Sunday, October 27, 2019

"Special Gifts"

Reflections4Lifetm October 27, 2019
Special Gifts”
If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!” Matthew 7:11
Scripture Contemplation:Daniel 2; Luke 11; Luke 21; Romans 12; Hebrews 2...

 
©Ruthe McDonald.

Along our journey of life, we will find roads that take us to various destinations. We choose the path/road we take. Some of us seek God's wisdom and direction. Some of us don't. Yet, the most humbling and beautiful thing is, that no matter what road we choose, God is still right there. It is at these moments when we feel lost, alone, and perhaps even fearful, that God will send a special gift in our lives. A gift to remind us of our purpose, our importance in this earth, our humanity as well as spirit, and to remind us of His unconditional love and His promise to never leave us or forsake us.
I decree that this week's Reflections will be a continued source of encouragement and inspiration for your heart, mind, and soul. There is nothing more reassuring than knowing how much our Heavenly Father loves us and is there for us. May you know this week just how deep and how profound the Father's love is for you. Let your heart and mind be open to receive and recognize the special gifts of God.
This journey that we are on called life can hit us with some serious roadblocks and bumps in the road. There are times when even the right path seems like the wrong path and will have us questioning ourselves if we made the right choice.
It is in these moments of strife, confusion, and exasperation that the enemy likes to goad us, and play with our minds; speaking all kinds of lies. The three biggest lies that he will whisper at this time?—That God has forgotten about us, we're no good, and that we will never make it. Lies! All of them!
God has not forgotten us! No matter how rough this journey gets; no matter how many times we fall; even if we chose the wrong road—God is right there with us always. He will never abandon us; even when it seems He is silent, He is there, watching and protecting us; sending us reminders of just how strong we really are.
Psalm 37:25 I have been young and now I am old, Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his descendants begging bread.
Psalm 139:8 If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.
The mere fact that God has created us in His image gives us an advantage. We were made to make it. We were created with greatness already in our DNA. If no one else in the world believes in you; know with all certainty that God believes in you!
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Hebrews 10:35 Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward.
When we take on the mind of Christ and believe what God has spoken of us, our journey becomes less encumbered. Though we get attacked, and we sometimes stumble and fall, we do not give up. We stand up, shake the dust off, and start again. We keep moving. Because the Father says we can. As long as we have God on our side, there is no way we will not make it. As long as we continue to believe, and follow the instructions of God—though the storms will rise, we may be betrayed by loved one, the enemy will rear his ugly head—it is still no match for the promise and word of God, that He will be with us through it all.
Isaiah 40:30-31 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall. But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.
God assures us that we can and will win this race. That, we will make it through this journey of life if we continue to look to Him. If we would keep our eyes and heart on Him. And while on this journey, the Father has given us special gifts to aid us. And He will end additional gifts along the way to help us, and encourage us, and to walk along beside us.
Know for certain and in your heart, that God already sees us as victorious. He understands how rough this journey we are on can get. He knows how strong the storms can be. This is the reason He has given us access to the greatest Helper of all: Himself.
The foremost special gift that God has given us is Christ. Because of Him, all things are possible. He has given us the special gift of His Word to light our path, to direct us, and navigate us through the sometimes choppy waters. He has given us the special gift of His promise. He promises to never leave us nor forsake us. He has given us special gifts in way of mentors, teachers, students, family, friends, children. Along this journey, God will grant us with special people in our lives that will not only walk with us and beside us, but also remind us of who we are, and the love that God has for us. We just need to keep our heart and eyes opened, and not become distant, jaded, and closed because of the bumps and roadblocks we will face in this journey called life.
Psalm 121 I will lift up my eyes to the hills—From whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, He who keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is your keeper; The Lord is your shade at your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, Nor the moon by night. The Lord shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul. The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in from this time forth, and even forevermore.
I have many special gifts in my life that remind me of God's love and promises along this road. Each time I have a difficult day and feel like the road I chose was wrong, I think of those gifts and what it means in my life.
My Beloveds, I decree that the spirit of peace and prosperity has found permanent rest in your lives. Though your road may seem filled with regret and troubles, remember that God is indeed, with you. And He has sent some special gifts to aid you in your journey. Be open to the Spirit of God. He has not abandoned you. He is right beside you. You are Blessed. Now go...and Be a Blessing!

©2019. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights. Reserved.

Sunday, October 20, 2019

"You Can't Fake It Forever"


Reflections4Life  October 20, 2019

“You Can’t Fake it Forever”

“As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a whole heart and a willing mind; for the Lord searches all hearts, and understands every intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will let you find Him; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever.” 1 Chronicles 28:9

Scripture Contemplation: Joshua 24:14; 1 Samuel 12:24; Isaiah 1; Mark 12:30; John 8…



If we were to be totally honest with ourselves, we would more than likely confess that there are many areas in our lives that we are faking. Many are in relationships right now that they truly do not desire to be in. And for whatever their reasons, they are faking it.

Many of us have entered into a relationship with God on false pretenses. We want what God can give us, but we do not desire the changes He desires to bring to our hearts and minds. There are many things that we can fake in our lifetime, and probably get away with. However, when it comes to relationships and a relationship with the Almighty God—you can’t fake it forever.

I decree that this week’s Reflections will be a continued source of encouragement and inspiration for the heart, mind, and soul. God desires the truth in our hearts. He wants us to walk in truth and sincerity. Allow the Holy Spirit to expose the truth of your heart so that you can really start to live the blessed life that God has ordained for you.

Yes. We fake it. We fake relationships. We fake credentials. We fake what we know, who we are, where we’ve been, and who we love. The proof of all the fakeness is evident in the many broken relationships that we are either a party to or a witness of.

At what point in ourselves do we decide to lie? Some not only lie but determine in their hearts and mind that being false is the only way to get what they want. It is a sad state of affairs when you cannot be yourself; when you cannot accept people for who they are, and accept yourself for who you truly are.

What is even worse, is our vain attempts to fake a relationship with God. Yes. There are many whose heart is not with God. But on the outside, they appear godly and righteous. They have the appearance of a true believer, full of grace and faith, but it is only for appearance's sake, so that they may get whatever it is they are coveting.

Make no mistake: There is no fooling God. He sees you for who you are. Though it may appear that you are getting away with a heart of deceit; you only fool yourself because God knows all things.

Galatians 6:7 “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.”

Many of us enter into relationships with our hearts and mind already made up. We're either going, to be honest, or false. We're going to give our all or fake it until we get what we want. With God, there is no faking it. There is no gray area. It's yes or no. Cold or hot. Black or white. Either you believe God or you don't. God desires all of us. Our heart, mind, soul, and body. There is no faking when it comes to a relationship with God.

Yet, the heart of a person can be so calculating and deceitful. Why would anyone want to use the kindness and the love of another with no intentions of reciprocating that which was freely given? We do this to God each and every day we profess to love Him and worship Him, but live our lives as though we never met Him.

Jeremiah 17:9-10 “The heart is hopelessly dark and deceitful, a puzzle that no one can figure out. But I, God, search the heart and examine the mind. I get to the heart of the human. I get to the root of things. I treat them as they really are, not as they pretend to be.”

God knows us through and through. He knows the intentions of our hearts. And though many may believe they are getting away with their deceit, sooner or later the truth will be revealed. I am of the belief that God gives people the opportunity to get things right. I believe He gives each person an ample chance to repent and humble themselves, and to do the right thing. He gives a warning in secret; speaking to the heart and mind. Then He sends a messenger with a word of knowledge. Lastly, exposure for all to see takes place.

Many want the benefits of knowing God, but do not want the intimate relationship or test and trials that come with the promises of God. Many may be able to fake a relationship for an undetermined amount of time. But sooner or later you will bear fruit that will tell the truth of who you really are.

Luke 6:43-44a “For a good tree does not bear bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. For every tree is known by its own fruit.”

No matter who you are. No matter how good your game is. No matter how many times you thought you got away with being false—you cannot fake it forever. The simple truth is; God. Already. Knows. He knows who you are. He knows your heart. And He knows the day you will be exposed. It’s just a matter of time. And for certain, we all reap what we have sown.

So—what are you going to do? Who are you going to be in this life? Are you going to real, honest, and sincere? Or, are you going to fake your way through relationships just to get what you want? Sooner or later the truth will be learned, and in the end, there will be only one loser: you. Get real. Get right. Get Christ…for real.

My Beloveds, I decree that the spirit of peace and of prosperity has found permanent rest in your lives. There is no faking with God. He already knows the truth. He knows the heart and the mind. We do not have to fake who we are when all we have to do is accept Christ and walk in the truth of who He has created us to be. There is nothing that anyone has or will ever have that can compete with the wholeness that comes from knowing and being in a sincere relationship with our intimate God. He accepts you just as you are: faults, flaws, and all. You are blessed. Now go…and be a blessing!

©2019. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.

Sunday, October 13, 2019

"No Limits"


Reflections4Life October 13, 2019

“No Limits”

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” John 3:16

Scripture Contemplation: Joshua 23; Psalm 4; Song of Solomon; John 13; 1 Corinthians 13…


©Ruthe McDonald.
What do you really know and understand about love? Most of us have conditions for our love. Yet, the word of God says that God kind of love is, unconditional. It doesn’t put restraints or hold judgments. There are no limits to unconditional love.

What do you suppose it would be like if we began to love—truly love with no limits? If we allowed ourselves to truly and sincerely love the way God loves? In order for us to do this, we must first ourselves have that kind of relationship with the Father. For only He could inspire such kind of limitless love, and teach us how to reflect it.

I decree that this week’s Reflections will be a continued source of encouragement and inspiration for your heart, mind, and soul. Allow the love of God to fill you and to soften those places in your heart that have hardened because of disappointments and discouragement. Let the Holy Spirit teach you about the limitless love of God, and how it can change your life forever.

Many of us are gun-shy when it comes to love. I think that many are afraid to really lay their hearts on the line and to love freely and without limits because of their love history. Who can blame them? Especially if their foundation has been one of hurt and perhaps even abandonment by those who were supposed to care for them.

It is hard not to limit your love or place conditions upon it when you have experienced any kind of lack of your parents and family; those who are supposed to love you no matter what. It is a difficult task to fix what is broken when those responsible for teaching you have failed at loving and protecting you.

Yet, it is not so with the love of God. His love for us knows no bounds, as it was quite evident in Him giving His only begotten Son in exchange for us. There are no limits to God’s love. There is no limit to God. God is love. He is the essence, the embodiment, the definition of love. I can exchange the “love” in I love you, with God, and say I God you, and it will mean exactly the same.

There is so much that God desires to share with us, to give us, and show us if we would allow Him access to our hearts; allowing Him the seat of honor upon the throne of our hearts. Yet, so many of us run from God. We run from His kind of love. Many fear that kind of love. They only fear it because they do not understand it or recognize it.

Why is it that we show no limits to the things that are bad for us, but limit the things that are good for us? Such is the way of the human mind and heart. However, with God, we can know an entirely different way. A way in which we come to understand and know what it truly means to love with no limits. To, not set any constricting boundaries or conditions upon our love for others and even for ourselves.

God does not judge us the way we judge ourselves or one another. Neither does He see us as we see ourselves and others. The Father knows who we are through and through. He knows our thoughts before we think them. He knows what we are capable of. He knows the contents of our hearts and still, He sent His Son to die for us, knowing who we are and what we would do. He’d already seen the betrayal, the rejection, the lying, and the pain. But yet, He still went forth. And Jesus still went to the Cross willingly. Because—there are no limits to the love of our God. There are no conditions that say He would stop loving us if we did not conform to His ways.

Loving God’s way comes with freedom…and responsibility. We have the freedom to not be bound by what our past has done to us. We are free from every false teaching and belief that had us place restrictions and conditions upon love. And we have a responsibility to share this love. We have a responsibility to love in the manner in which God has loved us: unconditionally.

Here’s what I know for certain: We are not responsible for how someone else chooses to love. We also do not have to repeat anything that has been the opposite of who God is and what He teaches us about love. Because once Jesus came, and He sacrificed Himself for us, it freed us from the curse of generations and anything that was passed down. But it must be a conscious decision on our part to separate from what we were taught and to receive, believe and live in the manner in which God has demonstrated.

Love—God love—knows no bounds or limits. It does not count all the wrongs done to us. It does not hold grudges or punishes because of hurt or betrayal. It is not constricting but liberating. It is unconditional in every sense of the word. It does not give up but knows when it is time to move forward.

What if we allowed ourselves to love with no limits? To give of ourselves completely without fear of being rejected or hurt? You see; when we love without limits, it is not about the other person, but about self. We give 100% of ourselves—no holds bar—with the understanding that no matter what happens, we were true to ourselves and gave ourselves the opportunity to receive what God has ordained for us.

It is true that we are a magnet, and that whatever we are, we attract to ourselves. If we live with a heart that is open, and we love with no limits with the manner in which God instructs us; then we will attract to us that which resides in the innermost being of our hearts. If you love with no limits; in the same manner that God loves, then you will find it reciprocated more times than not.

My Beloveds, I decree that the spirit of peace and prosperity have found permanent rest in your lives. Do not put a limit on love. Do not place conditions where God says there should be none. Love with your whole heart. Give without reservation, trusting that God will protect your heart, and give you exactly what resides within your heart. You are blessed. Now go…and be a blessing!


©2019. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.


Sunday, October 06, 2019

"New Things Are Happenning"




Reflections4Life October 6, 2019
“New Things are Happening”

 “You have heard; look at all this. And you, will you not declare it? I proclaim to you new things from this time; even hidden things which you have not known.” Isaiah 48:6

Scripture Contemplation: Jeremiah 31; Isaiah 42; Isaiah 43; Isaiah 48; Isaiah 65; Matthew 26...

©Ruthe McDonald.

 My God is so big, so strong, and so mighty. There’s nothing my God cannot do! My God is so big, so strong, and so mighty, there’s nothing my God cannot do!” That one verse is ringing in my ears and in my spirit quite loudly. Along with that, is the knowledge that God is doing new things in many of our lives. I don’t know what that “new thing” might be in your life; but I know that God is doing something new; that whatever you have been praying and waiting for, God is doing it. However, we must listen carefully and pay attention, because it is a new thing, and may not come in the form or fashion we expect or are used to. God is about to blow our minds…in a very good way!
I decree that this week’s Reflections will be a continued source of encouragement and inspiration for your heart mind and soul. The Spirit of the Lord is moving in our lives in a way we may not fully comprehend now. I encourage you to yield your all to the Father. That, even in the moments where you do not understand, that you would trust God anyway, and allow Him to do a new thing in you and for you.
I wish I could adequately explain exactly what it is that is burning in my soul and spirit at this moment concerning the word of God and the promise that He has made. Just how close we are to a new thing occurring in our lives.
There is an excitement; a joy bubbling in my soul at what God is about to release in the lives of His children; especially those who have been waiting patiently, haven’t given up during the struggles and hard times; for, those who have kept the faith and stood still, even when many around them have given up. A truly magnificent blessing for those who have weathered the storms and believed God, held onto faith, even when the flesh has seen no reason to. Yes. That new day is upon us.
It is hard to hold on to our faith and belief when we have experienced many setbacks and hard times. It is hard to keep believing when you have come so close so many times, only to feel as though the rug has been snatched right from under you. Yet, God cannot lie. If we continue to believe in Him and trust Him, we will see that new day with that new thing taking place in our lives. And all the sorrow and ache from those waiting years will soon become memories, and part of the lessons of life that we learned to prepare us for the abundance of blessings of the new thing that God has given to us.
Isaiah 43:18, 19 “Do not call to mind the former things, or ponder things of the past. “Behold, I will do something new, now it will spring forth; will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness; rivers in the desert.” 
We have to let go of the past. In order to fully embrace the new thing that God is doing in our lives, learning to not dwell on the former things; to not continuously keep our mind stayed on the things that hurt us, destroyed us, bound us, disappointed us; the failures, the mistakes, the hurt, the anger. We must release all of that.
There is something right before us waiting for us to embrace. Our past can sometimes blind us to it. For many, the Father has provided a new thing in their lives—an answer to prayers—that has been bypassed because the focus has been on the things of the past. Whether it was previous good times; bad times; hardships; pain or regrets, sometimes we can be stuck looking back. We become so immobile, that we cannot move forward and miss the new thing that God has brought to our lives.
Let it all go, Beloveds! Let the past go. Take the lessons learned and move forward into the promises of God. Embrace the new thing He desires to do in your life by trusting God to guide you and knowing He only has the best for you.
Do not short change yourself by looking for something familiar, or by assuming how God is going to move or bless you. Be open to Holy Spirit and let Him lead you into the place that He has already prepared and ordained just for you.
Let the fear go. Sometimes we become afraid of change because we have become too comfortable with the pain and mess we are in. Prepare to be uncomfortable. Because what God has for you, and where He is taking you is unlike any other place or thing you have ever experienced. The only way to get there is to move forward and not look back.
My Beloveds, I decree that the spirit of peace and of prosperity has found permanent rest in your lives. God is doing a new thing. It may not happen in the manner you are expecting. It may not look like something you are used to seeing. But rest assured: It’s All Good. Because it’s coming from the Lord God Almighty! Trust Him. Believe Him. Embrace Him. Love Him. Because God certainly loves you, more than your human mind can comprehend. You are blessed. Now go…and be a blessing.

©2019. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.