Sunday, November 24, 2019

"An Overflowing Cup"



Reflections4Life November 24, 2019
An Overflowing Cup”
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou hast anointed my head with oil; My cup runneth over. Surely goodness and loving-kindness shall follow me all the days of my life, And I shall dwell in the house of Jehovah for ever.”Psalm 23:5,6 (ASV)
Scripture Contemplation: Genesis 17; Genesis 48; Psalm 23; John 14; Galatians 5; 1 Peter 2...



How full is your cup today? Or maybe I should ask, what is in your cup? Is it filled with kindness? Love? Compassion? Or is it filled with hate? Bitterness? Regrets? Or, is your cup empty? Have you become so numb from the situations you have faced, and the trials you have contended with, that you feel empty inside; like you have nothing left to give or to feel? God desires to fill your cup to it's overflowing. He wants to anoint you daily from an overflowing cup of blessings.
I decree that this week's Reflections will be a continued source of encouragement and inspiration for your heart, mind, and soul. Let your heart be filled with joy this week, knowing that God, our Father, loves you and has made a way for you. Allow Him to anoint you today, from His overflowing cup.
We must continually fellowship with the Father to ensure that not only are our cups full but also running over. For, it is in the overflow that we find answers. It is in the overflow that we can bless others and not become depleted ourselves. It is in the overflow that we see Jesus. It is in the overflow that we are anointed for each new day the Father grants us. It is in the overflow that we see who we are, and gain the strength to tell the truth about ourselves and receive deliverance.
The overflow is the anointing of God in our lives. The anointing that transforms our lives and the lives of those we have influence over. Our cup is our heart, mind, and spirit. The cup in which God desires to pour Himself into, and become an overflow until it reaches and changes other people's lives, as well as our own.
Beloved, we are not here upon this earth just for ourselves. We are not here to partake in the cup of blessings just for self. We are here to serve one another, to love one another, to help one another, to inspire and encourage one another. We are here to be a walking example of God's love on the earth. We are less than what we think we are by the human mind's interpretation, and more of who we know not, by the mind of Christ.
1 Peter 2:9-10(MSG) But you are the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God’s instruments to do his work and speak out for him, to tell others of the night-and-day the difference he made for you—from nothing to something, from rejected to accepted.
Why do so many of us hide our testimony, and act as though we have loved and served the Lord all of our lives? Or, have never fallen, made mistakes, have sinned? We all have fallen short of God's glory (Romans 3:23). Yet, God loves us.
We don't have to pretend with God. We don't have to pretend for others. Why should we hide what God has done for us? Our testimony can mean salvation and deliverance to someone else. It can be the difference between life and death for another soul. Tell the truth to yourself, and tell it to others. Do not stifle the anointing of God. Do not stop the flow of the blessings of God in your life and the ability to bless others, because you don't want anyone to know what God has done for you. Don't be ashamed. And do not feel condemned. There are power and deliverance in your testimony. Allow the power of your testimony flow from your cup.
The Father calls us unto Him, and desires us to know that it is not about how good we are, how straight and narrow we can walk. It's not about perfection, or how well versed we are in scripture. It's not about appearances. It's not even about what we can do, or how much we love God. It is simply about how much God loves us. How much He desires to fill us and be a constant source of love, strength, mercy, and grace in our lives.
There are many walking around with empty cups, or cups half full. There are many living a lie. We lie to ourselves, we lie to others. And we even try to lie to God. We try to justify our sinful actions. We try to cover up what we have done. We are walking around filled with guilt, shame, and sorrow when all we have to do is confess, repent, and allow God to move in our lives the way He desires.
Do you, not know that God desires to bless you forever? Do you not know that the Father desires to reside within you, and pour Himself into your very being; anointing you until it spills out of your life and into the lives of others? He wants your cup(heart) to not only be filled but overflowing(anointing of God) so that you will have a continued source that never runs out.
The anointing changes everything. The anointing breaks every yoke, lifts every burden restores broken hearts, restores the soul, brings healing and deliverance gives power to weak, understanding to the heart, vision to the blind, hearing to the deaf, speech to the dumb, movement to the lame, hope to the hopeless, victory in the battle, stability in the mind. The anointing is the presence of God in your life each and every day; enabling you to walk the walk and not just talk it. Enabling you to live a life that is full, complete, and life changing each and every day.
How's your cup today? Is it full? Is it empty? Is it overflowing? Beloved, it is not about how good you are, or how well you act like a believer, or how many scriptures you have memorized, or how pleasant and nice you can be, or about how much you love God. It is about none of those things. It is about how much God loves you. His love for you is never-ending; even when you rejected Him. Even when you turned and walked in sin. Even while you were yet in sin. Even before you entered into this realm of time; it has always been about how much He loves you. And how much He desires to bless you.
My Beloveds, I decree that the spirit of peace and of prosperity has found permanent rest in your lives. Allow God to fill your cup until it's overflowing. Allow Him to pour all of Him into you, until it is an overflow, touching and changing the lives of others. Let the Father love you. You are Blessed. Now go...and Be a Blessing
©2019. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.

Sunday, November 17, 2019

"Watch Your Mouth"


Reflections4Life November 17, 2019

Watch Your Mouth”

Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.” Ephesians 4:29

Scripture Contemplation: Joshua 1; 6; Psalm 19:14; Matthew 4:4; 15:18; James 3; Titus 1; Jude 1...


©Ruthe McDonald.

How close to attention, do we pay to the words that proceed from our mouths? How many of us dare to put a watch over mouths, so that we bring no harm to others or ourselves? The words that we speak can bring comfort or pain. It can bring forth healing and even death. It is time for us to listen carefully and to watch our mouths.

I decree that this week's Reflections is a continued source of encouragement and inspiration for your heart, mind, and soul. Allow your time spent with the Lord this week to be filled with reflection on the things that come from your mouth. Allow Holy Spirit to guide your tongue, and to make you hyper-aware of the things you say during a normal course of the day. It can be the difference between life and death...literally.

Growing up, I always heard my Grams and my Nana, as well as my Mom,  say: watch your mouth. As children, we can try our parents sometimes and say something that is sassy or even disrespectful. The first warning was always to watch your mouth. There really wasn't a second warning; just a pop in the mouth and punishment. 

I believe today many of us need a spiritual pop in the mouth to remind of us the things that we are saying. It is not just the harm and hurt that we are bringing to others, but the harm we do to ourselves that many of us are not even aware of. So many times, we have prayed and asked God for something, and in the next breath, we totally wipe out our prayers, because our mouths defeat us. Instead of speaking the word of God and blessings over our lives, we speak negativity and curses. Instead of life, there is death.

Proverbs 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.

How many times have we heard this passage of scripture, only to forget it in the light of a day’s activity? How many times have we spoken things that are filled with negativity and the exact opposite of what we believe God for? If we want what God has for us, we're going to have to start speaking like our Father. We are going to have to put a watch over our mouths and speak what God speaks concerning us.

We have the power to affect the lives of others. I specifically think about what we say to our children. What are you speaking over the lives of your children? Do you inspire them? Encourage them? Speak positive affirmations? Do you declare and decree what God has spoken? Do you bless them or do you curse them?

My parents always told me what I would be— successful at whatever I put my mind to. They encouraged my endeavors even when I, myself, was filled with uncertainty and doubt. My father was bold and told me what I WOULD be, and WOULD accomplish in this life. He spoke a life of blessings over my life. He spoke the father's blessing over his children, just as Jacob did to his children.

The words we speak into the atmosphere bring life or death to people places and things. They can bring healing or destruction. Many words have caused strife and the life of people. I never understood that an old saying I heard growing up: Sticks and stones may break your bones but names will never hurt you.

What a load of crap! The words we speak can cause irreparable damage. Words can kill. Words do hurt. They can do so much harm and destroy many lives. Words spoken in a lie can change lives forever. It can cost lives, as well.

So yes, words do hurt and can bring devastating harm. However, they can also bring life, and joy and sweetness never known before. We must learn to guard our mouths and train our tongues to speak words that are edifying, and truth that is not destructive, but healing. To say what needs saying in a manner in which a person's life is not devastated or destroyed.

If we desire the life that God has ordained for us, then we must also learn to watch our mouths concerning the things that we speak and declare of ourselves. Do not speak the opposite of what God has spoken. Edify yourself with the word of God. Speak God's truth. Watch what you allow to pass through your lips and into the atmosphere. You have the power to prophesy over your life. Speak life—abundant life—to your situation and circumstances. Speak what God says about you. Let those words fill your heart and the atmosphere. Practice it. Train your tongue to edify and not destroy. A word spoken in kindness can change someone's life forever. A comforting word can save a life. A word of wisdom can bring clarity. A word of encouragement can bring joy and happiness.

My Beloved, I decree that the spirit of peace and of prosperity has found permanent rest in your lives. Allow the Father to guard your tongue. Be aware of your conversations and the words you speak. They can be the difference between life and death; to dreams, hopes, and visions. Think of the things of the Lord, allowing it to fill your heart so that it will begin to flow from your lips. You are blessed. Now go...and be a blessing!

©2014. ©2019 Revised. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.

Sunday, November 03, 2019

"God is Fighting For You!"


Reflections4Life November 3, 2019
“God is Fighting For You!”
“He said: “Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.” 2 Chronicles 20:15
Scripture Contemplation: 2 Chronicles 20; Deuteronomy 3; Joshua 1:8; Psalm 21; 


If there is one thing that I have discovered during the course of my life’s journey, is the fact that I am not alone. Not only am I not alone, but God is also fighting my battle. My heavenly Father is fighting for me and He is fighting for you, too; even if you do not see it, feel it, or know it. God will always fight for His.
I decree that this week’s Reflections are a continued source of encouragement and inspiration for your heart mind and soul. Do not give up or let go as you experience difficult times in your journey. God is there for you and with you. He is indeed fighting your battles. You just have to trust and believe and do your part by living accordingly and following the instructions of our Heavenly Father. His grace is sufficient for you!
Thoughts of my childhood were heavy on my heart this morning. I did not understand why. I kept thinking about all the times of conflict that occurred in my life. All the times I was attacked, picked on, ridiculed. It played like a kaleidoscope in my mind; the pictures running into one another. Do not get me wrong; I had many pleasant memories of good things that have happened in my life, but for some reason, it was the hurting moments, the moments I did not understand, that plagued my mind. The moments where I questioned God, asking Him why I was experiencing such attacks when I did nothing to provoke anyone?
Although I made friends easily, there were still some who just did not like me. I don’t think, as I look back, that they even understood the reasons for not liking me. It was as though something came over them. Now, I fully understand because God gave me a revelation; a revelation that may bring light to your own situation.
We are special. You and me. We are an amazing creation of a great Creator who took the time to form and fashion us in His image, then blew His breath into us that we may live. However, that is not all that He did. He placed a spirit of greatness inside of us. As well as gifts and talents that He specifically chose to fit who we are as an individual and His purpose for our lives.
The trouble comes in when we do not see this special gift or characteristics about ourselves but the enemy notices, and then sets out to destroy us before we realize not only who we are, but start to draw closer to God and stand in the authority and the power that God has given to us.
Knowledge is power, but wisdom brings knowledge to another level of power. When we not only know who and whose we are, and we understand what it all means, and begin to walk in this knowledge, we are a threat to the enemy’s kingdom and his hold on many people. Therefore, he will try to stop us at every turn, using whoever he can to break us and destroy us, because of 1. We are a threat to his kingdom, and 2. He wants to strike out at God, so he goes after the seed, the promises, the children of God.
Beloved, you are special. God has been fighting for you all of your life. He is your Champion. You may not see Him or feel like He cares, but, oh! Beloved, He truly does. He has placed greatness in you and a power that you have yet even tapped into but will change your life forever. All of those haters? Most of them do not even know why they hate you! All of those antagonizing you, trying to make your life miserable, your childhood unbearable, are only fuel for the fire that is burning inside of you. God knows who can stand strong and given the opportunity, will use the adversities in their lives and turn them into fuel to help forge ahead on the path that God has ordained.
Those times in my childhood and as a teenager? I see clearly now that they were seeing something in me that I had not seen yet myself. They were tools being used by the enemy to try and break me. To try, even at a young age, to destroy me. I became an even greater threat to the enemy’s camp by accepting Christ as my Savior when I turned seven. I gave my life to God because I understood even then, that I wanted to live for God. I wanted to serve Him and be filled with His love and my heart to look like His.
The enemy has tried to kill me many times; even as a child; even in utero. But he couldn’t. He could not do it then and he cannot do it now because like then and always, God is fighting for me, just as He is fighting for you. There are battles that we do not even know about, but rest assure, we have succeeded. We are overcomers with the Lord God, Almighty!
My Beloved, I decree that the spirit of peace and prosperity have found permanent rest in every area of your life. Keep believing. Keep pushing past the naysayers and the bullies. Half of them don’t even know why they don’t like you and the others are jealous of the light of God that shines in you and around you; of the greatness that they see in you—the light of God that He has placed in you. God cannot lie. We’ve read the book and we win! You are blessed. Now go…and be a blessing!
©2019. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.