What Now? by Margaret Slaughter

A Call to Prayer

“First of all, then, I urge that petitions (specific requests), prayers, intercessions (prayers for others) and thanksgivings be offered on behalf of all people, for kings and all who are in [positions of] high authority, so that we may live a peaceful and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.  This [kind of praying] is good and acceptable and pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who wishes all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge and recognition of the [divine] truth.” 

--1 Timothy 2:1-4 AMP

As we embark on the beginning of a new political administration, this is not so much a political post as it is a ‘call to action’ for believers.  Certainly, the election process caused much division, sparked countless insults, and endless declarations of non-support for the new administration.  It would be an understatement to say it’s been disheartening to watch.  The new administration has begun.  What now?

Pray!  As in any situation where we find ourselves asking that question, we should turn to God’s Word.  If we are to be Christ-like, His message is and always will be one of love.  No exceptions, no buts, no caveats.  Love!

1 Peter 4:7-11  (AMP) reads:

“The end and culmination of all things is near.  Therefore, be sound-minded and self-controlled for the purpose of prayer [staying balanced and focused on the things of God so that your communication will be clear, reasonable, specific and pleasing to Him.]  Above all, have fervent and unfailing love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins [it overlooks unkindness and unselfishly seeks the best for others].  Be hospitable to one another without complaint.  Just as each one of you has received a special gift [a spiritual talent, an ability graciously given by God], employ it in serving one another as [is appropriate for] good stewards of God’s multi-faceted grace [faithfully using the diverse, varied gifts and abilities granted to Christians by God’s unmerited favor].  Whoever speaks [to the congregation], is to do so as one who speaks the oracles (utterances, the very words) of God.  Whoever serves [the congregation] is to do so as one who serves by the strength which God [abundantly] supplies, so that in all things God may be glorified [honored and magnified] through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen”

As believers, let’s do what we’ve been called to do, pray and love.

Margaret Slaughter

Fresh Start by Margaret Slaughter

Fresh Start

“God, make a fresh start in me, shape a Genesis week from the chaos of my life.  Don’t throw me out with the trash, or fail to breathe holiness in me.  Bring me back from gray exile, put a fresh wind in my sails!” –Psalm 51:10-12 MSG

We’ve made it through the first week of 2017 and lots of people are making New Year resolutions, making declarations of ‘new year, new me’.  I’ve seen some criticism of this philosophy.  People are asking why do you have to wait until the New Year to make a change?  Well, there’s something to be said about re-evaluation and goal-setting that helps one stay focused.  If you never re-evaluate or re-focus, how do you know how far you’ve come?  Or where you need to go?

In our subject scripture, David is pleading with the Lord to wipe his slate clean, and give him a fresh start.  In verse three David acknowledges, “I know how bad I’ve been; my sins are staring me down.”  Have you ever heard the old saying, ‘admission is the first step to recovery’?  Fresh start!

“Going through the motions doesn’t please you, a flawless performance is nothing to you.  I learned God-worship when my pride was shattered.  Heart-shattered lives (repentant) ready for love don’t for a moment escape God’s notice.” (verses 16-17 MSG)

The Lord does not desire what ‘looks good’, but what is good, inside and out.  The only way to do that is ‘new year, new me’.  As we embark on this New Year, let’s follow David’s example and take the time to examine, re-evaluate, and re-focus ourselves and become the best ‘you’ God created you to be!

Margaret Slaughter

E.G.O. (Edging God Out) by Margaret Slaughter

E.G.O. (Edging God Out)

 Humble Service in the Body of Christ

“For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.” –Romans 12:3 NIV

I’m sure we all know someone who brags about everything.  They always have to ‘one up’ every story you tell.  Every statement or story begins with ‘I’.  And in all of that bragging, they never seem to acknowledge God for what they have, or what they have accomplished.  They have essentially become their own god.  That’s a dangerous place to be.

I was watching Pastor Carl Lentz, and he described ego as edging God out.  Merriam Webster says the Latin word for ego is ‘I’.  How appropriate.

What if this story describes you?  What now?  The answer can always be found in the Word.  The title of this passage says, ‘Humble service in the body of Christ’.  Humble is defined as having or showing a modest or low estimate of one’s own importance. 

-First, acknowledge God for who He is. 

-Second, acknowledge God for what He does. 

-Third, acknowledge that we are nothing, and we can accomplish nothing without Him. 

-Fourth, pray and ask Him to convict you each time you become your own god.

The Message version of Romans 12:3 puts it this way, “it’s important that you not misinterpret yourselves as people who are bringing this goodness to God.  No, God brings it all to you.  The only accurate way to understand ourselves is by what God is and by what he does for us, not by what we are and what we do for him.”

So, don’t ‘think of yourself more highly than you ought’, and edge God out.  Give Him the praise He is due.

Margaret Slaughter

“Where Is Your Compassion?” by Margaret Slaughter

³ As he was speaking, the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in the act of adultery. They put her in front of the crowd. ⁴ “Teacher,” they said to Jesus, “this woman was caught in the act of adultery. ⁵ The law of Moses says to stone her. What do you say?”  ⁶ They were trying to trap him into saying something they could use against him, but Jesus stooped down and wrote in the dust with his finger. ⁷ They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said, “All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!” ⁸ Then he stooped down again and wrote in the dust.  ⁹ When the accusers heard this, they slipped away one by one, beginning with the oldest, until only Jesus was left in the middle of the crowd with the woman. ¹⁰ Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?”  ¹¹ “No, Lord,” she said.  And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.”

John 8:1-11 NLT

I was caught in an indiscretion.  My accusers wanted me to be publicly punished.  They appointed themselves judge and jury.  Ready to persecute me.  They had no mercy.  No, this isn’t my life story, but God’s Word.  When you thought the story was about me what did you think?  Were you also ready to condemn me, or were you ready to show me forgiveness and compassion?

As the body of Christ, many of us have become like this woman’s accusers.  Devoid of empathy, sympathy, or compassion.  When someone is caught in a sin, or they confess a sin, we’re quick to quote the scriptures pointing out the punishment for the sin, but rarely the scriptures on forgiveness or God’s love.

How are we ever to grow the kingdom of God if we fail to restore our brothers and sisters in love?  There are many instances in the Word where sinners were shown compassion by Jesus.  In Matthew 7:12 The Golden Rule, we are called to, “Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets.”  If you want forgiveness, give forgiveness.  If you want compassion, show compassion.  Don’t be like the Pharisees.  Extend some compassion to the fallen, and restore them in love.

Margaret Slaughter

“Can You Hear Me Now?” by Margaret Slaughter

“And the Lord came and called as before, ‘Samuel, Samuel!’

And Samuel replied, ‘Speak, your servant is listening.’”

1 Samuel 3:10 NLT

Several years ago the cell phone company, Verizon, had the slogan, ‘Can you hear me now?’.  The ad guy would go all over the world, in the most remote places asking the person on the phone, ‘Can you hear me now?’.   The idea was no matter where you went in the world using Verizon’s service, you would be able to hear him.  Is your Father asking you that same question? ‘Can you hear me now?’

In our subject scripture, the Lord called Samuel four times!  Samuel heard the voice, but he had mistaken it for someone else.  By the fourth time, Samuel made himself available by responding, ‘Speak, your servant is listening’.

Is the Lord speaking to you?  Is He calling you to do something?  How many times will He have to call your name before you recognize His voice?  Four times?  Five?  How many times will He have to call your name before you make yourself available?  Don’t miss the call.  Be like Samuel by responding, ‘your servant is listening’.

Margaret Slaughter