Fpeace-through-pruning%2F&amp;linkname=Peace%20Through%20Pruning" title="Facebook" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"></a><a class="a2a_button_twitter" href="https://www.addtoany.com/add_to/twitter?linkurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cherylelton.com%2Fpeace-through-pruning%2F&amp;linkname=Peace%20Through%20Pruning" title="Twitter" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"></a><a class="a2a_button_email" href="https://www.addtoany.com/add_to/email?linkurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cherylelton.com%2Fpeace-through-pruning%2F&amp;linkname=Peace%20Through%20Pruning" title="Email" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"></a><a class="a2a_dd addtoany_share_save addtoany_share" href="https://www.addtoany.com/share#url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cherylelton.com%2Fpeace-through-pruning%2F&#038;title=Peace%20Through%20Pruning" data-a2a-url="https://www.cherylelton.com/peace-through-pruning/" data-a2a-title="Peace Through Pruning"></a></p><p>The post <a href="https://www.cherylelton.com/peace-through-pruning/">Peace Through Pruning</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.cherylelton.com">Cheryl Elton</a>.</p>
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		<title>Clothed With Christ</title>
		<link>https://www.cherylelton.com/clothed-with-christ/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=clothed-with-christ</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Cheryl Elton]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 03 Jun 2019 05:05:29 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Encouragement]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[busyness]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[faith]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[His presence]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Lord's voice]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[peace]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[prayer]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[stillness]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.cherylelton.com/?p=6412</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<a href="https://www.cherylelton.com/clothed-with-christ/" title="Clothed With Christ" rel="nofollow"><img width="1024" height="688" src="https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/shutterstock_124584727-copy-SMALLER-1024x688.jpg" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="Choosing Clothes, Clothed With Christ" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="1" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/shutterstock_124584727-copy-SMALLER-1024x688.jpg 1024w, https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/shutterstock_124584727-copy-SMALLER-500x336.jpg 500w, https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/shutterstock_124584727-copy-SMALLER-768x516.jpg 768w, https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/shutterstock_124584727-copy-SMALLER-800x537.jpg 800w, https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/shutterstock_124584727-copy-SMALLER-596x400.jpg 596w, https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/shutterstock_124584727-copy-SMALLER-149x100.jpg 149w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a><p>With warmer days and summer around the corner, one of my spring rituals is putting away the winter coats and sweaters for another year, and bringing out the short-sleeved shirts and shorts. Many of us give much care to the upkeep and choosing of clothes. And surely we wouldn’t consider going out into the world without clothes on! Yet as we begin each new day, how often do we venture out without putting on our spiritual clothes—the presence of Christ? And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes.  (Galatians 3:27...&#160; </p>
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<p>The post <a href="https://www.cherylelton.com/clothed-with-christ/">Clothed With Christ</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.cherylelton.com">Cheryl Elton</a>.</p>
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										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<a href="https://www.cherylelton.com/clothed-with-christ/" title="Clothed With Christ" rel="nofollow"><img width="1024" height="688" src="https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/shutterstock_124584727-copy-SMALLER-1024x688.jpg" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="Choosing Clothes, Clothed With Christ" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="1" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/shutterstock_124584727-copy-SMALLER-1024x688.jpg 1024w, https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/shutterstock_124584727-copy-SMALLER-500x336.jpg 500w, https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/shutterstock_124584727-copy-SMALLER-768x516.jpg 768w, https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/shutterstock_124584727-copy-SMALLER-800x537.jpg 800w, https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/shutterstock_124584727-copy-SMALLER-596x400.jpg 596w, https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/shutterstock_124584727-copy-SMALLER-149x100.jpg 149w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a><p>With warmer days and summer around the corner, one of my spring rituals is putting away the winter coats and sweaters for another year, and bringing out the short-sleeved shirts and shorts.</p>
<p>Many of us give much care to the upkeep and choosing of clothes. And surely we wouldn’t consider going out into the world without clothes on!</p>
<p>Yet as we begin each new day, how often do we venture out without putting on our spiritual clothes—the presence of Christ?</p>
<blockquote><p><em>And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have <strong>put on Christ, like </strong><strong>putting on new clothes</strong>.  (Galatians 3:27 NLT)</em><em> </em></p></blockquote>
<p>Each new morning, the sooner we “put on” Christ by communicating with Him, the better equipped we are for the day at hand.</p>
<p>Romans also exhorts us to “clothe” ourselves with Christ’s presence:</p>
<blockquote><p><em>The night is almost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here. So remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes, and put on the shining armor of right living. </em><em>Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see. Don’t participate in the darkness of wild parties and drunkenness, or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, or in quarreling and jealousy.</em><strong><em><sup> </sup></em></strong></p>
<p><em>Instead, <strong>clothe </strong><strong>yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ</strong>. And don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires.  (Romans 13:12-14 NLT)</em><em> </em></p></blockquote>
<p>For any Christ-follower, it is imperative that we set our heart’s focus on Him daily—spending time in God’s Word and prayer; being mindful of His presence throughout the day, as He brings His word to our minds.</p>
<p>Just as we wouldn’t think of wearing a bikini in a snowstorm or a winter parka on a 90-degree day, it’s worth considering the spiritual clothes we are habitually reaching for.</p>
<p>Are we quenching the longing for God in our hearts with busyness, food, TV, social media, shopping, or another person?</p>
<p>Are we “putting on “ the wrong clothes?<em> </em></p>
<p>In every detail of life, God promises us His presence. He tells us He will never leave us or forsake us.</p>
<p>In His presence, peace comes upon us and our ears open to hear His voice.</p>
<p>Today, He is inviting you to still your heart in His presence so He may prepare you for the day.</p>
<p>What spiritual clothes will you put on?</p>
<h6>Copyright © 2019 Cheryl Elton</h6>
<p><a class="a2a_button_facebook" href="https://www.addtoany.com/add_to/facebook?linkurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cherylelton.com%2Fclothed-with-christ%2F&amp;linkname=Clothed%20With%20Christ" title="Facebook" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"></a><a class="a2a_button_twitter" href="https://www.addtoany.com/add_to/twitter?linkurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cherylelton.com%2Fclothed-with-christ%2F&amp;linkname=Clothed%20With%20Christ" title="Twitter" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"></a><a class="a2a_button_email" href="https://www.addtoany.com/add_to/email?linkurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cherylelton.com%2Fclothed-with-christ%2F&amp;linkname=Clothed%20With%20Christ" title="Email" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"></a><a class="a2a_dd addtoany_share_save addtoany_share" href="https://www.addtoany.com/share#url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cherylelton.com%2Fclothed-with-christ%2F&#038;title=Clothed%20With%20Christ" data-a2a-url="https://www.cherylelton.com/clothed-with-christ/" data-a2a-title="Clothed With Christ"></a></p><p>The post <a href="https://www.cherylelton.com/clothed-with-christ/">Clothed With Christ</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.cherylelton.com">Cheryl Elton</a>.</p>
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		<title>His Grace is Enough</title>
		<link>https://www.cherylelton.com/his-grace-is-enough/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=his-grace-is-enough</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Cheryl Elton]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 20 Feb 2019 06:05:02 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Encouragement]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[faith]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[grace]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[prayer]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[strength]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.cherylelton.com/?p=6339</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<a href="https://www.cherylelton.com/his-grace-is-enough/" title="His Grace is Enough" rel="nofollow"><img width="1024" height="682" src="https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Sunrise-Good-Morning-God-1024x682.jpg" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="1" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Sunrise-Good-Morning-God-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Sunrise-Good-Morning-God-500x333.jpg 500w, https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Sunrise-Good-Morning-God-768x512.jpg 768w, https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Sunrise-Good-Morning-God-800x533.jpg 800w, https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Sunrise-Good-Morning-God-600x400.jpg 600w, https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Sunrise-Good-Morning-God-150x100.jpg 150w, https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Sunrise-Good-Morning-God.jpg 1920w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a><p>This morning I heard a renowned pediatrician and child psychologist on Christian radio talking about the important role a father plays in a child’s life. It caused me to reflect on my dad, and the effect his presence has had on my life. It’s well known that our childhood experience drives us toward certain behaviors or attitudes, sometimes carried throughout our adult lives. No one had it perfect. Where there was lack, we often seek to fill the void, sometimes with things that bring more pain than blessing. If we’re honest, in different ways we’re all broken people—in need of...&#160; </p>
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<p>The post <a href="https://www.cherylelton.com/his-grace-is-enough/">His Grace is Enough</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.cherylelton.com">Cheryl Elton</a>.</p>
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										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<a href="https://www.cherylelton.com/his-grace-is-enough/" title="His Grace is Enough" rel="nofollow"><img width="1024" height="682" src="https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Sunrise-Good-Morning-God-1024x682.jpg" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="1" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Sunrise-Good-Morning-God-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Sunrise-Good-Morning-God-500x333.jpg 500w, https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Sunrise-Good-Morning-God-768x512.jpg 768w, https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Sunrise-Good-Morning-God-800x533.jpg 800w, https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Sunrise-Good-Morning-God-600x400.jpg 600w, https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Sunrise-Good-Morning-God-150x100.jpg 150w, https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Sunrise-Good-Morning-God.jpg 1920w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a><p>This morning I heard a renowned pediatrician and child psychologist on Christian radio talking about the important role a father plays in a child’s life. It caused me to reflect on my dad, and the effect his presence has had on my life.</p>
<p>It’s well known that our childhood experience drives us toward certain behaviors or attitudes, sometimes carried throughout our adult lives. No one had it perfect. Where there was lack, we often seek to fill the void, sometimes with things that bring more pain than blessing.</p>
<p>If we’re honest, in different ways we’re all broken people—in need of filling what C.S. Lewis called the “God-shaped hole” in every human heart. Jesus Christ fills the void of our brokenness by restoring us into relationship with our Creator, the only one who fills the deepest longings of our hearts for love, purpose, and hope.</p>
<p>A heart of humility recognizes its limitations, and is willing to admit its failures, weaknesses, and need. It willingly receives the grace that God freely bestows to the humble.</p>
<blockquote><p><em>God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.  (James 4:6)</em></p>
<p><em>For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.  (</em><em>Ephesians 2:8)</em></p></blockquote>
<p>The Christian life is all about grace—the free and unmerited favor of God.</p>
<blockquote><p><em>For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.  (</em><em>2 Corinthians 8:9)</em></p></blockquote>
<p>Grace is written all over our lives, for those who have eyes to see. The apostle Paul did, to the end he was able to say “I delight in weaknesses . . . in difficulties.”  He recognized where his strength came from.</p>
<blockquote><p><em>But he [the Lord] said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.   (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)</em></p></blockquote>
<p>God so freely extends His grace and goodness that we are exhorted to be <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+timothy+2%3A1&amp;version=NIV" target="_blank" rel="noopener">strong in grace</a>.</p>
<p>Pause today and reflect upon God’s grace in your life.</p>
<p>With thankful hearts, may we echo Paul’s words, <em>“By the grace of God, I am what I am.”</em><em> </em></p>
<p>His grace is enough.</p>
<h6>Copyright © 2019 Cheryl Elton</h6>
<p><a class="a2a_button_facebook" href="https://www.addtoany.com/add_to/facebook?linkurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cherylelton.com%2Fhis-grace-is-enough%2F&amp;linkname=His%20Grace%20is%20Enough" title="Facebook" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"></a><a class="a2a_button_twitter" href="https://www.addtoany.com/add_to/twitter?linkurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cherylelton.com%2Fhis-grace-is-enough%2F&amp;linkname=His%20Grace%20is%20Enough" title="Twitter" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"></a><a class="a2a_button_email" href="https://www.addtoany.com/add_to/email?linkurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cherylelton.com%2Fhis-grace-is-enough%2F&amp;linkname=His%20Grace%20is%20Enough" title="Email" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"></a><a class="a2a_dd addtoany_share_save addtoany_share" href="https://www.addtoany.com/share#url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cherylelton.com%2Fhis-grace-is-enough%2F&#038;title=His%20Grace%20is%20Enough" data-a2a-url="https://www.cherylelton.com/his-grace-is-enough/" data-a2a-title="His Grace is Enough"></a></p><p>The post <a href="https://www.cherylelton.com/his-grace-is-enough/">His Grace is Enough</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.cherylelton.com">Cheryl Elton</a>.</p>
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		<title>Our Greatest Spiritual Weapon</title>
		<link>https://www.cherylelton.com/our-greatest-spiritual-weapon/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=our-greatest-spiritual-weapon</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Cheryl Elton]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 06 Feb 2019 06:05:09 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Peace/Rest]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[busyness]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[His presence]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Lord's voice]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[peace]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[prayer]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[quiet]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[stillness]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[transformation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[trials]]></category>
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					<description><![CDATA[<a href="https://www.cherylelton.com/our-greatest-spiritual-weapon/" title="Our Greatest Spiritual Weapon" rel="nofollow"><img width="1024" height="428" src="https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/header-still-no-text-1024x428.jpg" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="1" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/header-still-no-text-1024x428.jpg 1024w, https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/header-still-no-text-500x209.jpg 500w, https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/header-still-no-text-768x321.jpg 768w, https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/header-still-no-text-800x335.jpg 800w, https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/header-still-no-text-956x400.jpg 956w, https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/header-still-no-text-239x100.jpg 239w, https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/header-still-no-text.jpg 1903w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a><p>Do you have a quiet place you go to be alone with God? A place where you pour out your prayers and praises and seek His counsel? For me, during my early years as a Christian in high school and college, a local park and nearby beaches were my special places. I loved to sit and watch the tide roll in, reminding me of God’s faithfulness as I quieted my heart in His presence. Today, I have my comfy chair at home. Quiet time with the Lord is imperative if we want to maintain peace in our lives. Jesus tells...&#160; </p>
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<p>The post <a href="https://www.cherylelton.com/our-greatest-spiritual-weapon/">Our Greatest Spiritual Weapon</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.cherylelton.com">Cheryl Elton</a>.</p>
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										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<a href="https://www.cherylelton.com/our-greatest-spiritual-weapon/" title="Our Greatest Spiritual Weapon" rel="nofollow"><img width="1024" height="428" src="https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/header-still-no-text-1024x428.jpg" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="1" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/header-still-no-text-1024x428.jpg 1024w, https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/header-still-no-text-500x209.jpg 500w, https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/header-still-no-text-768x321.jpg 768w, https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/header-still-no-text-800x335.jpg 800w, https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/header-still-no-text-956x400.jpg 956w, https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/header-still-no-text-239x100.jpg 239w, https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/header-still-no-text.jpg 1903w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a><p>Do you have a quiet place you go to be alone with God? A place where you pour out your prayers and praises and seek His counsel?</p>
<p>For me, during my early years as a Christian in high school and college, a local park and nearby beaches were my special places. I loved to sit and watch the tide roll in, reminding me of God’s faithfulness as I quieted my heart in His presence. Today, I have my comfy chair at home.</p>
<p>Quiet time with the Lord is imperative if we want to maintain peace in our lives. Jesus tells us in this life there will be trouble—but in Him we find peace.</p>
<blockquote><p><em>I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. (John 16:33 NIV)</em></p></blockquote>
<p>Seasons of trials, conflict, afflictions, and adversity are inevitable in this life. The world is a volatile and unpeaceful place, and tuning in to the news often inflames uncertainty. If we let it, anxiety and worry can easily consume us on every front.</p>
<p>A respected ministry leader and teacher I know once suggested that <em>peace</em> is our greatest spiritual weapon.</p>
<blockquote><p><em>And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly. (Romans 16:20 NKJV)</em></p></blockquote>
<p>God’s peace is the only weapon that can work instantly, to crush Satan under our feet! Only by maintaining peace in our minds and hearts will we be able to hear from God when the storms come.</p>
<blockquote><p><em>For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. (2 Corinthians 10:3-5 NIV)</em></p></blockquote>
<p>The antidote to so many of our struggles is found in His presence. There is no greater habit we can incorporate into our lives than quiet time with Him in the <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+91%3A1&amp;version=NKJV" target="_blank" rel="noopener">secret place</a> each day.</p>
<p>Silencing our hearts through prayer and His presence, God brings His Word to our remembrance, He gives us <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James+1%3A5&amp;version=NKJV" target="_blank" rel="noopener">wisdom</a>; He speaks His counsel into the depths of our hearts.</p>
<p>Jesus, the One who has overcome the world, is in you. Talk to Him often and share your life with Him. Let His <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=colossians+3%3A15&amp;version=NKJV" target="_blank" rel="noopener">peace</a> rule in your heart—the wonderful peace found only<em> in His presence</em>.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h6>Copyright © 2019 Cheryl Elton</h6>
<p><a class="a2a_button_facebook" href="https://www.addtoany.com/add_to/facebook?linkurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cherylelton.com%2Four-greatest-spiritual-weapon%2F&amp;linkname=Our%20Greatest%20Spiritual%20Weapon" title="Facebook" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"></a><a class="a2a_button_twitter" href="https://www.addtoany.com/add_to/twitter?linkurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cherylelton.com%2Four-greatest-spiritual-weapon%2F&amp;linkname=Our%20Greatest%20Spiritual%20Weapon" title="Twitter" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"></a><a class="a2a_button_email" href="https://www.addtoany.com/add_to/email?linkurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cherylelton.com%2Four-greatest-spiritual-weapon%2F&amp;linkname=Our%20Greatest%20Spiritual%20Weapon" title="Email" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"></a><a class="a2a_dd addtoany_share_save addtoany_share" href="https://www.addtoany.com/share#url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cherylelton.com%2Four-greatest-spiritual-weapon%2F&#038;title=Our%20Greatest%20Spiritual%20Weapon" data-a2a-url="https://www.cherylelton.com/our-greatest-spiritual-weapon/" data-a2a-title="Our Greatest Spiritual Weapon"></a></p><p>The post <a href="https://www.cherylelton.com/our-greatest-spiritual-weapon/">Our Greatest Spiritual Weapon</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.cherylelton.com">Cheryl Elton</a>.</p>
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		<title>Taming the Wandering Mind</title>
		<link>https://www.cherylelton.com/taming-the-wandering-mind/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=taming-the-wandering-mind</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Cheryl Elton]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 26 Sep 2018 05:00:42 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Hearing God’s Voice/Prayer]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[bible]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[devotions]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Lord's voice]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[prayer]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[quiet]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[stillness]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.cherylelton.com/?p=6006</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<a href="https://www.cherylelton.com/taming-the-wandering-mind/" title="Taming the Wandering Mind" rel="nofollow"><img width="1000" height="626" src="https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/clasped-hands-on-book.jpg" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="Praying hands on Bible" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="1" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/clasped-hands-on-book.jpg 1000w, https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/clasped-hands-on-book-500x313.jpg 500w, https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/clasped-hands-on-book-768x481.jpg 768w, https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/clasped-hands-on-book-800x501.jpg 800w, https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/clasped-hands-on-book-639x400.jpg 639w, https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/clasped-hands-on-book-160x100.jpg 160w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></a><p>Establishing daily quiet time with God is necessary for anyone who wants a close, intimate relationship with Him. Many of the great men and women of faith throughout Scripture and history have testified to morning being the optimal time. Yet a wandering mind can challenge many Christians during their quiet time with the Lord. Have you ever started praying, only to find a few seconds later you’re thinking about what you’ll have for dinner that night? Or begun reading the Bible, only to have your thoughts jump to that Facebook post you liked? The world trains our minds to jump...&#160; </p>
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<p>The post <a href="https://www.cherylelton.com/taming-the-wandering-mind/">Taming the Wandering Mind</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.cherylelton.com">Cheryl Elton</a>.</p>
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										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<a href="https://www.cherylelton.com/taming-the-wandering-mind/" title="Taming the Wandering Mind" rel="nofollow"><img width="1000" height="626" src="https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/clasped-hands-on-book.jpg" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="Praying hands on Bible" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="1" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/clasped-hands-on-book.jpg 1000w, https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/clasped-hands-on-book-500x313.jpg 500w, https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/clasped-hands-on-book-768x481.jpg 768w, https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/clasped-hands-on-book-800x501.jpg 800w, https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/clasped-hands-on-book-639x400.jpg 639w, https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/clasped-hands-on-book-160x100.jpg 160w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></a><p>Establishing daily quiet time with God is necessary for anyone who wants a close, intimate relationship with Him. Many of the great men and women of faith throughout Scripture and history have testified to morning being the optimal time.</p>
<p>Yet a wandering mind can challenge many Christians during their quiet time with the Lord. Have you ever started praying, only to find a few seconds later you’re thinking about what you’ll have for dinner that night? Or begun reading the Bible, only to have your thoughts jump to that Facebook post you liked?</p>
<p>The world trains our minds to jump from thought to thought constantly. Television, advertising, the Internet—all with fast moving images—encourage these thought patterns.</p>
<p>But the good news is that with God’s help we <em>can </em>learn to focus and quiet our minds as we develop new habit patterns of silence. <em>We simply need less of us, and more of Him.</em></p>
<p>For ten years hero of the faith George Müller had regularly spent time in prayer each morning—but he struggled considerably with a wandering mind. So he changed his habit to meditating on Scripture. As he did, he found he would almost effortlessly go into prayers of thanksgiving, confession, intercession, and supplication.</p>
<p>From that time on, prayer was no longer such an effort! Reading and meditating on Scripture provided a natural springboard to praise and prayer. Müller then sustained the habit of Bible reading and prayer for the next 40 years with much more ease.</p>
<p>When relationship with the Lord becomes a priority, He reveals and helps us with the things we need to change, including learning to control our thoughts.<em> </em></p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-742" src="https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/thumb07-300x300.jpg" alt="sunrise, hope" width="300" height="300" srcset="https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/thumb07-300x300.jpg 300w, https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/thumb07-80x80.jpg 80w, https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/thumb07-75x75.jpg 75w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />In the 16<sup>th</sup>century, St. Francis de Sales wrote:</p>
<blockquote><p><em>If the heart wanders or is distracted, bring it back to the point quite gently and replace it tenderly in its Master’s presence. And even if you did nothing during the whole of your hour but bring your heart back and place it again in our Lord’s presence, though it went away every time you brought it back, your hour will be very well employed . . .</em></p></blockquote>
<p>We must build new habit patterns of silence, taking the time to tune out life’s demands and distractions, and entering the secret place of His presence. It is only there we find rest.</p>
<blockquote><p><em>He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.”  (Psalm 91:1-2)</em></p></blockquote>
<p>If you struggle with a wandering mind during morning devotions, try meditating on Scripture, as Müller did. If you’re not comfortable with quiet, or you struggle with racing thoughts, take heart. Jesus Christ is with you, helping, strengthening, and encouraging you in all your endeavors.</p>
<p>With His help in developing these disciplines, in time we learn to carry His stillness with us, wherever we go.</p>
<p>Let the Prince of Peace Himself welcome you into the new day. He is with you . . . just waiting for your call!</p>
<p>Copyright © 2018 Cheryl Elton</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>For more on the value of cultivating quietness, see chapter 16 &#8220;The Quiet Classroom&#8221; in my book <a href="http://www.cherylelton.com/pathway-of-peace">Pathway of Peace: Living in a Growing Relationship with Christ</a></p>
<p><a class="a2a_button_facebook" href="https://www.addtoany.com/add_to/facebook?linkurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cherylelton.com%2Ftaming-the-wandering-mind%2F&amp;linkname=Taming%20the%20Wandering%20Mind" title="Facebook" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"></a><a class="a2a_button_twitter" href="https://www.addtoany.com/add_to/twitter?linkurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cherylelton.com%2Ftaming-the-wandering-mind%2F&amp;linkname=Taming%20the%20Wandering%20Mind" title="Twitter" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"></a><a class="a2a_button_email" href="https://www.addtoany.com/add_to/email?linkurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cherylelton.com%2Ftaming-the-wandering-mind%2F&amp;linkname=Taming%20the%20Wandering%20Mind" title="Email" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"></a><a class="a2a_dd addtoany_share_save addtoany_share" href="https://www.addtoany.com/share#url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cherylelton.com%2Ftaming-the-wandering-mind%2F&#038;title=Taming%20the%20Wandering%20Mind" data-a2a-url="https://www.cherylelton.com/taming-the-wandering-mind/" data-a2a-title="Taming the Wandering Mind"></a></p><p>The post <a href="https://www.cherylelton.com/taming-the-wandering-mind/">Taming the Wandering Mind</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.cherylelton.com">Cheryl Elton</a>.</p>
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		<title>Starting the Day with God</title>
		<link>https://www.cherylelton.com/starting-the-day-with-god/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=starting-the-day-with-god</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Cheryl Elton]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 12 Sep 2018 05:00:06 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Hearing God’s Voice/Prayer]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[bible]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[devotions]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Lord's voice]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[prayer]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[quiet]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[stillness]]></category>
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					<description><![CDATA[<a href="https://www.cherylelton.com/starting-the-day-with-god/" title="Starting the Day with God" rel="nofollow"><img width="1024" height="676" src="https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Good-Morning-God-copy-1024x676.jpg" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="1" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Good-Morning-God-copy-1024x676.jpg 1024w, https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Good-Morning-God-copy-500x330.jpg 500w, https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Good-Morning-God-copy-768x507.jpg 768w, https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Good-Morning-God-copy-800x528.jpg 800w, https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Good-Morning-God-copy-606x400.jpg 606w, https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Good-Morning-God-copy-151x100.jpg 151w, https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Good-Morning-God-copy.jpg 1636w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a><p>Yesterday, while heading out the door to go to the movies, my husband announced “I don’t have my phone—but we have yours, right? We need at least one phone with us.” Funny how for years we lived with no cell phones—now we can’t seem to survive without them! I thought. For most of us, leaving the house without our phones, we feel lost, even vulnerable, unsafe. The ability to communicate and get information anywhere anytime has tremendous value, but can also serve as great distraction. Reaching for the phone—for some while still in bed—is often the first action of the day....&#160; </p>
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<p>The post <a href="https://www.cherylelton.com/starting-the-day-with-god/">Starting the Day with God</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.cherylelton.com">Cheryl Elton</a>.</p>
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										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<a href="https://www.cherylelton.com/starting-the-day-with-god/" title="Starting the Day with God" rel="nofollow"><img width="1024" height="676" src="https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Good-Morning-God-copy-1024x676.jpg" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="1" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Good-Morning-God-copy-1024x676.jpg 1024w, https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Good-Morning-God-copy-500x330.jpg 500w, https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Good-Morning-God-copy-768x507.jpg 768w, https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Good-Morning-God-copy-800x528.jpg 800w, https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Good-Morning-God-copy-606x400.jpg 606w, https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Good-Morning-God-copy-151x100.jpg 151w, https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Good-Morning-God-copy.jpg 1636w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a><p>Yesterday, while heading out the door to go to the movies, my husband announced “I don’t have my phone—but we have yours, right? We need at least one phone with us.”</p>
<p><em>Funny how for years we lived with no cell phones—now we can’t seem to survive without them! </em>I thought.</p>
<p>For most of us, leaving the house without our phones, we feel lost, even vulnerable, unsafe.</p>
<p>The ability to communicate and get information anywhere anytime has tremendous value, but can also serve as great distraction.</p>
<p>Reaching for the phone—for some while still in bed—is often the first action of the day. Yet this simple act, as innocent as it seems, can quickly distract us. Before we know it, we’re responding to messages, checking emails, reading articles—and we’ve robbed ourselves from entering the day fully engaged with God!</p>
<p>Many heroes of the faith in Scripture spent quiet time with God, usually early in the morning.</p>
<p>David tells us in Psalms:</p>
<blockquote><p><em>O God, You are my God; <strong>Early will I seek You</strong>; My soul thirsts for You; My flesh longs for You In a dry and thirsty land where there is no water. So I have looked for You in the sanctuary, to see Your power and Your glory.  (Psalm 63:1-2)</em></p>
<p><em>Listen to my voice in the morning, LORD. <strong>Each morning I bring my requests to you </strong>and wait expectantly. (Psalm 5:3)</em><em> </em></p></blockquote>
<p><u><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=daniel+6%3A10&amp;version=NIV" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Daniel</a> </u>had quiet times of daily prayer. <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=job+1%3A5&amp;version=NIV" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Job</a> would rise early to offer sacrifices and pray for his children.</p>
<p>And of course Jesus understood the importance of daily quiet time with the Father. In the gospels we read He often went out early in the morning to seek silence and pray.</p>
<blockquote><p><strong><em>Before daybreak the next morning</em></strong><em>, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray.  (Mark 1:35)</em><em> </em></p></blockquote>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignright wp-image-5995" src="https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/clasped-hands-on-book-500x313.jpg" alt="Praying hands on Bible" width="400" height="250" srcset="https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/clasped-hands-on-book-500x313.jpg 500w, https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/clasped-hands-on-book-768x481.jpg 768w, https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/clasped-hands-on-book-800x501.jpg 800w, https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/clasped-hands-on-book-639x400.jpg 639w, https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/clasped-hands-on-book-160x100.jpg 160w, https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/clasped-hands-on-book.jpg 1000w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" />Establishing daily time with God is necessary for anyone who wants a close, intimate relationship with Him. Although morning devotions aren’t a command in Scripture, it’s clear that many of the great men and women of faith throughout history have testified to morning being the optimal time.</p>
<p>In his book <em>Power Through Prayer</em>, E.M. Bounds writes:</p>
<blockquote><p><em>The men [and women] who have done the most for God in this world have been early on their knees. He who fritters away the early morning, its opportunity and freshness, in other pursuits than seeking God will make poor headway seeking Him the rest of the day. <strong>If God is not first in our thoughts and efforts in the morning, He will be in the last place the remainder of the day.</strong></em><strong><em> </em></strong></p></blockquote>
<p>Without setting our hearts with God first thing in the morning, it remains difficult—once we move into the demands and distractions of the day—to be still within, to hold His peace, and to hear His voice throughout the day.</p>
<p>It’s a matter of priority, isn’t it? <em>I won’t occupy myself with other things until my heart is first engaged with You.</em><em> </em></p>
<p>In that precious morning time of Bible reading, prayer, quiet meditation and listening, He fills us with His presence, His peace—and the heart we need to love Him and others through each new day.</p>
<p>What a joyful way to live!</p>
<p>Copyright © 2018 Cheryl Elton</p>
<p><a class="a2a_button_facebook" href="https://www.addtoany.com/add_to/facebook?linkurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cherylelton.com%2Fstarting-the-day-with-god%2F&amp;linkname=Starting%20the%20Day%20with%20God" title="Facebook" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"></a><a class="a2a_button_twitter" href="https://www.addtoany.com/add_to/twitter?linkurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cherylelton.com%2Fstarting-the-day-with-god%2F&amp;linkname=Starting%20the%20Day%20with%20God" title="Twitter" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"></a><a class="a2a_button_email" href="https://www.addtoany.com/add_to/email?linkurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cherylelton.com%2Fstarting-the-day-with-god%2F&amp;linkname=Starting%20the%20Day%20with%20God" title="Email" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"></a><a class="a2a_dd addtoany_share_save addtoany_share" href="https://www.addtoany.com/share#url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cherylelton.com%2Fstarting-the-day-with-god%2F&#038;title=Starting%20the%20Day%20with%20God" data-a2a-url="https://www.cherylelton.com/starting-the-day-with-god/" data-a2a-title="Starting the Day with God"></a></p><p>The post <a href="https://www.cherylelton.com/starting-the-day-with-god/">Starting the Day with God</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.cherylelton.com">Cheryl Elton</a>.</p>
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		<title>What Sparks Revival?</title>
		<link>https://www.cherylelton.com/what-sparks-revival/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=what-sparks-revival</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Cheryl Elton]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sat, 04 Aug 2018 05:00:54 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Hearing God’s Voice/Prayer]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[faith]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[His presence]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[hope]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[prayer]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[revival]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[trust]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.cherylelton.com/?p=5907</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<a href="https://www.cherylelton.com/what-sparks-revival/" title="What Sparks Revival?" rel="nofollow"><img width="1024" height="682" src="https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Prayer-Large-1024x682.jpg" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="Prayer - Repentance - Revival" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="1" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Prayer-Large-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Prayer-Large-500x333.jpg 500w, https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Prayer-Large-768x512.jpg 768w, https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Prayer-Large-800x533.jpg 800w, https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Prayer-Large-600x400.jpg 600w, https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Prayer-Large-150x100.jpg 150w, https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Prayer-Large.jpg 1280w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a><p>Could the next great revival be on the horizon? Many Christians think so, and we certainly need one. Our country has reached heightened moral decline, God is all but removed from public places, and we’re divided on many fronts. “There’s so much anger, so much polarization, and Jesus is the answer,” said Anne Graham Lotz, after her father, the Rev. Billy Graham, known as “America’s Pastor” passed away earlier this year[1]. She prays her father’s death serves as a wake-up call for the Church and sparks a revival. Lotz believes to fill her father’s shoes we all need to step...&#160; </p>
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<p>The post <a href="https://www.cherylelton.com/what-sparks-revival/">What Sparks Revival?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.cherylelton.com">Cheryl Elton</a>.</p>
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										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<a href="https://www.cherylelton.com/what-sparks-revival/" title="What Sparks Revival?" rel="nofollow"><img width="1024" height="682" src="https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Prayer-Large-1024x682.jpg" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="Prayer - Repentance - Revival" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="1" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Prayer-Large-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Prayer-Large-500x333.jpg 500w, https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Prayer-Large-768x512.jpg 768w, https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Prayer-Large-800x533.jpg 800w, https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Prayer-Large-600x400.jpg 600w, https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Prayer-Large-150x100.jpg 150w, https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Prayer-Large.jpg 1280w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a><p>Could the next great revival be on the horizon?</p>
<p>Many Christians think so, and we certainly need one. Our country has reached heightened moral decline, God is all but removed from public places, and we’re divided on many fronts.</p>
<p>“There’s so much anger, so much polarization, and Jesus is the answer,” said Anne Graham Lotz, after her father, the Rev. Billy Graham, known as “America’s Pastor” passed away earlier this year<a href="#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1">[1]</a>.</p>
<p>She prays her father’s death serves as a wake-up call for the Church and sparks a revival. Lotz believes to fill her father’s shoes we all need to step up and share the powerful gospel message with boldness.</p>
<p>A revival is a reawakening of people turning to Christ, usually through evangelistic meetings led by great preachers like Graham. Other notables include DL Moody, John Wesley, Charles Spurgeon, Hudson Taylor, and Charles Finney.</p>
<p>Yet not all revivals are led by powerful evangelists. Some are initiated through lay people and simple means. One such example is the Great East African Revival of 1929—arguably one of the most famous and influential African spiritual movements of the twentieth century.</p>
<p>At the helm, were John Edward Church<a href="#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2">[2]</a>, a British medical missionary to Rwanda and Simeon Nsibambi, a young Christian leader from Uganda. Both shared dissatisfaction with the low spiritual condition of the church, and had reached a personal state of “acute spiritual dryness.” After spending two days together in prayer and Bible reading, each experienced the “transformative power of the Holy Spirit.”</p>
<p>With renewed zeal, the two men began extending love and full sharing<a href="#_ftn3" name="_ftnref3">[3]</a> with fellow Africans—regardless of class, station, or race—through small group fellowship meetings. Such gatherings quickly spread throughout homes and villages, as Christians met to share their testimonies and desire for the deeper Christian life.</p>
<p>Distinctive features of the East African Revival were:</p>
<ul>
<li>No famous preacher was leading its efforts. John Church never claimed to be the leader of the revival, but considered himself a co-worker with the Holy Spirit.</li>
<li>Revival sprang from two wonderful Christians with a love for the people and a heart to reach them.</li>
<li>Small group meetings were led mostly by lay people. Great impact spread from the grassroots level, and continued for several decades.</li>
<li>Emphasis was on the saving power of Christ and daily submission to Him. Other themes were messages of sin, repentance, and forgiveness, rather than the gifts of the Holy Spirit such as speaking in tongues and supernatural healing.</li>
<li>Public confession of hidden sins was common, followed by a desire for holy living.</li>
</ul>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignright wp-image-5910" src="https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Open-Bible-500x375.jpg" alt="Bible Study" width="400" height="300" srcset="https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Open-Bible-500x375.jpg 500w, https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Open-Bible-768x577.jpg 768w, https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Open-Bible-1024x769.jpg 1024w, https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Open-Bible-800x601.jpg 800w, https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Open-Bible-533x400.jpg 533w, https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Open-Bible-133x100.jpg 133w, https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Open-Bible.jpg 1280w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" />In time, the East African Revival was presented as a model for renewal movements of the Holy Spirit to other countries, including Switzerland, France and Germany in the late 1940s, and Malawi, Angola, India, Brazil, Israel, and the United States in the early 1950s.</p>
<p>It’s possible the foundations of this revival influenced one of the most significant and more recent awakenings of the 20<sup>th</sup> century in the United States—the Jesus movement of the 1960s and 70s.</p>
<p>Are there common attributes that spark a revival?</p>
<p>Yes!</p>
<p>Author and men’s ministry leader Patrick Morley lists 10 characteristics of revival:<a href="#_ftn4" name="_ftnref4">[4]</a></p>
<ol>
<li><strong>TIMING: </strong>Revivals emerge during times of spiritual and moral decline, which leads to intense prayer.</li>
<li><strong>PRAYER: </strong>God puts a longing into the hearts of many to pray for revival.</li>
<li><strong>THE WORD: </strong>The preaching or reading of God&#8217;s Word brings deep conviction and desire for Christ.</li>
<li><strong>THE HOLY SPIRIT: </strong>The Holy Spirit takes people to a spiritual depth they could not achieve on their own.</li>
<li><strong>CONVICTION: </strong>Affected sinners are inconsolable except in Christ.</li>
<li><strong>GLORY FOR GOD</strong>: God receives praise, honor, and glory for bringing revival.</li>
<li><strong>REFORMATION AND RENEWAL:</strong> Revival produces lasting fruit. New ministries are founded and society experiences a reform of morals as more and more people convert.</li>
<li><strong>MANIFESTATIONS: </strong>Manifestations like fainting, groaning prayer, and miracles vary by culture and denomination.</li>
<li><strong>MESSY: </strong>Revivals are messy&#8211;controversies swirl about miracles, abuses, excesses, suspicions, and theological disputes (to name but a few).</li>
<li><strong>CYCLICAL: </strong>Revivals inevitably crest and decline.</li>
</ol>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>God initiates revival as a result of deep repentance—regret or remorse and a turning to God with humility—occurring in peoples’ hearts.</p>
<p>In the first century church, Peter’s sermon in Acts 3 gave a powerful call for repentance:<em> </em></p>
<blockquote><p><em>Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord; (Acts 3:19 NASB)</em></p></blockquote>
<p>Could we be on the cusp of the next great awakening here in the United States?</p>
<p>If our generation is going to experience revival, it starts with God’s people humbly submitting to the conviction of the Holy Spirit, confessing their sins, and seeking change where needed.</p>
<p>It requires remaining fervent in prayer, and seeking our refreshing in the presence of the Lord.</p>
<p>Then, we can rest assured that we are making a step toward sparking the next great revival.</p>
<p>_______________________________________________________________</p>
<p><a href="#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1">[1]</a> For Anne Graham Lotz’s response to Billy Graham’s death, see: <a href="http://www1.cbn.com/cbnnews/us/2018/february/anne-graham-lotz-prays-her-fathers-passing-will-spark-revival-in-the-church">http://www1.cbn.com/cbnnews/us/2018/february/anne-graham-lotz-prays-her-fathers-passing-will-spark-revival-in-the-church</a></p>
<p><a href="#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2">[2]</a> To read about John Edward Church and the Great East African Revival of 1929, see <a href="http://www.bu.edu/missiology/missionary-biography/c-d/church-john-edward-1899-1989/">http://www.bu.edu/missiology/missionary-biography/c-d/church-john-edward-1899-1989/</a></p>
<p><a href="#_ftnref3" name="_ftn3">[3]</a> “Fellowship” in the Greek is <em>koinonia</em>, meaning a full sharing.</p>
<p><a href="#_ftnref4" name="_ftn4">[4]</a> For the full article, see: <a href="http://patrickmorley.com/blog/2015/6/23/a-brief-history-of-spiritual-revival-and-awakening-in-america">http://patrickmorley.com/blog/2015/6/23/a-brief-history-of-spiritual-revival-and-awakening-in-america</a></p>
<p>Copyright © 2018 Cheryl Elton</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><a class="a2a_button_facebook" href="https://www.addtoany.com/add_to/facebook?linkurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cherylelton.com%2Fwhat-sparks-revival%2F&amp;linkname=What%20Sparks%20Revival%3F" title="Facebook" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"></a><a class="a2a_button_twitter" href="https://www.addtoany.com/add_to/twitter?linkurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cherylelton.com%2Fwhat-sparks-revival%2F&amp;linkname=What%20Sparks%20Revival%3F" title="Twitter" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"></a><a class="a2a_button_email" href="https://www.addtoany.com/add_to/email?linkurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cherylelton.com%2Fwhat-sparks-revival%2F&amp;linkname=What%20Sparks%20Revival%3F" title="Email" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"></a><a class="a2a_dd addtoany_share_save addtoany_share" href="https://www.addtoany.com/share#url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cherylelton.com%2Fwhat-sparks-revival%2F&#038;title=What%20Sparks%20Revival%3F" data-a2a-url="https://www.cherylelton.com/what-sparks-revival/" data-a2a-title="What Sparks Revival?"></a></p><p>The post <a href="https://www.cherylelton.com/what-sparks-revival/">What Sparks Revival?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.cherylelton.com">Cheryl Elton</a>.</p>
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		<title>High Tower</title>
		<link>https://www.cherylelton.com/high-tower/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=high-tower</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Cheryl Elton]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 16 Jul 2018 04:15:31 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Faith/Trust]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[future]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[prayer]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[purpose]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[trust]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.cherylelton.com/?p=5892</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<a href="https://www.cherylelton.com/high-tower/" title="High Tower" rel="nofollow"><img width="1024" height="608" src="https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/High-Tower-Psalm-18-1024x608.jpg" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="High Tower, Psalm 18" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="1" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/High-Tower-Psalm-18-1024x608.jpg 1024w, https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/High-Tower-Psalm-18-500x297.jpg 500w, https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/High-Tower-Psalm-18-768x456.jpg 768w, https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/High-Tower-Psalm-18-800x475.jpg 800w, https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/High-Tower-Psalm-18-674x400.jpg 674w, https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/High-Tower-Psalm-18-168x100.jpg 168w, https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/High-Tower-Psalm-18.jpg 1600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a><p>Our third year of marriage unexpectedly found my husband looking for a new job. His company had undergone massive layoffs, and Rich’s department was among them. With many unknowns suddenly facing us, Rich began meeting with recruiters and mapping out potential interviews. Attracted to the quaintness and quietness of Vermont, we decided to set our sights there. We began praying while staying open to God’s leading, and trusted His hand to be upon the process. Over the following three months, Rich sent numerous resumes to prospective companies in Vermont, and throughout the northeast. He landed some interviews, but to our disappointment,...&#160; </p>
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										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<a href="https://www.cherylelton.com/high-tower/" title="High Tower" rel="nofollow"><img width="1024" height="608" src="https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/High-Tower-Psalm-18-1024x608.jpg" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="High Tower, Psalm 18" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="1" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/High-Tower-Psalm-18-1024x608.jpg 1024w, https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/High-Tower-Psalm-18-500x297.jpg 500w, https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/High-Tower-Psalm-18-768x456.jpg 768w, https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/High-Tower-Psalm-18-800x475.jpg 800w, https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/High-Tower-Psalm-18-674x400.jpg 674w, https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/High-Tower-Psalm-18-168x100.jpg 168w, https://www.cherylelton.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/High-Tower-Psalm-18.jpg 1600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a><p>Our third year of marriage unexpectedly found my husband looking for a new job. His company had undergone massive layoffs, and Rich’s department was among them.</p>
<p>With many unknowns suddenly facing us, Rich began meeting with recruiters and mapping out potential interviews.</p>
<p>Attracted to the quaintness and quietness of Vermont, we decided to set our sights there. We began praying while staying open to God’s leading, and trusted His hand to be upon the process.</p>
<p>Over the following three months, Rich sent numerous resumes to prospective companies in Vermont, and throughout the northeast. He landed some interviews, but to our disappointment, Vermont remained silent.</p>
<p>We continued praying, waiting . . .</p>
<p>Finally, three job offers came in within days! Company A, based in New York not far from the Vermont border needed a quick answer, while B and C were also pending. We decided Rich would accept company A’s offer the following morning.</p>
<p>While on the phone, in a shocking move the company pulled the rug out from under us, reneging their offer and saying they decided to cancel the position: the door not only shutting, but slamming in our faces!</p>
<p>Later that afternoon Rich called company B, and accepted their offer in northern New York. The rest is history.</p>
<p>Today, we look back on a long and fruitful career in a place we love, the years filled with blessings we never could have imagined! We are thankful we didn’t go to Vermont.</p>
<p>You see, several years into his new job, unforeseen and difficult challenges arose in our lives, which we realized in hindsight we never would have been equipped to handle if we’d been in Vermont.</p>
<p>We&#8217;ve learned that sometimes what we think we want isn’t ultimately the best for us. But God knows what we need, and lovingly directs our paths as we seek and trust Him above all else.</p>
<blockquote><p><em>Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6)</em></p></blockquote>
<p>Are we willing to surrender our own agendas, and trust that God sees the big picture and can supply what we need in the best possible way?</p>
<p>What need are you facing? Perhaps it’s a new job or a relationship decision; wisdom concerning a wayward child, or an aging parent.</p>
<p>Whatever it is, you can trust your Heavenly Father, for He is your rock, your strength, your deliverer—your <em>high tower</em>.</p>
<blockquote><p><em>The </em><em>LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my <strong>high tower</strong>. (Psalm 18:2)</em></p></blockquote>
<p>God is our high tower, and from His vantage point sees what we cannot see.</p>
<p>Place your need in His capable hands. You can rest in Him and trust that He not only sees the long view of your life, but can give you the best of His blessings.</p>
<p>Copyright © 2018 Cheryl Elton</p>
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