Author: cherylz1961

Cheryl Zelenka is a retired teacher, author, single mom, and brain tumor survivor. Her passion to encourage others with the Word of God is why she writes her Christian Encouragement blog, http://facingtrials.com Her first book, Facing Trials: Thoughts For Meditation is now available on on West Bow Press. http://bookstore.westbowpress.com/AdvancedSearch/Default.aspx? SearchTerm=Zelenka Her second book is a unique Bible Study called Divine Interruptions. Using the book of Job, Cheryl intertwines her struggle recovering from a brain tumor to his trial and the lessons he learned. http://facingtrials.com/ http://weepingintodancing.com/ http://inspirationalchristiansfortoday.com/
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Reckless Words

cherylz1961

“Lord, make my words as sweet as honey for tomorrow I may have to eat them.”                    Anonymous

“Whoever guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from troubles.”  Proverbs 21:23
(NKJV)

“The words of the reckless pierce like swords,but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” Proverbs 12:18
(NIV)

After regrettable words leave our lips, they seem to hang frozen in the air for an eternity. Those within earshot share in our awkward moment as everyone thinks, “Did I/they really say that? Did I/they really say that Out Loud?” If only we could reel back in our careless words before they transform themselves into destructive wrecking balls! Continue reading “Reckless Words” →

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Jesus And The Fig Tree

cherylz1961

Why did Jesus curse the fig tree?

“Now the next day, when they had come out from Bethany, He was hungry.  And seeing from afar a fig tree having leaves, He went to see if perhaps He would find something on it. When He came to it, He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. In response Jesus said to it, “Let no one eat fruit from you ever again.” And His disciples heard it.” Mark 11:12-15 (NKJV)

When He realized it was all leaves and no fruit, was Jesus so terribly disappointed that He vented His anger in emotional vindictiveness? Since we know Jesus is without sin… we must conclude His anger towards this fig tree was righteous. Continue reading “Jesus And The Fig Tree” →

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The Closet

cherylz1961

“But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.” Matthew 6:6 (NKJV)

The chair sat in a closet far away from the kitchen. Hidden in the dark, a person could easily slip into the space with little notice. It was not the usual coat closet or even a pantry filled with canned goods. It was a prayer closet.

The distractions that arise from a small house with six children are what originally motivated the daddy to build the small space. Alice, his youngest, loved to hide in the closet. Like him, she believed in the power of prayer and was thankful for the little sanctuary. It always reminded her of God’s presence and His desire for her fellowship.

Although prayers were said before every meal and family devotions were shared every night, Alice still made time for the prayer closet. Her siblings had no interest in it, so she never had to fight for access. Within the walls of the tiny closet there was room for just one small chair. Alice didn’t mind, for the moment she sat on that chair she entered the presence of God and all her worldly cares slipped into His hands.

Over the years Alice grew into a lovely young woman. She was known for her gentle and quiet spirit and for the graceful way she carried herself. She never married, so after her parents died, she inherited their home. Her brothers and sisters had all moved away to raise their own families and were happy she had become the new homeowner.

God gives all of His children spiritual gifts. To Alice He gave the gift of faith and a passion to intercede for the lost. Unseen by all, it was her joy to enter the prayer closet. She would daily lift up those in need of God’s grace and provision. The Lord would place neighbors, strangers from the grocery store, childhood friends and government officials on her heart. Faithfully, she would lift them up and ask God to reveal Himself to them. She asked for His saving grace.

For 87 years Alice lived a quiet life in her small community. She was well liked but nobody, including her siblings, thought she had accomplished much. She never went to college, worked only simple jobs, and left behind no family of her own. What would her nieces and nephews say at her funeral? Nobody knew of her time in the prayer closet. Nobody knew how the spiritual realm came to attention when she was on her knees.

When Alice took her last breath on earth and woke to her first day in heaven, there was a MULTITUDE of heavenly hosts waiting to greet her and give thanks. Her prayers had helped to bring many souls into the kingdom of God, but only in death was this finally revealed. She was humbled by the first words of her beloved Savior, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” To hear these words had been her heart’s desire.

But oh, you cannot imagine Alice’s surprised when God revealed her heavenly treasure and the many crowns she had earned, including the Crown of Rejoicing.

MEDITATE ON THESE SCRIPTURES AND QUOTE BY TOZER DURING YOUR QUIET TIME

“For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?” 1 Thessalonians 2:19 (NKJV)

“His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’”          Matthew 25:21 (NKJV)

“There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.” 1 Corinthians 12:3-11(NKJV)

“The key to prayer is simply praying.” ~ A.W. Tozer

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Bondservants Are Not Complacent!

cherylz1961

*bondservant

We should all strive to be satisfied and content with the provisions provided by God, but not at the risk of spiritual degeneration. When one becomes too comfortable in life, there is a serious danger of growing complacent. With complacency, self-satisfaction rules the heart. And because of this smug attitude of being pleased with ourselves, we loose interest in growing more like Christ. Thus, we hinder any further transformation God has designed for us.

“Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition.  For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”  1 Timothy 6:6-10 (NKJV)

Any time “self” enters into an equation, we must pause and consider whether it should be present at all or completely stricken. A bondservant’s focus should always be on his master and his desires. What pleases the master will in turn satisfy and please the bondservant.

Therefore since we are called to be the *bondservants of Christ” (1 Co 7:22), we need not worry about finding our personal joy through selfish acts of pleasure. For if we set our focus on pleasing God, we will experience the inexpressible joy that only comes from serving the One who loves us beyond all comprehension.

To say God will never bless His children with wealth or gifts is wrong. However, we must always remember that nothing we possess is actually ours. EVERYTHING we have…. Finances, family, education, talents, beauty, intelligence…. Comes from God and belongs to God. We do not possess these things because of our own doing for God has given us the ability and grace to obtain them. To say otherwise is to loose sight of God’s dominion and His loving desire to provide and bless.

Furthermore, we ARE TO USE our God given gifts to glorify His name and bless others. We should not hide or bury our talents and then expect interest or growth. If a bondservant had a special musical ability, it would please his master to hear this gift. How would it please the master if his bondservant only sang or played his instrument in solitude and out of earshot?

Woe to the servant who is aware of a gift or talent but refuses to use it, for it was given for a reason and a harvest is expected. We must cultivate that seed God has provided. He expects interest. There is a purpose for the gift(s) you have received.

With a contented heart praise God for the many blessings in your life. Do not compare your riches to that of your neighbor. God has a reason for blessing some with financial wealth and others with less. We may not know the reason but it has nothing to do with God having favorites. He is impartial and loves all His children equally. Be sure to use your gifts and remember, “From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.” Luke 12:8 (NIV)

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REFLECT ON THESE SCRIPTURES AND ASK GOD TO STIR THE GIFTS WITHIN YOU. CONSIDER WHETHER YOU ARE LIVING YOUR LIFE AS A BONDSERVANT FOR CHRIST.

“But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest.  Therefore take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents.

‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’” Matthew 25:26-30 (NKJV)

*A synonym for bondservant is slave.

“The description of a Biblical bondservant of is one who chooses to serve his Master till death. He will forever wear the mark of this Master. He accomplishes all the Master’s will for his life because of a love called “agape”. Exodus 21: 1-6 http://www.christsbondservants.org/Home_Files/Bondservant.html

“For he who is called in the Lord while a slave is the Lord’s freedman. Likewise he who is called while free is Christ’s slave.” 1 Corinthians 7:22 (NKJV)