Moving day was overwhelming. When our new neighbor Ginny came to the door with a plate of blueberry muffins and an offer to help, it was like cool breeze on a sweltering summer day. 

“I’m free this week on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. I can help unpack, clean—whatever you need, I’ll be ready to do.”

After many years of working and saving, friends of ours were finally enjoying a family vacation. As they pulled up to the tollbooth on the Chesapeake Bay-Bridge Tunnel in VA with the hefty $15 fee in hand, they got quite a surprise—from strangers!

The toll collector said, “the car in front of you paid your toll!” 

Who doesn’t appreciate the blessings of kindnesses such as these?

Have you ever considered why kindness matters?

God showed His kindness to us

“That in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.” (Ephesians 2:7)

God wants us to be kind

“And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:32)

Kindness shines your light and gives God the glory

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)

Our demonstration of kindness shows God’s love and opens the door to lead others to Him

“Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?” (Romans 2:4)

In a self-centered world, simple acts of kindness are refreshing, bringing joy to the receiver and the giver:

A warm smile.

Holding the door for someone.

Remembering a birthday.

A quick call or text to let someone know you care.

Unexpected flowers.

“What can I do to help?”

Kindness is a fruit of the Spirit, developed through intentional effort to think of others more than ourselves.

How can you brighten someone’s life today by showing them the love of God through kindness?

Copyright © 2018 Cheryl Elton

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My friend Bev recently changed her work schedule, freeing up more time for ministry.

One morning she prayed, “Lord, show me what you want me to do today.”

“Go to Walmart,” said the Lord.

“Walmart?” questioned Bev, “but I don’t need anything at Walmart.”

“Yes, Walmart,” responded the Lord. “Go, and I will show you when you get there.”

So Bev arrived at Walmart, still unsure of what would happen. 

“Where should I go, Lord?” 

“To the back of the store, the toy aisle,” came her answer.

There Bev encountered a distraught looking woman, softly weeping.

During the next 15 minutes, they talked. The Lord showed Bev what to say to encourage the woman’s heart and remind her that God was present. Before leaving, Bev prayed for the woman, and they shared a hug.

How glad she was she went to Walmart!

In Acts 8, we read of another divine appointment.

Philip had developed a fruitful ministry in Samaria. The people were seeing the miracles, healings, and deliverance from demons that followed Philip wherever he preached.

Many came to Christ, “and there was great joy in that city.” (v.8)

Philip likely wondered then, why one day God asked him to leave Samaria and go south down the desert road that runs from Jerusalem to Gaza (v.26).

But Philip obeyed, taking this less travelled road. There he encountered the treasurer of Ethiopia, a Gentile, who had journeyed to Jerusalem in search of the things of God.

Philip met the man just as he was reading and puzzling over a prophecy about Jesus.

As Philip rode along in the man’s carriage, he shared the good news of Jesus with him. The man confessed, “I believe that Jesus is the Son of God.” (v.37)

Stopping near some water, Philip baptized the man. Shortly thereafter, the man went on his way rejoicing!

I imagine Philip rejoiced as well, when he realized taking the desert road had led to this divine encounter.

When God said, “Go!” Philip didn’t question, didn’t argue, didn’t feel resentful because he was busy.

Philip went!

As he headed out on the less travelled road, he didn’t know what would lie ahead. But his obedience to “Go!” ultimately resulted in a stranger coming to faith in Christ!

When God says “Go!” . . . what will you do?

Copyright © 2017 Cheryl Elton

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Every December the street behind our local high school becomes a tourist attraction for young and old. Cars wait in line turning onto the street, people stop to take photos, and the oohs and aahs of delight can be heard—all in front of one house—the one known far and wide for its incredible display of Christmas lights.

There’s one in every town, isn’t there?

During the time of Christ’s birth there were no laser lights and inflatable reindeer, but rather, the most spectacular light display ever—“the glory of the Lord”—that shone round about a few modest shepherds who received word from an angel of the birth of the Messiah.                      

The shepherds quickly went to Bethlehem to see if what they heard was true. After finding Mary, Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger, they told everyone what had happened, returning to their flocks glorifying and praising God for all they had seen and heard.

Light is a prevalent theme throughout Scripture. In Genesis God spoke “let there be light.” First John 1:5 says:

“This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.”

Jesus Christ, the Son of God, declared that He was the light of the world:

“I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” (John 8:12) 

Where light shines, darkness flees!

Where the light of Christ prevails, the dark places in our lives disappear.

As Christians, we’re called to be light-bearers, proclaiming the message of Christ and displaying the light of Christ to a world encased in darkness.

“ . . . that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.” (Philippians 2:15-16) 

We are God’s Christmas lights! 

We were created to bring our heavenly Father glory. As people see Christ living in us, as the shepherds who couldn’t help but share what they had seen and heard, others will also glorify our heavenly Father!

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)

May our light shine brightly, not only this Christmas season, but also every day of the new year!

Copyright © 2016 Cheryl Elton

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When circumstances threaten to swallow us up with despair, will we be pulled under, or rise above?

The answer lies largely in how we’ve been training.

It’s the training in peacetime that prepares a soldier for when the battle rages. Does he stand in the front lines of combat without knowing how to use his weapons?

Of course not!

Why should we expect to be strong and prepared spiritually, if we haven’t been devoting time to “training”?

Ephesians 6:12 gives us the crucial reminder that the “fight” we’re in is not person against person, but spiritual. Life is a spiritual reality, and we’re in a spiritual war against real enemies of the spirit realm.

“For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.” 

The verses preceding this show how we’re to follow Christ—by being strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. It goes on to say we’re to “put on” the armor of God to be victors in this life, and to show Christ to the world.

“A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.

Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” (Ephesians 6:10-11,13-17)

Applying God’s armor ensures success in the spiritual battle of this life. 

These are pieces of armor we’re told to “put on”:

Belt of TRUTH

Breastplate of RIGHTEOUSNESS

Shoes of PEACE

Shield of FAITH

Helmet of SALVATION

Sword of the SPIRIT

The armor of God is more than just a protective covering—it’s the very life of Christ Himself!

As Jesus Christ is all of the armor, He is also each individual part:

Jesus Christ is the truth

Jesus Christ is our righteousness

Jesus Christ is our peace

Jesus Christ is our faith

Jesus Christ is our salvation

Jesus Christ is the word of God

Just as putting on new clothes each morning is habit, putting on Jesus Christ and connecting with Him throughout each day becomes the bedrock of our lives—preparing us to be ready when battles come.

Though we may face struggles, living with the armor of God—the presence of Christ—strengthens us and brings victory in the midst of our trials.

It also allows us to present Christ to the world.

When Roman knights prepared for battle and donned full suits of armor, it was nearly impossible to see who they really were. Their knightship became their new persona.

As Christians living with the armor of God, we should so present Christ to the world that our own selves are hidden from view!

Putting on the armor of God each morning, and staying in His presence throughout our days, is the best training we can practice, not only to be spiritually prepared for life’s battles but also assuring us of victory!

Copyright © 2016 Cheryl Elton

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Spring signals new beginnings.

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.

Easter heralds new beginnings also.

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.

Shortly after his resurrection, Jesus gave his followers these instructions and this promise:

“Jesus came and told his disciples, ‘I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’” (Matthew 28:18-20)

Yet the story doesn’t end here!

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.  

For the Christian, this life is not all there is! 

“Death is not the end of the road; it is only a bend in the road.”[1]

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 the blessed Hope we have in him of life eternal.

May our hearts be filled with the joy of His presence—for He is Risen!

Copyright © 2016 Cheryl Elton

[1] Erwin W. Lutzer, The Vanishing Power of Death, (Moody Publishers 2004) 

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Well-known radio broadcaster, the late Paul Harvey, told a heartfelt story on air every December that people loved. It portrays why an invisible God sent His Son to earth as a man.

What follows is a condensed version of the story. Enjoy!

Once there was a skeptical, non-religious man who just couldn’t swallow the “Jesus story” about God coming to earth as a man. One snowy evening as he sat by the fire reading, he was startled by a loud thud against his house. Then another, and another.

He went outside to discover a flock of birds huddled miserably in the snow. Caught in the storm, they had been desperately seeking shelter, and tried to fly into his living room window.

His heart went out to the stunned little creatures. He didn’t want to let them lie there and freeze. He thought about his barn. It would provide a warm shelter—if he could direct the birds into it.

He opened the barn doors wide and turned on the light. He waited. The birds did not go in. He thought food might entice them, so he sprinkled a trail of bread crumbs on the snow to the doorway of the barn. But the birds continued to flap helplessly in the snow.

He tried catching them. No success. He tried shooing them into the barn, but to his dismay they scattered in every direction except toward the warm, lighted barn.

Then he realized they were afraid of him!

To these helpless small birds he was a huge terrifying creature. “If only I could think of some way to let them know they can trust me, that I’m not trying to hurt them, but help them,” he thought.

But how?

Any move he made seemed to frighten them. They would not follow him.

“If only I could be a bird,” he thought, “and mingle among them and speak their language. Then I could tell them not to be afraid. I could show them the way to the safe, warm barn. But I would have to be one of them, so they could see, hear, and understand.”

With that thought—an epiphany!

In stunned silence he dropped to his knees in the snow . . . 

For this man the gospel message and John 1:14 suddenly made sense: “And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us.”

Hebrews powerfully sums up this truth: 

“Because God’s children are human beings—made of flesh and blood—the Son also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had the power of death. Only in this way could he set free all who have lived their lives as slaves to the fear of dying.

We also know that the Son did not come to help angels; he came to help the descendants of Abraham. Therefore, it was necessary for him to be made in every respect like us, his brothers and sisters, so that he could be our merciful and faithful High Priest before God.  

Then he could offer a sacrifice that would take away the sins of the people. Since he himself has gone through suffering and testing, he is able to help us when we are being tested.” (Hebrews 2:14-18)

In the life of the man Jesus Christ we see God. And now, for those who believe, we can know the joy of His presence with and within us!

A powerful message that never grows old!

Copyright © 2015 Cheryl Elton

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Do you remember the joy in your heart when you first realized—you knew that you knew—that you had eternal life?

I do.

My testimony is nothing dramatic. I have no great story of deliverance from a life of addiction, loss, or sorrow. Yet somehow God knew I would seek Him and believe. That I, at age fourteen, would have the humility of heart to realize that I needed something or someone greater than myself to make it through this life.  

I was a freshman in high school when one of my close friends shared a Bible verse with me that changed my life. It says “whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you shall have them.” (Mark 11:24)

I was shocked at the simplicity of it!  Could prayer really be that simple?

This started me on a quest to learn more about this God of the Bible. A journey that has now taken me through several decades and the valleys and peaks—the heartaches, disappointments and struggles, as well as the joys and triumphs—of life.

I still recall that moment of unspeakable joy and boundless freedom I felt in my heart when I realized death was no longer something to be feared. That when I confessed Jesus Christ as my Lord, and believed that God rose Him from the dead, I was brought into the presence of an Almighty God, a loving Heavenly Father who would never leave me.

The gift of Holy Spirit I received at the time of my new birth in Christ is the assurance of His presence for all eternity.

His presence is my present.

Yours too.

Our gift is not meant to sit upon a shelf and collect dust. It’s there to be carried with us and used, like a well-worn teddy bear goes with a child.

I’m learning to seek His presence not only before I shut my eyes at night—but throughout the day, all the time.

Jesus longs to communicate with you right now.

Are you using your gift? Are you enjoying His presence today?

Copyright © 2014 Cheryl Elton

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