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Tuesday, July 30, 2013
Sunday, July 28, 2013
Reflections4Life: Celebrating The Milestones
Reflections4Life
July 28th, 2013
“Celebrating
The Milestones”
“After that, the Word of God came to me:
“Zerubbabel started rebuilding this Temple and he will complete it.
That will be your confirmation that God-of-the-Angel-Armies sent me
to you. Does anyone dare despise this day of small beginnings?
They’ll change their tune when they see Zerubbabel setting the last
stone in place...”” Zechariah 4:8-10 (MSG)
Scripture Contemplation: Zechariah 4; Habakkuk 2;
Ecclesiastes 3; Hebrews 11...
More than anything, what is ringing in my soul is the
importance of celebrating the milestones in our lives. Also, the
importance of not despising small beginnings. For, it is those small
beginnings that shape your foundation and lay the ground work for
what is to come.
I want to give God the praise today for six years of
Reflections! Woo-Hoo! What a beautiful milestone. I
cannot begin to say how blessed and fortunate I am that the Father
has blessed me each and every Sunday with fresh manna from Heaven.
What a blessing these past six years have been to be able to
fellowship, minister, teach, share, and connect with some awesome and
beautiful souls! I am honored that God would use me. I am honored to
be able to share the love of my Father with many! And I thank each
and everyone who has been apart of this journey with me for your
support, participation, prayers, love, and countless conversations.
It has been a share joy in getting to meet and know so many beautiful
souls. YOU have been a blessing, and I pray that God will bless you a
hundredfold for all you have given to me these past six years of
fellowship.
I declare and decree that this week's Reflections
will continue to be a source of encouragement and inspiration for
your heart, mind, and soul. May the blessings of God consume you and
manifest in every area of your life. May every need that you have be
met, and your heart open to the will and way of God that is best for
you and yours.
Sometimes you do not know how a thing is going to turn
out. There are times you don't know where God is taking you, but you
just follow Him, and trust Him, because He's God! And of course,
because you love Him. Even when you are not sure, or you cannot see
where you are going, you can always count on God to have your back.
There are times when God will direct you to do a thing. You may not be certain, you may be scared; but you can rest in the knowledge that whatever God leads you to, He will not only provide for you, but be there with you.
Every dream, every goal, every vision has a beginning.
Everything we do and accomplish starts with a beginning, and that
beginning may be small. It is during these beginnings that we are
laying a foundation that will hold the structure of our dreams and
visions. And the foundation must be strong enough to hold the weight
of the fulfillment our goals and dreams.
If you were building a house, you must be certain that
the foundation of that house is laid properly. You must be certain
that it is not only level, but strong enough to hold the weight and
substance of a house, and sturdy enough to withstand any natural
occurrences. The foundation must be strong enough and solid enough to
withstand any destruction that may occur to the house, in the event
that you may have to start all over.
Marriages must be built upon strong foundations. The
foundation doesn't just begin when you get married; it is being laid
and constructed well before you get married. The foundation of any
relationship that will last, must be strong and solid, and sure. All
relationships are tested. Marriages go through many seasons and
changes. As we go from honeymoon stages, to living together, to
having children, building a family, working, and providing, we must
be certain that our foundations are solid and built to weather the
storms that will arise.
Here's what I learned and know for certain: During the
beginning of anything—a goal, a vision, a relationship, marriage,
ministry, business—we must work diligently and show it the same
love and respect as if it were already accomplished. Sometimes the
work required seems laborious or not as necessary, and we take for
granted the process, and may not like the time it takes, or the tasks
that are necessary to ensure for a solid foundation. It is in those
beginning stages that the tone is set for what is to come. If we
cannot appreciate the beginning of a thing, and learn to celebrate
the milestones along the way, then we will never really be able to
appreciate the fulfillment of a goal or vision, or reach the point in
a relationship or marriage where we can stand firm with one another,
and love each other even after the storms have passed. For when the
storms come, we will not be able to make it through because we didn't
do what we should have done in the beginning, or appreciated what we
had when we started out.
There is joy in celebrating the milestones. There is joy
when you do not despise the process or humble/small beginnings. When
we have a spirit of thankfulness and appreciation for our journeys in
this life, we open ourselves to the Spirit of God to move in our life
in unexpected and expected ways. A heart of gratefulness sets the
stage for a life of blessings being manifested.
Each day the Father wakes us is a day to celebrate
because we were given another day to get things right, to start over,
to be thankful, to celebrate each victory that He has helped us to
reach; to enjoy the fruits of our labor. God is awesome!
Beloved, wherever you may be in life at this present
time, celebrate right where you are. Celebrate that God has blessed
you with a new day of life. Celebrate that you are still here to see
the promises of God fulfilled in your life. Do not despise where you
are at right now. Learn from it. Grow from the process. And be
certain that the foundation that you are building is built with the
wisdom of God, the gratefulness of heart, the solidness of faith, so
that it may withstand any and all storms that may arise. Let God be
your Architect. Follow His instructions, and learn to enjoy this
journey we call life.
I decree that the spirit of peace and prosperity has
found permanent rest in your life: spiritually, physically,
emotionally, mentally, socially, and financially. Celebrate the
milestones in your life. Be grateful for the process. Do not despise
small beginnings. For, it is your foundation. Live, learn, and grow.
You are Blessed so much more than you know. Now go...and Be a
Blessing!
©2013. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.
Friday, July 26, 2013
Sunday, July 21, 2013
Reflections4Life: "Truth Will Set You Free"
Reflections4Life July 21st, 2013
“Truth Will Set You Free”
“Lord, who shall abide in Thy tabernacle? Who shall dwell in Thy holy hill? He that walketh uprightly and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart...” Psalm 15:1,2
Scripture Contemplation: Psalm 15; Psalm 51; John 1; 8; Ephesians 4; 2 Timothy 3...
Stop lying! Stop lying to yourself, to others, and stop trying to lie to God! A bit harsh? I don't believe so. It needs to be heard. Some of us need reminding. We have been living a lie for so long that we are actually beginning to believe those lies. Know this: the truth will set you free!
I declare and decree that this week's Reflections will be a continued source of encouragement and enlightenment for your heart, mind, and soul. Allow yourself to walk in truth; to walk in the truth of who you are in Christ and what God has spoken of you. Forget what others have said about you. Forget the lies they try to put upon you. Stand in YOUR truth, and dare to live it each and every day.
There is no need for us to lie when we know who God is and we know and believe who we are in Him. Many have been living lies for a long time, and it is starting to take its toll and catch up with them. God wants you to be free. He wants your life to be full of joy, happiness, peace, and love. But how can you possibly have any of those things if you have been perpetrating a fraud? If, your life has been one lie after another? Aren't you tired? Isn't the load of trying to keep up with the lies tiring? Then stop lying and start living your truth.
There are some of us who do not even realize that we have been living a lie. We have not been living our authentic lives. Everything we do or say is to bring pleasure for someone else. Everything we do is to get accolades or acceptance and love from someone else. Whether it is parents, spouse, children, employer, friends—you are not living your own personal truth because you are living to please someone else.
I've been there! I have the T-Shirt to prove it! Along with the scars from the wounds of not living my authentic truth. I gave power over my life to others who thought and believed they knew what was best for me. I got real tired of that! I grew exhausted and angry. Angry at them, but especially angry with myself.
God has a plan for each and everyone of us. He has ordained each one of us to live out our own lives and destiny, and to walk in the greatness that He has created for us as individuals. It's just like our relationship with God: it is personal. No one else can walk your walk with God, but you. No other person can stand before God on the judgment day, but you. No other person can live your life, but you.
Sometimes our need to be accepted and loved, and to fit in, causes us to lay aside our own desires and wants, so that we can please another. Soon we find that we have forgot about who we really are. We have been far removed from the truth of what we desire and long to be and have in our own lives. We cannot survive like that. Sooner or later death will come. It will come to our dreams, our passion, our hopes, and even our lives.
Life is too precious and too short not to live our truths. Perhaps you do not even recognize your truth anymore. Then it's time for you to get to the throne of God, and pour out your heart to the Father. Repent, confess, and ask God to turn it around, and show you the truth about you and His will for your life.
That's one of the greatest things about the Father: His unconditional love. Even when we have walked away, and have turned from Him, it doesn't stop Him from loving us. It also does prevent Him from reaching out towards us; especially when we cry out to Him. He waits patiently for us to get the message from all the hints and whispers He's been sending our way throughout the years. And when we are finally tired of being tired, and truly and sincerely want to be who He designed us to be—He is right there to lead us in the path that we must go.
Are you living your truth today? Are you walking in the greatness that God says is your birthright? Do you believe what God says about you, or are you trapped in the lies of what someone else says of you, and the lies of being someone that needs acceptance and fears rejection?
Rejection is going to happen. Not everyone is going to like you, love you, or want you. Life is a journey filled with hills and valleys. In your life you will meet those who cheer for you and jeer at you. There are those who will comfort you, and those that will try and take from you. But ultimately, when it's all said and done: YOU are in charge of what you accept or do not accept. It's up to you what you believe and give power to. This is YOUR life. You get to choose. God gave that gift to you. The choice is yours. Live your truth or continue to live a lie. When you live and walk in your truth, lies have no power over you. What other people say or think about you will have no effect on you. Truth sets you free, and takes away the power of the enemy to hold anything over you or against you.
I decree that the spirit of peace and of prosperity has found permanent rest in your lives: spiritually, physically, emotionally, mentally, socially, and financially. Walk in your truth. Be free in your truth. God cannot lie; whatever He has spoken concerning your life, believe it, hold onto it, run with it! You are worthy of walking in your truth and not in what somewhat else says about you. Stand up and live. Be bold. God has indeed anointed you! You are Blessed. Now go...and Be a Blessing!
©2013. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.
Friday, July 19, 2013
Sunday, July 14, 2013
Reflections4Life: "We Don't Always Understand"
Reflections
July 14th, 2013
“We
Don't Always Understand”
“Who can measure the wealth and wisdom and
knowledge of God? Who can understand his decisions or explain what he
does?” Romans 11:33 (CEV)
Scripture Contemplation: Deuteronomy 28; Joshua 22:5;
Micah 4; Romans 11...
There are things that occur in this world that we just
don't understand. There are things that happen that make you ask: Why
God? Why does God allow such things to occur? Why does He allow such
atrocities to continue to take place? Why?
We don't always understand why things happen the way
they do, but we can believe that God is still God on the throne, and
that He has the final word in all that happens upon this earth. It's
hard to sometimes see that, or to even believe that when you are the
one constantly in the line of fire.
I declare and decree that this week's Reflections will be a continued source of encouragement for your heart, mind, and soul. Hold on to the hands of God and never let them go. Though it may seem like evil continually wins; know that God is not sleep, and neither is He winking. For those of us that believe, we must continue to believe and walk in faith, and follow the instructions of our God. Listen; God is speaking.
Heart heavy. Mind filled with confusion. Thoughts unable to wrap around the continued miscarriage of justice. Where does one begin to understand what is going on? How can we say God cares and understands when we obviously keep getting the short end of the stick? We say God cares and understands because He does. Regardless to circumstances or situations, God certainly cares and understands, and has made away for each and everyone of us.
We may not always understand the way in which God does things; but a closer, intimate relationship with the Father will bring understanding of His nature and how He does things. Make no mistake: God is not sitting back and blinking at the evil that men do. Or, the injustices that are occurring each and every day around the world. However, for those of us that say we love the Lord, and are in a relationship, should know and recognize that these are the times that we must be upon our knees and turning down our plates. We must also remember that we are not fighting against flesh and blood.
Ephesians 6:12 “For we wrestle not against
flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against
the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual
wickedness in high places.”
Sometimes it is truly hard to wrap our mind around the
fact that we are up against such evil, and spirits, because we
contend with the flesh each and every day. It makes it difficult for
us to understand the battles that we face and why. It sometimes makes
no sense at all. And this is why we, as children of God, must be
continually prayerful. We must be fully dressed always in the armor
of God. We must constantly be before the Lord, seeking Him, and
following His directions.
There are times when we forget that God has given each
person the freedom to choose. The Father does not force anything upon
us. We all have the right to choose the path we walk, who we believe;
if we accept God or reject Him. With these choices are consequences.
And sometimes the choices of others bare evil and hurtful
consequences for us.
Yet, in knowing all of this, we mustn’t grow weary or
give up on God or His promises. Yes. Many a thing are easier said
than done. But God is our strong tower, even in the midst of
heartaches, disappointments, and the evil that men sometimes do. We
won't always understand the reasoning behind why certain things
happen; why God allows certain things. But we can rest assure that
God gets the final word on each and every matter, and He will indeed
strengthen us to endure.
Isaiah 40: 28-31 28 Hast thou not known? Hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? There is no searching of His understanding. 29 He giveth power to the faint, and to them that have no might He increaseth strength. 30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall; 31 but they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles, they shall run and not be weary, and they shall walk and not faint.
No, we will not always understand. But God is still God,
and He will have His way. Let us remember to pray, to stand firm in
the word of God, and to fast and believe. Though the enemy seem to be
winning, we can rest assure that God is not slack, and that He shall
recompense to each person what is due them. Don't lose hope or faith.
Instead, put it all in the hands of God and follow whatever the
instructions the Father gives. It will lead you to a place of
victory...always.
I decree that the spirit of peace and prosperity has
found permanent rest in your lives: spiritually, physically,
emotionally, mentally, socially, and financially. Allow the hand of
God to rest on you; giving you comfort and strength in times of
uncertainty. Remember that we are not up against flesh and blood, but
the wicked spirits that inhabit lost souls. Pray continually. And
Believe God for His understanding. You are Blessed. Now go...and Be a
Blessing!
©2013. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.
Sunday, July 07, 2013
Reflections4Life: It Ain't Over!
Reflections
July 7th, 2013
“It
Ain't Over!”
“As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the
Lord is proved; He is a buckler to all those that trust in Him.”
Psalm 18:30
Scripture Contemplation: Philippians 1:6; Isaiah
45:1-7; Isaiah 10:27
Sure; it's not grammatically correct, but that is what I
hear this morning ringing loud and clear in my spirit, in my heart,
in my ears: IT AIN'T OVER!!! Not unless God says it is over!
I declare and decree that this week's Reflections
will be a continued source of encouragement for your heart, mind, and
soul. May you walk in the wisdom of God and the confidence that God
is not finished with you! Know this: God will do just what He said He
will do.
Now is not the time to give up or in! You are so close
the manifestations of the promises of God in your life. I know, I
know; how many times have you heard that before? Well, I don't care
how many times you've heard it before. This time you need to believe
it! It's is your belief in what God has spoken and promised to you
that will make all the difference this time around.
Many of us have received bad news, and have been
disappointed. Just when we think everything is going just
right—BOOM!—something happens to try and shake our faith, and
make us doubt what God has said. I know. I've been there. I'm there
right now! The devil is whispering. Things have seemingly gone
backwards. But there's a difference between you and I: I am going to
keep believing, and knowing that it ain't over! It ain't over until
God says it's over. And I will rest in His word that whatever He has
spoken to me, that is exactly what is coming to pass. And I will see
in my spirit what the Father has said. I will visualize it, believe,
hold onto it, and prepare for it!
You have a choice before you today. Whatever you decide
right now is going to determine how long you have to wait for the
fruition of the promises of God in your life. You are either going to
choose to believe God and see it in your spirit as done. Or, you are
going to doubt God and believe that there is no hope. The choice is
up to you! Do not allow the enemy to rob you of your sight. DO not
allow him to blind your spirit to the vision that God has given you
concerning your life. You must first be able to see it in your spirit
before it manifests in the natural.
Yes, you have had some setbacks. Yes, it seems at times
that God is far away, as though He has abandoned you. Yes, it seems
as though the enemy is winning. Yes, the situation seems almost
hopeless and impossible. Yes, the wait has been long! But beloved,
you must hold onto your vision. You must hold onto the word of God.
You must know that the circumstances and situations never dictate the
whole truth. It is not an indication that is over. It is a sign that
God is just getting started! Until you hear the Lord say unto you
that it is over, that you should move on—do not give up! Do not
lose the vision!
Proverbs 29:18 “Where there is no vision,
the people perish...”
I am determined, and I encourage you, as well, to be as
Joshua and Caleb and not give up on the promises of God because of
what your natural eyes can see or because of the report of those who
look at the challenges and obstacles as too much to overcome.
No. Be like Joshua and Caleb—tenacious! Believing with
all your heart that you can subdue the land and overtake the enemy
because God is on your side. That, whatever God has promised you, He
will make it come to pass in due season. Don't grow weary in the
wait. Stand firm in what God has spoken.
Galatians 6:9 “And
let us not be weary in well-doing, for in due season we shall reap,
if we faint not.
We are in a race. The finish line is closer than you think. But during this race, there is going to be bumps and rough spots, and some blocks and pits, and many hurdles. Along this race there will be detractors, naysayers, and obstacles that are designed to take you out and have you give up and either turn around, or not go forward, becoming stagnate where you're at. But there are also encouragers and helpers and trainers along this race. They cannot run it for you, but some will run it with you, some will show you where the pitfalls are, some will show you how to overcome the obstacles. Some will be there just to cheer you on. Some to give you a drink of water to refresh you, and some to come and take you by the arm, lifting you up when you feel like your legs are too tired to take another step. And along the sidelines are a host of witnesses that have gone before you and finished the race. They are there to cheer you on and let you know that all you have to do is endure. That, you are already a winner, and all you have to do is follow what God has said, see the finish line ahead, and run the course as He leads you.
Hallelujah! I don't
know about you, but I just encouraged myself all over again! Thank
you Jesus! Beloved, it doesn't matter how rough it gets. It doesn't
matter what it looks like, or what obstacles come to try and prevent
you from moving forward. When God has spoken a thing, that's what it
is! When God has made a promise, He keeps it! We must keep our mind
stayed on Christ. We must speak to ourselves each and every day what
God has spoken to us. We must meditate upon His word day and night.
We cannot allow one ounce of doubt to creep in. Because if we do, it
is like a cancer that quickly spreads and is hard to get rid of! Say
what God says! See what God has spoken to you! You must first see it
in your spirit and believe it before God brings it to fruition!
Believe God: It. Ain't. Over.
I decree that the
spirit of peace and of prosperity has found permanent rest in your
lives: spiritually, physically, emotionally, mentally, socially, and
financially. Know that unless God says a thing is over, it's not
over! Believe on the word of God. Stand upon it. Meditate on it. See
it. Believe it. Prepare for it. God is not a man that He should lie,
nor the son of man that He should repent. Whatever He has spoken, He
is surely bringing it to pass! You are Blessed. Now go...and Be a
Blessing!
©2013. Ruthe
McDonald. All Rights Reserved.
Friday, July 05, 2013
Thursday, July 04, 2013
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