"For Every Mountaintop"

 Reflections4Life  December 27, 2020

“For Every Mountaintop”

“Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves; and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light.  And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him.” Matthew 17:1-3

Scripture Contemplation: Ezekiel 6; Matthew 17; Luke 3…

I pray today’s Reflections brings comfort and peace to your heart and mind. I decree it be a continued source of encouragement and inspiration. Do not despise where you begin. Let every trial and test be a lesson you not only learn but also grow from. No matter what it looks like; God has you covered. All things are working out for your good.

I can hardly believe that this is the last Sunday of the year. That 2020 is coming to an end (YES!) and we are on the cusp of a brand new year.

There were many lessons for me this year. As well as curveballs, attacks, painful circumstances, and a few other things that all taught me something new and different. I am certain we all can say this.

What were your lessons for this year? What did you come to understand? How have things changed or stayed the same? We're entering a brand new year per God's grace and mercy. What will be the greatest lesson(s) you will carry into the New Year?

My greatest lesson is that for every Mountaintop there is a valley. A Valley that holds many life lessons that we must learn and pass if we are going to be ready and prepared for the mountaintop. It's a long way down from the mountaintop. If we are not careful, we will find ourselves back in the valley. Not just to help someone, but to learn again some things we may have forgotten or skipped passed on our way to the top.

What I have also learned, is that there is more than one mountaintop. And sometimes, when God has a higher mountaintop for you, He will send you back through the valley. A different valley that may even be harder than the valley before it. Only because, what God has for you, is much more than you have ever had. Like Job, He wants to bless you with a double portion!

There are no short-cuts, Beloveds. There are no easy routes to the mountaintop. There must be preparation, and lessons learned that help you to not only reach the top but to be able to live and remain and dwell correctly on the mountaintop. With success comes more responsibility. And everything we need to learn for a sound foundation is in the valley. The valley of our lives; where we struggle and sometimes fight and face challenges we'd never think we'd get through. In the valley, we find our voice, our purpose, our resolve, and courage. The mountaintop allows our true character to shine which is the result of our work in the valley.

Appreciate the valleys in your life, Beloved. Though there may be pain, heartache, regrets, sorrows, and trials; there is also life-changing lessons, love, laughter, hope, and all manner of preparation for what's to come. We can definitely agree that 2020 has been a harsh valley. Yet, we must take the lessons, learn them, apply them, and allow God to direct us.

My Beloveds, may the spirit of peace and prosperity find permanent rest in your lives. I decree that every good thing that God has ordained for your life will become evident to you. I pray this past year has given you some insight. That you have gained understanding and wisdom and know just who you are. May the New Year bring you into your greatness and fulfilling the purposes of your ordained life.  You are blessed. Now go…and be a blessing!

©2020. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.

"Make A Joyful Noise"

 Reflections4Life December 20, 2020

“Make a Joyful Noise!”

“Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands! Serve the Lord with gladness; Come before His presence with singing. Know that the Lord, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.  For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations.” Psalm 100 

Scripture Contemplation: Isaiah 12; Luke 2; John 1…

 

©Ruthe McDonald.

I pray today’s Reflections will bring comfort and peace to your heart and mind. I decree it be a continued source of encouragement and inspiration. As we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, may your heart be filled with joy. May you lay aside every burden, celebrate the greatest gift God has ever given to this world.

I will openly admit that I cannot sing at all! Perhaps a few notes here and there, but singing an entire song in the right key?—Nope; not happening. I know my gifts and talents. And singing is not one of them. Yet, I can still make a joyful noise unto the Lord. I still am able and can give praise to God for His many blessings.

Though I can play instruments, and create a beautiful melody, compose a composition to bring praise to God, it does not compare to the sound our heart and spirit make when we are truly thankful to our heavenly Father.

As many make plans and alter their holidays together because of the pandemic, we can still make a whole lot of noise. Let it not be a noise of complaint or backbiting. Let it be one of thankfulness and praise that we have made it the last month in this year when so many others have not.

Let your actions make a joyful noise. Let your deeds for others become a joyful noise. Let the love you have in your heart make a joyful noise. Lay aside the disappointments and the failures and mistakes, and replace them with praise on your lips.

Yes. Easier said than done. But guess what? You are here. Alive. Reading this message and is one thing that many do not have. You are still in the land of the living, able to make amends, make a difference, set things right if need be. Let your heart make a joyful noise and give God praise. When the praises of God go up, the blessings certainly do come down. 

My Beloveds, may the spirit of peace and prosperity find permanent rest in your lives. I decree that every good thing that God has ordained for your life will become evident to you. I wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas! Make a joyful noise today and every day. Let your actions sing of the goodness of God as your heart fills with His love, grace, and peace. Let the Father know how much you love Him. Sing a love song to your Creator; through your actions, words, and deeds. You are blessed. Now go…and be a blessing!

©2020. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.

"A Love Letter From God"

 Reflections4Life^TM December 13, 2020

“A Love Letter from God”

“The Lord your God is in your midst, a victorious warrior. He will exult over you with joy, He will be quiet in His love, He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy.” Zephaniah 3:17

Scripture Contemplation: Micha 7; Zephaniah 3; Malachi 1; John 3; Romans 8…

I pray today's Reflections brings comfort and peace to your heart and mind. I decree it be a continued source of encouragement and inspiration. There is power in knowing and believing how much God loves you, especially when you are going through. Allow the love of God to consume you—fill every part of your heart and soul. Knowing and understanding His love will bring boldness to your walk. It is something you cannot help but share.

God is an awesome God. There are times when I have an idea of what He will have me write for Reflections, based upon what has transpired throughout the previous week. Then there are times when I do not have a clue until an hour before it is time to post. I do not write Reflections before God gives me His download.

This Sunday, as I prayed for His message to share, He brought to my heart an article I wrote some years ago. He placed it upon my heart to share this with you today.

A Love Letter from God

Oh, the power of the love of God. It is consuming. It is overwhelming. It is healing. It is phenomenal. It can be indescribable. But there is no doubt, that it is love—a powerful, consuming love.

A love letter from God is received when you have searched and questioned if there is a God. A love letter from God comes when you feel that there is nothing left for you. A love letter from God comes when you have been abandoned by all that you know and love. A love letter comes when you are in the valley of despair. A love letter even comes when you are on the mountain-top; filled with joy and wonder. A love letter from God comes when you have questions that need to be answered and when your heart has sought Him with completeness. A love letter from our Heavenly Father comes when you desire the truth and the heart of God.

A love letter can be heard in the quietness of your supplication to the Father. You cannot miss the love letter when you set yourself to be in His presence. Permit me to share with you a letter of such...

To My Beloved,

It gives my heart extreme pleasure to shower you with my love. I know that there are times when you question if I exist, or if I love you at all. I love you. I love you unconditionally. I love you just as you are.

I've seen the struggles that you suffer. I see the pain that you are in. My heart aches for you. My beloved, I have not abandoned you; nor have I forsaken you. The prince of this world has set out to destroy and deceive you. To try and manipulate you. But remember: Greater am I in you than he that is in this world.

Take courage. Stand strong and know that I love you with an everlasting love. Many have come to try and deceive you and destroy your faith. But I have planted in you an incorruptible seed: my love. I have formed and fashioned you. I breathed into you, me. I made you in my image and I set you apart for greatness. So don't be fooled by the enemy's lies; it is only a trap to discourage you and to take your focus.

Beloved, I encourage you to remain focused. To be steadfast. Just as Christ overcame the world; so can you. I know it's difficult at times. I know that you grow weary. I know the evil that persists in this world. But I have sent you a comforter, My Spirit, that will lead and guide you and teach you what to do.

Many times I have spoken that the battle is not yours. Yet the adversary of your soul and of the Kingdom has convinced you that it is YOU that needs to fight. No, my beloved. I will fight and have fought your battles. Your position is to pray, praise, and worship. If I am lifted up, then I will draw all men unto me.

So many have left my flock. So many of you have been wounded by other sheep and shepherds that I have left to tend my flock. I am sorry for your pain and the wounds inflicted upon you. I'm sorry for the lies that have caused you to run. Know this my beloved: that I love you just the way you are. It is not you that I hate, but the sin that I abhor. It is not the addict that I hate—but the addiction. For it keeps you away from me. It is not the homosexual that I hate—but the act of homosexuality. For it was not my design. It is not the adulterer or fornicator that I hate—but the act of the sin. For it keeps you separated and opens doors to more evil, and causes wounds beyond belief. It is not the liar or the thief—but the act of lying and stealing. For no liar and thief shall enter into heaven. My beloved, it is not the sinner but the sinful acts that I hate. How can I not love and accept my creation? How can I not love you when I am in you? Yes, there is room at the Cross for all; but sin must take its rightful place—nailed to the Cross.

I can be the balm that heals your wounds and stabilizes your footing. You question my strength and love. My power, my strength, my love, is shown in my gift to you; the gift of my Son, Jesus the Christ—the anointed One. I also gave a gift when I formed you: the gift of choice. You can choose to believe or not. You can choose to walk in righteousness or not. You have the power because I placed a choice in your hands. And with this power comes responsibility.

I'm sorry about your disappointments. However, make no mistake, my beloved, that I have and am causing all things to work out for your good; for each and everyone that loves me, and has believed in me; even when your path was dark and you could not see. I reward them that diligently seek me. And those that stand in faith and have taken my word and hidden it in their hearts.

I know that you struggle. I know that you have pain. I know that you question my love for you and how I can love you so, and allow the world to be in such disarray. I know. But had you been meditating on my word, spending time in my presence, then you will know that this all, I have prepared you for; this, I have told you of. I warned you that the heart of man would wax evil. That there would be wars and rumors of wars. I warned you that there would be deceivers coming in my name. I told you that there would be perilous times. But I also told you, that I would be with you. I would be with you always.

My love for you does not stop because you are suffering. My love for you has not ceased because you have suffered a loss. My love for you grows abundantly with each and every day. You are a part of me and I have called you by name.

It does not matter how many times you fall—get up! And trust me to lead you. There is one thing that no one else truly knows but me: Your heart. I know your heart. I know your soul. I know your cries. I know the fears. Now it's time for you to know true love.

Seek me. Seek early. Seek me each and every day. Spend time in my presence. I've missed you. I've wanted to talk with you for so long. Will you open your heart? Will you open the door? I've been knocking for a while. Just know: I never tire. So I will keep knocking. I will keep loving. I will never leave. All you have to say is Yes, Lord.

I love you,

Your Heavenly Father

My Beloveds, may the spirit of peace and prosperity find permanent rest in your lives. I decree that every good thing that God has ordained for your life will become evident to you. Let the love of God consume your heart, mind, and soul. Seek the Father each day. Invite Him into those hidden places where all the fears and scars and wounds are. Allow His love to envelop you and bring complete healing. God is waiting just for you. You are blessed. Now go…and be a blessing.

©2020. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.

"Be at Peace"

 Reflections4Life December 6, 2020

“Be at Peace”

“But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.  But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.  For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.” James 1:5-8

Scripture Contemplation: Job 22; Proverbs 16; Romans 12; Ephesians 2; Jude…

                                          

Our lives can often be like a whirling derby—seeming to spin out of control at times. Sometimes we make a decision then second-guess ourselves, causing confusion and chaos. It is time to be at peace concerning the decisions we make.

I pray today’s Reflections brings comfort and peace to your heart and mind. I decree it be a continued source of encouragement and inspiration. Allow yourself the time and space to be in the presence of God; allowing Him to fill you with His peace until it overflows in your heart, mind, and soul.

To be at peace requires a measure of faith. Faith in ourselves and faith in our Creator. And a conviction in our hearts about the choices we make.  In the Bible, it tells us that a double-minded man is unstable in all his ways. A person who is constantly changing their mind and never certain of their choices is not walking in confidence and will certainly not be at peace. There will always be a certain amount of unrest and indecisiveness.

We cannot live that way, beloved, and truly enjoy life, as well as make it through those difficult times that we sometimes face. We must walk in confidence. Be certain of the choices we make. Stick with them and be at peace no matter what occurs afterward.

Will we make mistakes? Most certainly. Will we make some wrong choices? More than likely. But the wonderful thing is, with God on your side you can make it through. His peace resting in your heart and soul, you can triumph and continually be at peace.

My Beloveds, may the spirit of peace and prosperity find permanent rest in your lives. I decree that every good thing that God has ordained for your life will become evident to you.  Be at peace today my friend. Be confident and have confidence in the heavenly Father. If you seek Him first, His will and plan, you can always be certain to be at peace...even in the midst of chaos. You are blessed. Now go…and be a blessing!

©2020. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.