"Be Alert, Be Present!" by Margaret Slaughter

“Forget about what’s happened; don’t keep going over old history.  Be alert, be present.  I’m about to do something brand-new.  It’s bursting out!  Don’t you see it?   There it is!  I’m making a road through the desert, rivers in the badlands.” --Isaiah 43:18-19

When you log on to Facebook for the first time each day, there’s a memory available for you to view.  Sometimes it’s a year ago, sometimes it’s more.

My final Facebook post of 2017 declared, “Leaving some things and people in 2017.”  How ironic that I was unable to load my memory on the first day of the New Year.  After repeated tries and no success of being able to re-share, I started to become frustrated.  Then the Lord spoke to me and said, ‘why are you going back?’  Only hours into my 2018 declaration and I had already slipped!

Although it is sometimes beneficial to reflect on the past, it is not beneficial to dwell there.  You can’t change one single thing that has already happened, but you can learn from it.  When you drive, you don’t use your small rearview mirror to get where you’re going.  You look ahead in the large window, equipped with a defroster and windshield wipers to remove any obstacles that would keep you from seeing clearly to get where you’re going.  So as you enter this New Year, look ahead to the new thing.  He’s going to make a way for you through what seems impossible (a road through the desert, rivers in the badlands).  Be alert and present to what God has planned for your New Year.  It is greater than before!

Margaret Slaughter

"Beauty for Ashes" by Margaret Slaughter

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, because the Lord has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn, to console those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified.” --Isaiah 61:1-3

Beauty for ashes is an interesting term.  In order to fully understand it, we must first know the significance of ashes in the Bible.  Ashes represented a time of mourning, loss, purification, or repentance.  In our focus scripture, Isaiah is prophesying to the people of Israel who are being held captive and oppressed as a result of their rebellion against God.

There is always a consequence for rebellion.  But because of God’s grace, we don’t always get what we deserve.  And even though we rebel against God, He never leaves us without hope.  If we turn to Him, His promises are true.  There will be an exchange:

• Healing in exchange for brokenness;
• Freedom in exchange for captivity;
• Comfort and consolation in exchange for mourning;
• Beauty in exchange for ashes;
• Joy in exchange for mourning; and
• Praise in exchange for heaviness.

Just as there is calm after the storm, He will give us beauty after ashes. What do you need Him to exchange?

Margaret Slaughter

"Worship While You Wait" by Margaret Slaughter

“Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the Lord!  I will be joyful in the God of my salvation.” –Habakkuk 3:17-18

 

Have you ever been in a place in your life where nothing seems to be going right?  As the old saying goes, you take one step forward, and are pushed two steps back.  You make a little progress but as soon as you get ahead, something happens and drags you back to what seems even further than where you started.  We’ve all been there.  The question is, how do we get through it?  We worship while we wait!


In this prayer by the prophet Habakkuk, although he lists all the reasons he has not to believe everything will turn out ok, he begins each phrase with ‘even though’.  Even though means despite the fact that “the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; . . . the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; . . . the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the Lord!”  I won’t hold on to what my eyes see.  I will walk in faith, and worship while I wait.  God has not promised us an easy, rose filled road, but He has promised that His word will not return void – “So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.” (Isaiah 55:11 NKJV).  So, if God has made you a promise, no matter what it looks like, worship while you wait!

Margaret Slaughter

"Whose Kingdom are You Building?" by Margaret Slaughter

Narcissist – a person who has an excessive interest in or admiration of themselves.  In this age of social media, most people want fame and fortune.  Instant success.  Be noticed.  Be the next best thing.  Bling, fast cars, fast money, and a lavish lifestyle seem to rule.  They work hard at building a kingdom.  A narcissistic kingdom, beneficial to only themselves.  As Christians, we are called to something higher.  Building God’s kingdom.

 

Here are a few tips on Building God’s Kingdom:

1. Building the Kingdom of God is selfless.  “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.  Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.” Philippians 2:3
2. Building the Kingdom of God requires spreading the Good News. “And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.” Mark 16:15
3. Building the Kingdom of God requires us to use our gifts.  “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God.  If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.  To him be the glory and power forever and ever. Amen.” 1 Peter 4:10-11
4. Building the Kingdom of God calls us to be the light in darkness.  “You are the light of the world.  A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl.  Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16
5. Building the Kingdom of God requires you to serve in silence.  “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them.  If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.  So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others.  Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.  But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret.  Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” Matthew 6:1-4

So I ask you, whose kingdom are you building -- Yours, or God’s?

 

Margaret Slaughter

 

"Standing Alone" by Margaret Slaughter

“Do not be fooled. ‘Bad companions ruin good character.’  Come back to your right senses and stop your sinful ways.  I declare to your shame that some of you do not know God.” –1 Corinthians 15:33-34

A few weeks prior to this picture, I shared a photo when the tree was full of blossoms.  This particular morning, only one blossom was left standing . . . alone.  I thought to myself, how many times have I had to stand alone, and how hard was it for me to make the choice to stand alone?

Let’s be real, living for Christ is not always easy.  I use the subject scripture often when I’m talking with young people, but what about us – the seasoned ‘saints’?  Do we always make good choices with the company we keep?  Probably not.  As followers of Christ, it is a good practice to periodically evaluate the relationships in our lives.  Are they honoring God?  Are they encouraging us to be strong in the Lord, or stray from His plan for our lives?  Are they encouraging us to follow our sinful nature, or follow the Spirit?  What kind of fruit are your relationships producing in your lives?

As you begin to evaluate your relationships, you may find there are times you will be forced to stand alone to honor God.  It is important to remember you may have to stand alone in the natural, but in the spiritual, God is always there.  His Word promises us that He will never leave you, nor forsake you (Deuteronomy 31:6).  Just as the tree shed its beautiful blossoms, we may be forced to shed some seemingly beautiful relationships.  But be not afraid, you are not alone.

Margaret Slaughter

"Praise in the Midst of the Storm" by Margaret Slaughter

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you.  When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, nor will the flame burn you.” –Isaiah 43:2 AMP

I’m sitting in my prayer room, in the early morning hours, just minutes after a serious thunderstorm.  I pause to take a minute to hear God’s voice, and what I hear are birds chirping – their form of singing praises to the Lord.  And it struck me that even though we were in the midst of a serious thunderstorm, the birds still gave God His praise!

I asked myself what lesson can I take from this?  Praise Him in the midst of the storm.  I know, it may sound cliché, but it’s true.  You can choose to go down in sackcloth and ashes (1 Kings 21:27), or you can praise your way through the storm.  Praise is a conscious choice.  A conscious choice to say “God, I trust You no matter what I’m going through”.  No matter what it looks like.  No matter how I feel.  No matter how long.  I will praise You.  Is it easy? No.  Is it worth it? Yes!

God’s promises are true.  If His Word says He will be with me, I will hold on to that promise.  If His Word says I will not be overwhelmed, I will hold on to that promise.  If His Word says I will not be burned, I will hold on to that promise.

Praise is one of the weapons we have to defeat the enemy.  The next time ol’ beelzebub comes slinking around, begin to praise!

Margaret Slaughter

"Head of My Life" by Margaret Slaughter

“In everything you do, put God first, and he will direct you and crown your efforts with success.” –Proverbs 3:6 TLB 

“Giving honor to God who is the head of my life . . .”  How many times have you said that well known church phrase?  The bigger question is, how many times did you REALLY mean it? Confession: I know I’ve said it many times, and God was nowhere near the top of my priority list.

Don’t get me wrong, I love the Lord.  But I am a planner, and I have the propensity to plan God right out of whatever I’m planning.  I’m halfway through a project before I realize I have not consulted Him at all.  In His infinite grace and mercy He does not let me fail, nonetheless, I have failed yet again in seeking him FIRST, and making Him truly what I say He is.

The old adage ‘actions speak louder than words’ is so very true.  If I’m going to really live this thing called ‘follower of Christ’, then I must do just that – follow and not lead.  It sounds so simple, so why do I struggle with this as much as I do?  It’s simple.  Submission.  The need to see the whole picture, rather than operating in faith.

I’m consistently working on making Him the true head of my life.  My daily prayer time has helped tremendously.  It helps me pause and seek Him to order my day.  So the next time you hear, or say that phrase, “Giving honor to God who is the head of my life”, use it as an opportunity to self evaluate.

Margaret Slaughter

"Bloom Where You’re Planted" --by Margaret Slaughter

“Seek peace and well-being for the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf; for in its peace (well-being) you will have peace.’” –Jeremiah 29:7 AMP

Oftentimes when we are placed in an undesirable environment, we spend our time hoping and wishing we were somewhere else.  But what if we are there for a purpose?  To initiate change of that undesirable environment.  As believers in Christ, we are called upon to spread the Gospel.  Not just when the conditions are favorable.  But everywhere, all the time!

There is a quote by Nido R. Qubein that says, “Are you a thermometer or a thermostat?  A thermometer only reflects the temperature of its environment, adjusting to the situation.  But a thermostat initiates action to change the temperature in its environment.”  Being a thermostat requires action, i.e., faith without works . . .

Our subject scripture requires us to do a few things before we can reap the benefit promised in His Word.

1. “Seek peace and well-being for the city where I have sent you into exile”.  Seek is a verb, meaning to go in search of.  That means God is calling you to DO something;
2. “and pray to the Lord on its behalf”.  Pray is also a verb, meaning to address God.  Again, God is calling you to DO something on behalf of your undesirable environment.

In doing what God has called us to do, not only will be benefit, but your environment will benefit . . . Blooming where you’re planted!

Margaret Slaughter

"A Matter of the Heart" --by Margaret Slaughter

“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” –Psalm 51:10 NKJV

“Change me, Lord!”  A plea we make often.  But do we really mean it?  We ask the Lord to change us, but we are operating under free will (the ability to act at one’s own discretion).  Acting under one’s own discretion means He cannot change a resistant being.  The declaration, ‘Change me, Lord’ does not possess any magical powers.  Rather, the declaration suggests submission.  Submission, and a repentant heart.  There are no examples in the Bible where Jesus forced anyone to follow Him or to change.  Any change was preceded by the person’s change of heart – voluntarily.

Our subject scripture is known as A Prayer of Repentance.  After David willfully sinned with Bathsheba, another man’s wife, he was confronted with his sin by Nathan the prophet.  David did not make excuses, point the finger, or lie.  He immediately acknowledged his sin saying, “I have sinned against the Lord.” (2 Samuel 12:13).  The entire 51^st book of Psalm is David’s sincere ‘Change me, Lord’ moment.  Because of David’s sincere plea, he is known as a man after God’s own heart.

So the next time you declare, ‘Change me, Lord!’, examine where your heart is.

Margaret Slaughter