When the Soviet Union launched its Sputnik satellite in 1957, it shocked the United States and sparked the onset of the race to see which of the two Cold War superpowers could achieve dominance in space exploration.

The end of the 1950s saw the U.S.S.R. leading the way with the launch of the first manned spacecraft to successfully orbit the earth. But the U.S. was also working hard through its new federal agency dedicated to space exploration—the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, or NASA.

In May 1961, President John F. Kennedy announced the ambitious goal of landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to earth by the end of the decade. That goal was achieved on July 20, 1969, when for the first time in history a man walked on the surface of the moon.

In 1962, President Kennedy visited NASA for the first time. During his tour he encountered a janitor named Joe Byerly walking down a hallway with a broom. The President asked him what he did for NASA. Byerly replied, “Mr. President, I’m helping put a man on the moon.”

This janitor clearly understood the purpose of his work: to keep the building clean so the scientists, engineers, and astronauts could focus on their mission of putting a man on the moon. Byerly held a deep and inspiring connection between his daily tasks and achieving an overall larger goal.

What is the greater purpose of your daily work?

Do you carry a clear vision of why you do what you do? While at times we all tire of routines or experience frustrating moments, having a goal bigger than ourselves helps us stay focused to keep going, especially during trying times.

As Christians, our great mission is to share the good news of Jesus Christ.

Staying mindful of this helps us remember that our words and actions are to be seasoned with God’s love and bring Him glory. When we’re tempted to grow weary in doing good (Galatians 6:9) or spew unkind words, we can recall the healing power of God’s love that’s been freely given to us (Romans 5:5).

Whether we are constructing buildings, crunching numbers, serving food, or changing diapers, we can have the satisfaction at the end of the day that what we do matters.

Each action done with love holds eternal significance—as we keep our eyes fixed on serving Christ and making Him known to the world.

Copyright © 2025 Cheryl Elton

Photo Credit: Pixabay

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In America, each year in November we celebrate our national holiday called Thanksgiving.

Every school child learns the story of the courageous Pilgrims who set sail on the Mayflower from Europe, braving the elements for two months before arriving in Plymouth, Massachusetts in November 1620. They came seeking a New World, religious freedom, and a better life.

A year later, the pilgrims celebrated God’s gracious gifts with prayer, thanksgiving, and a special feast. The tradition continued, and in 1863 President Abraham Lincoln declared Thanksgiving a national holiday. The date was set as the fourth Thursday in November. 

The timing of Lincoln’s Proclamation was significant, being delivered during the height of the bloody Civil War. Nevertheless, Lincoln called all Americans to prayer with a message of optimism and genuine thankfulness, reminding them that even in the midst of dark days there is much to be thankful for.

The Proclamation began:

The year that is drawing towards its close has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God.

As the Pilgrims journeyed in search of the New World, Scripture reminds us that as Christians our journey through life on this earth is also one as sojourners (those who stay somewhere temporarily) and pilgrims (those on a journey to a better, sacred place).

But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light . . . Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims . . . that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God . . .   (I Peter 2:9, 11-12) 

Hebrews 11 outlines many heroes of the faith, concluding in verse 13:

These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 

Despite the mounting troubles and distress in our world today, the message throughout Scripture is one of hope—of a better day coming when there will be no more sorrow, sickness, war, or death. A message of life eternal.

God encourages us to keep our eyes on what lies ahead:

For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.  (2 Corinthians 4:17-18)

Is your journey focused on what lies ahead? Are you a pilgrim?

As we gather this Thanksgiving, may our hearts be filled with thanks for God’s abundant blessings—family, food, friends, another year. Throughout our darkest days we remember that our journey through this life on earth is only a part of our final destiny.

In Christ alone we have this Hope. In Him we give thanks.

Copyright © 2024 Cheryl Elton

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There is no greater joy than when you know God has given you an assignment and you carry it out. Today, I am basking in the peaceful satisfaction of completing such a task.

My heart overflows with thanks to our heavenly Father—for life, His love, the blessing of family, friends, and fellowship, and for His faithfulness through every season.

I’m thankful for the desire God put on my heart as a teenager to be a writer. As the years unfolded, it gradually came to fruition as I began writing for a local newspaper, then magazines, and websites—leading to the day 10 years ago when He told me, “it’s time to use your writing for me.”

Recently, God gave me the assignment to write three 40-day devotionals—on the themes of JOY, PEACE, and TRANSFORMATION. Each book in the Moments with the Master series aims to help readers live in union with Christ more.

God gives each of us assignments. They may change throughout the seasons of our lives, yet each is timely, precious, and valuable in His sight.

Daily we have opportunities to serve Him in those assignments. Whether you are setting up chairs for a meeting, cooking for others, building shelves for the homeless shelter, or taking care of grandchildren—when done with love, it yields profit and blessing.

In His eyes, it matters.

What assignment has God given you?

Copyright © 2024 Cheryl Elton

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Several years ago I had the pleasure of meeting author Peter Lundell at a Christian writers’ conference. Since then I’ve been enjoying his monthly blog called Connections. With permission, I’m happy to share with you his latest post. I hope you find it as meaningful as I do.

Here’s a challenge: Don’t criticize anything or anyone for twenty-four hours.

If you think, What a dumb idea! You just lost it.

Start over.

When I first heard that and tried it years ago, I challenged myself to not criticize anyone for twenty-four hours. And I failed every day.

But I was making progress—-at least I was now aware. And I was surprised at how critical I was of others. Simply becoming aware of how critical I was made a huge impact on me.

I mentioned the challenge to others and was surprised at how many laughed at its impossibility. Then one day I got through twenty-four hours without criticizing anyone or anything. Wow!

A few days later I did it again.

I kept it up, and eventually it became normal to not criticize others and simply not make judgments. I’ll still call something what it is—but without criticism and simply as representing what Scripture says. It’s keeping myself out of the judgment seat that belongs only to God. The New Testament is full of verses that tell us to adhere to God’s righteousness and yet leave the judging to God.

This practice applies when you’re driving, reading the news, speaking about people who aren’t there with you—whatever. Let’s lose that critical attitude the way people want to lose weight.

I still have days when I catch myself criticizing, but at least I catch myself. And my wife says I’m a far more positive and less critical than I used to be. The choices we make will steer our lives.

It’s amazing how deciding to make a small, specific change—without excuses—can adjust your personal character. And it’s amazing how intentional and repeated practice can develop a new nature in that part of your character.

I find that when I choose not to criticize others, I don’t miss anything. Because there was never any value in it in the first place.

Would you take the challenge?

www.peterlundell.com

Photo credit:  geralt/Pixabay

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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 (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.

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.

Christians can find inspiring takeaways sprinkled throughout this book. Mine follow:

Müller spent much time in prayer. 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.

Müller meditated on Scripture before praying. Thus, he said his heart was “comforted, encouraged, warned, reproved, and instructed.” This also helped him combat a wandering mind while praying.

Müller trusted God’s timing. Müller faced continual challenges and uncertainties in ministry just as we do. He persisted in prayer for more than 3 years 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.

Müller never borrowed money. 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.”

Let God work for you. 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.

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.

Copyright © 2021 Cheryl Elton

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Normal days are no longer normal.

The world is caught up in a storm, the winds of change fiercely howling; while we’re swirling, swirling, unsure of when we might land.

Bravely venturing out, we find empty shelves in familiar stores, businesses and restaurants closed, church services cancelled. The economy is in a tailspin, with nothing guaranteed but an uncertain future.

Meanwhile, people remain sheltered in their homes, riding out the storm while gripping tightly onto all they thought they knew.

Jesus warns us such trouble is inevitable:

“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)

In this world there will be tribulation. But Jesus Christ has overcome the world! He alone extends victory and hope in the midst of trials. When the volatility of the world around us brings  anxiety, in Him we find peace.

As we draw close to the Lord in the secret place of His presence, He covers us with His feathers. As the tempest swirls around us, He hides us under the shelter of His wing. While the winds howl, we remain securely with the Lord in the eye of the storm—and in this quiet oasis there is rest.

In Him alone, we find peace to guard our hearts through troubled times. In His presence we hear His quiet whispers, gaining the wisdom and strength we need in the moment.

“Because you have made the LORD, who is my refuge, even the Most High, your dwelling place, no evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; For He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways.” (Psalm 91:9-11 NKJV)

Do not forsake the One who requires no social distancing. Do not neglect the precious time you spend with Him. Living in the eye of the storm—in His presence—there is peace.

Copyright © 2020 Cheryl Elton

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The Bible is not a book full of clever maxims, helpful suggestions, or do’s and don’ts—it is the book of LIFE! As such, its many principles and paradoxes challenge our human thinking: when we give, we receive; when we lose ourselves, we find ourselves; to be rich, we must become poor; exalting ourselves, we’ll be humbled, but humbling ourselves, we’ll be exalted.

God longs to fill us and be part of all we do, all we are, and all we become, but His hands are tied if we’re hanging on to our human pride. When we think our ways are better than His and fail to lay down our preconceived ideas and rationalizations rather than accept His truth, He can’t go to work. Relying solely on intellect, talents, relationships, possessions, or wealth to make it through life fails to put us in a position to receive the fulness of grace, peace, and blessing He longs to give us.

The solution? Humility.

Humility is a characteristic God values highly, because He knows He can work with those of a humble heart. Only when we recognize the poverty of our own souls do we realize our desperate need for a Savior.

There’s a wonderful peace when we can honestly approach God, life, and one another with humility. Humility isn’t denying your strengths; it’s being honest about your weaknesses. Humble servants of God recognize that by themselves they can do nothing. Their strength and enablement come from Him alone.

In one of his writings, well-known South African pastor Andrew Murray (1828-1917) describes the Christian heart of humility and the wonderful peace it brings to the soul:

Humility is perfect quietness of heart. It is to expect nothing, to wonder at nothing that is done to me, to feel nothing done against me. It is to be at rest when nobody praises me, and when I am blamed or despised. It is to have a blessed home in the Lord, where I can go in and shut the door, and kneel to my Father in secret, and am at peace as in a deep sea of calmness, when all around and above is trouble.

Are there areas in your life in which pride still has you holding on to the reins? Perhaps it’s time to release them into the Master’s hands.

“And all of you, dress yourselves in humility as you relate to one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”  (1 Peter 5:5 NLT)

With open arms He’s standing ready to shower your life with grace, to give you perfect quietness of heart, and to fill you with His peace “when all around and above is trouble.”

God values humility.

Copyright © 2020 Cheryl Elton

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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, 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) 

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:

S-Spirit-led; M-meaningful; A-actionable; R-redeemable; T-timely.

When setting goals, let’s consider:

 SPIRIT-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.

 MEANINGFUL:  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?

 ACTIONABLE:  Am I able to take action on this goal? How will I do so?

 REDEEMABLE:  Does the goal help me overcome poor habits I may have had in the past, and draw me closer to God?

 TIMELY:  Is this the right time for pursuing this goal?

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!

Copyright © 2020 Cheryl Elton

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At the college I attended, in addition to completing required courses in your major—mine being English—students also submitted a portfolio of their best work, which after the approval of an academic Board of professors qualified them for graduation.

Tucked inside my portfolio, I still have an orange 3 x 5 card on which one of my professors wrote: 

A beautiful body of work—I’m proud of you and feel lucky to be one of your readers. . . . I hope you continue writing and try to start publishing. You have talent, and heart, and wonderful wit; and equally important, you can produce graceful pages.

Me? Start publishing? Really??

At the time it sounded impossibly overwhelming, but his words gave me confidence and vision to press on and consider that “maybe I could be a published writer some day . . .”

His words gave me encouragement then, and still do today when I read them.

We all need encouragement from time to time. To encourage means “to inspire with courage.” It’s to spur on, to stimulate, or initiate hope.

The antonym is to discourage, or “deprive of courage or confidence; dishearten.”

Proverbs 25:11 tells us our words of discouragement or encouragement can make or break a person’s spirit—imparting death or life. 

Death and life are in the power of the tongue. 

Encouraging words are words of blessing. We all need to be reminded of our potential, our goodness, and most of all the beautiful qualities we carry as image-bearers of God.

A word of encouragement, fitly spoken, can be exactly what’s needed to spur us on and give us the courage to live out the high and holy calling God has bestowed upon each of our lives.

Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a word spoken at the proper moment.  (Proverbs 25:11 REV)

Here are a few thoughts about the value of encouragement:

Words of encouragement:

• are deeply connected to faith, hope, and love.
• can propel us into action.
• offer hope.
• help us feel loved.
• confirm our need for one another.
• cast a vision for the future.

Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.  (Hebrews 10:23-25 NLT)

It’s been said that encouraging words are oxygen to the soul.

An encouraging word is a word of blessing.

Lord, show me who I might encourage today, and give me the words to say. In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.

Do you have a story of encouragement? Please share in the comments below.

Copyright © 2019 Cheryl Elton

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When Jesus is central in our hearts; when He is our First Love; when He is leading us and we are following Him—then, and only then—we have unity with our brothers and sisters in Christ.

When I am so in love with Jesus Christ, as a bride loves her husband, I enjoy sweet fellowship with others in the Body of Christ who are similarly love-struck.

We may have differences in our understanding of Scripture, but when we look to Jesus, the Living Truth, we experience harmony with one another.

We may have different ways of worshipping, but it is the same God we worship, and the same Lord we serve.

We may have various manners of praying, but it is the same Heavenly Father we are praying to and the same Lord Jesus Christ in whose name and authority we pray.

We may look different, act dissimilar, and dress in diverse ways, but if we are in love with Him and serving Him wholeheartedly, those differences quickly fade away, like morning fog as the sun rises.

He, and He alone, is the head of a glorious body of which we all are distinct and necessary members. When Jesus is central, it becomes a vital, whole, and healthy body that lives, breathes, and moves throughout the earth, bringing light, love, and healing to all it touches.

Throughout history, a focus on doctrinal differences has wracked and divided the Church, causing countless divisions among its members. Sound doctrine is essential to our walk with God—but doctrinal understanding should never usurp lordship over Christ.

Woe to those who think they have the only right way of understanding the mysteries of God and Christ! Scripture reminds us that we know only in part and understand in part. But one day, when He returns, we will know even as we are known!

Jesus is the vine and we are the branches. We receive our nourishment from Him, to the end that we grow and bear much fruit. His instruction to His followers was never that they all agree on the doctrine. It was that they love one another.

What a distinct and amazing privilege it is to be light-bearers to the world! And what joy it is to serve alongside brothers and sisters who are focused on loving Him and Him alone.

If we each do our part, keeping Jesus central in our hearts, the church can come together as one, celebrating God together, and bringing His love to a world desperate with need.

Jesus is the great unifier.

How will you love Him today?

Copyright © 2019 Cheryl Elton

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