"Honoring Fatherhood"

 Reflections4Life™ June 19, 2022

“Honoring Fatherhood”

"Just as a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him.” Psalm 103:13 NASB

Scripture Contemplations: Genesis 2:24; Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 5:16-17; Malachi 1:5-7; Matthew 15:3-7; Ephesians 6:1-3…

Happy Father's Day to all the fathers, father-figures, and fathers-to-be. I pray that you will look to God for all instructions, allowing Him to lead you; even in the most difficult of times. Our heavenly Father will never leave you but will lift you up and be your strength.

I declare that this week's Reflections will be a continued source of encouragement and inspiration for your heart, mind, and soul. In honoring your father, know that you are honoring God. No matter what path your earthly father may have walked, when you acknowledge him as your father, God will move upon your behalf.

I love my father and honored him no matter what he did or didn't do. Yes. I was a Daddy's girl. Many say it is difficult to look past or forgive their father's transgressions. However, I have come to understand, that unless we can forgive our fathers—no matter if he is present or not—we do ourselves a disservice when it comes to our own life's journey and choices made in relationships. It does not mean we condone heinous actions, such as abuse. To honor him means that we acknowledge them in that, they are part of the reason we exist. Not everyone will have a relationship with their father, for various reasons. And that is okay.

Not everyone makes a great parent. Some do not possess the skills or desire it takes to do what is necessary as a parent. Yet, this does not cancel out the fact that God says to show them respect, if not for the mere fact that because of them we are here in the land of the living. Let us face it: without his contribution, we would not be here. So for that reason alone, if you cannot find any other reason, he acknowledges them.

Did you know that the commandment: Honor thy father and mother, is the first commandment with a promise?

Ephesians 6:2-3 "Honor your father and mother (which is the first commandment with a promise), so that it may be well with you, and that you may live long on the earth."

So that it may be well with you, and that you may live long on the earth…That is the promise. Here is the deal: God wants us to show honor and respect to our parents regardless of what they may have done or not have done. The Father’s number one concern is our hearts, and that we are not blocked from receiving his blessings for our lives.

Do you think God doesn’t know about the atrocities that some parents make? You don't think He sees the abandonment. The failures? The broken promises? The abuse and rejection? Yes. He sees all of that. Yet, the Father understands that if we walk around with unforgiveness, bitterness, hatred, and disrespect towards our parents—the very ones who gave us life—then we are blocking what He has ordained for our lives. We trap ourselves, and may very well become the very person we have dishonored all this time; repeating their behaviors and patterns in our relationships with our own children.

Regard them, consider them, and respect them. Do not let your heart be burdened down with dishonor that you miss what God has for you in your life.

I honor my father. He was far from perfect. He did things that were not acceptable. However, I loved him, honored him, and considered his life, as well. If it had not been for him, I would not be here. If it had not been for him, I would not be an author. He was the first person who told me I could. When he passed, I was only sixteen. I thank God for the Uncles I have who stood in the gap and nourished my broken heart. They are fathers, as well, who have made mistakes and are not perfect. But I honor them, just as their children do.

Honoring your father is not for his benefit; it is for yours. God knows exactly how to reach a parent who is not behaving accordingly. To honor them, despite, is a testament to your heart, and where God wants to take you. When it comes down to it; to honor, respect, and regard or consider them, has to do what you desire to accomplish in life.

Many fathers are not being honored or respected for who they are. They have worked hard to provide, for and to be the best father they could be, even when they had no example themselves of a good father. They make mistakes along the way but they are not giving up. They are striving to do what is right, so their children will benefit and receive what they never received as a child.

Whether you are considered the greatest of fathers, or the worst of fathers, I acknowledge you today. I give God praise for you. For those who are not doing so well as a father, I consider you and all you may have gone through, and pray that the Lord will get a hold of you and direct your path; bring healing to your wounds, and forgiveness to your life so that you may truly begin to experience the joy and abundance of fatherhood. To every father that is doing all they can as a father; I honor you and pray that your heart is continually filled with joy, that your example of fatherhood and leadership will be passed on to your children, and that your children will honor you all the days of your life. To those fathers who just do not care or have it in them to parent, I honor God for using you as a conduit to bring forth a life that will do extraordinary things in this world despite who and what you are.

My Beloveds, may the spirit of peace and prosperity finds permanent rest in your lives. I decree that every good thing that God has ordained for your life will become evident to you. It may be difficult for some but honor your father. Whether he is the greatest or not, give honor to him as the person God chose to bring you into this world. God is looking at your heart, and it will determine how your days are upon this earth. Make peace so that your manifestations of blessings are not held up. You are blessed. Now go…and be a blessing!                                                                                                             

©2022. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.

"Winning in Unfamiliar Territory"

 Reflections4Life™ June 12, 2022

“Winning in Unfamiliar Territory”

“We are not fighting against humans. We are fighting against forces and authorities and against rulers of darkness and powers in the spiritual world. So put on all the armor that God gives. Then when that evil day comes, you will be able to defend yourself. And when the battle is over, you will still be standing firm.” Ephesians 6:12-13

Scripture Contemplation: Exodus 13; Ephesians 6; Isaiah 40; 2 Corinthians 10; 1 Timothy 1; 1 Peter 5; Zechariah 4:6; Romans 12:2; 1 Samuel 17:47

©Ruthe McDonald

I declare that this week’s Reflections will be a source of continued encouragement and inspiration for your heart, mind, and soul. There is an ongoing war; a spiritual war that we are in every day. Our best defense is an intimate and disciplined relationship with our Heavenly Father. This assures that we will not only be properly dressed in the armor of God but also know how to do battle with an enemy older than the sands of time.

Beloveds, there is indeed such a thing as spiritual warfare; a battle fought in the spiritual realm that affects every aspect of our lives, including our physical lives. Satan has long declared war against our heavenly Father. This war has never been about us directly. The enemy wants to hurt God and destroy His greatest creation—mankind. He wants to destroy our belief in God, in righteousness, in holiness, in faith, and our belief in love. The enemy believes that if he can destroy us and take as many as he can to the lake of fire, he will have destroyed God’s plan.

The enemy forgets that he has already lost. That, not only has God won, but we have won also because, Christ not only went to the Cross and died for our sins, He rose again. And before He rose, he won against death and hell, taking back the keys to life and has made them available to us; giving us the victory.

The greater problem is, that many of us forget these facts also, especially when we face trials and tribulations in our lives. We forget who we are, whose we are, and the weapons that we have at our disposal. We also forget that sometimes in battle, God will take us through unfamiliar territory and grant us the victory because we obeyed and believed Him. 

The enemy counts on us forgetting and being sidetracked so that he can get in and distort what we believe, making us forget the goodness and promises of God. This, my beloveds, is the reason that we need to make sure we have an intimate relationship with our Father each day. That, we are seeking God’s face, reading our word, following His directions, and having a stealthy prayer life.

The enemy is crafty in his moves and watches like a wild animal stalking its prey, waiting to pounce. Strategic in his machinations, he strikes to kill and destroy, to maim, and alienate, to drive insane and separate. The enemy wants in our minds, wreaking havoc until all we hear and believe are the lies he constantly whispers and his smoke and mirrors. If he can make us doubt at any time the promises and love of God, he has an opening. And you can rest assured, he will barrage his way through to take over your mind until he has left nothing of your life but shambles, confusion, hate, bitterness, and no belief in the word or promises of God. Or, even belief in yourself, destroying love in your life. Trust, he twists every word around. He will have you question the validity of the word and everything you have ever believed or have been taught, learned, and experienced firsthand.

The good news is we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus. He has already given His life and assured our victory. He has done the hard part—dying for our sins and retrieving the keys of life. He has made available to us not only the keys of life but also the keys of the Kingdom. What we have to do is be vigilant in our relationship with God. Seek His face and His will daily, following His instructions, walking in faith, and reminding ourselves when the very harsh and difficult times arise in our lives [and they will] that God has already declared us victorious.

We must know in our hearts that sometimes, in order to win, God will take us on a journey that will lead us through unfamiliar territories. On these unfamiliar roads, our victories will come. The Father will teach and prepare us for the battles that lie ahead. He will strengthen us and build our courage and conviction. But the most wonderful thing about these journies that many of us cannot see and will not understand until the battle is over, is the fact that all along, God will hide us in plain sight. He will protect us, while also preparing us for the right time. When we're ready, we will shoot forth like an arrow, hitting its intended mark; claiming the victory, winning in unfamiliar territory.

Beloved, get in your word every day. Fill your heart and mind—saturate it—with the will of God. See what God sees. Hear what He is saying. If we know the heart and mind of God, then we will know how to stand against the enemy and how to use our armor. We do not learn these things by skimming the word of God and occasionally praying or only praying when something goes wrong. No. We must saturate our hearts and minds in the things of God; renewing our minds daily, pulling down strongholds. We cannot fight the enemy on physical terms or by wit. We must armor ourselves in truth and under the direction of the Holy Spirit, following ALL of His instructions, lest we succumb to the lies and evil plots of the enemy. Remember who you are and what has been given to the body of Christ. We cannot fight a spiritual fight without spiritual armor. That would be like going to a gunfight with a knife. And, we cannot always stay in the same place and expect to win when God said to move and go another way.

Exodus 13:18 So God chose a different, longer path that led the community of His people through the desert toward the Red Sea. The Israelites marched out of the land of Egypt like an army ready for battle. 

Zechariah 4:6 “…‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ saith the Lord of hosts.”

1 Samuel 17:47 And all this assembly shall know that the Lord saveth not with sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord’s, and He will give you into our hands.”

My Beloveds, may the spirit of peace and prosperity finds permanent rest in your lives. I decree that every good thing that God has ordained for your life will become evident to you. Spiritual warfare has been launched against the children of God. Designed to destroy and separate us from the love and promises of God. At some point in our walk with God, He will take us on a journey in unfamiliar territory. Be obedient and follow His lead. He is ensuring our victory on this earth so that we not only win against the enemy but will also receive God's best for our lives. He will cause us to win in unfamiliar territories where the enemy didn't even see us coming! Put on your armor of God; spend time in His presence, filled with Him and the knowledge and wisdom needed to navigate through a war that has already been won and a battle that is not ours, but the Lord’s. Trust; He got us. We have already won…a long time ago. You are blessed. Now…go and be a blessing!

©2022. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.

"Walk Away"

 Reflections4Life™ June 5, 2022

“Walk Away”

“If any place won’t welcome you or listen to your message, leave and shake the dust from your feet as a warning to them.” Mark 6:11

Scripture Contemplation: Matthew 10; Acts 17; 2 Timothy 2…

©Ruthe McDonald.

I declare that this week’s Reflections is a continued source of encouragement for your hearts, minds, and souls. Set aside some quality God time this week so that He may fill up the reserves of your heart and spirit with His love, patience, kindness, joy, and peace. Allow Holy Spirit to lead you to where you need to be. Do not allow anyone’s rejection of who you are to keep you from remembering who God has already declared you to be.

I know. Sometimes the hardest thing to do is walk away when all you want to do is prove your point or want your message or what you are saying to be heard and understood. However, Beloveds, as you will come to know if you do not already, not everyone is going to be receptive to your ideas, your opinions, your knowledge, your message, or wisdom. You will be in some places and in others, where what you have to say will not be received. Not everyone will want to hear what God or you have to say or welcome you.

There is so much in all of us—a word, a message, a truth—that God wants us to share. God will indeed send us to places already knowing that what we have to say and to offer will not be received. Yet, our going is not about whether what we have to say is accepted or listened to, but about our obedience to God in going forth anyway.

We are encouraged, however, to not become discouraged by the lack of reception that we may receive. God admonishes us to leave and shake the dust from our feet. Meaning, do not linger in that place—physically, or mentally. There are so many people waiting for what you have to say. There are people waiting on the message that is burning in your heart and your soul. We cannot be caught up in our feelings every time someone does not want to listen to us or receive the message we are sharing. Even though one place was not receptive, or even the last five places!—does not mean the next place will be the same.

Know this, as well: Your message may have appeared to not have been received or listened to; you just never know if there was indeed one person, one soul that heard and received, or that the seeds you planted actually landed on good soil. So do not hang on being accepted or not. Just do whatever God has called you to do and move on. When it is time to go forth again, be certain to have also walked away mentally from the last place that did not receive you. You never want to bring doubt and uncertainty with you, but instead, confidence and boldness, knowing that God has ordained you for this hour and time.

Learning to walk away is pivotal in our lives, Beloveds. It is not always about staying, fighting, and not giving up. Sometimes it is about saving your sanity, your own faith, and being able to hear God before emotions and hurt feelings block and stop you from being and doing all that God has ordained. There are times when walking away is the best thing you could have done.

Many of us feel as though if we walk away, that we have given up, we are not exercising faith. No. We are actually using wisdom and following the instructions of God. The flesh will always want to save face and not be embarrassed or considered a failure. Yet, the real winners are those that see the situation for what it is and walk away in maturity, understanding that they have done all they could and should do and do not have to prove anything to anyone.

When God tells you to walk away; to no longer try to convince or to share your message, He already knows you have done all that you could and should have done. Do not stay in a place where you are not received, welcomed, celebrated, or listened to. If what you have to offer is not received, move on. Because it will be a shame for you to stay and try to convince someone and you end up being the person that is changed.

Oh yes! I have seen it countless times. Even with myself. You want the person(s) to receive what God has for them. You hate to see them walking in circles, or into brick walls, or generally just messing up their lives, and you desperately want them to see the truth and accept the truth. You desire for them to truly believe because you know how much their lives will be changed. However, in the process of trying to convince them, you become the one who has changed.

God does not want that. He wants us to retain our integrity and our belief. That is why it is so important to maintain a prayer-filled life; always seeking God’s direction; following his instructions, and checking our own hearts and motives. Why would you stay in a place that made it clear that your message was not being seen or heard? Let that pride go! When God says walk away, shake the dust from your feet, then do it! We are no one’s savior. Jesus is the only one who gets that spot! You know what? He can have it! LOL. We cannot save a single soul but we can be the instrument that God uses to get them to see and into position to receive what God has for them. But we must not linger in a place so long that we forsake all the rest that are waiting on us. And trust me, Beloveds; there are many others that are anxiously awaiting what we have to say and share with them today.

My Beloveds, may the spirit of peace and prosperity finds permanent rest in your lives. I decree that every good thing that God has ordained for your life will become evident to you. Walking away is not an indication of failure or giving up. It is learning not to linger in a place, space, or time that may hinder or eventually rob you of your own message and blessings. Let God lead you. When it’s time to shake the dust off your feet, do just that! Allow God to lead you where you need to be next because there are countless others who are waiting to hear and receive what you have to release. Trust God and keep it moving. You are blessed. Now go…and be a blessing!

©2022. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.