Sunday, November 30, 2014

"Stop Lying to Yourself"

Reflections4Life Sunday, November 30th, 2014

“Stop Lying to Yourself”

“Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, And in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom.” Psalm 51:6

Scripture Contemplation: Joshua 24:14; Psalm 15:2; Proverbs 12:22; John 8:32; Acts 5; Ephesians 4…
We can tell ourselves everything is all right. We can tell others everything is well. We can even attempt to tell God that we are fine. Even though we know God already knows. Yet we say these things when we are lying to ourselves. Lying about how we feel, about our troubles, about who we are and what we want. If you want to sincerely be free; to be healed and delivered; then you must come to the conclusion that you must stop lying to yourself.

I declare and decree that this week’s Reflections will be a continued source of encouragement and inspiration for your heart, mind, and soul. Allow Holy Spirit into those secret places that you have even hidden from yourself. Let the light of God shine bright on those areas that need to be exposed, and healed, so that you may truly begin to live the life that God has ordained for you.

Sure, we can lie to everyone around us, and even convince them that we are well and happy with our lives. We can even convince ourselves that all is well, but that won't last long when God loves us way too much to leave us in a state of denial and lying to ourselves.

God has so many ways He desires to bless us, that He will not allow "us" to not face the truth, but ensure we stop lying to ourselves, and begin living the life He's ordained for us. Yes. There are things that have happened in our lives than have hurt us deeply. Situations and circumstances have arose to shake us to the core. Yet, we can no longer run from the truth or lie to ourselves if we expect to really move forward. We have to face the truth about who we are and what has been happening in our lives. There is healing that comes once we finally stop running, and start dealing with what is right in front of us.

The truth of the matter is, what we don't confront will continually show up in our lives. We will never be able to outrun a lie, when truth is always present demanding payment in full. If we say we are in a relationship with God, and we say we desire to live the life that God has ordained for us, then we must understand that everything about us must be lined up with who God is, and the path He has designed for us to walk.

Truth and lies cannot abide in the same place. Light and dark cannot occupy the same space. One will block out the other. When we continually lie to ourselves, and are not honest about what is in our hearts; it makes it fairly easy for others to lie to us also.

I don’t know about you, Beloved, but I don’t like being lied to. I have always maintained that I’d rather be hurt from the truth, than to be damaged by a lie. With the truth—though it may hurt and sting—it’s still the truth and will bring healing. But with a lie, it will cause havoc and pain that have yet to be seen. It will breed mistrust, doubt, and fear. Tell the truth. Let it be known from the beginning.

I don’t like lying. It is something that bothers me to the core; especially because I do not want to be lied to. We do reap what we sow. There was a time, however, when I lied to myself. I lied about what I wanted in life. I lied to myself about being happy. I was going through the motions of life, and doing what was expected of me. But I was not living my truth. I was not being authentic to who I am and who God ordained and called me to be. The end result was chaos, heartache, and sickness.

For a long time, my past held me in bondage. Things had occurred in my life that I never told anyone for a very long time. I carried those things, those memories for such a long time, that it was like a noose around my neck; a heavy weight in my heart. And in all honesty, it was quite painful and frightening to face.

In my mind, all I could think about was the pain and hurt I endured. And to think about it, only brought the memories of those feelings right back to the surface. Something that I did not want to feel or face. But, when you desire to move forward; when you truly desire in your heart of hearts to have what God has promised you; then at some point you’re going to have to be honest, stop hiding, stop lying to yourself, and face your truth.

It is part of the healing and deliverance process. To confront the things that we have buried and have evaded for far too long. To be able to look in the mirror, and speak the truth to ourselves. To say without censure what it is that we feel about our lives; about the people in our lives; about the things we have experienced, suffered, fought through, and even escaped.

When we stop lying to ourselves, and admit that we need help; that we need deliverance; that we are not happy, or that we have been lying about who we are—then and only then can we truly begin to live our truth. To live our authentic selves without fear of rejection. Because once you face your truth, and stop the lying; then it will no longer matter to you what anyone else thinks or says of you. The truth is liberating on all levels. And there is nothing the enemy can hold over your head or use against you, when you have bared your all to the Father, and accepted your own truth.

Be free today, Beloveds. Don’t give the enemy one more moment of your time or space in your head or heart. It is time to evict him, and for you to take back the keys of your life that Jesus gave to you when He defeated hell and death. You have an inheritance with the Father. But you must be walking in truth; your truth to fully appreciate it and receive the full benefits.

I decree that the spirit of peace and prosperity has found permanent rest in your lives. There is nothing more liberating than living your authentic life. To walk in the truth of who you are. To have confronted your past, its hurts, disappointments, and have Holy Spirit pour into you his comfort and love. You are worthy of all that God has ordained for you. Receive it with an open and truthful heart. You are Blessed. Now go…and Be a Blessing!

©2014. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.


Sunday, November 23, 2014

"Thankful"

Reflections4Life November 23rd, 2014
“Thankful”
“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 100:4-5 NKJV
Scripture Contemplation: 2 Samuel 7:18; Psalm 100; Ephesians 5:20; Philippians 1; Colossians 3:15…
There is so much gratitude in my heart today that it feels as though it will soon burst forth in a million tears. There are times that we take for granted the blessing and miracle of waking up to a new day. Instead of saying "Thank You", we're complaining. What does a spirit of complaining and wining accomplish? Absolutely nothing! Yet, a grateful heart, filled with thanksgiving, despite what may be transpiring, opens the windows and doors to the manifestations of the blessings that God has ordained for you all along! I thank God for one more day of life, and another chance to be my best.
I declare and decree that this week’s Reflections will continue to serve as encouragement and inspiration for your heart, mind, and soul. Allow the presence of God room in your life to shine a light on the many blessings that we can often overlook because of the trials we so often face. Let the mind and heart of Christ rest in you.
A lot can be accomplished with two little words: Thank You. However, there are many of us walking around that have barely uttered those words in a very long time, because they have fallen into the trap of constantly complaining, and immediately acknowledging what’s wrong instead seeing and being thankful for what is right.
As we celebrate Thanksgiving this week, I wonder how many of us will be filled with hearts of gratitude? How many of us will be able to stop counting and listing what is wrong, and be grateful for what is right; even if it’s one thing? I find it is far much easier to complain than it is to say thank you. But that’s the way the world is wired: to see the negative first. Yet, with Christ, though things may not always go as we hoped or planned, and be to our liking; it is a heart of gratitude and thanksgiving that ushers in the blessings of the Father—in spite of anything we may be going through.
We must learn to train our thoughts and our mouths to being able to acknowledge and recognize the good instead of concentrating on the bad. And an excellent way to do this is to practice with a grateful heart. To, practice being thankful and saying thank you.
Of course there are many negative things around us. Of course some of our lives feel as though we have nothing to be thankful for. Of course there are days when you feel anything but grateful. However, this is the reason we must learn to choose at least one thing at the end of the day that we can honestly say and be thankful for.
How about I help you out with one? It’s kind of quite obvious—LIFE. Be thankful for waking up to a brand new day. A day filled with possibilities and promises and opportunities. Another day to get things right. Another day in the land of the living, with the chance to make long lasting changes in your life.
I know for myself that I can and have taken for granted the gift of waking up in the morning. Life is a major miracle! Yet, many of us look at life with dread, instead of gratitude. I can recall waking up, and instead of be grateful for life, I immediately complained. I complained about what wasn’t right, what I didn’t like, what I hated. Nowhere in my diatribe did I stop to say: Thank you God for the gift of life. Thank you for the breath in my body and the life in my blood. Thank You for giving me another opportunity to receive your blessings.
Nope! None of that was said. I was too preoccupied with the things I didn’t have; the way things hadn’t gone; with the imperfections of my life, that I had completely overlooked the love and care that the Father had bestowed up me. I didn’t acknowledge His gift if life and second chances. I hadn’t acknowledge the fact that here I was, alive and with the ability to think and do for myself, when so many others have lost their lives. When, there were so many others who didn’t have a bed to sleep in or clothes to wear, or food to fill their bellies.
Don’t get it twisted! Yes, there are times when we will acknowledge the less than favorable things in our lives. But it should never be to the exclusion of recognizing the precious gift that God has given…life. Nor should we become so preoccupied with what’s wrong that we never utter the words Thank You for all the many things that are right.
These past three weeks, I have seen and heard of so many deaths; some that I knew personally. It served as a reminder of the precious gift that life is, that we all too often take for granted. It reminded me also of all the many things I have to be thankful for in my life, and that it all outweighs and trumps the things I can find to complain and be unhappy about.
Develop your heart of gratitude. Start with thanking God every time he wakes you in the morning. Life is too short to have nothing but regrets and a heart that cannot find at least one thing to be thankful for.
I thank God for life. For another opportunity to live it to its fullest. To, learn to concentrate on His goodness and promises, and not yield to easy route of complaining. I also am thankful for YOU. For your continued support and fellowship. I pray that God’s goodness and mercy will be continue to cover you! Praying you and yours have a very thankful Thanksgiving!
I decree that the spirit of peace and prosperity has found permanent rest in your lives. Give thanks with a grateful heart. When you find yourself going to complain first, think on at least one thing, and begin to thank God. When your praises go up the blessings come down. A thankful heart opens up doors and makes a path for the gifts of the Spirit to flow freely in your life. Happy Thanksgiving! You are Blessed. Now go…and Be a Blessing!
©2014. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.



Sunday, November 16, 2014

"Watch Your Mouth"

Reflections4Life November 16th, 2014
Watch Your Mouth”
Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.” Ephesians 4:29

Scripture Contemplation: Joshua 1; 6; Psalm 19:14; Matthew 4:4; 15:18; James 3; Titus 1; Jude 1...

How often do we pay close attention to the words that are coming from out of our mouths? How many of us dare to put a watch over mouths, so that we bring no harm to others or ourselves? The words that we speak can bring comfort or pain. It can bring forth healing and even death. It is time for us to listen carefully and to watch our mouths.

I declare and decree that this week's Reflections is a continued source of encouragement and enlightenment for your heart, mind, and soul. Allow your time spent with the Lord this week to be filled with reflection. Reflection upon the things that come from your mouth. Allow Holy Spirit to guide your tongue, and to make you hyper-aware of the things you say during a normal course of the day. It can be the difference between life and death...literally.

Growing up, I always heard my Grams and my Nana, as well as my Mom say: watch your mouth. As children, we can try our parents sometimes and say something that is sassy or even disrespectful. The first warning was always watched your mouth. There really wasn't a second warning; just a pop in the mouth and punishment.

I believe today many of us need a spiritual pop in the mouth to remind of us the things that we are saying. It is not just the harm and hurt that we are bringing to others; but the harm we do to ourselves that many of us are not even aware of. So many times we have prayed and asked God for something, and in the next breath we totally wipe out our prayers, because our mouths defeat us. Instead of speaking the word of God and blessings over our lives, we speak negativity and curses. Instead of life, there is death.

Proverbs 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.

How many times have we heard this passage of scripture, only to forget it in the light of a days activity? How many times have we spoken things that are filled with negativity and the exact opposite of what we are believing God for? If we want what God has for us, we're going to have to start speaking like our Father. We are going to have to put a watch over our mouths, and speak what God speaks concerning us.

We also have the power to effect the lives of others. When I think of this specifically, I often think about what we say to our children. What are you speaking over the lives of your children? Do you inspire them? Encourage them? Speak positive affirmations? Do you declare and decree what God has spoken? Do you bless them or do you curse them?

My parents always told me what I could be; encouraging my endeavors even when I, myself, was filled with uncertainty and doubt. My father was bold and told me what I WOULD be, and WOULD accomplish in this life. He spoke a life of blessings over my life. He spoke the father's blessing over his children, just as Jacob did to his children.

The words that we speak into the atmosphere have the power to bring life or death. And can bring healing or destruction. Many words have caused strife and the life of people. I never understood that old saying I heard growing up: Sticks and stones may break your bones but names will never hurt you.

What a load of crap! The words we speak can cause irreparable damage. Words can kill. Its evidence in the number of cases of bullying and the continuing increase of suicide amongst our young children. Words do hurt. They can do so much harm and destroy many lives. Words spoken in a lie can change lives forever. It can cost lives, as well.

So yes, words do hurt and can can bring devastating harm. We must learn to guard our mouths and train our tongues to speak words that are edifying, and truth that is not destructive, but healing. To say what needs to be said in a manner in which a person's life is not torn down or destroyed.

If we desire the life that God has ordained for us, then we must also learn to0 watch our mouths concerning the things that we speak and declare of ourselves. Do not speak the opposite of what God has spoken. Edify yourself with the word of God. Speak God's truth. Watch what you allow to pass through your lips and into the atmosphere. You have the power to prophesy over your life. To speak life—abundant life—to your situation and circumstances.

Beloved, speak what God says about you. Let those words fill your heart and the atmosphere. Practice speaking what God says. Train your tongue to edify and not destroy. A word spoken in kindness can change someone's life forever. A comforting word can save a life. A word of wisdom can bring clarity. A word of encouragement can bring joy and happiness.

I declare and decree that the the spirit of peace and of prosperity has found permanent rest in your lives. Watch your mouth, Beloved. Be aware of your conversations and the words you speak. They can be the difference between life and death. Life or death to dreams, hopes, and visions. The difference between life and death for a soul; for someone's life. Think on the things of the Lord, allowing it to fill your heart, so that it will begin to flow from your lips. How can we praise God with the same mouth that curses and bring destruction? The choice is always ours. You are Blessed. Now go...and Be a Blessing!


©2014. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.

Sunday, November 09, 2014

"Good Sense, Common Sense, and God Sense"

Reflections4Life November 9th, 2014
“Good Sense, Common Sense, God Sense”
“Even the stork in the sky knows her seasons; and the turtledove and the swift and the thrush Observe the time of their migration; but My people do not know The ordinance of the Lord.” Jeremiah 8:7 (NASB)
Scripture Contemplation: Genesis 1; Psalm 104:19; Ecclesiastes 3; Daniel 2:21; Matthew 21:41
Our lives consists of seasons. And in those seasons we are learning and growing and gaining knowledge not only to take into each new season of our lives, but to knowledge and wisdom to share with others. The things we learn may come from personal experience or the experiences of others. We will have teachers in every season, and in some seasons, we will become the teachers.
Within the seasons of our lives we will always be faced with making choices. There are decisions that must be made in order for us to move forward. When it’s time to make those choices? We will either draw upon good sense, common sense, or God sense. God sense being the best sense of the three.
I declare and decree that this week’s Reflections will continued to be a source of encouragement and inspiration for your heart, mind, and soul. Develop your intimate relationship with the Heavenly Father. God has so much to pour into you and to prepare you for. It’s only with God that we can gain an understanding of the seasons of lives. And learn how to navigate accordingly.
Growing up I heard many of parent and grandparents begin a sentence with: "Don't you have the good sense to..." I've also heard many people, including myself use the term: "Its common sense…" when explaining an action or planned action. Yet, it wasn't until I matured and truly appreciated my intimate relationship with God, that I understood "God Sense" and its difference from just good and common sense.
Good sense requires us to make a decision based upon reasonable thinking and knowing the difference between good and bad. Common sense refers to that which is a commonality amongst many. A choice that is dictated by what seems to be the natural order of things. Then there's God sense; making a decision based upon the wisdom of God gained through a personal relationship with Him.
There's nothing wrong with good or common sense. But neither is on the level of God sense. Why? Because there are times when we will be presented with a situation that our good and common sense dictates is all good to move forward with. Everything seemingly lines up and is in order. However, with God sense, though everything seems good and IS good, God Sense will let you know if the timing is right. If it is the right season, and if it's for you.
I have learned that everything good may not be good for me. Or, certain things are just not right for this season of my life. It is wonderful to use good and common sense. But it's even better to develop your God Sense. And that can only be accomplished through an intimate relationship with the Father Himself.
How many decisions have you made in your life that you can say you used God sense? How many times in your life have you used good or common sense, only to be disappointed by the outcome? As I said, there is nothing wrong with good or common sense. I pray that we all would be endowed with good and common sense. Face it: there are way too many people that choose NOT to use good or common sense, and the results are evident in the many lives that are lost, destroyed, and changed forever by the poor/bad choices made by another.
Yet, it is God sense that is layered over our good and common sense that allows us to know, understand which season of our lives we are in. In the book of Ecclesiastes, the writer tells us that there is a season for all things under the sun. A time to mourn, a time to laugh, a time sow, a time to reap. There is a season for all things. And when we are in an intimate relationship with the Heavenly Father, we develop our God sense, and come to learn and understand the seasons of our life. Whether it is time for us to plant or to harvest. Whether it is time for us to move or to be still. Whether or not an opportunity that seems good is good for the season that we are in.
It is vitally important that we learn to move in the realms of God’s timing. That, we are not leaning to our own understanding, but are walking in the wisdom of God. There will be times in our lives when situations and opportunities will arise. They will be good opportunities. Everything in your good and common sense sees nothing wrong or bad. However, it is your God sense that will let you know if that good thing is the in alignment with the season you are in.
There are sometimes in our lives when we are not ready, or incapable of handling the responsibility that comes with certain situations and opportunities in life. Sometimes we can become overwhelmed with a good thing. And sometimes, we want something so bad, that we move ahead of God and we become out of sync with the move and guidance of Holy Spirit.
Beloveds, there is a life before us that God has ordained for each and every one of us; specific to who we are, and who He called us to be. In our life we will enter many different seasons; seasons in which we are learning, growing, teaching, doing or waiting. It is through our intimacy with God that we learn how to recognize the seasons we are in. It is through our relationship with the Father that our God sense is activated, and we begin to operate in the knowledge and wisdom of God concerning our lives, and we never miss the seasons that we are in.
I decree that the spirit of peace and of prosperity has found permanent rest in your lives. Trust, Beloveds, that God only and will always have the best in store for you. Though we may not fully understand the wait, we can come to understand the whys. Allow God sense to be the covering over your good and common sense. Allow God the space on the throne of your heart and in the depths of your mind that leads you in the paths of His righteousness, and the path of His ordained plan for your life. Let God lead—and you will never get lost or be disappointed! You are blessed. Now go…and Be a Blessing!

©2014. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.

Sunday, November 02, 2014

"Grace & Mercy"

Reflections4Life November 2nd, 2014
“Grace & Mercy”
“Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16
Scripture Contemplation: Psalm 84; Isaiah 55; 63; Ephesians 2; 1Timothy 2; Hebrews 4…
There are some of us that have been running for a very long time. Running from our past, our mistakes and failures, from the unfair judgments of others. It’s time to stop running away and run into the arms of God where grace and mercy wait to embrace us.
I declare and decree that this week’s Reflections will be a continued source of encouragement and inspiration for your heart, mind, and soul. Yes, we all make mistakes and fail at one time or another. God wants you to know that no matter what you did or have done, His grace and mercy are extended to you. Receive what God is freely giving to you. There’s nothing you can do, no place you can you go where God’s grace and mercy are not present.
It is both wonderful and humbling to know how deep God's love is for us. No matter how many times we screw up; how many times we deliberately go the wrong way, God still accepts us. Not because of anything we did or didn't do; but by His grace and mercy. His grace paves a way for us to return to Him, while mercy covers us, and keeps us from being destroyed by our less than favorable actions.
Romans 8:1-4 “Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. 3 For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, 4 so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.”
The mercy of God ensures that we don't receive the just punishment our actions warrant. Yet...most of us are still running away from God; convinced by the enemy that God doesn't love us or want anything to do with us. The enemy is a liar! God will always love us; even in our lowest state. For His grace and mercy are evidence of that fact.
Beloved, whatever you do in this lifetime, God is right there with you. Yes. We screw up royally at times. We make mistakes that seem so severe that there is no returning. However, the grace and mercy of God is there for us. Not to take advantage of, but to ensure us that we have a way out; even when the path before us seems impossible and so dark.
There will be times when we feel as though God has abandon us. That, He has left us to the hands of the enemy to destroy us as punishment for our actions or a consequence for something we may have done that we may not even be aware of.
That is not God. That is not our Heavenly Father who sent His only Son to die for us. Those thoughts, that feeling, are straight from the enemy. And he will try to use it against you to stop you from going forward, and seeing the hand of God which is extended with grace and mercy.
Romans 8:37-39 But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
NOTHING can separate you from the love of God. You cannot fall too far that God cannot reach you. You can never go too out the way that God does not have a plan and purpose for you to return to His fold. God loves you too much to just let you give up and abandon the path that He has ordained for your life.
God’s grace is sufficient enough for you if you believe. His mercy is evident in the fact that you are still here with an opportunity to get things right, when you know that the things you have done warrant a far more just punishment than you have received.
Wherever you are right now in your life, I implore you to trust God. Allow His grace and mercy to wash over you, and lead you onto the path that He has ordained just for you. Stop feeling sorry for yourself. Yes. I said it! Do not allow that spirit of self-pity blind you to lessons that God wants you to learn in this season of your life. You are still here; in the land of the living, effecting the lives of people directly or indirectly. YOU do make a difference; even when you feel under pressure, against the wall, and abandon by God, and can’t see the road before you.
Know this: God is right there with you. He will never leave you or turn His back on you. He will always hold that door open for you to walk through, with boldness and confidence. Though things may currently be at a stand-still, or feel as though the walls are closing in on you; HOLD ON! God is there and His grace and mercy will not only cover you, but bring you through!
I decree that the spirit of peace and prosperity has found permanent rest in your lives. Beloved, though you may feel like you’re at the end of your ropes, and that you have lost all hope, and your heart is breaking; know that the Father has not abandon you, but has extended His grace and mercy towards you; to help you make it to the other side of the road that seems impossibly dark and impossible to conquer. However, you got this, because God got you! No matter what! You are indeed Blessed. Now go…and Be a Blessing!
©2014. Ruthe Mcdonald. All Rights Reserved.