“Peace is something that we all desire, yet often feels elusive in today’s world. Even before the pandemic hit, the fast pace of American culture combined with the ever-increasing usage of technology has many of us feeling frantic and frazzled. Cheryl Elton has made it a life goal to pursue Christ’s perfect peace, and today she shares what she has learned through Scripture and experience about finding peace in a chaotic world.” (From Hope Unyielding podcast show notes)

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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 NLT) 

Each new morning, the sooner we “put on” Christ by communicating with Him, the better equipped we are for the day at hand.

Romans also exhorts us to “clothe” ourselves with Christ’s presence:

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. 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. 

Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires.  (Romans 13:12-14 NLT) 

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.

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.

Are we quenching the longing for God in our hearts with busyness, food, TV, social media, shopping, or another person?

Are we “putting on “ the wrong clothes? 

In every detail of life, God promises us His presence. He tells us He will never leave us or forsake us.

In His presence, peace comes upon us and our ears open to hear His voice.

Today, He is inviting you to still your heart in His presence so He may prepare you for the day.

What spiritual clothes will you put on?

Copyright © 2019 Cheryl Elton

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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 us in this life there will be trouble—but in Him we find peace.

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)

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.

A respected ministry leader and teacher I know once suggested that peace is our greatest spiritual weapon.

And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly. (Romans 16:20 NKJV)

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.

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)

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 secret place each day.

Silencing our hearts through prayer and His presence, God brings His Word to our remembrance, He gives us wisdom; He speaks His counsel into the depths of our hearts.

Jesus, the One who has overcome the world, is in you. Talk to Him often and share your life with Him. Let His peace rule in your heart—the wonderful peace found only in His presence.

Copyright © 2019 Cheryl Elton

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With the Christmas season in full swing, it’s easy to become overloaded with the many obligations and expectations it brings.

We can get so busy with the decorating, shopping, concerts, and other activities that we’re fitting into our already packed schedules, that we lose sight of why we’re doing it all to begin with—leaving us feeling drained and overwhelmed.

In an effort to get a handle on our endless to-do lists, it’s easy to rush into the day, spending little or no time with the One who helps us most!

St. Francis de Sales said:

Every Christian needs a half-hour of prayer each day, except when he is busy, then he needs an hour.

Let’s let that sink in!

To spend more time in prayer when we’re busy certainly goes against our natural inclinations. Yet the truth of this statement falls in line with the many paradoxes of Christian living: e.g., when we give, we receive; when we praise God through our difficulties, we find joy. 

When we enter the day from a place of rest, and invite Jesus to partner with us as we go about our tasks, our eyes will be open to see Him working; our hearts will be at peace to hear His voice.

We’ll be sharing the yoke with the Master, allowing Him to lighten our loads.

Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light. (Matthew 11:28-30)

With His peace guarding our hearts, we will do less, but accomplish more.

There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His. Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest . . .  (Hebrews 4:9-11 NKJV)

In our drive to be productive, let’s remember the thing most worth being concerned about: spending time with the Lord . . . resting in, and enjoying His presence.

Copyright © 2018 Cheryl Elton

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Several years ago, a figure skating coach I know decided—after 20 years of teaching—he would start training to compete again. That winter, every time I was at the rink, I watched him practice. He pushed himself to train, every single day, for months on end.

Finally, the big day came. He travelled halfway across the country to compete against other highly accomplished adult skaters at Nationals.

But soon after arriving, he experienced a crushing blow.

His back gave out, and he spent the entire event in pain, watching from the stands as a spectator.

In hindsight, he realized he had over-trained, and unfortunately his body reached its breaking point at the wrong time.

Sadly, his story is not unusual.

In his zeal to excel, he had ignored an important principle sometimes overlooked by dedicated athletes: the body needs regular time to rest and rebuild after exercise.

God incorporated rest not only as an essential part of our physical life—but also our mental and spiritual life.

In any endeavor, routine times of rest are vital to avoid discouragement and burnout.

Jesus often had crowds thronging Him, yet never rushed when dealing with people. He understood the importance of a balanced life. When the demands became high, He often snuck away to a mountainside or a quiet place to pray. 

He encouraged His disciples to do the same:

“Then Jesus said, ‘Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.’ He said this because there were so many people coming and going that Jesus and his apostles didn’t even have time to eat.”  (Mark 6:31)

Today, rest remains a rare commodity for many people. They wear busyness as a badge of distinction, and day in and day out stay caught up in its frenzy.

And regrettably, the busier we get with all our “stuff”—work, kids, meetings, meals, exercise, chores, even ministry service—the less time we spend with the One who helps us most.

Jesus extends an ongoing invitation of refreshing to us all:

“Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.’”  (Matthew 11:18)

In our drive to be productive, let’s remember the thing most worth being concerned about: spending time with the Lord each day, resting and refreshing ourselves in His presence.

Taking time to cease from our own work, we allow Him to do His work in us—renewing our strength, restoring our peace. We learn to hear His voice.

In His presence, we’ll find ourselves doing less, but accomplishing much more.

Copyright  © 2017 Cheryl Elton

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It’s called the City that never sleeps—New York!

My son recently survived his first month living there. And while he initially enjoyed the excitement and ease of stepping out of his apartment to explore coffee shops, delis, even the public library—after a few weeks he realized there was no quiet—ever!

Any hour of the day or night the endless drone of traffic, trucks rumbling, barrels crashing, sirens blaring, people talking . . . goes on . . . and on . . . and on . . .

The world teaches us to live like the city, doesn’t it?

Always moving, always producing, always active. Despite how exhausted we are, we must keep going.

Overloaded. Overworked. Overwhelmed.

Is this really what God intended for us?

Jesus gave us a simple promise: at any moment we can turn our thoughts to Him, and find our rest in Him.

Are you weary? Burdened? 

Jesus said:

“Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28) 

Whisper His name. He is only a thought away.  

Sometimes we must cease from our own works, and allow Him to do His work in us . . . restoring our peace, rekindling our joy, revitalizing our hope.

Worship the Lord today by taking time to rest in His presence.

Copyright © 2016 Cheryl Elton

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In our activity-addicted world, many proudly wear busyness as a badge.

While feeling good we’re being productive, it can also become all too easy to go through the day so busy that we’re oblivious to those around us with needs. 

Jesus warned us of this in a parable in Luke 10:25-37.

After quoting the great commandment from the law, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself,” a lawyer, wanting to justify himself, asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” 

Here’s Jesus’ response (paraphrased with comments):

A Jewish man was on his way to Jericho when thieves viciously attacked him, stripped his clothes, and left him wounded and half dead on the side of the road.

In time, a priest and then a Levite passed by and saw the man. Surely these religious leaders would help the man, wouldn’t they? But no—they both continued on their way—no doubt having important things to do or appointments to keep.

Finally a Samaritan, despised by the Jews, came along, and seeing the man felt compassion. He bandaged the man’s wounds, put him on his own donkey, and took him to an inn where he cared for him. The next day he gave the innkeeper money, saying, “use this to care for him.”

The most unlikely one to help—an enemy of the Jews—the Samaritan was the one who showed mercy. Jesus ends the parable saying, “Go and do likewise.”

How often do we stay so busy that we miss opportunities to help those around us?

We can become so focused on carrying out our own agendas that we fail to hear the voice of God prompting us to stop and get involved in someone’s life—to love our neighbor.

Are we willing to surrender control of our own plans and allow God to interrupt when He needs to?

Opportunities abound every day to love and help those near us, whether it be an encouraging word, an act of kindness, praying for someone, or reaching out with a phone call or email.

Or, if He’s telling us to do so, stopping by the side of the road to help the person with a flat tire.

Ask Jesus to live His life through you today and show you where to get involved. He knows your many responsibilities, and His timing will be right.

As we incline the ears of our hearts to hearing His voice, we’ll find that loving our neighbor isn’t only for when it’s convenient, but a lifestyle of service found in His presence . . .

. . . service that brings great joy and blessing.

Copyright © 2016 Cheryl Elton

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Do you sometimes feel that you fall short in living the Christian life?

If we’re honest, I think many of us would say yes. We may put self before service; perhaps we deny Him by the words we speak, the way we live. We may be easily distracted, love only when it’s convenient, and at times willfully disobey God’s word.

Yet Jesus has an amazing way of restoring us back to Him when we fail. He doesn’t ask us to try harder. He doesn’t demean, degrade, or disgrace us. Rather, He simply asks that we consider our love for Him.

In His final post-resurrection appearance, Jesus addresses Peter, saying, “do you love me?”[1] 

To Peter—the one who denied Christ three times and abandoned Him in His most crucial hour—our Lord asks, three times, “do you love me?” 

And all three times, Peter answers, “Yes, Lord, You know that I love You.”

Note that Jesus doesn’t ask: “Will you please get the doctrine right?” “Will you be faithful?” “Will you go on the mission field?” but simply, 

“Do you love me?” 

Isn’t love built on relationship? How much time are we spending with Him? Is His presence living and real each day?

And how do we show our love for Him? 

“Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them.” (John 14:21 NLT) 

Jesus Christ reveals Himself to those who love Him!

The early church at Ephesus was known for their righteous deeds, their patience and perseverance, their intolerance of evil. Yet over time, one thing was lacking—love. So much so, that Jesus says to them:

“But I have this complaint against you. You don’t love me or each other as you did at first.” (Revelation 2:4 NLT) “. . . you have left your first love. (NKVJ)”

First means best. Jesus Christ had been their first and best love. But over time that love diminished.

Is Jesus Christ our first love? Or, like this early church, has activity replaced relationship?

Jesus asks that we examine our love for Him. If our answer is “Yes, Lord,” like Peter’s, He graciously reaffirms His will and His presence, setting our hearts at home once more.

_______________________________________________

[1] Read the full record in John 21.

Copyright © 2016 Cheryl Elton

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With holiday time in full swing, it’s interesting to consider the traditions associated with Christmas. What do decorated trees and wreaths, yule logs, Santa Claus, Christmas cookies, and jingle bells have to do with the birth of Christ?

Answer: Nothing!

What does December 25 have to do with the birth of Jesus Christ?

Answer: Nothing!

Research reveals that Jesus was actually born in the fall of the year. Almost all the customs of Christmas stem from ancient pagan festivals honoring other gods, and didn’t begin until some 300 years after Christ’s death.

And although the Bible records details about the birth of Jesus Christ, there is no record of anyone celebrating it.

So does God really care about all the hoopla surrounding Christmas?

Probably not.

Rather, He cares about our hearts.

Do we become so immersed with activity that we forget about Him? That in our busyness we lose the wonderful peace of His presence?

As we glean the good of the season—helping those in need, talking with others about Jesus at a time of year when needs surface, exchanging gifts with loved ones, appreciating family—may we remember God’s most lavish gift to the world—His Son Jesus Christ.

Please enjoy the following excerpts from Ephesians 1*, reminding us of how special we are to God; the greatest gift, His Son; our wonderful calling to exemplify Christ to the world, and the joy we experience in His presence.

How blessed is God! And what a blessing he is! He’s the Father of our Master, Jesus Christ, and takes us to the high places of blessing in him. Long before he laid down earth’s foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love. Long, long ago he decided to adopt us into his family through Jesus Christ. He wanted us to enter into the celebration of his lavish gift-giving by the hand of his beloved Son. 

Because of the sacrifice of the Messiah, his blood poured out on the altar of the Cross, we’re a free people—free of penalties and punishments chalked up by all our misdeeds. And not just barely free, either. Abundantly free! He thought of everything, provided for everything we could possibly need, letting us in on the plans he took such delight in making. He set it all out before us in Christ, a long-range plan in which everything would be brought together and summed up in him, everything in deepest heaven, everything on planet earth. 

It’s in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone. 

It’s in Christ that you, once you heard the truth and believed it (this Message of your salvation), found yourselves home free—signed, sealed, and delivered by the Holy Spirit. This signet from God is the first installment on what’s coming, a reminder that we’ll get everything God has planned for us, a praising and glorious life. 

That’s why . . . I ask—ask the God of our Master, Jesus Christ, the God of glory—to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally, your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is he is calling you to do, grasp the immensity of this glorious way of life he has for his followers, oh, the utter extravagance of his work in us who trust him—endless energy, boundless strength! 

All this energy issues from Christ: God raised him from death and set him on a throne in deep heaven, in charge of running the universe . . . no name and no power exempt from his rule. And not just for the time being, but forever. He is in charge of it all, has the final word on everything. At the center of all this, Christ rules the church. The church is Christ’s body, in which he speaks and acts, by which he fills everything with his presence.

* From chapter one of Ephesians, Eugene Peterson, The Message (MSG)

Copyright © 2015 Cheryl Elton

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In a recent interview on Christian radio, world-renowned vocal artist Wintley Phipps talked about his rise from humble beginnings to becoming one of the most celebrated gospel singers of our time.

Phipps is a two-time Grammy award nominee, has sung in Billy Graham crusades, and performed for six American presidents. His rendition of Amazing Grace has upward of 7 million views on YouTube.

His secret to success may surprise you.

“To be successful in anything, we must begin by preparing our hearts with stillness and prayer,” Phipps said.

He says the key to all the successes God has allowed him to have is that he learned “to go to the mountain before I went to the multitude—so when I came down off the mountain, my face was shining.”

“The secret of blessing is that people hear more than just a voice, but someone who is depending on God for his gift to shine,” Phipps said.

The world prompts us to be active at all times. We feel guilty when we’re not busy. If we’re not busy we’re not producing, and we must constantly be producing for achievement and worth.

Yet the reality is we accomplish more from a place of inner rest. God’s exhortation in the book of Hebrews speaks of His promised rest: 

So there is a special rest still waiting for the people of God. For all who have entered into God’s rest have rested from their labors, just as God did after creating the world. So let us do our best to enter that rest. But if we disobey God, as the people of Israel did, we will fall. (Hebrews 4:9-11) 

Never has there been greater need to slow down and give ourselves permission to be quiet. In those moments of solitude and reflection we’re able to draw near to God.

In the stillness of our time with Him, He fills us with His peace. He prepares our hearts for the task at hand. As we wait upon the Lord, He renews our strength. We hear His still small voice.

Wintley Phipps credits spending time with the Lord and preparing his heart with Him each day as the key to success in his singing career.

“I want God’s presence to be the badge of distinction in my singing,” he says.

Do you want God’s presence to be the badge of distinction in your life?

I do.

Let’s take time to be still and rest in His presence today. We will do less, but accomplish so much more.

Copyright © 2015 Cheryl Elton

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