"All In"

 Reflections4Life™ July 25, 2021

“All In”

“Just then he looked up and saw the rich people dropping offerings in the collection plate. Then he saw a poor widow put in two pennies. He said, “The plain truth is that this widow has given by far the largest offering today. All these others made offerings that they’ll never miss; she gave extravagantly what she couldn’t afford—she gave her all!” Luke 21:1-4

Scripture Contemplation: Genesis 13:14-17; Deuteronomy 19:8-10; Matthew 6:30-33; Ephesians 5:25-28…

There are many of us that must ask ourselves the question: Are we all in? Are we all in when it comes to serving God? Or, is God and our relationship just delegated to a one-day weekend, with an occasional appearance throughout the week if things are hard? You don’t have to answer that just yet. Let it sit with you as you read today’s Reflections. Allow it to marinate. To get deep into your soul and the recesses of your heart.

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. I declare and decree that it brings peace and revelation to your heart, mind, and soul. If there is one thing I know for certain, two things I know for sure is that God desires our attention and He yearns for intimacy with us; to have our undivided attention. I implore you to make this week about turning up the notch in your intimate relationship with the Father. Spend some time with the Father. Not asking for anything yet becoming reacquainted with His heart.

I don’t know how many times I have failed at being all in. Probably too many to count. I am not ashamed to admit that. Do I feel bad about it? Yes. Because I know what God has done in my life. I know from experience the power and miracles that take place when you are all in. Yet, there have been times when I have not been all in. Why? I can only say that I had been in a state of rebellion. That, the trials and tests that I was facing had gripped my heart and mind so tightly, that instead of running to God, I ran away and hid. I openly admit I was angry with God.

Have you ever been angry with the Father? It’s okay to admit it. (Whispering) God already knows. Perhaps something you asked for was not granted. Maybe you prayed for healing in a loved one and didn’t see it the way you thought it should manifest. Maybe you have been waiting a long time for a promise to be fulfilled and have grown weary in your waiting and have begun to doubt the word, the promises of God. It could be a number of things. But whatever it may be, you have found yourself less connected to the Father. Spending less time in His presence or in prayer. In fact, your prayer life has become stagnate, and nearly non-existent. You are no longer all in. You are barely half in!

The Father desires all of us. He wants all of our hearts. He doesn’t desire a part-time, weekend-only, sometimes on holidays, kind of relationship. No. He wants to be a part of our lives in every way, every day. He doesn’t want our money as though that would pay for our lack of communication. He doesn’t desire from us anything that we can give just anyone or anyone who makes a big show about how much they can give in tithes and offering. It is also not about rituals or habits. It is not quantity over quality. He will accept the quality of one sincere prayer made once a week, over a slew of prayers prayed every day that is not from the heart, and are done for show, or for only asking God for what you want. He is not Santa Claus. He is not a barterer. He is God. Our heavenly Father who has loved us before we were even a thought in our mother’s hearts.

When you are all in with God, it is reflected in your praise, worship, and prayers. It is reflective in your communications and social engagements with those on this earth. Time, space, place, people, environment—none of that affects our relationship with God when we are totally sold out to Christ. When all of our heart is all in and invested in our relationship with our Heavenly Father. Once again, it is not how many times you pray a day, but the worth of the prayer that is going forth.

God knows our hearts. He knows every nuance, every flutter, and every thought. He understands who we are and what we need. He created us, knowing us before we were even in our mother’s wombs. God gave to us His all. His very best. And all He asks us in return is to give Him our all. All of our heart, mind, and soul.

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. You are either all in or all out. There is no in-between when it comes to serving God. He will not manifest blessings in the manner that He desires to if you have yet to trust Him with all your heart and soul. Trust Him to be God. The same God who gave His only Son for our salvation. The same God who has gifted you faith already in you, so that you can trust Him. Do not hold back any longer, Beloved. You have everything to gain and absolutely nothing to lose when it comes to a relationship with our heavenly Father. You are blessed. Now go…and be a blessing.

©2021. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.

"Get Out of Your Own Way"

 Reflections4Life™️ July 18, 2021

“Get Out of Your Own Way!”

“But take diligent heed to do the commandment and the law which Moses the servant of the Lord charged you: to love the Lord your God, and to walk in all His ways, and to keep His commandments, and to cleave unto Him, and to serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul.” Joshua 22:5

Scripture Contemplation: Deuteronomy 11; Joshua 1; Matthew 22; Romans 15; 1 Thessalonians 1…

There is indeed something greater that God has for each one of our lives; greater than we could ever imagine. Many do not see it or reach it, because they do not believe it. Too much, according to them, has taken place in their lives for them to believe in anything great ever happening. However, the truth is, if we would get out of our own way and take God at His word, believe what the word of GOD tells us in Ephesians 3:21, we will see the manifestations of His promises for our lives.

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.  Let this word bring peace and revelation to your heart, mind, and soul. Do something this week that you rarely allow yourself to do: Take God at His word and leave every worry behind. Give God full access to every part of your life—leaving nothing untouched by His hand of love and mercies. 

I will not lie to you; sometimes it is difficult to get through the things we are faced with and still have hope and joy in our lives concerning the promises of God. Yet, that is exactly what God is asking of us to do. To maintain hope and joy in the midst of the chaos, heartache, and craziness of this world we are in. To love Him with all our heart, mind, and soul; even when things do not seem to be going well. Especially then.

Is this an easy task? No. Not at all. However, at some point we are going to have to make up in our hearts and minds to get out of our own way and stop blocking the blessings that God has declared and decreed for our lives before we even entered this realm of time.  Far too many get things twisted. God does not have to catch up with the times. He doesn’t have to show up when WE say to show up. He doesn’t have to do anything more than what He already has done in our lives, because He has done far more for us than most of us will ever realize or be thankful for. We just can't see or understand it. Or comprehend God’s ways.

Far too often we block our own blessings. We get in the way of God moving in our lives because we are stuck in a position and point in time. Do you not understand, Beloved, that God works outside the realm of time? That, He is in fact already done everything He said He was going to do? That, it is us—we ourselves that must make the next move if we want to see the promises of God revealed in our lives?

Now is not the time to give up or give in to the enemy, Beloved. There is too much on the line. Your life, the life of those God called us to minister to, our families, children, co-workers; even strangers on the street; are waiting for us to get this right, and stop hindering ourselves with our inner dialogues of mistrust, doubt, fear, and unbelief. The harvest is ready but the laborers are few because most of us have talked ourselves out of doing things God way. We have allowed the circumstances, trials. and tests to dictate our next move and what we choose to believe.

Aren’t you tired? Aren’t you tired of not walking in the fullness of God and placing your burdens at His feet; at the foot of the throne and really leaving them there, because you truly and honestly, with your entire being, believe what God says concerning you and yours?

It is time, Beloved. Time to get out of your own way. Time to remember the promises that God has made for your life. Promises concerning you and your relationships and your loved ones. It’s time to remember what God says about your gifts, and how they will make room for you. It is time to remember to read and study your word. How can you possibly prepare and be ready for the abundance God has promised you, if you have not spent any time in His presence to know the 411? To know what is in the heart of God? To know and understand what God expects from you?

We block the manifestations of our blessings when we cease to get out of our own way and receive all that God has promised—no matter what the circumstances or situations look like. Beloveds, do not allow your mind [The devil’s playground] trick you into believing that nothing is happening and you need to give up. The devil is a lie! Get out of your way and allow God to have His way,

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 you not know and understand yet, just how precious you are to God? Just how much of a threat are you to the enemy’s kingdom? Well! You are! Do not complain one more second. Do not doubt the power, love, and hand of God moving in your life and already working things out. If there is one thing you may confidently say, it is that God has your back, 100.  Whatever you put into this life; whatever seeds you have sown; God has equipped you and prepared you for the fight that may lie before you while you await your harvest. Never doubt His word. He created you, didn’t He? You are blessed. Now go, and be a blessing.

©2021. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.

"Freedom"

 Reflections4Life™ July 4, 2021

“Freedom”

“You are free, but still, you are God’s servants, and you must not use your freedom as an excuse for doing wrong…They promise freedom to everyone. But they are merely slaves of filthy living because people are slaves of whatever controls them.” 2 Peter 2:16, 19 CEV

Scripture Contemplation: Psalm 119:40-45; Isaiah 61:1; Zechariah 1; John 8:36; Galatians 5…

Today and each day that follows, may you be surrounded by those you love and those who love you, having a joyous time, filled with much laughter. Remember: our independence came when Christ died for us and took the keys of life back from Satan and hell—a true reflection of our freedom.

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. Take full advantage of your freedom to serve God openly, without fear or trepidation that someone will take your life for uttering the name of Christ. Let this week be a reminder of the kind of freedom we have that many have given their lives to just have a taste of. Don’t just be free in the physical, but free in your mind and spirit. Allow God to lead you, as the Holy Spirit teaches you.

Freedom

I am not free unless you are free, too.

I am not free if I am tethered to a life

that seeks to strip others of theirs.

I am not free if I cannot walk away from 

every earthly gain.

I am not free if I seek to hold you

down only so that I can rise above you.

I am not free if in my heart I can not

see the invisible ties that bound you and me.

I am not free if I have yet to believe that

God has set all of humanity free.

Freedom...when I see as God sees.

©Ruthe McDonald.

I truly believe we take our freedom for granted. Not in the manner that we forget, we have freedom, but that we do not fully exercise our gratitude by living a life that is reflective of that freedom, while others are still fighting just to have a tenth of the kind of freedom we take for granted every day. Freedom is more than just the ability to do what you want when you want. It is the ability to move freely, also, in our minds and spirits. Doing things that will not only edify the God we serve but seeks to ensure freedom for all those still in bondage. Whether it be physical, mental, or spiritual bondage. I can’t fully enjoy my freedom if I know that my brother and sister are still bound in chains, while I have the power and freedom (of mind and physical) to make a difference.

Freedom comes with a huge price tag. Though the cost of freedom has been paid, we are still charged with living our lives that will not only exemplify God but help to set other captives free. Be it physical captivity, or captivity of the mind and spirit.

If you know the truth; the kind of truth that could make a world of difference in someone’s life, would you share it? Would you make that truth heard, whether someone wanted you to speak it or not? The price of our freedom was paid when Christ gave His life for us. Yet, we are still charged with spreading the Good News. Of letting those who are still in chains know that they have the key in their possession that will set them free.

Luke 4:18 “The Lord’s Spirit has come to me because he has chosen me to tell the good news to the poor. The Lord has sent me to announce freedom for prisoners, to give sight to the blind, to free everyone who suffers…”

There are so many areas in our lives that God desires us to be free in. Free in our thoughts and our heart. Free to be who we choose to be. The biggest gift of freedom that God gave us is the freedom to choose. The gift of choice has enabled us to live as we desire to live. Yet, so many of us use it as an excuse to do what we want, while oppressing the freedom of those around us.

Freedom does not give us the liberty to live in just any kind of way. The freedom we have comes with responsibility. And whatever ways we determine to exercise our freedom, we must be willing to accept the consequences and take responsibility for our actions.

Be free in your hearts and minds, Beloveds. Stop holding onto grudges, and things that bring unrest to your heart and soul. Walk, in your freedom totally, not partially. Don’t take for granted the gift you have been given. Embrace it by becoming the best version of yourself that you can attain on this earth.

When we come to God, He makes us free in every area of our lives. He grants us freedom in our minds, as well as actions. The Father does not want us to exchange one set of chains for another. He desires for us to live a life of abundance and with a heart of gratitude that not only seeks to see those around us free, as well, but to actually do something about 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. You have been given a gift. A precious gift to be free from things that would bind you, and strip you of your choice to live the life that God has ordained for you. Take advantage of it by living life to the fullest, and sharing the love of God with others. It is no fun being free all by yourself, after all. Embrace your freedom by seeking to free others also. You are blessed. Now go…and be a blessing!

©2021. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.