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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Moving Past The Comfort Zone

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Author: Cheryl Zelenka

There is a danger in becoming too comfortable with where we are in life. It is one thing to be content and another thing to stagnate. With our spiritual walk with Christ, we must continue to run our race. We will never reach the mountaintop or receive our glorious prize if we lay down in green pastures and never get back up.

Most of us have weathered turbulent storms and the place of rest provided by God has been a welcomed reprieve. But this mercy is meant to be a temporary rest for healing and restoration, not a permanent one. Our home is not in the pasture. No, indeed! Our citizenship is in the city of God and that requires an upward climb. We must be willing to leave our comfort zone. Continue reading “Moving Past The Comfort Zone” →

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Do Not Worry

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By Cheryl Zelenka

“Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? Continue reading “Do Not Worry” →

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Yearning For God

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Author: Cheryl Zelenka

“As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?” Psalm 42:1-2 (NIV)

“At night my soul longs for You, indeed, my spirit within me seeks You diligently; For when the earth experiences Your judgments the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness.” Isaiah 26:9 (NASB)

Our longing for God should be greater than any craving that consumes us. We need to be passionate, to the point of being overwhelmed, in our desire to sit in His holy presence. The scriptures compare our yearning for God to that of a deer panting for streams of water. To yearn for God means we long for His fellowship.

Continue reading “Yearning For God” →

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God’s Thoughts Towards Us

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We are told in the living Word that God’s thoughts toward us are as numerous as the grains of sand upon earth. This has been mathematically calculated (seven quintillions) but really, the analogy means immeasurable. The number of thoughts God has toward you and me is beyond our ability to comprehend or grasp. We are so important and beloved that He can’t stop thinking of us. We are constantly on His mind!

“How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them!

If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand; When I awake, I am still with You.“ Psalm 139:17-18 (NKJV)

Continue reading “God’s Thoughts Towards Us” →