"Just Do It."

 “It is absolutely clear that God has called you to a free life.  Just make sure that you don’t use this freedom as an excuse to do whatever you want to do and destroy your freedom.  Rather, use your freedom to serve one another in love; that’s how freedom grows.  For everything we know about God’s Word is summed up in a single sentence: Love others as you love yourself.  That’s an act of true freedom.”

–Galatians 5:13-14 MSG

For the past few months God has stirred in me a renewed heart for service.  I come from a family of servants so watching it growing up certainly laid the foundation.  However, I must admit sometimes I get a little tired, wondering if I’m really making a difference.  My time in prayer and meditation revealed to me that’s my fleshly need to ‘see’ the end result.  But if I’m trusting Him, then I should trust that He would not lead me to service if it wasn’t making a difference.  There are countless examples in His Word that call us to service.  So as the Nike slogans says, Just Do It!

With all the violence and division we are bombarded with daily, you can quickly become disillusioned and believe the world has gone completely mad.  In Romans 12:20-21 (MSG) God’s Word says, “Our Scriptures tell us that if you see your enemy hungry, go buy that person lunch, or if he’s thirsty, get him a drink.  Your generosity will surprise him with goodness.  Don’t let evil get the best of you; get the best of evil by doing good.”  This is more than a devotional, it is a challenge.  A challenge to help those in need.  A challenge to perform a random act of kindness, expecting nothing in return. 

Here are a few suggestions of local organizations that could use your help, or individual ways that you can help:

·        Blessing bags for the homeless:  Fill a plastic storage / freezer bag with individual sized toiletries such as toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, washcloth, deodorant, and a snack.  Keep them on hand in your car.

·        Food 4 Thought:  Hazelwood School District’s food pantry which services all 33 schools.  Food 4 Thought provides students who lack access to nutritious food at home with a reliable source of food for evenings, weekends, and other breaks from school. (In the interest of full disclosure, I am the Chairperson).  To make a donation, or host a food drive, contact me at mslaught313@yahoo.com.

·        Angels’ Arms: Angels’ Arms is dedicated to providing and supporting loving homes for foster children by keeping brothers and sisters together within a nurturing family until a forever home is found.  Angels’ Arms currently operates 12 homes.  To donate or volunteer, contact Angels’ Arms at (314) 842-8400, email  info@angelsarms.org, or visit their website at http://angelsarms.org/.

·        Horizon Club:  A 24 hour drop in center for individuals with developmental disabilities without homes that offers showers, laundry, and computer/internet access.  Their wish list includes: socks, underwear (adult sizes), travel size toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, lotion, toothpaste, toothbrush), first aid supplies and brown bag lunches.  Horizon Club is located at 202 N. 23^rd Street, St. Louis, MO 63103, (314) 421-0090. (Expected to close the end of August, 2016).

·        Shower to the People:  Shower to the People is a mobile shower truck that provides hygiene services and hot showers to the local homeless population of St. Louis, visiting multiple locations across the greater St. Louis area.  To find out how you can donate, email them at volunteer@showertothepeople.net, or visit their website at www.showertothepeople.net.

Margaret Slaughter

Recommit Every Day!

 “The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again.” –Proverbs 24:16a

Several weeks ago I decided to seriously commit to a healthier lifestyle. Changing my eating habits, and committing to an exercise routine. In the past one of my downfalls has been overcoming the guilt of a bad day. If I consumed more calories than needed, or if I failed to exercise, I would decide I had messed it all up so I may as well give up. I recently read a fitness article that reprogrammed my thinking. Recommit every day! How simple, but powerful. It has been a tremendous help in keeping me focused and committed. Had a bad day? In the morning hit the reset button and recommit.

What if we applied this principle to our Christian walk? Every morning, hit the reset button, and recommit yourself to Christ daily. This practice will not only strengthen your walk, but it can also serve as a 'check in' or encourage repentance. 'Lord, I know I fell short in ___________, but here I am today, back at it.  Forgive me, and strengthen me for this new day.' Don't give up, recommit every day.

Margaret Slaughter

"Know Him For Yourself"

“Yes, all the things I once thought were so important are gone from my life. Compared to the high privilege of knowing Christ Jesus as my Master, firsthand, everything I once thought I had going for me is insignificant—dog dung. I’ve dumped it all in the trash so that I could embrace Christ and be embraced by him. I didn’t want some petty, inferior brand of righteousness that comes from keeping a list of rules when I could get the robust kind that comes from trusting Christ—God’s righteousness.” -- Philippians 3:8-9 MSG

 How many times have you met a person, and someone else begins to give you their opinion of that person, good or bad. Until you get to know the person for yourself, the other person's opinion sometimes shapes yours.  

The same goes for our relationship with Christ. Others' opinion of Christ, good or bad, can shape your opinion of Him and His power, until you get to know Him for yourself.  If your ‘circle’ is part of the turn up, and they see no benefit in having a relationship with Christ, then your initial opinion of Christ is negative.  But, if your ‘circle’ loves Christ, and believes in His infinite power, then your initial opinion of Christ is shaped in a positive light.  However, even with their positive opinion, your knowledge of Christ is still limited until you get to know Him for yourself.  How do you get to know Him for yourself?  Just as you spend time with a person when you’re trying to develop a relationship, the same goes for developing a relationship with Christ.  You spend time with Him by reading His Word, setting aside time for prayer and meditation. As in any relationship, you cannot experience the benefits of that relationship until you get to know them for yourself.  How will you get to know the character of Christ, and all that’s available to you as a child of God if you do not get to know Him for yourself? 

 Margaret Slaughter

With Expectation!

 

“Listen to my voice in the morning, LORD.

Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly.”

Psalm 5:3

There’s just something about communing with God in the stillness of the early morning.  Calm and quiet with no distractions.  Fulfilling the need to check in with God before you begin your day.  And ‘wait expectantly’.  What does that mean, ‘wait expectantly’? 

Have you ever had tickets to a concert for your all-time favorite group?  And weeks leading up to the concert you’re excited, you can hardly wait for the day to come.  That’s how we should approach our day, AFTER we’ve checked in with GOD.   

Expectantly is defined as:  feeling or thinking that something will happen; expecting something.

To go a little further, synonyms for ‘expectantly’ are: actively, breathlessly, earnestly, energetically, enthusiastically, gladly, hungrily, intently, readily, willingly, zealously.

Hmmmm, is this how you usually approach a new day?  Or do you draaaaag yourself out of bed wishing the day was already over?

Let’s push the reset button and start our day making our requests know to God, and waiting in expectation for what He’s going to do.

Margaret Slaughter