Sunday, June 30, 2019

Rewind: "AWAKENED"

Reflections4Life June 30, 2019

"Rewind: Awakened"

(c) Ruthe McDonald.



Sometimes we need a reminder of what God has spoken to our hearts. We need to look back over previous lessons, refreshing our hearts and minds; knowing that God has already worked things out for us. We just have to believe and walk in His truth.


Here's  a link to a previous post that I believe God is reminding us of today.

Have a blessed and gracious week.  A safe fourth of July for all who celebrate.  Love one another fiercely.  You never know when today may be your last.


God bless!


Grace & Peace!

Many of us have been sleeping. Sleeping on the promises of God, while our faith is diminishing. It's time to awake! Awake to the voice and word of God being spoken over your life. God cannot lie! Whatever He spoke concerning your life, will happen if you do not give up or lay down in defeat or fear. bit.ly/R4LAWAKENED

May the blessings of God be evident and manifest in every part of your life. Yield to God. Do not be fooled by what it looks like but believe with all your heart the words coming from our Heavenly Father. No one loves you .ore th han He! You are blessed. Now go...and be a blessing!

(c)2019. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved. 

Sunday, June 23, 2019

"Building Character"


Reflections4Life June 23, 2019

“Building Character”

“Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” Romans 5:3-5

Scripture Contemplation: Job 1; Psalm 15; John 8; Romans 5; Hebrews 6



We may often ask ourselves, or God; what is the purpose for all that we are going through? Why, Father, are some bombarded with so many trials, while others seem to go through life, with nothing ever phasing them? This is the point where I usually stop myself, if God has not already, and remind myself that comparison is the thief of joy. That, all things are indeed working for the good, if I have been diligently walking in the Lord, and maintaining faith. Every trial, every shaking-my-faith moment, are all meant to build character. Character, that is immovable, above reproach, and able to withstand an overabundance of the manifestations of God’s blessings in my life, because, they [His blessings] are just that awesome.

I decree that this week’s Reflections are continued encouragement and inspiration for your heart mind and soul. Beloved, whatever trials you may be currently facing; however difficult and heart wrenching they are—know that God will see you through, as He is building and strengthening your character. He is fortifying you, through these fires, to prepare for the bounty of blessings He is manifesting in your life. So, thank Him and keep pushing through.

Romans 5:3-5 (MSG) There’s more to come: We continue to shout our praise even when we’re hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience, in turn, forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. In alert expectancy such as this, we’re never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the contrary—we can’t round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit!

I absolutely believe that there is nothing that you cannot accomplish once you put your heart and mind to it. I believe that every hardship we encounter is an opportunity to build our character if we do not run from its lessons.

Let's face it; we all know that life can be quite difficult and throw us some curve balls we were not expecting. Either we can choose to learn from the lessons and grow as a person and in our character, or we can run from its lessons and never take the time to build one's character that will benefit us in life. 

We will not always like or be content with the things that we encounter in life. It has its vicissitudes. However, everything—the good and the bad—are all lessons waiting for us to learn and grow from. Yet, it is the hardships that build the strongest character when we yield to the lessons being taught. 

God is not making mistakes. Nor has He made a mistake in choosing or calling us. Neither is He making a mistake when He allows certain tests and trials to enter our lives because He knows what lies ahead of us. He sees the road before us. He sees every bump, roadblock, stumbling block, and He also sees every victory, every milestone, every conquered path, and the manifest blessings He has earmarked just for us. He knows, what many of us do not see or understand, that it will take a certain strength, fortitude, and character to embrace and carry the manifestations of His blessings ordained for our lives.

I like to think of it as boot camp. A soldier, in actual preparation, for what may come their way during their military career, is prepared for almost every kind of scenario. They are trained, put through rigorous and strategic obstacles to hone in them the character of the optimum soldier. Some make it. Some do not. Everyone learns something. Some build the character that they need to be a soldier, while others build a character that lets them know they are not soldiers but would better serve as a civilian; utilizing their skills on the outside.

Do not run from hardships, Beloved. Stay and learn the lessons needed to build your character that will benefit you throughout your life. Stand strong and do not waiver. You will never regret it.

My Beloveds, I decree that the spirit of peace and of prosperity has found permanent rest in your lives. I decree that every good thing that God has ordained for your life will become evident to you. Yield to Holy Spirit; even through every trial and unforeseen hardship. Remembering that God has you covered and has already given you the victory to go through, preparing you for the abundance of the blessings He has ordained for your life. You are blessed. Now go…and be a blessing.

©2019. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.

Sunday, June 16, 2019

"Honoring Fatherhood"


Reflections4Life™ June 16, 2019

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

©Ruthe McDonald.


I would like to take this moment to wish a Happy Father's Day to all the father's and father's to be. May your heart be filled with abundant joy. I pray that you will continue to look to the Father for all instructions, allowing Him to lead you; even in the most difficult of times. God will never leave you but will lift you up and be your strength.

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

I love my father. I honored him no matter what he did or did not do. He is my father. Yes. I was a Daddy's girl. Most people believe that it is much easier for a daughter to look past or forgive her father's transgressions than a son. Maybe for some. However, I have come to understand, that unless both daughter and son can honor their father—no matter the actions of his life—they do themselves a disservice when it comes to their own life's journey and choices made in relationships.

Not all people make great parents. Some just do not have the skills it takes to do what is necessary. Yet, this does not cancel out the fact that God says we must honor them. We must show them respect, if not for the mere fact that because of them, you are here in the land of the living. He gave to your life. Let us face it: without his contribution, you would not be here. So for that reason alone, if you cannot find any other reason, he deserves that much respect.

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's the promise. Here's the deal: God wants us to show honor and respect to our parents regardless of what they may have done or not have done. He is concerned with our heart and our future and His plans for our lives. Don’t you think God knows about the atrocities that some parents make? You don't think He sees the abandonment, failures, and broken promises. Yes. He sees all of that. Yet, the Father understands that if we walk around with un-forgiveness, bitterness, hatred, 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. God will always respect His own laws that He has put in place and He will not go against them for anything.

Regard them, consider them, and respect them. Do not let your heart become 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. Nevertheless, I love him, honor 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 were not perfect. Yet 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, in spite of, is a testament to your heart, and, where God wants to take you. When it comes down to it; to honor, respect, regard, or consider them, has to do with where you want your life to go, and how long you desire it to be.

Many fathers do not receive honor, or respect, for who they are. They have worked hard to provide 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 that which is right so that their children will benefit and receive what they never received.

I take this time to honor every father. If you are considered the greatest of fathers, I honor 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 are doing all they can as a father; I honor you, and pray that your heart is continually filled with joy, and 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.

My Beloveds, I decree that the spirit of peace and of prosperity has found permanent rest in your lives. I decree that every good thing that God has ordained for your life will become evident to you. Honor your father. Whether he is the greatest or hasn't done all that well; still give honor to him as your father. For, God is looking at your heart, and it will determine how your days are on this earth. Make peace so that your manifestations of blessings are not held up. You are blessed. Now go…and be a blessing!


©2019. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.

Sunday, June 09, 2019

"Live! Live! Live!"

Reflections4LifeJune 9, 2019
Live
I knew that You always hear Me; but because of the people standing around I said it, so that they may believe that You sent Me.” When He had said these things, He cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth.” The man who had died came forth, bound hand and foot with wrappings, and his face was wrapped around with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.” John 11:42-44 NASB
Scripture Contemplation: Psalm 143; Ezekiel 18; John 11; 2 Timothy 9; Galatians 2; Ephesians 5...

©Ruthe McDonald
     The Father has loosed you from your grave clothes. When Jesus was resurrected, you were resurrected with Him. It is time for you to live. To live for Christ. To live your lives. To live it abundantly. To let go of the past along with any regrets, shame, or mistakes. It is a brand new day filled with the promises of God.
     I declare that this week's Reflections will be a continued source of encouragement and inspiration for your heart, mind, and soul. You are blessed today because God has spoken it. May you understand this week just how much God loves you, and has already prepared a way for you, so that you may live this life to the fullest, and abundantly.
     What is keeping you from living your best life? What has you bound today; afraid to move in the space that God has already ordained and regulated for you? Where are the faith walkers? God has decreed that you are no longer bound. Every chain, every bondage, has been loosed by the death and resurrection of Christ. It is time for you to live.
      Many of us wait for circumstances and situations to be “just” right before we extend ourselves, or begin to do things that we enjoy and love. Some of us have been waiting a long time for conditions to be the way we desire before we start to live our lives. To start doing the things we have been holding and planning in our hearts to do.
     Guess what? If you continue to wait for everything to line up just right, you may be waiting for an eternity. Life will pass you by, and you will have nothing but regrets; wishing you would have just taken that first step—that step of faith. You find, once you start, that is when things begin to fall into place and begin happening as you desire. The key is to first start.
     We have a list of things and ideas that we want to accomplish in our lifetime. But everything will not always line up the way we desire before we start living the life we desire. We just have to begin living out our dreams now. When God is for you and has ordained you, and has blessed you; you do not have to wait for the situation to be just right. All you need is the green light from God, and go forth in faith!
     I can guarantee that there will be times when God will tell you to go forth now, and you will look at the circumstances, and they will not be conducive to what you want to do. In fact, it will seem impossible for you to do what God is telling you to do. But that is how God does it most times. This is a faith walk. To live our lives to the fullest will require that we walk by faith and not by sight. It will require us to know and understand that God will call upon you to go forth, and you may not have support, finances, or the knowledge to do so. All you will have is the word of God. All you will have is His promises to provide, and guide you. When God gives you a vision, He will be your provision.
      So many of us spend our lives wishing, hoping, and dreaming. At some point, we have to start being and doing, or we will miss many opportunities. It is time for you to live, beloved. It is time for you to come forth, and shake the remnants of the shackles off (Because God has already broken the chains) and begin to live your life; your abundant life.
Galatians 2:20 My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.
     It is time to allow Christ full reign of your heart, and to allow Him to live through you. He will show you how to walk in your abundant life. The enemy wants to keep us bound by situations and circumstances. He [enemy] desires for us to be filled with anxiety, fear, and self-doubt. Binding us, and eventually destroying our dreams, and killing our spirits, and even our very lives.
     Yet, God has said that you shall live and not die if you believe in Him. The Father assures us that the enemy has no power to defeat us when we are walking in relationship with the Father, abiding by His will, and living our lives as He has ordained.
      Just as with Lazarus, God is calling us to come forth. He is calling us to live our lives now. To, follow in His path of righteousness and holiness. To, release the fears and to take our eyes off of the flesh and the seemingly impossible, and put them on Him, and believe with every fiber of our being the word that He has spoken over our lives.
     At some point, we have to be the one that makes that decision to go forth. We have to be the one that decides that regardless of our present situation or conditions, that we will and can live. Live for Christ. Live our lives. And believe with all our hearts, that God will make the necessary changes in our lives, as long as we are seeking to please Him, and living for Him.
     Here is what I know for certain: No matter the condition of your life right now. No matter the hardships, or limitations—be it physical or financial—when you make up your mind and heart to go forth and live your life, live for Christ and put your best forth; God will indeed take care of the rest. When your focus becomes the will of God, and not your lack or limitations; you will see God move on your behalf in the supernatural. We often say we are waiting on God. But the truth is: God is waiting on us. Waiting for us to push forward in faith and to trust Him with our everything.
     It's time to live, beloved. It is time to come out of those grave clothes, and begin truly trusting in God, and living your life right where you are at. God has you, and He will never leave you. And, He has already freed you. It's up to you, now, to begin walking in that freedom.
     My Beloveds, I decree that the spirit of peace and of prosperity has found permanent rest in your lives. I decree that every good thing that God has ordained for your life will become evident to you.  Live. Your. Life. God has untied the binds. He has released you from the past. It is time to live your abundant life. Not by what you see or feel; but by the word of God that has been already decreed over you. Let Christ in you arise and live. This is your time! You are blessed. Now go...and be a blessing!

©2019. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.