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  FIRST BE QUIET
  by Elisabeth Elliot
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Summary: In a world of constant change and decision-making, Elisabeth
Elliot emphasizes the importance of quietness and seeking God's guidance
in our lives.

Topics: "Quiet Time", "Spiritual Guidance"
Scripture References: Psalm 46:10, Proverbs 3:5, Matthew 6:6, Mark 1:35, James 1:5

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DESCRIPTION
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Elisabeth Elliot emphasizes the importance of seeking quietness and
solitude in the midst of life's hectic changes and decisions. She points
to Jesus' example of intentionally withdrawing to be alone, even when
needed by others. Elliot encourages holding decisions before God alone
for at least forty-eight hours, seeking His counsel through prayer and
silence. She suggests meditating on Psalms 86:11 as a guide to seek
truth and follow God's path.

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CONTENT
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Our hectic lives involve many changes, and changes require decisions,
and decisions must often be made in the midst of a multitude of
confusions. We run here and there asking advice. Often we make decisions
without sufficient deliberation because we simply haven't time--or so we
tell ourselves.

There is a marvelously helpful practice that we usually overlook. It is
quietness. Notice how often in the gospels we find Jesus going away
alone, even when people needed Him. He deliberately chose solitude. The
more hectic our lives become, the more necessary is this quietness. When
it is impossible to break away physically to a place of solitude for a
day or so in order to think and pray over a hard decision, there is one
thing which I think helps--do not speak about the decision to anyone but
God for forty-eight hours at least. Just hold it before Him alone. Keep
your mouth shut for two days. Pray. Listen. Seek his counsel.

Try this, too--sit before Him for fifteen consecutive minutes in
silence, focusing your mind on the words of Psalm 86:11 (NEB), "Guide
me, O Lord, that I may be true to thee and follow thy path."

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/elisabeth-elliot/first-be-quiet/
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