"From the Projects to the Vineyard"

 REFLECTIONS4LIFE™ October 24, 2021

“From the Projects to the Vineyard”

“He had another dream and told this one also to his brothers: ‘I dreamed another dream—the sun and moon and eleven stars bowed down to me!’ When he told it to his father and brothers, his father reprimanded him: ‘What’s with all this dreaming? Am I and your mother and your brothers all supposed to bow down to you?’ Now his brothers were really jealous, but his father brooded over the whole business.” Genesis 37:9-11 (MSG)

Scripture Contemplation: Genesis 37-50…

I have always enjoyed the lessons of Joseph from the Bible. It always encourages me and gives me understanding and reminders at different times in my life. Many have preached a sermon about Joseph’s life titling it, From the Pit to the Palace; encouraging many. Yet, what I want you to understand are the events that took place leading to the pit.

I pray today’s Reflections will bring comfort and peace to your heart and mind. I decree it be a continued source of encouragement and inspiration; bringing peace and revelation to your heart, mind, and soul. It is my sincerest prayer that you will see and receive something new today that will encourage and inspire you. That today will be the beginning of you recognizing your purpose, and the purpose for all the pain that you may have endured and suffered.

Beloveds, God has a plan and purpose for everything that has occurred in your life. Every unexplainable thing. Every hurtful thing. Every heartbreaking thing. Every confusing thing. And indeed, every good thing.

Here’s what I learned so far in my journey: Sometimes people see the light in you before you have a chance to recognize it and own it. They will do everything they can to dim or destroy that light because of jealousy. What they fail to realize is, God will use them as an instrument to place you in the right position to manifest His blessings in your life, for your light to shine the brightest, and where you will have the most impact.

God has placed a light in each of us. His light. There are many that God has called to change the world. To touch lives in a positive way. To bring the love of God to people who have given up on humanity and believe there is no God. There are those who God has chosen to triumph over every adversity and become that man or woman He has ordained us to be before we were in our mother's womb.

There are some of us that do not see ourselves as God does. We do not recognize our gifts and talents. We do not see the light in us that causes some people to dislike us on site. To even hate us, and try maligning our character every opportunity they get. Listen; just as God has sent His angels to watch over us, and has sent those in our life to protect us; the enemy has sent his cohorts to trip us up, to destroy us, to rob us, and even try to kill us.

But God, Beloveds! God sees all and knows all. Even when we are not aware, God is moving on our behalf and we must hold onto Him and seek His face. Sometimes we do not see ourselves the way God does or even get why the enemy is so scared. However, God knows, and He will use the enemy to place you in the right positions for the greatest impact of your life will have for many others.

Understand this: Before you even get to the pit, God has already made a way of escape for you. Before you even head down a road that seems so far from your dreams, God has already worked it all out. Just when the enemy thought he had you and destroyed you, God was all along setting you up for the greatest victory in your life. God has already written and finished the book, and if you did not know already—you win!

God will take you from obscurity and ridicule to sitting before Kings and Queens and Presidents; in front of people that can aid you in doing what He has placed in you to do. He will raise you up—using your enemy and their jealousy—to position you in your place of greatness, power, and influence. Even when you do not see it, your adversity will become your teacher, your afflictions your greatest strength and character builder.

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. You may not see it right now. It may not feel like anything good is happening in your life. I promise you—God has already moved on your behalf and is positioning you for every good and perfect gift He has ordained for your life and for the lives of those, He has assigned you to. You are blessed. Now go…and be a blessing.

©2021. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.

"Break Free"

REFLECTIONS4LIFE™  October 10, 2021

“Break Free”

“Forget about what’s happened; don’t keep going over old history. Be alert, be present. I’m about to do something brand-new. It’s bursting out! Don’t you see it?” Isaiah 43:18, 19a (MSG)

Scripture Contemplation: Numbers 16; Nehemiah 10; Isaiah 43; 2 Corinthians 5; Galatians 6…

I want you to remember this, Today is the beginning of the best days of your life. Today is the day that you finally break free from the past that has held you hostage. The past that has haunted you. The mistakes and failures that have been a burden on your shoulders and weighed your heart down. All of that!—it is over! God is releasing you today and all you have to do is believe and receive it!

I pray today’s Reflections will bring comfort and peace to your heart and mind. I decree it be a continued source of encouragement and inspiration; bringing revelation to your heart, mind, and soul. Be certain to spend some quality and intimate time with the Heavenly Father this week. There is something wonderful He desires to impart to you; to settle in your heart; something that will change your life forever. All for your good.

Sure, I hear your pessimism, your doubt, even some with unbelief. However, I also hear hope, and faith the size of a mustard seed, and desire. That's all it takes.

In no way am I telling you that this path of living in your blessings and walking in your purpose is easier. What I am saying, though, is that you will be stronger. You will walk in the strength and knowledge of knowing that God has you and your future securely in His hands, and has forgiven you, and freed you from a past that has haunted you.

Though there may be people, the enemy will use to try and bound you back up; try to make you doubt your freedom, and try to discourage you from pursuing the promises of God in your life; that is par, for the course you are on. Yet, they are no match for the promises and power of God that are now working in your life. The key is to give no ear or time to them. But, to learn to let God answer the door when the enemy is knocking.

Keep saying to yourself what God says about you. Let the words of God's truth be a constant sound in your ear. Another crucial thing—all of those mistakes and failures? Change your view about them. They no longer should be seen as mistakes and failures, but as life lessons and tutorials that have prepared you for this moment in time; life lessons that have taught you about your character and that of others. They have taught you how to spot a lie, a liar, a thief, and insincere people from miles away. It has taught you just how strong you truly are. How do I know? Because you are here, alive, thriving, and receiving the blessings of God.

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. Break free from those things that try to prevent you from receiving all that God has ordained for your life. You are worthy of all of God’s blessings and His unconditional love. Remember: You are blessed. Now go…and be a blessing!

©2021. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.

"When Your Heart Badly Aches"

Reflections4Life™  October 3, 2021

“When Your Heart Badly Aches”

“A cheerful heart brings a smile to your face; a sad heart makes it hard to get through the day.” Proverbs 15:13 (MSG)

Scripture Contemplation: Isaiah 3:13-15; 25, 26; Micah 7:1-6; Zephaniah 3:18-20; Romans 9:1-5…

Having witnessed and experienced enough heartache to last a few lifetimes—it is not always easy to get through or to get past. Unfortunately, although many of us were taught that time heals all wounds, for most, I am not finding the truth in that. To be honest, I find that time teaches you lessons and how to deal with wounds. Or, it is another year of heartache to add to the previous years. I can, however, confidently say and take comfort in this one thing: When your heart badly aches, God will be there with you to pick up the pieces and embrace you until you are ready to take on the world again. He does not want us wallowing in hurt and pain, however, to get busy with the business of living a whole, healthy, vibrant life. He has great things in store for us.

I decree today’s Reflections will bring comfort and peace to you. Let it be a continued source of encouragement and inspiration; bringing peace and revelation to your heart, mind, and soul. Though you may have experienced or, are currently in the throes of heartache, I urge you to give all to God. Lay them at the altar and allow God to soothe your soul and your heart with His love and kindness and tender mercies. Allow the Father the opportunity to love on you, and fill your heart with everlasting love and joy.

At times, the heartache we experience seems like it will never end. It feels as though tomorrow will never come and the sun will never shine again. Trust me, Beloved, the sun will shine again and each day that you move forward is the opportunity to experience a love that will cover a multitude of pain and heartache. Trust—God knows what He is doing, and He knows what you need and how to love on you.

That feeling like you cannot take another breath because it hurts so badly? Yes. Been there far too many times to count. Yet, even in all of that heartache, one thing I always remember and hold onto is that this too shall pass. God’s love for me is constant; it doesn’t change, and He’d never leave or abandon me.

These are the pivotal times in your lives when you must throw caution to the wind and trust God to be God. Trust Him to know what you need. Trust Him to feed you and love you and have already worked towards mending your heartaches. God cannot fail, but He needs your cooperation. He needs you to trust Him to be your heart mender, your mind regulator, your spirit restore-er. Allow God to be everything, so He may pour into you everything that you need to make it through the times of heartache.

I can only imagine what you may have or are experiencing at this time, but I know God knows exactly what you are feeling, as well as thinking. Allow me to share a bit of wisdom with you. It may not be what you want to hear at this time, but what you need to hear. Sometimes getting hurt, experiencing certain heartaches can be the best thing that has ever happened to us. Oh! Sure it does not feel like that at the time. Yet, when everything settles down and you look back over where God has brought you, you may see with a clearer vision that some heartaches were worth the pain for where you are today. You may have never have gotten into a position for the blessings that God has ordained for your life if you had stayed content, were never hurt, or decided that you wanted more.

Heartaches are not just about romantic relationships. Anything that has hurt us; has brought pain to our hearts; any significant loss can be considered heartache. Our heartaches can spur us to move, to be creative, more vocal, and less comfortable where we are currently at in life. Sometimes that bit of heartache jars us into action we would have never otherwise acted upon. I sincerely believe that heartache can actually become a blessing in disguise. If we allow God to do what He desires to do in our lives.

Zephaniah 3:18-20 (MSG) “The accumulated sorrows of your exile will dissipate. I, your God, will get rid of them for you. You’ve carried those burdens long enough. At the same time, I’ll get rid of all those who’ve made your life miserable. I’ll heal the maimed; I’ll bring home the homeless. In the very countries where they were hated, they will be venerated. On Judgment Day I’ll bring you back home—a great family gathering! You’ll be famous and honored all over the world. You’ll see it with your own eyes— all those painful partings turned into reunions!” God’s Promise.

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 wallow in your heartaches. Yes. They are real. Acknowledge and be honest about what you are feeling. Then allow God to lead you to a place of comfort and healing in Him. God desires to not only heal your heartaches, to soothe them with the balm of His love, but He also wants to position you to a place of joy and blessings. So, do not wallow long or close yourself off. Let God become the balm on your heart that brings new life and happiness better than you have ever experienced before. You are blessed. Now go…and be a blessing!

©2021. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.