"Celebrating The Milestones"

Reflections4Life July 28^th, 2019

“Celebrating The Milestones”

“After that, the Word of God came to me: “Zerubbabel started rebuilding this Temple and he will complete it. That will be your confirmation that God-of-the-Angel-Armies sent me to you. Does anyone dare despise this day of small beginnings? They’ll change their tune when they see Zerubbabel setting the last stone in place...”” Zechariah 4:8-10 (MSG)

Scripture Contemplation: Zechariah 4; Habakkuk 2; Ecclesiastes 3; Hebrews 11...

More than anything, what is ringing in my soul is the importance of celebrating the milestones in our lives. Also, the importance of not despising small beginnings. For, it is those small beginnings that shape your foundation and lay the ground work for what is to come.

I thank God today for the past twelve years of Reflections! Woo-Hoo! What a beautiful milestone. I cannot begin to say how blessed and fortunate I am that the Father has blessed me each and every Sunday with fresh manna from Heaven. What a blessing these past twelve years have been to be able to fellowship, minister, teach, share, and connect with some awesome and beautiful souls! I am honored that God would use me. I am honored to be able to share the love of my Father with many! And I thank each and everyone who has been apart of this journey with me for your support, participation, prayers, love, and countless conversations. It has been a share joy in getting to meet and know so many beautiful souls. YOU have been a blessing, and I pray that God will bless you a hundredfold for all you have given to me these past six years of fellowship.

I decree that this week's Reflections will continue to be a source of encouragement and inspiration for your heart, mind, and soul. May the blessings of God consume you and manifest in every area of your life. May every need that you have be met, and your heart open to the will and way of God that is best for you and yours.

Sometimes you do not know how a thing is going to turn out. There are times you don't know where God is taking you, but you follow Him, and trust Him, because He's God! And of course, because you love Him. Even when you are not sure, or you cannot see where you are going, you can always count on God to have your back.

There are times when God will direct you to do a thing, and you may not be certain, you may even be scared; but you can rest in the knowledge that wherever God leads you, He will not only provide for you, but be there with you.

Every dream, every goal, every vision has a beginning. Everything we do and accomplish starts with a beginning, and that beginning may be small. It is during these beginning that we lay a foundation that will hold the structure of our dreams and visions. The foundation must be strong enough to hold the weight of the fulfillment our goals and dreams.

If you were building a house, you must be certain that the foundation of that house is laid properly. You must be certain that it is not only level, but strong enough to hold the weight and substance of a house, and sturdy enough to withstand any natural occurrences. The foundation must be strong enough and solid enough to withstand any destruction that may occur to the house, in the event that you may have to start all over.

Marriages must be built upon strong foundations, also. The foundation doesn't just begin when you get married; it is being laid and constructed well before you get married. The foundation of any relationship that will last, must be strong, solid, and sure. All relationships are tested. Marriages go through many seasons and changes. As we go from honeymoon stage, to living together, to having children, building a family, working, and providing; we must be certain that our foundations are solid and built to weather the storms that will arise.

Here's what I learned and know for certain: During the beginning of anything—a goal, a vision, a relationship, marriage, ministry, business—we must work diligently and show it the same love and respect as if it were already accomplished. Sometimes the work required seems laborious or not as necessary, and we take for granted the process, and may not like the time it takes, or the tasks that are necessary to ensure for a solid foundation. It is in those beginning stages that the tone is set for what is to come. If we cannot appreciate the beginning of a thing, and learn to celebrate the milestones along the way, then we will never really be able to appreciate the fulfillment of a goal or vision, or reach the point in a relationship or marriage where we can stand firm with one another, and love each other even after the storms have passed. For when the storms come, we will not be able to make it through because we didn't do what we should have done in the beginning, or appreciated what we had when we started out.

There is joy in celebrating the milestones. There is joy when you do not despise the process or humble/small beginnings. When we have a spirit of thankfulness and appreciation for our journeys in this life, we open ourselves to the Spirit of God to move in our life in unexpected and expected ways. A heart of gratefulness sets the stage for a life of blessings being 

Beloved, wherever you may be in life at this present time, celebrate right where you are. Celebrate that God has blessed you with a new day of life. Celebrate that you are still here to see the promises of God fulfilled in your life. Do not despise where you are at right now. Learn from it. Grow from the process. And be certain that the foundation that you are building is built with the wisdom of God, the gratefulness of heart, the solidness of faith, so that it may withstand any and all storms that may arise. Let God be your Architect. Follow His instructions, and learn to enjoy this journey we call life.

My Beloveds, I decree that the spirit of peace and prosperity has found permanent rest in every area of your lives. Be grateful for the process. Do not despise small beginnings. For, it is your foundation. Live, learn, and grow. You are blessed so much more than you know. Now go...and be a blessing!

©2019. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.