"Do Not Be Robbed"

Reflections4Life™ March 24, 2019

“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 decree 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. Even more of a distraction is our emotions. Many of us do not respond but rather react to anger. Although we may be 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 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 is 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!

©2015. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.

"A Grateful Disposition"

Reflections4Life March 1, 2015

“A Grateful Disposition.”

“In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Scripture Contemplations: Romans 14; Ephesians 5; Colossians 3; 1 Corinthians 2…

Nothing compares to a person with a grateful heart. A person that has taken a stance to have a grateful disposition regardless to what is happening in their lives or around them.

There is much that has happened in our lives, and much that will happen. It is the disposition of our hearts that will determine the kind of journey we encounter, and how long certain trials and tests last.

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 for your heart, mind, and soul. Let your heart be filled with joy and the love of the Father. Allow Him to guard your heart and you navigate through the trials of this life. Let your heart be content with God, having the characteristic of gratitude, because you know and understand that no matter what happens in this life, God will always have your back.

As I navigate through the pain of my mother's transition, I cannot help but to be grateful for the years I was blessed to have with her in this earth. My mother was a woman of substance. A woman who understood matters of the heart and the importance of having a grateful disposition.

There are things that lie behind us, and things that lie before us. Many things that we have no control over. But the most powerful thing is that which lies within us. What we carry in our hearts holds the power to change lives, to affect the course of our life journey, and touch the lives of many.

A grateful disposition allows us to walk through difficulties and not give up. It allows us to maintain hope in a hopeless situation. It encourages us to believe when it seems impossible, and whispers that miracles still happen; just in ways we may not understand.

Things will not always go the way we desire. Life happens, and it is not always sweet, delightful, or to our liking. Pain and suffering will occur. Loss will be felt. However, there will also be joy and happiness. There will be good times, and moments when things do go our way. But whether things do or don’t (go our way), we must maintain a disposition of gratitude. We must hold a place in our hearts that will be grateful; even if it’s just having gratitude for one more breath of life.

My pain is palpable, at best. I feel like I am in a fog with my mother no longer here in the flesh to hold, kiss and hug. Yet, I am grateful for the time we had. For the lessons, she taught me, the life she gave and provided for me. Her laughter, her wisdom, her love…all living on within myself and my brothers and her grandchildren. Life goes on. And I take comfort in the fact that this is not a goodbye, but: “I’ll see you later," which allows me to smile through the pain.

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. Let your disposition be one of gratitude. No matter the trials and the tests, let your heart be rooted in gratitude. For, it will lead you to a place of peace and understanding. You are blessed, now go and be a blessing.

©2015. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.

Reflections4Life: "Remember the Laughter"

Reflections4Life, August 3^rd, 2014

“Remember the Laughter”

“He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouting.” Job 8:21

Scripture Contemplation: Job 8; Psalm 126; Proverbs 14; Ecclesiastes 3; Luke 6…

There is so much going on in our lives. Things that we have no control over. There are situations all around us that can tear at our soul and weigh our spirit down. The last thing on our mind, or in our thoughts is to laugh. But, that is exactly what God desires us to do: Take some time to laugh.  Remember the times of laughter; for it will be your comfort.

 I declare and decree that this week’s Reflections will be a continued source of encouragement and inspiration for your heart, mind, and soul. Allow the joy of the Lord to fill your soul and strengthen you. Though things may seem heavy and that there may be nothing to laugh about; take time to laugh. Take the time to open up your heart and find delight in at least one thing, and let the healing begin. Remind yourself of those things that brought merriment to your heart.

Sometimes the hardest thing to do is to laugh. It may feel as though there is nothing in your life to feel joy over or to laugh about. But there is, beloved. Even when we cannot see it, there is something to smile about. There is something to have joy over. And there is always something to laugh about. It’s just how you look at things.

We can take joy in the Lord. We can take joy in His promises. We can take joy in the fact that we are alive. We can take joy in the fact that there is a God, and He cares for us. Whether we understand the situations or circumstances we face, we can still have joy. We can smile with confidence that God has worked all things out concerning us. That, God will never leave us or forsake us, but will be right there to see us through. That is something to be joyful about. And when you are filled with joy, you will find that there are things that will bring laughter to your soul.

Remember the times in your when you laughed. Remember those days when your heart was light. Recall the people and things that brought laughter to your heart and soul. I definitely think there is a special place for comedians. For those who can bring laughter in the midst of sorrow and pain.

If you cannot think of a thing to laugh about, then I have a suggestion for you: Laugh at Satan! Yes. I said it! Laugh at the devil. Laugh at his lies and his attempts to defeat you when God has already declared you the winner. Laugh at his attempts to sidetrack you when you have fully yielded to Holy Spirit and are walking in the victory. Laugh at his tricky words and acts of deceits because you know that it is not you answering the door, but Jesus Himself. And when the enemy wants to remind you about your past, and discourage you about your future; then boldly remind him of his certain fate, as written in the book of Revelation. See how fast he stops laughing!

This is what I know, Beloveds; God is here for us and with us. There will always be situations in our life that will try to come and steal our joy and rob us of peace. There will be situations where there seems no plausible reason to laugh. However, we must learn how to hold on to the promises of God. We must learn to walk in the peace and rest of God, trusting Him to take care of what He said. We must teach ourselves to embrace laughter. To find those pleasant things in life and take joy in it.

For me, when someone I love passes, it is one of the most heart wrenching things, just as I know it would be with you. Yet, when I begin to think on the good of that loved one, and the times we shared together; I soon find myself laughing and remember the joy they brought into my life. I laugh at the memories, and embrace that joy and comfort that comes. Though my heart is heavy form their departure; it does not overshadow the love and laughter they brought to my life.

And beloved, this is what God wants us to remember: through all the pain and loss, remember the joy and happiness that occurs along the way. Smile at the good times. Cherish those times of laughter and joy. Because, in the end, it is those memories—of joy and laughter—that will bring you comfort and strength to move forward.

I decree that the spirit of peace and prosperity has found permanent rest in your lives. Remember the times of laughter in your laugh. Draw upon those memories and allow it to bring comfort to your heart and soul. Take joy in the Lord and his promises. Don’t allow the lies and the voice of the enemy to overshadow the voice and promises of God in your life. Take joy in the Lord. And remember the laughter, always. It will be a source of strength. You are Blessed. Now go…and Be a Blessing!

©2014. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.

This Time of Year

This time of year is not the easiest for many people. There are many that are alone, depressed, angry. I can go on. But would it really do any good, too? No; not at all.

I've been extremely busy lately, trying to get my life in order, and accomplish some of my dreams and goals. There have been some major setbacks; but none that are too difficult for God to handle. I've been reaching for my goals, and I'm finally starting to see some progress. At the same time, there are other aspects of my life that are not easy to look at; but are necessary. It is part of what makes me, me.

Last week, I had the fortunate opportunity of volunteering for a wonderful community organization that was giving away Thanksgiving baskets. It warmed my heart and saddened it all at the same time. It warmed my heart to see the outpouring of support from the community; but it saddened me to see how many persons--with children especially--were in such need. It started me thinking about what those families do all the other days of the year, and what can I do to make a difference?

Although many of the families were grateful; I could still see some sadness in many of their faces. I could see the joy of receiving the basket; but at the same time, the wonder of what they were going to do for next week. I saw anger on some faces. I saw despair. I saw depression. I even saw greed. Yes--even greed. To the point that there were some people who actually tried to pull a scam. Which was totally unfair to a family who may have gone without, if there were not enough baskets to go around.

My heart sincerely ached for these families. I wish you could have seen the children...how precious and innocent. Then I wondered: how many of them will repeat this vicious cycle? How many of them [children], will be where their parents are when they grow up? It struck a chord in my soul. One that I cannot get away from.

What can we do to stop the cycle of poverty? What can one person do to make a difference in at least one child's life? There is much that we can do. And, all it takes is committing one's self to making a difference one family, one child, one person at a time. To begin to give back to those around you--to the community that you live in. Perhaps by volunteering your time, expertise, talent, finance, home...whatever you can give, that will teach families how to make it. To teach children and parents, how to live and not just survive. We can't help everyone--not alone. But collectively, we can make a huge difference.

To many, this season has always been about receiving. How about we make it about giving, and teaching? It's time for people to stop complaining, stop whining, stop passing the responsibility, and take accountability for the community they live in. Become a mentor. Become a big brother/big sister. Become a foster family. Become involved. Don't just be a spectator. Commit to make a change; one person, one child, one family, a community at a time.

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