"Here Today Gone Tomorrow"

 Reflections4Life™ April 10, 2022

"Here Today Gone Tomorrow"

"they took branches of the palm ntrees and went out to meet Him, and began shouting, "Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of theh Lord, indeed, the King of Israel!" John 12:13

Scriptures for the Week: John 12; Matthew 21:10-11; Zechariah 9:9; Psalm 118:25-26; 2 Kings 9:13; Luke 19:38; John 3:16-17; Psalm 1

Happy Palm Sunday! May our hearts be filled and encouraged when we think about all that God has done for us. May we be encouraged to see the hand of God in all things and how He will deliver us and sanctify our hearts and minds. He will heal us from hurts that may abound from those who were with us today but gone tomorrow.

I decree that this week's Reflections4Life will be a continued source of encouragement and inspiration for your heart, mind, and soul. Anytime we get to spend time in the presence of the Lord should be a time of reverence and gleaning. As you spend intimate time with the Father this week, allow Him to fill you up, preparing you for what is ahead of you. There is nothing under the sun that Jesus is not already acquainted with. Allow Him to give you the benefits of His knowledge and wisdom.

How many times in your life already, have you been hurt or surprised by the actions of people that you thought were here for you? Betrayal is not an easy thing to get over. Nor is it something that we forget easily. Oftentimes, when we experience betrayals, we tend to linger in the feelings that it produces, carrying those same emotions into future relationships. Sometimes we are not aware we have done so until we find ourselves measuring people's character and judging them by the actions of those who previously hurt and betrayed us.

That is no way to live life. Neither is it healthy for any relationship. Whether it is a personal or business relationship. we have to learn to move on; to let go of what others have done and always begin with a clean slate moving forward. Is it easy? By no means is it easy. However, when you have God on your side, He makes difficult tasks seem easy because He takes our burdens and heavy yokes on Himself, leaving us to walk a smoother and lighter path. But we have to trust Him and follow His instructions exactly.

There are no escaping betrayals. Not in our lifetime. Someday, somewhere, someone we care about or have given our trust to will do something that will hurt us and change our opinion of who they are. Some will do it on purpose, others not intentionally. Not everyone in our lives but some. We have to learn to forgive and move on. To, let what one person did be left with them, and not judge others by the actions of others. Yes. Be cautious and more prayerful. But do not allow it to make you so judgemental and fearful that you close your heart and miss out on the splendors of the beauty and abundance of life and relationships.

As Jesus road upon the donkey, the people called out praises to Him, singing Hosanna! Hosanna! Hosanna in the highest! All praises to the King of Israel! He already knew the same people would be chanting Crucify Him! Crucify Him! Crucify Him! a week later. Yet, Jesus continued on, blessing them, healing them, feeding them, and preparing them. There He sat, at the table breaking bread with those closest to Him, with the knowledge that one of them was on his way to sell Him out for thirty pieces of silver. While others still, would be running and hiding and denying having known Him. 

Can You imagine the heart of Jesus? Can you imagine spending all these years teaching, singing, worshiping, fellowshipping, pouring your all into others, only to have them betray you or deny having ever known you? If that doesn't hurt, I don't know what does! But yet, Jesus knew the bigger picture. He did not allow what others did at that moment to change what He was sent to do, to save and deliver us by way of the Cross.

We cannot allow the actions of others to stop us from doing what God has called us to do. we cannot allow the betrayal and broken trust of another to determine our relationship with others or keep us from giving others a fair opportunity to get to know who they are on their own merits. Can you imagine if Jesus said, Nah! I'm good. I'm not saving no one! If they're anything like the ones who betrayed me and denied me, then You can have them, Father! I'm saving myself! There would be no us!

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. There will be some that will come into our lives. They will be for us one day and the next they will turn away from us. Some will break our trust. However, we will not and cannot allow it to break who we are and who God called us to be. You are blessed. Now go...and be a blessing!

©2022. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved. 

 

"It Does Not Matter"

 Reflections4Life^TM April 4, 2021

“It Does Not Matter”

“When Jesus therefore, had received the vinegar, he said: It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up his spirit.” John 19:30

Scripture Contemplation: John 20; 21; Acts 1…

A peaceful and blessed Resurrection Sunday to all! I give God praise for His many blessings; especially the gift of Christ and eternal life! To all my fellow believers, may this day just be an added extension of your daily praise, worship, and thanksgiving to the Father for His grace and mercy. To those who may follow a different path; I pray for you and give God honor for you, as well. May this day be all that you pray and hope for.

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 the power of the resurrection to resonate in your soul. Spend quality time in the Father’s presence, learning of Him and His wonderful gift to you. Only then will you truly comprehend that outside of what God has spoken, it just does not matter.

One of the greatest lessons I have learned in my walk with God is that once He has spoken and declared a thing, it doesn't matter what anyone else says. It doesn't matter what the circumstances or situations dictate. It doesn't matter how hard the devil tries—he loses every time. Whatever God says…that’s what it is!

Once Jesus decided to come into the earth, follow the Father's will, that was it. His and our fates were sealed for the rest of eternity. When they nailed Him to the Cross; when He took His last breath and spoke His last words and said: "It is finished", everything else that would try and separate us from God no longer mattered. The plots and plans of the enemy lost their power. The venom lost its poison and death lost its sting.

What many of us fail to remember when we are going through life's trials and tests is that nothing and no one trumps what God has spoken concerning our lives. The only person with the power to stop and hinder us is ourselves. We hold the power. We have the authority. But too often we yield it to the enemy because of fear and giving too much power to him when what he says doesn't matter when God has already declared and decreed us victorious.

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. It doesn't matter, Beloved. It doesn't matter what the enemy says, tries, or who he uses when you truly believe in your heart what God says concerning you. Trust God. He cannot lie. Your bill has already been paid in full. You are blessed. Now go…and be a blessing!

©2021. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.

"The Resurrection of Love and Hope"

Reflections4Life™ April 1, 2018

“The Resurrection of Love and Hope”

“Now when he rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons. She went and told those who had been with him, as they mourned and wept.” Mark 16:9-10

Scripture Contemplation: Isaiah 52:7; Matthew 27; 28; John 20; 2 Corinthians 13...

©Ruthe McDonald.

Happy Resurrection Sunday! The ultimate sacrifice and unconditional love of Jesus Christ, gave us the greatest gift man could ever receive: Salvation, an eternity with our Heavenly Father. When Jesus rose that third day, it was for all of humanity, past present, and future. By His grace, we’re afforded the opportunity to partake in the power of His resurrection every single day God grants us.

I decree that this week’s Reflections will be a continued source of encouragement and inspiration for your heart mind and soul. If you do not take anything from today’s devotional but one thing, let it be that we have the power to change our lives and others by what we believe in our hearts. No matter you have faced in your life that may have you feeling hopeless and far removed from love; understand this: the Resurrection was not just for then or for our physical bodies to rise up to heaven. The power of the Resurrection extends to all things that may seem dead in our lives that God says needs to live again. Such as, dreams, visions, happiness, and even love and hope. Allow the power of the resurrection touch every area of your life, believing that God is doing just what He has promised, no matter how long the wait.

A Little Bit Different

I come before you a little bit different today, sharing with you about my family and our traditions on what many call Easter Sunday. We don’t always understand things or the significance of something as a child, but with age hopefully for most of us comes wisdom, and with that understanding.

On my life’s journey, I have learned that there really is no secret to happiness. No secret code to love and hope. Not for those who walk with God, spend time in His presence and read His word. Some of the things that we did in our childhood, with our families, the traditions we practiced, were really life lessons in love and hope. We may have felt stifled as we got older, thinking we were missing something out in the big world. The truth is, for many, the keys to our happiness were already received, and we just have to remember the lessons.

My Family Traditions

Can you remember being a child during the Easter holiday? I remember feeling excited. It was more than the new clothes, and the Easter candy. It was getting to go over to my Gram’s house, and sit in her kitchen, watching her work her magic.

What I also remember about Easter, as a child, was going to church. Funny how every Easter Sunday, the church would be filled with people who had not been in church all year. Yet, the Pastor was extremely happy and made sure he gave a sermon that was at least six sermons in one!

Resurrection Sunday has always been a very special time in my family. As I got older and understood the meaning of this holy day, it made it even more special and the fact that I could spend it with those I love, celebrating what Christ did for us.

Many feel a certain way about Easter, and point out its paganism origin. However, there were life and love lessons that came in those traditions that planted seeds of truth about the Resurrection and the real reason we gathered for what many called Easter. As children, it was not so much what was said (considering our short attention span) but it was the actions of the adults that would have lasting impressions on us, and shape who we would become, what we would believe, and how we would lead our own families.

My Grams showed in her actions the love behind the Resurrection. She went all out every holiday but especially Resurrection Sunday. When my cousins and I were children, she would make sure there was a basket for everyone filled to the brim. She would gather her family and we would all go to church together. All of us decked out in our finest clothes. My Grams with her Easter hat. After services, we’d go back to her house for dinner. As she was finishing preparing her meal for her family, all the children were hunting for Easter eggs, and sneaking candy from out of our baskets.

I would always find myself at my Grams table watching her. She had the hugest smile on her face and a song on her lips. What I remember the most is how happy she was; how much joy that she held in her heart. Tired was not in her vocabulary when it came to her family. She was just pleased that all her children were under one roof, healthy and loving on one another.

That is what many of us are missing today, that familial love, the joy, the simplicity of coming together. We weren’t the richest people monetarily. We definitely had our share of hard times. However, when we came together and celebrated the life that we had and the gift of one another, it made us stronger. It made us richer. We were wealthy in love and in each other. When we shared with our friends and neighbors, even strangers, it made Resurrection Sunday that more real and joyous.

There was love and hope at my Grams table, in her home. It was such an abundance of love and hopes that even those who were not family felt it and benefited from it. We did not need permission to invite anyone, we could just bring him or her, and they would be fed and loved on. Perhaps even filled them with hope.

I realized at the same time, it was the reason why so many people show up at Church on Resurrection Sunday. Even they know, somewhere in their hearts, that it is a sacred and special time where anything can happen. They came, out of all days, hoping to receive something. Perhaps they are looking for love; looking for a little hope in their lives. Who am I to judge why they came or why they have not been there since the previous year.

What I Know for Sure

Many are facing very difficult times. The last thing that many people have on their mind is celebrating. But isn’t that what Resurrection Sunday represents? Miracles? Optimism? Hope? When we gathered around my Gram’s table for prayer, it solidified why we were really there: To celebrate what Christ had done for us, and what He made possible. 

Though there are times we might not know where the next meal is coming from, or how the bills are going to be paid, we cannot count ourselves out. We are alive and breathing. They thought when they crucified Christ, that that was the end of the story. However, it was just the beginning. A miraculous thing occurred on that third day of that Passover: Christ arose.

There are things that we face in this life, and sometimes we have no control over some things. Yet we do have control over how we respond. Things might be a bit rough right now, but it won’t always be this way. One of the greatest lessons I learned from my Gram was to share. Share what you have, and God will always provide. I have an abundance of love and hope to go around.

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. An open fist can receive more than a closed fist. If you know someone that stands in the need of help, reach out your hands to him or her. Invite them over for dinner. Or send an anonymous food basket to their home. So many stand in the need of a miracle, perhaps you are that person’s miracle. Maybe you are the person God desires to use to resurrect someone’s love and hope this Resurrection Season. Be open to God today. You are indeed blessed. Now go…and be a blessing!

©2018. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.

"Sacrifice is Necessary"

Reflections4Life™ April 16, 2017

“Sacrifice is Necessary”

Then Jesus went to work on his disciples. “Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat; I am. Don’t run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I’ll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What kind of deal is it to get everything you want but lose yourself? What could you ever trade your soul for?” Matthew 16:24-26

Scripture Contemplation: Matthew 22; 27; Mark 12; Luke 12; John 11; Acts 1; 1 Corinthians 15

Happy Resurrection Sunday! I declare that this week’s Reflections will be a continued source of encouragement and inspiration for your heart, mind, and soul. Walk in the promises of God, receiving all that He has ordained for your life. Walk in the resurrection power of Christ, the revelation of knowledge and the power of His wisdom for your life and His love. We stand each day granted the opportunity to walk in the goodness of God with an open heart, receiving answers to our prayers. Those answers sometimes require sacrifice. The answer for our redemption came with the ultimate sacrifice of love—God sending His only begotten Son, and Jesus becoming the final sacrifice for the propitiation of our sins.

It always awes me what our Heavenly Father has done for us. To love us so much to sacrifice His only begotten Son to be the one and final sacrifice for our sins that would ensure us eternal life with Him in Heaven. Our Father in Heaven loves us so much that though it is our choice to sin and to reject Him, choosing to live our lives, as we will, He still has made a way for us. He still has extended to us His grace and mercy and has prepared a place for us in Heaven alongside Him, confident in those He knows will receive His precious gift of life, redeeming ourselves.

When I think of the sacrifice that Christ made for us. What He endured to assure us the keys of life—abundant life—, power, and authority over the enemy, overwhelms and humbles me at the same time, especially so when I think of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane.

Mark 14:32-36 (LTB) ³² And now they came to an olive grove called the Garden of Gethsemane, and he instructed his disciples, “Sit here, while I go and pray.” ³³ He took Peter, James, and John with him and began to be filled with horror and deepest distress. ³⁴ And he said to them, “My soul is crushed by sorrow to the point of death; stay here and watch with me.” ³⁵ He went on a little farther and fell to the ground and prayed that if it were possible the awful hour awaiting him might never come. ³⁶ “Father, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take away this cup from me. Yet I want your will, not mine.”

As I study the Mark chapter 14, it becomes apparent to me how many characteristics are represented throughout that day. How many of us can see ourselves in that passage of scripture? I saw myself and quite a few people that I know and do not know. The enemy was already plotting His demise, and the acts of His betrayal were already in motion. There Christ sat with His followers, celebrating Passover, knowing that He was to become the spotless Lamb whose Blood was placed above the door posts, as represented in the book of Exodus, saving the lives of all those who believed and received. He sat amongst His closest disciples and boldly proclaimed the truth of His betrayal, and not just by Judas, but also by those who never thought they would never leave His side or deny having walked with Him and known Him. Yet, He spoke in love and understanding, knowing that this was all a part of the sacrifice that He would make to save theirs and the lives of humanity; ensuring them access to eternal life with Him and the Father.

He sat around that table, knowing what was coming in a few hours, yet took His time to tell them, prepare them, and assure them. Then He went to the Garden where the battle of his flesh and spirit warred. It warred over the unwillingness of the flesh to become the propitiation for our sins, for those that rejected Him and would reject Him, for those who did not and would not believe. Yet, His spirit knew and understood the reason He came here; the reason He was born of a woman to become the final sacrifice for humanity, reconciling us to the Father. His spirit understood that this was the only acceptable sacrifice to make the will of His Father to happen. He understood the pain that was to come, the sense of abandonment and rejection, the turning away of His father when He bore on Him all the sins of the world. He willingly made this difficult sacrifice for what He truly wanted: for us to be reconciled to God and receive Eternal Life.

Beloveds, there are things that we want in this life; accomplishments that we want to make, a certain life we want to live, and the will of God to happen for us. This takes sacrifice. We have to be willing to make some sacrifices in our lives for what we desire. We cannot expect to live a life of what we want; of joy and merriment and there not be some sacrifices made. Sacrifices are necessary to receive what God has ordained for us. We cannot continue to live just any kind of way with the thought that God will continue to extend His mercy and grace while we give up nothing and willingly sin and transgress. Not happening. I like to look at as a person preparing for competition. If you want to win, then you must put in the time and effort to place yourself in the best position to win. There will be sacrifices made if you are serious. You give up certain things, people, and places, and you become aware of what is necessary to succeed. If you cannot make some sacrifices in your life, then what you say you want, you really don’t.

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. To live your life to the fullest and to receive what God has ordained for you, there will need to be some sacrifices made along the way. It is a guarantee that your flesh will always rise up against your spirit and what is best for you. Yet, when you make the necessary sacrifices and become intimate with God; spending time in His presence, seeking His will, and following His plans—you will never miss what was sacrificed because the joy of the promises fulfilled and manifested will fill every part of your life with abundant joy and happiness. You are blessed. Now go…and be a blessing!

©2017. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.

"Happy Resurrection Sunday!"

Reflections4Life  April 5^th, 2015

“Happy Resurrection Sunday!”

For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.  2 Corinthians 5:14-15

Scripture Contemplation: John 11; 20; 21; 1 Corinthians 15…

Good day Beautiful Souls. Regardless to what you celebrate or believe; Resurrection or Easter-- I wish you and your family a beautiful day of joy, happiness and love with one another. Make every moment count.

This Resurrection Sunday is quite difficult for me without my mom. Especially knowing how much this season meant to her. Yet, it is because of this very season and its reason that I can be comforted in knowing where my mom is, with whom, and that I will see her again.

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. I pray this Resurrection Sunday be one of healing and restoration. May everything in your life that should not have died, be resurrected by the power and love of our Heavenly Father.

I am determined to walk in my faith and draw strength from it, allowing this season to have its place in my heart; holding on to its promises. I will relish in the love and joy from not just today, but from throughout the years. I will take comfort in my memories, and hold closely to my heart the many lessons my mother taught me.

We spend a lot of time with regrets and stewing over what should have or could have been. Instead, we can take the lessons of yesterday, learn from them, and receive what God has for us today.

Eternal life was guaranteed us over 2,000 years ago. The promise of life eternally with our heavenly Father, and those who have gone before us in Christ. I am collecting on that guarantee. And I will live my life accordingly; in gratitude and faith for all that was sacrificed for me.

The magnitude of what Christ did so many generations ago continues to impact many lives today. For every believer, I hope that you can draw from the strength of the fruit of the seeds planted so long ago. That, you can walk with the knowledge and understanding of what Christ did for each and every one of us. And I hope, that your life can be a walking epistle for all that do not know the power and love of Christ’s saving grace.

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. Enjoy your day. Enjoy your loved ones. Take advantage of life and its many joys. We spend far too much time worrying, when the greatest threat to us has been dealt with, when Christ went to the Cross, died for us, and was resurrected to the enemy's chagrin. Live. Laugh. Love. Jesus has already paid it all. You are blessed. Now go…and be a blessing!

©2015. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.

"Out The Box"

Reflections4Life March 29^th, 2015

“Out The Box”

“Then He looked at them and said, “What then is this that is written: ‘The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone’?” Luke 20:17

Scripture Contemplation: Psalm 118; Matthew 13; Mark 11; Luke 4; John 12…

Happy Palm Sunday!

There is a certain freedom that comes when you walk in your truth, and stop living to please and placate others, but live your life as you will, with a desire to please God alone.

Certainly you would love for those who love you to always understand and accept you for who you truly are, and not for whom they think you are or should be. But people are people, and sometimes they just don't get it, nor do they see it. And sometimes, they will see what they want to see.

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. As we celebrate this Palm Sunday, let us remember all that led to cost of our redemption. And hold in our hearts, that the price has already been paid, and there is no one left to charge us, when Jesus has handled the bill.

People have the tendency to put you in a box; see you through one lens when there are so many different components to who you are. I suppose, as we celebrate Palm Sunday, one may be able to identify with the life of Christ. Many saw Him as Rabbi, teacher, friend, and miracle worker. Some saw Him as a threat. But few saw Him as the Son of God or the Savior. For many, He was defined as the carpenter’s son. No one special. Nothing more or less. Having placed him in a box in their mind and hearts, they could not receive Him any other way or receive the blessing of His truth. For Christ, it hurt that they could not believe. Not for His sake, but for theirs. He knew who He was; even when others did not and would not accept it.

I cannot help but to be grateful for all that Jesus has done. For giving His life. For sticking to the plan and not being deterred by the opinions of those who only knew and could only see and accept Him as the son of a Carpenter, and not for the promised Savior that was prophesied.

How many of you have allowed people to place you in a box? How many have allowed the opinions and the need for another's acceptance to determine what you do and what you believe about yourself?

I thank God for the mother I had. She encouraged me to stand in my truth and discover all of me, and be comfortable in my skin. She knew I was more than what people saw or believed. She understood a box could never contain me. God created so much greatness in me, that it won't allow me to be defined by a few titles that some give me. No. I am a child of God with many different attributes. Walking in my greatness. And enjoying and discovering the many facets of me. I pray the same for you. Blessings.

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 opinions and the short-sightedness of others to confine you to a box. To, make you limit yourself to one fact, so you may please and be accepted by others. God has created greatness in you. There is more inside you and about you than what meets the eye. More than where you come from or what you were born into. You are who God says you are, and who you believe yourself to be. No limits. Dare to live outside the box. You are blessed. Now go…and be a blessing!

©2015. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.

Reflections4Life: "Because He Lives"

Reflections4Life April 20^th, 2014

“Because He Lives”

“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 that follows. May you know and believe in the love that He has for you. May you come to the knowledge and understanding of just how much power there is in believing and surrendering your all to God. And may you know in your hearts that because 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!

I declare and 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 guaranteed 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 come to pass if I just continue to be obedient and believe.

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 over and over again; 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 the 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. And with His resurrection sealed our fate for all eternity! Hallelujah! The devil got him but kicked once and for all! And there's nothing He could do about it. And 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!!! For 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 51-57 But let me tell you something wonderful, a mystery I’ll probably never fully understand. We’re not all going to die—but we are all going to be changed. You hear a blast to end all blasts from a trumpet, and in the time that you look up and blink your eyes—it’s over. On a signal from that trumpet from heaven, the dead will be up and out of their graves, beyond the reach of death, never to die again. At the same moment and in the same way, we’ll all be changed. In the resurrection scheme of things, this has to happen: everything perishable taken off the shelves and replaced by the imperishable, this mortal replaced by the immortal. Then the saying will come true: Death swallowed by triumphant Life! 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. For God works outside of time and has the power to restore any time loss. Believe in Him.

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, and spark hope in your heart and resurrect those dreams and visions that may have died over the years of 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. How do I know? Because every dream, vision, and promises God ever made to us was in Christ and was resurrected with Christ, and they cannot be killed, only left behind when we determine to not believe. So keep believing. No matter what! You are Blessed. Now go...and Be a Blessing!

©2014. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.