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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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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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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With more national shooting tragedies making recent headlines, and discussions of gun control taking center stage yet again, we realize afresh the brokenness of the world around us.

If we take the time to look deeply into our own hearts and lives, we recognize that in different ways we are all broken people, desperately in need of rescue and wholeness.

As Christians, we have a message of hope to share—Jesus Christ has come to redeem us from this dark and broken world! He is very much alive today, working to heal our lives, while we look ahead with anticipation to a coming day when there will be no more sorrow, death, or tears.

But while we wait, perhaps it’s worth considering: does my life hurt or help those around me? Do my words and actions reflect the love of my Savior and lead others closer to Him?

The gospels present the familiar story of Christ’s feeding a multitude with a few loaves of bread and a couple fish. It’s the only miracle of Jesus—aside from the resurrection—that’s recorded in all four gospels, each presenting distinct details which add to the story.

In John’s gospel, Andrew offers a solution to feeding the multitude: bring Jesus a boy with his lunch. When put into Jesus’ hands, the boy’s five loaves of bread and two fish (clearly inadequate to feed upwards of 5,000 people), end up feeding the entire crowd.

In Matthew 25, our Lord speaks of a coming day:

Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ (verses 37-40)

This passage speaks of relationship and service—to all who are in need, including the followers of Jesus who will at times suffer.

Those who are not suffering will be judged on their willingness to lovingly serve those who are. When they do, it is as if they serve Jesus Himself!

When we see the lost, the poor, the hurting, how will we respond?

Do I sometimes turn away from those with need, thinking it is too great for me to help?

Like the boy’s simple lunch: whatever I have to give, and however small—a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, a phone call, a prayer—when given to Jesus, allows Him to multiply the blessings and do the work that I cannot.

Copyright © 2019 Cheryl Elton

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Friday night I attended a special meeting at church for those who are grieving or have experienced loss around the holidays. With me was our good friend R., who recently lost his mother.

It was a quiet, healing time for all. Some, like R., who lost a loved one this year, were deeply comforted by the love of God shared and simply being together.

Others, like myself, had time to reflect on other kinds of losses we have experienced, and how God’s grace and goodness have carried us through.

Jesus tells us that here on earth there will be sorrow, yet in Him we find peace:

I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.  (John 16:33)

Seasons of trials, loneliness, and sorrow come to all of us at times. They don’t just disappear because we turn the calendar to December.

While songs of holiday joy fill workplaces and shopping malls, hospitals remain full. For some, loved ones will not be home for Christmas. Family in the military, broken relationships, illness, loss of loved ones, and a thousand other trials big and small continue to fill people’s lives, even through this season of “cheer.”

Christmas isn’t about pretending everything is fine when it isn’t. It’s about turning our eyes to things above, accepting God’s love into our hearts, and remembering the greatest gift ever given: His wonderful Son.

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.  (John 3:1)

The holidays present a special time to extend the love of Christ to those in need, to bring hope to the hopeless, and to shine as lights in a dark and troubled world.

Do you know someone who is feeling the sting of loss this Christmas?

Reach out to them this week with the love of God, and remind them that they are not alone.

It may be the greatest gift they receive.

Copyright © 2018 Cheryl Elton

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Could the next great revival be on the horizon?

Many Christians think so, and we certainly need one. Our country has reached heightened moral decline, God is all but removed from public places, and we’re divided on many fronts.

“There’s so much anger, so much polarization, and Jesus is the answer,” said Anne Graham Lotz, after her father, the Rev. Billy Graham, known as “America’s Pastor” passed away earlier this year[1].

She prays her father’s death serves as a wake-up call for the Church and sparks a revival. Lotz believes to fill her father’s shoes we all need to step up and share the powerful gospel message with boldness.

A revival is a reawakening of people turning to Christ, usually through evangelistic meetings led by great preachers like Graham. Other notables include DL Moody, John Wesley, Charles Spurgeon, Hudson Taylor, and Charles Finney.

Yet not all revivals are led by powerful evangelists. Some are initiated through lay people and simple means. One such example is the Great East African Revival of 1929—arguably one of the most famous and influential African spiritual movements of the twentieth century.

At the helm, were John Edward Church[2], a British medical missionary to Rwanda and Simeon Nsibambi, a young Christian leader from Uganda. Both shared dissatisfaction with the low spiritual condition of the church, and had reached a personal state of “acute spiritual dryness.” After spending two days together in prayer and Bible reading, each experienced the “transformative power of the Holy Spirit.”

With renewed zeal, the two men began extending love and full sharing[3] with fellow Africans—regardless of class, station, or race—through small group fellowship meetings. Such gatherings quickly spread throughout homes and villages, as Christians met to share their testimonies and desire for the deeper Christian life.

Distinctive features of the East African Revival were:

• No famous preacher was leading its efforts. John Church never claimed to be the leader of the revival, but considered himself a co-worker with the Holy Spirit.
• Revival sprang from two wonderful Christians with a love for the people and a heart to reach them.
• Small group meetings were led mostly by lay people. Great impact spread from the grassroots level, and continued for several decades.
• Emphasis was on the saving power of Christ and daily submission to Him. Other themes were messages of sin, repentance, and forgiveness, rather than the gifts of the Holy Spirit such as speaking in tongues and supernatural healing.
• Public confession of hidden sins was common, followed by a desire for holy living.

In time, the East African Revival was presented as a model for renewal movements of the Holy Spirit to other countries, including Switzerland, France and Germany in the late 1940s, and Malawi, Angola, India, Brazil, Israel, and the United States in the early 1950s.

It’s possible the foundations of this revival influenced one of the most significant and more recent awakenings of the 20^th century in the United States—the Jesus movement of the 1960s and 70s.

Are there common attributes that spark a revival?

Yes!

Author and men’s ministry leader Patrick Morley lists 10 characteristics of revival:[4]

1. TIMING: Revivals emerge during times of spiritual and moral decline, which leads to intense prayer.
2. PRAYER: God puts a longing into the hearts of many to pray for revival.
3. THE WORD: The preaching or reading of God’s Word brings deep conviction and desire for Christ.
4. THE HOLY SPIRIT: The Holy Spirit takes people to a spiritual depth they could not achieve on their own.
5. CONVICTION: Affected sinners are inconsolable except in Christ.
6. GLORY FOR GOD: God receives praise, honor, and glory for bringing revival.
7. REFORMATION AND RENEWAL: Revival produces lasting fruit. New ministries are founded and society experiences a reform of morals as more and more people convert.
8. MANIFESTATIONS: Manifestations like fainting, groaning prayer, and miracles vary by culture and denomination.
9. MESSY: Revivals are messy–controversies swirl about miracles, abuses, excesses, suspicions, and theological disputes (to name but a few).
10. CYCLICAL: Revivals inevitably crest and decline.

God initiates revival as a result of deep repentance—regret or remorse and a turning to God with humility—occurring in peoples’ hearts.

In the first century church, Peter’s sermon in Acts 3 gave a powerful call for repentance: 

Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord; (Acts 3:19 NASB)

Could we be on the cusp of the next great awakening here in the United States?

If our generation is going to experience revival, it starts with God’s people humbly submitting to the conviction of the Holy Spirit, confessing their sins, and seeking change where needed.

It requires remaining fervent in prayer, and seeking our refreshing in the presence of the Lord.

Then, we can rest assured that we are making a step toward sparking the next great revival.

_______________________________________________________________

[1] For Anne Graham Lotz’s response to Billy Graham’s death, see: http://www1.cbn.com/cbnnews/us/2018/february/anne-graham-lotz-prays-her-fathers-passing-will-spark-revival-in-the-church

[2] To read about John Edward Church and the Great East African Revival of 1929, see http://www.bu.edu/missiology/missionary-biography/c-d/church-john-edward-1899-1989/

[3] “Fellowship” in the Greek is koinonia, meaning a full sharing.

[4] For the full article, see: http://patrickmorley.com/blog/2015/6/23/a-brief-history-of-spiritual-revival-and-awakening-in-america

Copyright © 2018 Cheryl Elton

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Spring has sprung—except where I live.

Here in northern New York we still have nearly a foot of snow on the ground, although moderating temperatures are bringing the drip drip drip of melting.

Us locals know spring doesn’t really arrive for another month. Yet it will come!

As the sun warms the earth and winter’s glory fades, it’s always amazing how plants in the yard that looked dead return to life. Tender shoots appear, soon to burst into lush green leaves and colorful flowers.

Our lovely lilac bush, nearly buried by recent storms, appears dead and forgotten—but two months from now will be blooming in full glory!

The Old Testament book of Isaiah prophesies of the coming of Christ, comparing him to a tender plant, yet how his life would ultimately be despised and rejected:

“My servant [Jesus Christ] grew up in the LORD’s presence like a tender green shoot, like a root in dry ground. There was nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance, nothing to attract us to him. He was despised and rejected—a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way. He was despised, and we did not care.” (Isaiah 53:2,3 NLT)

The Son of God was crucified, fulfilling the prophecy that would make a way to restore relationship with our Creator God once again. The sacrifice of Jesus’ life would pay the price not only for the sins of all humanity, but also for our physical healing.

“Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God, a punishment for his own sins! But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed. All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the LORD laid on him the sins of us all.” (Isaiah 53:4-6) 

Yet the story doesn’t end there!

After burying Jesus in the tomb, three days later the words “He is risen!” echoed throughout the land.

For those who place their trust and hope in Jesus Christ—like the promise of spring—life begins anew: a life not free of trouble, but one of victory, of purpose, and of HOPE.

There is a blessed Hope before us—of one day reigning with Christ on a new and regenerated earth—where there will be no more death, sorrow, or pain.  

As we celebrate Resurrection Sunday, what a glorious time it is to remember not only Christ’s sacrifice on our behalf through his death and resurrection, but also the blessed Hope we have in him of life eternal.

May your heart be filled with the joy of His presence—for HE IS RISEN!

Copyright © 2018 Cheryl Elton

Featured photo credit: 3john2wellness

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A small group of us were still gathered after church when the news came—a dear brother in the Lord we had been praying for, died.

A couple weeks earlier, the doctors had said the cancer was too widespread, too severe. “There is nothing else we can do.”

But knowing God could, many people continued fervently in prayer.

Yet . . . the miracle didn’t come.

This latest blow hit on the heels of the shock from six days earlier—when the man’s wife unexpectedly passed away in her sleep at home. A heart attack, it was determined.

Why??

We quickly reconvened in a circle, heads bowed, holding hands, to do the thing we knew best—pray.

Loss causes us to grieve, and with grief comes questions. Our minds grapple with the “whys” and “if onlys”.

We wrestle to find answers, presuming they will provide comfort, and ease the pain of loss.

Yet in our longing for understanding, we mustn’t lose sight of the truths we are sure of—the words from God that bring our lives comfort, and clarity:

• God never leaves us or forsakes us. (Hebrews 13:5)
• Nothing can separate us from God’s love. (Romans 8:35-39)
• His strength is made perfect in our weakness. (2 Corinthians 12:9)
• God’s grace is sufficient for every need. (2 Corinthians 12:9)
• He sees the end from the beginning. (Isaiah 46:9-10)
• God comforts our hearts. (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)
• We have a glorious hope in Christ. (Revelation 21:1-4)
• We don’t sorrow as others who have no hope. (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)
• Jesus Christ gives us peace. (John 14:27)
• Our times are in His hands. (Psalm 31:14-15)

We will certainly miss our friends. But we rejoice knowing that as Christians, it’s not “goodbye,” but “goodbye for now.”

In times of loss, our sadness can easily overshadow His presence. Our questions can conceal His love. Our doubt can deter us from trusting His words.

Faith yields strength through life’s trials as well as triumphs. We trust God because He is faithful.

We gain perspective, hope, comfort, and peace, as we take time to rest our hearts in His presence.

Copyright © 2017 Cheryl Elton

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A friend of ours was in trouble. A foolish mistake had cascaded into unexpected legal issues, turning his life upside down. The stress was nearly unbearable for him—its effects spilling over, changing, and challenging every area of his life.

As he retained an attorney and the weeks, then months rolled by, he was gradually forced to adjust to an entirely different life path than familiar.

My husband and I did our best to support him, counsel him, and pray for him, watching and waiting for things to resolve.

Now, eighteen months later, this friend recently visited us. Things have vastly improved, though still not fully resolved. The advice his attorney had given him he didn’t favor at the time, but eventually followed.

As we sipped coffee and discussed the situation, he shared how he was realizing the even muddier mess he probably avoided had he not followed his lawyer’s counsel. He talked about the good things that have emerged in his life over this time—lessons learned, and character building traits he’ll carry forward a lifetime.

A Scripture came to mind, which we talked about:

“If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater;” (1 John 5:9a NASB)

How readily we embrace the counsel of a trusted source: the doctor’s advice for a chronic pain, the plumber’s expertise to fix a leak, the tree removal company who has the knowledge and equipment I don’t when that old tree in the yard must come down.

We place our trust in these people to help us when needed. We trust their words and their expertise.

Yet why do we often struggle to trust what God says? Isn’t He the “expert in the field” of life?

Isn’t He trustworthy?

“God is not a man, so he does not lie. He is not human, so he does not change his mind. Has he ever spoken and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried it through?” (Numbers 23:19 NLT)

Every principle and promise of God is worthy of our trust.

In the Old Testament, Jeremiah likened the person who puts their trust in God to a tree planted near a river:

“This is what the LORD says: ‘Cursed are those who put their trust in mere humans, who rely on human strength and turn their hearts away from the LORD.
They are like stunted shrubs in the desert, with no hope for the future. They will live in the barren wilderness, in an uninhabited salty land. 

‘But blessed are those who trust in the LORD and have made the LORD their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit.’” (Jeremiah 17:5-8 NLT)

The river (the LORD) will provide for the tree (the person), giving it (him or her) nourishment and sustenance, even during hard times.

If life has taken an unforeseen detour, and you are in the middle of working it out—remember—you can trust God’s words to you. His counsel will not fail you.

Simply trust.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV)

Like the tree by the river, you will not only thrive, but also bear fruit!

Copyright © 2017 Cheryl Elton

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December closed out with our ministry’s annual board meeting. As a group, we rejoiced at all that was accomplished in the past year, and brainstormed plans and goals for the year ahead.

I enjoy the synergy of these meetings. The give and take of everyone sharing ideas leads to a combined result greater than the sum of what we would each individually bring to the table.

The word synergy comes from the Greek sunergeo, meaning “to work together.”

The apostle Paul used sunergeo—translated “works” or “working together,”—in a commonly quoted verse of Scripture:

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28 NIV) 

In the context of suffering, Paul wanted the church to know that although God didn’t cause their suffering, He would in all things—the seemingly good and bad—be working to bring to pass His desired plan for their ultimate good.

Is this good referring to health, wealth, success, happiness? The temporal blessings of this life?

Or is it perhaps, something greater?

The next verse sheds further light:

“For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.” (Romans 8:29) 

In every situation of life, our Heavenly Father wants us to know Christ intimately—to share in His sufferings as well as His glory that we may be made like Him.

God wants us to draw near to Jesus—the one who understands all our heartache and loss, our joys and triumphs—trusting that He is working in all our circumstances for our spiritual good, and His glory.

Let’s live today in His presence . . .

He is conforming us to the image of His Son.

Copyright © 2017 Cheryl Elton

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