"The Anointing of Wisdom"

Reflections4Life™ August 20, 2023

“The Anointing 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…

We live in such a technological and information-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 overloaded. We become uncertain about 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.

What a powerful week I have experienced. Not because of anything I have done or witnessed. But because of the revelations of the Holy Spirit. His instructions lead you to life and understanding. The truth of the matter is, I have had one hectic week, filled with all kinds of ups and downs and ins and outs. I have experienced emotional highs and lows, and have grappled with emotional and physical pain, as well as mental tiredness.

Sometimes things get a bit overwhelming in our lives, and we can quickly forget the power we have in Christ. The anointing of wisdom that is present in our lives is not just to know what 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. He is majestic in all His ways. He leads us into truth, each and every day, all that would yield to Him, and fellowship with Him. Our intimacy with the Father needs to be nurtured every day. We must spend time in the Father's presence. To truly know who we are, and our purpose upon this earth, we must be intimate with the Father. Jesus must reside within us. Holy Spirit must fill us. We must be connected to the source of life to have an understanding of life.

In my quiet time and Bible study, I have been reading Psalms and Proverbs, again. Proverbs, as we know, is considered the book of wisdom by many. As I was reading, 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. But I did not see it this way. My previous understanding before this week's 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. That, Jesus would impart into us His wisdom of the Father; His knowledge and understanding. That, 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 upon 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 is one and the same. That, 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!

Do you understand what this means as a believer? All we have to do is listen to Christ within us. All we have to do is yield to His way and His teaching. All we have to do is put on the mind of Christ, and we will be filled and walking in wisdom. The anointing of wisdom is present with us each and every day we are yielded to Christ, and walking in salvation.

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 in the Lord Jesus Christ. We have access 24/7. We can walk in our purpose, living fulfilled lives that have been 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 wisdom when wisdom is already within. All we have to do is yield! My God, what a revelation!

I decree that the spirit of peace and of prosperity find permanent rest in your life: spiritually, physically, mentally, emotionally, socially, and financially. Yield to Wisdom. Let the anointing saturate your heart, mind, and soul. Get intimate with Christ, so that He may reveal to you all that has been stored up for you before you ever entered the realm of time. There's no need to be overwhelmed with copious amounts of information, when inside of us is Wisdom, waiting to reveal to us the path God has ordained just for us, and how to walk in it 24/7. You are Blessed. Now go...and Be a Blessing!

Ⓒ 2023. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.

"Gone"

 Reflections4Life™ August 13, 2023

“Gone”

“As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him.” 2 Samuel 22:31

Scripture Contemplation: Deuteronomy 28; 2 Kings 18; Proverbs 3; Matthew 27:43; 1 Timothy 

©Ruthe McDonald.

What would you do if everyone you loved, everything you had was gone? No warning. No time to prepare. Just gone? Many of us have been lulled by a sense of security; not because we trust in God, or believe that He can take care of us. We are lulled by comfort and security in the things we have and the people we know. But what if? What if you had none of those things, and you found yourself in the midst of a war every day of your life, not knowing if today was going to be your last day? What would you do? Who would you trust? And could you truly trust in God to take care of you, although everything is crumbling around you?

I decree that this week’s Reflections will be a continued source of encouragement and inspiration for your heart mind and soul. In a moment’s time everything we know, believe, and love can change. Everything can be gone. Learn to trust in God, allowing Him to anchor you. Receive His instructions on what it means to walk in total peace when all around you chaos ensues.

Suffering

Romans 5:3-5 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.

All around us people are suffering. They are losing someone they love. Families are being torn apart. Children are dying. I could go on. Yet, many take for granted the peace and safety that we have, seldom thinking about the what if’s.

As part of my research, I watched several documentaries in addition to reading some articles, researching the effects of war and the effects of gun violence on our youth and families. Perhaps some may think that this is not something you would like to hear on a Sunday. Or something that you do not care to reflect upon at this time. Then when is a good time? When is a good time to hear what the Father has to say? When is it a good time to see what the Father wants us to see?

I know from experience how things can change within a twenty-four-hour period. In fact, a twelve-hour period. Death and tragedy know no time frame. They can come at any moment. Before you know it, everyone and everything you love can be gone. The world you know is gone. The peace you have is gone. And what you believe can be gone as well.

God is With Us

1 Timothy 4:10 “For to this end we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe.”

If you believe in and have an intimate relationship with God, and you are reading your scripture daily, then you know that God has warned us that such things as this would happen in our lifetime. It is inevitable. However, He has given us His word that He would be with us always. That, He would never leave us or forsake us. That, although everything that we know is gone; all has changed; He will not change. And in Him, we can find and maintain a strong foundation, and a place to move forward in.

I particularly love The Message Bible’s translation of the above scripture:

“You’ve been raised on the Message of the faith and have followed sound teaching. Now pass on this counsel to the followers of Jesus there, and you’ll be a good servant of Jesus. Stay clear of silly stories that get dressed up as religion. Exercise daily in God—no spiritual flabbiness, please! Workouts in the gymnasium are useful, but a disciplined life in God is far more so, making you fit both today and forever. You can count on this. Take it to heart. This is why we’ve thrown ourselves into this venture so totally. We’re banking on the living God, Savior of all men and women, especially believers.”(vv. 6-10)

I look at the thousands of lives taken in communities due to gun violence. Children killing children; making a sport of taking the life of someone who may have looked at them the wrong way. Or, people are so heinous to take the life of a child just to make a parent suffer. Or, the ensuing danger that people of color find themselves in on a daily basis just because of the color of their skin, and the injustices that continue to plague our communities.

It can be hard to say to many that God is true to us when our child, husband, brother, sister, wife, or dear friend’s life has been taken without any repercussions to the assailants, whether they wear a badge or not.

What do we say to people left behind to deal with the loss? What, as believers can we offer? We can offer God. We can offer our prayers. We can offer our silence and just be there. Sometimes, just being there for someone will be the comfort that they need to begin to heal.

How Long Would You Fight?

Galatians 6:9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap if we do not give up.

Far too many of us sit in judgment; especially those of us who call ourselves believers. We are quick to pass judgment and cast someone off, rather than be who God called us to be: loving unconditionally, kind, understanding, faithful, concerned, non-judgmental, partial, fair, and not pompous. We use our religion as a weapon, creating toxic relationships and pushing people away.

My heart and prayers go out to the people who have lost everything. And those who have lost their entire families. I cannot fathom what their hearts and minds must be going through, with the thought of death a constant in the hearts and minds of not only adults but children, as well.

How long would you fight for what you believed in? Too many of us have given up on God quicker than it takes for paint to dry when something in our lives does not go as planned. Yes. Pain is real. Tragedies are real. Life is real. But guess what? God is real, too. And His word, His promises are real also. And when all is said and done, and everything and everyone is gone, God will remain.

My Beloveds, May the spirit of peace and prosperity finds permanent rest in your lives. I decree that every good thing that God has ordained for your life will become evident to you. Life will throw us curve balls that can take the wind out of us, causing us to fall to our knees. Allow God to pick you up and lead you. Things can and often will change without notice. In our lifetime, we will suffer loss but we do not have to do it alone. We can get through it when our trust is in God. He is the one constant that will always remain. Trust Him, and He will lead you in perfect peace. You are blessed. Now go…and be a blessing!

©2023. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.

Family First

 Reflections4Life™ August 6, 2023

“Family First”

“Then Joseph could not control himself before all those who stood by him. He cried, “Make everyone go out from me.” So no one stayed with him when Joseph made himself known to his brothers.” Genesis 45:1 (CEV)

Scripture Contemplations: Genesis 15; 45; 2 Kings 25; Matthew 14; John 6; Romans 12:12-13

I

 recently had a conversation with a dear friend about ministry and those who work in ministry, such as pastors, prophets, ministers, teachers, etcetera. They raised some valid questions that I think many take for granted. In my heart and what I have always been taught, is that family comes first. The family is your first ministry. Ministry begins at home. But somewhere along the lines, many leaders have forgotten this. Far too many are putting the Church, the business of ministering to others over their own family. When it comes to ministry, the family must come first. If it does not, there will be a price to pay; one that is costly.

I decree that this week’s Reflections will be a continued source of encouragement and inspiration for your heart mind and soul. Let the word of God penetrate your heart and mind. Take some time this week to evaluate if you have been putting your family first, or if they come after everything else is done. Sometimes, a family is the hardest to minister to but what about your immediate home? Your nucleus? Your wife, husband, sons, daughters? How well are you listening and ministering to their needs? Let God lead you in the guidance of your home. Where the spirit of the Lord is, there is peace. Is there peace in your home?

First Things First

Matthew 7:12 “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

Why is it so easy for some to speak, minister, listen to, or help others who are not related to them? How is it, that some find it easier to minister to other children than their own? Many leaders in the body of Christ are missing the mark when it comes to their families. There are parents who are missing the mark when it comes to their children. They have not developed a relationship with their children and have no idea what is going on in their lives.

If we, as leaders and parents, expect certain things or behaviors from our children, then we must ask ourselves what we have shown them. What have we given to them that they are now reciprocating? We reap what we sow; whatever seeds we are planting in the lives of our family members are indicative of the kind of fruit that will grow. You cannot plant apple seeds and expect oranges. You cannot plant seeds of distance and closed minds, expecting your children to come to you with their hearts open, ready to share with you what is going on with them.

The family must come first. Too many have their priorities turned around and wonder why their family is so far away from God. Did we even stop to listen to them, and what they want? Or do we expect so much from our families because we want to paint a certain picture to the world? Far too many are holding their families to a higher and impossible standard so that on the outside they look like better individuals. Are you seeking a loving and sharing family? Or, a bunch of obedient followers that lift you up?

Meeting Their Needs

Matthew 25:36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’

Matthew 25:43 I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’

Why is it so easy to meet the needs of strangers, than those who carry your blood in their veins? Why is it so easy to mentor and groom a child that is not yours but be harsh and unbending to your own child? How is it possible to spend hours preparing to minister to others, traveling to preach, and teach, and your own household is crying for attention, warmth, and unconditional love?

Matthew 25 is not just referring to strangers but also referring to those in our own homes. It boggles my mind how many ministers’ children that I have ministered to, counseled, and have become friends with have said the same things over and over again; How much they disliked their parents, despised the church, and did not want anything to do with the church and sometimes God.

They felt abandoned by their parents; abandoned and second place to the church. They also could not understand how their parents could show so much understanding and compassion for a bunch of strangers but have none for them. It hurt my heart to hear what they were saying with their mouths, and also hear their heart and understand.

Beloveds, we do a disservice to God and to ourselves when we neglect the ministry of home. If our homes are lacking, then how much of a positive impact are we actually having? The problem is not only with parents and children but also with spouses. Perhaps one spouse got saved and the other did not. Do you think you are going to win them over by always putting their needs and wants second? By always running to church and forgetting about taking care of their needs?

God is a God of decency and order. He does not come to separate families but to heal, restore, renew, and strengthen. When we have a healthy home, we can soar and help so many others, becoming that example of God’s love and balance.

Our first ministry begins in our homes. When we take care of the home first, then we can effectively be used outside of the home. Our family, our nucleus—our immediate family home— and their needs must be our first priority. How can we leave our children and spouses to the enemy? That is what we are doing when we do not put them first, ministering to the needs that are first coming from within.

My Beloveds, May the spirit of peace and prosperity finds permanent rest in your lives. I decree that every good thing that God has ordained for your life will become evident to you. It may seem easier to minister to strangers; to be caught up in the accolades and feelings of awe when you are praised and adored. But at what price? At the price of your family, their souls, and spirits? No, Beloved. The family must come first. Your home is your first priority and ministry. When God is in charge there, He will be the one to enlarge your territory and make you effective everywhere else He calls you. Let God lead, as you lead your household into their greatness. You are blessed. Now go…and be a blessing!

©2023. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.