"A Father's Impact"

Reflections4Life June 21^st, 2020

“A Father’s Impact”

“Every good and perfect gift is from above and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.” James 1:17

Scripture Contemplation: Psalm 82; Proverbs 3; Proverbs 4; Ephesians 2; 5…

©Ruthe McDonald.

Happy Father's Day to every father and father to be, and for every man that has filled the role in a child's life that may have never known a father's love. May this day be a day of happiness and joy.

I decree today’s Reflections brings comfort and peace to your heart and mind. That is a continued source of encouragement and inspiration. May you know the depths of the love that God hoards in His heart for you. May you know Him as a Father; the one who knows you, understands you and has nothing but the very best for you.

There is no denying the impact that a father can have upon a child's life. Whether it is positive or negative, a father's impact on his child can be felt for a lifetime.

I was fortunate to have a very loving relationship with my father. He encouraged me and inspired me. And always showed how much he believed in me and my dreams. As a child, you believe everyone has a father like yours. But I came to realize how blessed I was.

I lost my father at a very young age; it nearly destroyed me, breaking my heart into a million pieces. I had plenty of uncles who stepped up to the plate and helped my brother and me throughout the years. But it still never compared to my father.

It was my relationship with the Heavenly Father that kept me tethered to the foundation that my father had laid. My relationship with God helped me to heal and not forget the lessons that I needed to remember. I felt myself slipping. Because of heartache and devastation. My mind wanted to run and let go, but my heart and my God would not let it be so.

My father's influence on my life; his impact was huge. He left such an indelible mark, that it helps to push me forward in some of the darkest times that followed.

Never underestimate the impact that a father has on their child. There is something that only a father can provide. Can be in their children's lives. I thank God for the heavenly Father, and how He covers us and is reaching towards us every day. To be the Father to the fatherless, hope, and healing to those who lost their earthly fathers. And that foundation that we all need to make it through this journey we call life.

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. Allow the heavenly Father into those places in your heart that have been wounded, abandoned, and rejected by an earthly father. Let the Heavenly Father remind you, and fill you where the loss of your earthly father may have left a gaping hole. There is nothing impossible for our God. And that includes being the father you need, desire, and deserve. He has more than enough room in His heart and on His lap. You are blessed. Now go…and be a blessing.

©2020. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.

"The Best Thing to do is often the Hardest Thing to do"

Reflections4Life™ May 3, 2020

"The Best Thing to do is often the Hardest Thing to do"

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths." Proverbs 3:5-6

Scripture Contemplation: Psalms 37; Proverbs 3; Jeremiah 32; Hebrews 11...

Throughout our life's journey, we will be met with many tests, trials, paths, and forks in the road. We will experience love, pain, joy, hate, anger, confusion, happiness, uncertainty, and peace. Just to name a few.

There will also come a time in our life's journey when we will have to make difficult decisions. Our hearts will be divided; even heartbroken. However, if we trust God and follow His instructions, we will eventually see we have done the right thing. We are not actually losing anything but gaining the greatest blessings of our lives.

I decree today's Reflections brings encouragement and continued inspiration for your heart mind and soul. When you are faced with difficult decisions and your heart is uncertain; allow God to lead you. Trust Him where you cannot trace Him. Believe that everything is working out for your good because God has already done it!

Sometimes the best thing to do can be the hardest thing to do. Especially when our hearts and emotions are involved. Yet, if we did nothing, did not make a choice; chances are greater that we would lose what we have been fighting to hold onto. Because doing nothing is actually an inactive choice being made.

There will be times when we will just have to walk away and not look back. Put everything in God's hands and trust Him to do what He does best, and definitely, what we cannot do.

Whether it's a relationship, job, friendship, opportunity—we must do what is best, even though it may be the hardest thing to do.

One of the hardest things I have ever witnessed was a parent walking away from their drug-addicted child. Oh, they were there for them in the sense of support, but they could no longer be an enabler. The hardest thing to hear was their child on the phone, begging, and then blaming them should anything happened to them. The hardest thing was to walk away. Yet, it was also the best thing. The separation was heartbreaking, but the deliverance and healing was the sweetest reward.

Yes. Sometimes we will face heartache and pain. We will do all that we can. Then we will come to that fork in the road, where we either continued to do what we've been doing and getting the same results, or we do what is the best thing, even if it's the hardest to do, and walk away; leaving it all in God's capable hands.

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. Though it may be the hardest thing you ever have to do; always do what is best, believing in your heart that God has you covered, and will see you through. Trust Him. He's right there with you. You are blessed. Now go and be a blessing.

©2020. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.

"The Resurrection Secured Our Future!"

Reflections4Life™ April 12, 2020

“The Resurrection Secured Our Future”

“O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?” The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 15:55-57 NKJV

Scripture Contemplation: Matthew 28; John 21; Acts 1, 2; 1 Corinthians 15...

Happy Resurrection Sunday! May the grace of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ be present in your lives today and each day following. May you know and believe in the love that He has for you and that you come to the knowledge and understanding of just how much power there is in believing and surrendering your all, to God. Know in your hearts He lives. There is no day or tomorrow that you cannot face and not be triumphant in. For the Father has already declared us the winner because of His Son! He has secured our future!

I decree that this week's Reflections will be a continued source of encouragement and inspiration for your heart, mind, and soul. May the glorious love of our Father continue to blossom in your heart, and you come into the understanding of just how much God has ordained for your life and made it possible through the death and resurrection of Christ.

Because Christ lives, we live. Because He lives, we have access to all that is the Fathers. Because He lives, there are a wealth of hidden treasures to be found within our own souls. Because He lives, the enemy has and will always be defeated. Because He lives, we are declared the victors. Because He lives, our future is secured, if we should believe.

I don't know if I can truly do justice to what it is that I am feeling in my heart at this moment. I do not believe that I have the proper words to convey what it is that my heart is bursting with over the fact that Jesus lives, and because He lives, every promise that God has made is a definite guarantee. That, all that I have ever been waiting for will happen, if I just continue to be obedient and believe. He has secured my future with the Resurrection.

Have you ever waited so long for something and thought it was never going to happen? In fact, it seems as though the opposite has happened, and everything you believed went the opposite way? You know that feeling. That, unexplainable choke-hold on your heart? I suppose that was the same thing the disciples and followers of Christ felt when He was crucified.

Imagine walking with the One you believed to be the Son of God; the Savior of your people—witnessing the miracles and receiving the teachings, and learning of the promises of God, only to have the one you believe in captured by the enemy and put to death. But in your heart, you continue to hear His words playing over and over. You hear His lessons and His promises, and you see the miracles taking place repeatedly; playing in your mind until sleep invades you? Then, you find yourself questioning what you believe, what was spoken. Surely, if He truly was the Son of God; the Savior; couldn't He just defeat the army of the enemy? Couldn't He prevent Himself from being killed?

They wrestled with what was in their heart versus what they were seeing and experiencing with their natural eyes. Yet, within their heart—even through fear and doubts—there was hope. There were the words of Jesus, His promises coursing through their minds, and they believed that there had to be more. That, it could not be over. And they were right. For on that third day, the Son of God rose from the dead. With the resurrection, our fate was secured for all eternity! Hallelujah! The devil got his butt kicked once and for all! There's nothing the enemy could do about it. Because Christ lives, we can claim the same victory should we believe and accept Christ as our Savior!

Oh, Beloveds! To have been there that day to see with our own eyes the promises of God being fulfilled. To witness the resurrection of our Lord and Savior. To understand that all that He had spoken and promises were made real and guaranteed on that day. So, come to the understanding that no matter what life throws at you; no matter what lies the enemy tries to spew; no matter what hindrances come our way; if we can just hold onto the fact that He lives; then we know for certain we win!

Allow me to speak into your lives today, Beloveds. I want you to be encouraged, as I am encouraging myself today. Whatever you have been waiting on the Lord for. Whatever you have been believing God for. Whatever the Father has promised you; Because He lives, you can take that as a guarantee that it is coming to pass!

Do not let go of the promises. Do not let go of what God has spoken to you. Do not go by what it looks like. Go by what God has spoken. Continue to walk by faith. I don't care HOW LONG THE WAIT!!! YOU KEEP TRUSTING GOD!!! His promises to you are coming to pass. Don't get so close, and allow the enemy to fool you and have you give up and you walk out of position! I have been there! And I refuse to let it happen again!

The followers of Christ thought it was over. They thought the devil won. Heck! The devil thought he won, too! (I really laugh hard at that fact! Imagine the celebration the enemy was throwing himself? Imagine all the plans he was issuing his minions so that he could take over. Then, he calls in death and asks for the soul of Jesus. And then, death doesn't answer. He calls again. No answer. Then he goes to look and finds death bound up, the Keys of Life gone, the souls locked in bondage free, and not a trace of Jesus our Lord and King! Yes!!!! Oh, man! The trembling that went on probably felt like an earthquake!

1 Corinthians 15:51, 57 Who got the last word, oh, Death? Oh, Death, who’s afraid of you now? It was sin that made death so frightening and law-code guilt that gave sin its leverage, its destructive power. But now in a single victorious stroke of Life, all three—sin, guilt, death—are gone, the gift of our Master, Jesus Christ. Thank God! (MSG)

Be encouraged! Do not let go of the promises of God concerning your life. Be patient and fervent in your prayers. Believe what God has told you and shown you. Think of it daily. Prepare for it! For this is the season it comes to pass! Because He lives, you can face each day with boldness, faith, and expectancy. Though it may seem hard, don't look at the time. God works outside of time and has the power to restore any time loss. Believe in Him. COVID-19 has nothing on the Power and Resurrection of Christ!

My Beloveds, I decree that the spirit of peace and prosperity has found permanent rest in your lives. Let this Resurrection Sunday remind you of just how powerful and loving our Father is. Let it encourage you, and inspire you to hold on, sparking hope in your heart, while resurrecting those dreams and visions that may have died over the years while waiting. As long as God said it, that settles it! It shall be done if you continue to believe and faint not. Death, Satan, and the grave couldn't hold Christ. And that means they can't hold you or your dreams and promises from God, either! So keep believing. No matter what, you are blessed. Now go...and be a blessing!

©2020. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.

"Walking Away"

Reflections4Life March 8, 2020

“Walking Away”

“Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us...” Hebrews 12:1 NASB

Scripture Contemplation:Genesis 15;31; Proverbs 3; 2 Chronicles 7:14; Hebrews 2;12...

 

©Ruthe McDonald.

How many times have you promised that the next time would be different? Or, how many times have you told yourself that, if you had to, you would just walk away? That, you would have no problems letting go and doing what needs to be done. Sometimes it is far easier said than done. Yet, if we place our confidence in God and yield to Holy Spirit, though it may be hard, we will be able to do what is necessary to walk in the path that God has ordained and walk away from the people, places, and things that harm or prevent us from moving forward in our purpose.

I decree that this week's Reflections will be a continued source of encouragement and inspiration for your heart, mind, and soul. May you yield completely to Holy Spirit as He continues to guide you on the path of righteousness, leading you to your expected blessings. Walking away may not be easy, but it may be the difference between living and dying.

Sometimes the hardest thing to do is walk away. Whether it's from a relationship, a job, a habit, or a thing....walking away isn't easy but necessary; especially when God is telling you to walk away. There are times when we may find ourselves in a situation that is so toxic that, if we don't walk away, we may be destroyed. Though it may not be easy, it would be much harder to stay as your soul and spirit slowly die and there is no longer you; just a shell of who you once were. 
 

Why do we stick with things that are not good for us? Why do we continue to try and change a situation by doing what we did before, knowing it did not work? What's the saying—insanity is doing the same thing over and over again expecting a different result? Yes. Not going to happen. In order for change to happen, we have to be obedient and do something different. Sometimes doing that which is most difficult.

It doesn't matter if the thing God desires us to walk away from is a relationship, a job, or a situation or place; obedience to God will not only save you from sacrificing the blessings that God has waiting for you. It will save you from heartache, pain, and even death. Walking away can very well save your life.

Many are in toxic relationships that the Father has told them to walk away from. Even family and friends have told them to walk away. And yet, they stay. Some stay until there is no more life in them; every hope, dream, aspiration...gone! They are no longer living, just existing. Why? Why would anyone stay in such toxicity? Perhaps because they have been systematically stripped of who they are until they believe the lies of the enemy instead of the truth of what God says. 
 

It is very hard to believe the truth when you have been conditioned so long to believe a lie. Yet, with God, all things are possible. And when there is a sliver of hope, and people praying, there remains a chance for that person to still walk away and get the help they need before it's too late. Never give up on someone who may be in a toxic relationship. Though they may be operating out of fear; be there and make certain they know you will not abandon them.

Perhaps you are holding onto a job that God has told you to walk away from. Rest assured, if God is telling you to walk away, it is because He has something far greater for you. Many times we get comfortable in our lives and become complacent. But what if your job no longer existed? What if the company shuts its doors? What would you do? You placed your security and trust in what you thought was stable, instead of placing your trust in God. 
 

God does not tell us to give up something without having something far greater in store. So many of us miss out because we do not trust God completely. We haven't totally yielded to the Father and trust Him to lead us to where we need to be. When we truly let go and trust Him, that's when we will understand just how deep God's love flows for us.

Yes. Walking away is not the easiest thing to do. But it is necessary. It is vitally important to know when it is time to let go and walk away. We run the risk of forfeiting the security and the promises of God by hanging on long after God has said to let go.

Trust God to lead you; to catch you when you fall; to help pick you up; to guide you and lead you to a place He's ordained just for you. Walk away. The first steps are always the hardest. However, think about what lies ahead—the promises and peace of God. With every step forward, you are that much closer to His promises.

My Beloved, I decree that the spirit of peace and prosperity has found permanent rest in your life. Whatever it is that God is telling you to walk away from...do it. Walk away and trust God to lead you to the place in which He has already prepared for you. Trust Him. Do not hold onto something or someone because of fear or obligation. You will only come to regret and despise it or them. Release yourself, and walk away with the confidence that God has you covered. You are blessed. Now go...and be a blessing!

©2020. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.