"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

"Second Hand Faith" --by Margaret Slaughter

“I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice.  And I know that same faith continues strong in you.” –2 Timothy 1:5

Did you grow up in a family where you saw your grandparents and parents praying?  And because of that, you rested in the fact that you were ‘covered’.  Not because you prayed, but because they prayed.  Then you’re living on second hand faith. 

Sure, we are called to pray for others, however, we can’t exist solely on the prayers and the faith of others.  We must learn to develop our own faith.  Develop our own relationship with the Father. 

Timothy is a shining example of this.  Although Timothy’s mother, Eunice, and grandmother, Lois are only mentioned once in the Bible, they are mentioned because of the strong faith they each had.  A strong faith that was then taught to Timothy as they raised him.  However, Timothy didn’t rely on the faith of his mother and grandmother, but rather he became a protégé of Paul, and helped spread the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Now ask yourself, ‘am I living on second hand faith?’

Margaret Slaughter

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