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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When our son graduated from Christian college, along with his diploma he was presented with a towel.

It exemplified that no matter what career path he pursued in the days ahead, his greater calling was to serve others like Christ.

In a record commonly known as “The Last Supper,” Jesus used a towel, giving us a moving example of service by washing the feet of His disciples.

In that day, it was the duty of the lowliest servant to wash the feet of guests—a custom used any time travelers or strangers came into the house with dirt of their feet (common because of dusty roads.)

In John 13, Jesus demonstrated an amazing act of humility and compassion. He put a towel around His waist, poured water into a basin, and to the astonishment of His disciples, knelt down to wash their feet, one by one.

When finished, He asked, “Do you know what I have done to you?”  He explained:

“You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.” (John 13:13-17) 

If Jesus can take on the duty of the poorest servant and wash the disciples’ feet, surely we should emulate the same heart toward people.

When we serve others the way Jesus instructs, we are actually serving Him.

Our Lord explains in Matthew 25: 

“Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry
and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’ “ 

Throughout the gospel of Matthew, Jesus referred to those who would be His followers using terms such as “the least of these,” “one of these little ones,” or “the brethren.”

The 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.

Mother Teresa spent her life caring for the poorest and most vulnerable souls in Calcutta. She said, “Each one of them is Jesus in disguise.”

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

Will we see Jesus in disguise?

Copyright © 2017 Cheryl Elton

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“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21)  

In our western culture, common interpretations of this passage of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount suggest that “treasure” refers to money and all its material enticements. It offers no lasting security, because like moth and rust, it breeds decay and thieves may steal it. On the other hand, money sown toward Godly purposes results in enduring treasures stored in heaven.

Dr. K.C. Pillai, a Bishop from India and a Hindu convert to Christianity, offers some interesting insight into these verses from an eastern perspective (remember the Bible is an eastern book.) Since easterners view life more through spiritual meaning, he says that the “treasure” mentioned here simply refers to our thoughts.

He explains that “heaven” speaks of the realm of the Spirit; “earth” is the material realm; “moth” is fear that eats away at our thoughts; “rust” is worry that corrodes Godly thoughts, and “corrupt” means to breed.

In light of eastern culture then, Pillai offers this rendition of the passage:

“Let not your thoughts be centered in material things where fear and worries breed defeat and frustration, and where the doubts break through and steal your thoughts: But let your thoughts be centered in the Spirit, where neither fear nor worry breeds defeat and frustration, and where doubts do not break through and steal your thoughts. For where your thoughts are, there will your heart be also.”

Where is the treasure of your heart?

What do you spend most of your time thinking about? Are you often consumed with worry? Where do your thoughts go when alone?

These are things worth asking ourselves …

Much of Matthew 6 is about relationship with our Heavenly Father. In fact Jesus uses the term “Father” eleven times in this chapter, showing the significance and importance of that relationship.

If the treasure of our hearts is God, there is no need for anxiety or fear.

So how do we get to the place of God first in our thoughts and actions? Of Jesus Christ, who makes Him known, being our First Love?

1. Decide. Surely our thoughts play a major role in how we live, because as we think in our hearts so are we (Proverbs 23:7).

If our thoughts are centered on earthly, material things, our lives will be plagued with worry, frustration, and despair. How easy it is to realize that the things we see are not dependable—they’re in a constant state of change and decay.

Our hearts are the innermost parts of our minds, the control center of our very lives. God tells us to keep His words in the midst of our hearts, and to keep our hearts with all diligence—because from the heart comes the issues of life (Proverbs 4:20-23).

Therefore, we must decide what will take first place in our hearts.

2. Prioritize. We must be intentional about doing things to grow our relationship with God. Daily Bible reading and prayer is a good starting place.

The choices we make each day of how we spend our time make a huge difference in where our thoughts stay. Will we let social media or television steal hours of our day, or will we devote more time to the things of God?

Prioritizing our lives to keep God first means we’re no longer centering our lives on things that change, but on Him who changes not.

3. Be mindful of His presence. God’s Spirit speaks to the Spirit within us. We’re not to live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God (Matthew 4:4).

Many Christians are fearful and restless, because their thoughts are preoccupied with the things of the world. Because their hearts are where their thoughts dwell, they are not abiding in Christ.

Jesus Christ is with us and in us. Being mindful of His presence throughout the day gives us peace and assurance to rise above our circumstances and allow Him to work in our lives.

4. Serve. Drawing close to God, and making His thoughts our thoughts, we begin to view life through His perspective. One of the great joys of our hearts becomes serving Him.

How can I make Godly choices with my time, my money, my activities, and my health? How can I better serve Him by helping others?

Your daily workplace is your mission field—the sphere of influence you have to show Christ to the world. Let’s get busy serving!

                                  *                *                *                

As Christians, it’s important we decide where we want the treasure of our hearts, prioritize our lives accordingly, stay mindful of His presence, and get busy serving Him.

Seeking first His kingdom, He promises to add everything else we need.

Copyright © 2017 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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