Sunday, January 27, 2019

"Truth"


Reflections4LifeJanuary 27, 2019
“Truth”
“Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.” Psalm 51:6
Scripture Contemplation: 1 Kings 17; Psalm 5; 145:18; Proverbs 12; Isaiah 59; Amos 5:10



S
ometimes the hardest thing to do is to speak your truth; not because you are ashamed or afraid, but because of the way that some only seem to hear, see, and believe what they want to. It often leaves one feeling vulnerable and with a desire to remain quiet. Yet, if we do not speak our truth, then what someone else says in falsehood may become the only “truth” that people believe.
I decree that this week’s Reflections will be a continued source of encouragement and inspiration for your heart mind and soul. Whatever you do, Beloved, continue to live and stand in your truth. Let the God of truth reign in your heart and reveal to you what is inside of you and what resides in the heart of others that are around you.
Proverbs 12:19 Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment.
Truth … what a small and powerful word; far too many take for granted, and what many others refuse to see or believe. All around us seems to be some kind of deceit going on. The deceit that is affecting the lives of those we love and ourselves. Lies are being told to destroy lives, families, marriages, friendships, communities, governments, etcetera. There is a blatant disregard for the truth, and all that is Holy, sacred, godly. When those who dare to speak the truth, they are met with disdain and ridicule. We cannot hide the fact these are signs of the time in which the word of God warns us about. Though the deceit and wickedness abound, God’s truth prevails. Lying tongues will not last and the truth will endure for always … if we have faith.
How important is truth to you? Is the truth more important than you being right or having your own way? Can you recognize the truth in the face of facts or circumstances? Can you hear the heart of God speaking the truth to your heart? Will you believe it in spite of what you see with your natural eyes? I heard a profound statement last evening that I wholeheartedly agree with: The truth is the truth even when you don’t know it. How profound is that?
Even when we do not know something, the truth is still the truth, and the truth will prevail. Truth endures forever. It is unbreakable, sustainable through every lie, storm, and every falsehood and lying tongue. We may be ignorant to many things, but when God shines His light, the truth is made known. Ignorance is no longer an option when the truth is revealed.
John 8:44-46 (ESV) You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me. Which one of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me?
In being candid, one of my greatest pet peeves and probably also my thorn-in-the-side, is having my integrity and word questioned; especially when I, myself, have done nothing to warrant having my character assassinated. Regardless of the situation or circumstances presented, it is a blow to my heart and soul when someone I love and who says they love and know me, questions my word and integrity. It hurts deeply. However, what cuts to the core more than anything, is when they believe what is presented, and lose trust and faith in my word. They are supposed to know me, know my heart and what I stand for. Yet, even in that, and how much it hurts I still must stand in my truth and give it to God so that my heart does not grow bitter with anger and mistrust. Because at the end of the day, God always gets the last say and He brings not only vindication but also healing for the wounds of a broken heart.
I think of the heart of God and the sacrifice that Christ made to save us. How many times is the heart of God stricken when someone rejects Him? Jesus is the truth. He came into this world—the truth and the light—and was rejected. Yes, Jesus was accepted by many, but also crucified by many of the same people that had sung His praises. Hosanna! Hosanna! Went to, Crucify! Crucify! Their hearts were easily turned. Lies were told about Jesus. He was betrayed by a disciple—someone He spent intimate time with, teaching; who was around to witness the many miracles and deliverance. He sold Christ out for thirty pieces of silver. How many of us have sold ourselves for less? Who have we spoken lies against? Or, what lies and crafted plans have we believed against loved ones and people we once trusted so easily? What part have we played in the hurt of others because we believed well-planned lies and the whispers of Satan? How many more times will hurt the heart of God, and sting Him with the arrow of rejection?
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 truth was given to us. His Name is Jesus. He yearns to live in our hearts and fix all that is broken. He desires to mend our broken hearts, heal our wounds, and bless us with the strength and courage to always walk in and live our truths. To stand in the face of conviction, and rejection, and move forward, receiving all the greatness and love He has ordained for our lives. You are blessed. Now go … and be a blessing!
©2019. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.

Sunday, January 20, 2019

"Running From the Past"


Reflections4Life January 20, 2019
“Running From the Past”
“And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience … But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved …” Ephesians 2: 1-2, 4-5
Scripture Contemplation: Ezekiel 18; Matthew 9; 26; Romans 8 … 

We spend an awful lot of time running from our past or trying to outrun our sins. Of which, neither can we do. We can never outrun our past or our sins but we can definitely learn the lessons we need in order to grow, leave our past in the past, where it belongs, repent of our sins, forgive ourselves, and accept God’s forgiveness and move on—freely because of forgiveness—to the life that God has ordained for us.
I decree that this week’s Reflections is a continued source of encouragement and inspiration for your heart, mind, and soul. Allow God to fill your heart and soul with His very presence this week. Lay to rest your past and every misstep, failure, or mistake. Take the lessons, learn them well, and be open to our Heavenly Father and with all that He desires to bless your life.
Are you not tired, yet? Are the circumstances and situations not tiring enough? Does the truth really hurt that much that you are willing to sacrifice the blessings and healing of God in your life? Nothing, Beloved, is more freeing and liberating than accepting the will of God for your life and walking in it with confidence and certainty that not only has God forgiven you, He has freed you to move forward and walk in the fullness of the blessings that He has ordained for your life.
Yet, here we are; so many running from our pasts and the sins we have committed; too guilty and ashamed of ourselves that we can’t even fathom forgiving ourselves, let alone God forgiving us. Yet, that is exactly what the Father has done, and we often fail to do—forgive ourselves and move on.
Many cannot forgive themselves and move on, or stop running if they are not willing to first confront their past, repent of their sins, and listen to what God is speaking to their hearts; receiving it as truth and healing. Beloveds, we do not have to be afraid of anything or anyone; especially God our Father, our Creator. The One that knows every detail about who we were and who we are, today, in His presence and receiving of His love.
It is truly hard to and impossible to outrun one’s self. No matter where you go, there you are—with you. However, the great news is that God is there with you as well. The first thing we have to do is be honest. Yes. God knows everything already, so the confession is not so much about Him, as it is about us. How we see ourselves, to forgive ourselves, and to take the power and ammunition away from the enemy. There is no doubt that if given the opportunity, Satan will use any morsel he can to make you doubt your choices and who you are as a person, as a child of God. This is one of the reasons why we must stop running and start confronting because it renders the enemy’s attack against us mute.
The things we often run from are the things that hurt the most, but hold the most insight into where we need to go and what we need to do. We may have messed up and broken many things in our past but every day God grants us to see is a blessing; waiting for us to receive all that He has ordained for our lives on this earth, and not just in heaven.
There is a whole lot of life to be lived. Many experiences to be had; things to see, do, and feel. We cannot allow who we once were, the sins we have asked forgiveness for, and the taunts of the enemy make us forget who we are and whose we are. We are children of the Most High King, who has promised and granted us eternal life with Him, while simultaneously defeating the enemy for all eternity.
Ezekiel 18:22 None of the transgressions that he has committed shall be remembered against him; for the righteousness that he has done he shall live.
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. Stop running from your past; from what hurt you, form the sins committed. Instead, start running to the promises of God for your life. Run into His outstretched arms where there are forgiveness, comfort, peace, joy, healing and all the strength you need to stop running and start living. You are blessed. Now go … and be a blessing.
©2019. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.

Sunday, January 13, 2019

"The Fruit of Never Giving Up"


Reflections4Life January 13, 2019
“The Fruit of Not Giving Up”
“…holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.” Philippians 2:16
Scripture Contemplation: Proverbs 12:14; 14:14; Matthew 7; 1 Corinthians 15; Galatians 2
©Ruthe McDonald. "Through the Storms"

Every promise ever made by God is happening. However, it may seem to be taking a long time. And in the time of waiting, trials, tests, and circumstances out of our control can take place. They will both strengthen us and teach us lessons, or they will break us and have us giving up. While we are waiting, we are working; working towards the goals that God has ordained for our lives. We are also striving and determining not to give up. There is a harvest that comes from not giving up, the fruit of our labor. When we do not give up; when we press forward believing what God has spoken, having and walking in faith, we are creating an atmosphere conducive to the blessings of God waiting to manifest in our lives.
I decree that this week’s Reflections will be a continued source of encouragement and inspiration for your heart mind and soul. Beloved, be determined to run the race. Do not give up on the promises of God for your life and for the lives of those you love and have been praying for. Seek the Father. Pray earnestly and often. There is a harvest with your name on it. Good fruit from the labor, and prayers you have diligently given.
Sometimes in life, we reach a road in our lives that feel like things are at a standstill or, are going backward. It seems like there is no progression taking place when all we want to see are answers to our prayers, solutions to our problems, promises coming to pass. We are holding on, keeping the faith, continuing to believe in the word and promises of God. Yet, the opposition against us grows heavy, and the enemy’s whispers and taunts grow louder and bolder.
We are nearing the end of a race. The finish line—though not in sight—is actually right around the corner but the enemy would have us to believe it is much further along; that we are too far away to ever cross the finish line of our hopes, dreams, and visions. God, in His infinite love and mercies, has sent us encouragers, angels in both natural and supernatural form, to help us cross the finish line. Only, we have to cross that on our own. They are only there to bring encouragement and remind us of the promises of God. Only we can run our race but if we pay attention, at many junctures, Christ has been carrying us. Right at those times, we thought we’d die; that we believed we couldn’t go on. Through the storms, the fires, the losses, the heartaches, and heartbreaks—Jesus has been carrying us, encouraging us to push forward; to not give up no matter what things appear to be.
The Father knows what waits for us, and so do we if we would dare to believe what God has promised us, and what we have asked for has been granted. Many of us are at a crossroads in our lives, wondering if all that we believed in and waited for was a wise choice or if we have been lied to, or made the wrong choice, or went the wrong way. It is often hard to see the finish line or to recognize the markers on the road that tell us we are almost to our destination because we have been distracted by the whispers and lies of the enemy. We have taken our eyes off God, stopped speaking what He has spoken over our lives, and have not pulled down the strongholds nor denounced the lies of the enemy, but instead, entertained them.
There will be brick walls, ditches, roadblocks, potholes, naysayers, liars, distractions, and a host of things along our life’s journey that we can and will overcome because God has said so, and we have made up our minds to believe the report of the Lord, and not turn away or turn back. This stance—never giving up—produces a harvest of great fruit in our lives. We are closer to our breakthrough and miracles than we know. When we do not give up, we are producing strength, character, faith, and great fruit. Whatever God has spoken and declared over your life, believe Him, and walk accordingly.
I have held on, believing the word of God. I have kept it hidden in my heart, even when I had no understanding. Now the fog is lifting, and I am seeing the meaning behind so many trials and tests. My praying was not in vain. Neither was my labor. I now understand I was not ready for the magnitude of the blessings of God …then. Now I am ready. Hallelujah!
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 rush the process or try to move ahead of God. Allow His will to unfold in your life as God has an abundance of things He desires to make known in your life. Trust Him where you cannot trace Him. Let the reward of never giving up be your portion today and every day that God grants you. You are blessed. Now go … and be a blessing.
©2019. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.

Sunday, January 06, 2019

"Happy New Year To The Authentic You"


Reflections4Life January 6, 2019
“Happy New Year to the Authentic You”
from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love …” Ephesians 3:15-17
Scripture Contemplations: Isaiah 63; Psalm 77; 139:1; Matthew 13; John 5:39
©Ruthe McDonald. "Self Portrait"

Happy New Year, Beloveds! I do not know about you, but I am excited about what God is doing in 2019! I am excited about the breakthroughs, the miracles, the supernatural, the manifest blessings and answers to long ago prayers. I am also excited to see people start to shake off the sins of their past and who they used to be, and the echoes of what people have called and thought of them. I am excited to see their authentic selves come shining through! All masks fallen, all chains and bondages broken! Praise God!
I decree that this week’s Reflections will be a continued source of encouragement and inspiration for your heart mind and soul. This is it, Beloved! This is your year to see the revelations of God unfold before you, and your authentic self, come forth from under all the debris that has been heaved on you over the years, stagnating you, and robbing you of the fullness of God’s blessings.
Who are you, Beloved? Who are you on the inside? Who is the person you see past the mirror, past your natural eyes, past the words of others? Can you see them? Can you see yourself when you close your eyes and picture your future? Do you have the ability to visualize your life as God has spoken to you? Have you seen in your heart and soul; in your mind’s eye, the promises of God fulfilled; the blessings manifested? One of the things I learned for certain is that when you truly believe what God has spoken concerning your life, and you write that vision down, memorizing it, visualizing it, it will come to pass. I’ve also learned that what you struggle to see, to visualize, is often not believed in the heart and rarely comes to pass because doubts and unbelief have settled, instead, in the heart.
In this New Year, God is calling us higher; higher in our faith, in our walk, in our communication and relationship with him. With everything going on in the world around us, it is a fight for many to know who they are and where they fit in, let alone see in their hearts who God says they are. Our opinion of ourselves holds a lot of weight in how we move forward in life, and if we fully grab a hold of what God has ordained for our lives.
God sees us. He knows who we are. Even the person we try to hide from others and even ourselves, at times. We can paint ourselves in the best possible light. Show things of ourselves that only we want to be shown, or seen by others. Yet, none of it changes the fact that God knows us. He sees the authentic us. He knows everything about us. The longer we run from the truth, the harder the fall to our knees. I’d rather humble myself before God humbles me. I’d rather believe what God says of me than spend a lifetime believing what others speak over my life. They did not create me. They do not know my heart. And they surely do not know all that God has ordained for my life.
I encourage you in this New Year to allow the authentic you shine through. It does not matter who accepts you or does not. Who supports you or not. What matters is that you are finally living your truth and following the steps laid before you by our Heavenly Father who loves you and seeks to bless you abundantly every single day.
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. Beloveds, the real you—the authentic you that you have been protecting all of this time—is a lot stronger and capable than you give them credit for. Forget about the rejection of man and concentrate on the blessings and acceptance of God. Let this New Year see the best version of you—the authentic blessed and highly favored you. You blessed. Now go … and be a blessing!
©2019. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.