I'm Going Back

I'M GOING BACK

Jesus Heals Ten Men With Leprosy

¹¹ Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. ¹² As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance ¹³ and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!”  ¹⁴ When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed.  ¹⁵ One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. ¹⁶ He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan.  ¹⁷ Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? ¹⁸ Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” ¹⁹ Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”

In layman’s terms, leprosy is defined as: a chronic, mildly infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae, affecting the peripheral nervous system, skin, and nasal passages, including ulcerations, tubercular nodules, and loss of sensation that sometimes leads to traumatic amputation of the body part.

Traditionally, lepers were considered unclean and banished from society, forced to live in seclusion with no physical contact for fear of spreading the disease.  “As long as the serious disease lasts, they will be ceremonially unclean.  They must live in isolation in their place outside the camp.”-(Leviticus 13:46)  If a leper encountered a ‘clean’ person, they were required to shout, ‘unclean, unclean’.  That Jesus interacted with the lepers was in itself uncommon, compounded by the fact that they were Samaritans.  By all accounts, this interaction should have never taken place.  Not only did it take place violating numerous societal regulations, but they were healed.  You would think that would cause a great deal of thankfulness, however, only one returned to show Jesus his gratitude. 

In biblical terms leprosy was sometimes seen as associated with sin.  Like leprosy, sin can quickly spread, affecting every area of our lives, and more importantly separating us from God.  We’ve all been in situations where we’ve said, “Lord, if you get me out of this one . . .”, and Jesus does it, and we go on with our lives as if nothing happened, failing to keep our promise.  How many times have you been ‘healed’ or forgiven, and failed to ‘go back’ and tell Him thank you? 

As Christians, we must get to a place of thankfulness.  We cannot continue to take God’s healing, forgiveness, grace, and mercy for granted.  If He’s done something for you, no matter how small, we must begin to live in a state of thankfulness.  Don’t be like the nine.  ‘Go back’ and tell Him, ‘Thank you!’

Margaret Slaughter

"What do I Know?" by Margaret Slaughter

What Do I Know?

We spend a lot of time focusing on what we don't have, and what we don't know.  In the corporate world, we spend a lot of time bragging about who and what we know.  Not so much in the Christian world.  So I thought, ‘what do I know’?  God’s Word is full of thousands of promises, sure to help you IF you know them.  This year, I've purposed to focus on what I DO have, and what I DO know.  Here are a few things I know . . . 

I know that He knew me before I was born:

“You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.  You saw me before I was born.  Every day of my life was recorded in your book.  Ever moment was laid out before a single day had passed.” –Psalm 139:15-16

I know that He doesn’t make junk:

“You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb.  Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!  Your workmanship is marvelous – how well I know it.” –Psalm 139:13-14

I know that He values me:

“How precious are your thoughts about me, O God.  They cannot be numbered!  I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand!  And when I wake up, you are still with me!” –Psalm 139:17-18

I know I have experienced real love:

“This is how we know what love is:  Jesus Christ laid down his life for us.” – 1 John 3:16

I know I can accomplish anything with His help:

“For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” –Philippians 4:13

I know He will fight for me:

“This is what the LORD says: Do not be afraid!  Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.” –2 Chronicles 20:15

I know He wants me to succeed:

“Commit your works to the LORD [submit and trust them to Him], and your plans will succeed [if you respond to His will and guidance].” –Proverbs 16:3

So, the next time someone asks you, ‘what do you know’, what will you tell them?

Margaret Slaughter

"What Will You Do With Your Gift?" by Margaret Slaughter

What Will You Do With Your Gift?

Parable of the Three Servants

¹⁴ “Again, the Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. He called together his servants and entrusted his money to them while he was gone. ¹⁵ He gave five bags of silver to one, two bags of silver to another, and one bag of silver to the last—dividing it in proportion to their abilities. He then left on his trip.  ¹⁶ “The servant who received the five bags of silver began to invest the money and earned five more. ¹⁷ The servant with two bags of silver also went to work and earned two more. ¹⁸ But the servant who received the one bag of silver dug a hole in the ground and hid the master’s money.  ¹⁹ “After a long time their master returned from his trip and called them to give an account of how they had used his money. ²⁰ The servant to whom he had entrusted the five bags of silver came forward with five more and said, ‘Master, you gave me five bags of silver to invest, and I have earned five more.’  ²¹ “The master was full of praise. ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’  ²² “The servant who had received the two bags of silver came forward and said, ‘Master, you gave me two bags of silver to invest, and I have earned two more.’  ²³ “The master said, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’  ²⁴ “Then the servant with the one bag of silver came and said, ‘Master, I knew you were a harsh man, harvesting crops you didn’t plant and gathering crops you didn’t cultivate. ²⁵ I was afraid I would lose your money, so I hid it in the earth. Look, here is your money back.’  ²⁶ “But the master replied, ‘You wicked and lazy servant! If you knew I harvested crops I didn’t plant and gathered crops I didn’t cultivate, ²⁷ why didn’t you deposit my money in the bank? At least I could have gotten some interest on it.’  ²⁸ “Then he ordered, ‘Take the money from this servant, and give it to the one with the ten bags of silver. ²⁹ To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away. ³⁰ Now throw this useless servant into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ 

Matthew 25:14-30

In this passage of scripture, the Master has entrusted each of his servants with bags of silver, each according to their abilities.  The bags of silver represent ‘talents’, meaning:  gift or skill.  God has given each of us a gift or skill to use for His glory.  What will you do with your gift?  Will you bury it, and let it lie dormant like the servant with one bag of silver, or will you use it to help others, thereby multiplying it like the servants with two and five bags of silver?

1 Peter 4:10-11 NLT says, “God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts.  Use them well to serve one another.  Do you have the gift of speaking?  Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you.  Do you have the gift of helping others?  Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies.  Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ.  All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen.”

So, I ask you, what will you do with your gift?

Margaret Slaughter

"What Are You Feeding?"

What Are You Feeding?

“So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.  For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh.  They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.

But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.”

Galatians 5:16-18

 

In 1974 B.T. Express had a song titled, ‘Do It (‘Till You’re Satisfied).  A portion of the lyrics said, “People know just what they’d like to do, whatever it is, you got it, long as it pleases you.”  We all, at some point in our lives, lived by this creed.  Doing, saying, and living how we want, and not considering the consequences. “Gratifying the desires of the flesh” (verse 16).  Editor and director, Crandall Miller, is quoted as saying, ‘What you feed grows.  What you starve dies.  You never satisfy anything by feeding it, you simply increase it’s capacity for growth.’  What are you feeding?

Once you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you no longer live by the flesh.  And so the battle begins. Spirit man vs. Flesh.  The hardest fought battle of all time.  If we’re honest, it is a battle we fight, minute by minute.  What is ‘gratifying the desires of the flesh’ and what is ‘walking by the Spirit’?  The answer is right here in the Word.

‘Gratify the desires of the flesh’

Galatians 5:19-21 NLV says, “The things your sinful old self wants to do are: sex sins (adultery, fornication KJV), sinful desires (uncleanness KVJ), wild living (lasciviousness KJV), worshiping false gods (idolatry KJV), witchcraft, hating, fighting, being jealous, being angry, arguing, dividing into little groups and thinking the other groups are wrong, false teaching, wanting something someone else has, killing other people, using strong drink, wild parties, and all things like these.  I told you before and I am telling you again that those who do these things will have no place in the holy nation of God.”

‘Walk by the Spirit’

Galatians 5:22-26 NLV says, “But the fruit that comes from having the Holy Spirit in our lives is: love, joy, peace, not giving up (long suffering KJV), being kind (gentleness KJV), being good, having faith (goodness KJV), being gentle (meekness KJV), and being the boss over our own desires (temperance KJV).  The Law is not against these things.  Those of us who belong to Christ have nailed our sinful old selves on His cross.  Our sinful desires are now dead.  If the Holy Spirit is living in us, let us be led by Him in all things.  Let us not become proud in ways in which we should not.  We must not make hard feelings among ourselves as Christians or make anyone jealous.”

(I encourage you to read Galatians 5:19-26 MSG version)

So, which will you feed?

Margaret Slaughter

Surrender

Surrender

“So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you.  We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding.  Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit.  All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better.”

--Colossians 1:9-10

 

I will admit, I have a problem with surrender. Not surrender as in giving up, but surrender in the sense that I don't want to relinquish control.

Merriam-Webster dictionary defines 'surrender' as:

·         to agree to stop fighting, hiding, resisting, etc., because you know that you will not win or succeed

·         to give the control or use of (something) to someone else

·         to allow something (such as a habit or desire) to influence or control you

How appropriate in describing my relationship with Christ. Let me clarify.  It's not that I question God's ability or power, it's that this is an area of struggle for me.  When something happens, I spring into action before taking a moment to stop, and before you know it, I’m all in without having consulted the Lord and His direction.

To make a change, you have to have a plan.  So, now what?  Let’s refer back to the definition:

First, I must ‘agree to stop fighting, hiding, resisting’, and acknowledge the problem.  Done. 

Second, I must ‘give the control to someone else’.  That will require me to take the time to pause and think before springing into action.  Let Him take the reins.

Third, I must ‘allow something to influence or control me’.  In that moment of pause, I must SURRENDER and acknowledge that still, small voice offering direction. 

In my own strength, surrender won’t be easy, but my Word says, ‘I can do ALL things through Christ that strengthens me’ (Philippians 4:13).  Pray with me.

Margaret Slaughter

I Am My Brother's Keeper

“When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ.  Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some.  I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings.”

1 Corinthians 9:22

 

I Am My Brother’s Keeper

I was driving along Interstate 270 recently and noticed a flock of birds flying in ‘V’ formation.  I was curious.  Why do they fly that way?  So I did what we all do when we want to find out something.  I googled it.

The ‘V’ formation is thought to give the birds behind an aerodynamic advantage.  The birds in the rear of the ‘V’ formation are able to get an extra lift from the bird ahead of it from the ‘downwash’ or flapping of the birds’ wings in front of it.  In essence, the birds are constantly working together.

What if we as Christians operated on this same system?  Instead of shunning or criticizing our brothers and sisters that are new (or old) Christians, or weaker in their faith, we would gird (encircle) them in prayer.  Helping them if necessary.

Romans 15:1-3a says, “We who are strong must be considerate of those who are sensitive about things like this.  We must not please ourselves.  We should help others do what is right and build them up in the Lord.  For even Christ didn’t live to please himself.”  So I ask you ‘are you your brother’s keeper?’

Margaret Slaughter

Stay Alert!

“Stay alert!  Watch out for your great enemy, the devil.  He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.  Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith.  Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are.”

1 Peter 5:8-9 NLT

 

 

Stay Alert!

As I write this, I am observing a 21 day fast.  During one of my devotional times, the Lord revealed some things to me.  One day during the fast, I was wrestling and rationalizing with myself over what was ‘ok to eat’ on the list of acceptable foods for the fast.  I had to chuckle at myself because I realized you can rationalize almost anything if you work long and hard enough.  Then the Lord revealed to me that’s how easily sin creeps in and takes over before you know it.  First, it starts out as one little ‘white lie’.  And before you know it you’re asking yourself, ‘how did I get here?’.  Little by little.

 

1 Peter 5:8 tells you to ‘Stay alert!’.  Some versions say, ‘Discipline yourselves’.  No matter what version of the scripture you use, the message is clear, always be on guard.  In Genesis 4:7, the Lord says to Cain, “You will be accepted if you do what is right.  But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you.  But you must subdue it and be its master.”

But here is the good news . . . God never leaves us alone.  He’s ever present, willing to help us . . . if we want it.  1 Corinthians 10:13 put it this way, “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind.  And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.  But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”  So whenever you rationalize yourself into a tight spot, look to the Lord for your escape plan.

Margaret Slaughter