"Your First Call"

Reflections4Life, August 9, 2020

“Your First Call”

“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:33

Scripture Contemplation: Psalm 5; Proverbs 3; Matthew 6…

There are countless people going through tough times. There are some we may never know, facing things in their lives that seem impossible to overcome. They do not know where to turn or who to turn to.

Who is the first person you call when you are in trouble? Many of us call a friend, a sibling, or our parents. When things in your life are not going well and you need direction, who do you call? When you’re looking for answers, who do you turn to?

I pray today’s Reflections brings comfort and peace to your heart and mind. I decree it be a continued source of encouragement and inspiration. Allow God to be your first call. Seek Him first in all that you do. Allow God to direct you and fill your heart with His love and direction.

Many turn to everyone in their sphere of influence but God. Some even seek out psychics, spiritualists, and mediums. While God is last on the call list; if on the list at all.

Why not make the Father your first call? Sure; I can hear many saying: "I already prayed and it didn't work." Or, "God doesn't hear me or answer my prayers."

That couldn't be further from the truth. God cares. And He hears our supplications. And He not only answers but has the answers to every single question, dilemma, and problems we face.  Sometimes we just cannot hear God, or recognize His voice or His ways because we have not spent much time in His presence. We often make God our last call instead of the first.

Beloveds, God is always there. But many times we do not seek Him until we have exhausted every other avenue then seek Him as a last resort. Many times we believe He has not heard us or does not answer our prayers, when the truth of the matter is we have spent so much time apart from Him and His presence, that His ways are foreign to us and His voice unrecognizable.

Here's an idea: why not make God your first call? Your first call of the day. Your first communication. Instead if reaching for the phone or your social media app, how about giving God the first minutes of your day? We have 24 hours; would it be so hard to give the Father the first twenty to thirty minutes?

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.  Invite God into your everyday life. Develop your intimate relationship with Him so when you are in a position to need aid, He naturally becomes your first call. And when He answers, you will recognize His voice and His ways. You are blessed. Now go…and be a blessing!

©2020. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.

"Do Not Be Robbed"

Reflections4Life July 26, 2020

“Do Not Be Robbed”

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” John 10:10 (NASB)

Scripture Contemplation: Jeremiah 22; John 10; 1 Peter 5…

Beloveds, we are in such a time that it may often feel as though no matter how hard you fight; how much you believe; how strong your faith; it feels like you are losing.

That's a lie! A trick from the enemy of our souls to blind us and steal from us. To rob us of our birthright; our joy, peace, and happiness. All of these things—these unexplained occurrences, the hate, and vitriol we see and experience on a daily basis...all of it—schemes plotted by the enemy to rob us. Yes. He wants to destroy us, to kill us. And what better way than to distract us, diverting our attention, so that we may lose our focus. His number one goal, to permanently rob us of our blessings and the promises of God. To take our very life.

I pray today’s Reflections brings comfort and peace to your heart and mind. I decree it be a continued source of encouragement and inspiration. Run to the Father. Before you react. Before you make any decision to do anything, run to the throne of grace, and seek the will of God. Allow Him to lead you so that you may remain standing strong and in the victory, He has assured you.

It is so easy for us to get distracted these days. And even more of a distraction is our emotions. Many of us do not respond but rather react to anger. Although we are justified in our anger, we are not justified when we act out and do something that does irreparable damage to ourselves and our families. That's what the enemy of our souls wants. He wants us to be distracted by the pain and the hurt and do something that will allow him to rob us of our future, our families, our freedom, and our lives.

We can also be robbed of our relationships. The enemy does not care about families and relationships. One of his tactics is to isolate and separate. Even he understands and knows how powerful we are when we come together in agreement. Do not allow the enemy to turn you away from the ones you love and those that can help you. Do not be robbed of family, friends, and fellowship. We must learn to reach out, and deal with things together. To trust one another and work with each other.

Beloved, do not allow the enemy to rob you. Yes. Get angry but do not sin in your anger. Respond to the hurt and pain but do not react. Do not isolate yourself or play the lone ranger. Seek God, and come together in prayer and fellowship.

Another strategy the enemy loves, it when we give up because we become scared or fearful. Some give up before they have even begun to fight back; putting an end to his distractions, and his constant attempt to steal, kill, and destroy. Don't give up. Don't lose hope or faith. But also, do not fall for the traps of the enemy. Do not allow him to goad you and make you so angry that you do not pray or think, and just walk away defeated. 

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.  Don't allow the distractions, the hurtful things, and the hateful and evil things of this world to steal your focus and your victory. God has already declared us the winner. The enemy may be conniving, but he is not more powerful than God or those who maintain their focus and choose to stand and fight in the manner in which God instructs. For greater is He in us than he that is in this world. You are blessed. Now go…and be a blessing!

©2020. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.

God Already Knows

Reflections4Life™ February 16, 2020

“God Already Knows”

“So trust in the Lord (commit yourself to Him, lean on Him, hope confidently in Him) forever; for the Lord God is an everlasting Rock [the Rock of Ages].” Isaiah 26:4 AMP

Scripture Contemplation: Proverbs 3; Isaiah 26; Isaiah 65; Luke 16; James 5...

I am familiar with feeling as if I am all alone. That, God, is nowhere around and does not hear my prayers...my supplications being ignored. In the meantime, my heart is breaking; my soul is aching, my mind, and emotions becoming numb while a feeling of being lost consumes you with no foreseeable way out of a long winding hurtful maze. What I know: God is not sleeping. Neither is He winking. He sits high upon His throne, as He also walks among man. He knows the heart through and through. He sees what many cannot see or are unwilling to see. He knows our thoughts and our intentions. He already knows the hurt and heartaches. He knows the reasons and He is taking care of all things; even if we cannot see Him, He is moving on our behalf.

I decree that this week's Reflections will be a continued source of encouragement and inspiration for your heart, mind, and soul. There is no need to hide from God when He already knows. However, we must confess and repent and be made free. Acknowledge who the Father is, and be free from those things that would bind us. Whether it is a person, place, or thing—God is on it.

God is pulling back the covers, exposing the truth and revealing the wolves in sheep's clothing. Many may deny the truth concerning their wicked and hateful hearts, and depraved minds; but they will never escape the hand of God. As many, an elder would say: "Your arms are too short to box with God." We cannot outrun God or hide from Him. No matter what we do or think, you can believe God already knows. This...I know for certain.

There is a war going on in this world. It's been going on for a long time; ever since the fall of man. The war between good and evil. Though it seems that evil has been winning many a battle, the truth is that good has already won the war. God is not ignoring our heartache, our pain, or even our confusion at some things. He is our Champion, and if we trust Him, we will see His hand move on our behalf.

We really cannot explain why people do what they do. Were they taught to be that way? Did they assume that character, believing that it would serve them and their lifestyle? Why some more caring than others are. Why do some seek to destroy while others seek to build? We know as long as we are upon this earth waiting for Christ's return, there will always be the two: good and evil. We must determine what side we are on, and not straddle the fence.

There are many of us that become disillusioned with God; not understanding His ways. We do not understand His thoughts. Therefore, we do not understand why God, who says He loves us, would allow such travesties to continue to happen in our lives. God has given dominion of the earth to man. He has given each and every one us the freedom to choose which path we walk in this life. God already knows which way a person will go. He already knows who will yield and submit. He knows who will not. Yet He extends His love and His mercy towards us all.

Job 34:21 “For His eyes are upon the ways of man, and He seeth all his goings.”

Proverbs 5:21 “For the ways of man are before the eyes of the Lord, and He pondereth all his doings.”

Jeremiah 17:10 “I, the Lord, search the heart; I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.”

Isaiah 55:8 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” saith the Lord.

We have all been extended the mercy and grace of God. However, there is a time of judgment coming. When we spend too much time considering the paths of others, we may find ourselves becoming agitated, and falling short of the mark that God has called for our lives. We must continually walk in the presence and mind of Christ. We must yield to God every day, understanding that God will take care of our enemy.

Our lives cannot be lived by what others are doing. Our walk, in God, cannot be established by the actions of another. It must be based upon our own, personal intimate relationship with the Father. Though it seems that many are getting away with evil, do not be fooled. God is not sleeping. He is moving in ways we cannot see or even understand. Our walk, however, must be our focus. We cannot save anyone else. We can share the truth of the word of God. We can lead them, and live by example. However, we cannot choose a life of righteousness for no one other than ourselves. The choice will always be theirs. For those who seem to be getting away with atrocities; know that God already knows.

Galatians 6:6-8 Let him that is taught in the word share with him that teacheth, in all good things. Be not deceived, God is not mocked; for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption, but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

God hears you, beloved. God already knows, and He has made a way for you. Do not be distracted by the evil of others. Do not be deterred from your walk in Christ. Do not give up or lose faith because of the actions of others; even when it hurts and all you have done is love. Hold on, and to know that God has worked it all out for you. Stand firm and stay focused. Continue to walk by faith and not by what it looks like. God has the final word.

My Beloved, I decree that the spirit of peace and prosperity have found permanent rest in your life. Take comfort in the knowledge that God already knows, and that He has worked it all out for you. Trust God with all your heart. Continue to walk in faith, knowing in your heart that God knows just what He is doing; we still win. You are blessed and favored! Now go...and be a blessing!

©2020. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.