"When God Approves"

 Reflections4Life™ April 25, 2021

“When God Approves”

“But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7

Scripture Contemplation: Genesis 17; Exodus 3; 1 Samuel 16; Jonah 1; Luke 6; John 3…

There is a way in which God sees each and every one of us. A way that no man can ever. When we enter into an intimate relationship with our Creator, we will understand His approval, where man has consistently denied and rejected.

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. Truly spend some quality, intimate time with the Father. There are things He desires to share with you. Things that He has specifically chosen for the one He approves of.

There are many of us that spend a lot of time seeking the approval of those around us. We turn ourselves inside out just to be accepted. We seek their permission to walk in the dreams and visions that God has given us. We seek their advice and approval even though God has already spoken yes.

What is it? What is it that has us dismissive of what God has spoken, only to be crushed and suffer the sting of rejection from those we sought approval from? What is it that causes so many to see only the surface of things and not the heart?

Grant it; it feels great when you get the approval of those that you love and care about. It is a wonderful feeling to know that those who you love and care about have your back, and can see the vision you have. But what is not wonderful, is when we place a higher value on their approval and acceptance than we do for the word of God.

Are we that scared of rejection that we would forfeit the blessings of God just for the approval of those who say they love us or have the best for us? Yes. Some of us are scared. Scared to be rejected. Scared to be left alone and or abandoned. And there are those who can only see the surface of things; what things appear to be. Things in the physical and present sense only.

We fail to realize is that we have given away our power, our happiness, our peace of mind to those who either do not understand us, love us, or can see what God sees about us. And there are those of us who are consistently blind to what is important to God by only focusing on the physicality and the here and now.

At the end of the day, when all is said and done, all we need is the approval of God. And should we gain the support and approval of those we love, then it's all gravy. But make no mistake; even those we love can be blind to who we are and what God has called for our lives.

When we receive God's approval, there will be opposition from others. From those we love, work with, live with, etcetera. That's when we need to ask ourselves: Whose opinion is most important? Whose approval will dictate our next move? Who have we truly been listening to?

I don't know about you, but I do know that God has a proven track record. If we truly desire to walk in the assurances of the Highest, we need to continually lay it all on the line and trust God to teach us what we need to do and lead us where we need to go. And most of all: Listen and Follow. Listen and follow to what God has spoken in spite of what those around us may think or believe. Have courage and stay the course even if we’re the only one on it.

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. When God approves, that is all that needed. All else will fall into line. Do not judge and see only with the natural eyes, but see through God’s lenses. His vision is crystal clear. You are blessed. Now go…and be a blessing.

©2021. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.

"The Journey of Wisdom"

Reflections4Life™ April 18, 2021

“The Journey of Wisdom”

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” Proverbs 9:10

Scripture Contemplation: Exodus 32; 1 Kings 4; Job 28; Proverbs 8; 1 Corinthians 1; James 1:5...

This journey that we are on, called life, will present us with many choices. There will be many different paths that lead to various destinations with a myriad of results. It can be overwhelming thinking about which road to choose. How do we choose?

I pray today Reflections will bring comfort and peace to your heart and mind. I decree it be a continued source of encouragement and inspiration. When you are walking in Christ, you receive the entire benefits package, which includes everything that Jesus is. His anointing now resides in you. And it is up to you to nurture and walk in that anointing.

We sometimes get lost on our journey. Or more than likely, side-tracked. Face it, for us—our life journey can be like a kid in a Willy Wonka candy factory. So many options. So many voices. Which do we choose? Who do we listen to? We can become uncertain in who or what to believe.

When we choose God and receive Christ as our Savior, we not only obtain wisdom but embark on a journey of wisdom. A journey that will teach us not only about who God is but who we are in God, about the heart of God, how to choose wisely, and how to discern correctly. As we yield to God and spend quality time with Him, we will begin to recognize that our life's journey has become a journey of wisdom. A journey of recognition and anointing.

There is power in wisdom. Power in knowing who you are and what your purpose is in this life. There is power in knowing who God is. When you know who the Father is, you began to understand that, no matter what you are faced with within your life’s journey, God will always be right there with you.

Life is indeed a journey of wisdom. We are experiencing life every day whether we are participating or not. Life is happening all around us. Time is moving forward; seasons coming and going whether we are actively a part of it or not.

The most wonderful thing about this journey is that we are not in it alone. God is right there with us. Holy Spirit is here to teach and guide us. His instructions leading us to life and understanding.

Sometimes our journey can get a bit overwhelming and we quickly forget the power we have in Christ. That wisdom is present in our lives, helping to calm the waters and take away the feeling of being overwhelmed.

In my quiet time and Bible study, I have been reading Psalms and Proverbs. The book Proverbs is considered the book of wisdom by many. As I was reading, God opened my eyes, yet again, to another revelation: Jesus is Wisdom. Jesus just does not embody wisdom, or have wisdom. He is wisdom. And on this journey of wisdom, it has become clear to me that it is a journey of revelation. A journey of discovery. Discovering not only who we are, but who Christ is, and who are in Him, and how when we embrace and accept Him, our life’s journey becomes clearer, and the paths to take become easier to choose.

Maybe you knew this, already. But I did not see it this way. My previous understanding concerning this revelation was that when we receive Christ as our Savior, we gain wisdom and understanding, as in who God is, and the mysteries of His word. That Jesus would impart into us His wisdom of the Father; His knowledge and understanding. That, His wisdom is what we gain over time, as we yield to a life in Christ. However, it never occurred to me that Jesus and Wisdom are synonymous with one another, just as God and Love are synonymous.

Talk about mind-blowing! I must have read Proverbs 8 a few times, as the understanding blossomed and the anointing took hold of my heart and mind. Then it occurred to me, that when we receive Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we receive wisdom. Wisdom becomes a part of us. The anointing is residing in us, and to walk in wisdom, all we have to do is yield to Christ. Christ is the wisdom we seek. Christ is wisdom operating in us if we believe and allow Him to be the King upon the throne of our hearts.

Proverbs 8:22-31“The Lord possessed me at the beginning of His way, Before His works of old. 23 I have been established from everlasting, from the beginning, before there was ever an earth. 24 When there were no depths I was brought forth when there were no fountains abounding with water. 25 Before the mountains were settled, before the hills, I was brought forth; 26 While as yet He had not made the earth or the fields, or the primal dust of the world. 27 When He prepared the heavens, I was there, When He drew a circle on the face of the deep, 28 When He established the clouds above, When He strengthened the fountains of the deep, 29 When He assigned to the sea its limit So that the waters would not transgress His command, When He marked out the foundations of the earth, 30 Then I was beside Him as a master craftsman, And I was daily His delight, Rejoicing always before Him, 31 Rejoicing in His inhabited world, And my delight was with the sons of men.

Amazing! To know that wisdom and Christ are one and the same. That, when we receive Christ, and we are in fellowship with Him; we have wisdom. Wisdom living and breathing within us. Wisdom guiding and leading us, and Holy Spirit giving understanding! This gives a whole new look at our journey of wisdom. It is a journey of getting to know Christ and who we are in Him and the power we have.

Do you understand what this means as a believer? All we have to do is listen to Christ within us. All we have to do is yield to His way and His teaching. All we have to do is put on the mind of Christ, and we will be filled and walking in wisdom. The anointing of wisdom is present with us each and every day we are yielded to Christ, and walking in salvation.

We have access 24/7. We can walk in our purpose, living fulfilled lives that have been saturated by the anointing of God, because we have yielded to Wisdom.

We don't have to search and search for the truth when the truth is already with us. We don't need to seek outward wisdom when wisdom is already within. All we have to do is yield! My God, what a revelation!

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. The journey of wisdom begins in your heart. Yield to Christ and He will reveal everything you need to know. There's no need to be overwhelmed when inside of us, Wisdom is waiting to reveal to you the path God has ordained just for you and how to walk in it 24/7. You are blessed. Now go...and be a blessing!

©2021. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.

"Back to Basics"

 Reflections4Life™  April 11, 2021

“Back to Basics”

“Behold, You desire truth in the innermost being, and in the hidden part, You will make me know wisdom.” Psalm 51:6

Scripture Contemplation: Psalm 31; 51; Matthew 11; 2 Timothy 1; Revelation 26…

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 the light of God to shine upon those places in your heart that you have tucked away. Let the truth come forth so that you may be free, and live the life that God has ordained for you.

Most of us are searching for that elusive happiness that is supposed to be a part of our life. We look for happiness in all different places and things, without understanding that the happiness we seek; the happiness that seems to evade us, is not in any other person, place or thing. It is, in fact, a state of mind. A conscious decision on our part to BE happy. A choice we make not something that just happens.

Happiness is a choice. We must decide to have and be happy regardless of any circumstances we may or may not be facing. What I find is that an integral part of choosing happiness; to being happy, has to do with if we can be honest with ourselves; honest in how we live our lives and what we are seeking in life.

Living in truth brings about a happiness that cannot be bought and paid for. It simply becomes. Living our authentic truth brings about a state of happiness that no one else can provide. But how many of us live our lives in truth when it comes to others, yet lie to ourselves? We may not practice lying to others, but we have been lying to ourselves. Lying about what we want, who we want, what fulfills us, what inspires us. Lying about what needs to change in our lives.

It is sometimes hard to accept the truth when it comes to our own faults, and flaws, or something that may have happened to us. The truth can sometimes be quite painful, and we will do most anything to avoid that pain. We will even lie to ourselves and convince ourselves that all is well, when in fact, we are nothing but broken pieces of clay, patched and held together by the lies we tell ourselves, and the false portrait we paint for others, suggesting that all is well in our lives. Inside we are crumbling, too afraid to allow the truth to come forth and bring healing, for fear that exposing our truth or dealing with our truth is far too much for us to bare.

If we truly want happiness. If we truly desire what God has for us, then we need to strip away all the preconceived notions we have accumulated over the years. All of the bad habits. And all the voices of false teachers, and well-meaning people who did not know or even care if we're living true to ourselves. Happiness will come when we get back to basics. When we shed our cloaks, and come to God, and simply yield to Him in prayer with our whole hearts, and follow His directions. 1. Repent. 2. Confess. 3. Believe. 4. Accept. 5. Choose Happiness. And 6. Live accordingly. The choice for happiness is yours. It always has been.

We cannot be healed or delivered from that which we refuse to acknowledge or confront. In order to be free from that which keeps us bound and broken, we must be willing to confront that which has hurt and harmed us. We have to be willing to come  before the Lord bare, and release all that we have tucked away from our own minds.

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. Do not be afraid to confront your past, and face your truth. Go back to the basics. With God, you can do all things. Know that the Father is with you always, and desires nothing but His best for you. Be free. Be healed. Be made whole. You are blessed. Now go...and be a Blessing!

©2021. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.

"It Does Not Matter"

 Reflections4Life^TM April 4, 2021

“It Does Not Matter”

“When Jesus therefore, had received the vinegar, he said: It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up his spirit.” John 19:30

Scripture Contemplation: John 20; 21; Acts 1…

A peaceful and blessed Resurrection Sunday to all! I give God praise for His many blessings; especially the gift of Christ and eternal life! To all my fellow believers, may this day just be an added extension of your daily praise, worship, and thanksgiving to the Father for His grace and mercy. To those who may follow a different path; I pray for you and give God honor for you, as well. May this day be all that you pray and hope for.

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 the power of the resurrection to resonate in your soul. Spend quality time in the Father’s presence, learning of Him and His wonderful gift to you. Only then will you truly comprehend that outside of what God has spoken, it just does not matter.

One of the greatest lessons I have learned in my walk with God is that once He has spoken and declared a thing, it doesn't matter what anyone else says. It doesn't matter what the circumstances or situations dictate. It doesn't matter how hard the devil tries—he loses every time. Whatever God says…that’s what it is!

Once Jesus decided to come into the earth, follow the Father's will, that was it. His and our fates were sealed for the rest of eternity. When they nailed Him to the Cross; when He took His last breath and spoke His last words and said: "It is finished", everything else that would try and separate us from God no longer mattered. The plots and plans of the enemy lost their power. The venom lost its poison and death lost its sting.

What many of us fail to remember when we are going through life's trials and tests is that nothing and no one trumps what God has spoken concerning our lives. The only person with the power to stop and hinder us is ourselves. We hold the power. We have the authority. But too often we yield it to the enemy because of fear and giving too much power to him when what he says doesn't matter when God has already declared and decreed us victorious.

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. It doesn't matter, Beloved. It doesn't matter what the enemy says, tries, or who he uses when you truly believe in your heart what God says concerning you. Trust God. He cannot lie. Your bill has already been paid in full. You are blessed. Now go…and be a blessing!

©2021. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.