Sunday, April 26, 2015

"In This Moment"

Reflections4Life April 26th, 2015
“In This Moment”
“Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?  Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?” Matthew 6:25-27

Scripture Contemplation: Ecclesiastes 3; Matthew 6; 1 Peter 5…



We are often worried about what happened yesterday, and what is going to take place tomorrow that, we miss this moment. We do not enjoy the gift of today and right now.
At this moment, there are people crushed, literally and figuratively speaking, by the devastating earthquake in Nepal. There are families searching and hoping that their loved ones are safe. All they have is this moment.
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 for your heart, mind, and soul. Be present in this moment. Do not dwell in the past you cannot change, or a tomorrow that hasn’t arrived. Live in this moment with gratitude. Allow God to fill you this moment, so that He can be the one who prepares you for a tomorrow, and washes away the cares of yesterday.
We find so many things to complain about. There are so many things we can come up with that we want to change. But how often do we stop, and be grateful, truly grateful for this moment? The moment we are in right now, breathing, feeling, seeing, hearing, and receiving.
God is a faithful God. He knows our thoughts. He knows our hearts. He knows what we have gone through, and what lies before us. He encourages us to take no thought on tomorrow; about what we will eat or what we will wear. For He has made it abundantly clear that, He will take care of us.
In this moment, where are your thoughts? What is your focus on? Are you enjoying this new day? Are you taking the time to relish in this awesome gift of today? Or, are you hindered by the mistakes of yesterday and what ifs of tomorrow?
If we could sincerely be grateful for this moment; seeking to do things the way God would have us to do, I suspect we would have minimal regrets in our lives. Enjoy this moment. Be grateful for this moment. Love with all you have in this moment.
 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. Live in this moment with the certainty that God has taken care of your every tomorrow. And whatever took place in the past, He has taken care of that also. Do miss the miracle of today by being wrapped up in things you cannot change. You are blessed. Now go and be a blessing.

©2015. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.

Sunday, April 19, 2015

"Behind The Masks"

Reflections4Life April 19th, 2015
“Behind The Masks”
“…But Jesus’ primary concern was his disciples. He said to them, “Watch yourselves carefully so you don’t get contaminated with Pharisee yeast, Pharisee phoniness. You can’t keep your true self hidden forever; before long you’ll be exposed. You can’t hide behind a religious mask forever; sooner or later the mask will slip and your true face will be known. You can’t whisper one thing in private and preach the opposite in public; the day’s coming when those whispers will be repeated all over town.” Luke 12:1-3
Scripture Contemplation: Genesis 3; Matthew 5; 2 Corinthians 4…

It is amazing how many are hiding who they truly are. Whether it's because of fear, shame, insecurities or deception; there are countless people who are not being their authentic selves.
We can fool people only for so long before the truth comes knocking at our doors, demanding payment. Once we lie, we have to keep lying just to cover up the very first lie. Some have lied so much and have worn a mask for so long that, they now believe their own deception as fact and utter truth.
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 for your heart, mind, and soul. Be who you are without trepidation. Allow Holy Spirit to teach you and lead you into all truth. Allow God to remove any fear or shame, and give you confidence and boldness. Own the masterpiece He created you to be.
For all the lies and deception, we can never lie to God. No matter how many masks we wear, He still sees us for who we truly are. He knows our heart, and He knows our reasons for doing the things we do.
God warns us to be truthful. He gives us the opportunity to pull the masks off, and to begin walking in truth. He knocks on the doors of our hearts. He sends word through His messengers, through circumstances and situations. He affords us the opportunity to turn things around in private before we are exposed publicly.
Some of us just do not heed the warnings and find ourselves in unfavorable situations, trying to do damage control.
Social Media has allowed some people to hide behind a screen as their mask. Becoming who they want to be; portraying a lie to the world around them. Many are not happy with who they are, or where they come from. So, they either create new identities for themselves, worse they steal someone else’s.
The masks we hide behind have a tendency to weld itself to us like a vice grip the longer we wear them. We find it hard to release because we have lived the lie for so long that the truth is no longer recognized. We eventually lose who we truly are.
Do yourself a favor and drop the masks. Be who you are. Whether or not people accept you, like you, reject you or hate you; be true to who you are. Stand in your truth. No one can be a better you than you can. Don't fall for the smoke and mirrors of the world around you. Don't be that person who constantly lies to cover up the first lie. Stop deceiving people. Stop deceiving yourself.  Because in the end, when the truth is revealed...and the truth is ALWAYS revealed; you may find yourself alone and the one carrying the most pain.
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. Live and walk in truth. Don't hide behind a mask. Don’t try to be someone you’re not just to be accepted or to please another, or to practice to deceive just to get what you want. Own who you are and walk with confidence. And whatever is meant for you; you will eventually receive at the right time and season. You are blessed. Now go…and be a blessing.
©2015. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.


Sunday, April 12, 2015

"Do Over!"

Reflections4Life April 12th, 2015
“Do Over!”
“And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpillar, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you.” Joel 2:25
Scripture Contemplation: Isaiah 57; Jeremiah 30; Joel 2…


There are times in our lives when we want a do over. Let's face it; we can royally screw up sometimes. Make the most outrageous mistakes, and cause a lot of pain in the process.
Thank God for do-overs! The chance to begin again. Sure, there are things we will never be able to fix or repair. There are some relationships that will never be mended. However, as we start over in our lives, God will grant us do-overs in some situations of our lives.
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 for your heart, mind, and soul. Allow Holy Spirit to move freely in your life, bringing comfort, understanding, and change. Be open to the will of God, and you may receive an opportunity that you thought would never come.
Maybe we burned some bridges along the way. Destroyed some friendships in the process. Perhaps a marriage or relationship didn't end well. As we move on, starting our lives over; God may also, at some point when we are ready, grant us a do-over. A do over at love and relationships and marriage.
I realized a while ago, that though we may royally blow things; we may have caused much hurt and pain in relationships, and have failed in our lives too many times to count; God can grant us a do-over. A chance to get things right a second time around. An opportunity to make the right choices.
When we start over, we are beginning again with a clean slate. But not everyone gets a chance at a do-over. A do over in marriage, relationships, even parenthood. There is a difference in starting over and a do over, in my opinion. We can start fresh; get a new lease on life. However, we do not always get a second shot at relationships, marriage, or parenthood. We don’t always get a do-over for certain careers and opportunities that were available to us the first time around. Sadly, sometimes it’s true when they say that ship has sailed. Yet, there are some situations where we get the opportunity at a do-over. A chance to be that better wife or husband. To be that parent we wished we were back then. To do a job the way it should be done.
Some of us fail miserably the first time around. And by the Blessings of God, we may find ourselves in a situation where we get a do over. A chance to be the person you should have been in the first place
One of the wonderful things about God is His power of restoration. As we start our lives, God has the power to restore that which was lost. To grant us, a do-over at the things we failed at miserably.
Thank God for His second, third, fourth and fifth chances! It's by His mercies and goodness that we have not been destroyed by our foolishness but granted a do-over to do things right. You have a second chance at life when you received Christ. What is there, if anything, would you like to do over in your life? What mistakes or royal screw-ups have you committed, that if you had the opportunity to do it all over again, you would? God has the power to restore you and grant you that do over.
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. Don’t give up on life because you may have made the wrong choices. Allow God to restore you and bless you with a second chance at life. Allow His forgiveness to wash over you. There just may be a do over in your life, as well as your second chance. A do-over for what you thought was long over and impossible. You are blessed. Now go…and be a blessing.
©2015. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.


Sunday, April 05, 2015

"Happy Resurrection Sunday!"

Reflections4Life  April 5th, 2015

“Happy Resurrection Sunday!”

For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.  2 Corinthians 5:14-15

Scripture Contemplation: John 11; 20; 21; 1 Corinthians 15…



Good day Beautiful Souls. Regardless to what you celebrate or believe; Resurrection or Easter-- I wish you and your family a beautiful day of joy, happiness and love with one another. Make every moment count.

This Resurrection Sunday is quite difficult for me without my mom. Especially knowing how much this season meant to her. Yet, it is because of this very season and its reason that I can be comforted in knowing where my mom is, with whom, and that I will see her again.

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 for your heart, mind, and soul. I pray this Resurrection Sunday be one of healing and restoration. May everything in your life that should not have died, be resurrected by the power and love of our Heavenly Father.

I am determined to walk in my faith and draw strength from it, allowing this season to have its place in my heart; holding on to its promises. I will relish in the love and joy from not just today, but from throughout the years. I will take comfort in my memories, and hold closely to my heart the many lessons my mother taught me.

We spend a lot of time with regrets and stewing over what should have or could have been. Instead, we can take the lessons of yesterday, learn from them, and receive what God has for us today.

Eternal life was guaranteed us over 2,000 years ago. The promise of life eternally with our heavenly Father, and those who have gone before us in Christ. I am collecting on that guarantee. And I will live my life accordingly; in gratitude and faith for all that was sacrificed for me.

The magnitude of what Christ did so many generations ago continues to impact many lives today. For every believer, I hope that you can draw from the strength of the fruit of the seeds planted so long ago. That, you can walk with the knowledge and understanding of what Christ did for each and every one of us. And I hope, that your life can be a walking epistle for all that do not know the power and love of Christ’s saving grace.

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. Enjoy your day. Enjoy your loved ones. Take advantage of life and its many joys. We spend far too much time worrying, when the greatest threat to us has been dealt with, when Christ went to the Cross, died for us, and was resurrected to the enemy's chagrin. Live. Laugh. Love. Jesus has already paid it all. You are blessed. Now go…and be a blessing!

©2015. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.