Sunday, March 31, 2019

"The Value of Wisdom"




Reflections4Life™ March 31, 2019

The Value of Wisdom”

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” Proverbs 9:10

Scripture Contemplation: Exodus 32; 1 Kings 4; Job 28; Proverbs 8; 1 Corinthians 1; James 1:5...

©Ruthe McDonald.

We live in such a technologically driven world. Information is all around us. The only problem is, not all of the information is accurate. Not everything we hear and learn is the truth. With the advancement of technology, came the onslaught of so-called experts; making it difficult to decipher between that which is true and false.

We sometimes get information overload; becoming uncertain in who or what to believe. However, when we choose God, and we receive Christ as our Savior, we receive wisdom. We receive the gift of discernment. As we yield ourselves to Christ, surrendering all that we are unto Him; we begin to walk in the anointing of wisdom.

I decree that this week's Reflections is a continued source of encouragement and inspiration for your heart, mind, and soul. When you are walking in Christ, you receive the full benefits package, which includes everything that Jesus is. His anointing now resides in you. And it is up to you to nurture and walk in that anointing.

Sometimes things get overwhelming in our lives, and we can quickly forget the power we have in Christ. That, the anointing of wisdom that is present in our lives is not just to know we have access to, but to actually embrace it and walk in it. To embody it, and have our lives changed because of it.

God is such an awesome God. Majestic in all His ways. He leads into truth every day all that would yield to Him and fellowship with Him. Our relationship with the Father needs nurturing every day. We must spend time in the Father's presence truly, to know who we are, and what our purpose on this earth. We must be intimate with the Father. Jesus must reside within us. Holy Spirit must fill us. We need to be connected to the Source of life to have an understanding of life.

Studying the word of God, and spending time in the books of Psalms and Proverbs; God opened my eyes, yet again, to another revelation: Jesus is Wisdom. Jesus just does not embody wisdom, or have wisdom. He is wisdom.
 
Maybe you knew this, already. However, I had not seemed it this way. My previous understanding before that revelation was that when we receive Christ as our Savior, we gain wisdom and understanding, as in who God is, and the mysteries of His word. Jesus would impart into us His wisdom of the Father, His knowledge and understanding. His wisdom is what we gain over time, as we yield to a life in Christ. However, it never occurred to me that Jesus and Wisdom are synonymous with one another, just as God and Love are synonymous. 

Talk about mind-blowing! I must have read Proverbs 8 a few times, as the understanding blossomed and the anointing took hold of my heart and mind. Then it occurred to me, that when we receive Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we receive wisdom. Wisdom becomes a part of us. The anointing is residing in us, and to walk in wisdom, all we have to do is yield to Christ. Christ is the wisdom we seek. Christ is wisdom operating in us if we believe and allow Him to be the King on the throne of our hearts.

Proverbs 8:22-31“The Lord possessed me at the beginning of His way, Before His works of old. 23 I have been established from everlasting, From the beginning, before there was ever an earth. 24 When there were no depths I was brought forth When there were no fountains abounding with water. 25 Before the mountains were settled, Before the hills, I was brought forth; 26 While as yet He had not made the earth or the fields, Or the primal dust of the world. 27 When He prepared the heavens, I was there, When He drew a circle on the face of the deep, 28 When He established the clouds above, When He strengthened the fountains of the deep, 29 When He assigned to the sea its limit, So that the waters would not transgress His command, When He marked out the foundations of the earth, 30 Then I was beside Him as a master craftsman; And I was daily His delight, Rejoicing always before Him, 31 Rejoicing in His inhabited world, And my delight was with the sons of men.

Amazing! To know that wisdom and Christ are one and the same. When we receive Christ, and we are in fellowship with Him; we have wisdom. Wisdom; living and breathing within us. Wisdom; guiding and leading us and Holy Spirit giving understanding!

            In the beginning, was the Word, and the Word was God (John 1:1), and that Word is Wisdom, and that Wisdom resides in the hearts of those who have received and believed on the Lord Jesus Christ. We have access to 24/7. We can walk in our purpose, living fulfilled lives that saturated by the anointing of God, because we have yielded to Wisdom. 

We don't have to search and search for the truth when the truth is already with us. We don't need to seek outward for wisdom when wisdom is already within. All we have to do is yield! My God, what a revelation!

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. Allow the anointing saturate your heart, mind, and soul. Christ desires to reveal to you all that has been stored up for you. Do not become jaded by an abundance of false information, when Wisdom is waiting to reveal the path God has ordained just for you, and how to walk in it 24/7. You are blessed. Now go...and be a Blessing!

©2019. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.

Sunday, March 24, 2019

"Do Not Be Robbed"

Reflections4Life March 24, 2019
“Do Not Be Robbed”
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” John 10:10 (NASB)
Scripture Contemplation: Jeremiah 22; John 10; 1 Peter 5…

Beloveds, we are in such a time that it may often feel as though no matter how hard you fight; how much you believe; how strong your faith; it feels like you are losing.
That's a lie! A trick from the enemy of our souls to blind us and steal from us. To rob us of our birthright; our joy, peace, and happiness. All of these things—these unexplained occurrences, the hate, and vitriol we see and experience on a daily basis...all of it—schemes plotted by the enemy to rob us. Yes. He wants to destroy us, to kill us. And what better way than to distract us, diverting our attention, so that we may lose our focus. His number one goal, to permanently rob us of our blessings and the promises of God. To take our very life.
I decree today’s Reflections brings comfort and peace to your heart and mind. I decree it be a continued source of encouragement and inspiration. Run to the Father. Before you react. Before you make any decision to do anything, run to the throne of grace and seek the will of God. Allow Him to lead you so that you may remain standing strong and in the victory, He has assured you.
It is so easy for us to get distracted these days. Even more of a distraction is our emotions. Many of us do not respond but rather react to anger. Although we may be justified in our anger, we are not justified when we act out and do something that does irreparable damage to ourselves and our families. That's what the enemy of our souls wants. He wants us to be distracted by the pain and the hurt and do something that will allow him to rob us of our future, our families, our freedom and lives.
We can also be robbed of our relationships. The enemy does not care about families and relationships. One of his tactics is to isolate and separate. Even he understands and knows how powerful we are when we come together in agreement. Do not allow the enemy to turn you away from the ones you love and those that can help you. Do not be robbed of family, friends, and fellowship. We must learn to reach out, and deal with things together. To trust one another and work with each other.
Beloved, do not allow the enemy to rob you. Yes. Get angry but do not sin in your anger. Respond to the hurt and pain but do not react. Do not isolate yourself or play the lone ranger. Seek God, and come together in prayer and fellowship.
Another strategy the enemy loves is when we give up because we become scared or fearful. Some give up before they have even begun to fight back; putting an end to his distractions, and his constant attempt to steal, kill, and destroy. Don't give up. Don't lose hope or faith. But also, do not fall for the traps of the enemy. Do not allow him to goad you and make you so angry that you do not pray or think, and just walk away defeated. 
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 allow the distractions, the hurtful things, and the hateful and evil things of this world to steal your focus and your victory. God has already declared us the winner. The enemy may be conniving, but he is not more powerful than God or those who maintain their focus and choose to stand and fight in the manner in which God instructs. For greater is He in us than he that is in this world. You are blessed. Now go…and be a blessing!
©2015. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.




Sunday, March 17, 2019

"Call Unto God"


Reflections4Life March 17, 2019

Call Unto God”

This is God’s Message, the God who made earth, made it livable and lasting, known everywhere as God: ‘Call to me and I will answer you. I’ll tell you marvelous and wondrous things that you could never figure out on your own.” Jeremiah 33:2-3 MSG

Scripture Contemplation: Judges 16:27-29; 2 Samuel 22; 1 Kings 18; Psalm 18;37; Hebrews 5:6-8...

©Ruthe McDonald.


Have you ever had those times in your life when you are so overwhelmed and you just do not know what to do or where to go? I know I have. And it is in those times that I cry out even the more, and call unto my God who I know has the answers. Even if the answers are not the ones I was expecting or recognize.

I decree that this week's Reflections will be a continued source of encouragement and inspiration for your heart, mind, and soul. Call unto God and He will answer you. Go before Him with an open heart, and allow Him to fill you and direct your paths. Trust Him; He knows what is best for you. Learn to trust Him where you cannot trace Him.

There are just times when we really do not know which way to go. We do not see a way out of our situation. Many have come to the end of their ropes and are just about ready to let go and give up. Don't! Do not let go unless you are letting it all go into the hands of God! Do not give up, walk away, and do something that you may regret because the road ahead of you seems to be dark, or the road you're on just seems to be too much to bear. God has you, beloved! He has you, and this is where you must call to Him, and believe that He will answer you and deliver you. You just have to believe and hold on. Even in the darkness.

Isaiah 65:24 “Before they call out, I’ll answer. Before they’ve finished speaking, I’ll have heard.”

God has you, beloved. He knows all about you. He has answered your prayers before you even asked them. Before you even finish speaking it, He has already heard you. How many of us truly believe that God has heard our prayers and that He is answered? How many of us can honestly say that our level of faith is still in the same place when we encounter very difficult times? Or, when we have been waiting and waiting for the promises to come to pass? Has your faith grown or faltered? Tough times will come, and they will try your faith and bring forth what's really in your heart.

I love the Lord. I love Him with every fiber of my being. And I am the first to admit that there were times when my faith was shaken. It wasn't taken, but it was definitely shaken. From all that I had endured, and all the heartache and tests and trials; I began to wonder if I missed something? Was there something that I wasn't doing? Did I miss the mark? Was my faith really not strong enough? Then the Lord let me know, that there are times when our faith will be tested. We will go through moments of stretching and pain, and grief, but we must know to call unto Him, and allow Him to stretch our faith, and grow our faith in these times of adversity.

The saying is true: No pain, no gain. Even in our walk with the Lord. Jesus was not exempt, and neither will we be. There will be trials and hard times in this life. However, they will never outweigh the love and joy and the victory that is in this life, if we would believe and hold on and trust God. Learn to call unto Him first and foremost. Our faith is strengthened through adversity. The tests and trials allow us to see what is in our hearts and what we truly believe.

Do you call unto God first when something happens, and you don't know what to do? Or, do you seek the counsel of man, asking your family, friends, counselors, etc., for answers and direction? Our first call should be unto God. He is there waiting for us to just ask Him; to call upon His name and seek Him so that He may show us what to do; where to go, and what steps to take, and even whose counsel to seek.

So often, God is the last one we call upon. We often go to God last, after we have gone to everyone else seeking for the answers that only God has. We must learn to go to God first in all things; whether they be big or small, we need to take them all to the Lord. We must seek out God; seek His will and answers concerning our lives and the road we need to be taking. God should be the first stop, not the last.

Troubles will come. Storms will arise. But I can promise you this: God will have you through it all. Put your trust in Him, and do not go by what it appears to be, but what God has spoken it to be. Lean not on your own understanding, but put all your trust in God who loves you more than anything and anyone.

Proverbs 3:5-6 “Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths.”

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. Let God be your first call. Trust Him to lead you to where you cannot trace Him. Be confident in the Lord, knowing that He has not abandoned you, but has only the best for you. Do not try to figure things out on your own. Go to God, and allow Him to speak to your heart and show you marvelous and wondrous things. You are blessed. Now go...and be a blessing!

©2019. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.