"Open Your Eyes"

Rflections4Life™ September 18, 2022

“Open Your Eyes”

“And not a creature exists that is concealed from His sight, but all things are open and exposed and revealed to the eyes of Him with whom we have to give account.” Hebrews 4:13

Scripture Contemplation: Genesis 3; 21:19; Numbers 22:31; 1 Kings 8; Psalm 34:15; 119:18; Isaiah 35:5; 42:5-7; Jeremiah 32:19; Matthew 9:30; John 9; Acts 26:18…

©Ruthe McDonald.

There will come a time in our lives when we will not only face the truth but understand the truth and see it for what it really is. All the blinders will be gone. All the coverings--stripped away. All the doubts and fears--eradicated. All excuses--silenced. That time is the seat of judgment before God where we will all face God for our actions and inactions.

In the meantime, many of us are walking blindly around with our hands covering our eyes to what is going on around us. Some believe if they act as though these things are not happening then they will not be held accountable for anything. However, beloved, God has given us charge over the earth, to go out, and minister to the world. We are to share the truth of His love and promises. We are to spread the Gospel while living a life that is pleasing and acceptable to Him. Not perfect, mind you but pleasing and acceptable. Yet, for us to accomplish this, we must open our eyes and see what it is that God is showing us before we get swept away in the darkness of despair and the lies of the enemy.

I declare that this week’s Reflections is a continued source of encouragement and inspiration for your heart, mind, and soul. Allow Holy Spirit to fill your heart and open your eyes to what is going on around you. Let this week be a time of self-reflection as you take inventory of your life, relationships, time, and actions. Allow God to renew your mind, stir your spirit, and encourage you where you may feel defeated. Nothing is over until God says it is over. Let your eyes be open to what God is showing you.

How many times have we closed our eyes or turned a blind eye to what was hurting us, confusing us, or something we did not understand because we did not want to face the truth of a situation? Or because we did not want to do the work required to do what God has ordained? Too many of us believe that we do not have to work or put effort into our relationships, work, dreams, and visions. We treat God like He is a genie in a bottle and when we pray we expect Him to do everything while we remain the same and do nothing.

We must put in the work to see the desired results that we hope and pray for. If there is something that we cannot do that is out of our hands, having done all we could do; followed all of God’s instructions; then and only then, do we lift our hands up. We leave it in God’s hands to do what we cannot do. However, whatever God determines, we must follow His will, and instructions concerning that situation.

It is time to open our eyes, Beloved. Open our eyes to God. Open our eyes to what is being shown to us and what has been prepared for us. We cannot open our eyes or be enlightened to the situations around us if we have not first surrendered to God and His ways and instructions. We must submit ourselves to God, be open to Him, and be filled with His understanding in order for us to see clearly what God wants us to see and is showing us.

It is vitally important that we first allow God to adjust our sight and vision because, Beloved, the enemy is very good at smoke and mirrors. Without the touch of the Holy Spirit, the insight of our Heavenly Father, and looking through His clear lens, we may misconstrue our situation, misinterpret, and miss all that God has ordained for our lives, especially if we are ruled by emotions and hurt feelings. Those emotions allow the enemy to insert himself further into our life circumstances, wreaking havoc and discord, until he has accomplished his goal of killing, stealing, and destroying.

Make no mistake about it, Beloved. Christ is soon to return. The signs are all around us. Even the enemy knows this; that his time is short and he has been escalating his attacks and attempts to destroy the children of God, to try to persuade them to give up on God, and to walk away from the blessings that God has ordained for our lives. He is killing our relationships, marriages, businesses, hopes, dreams, and visions. He is stealing joy, lives, and happiness. He is destroying lives, families, communities, countries, reputations, and many other things all to rob us of the promises of God and to hurt the Father’s heart. If you did not know, we are just pawns in his war against God. We are not the target, God is. However, we are who God loves and has placed His spirit in, created in His image, and given authority to. That right there burns the enemy up!

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. Open your eyes, Beloved. Open them to the will of the Father. See==through His lens. Do not allow the smoke and mirrors of the enemy to rob you of the promises of God for your life. The only way to recognize the enemy's machinations is to get closer to God. Allow God to fine-tune your sight, opening your eyes and heart to what is essential and what is happening right before you.  You are blessed. Now go…and be a blessing!

©2022. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.

 

"When Love Hinders"

 Reflections4Life™ August 29, 2021

“When Love Hinders”

“I wish you would put up with a little foolishness from me. Yes, do put up with me. For I am jealous over you with a godly jealousy, because I have promised you in marriage to one husband—to present a pure virgin to Christ. But I fear that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your minds may be seduced from complete and pure devotion to Christ.” 2 Corinthians 11:1-3

Scripture Contemplation: Exodus 25; 34; Deuteronomy 5; 32; Joshua 24; Ezekiel 34; Joel 2; 2 Corinthians 11…

I am pretty certain that some are raising an eyebrow and questioning the title of today’s Reflections. I understand. Because I felt the same way when God gave me the title, well before He explained what He meant. Of course, I trusted Him to do just that. And I also knew that this would be something that would open my eyes and heart, and prayerfully it will for you, too.

I declare and decree that this week’s Reflections will be a continued source of encouragement and inspiration for your heart, mind, and soul. I implore you to take time this week and explore your relationship with the Heavenly Father. Really look at it, and see if you have truly and totally surrendered your absolute all to Him. Ask yourself: Does God have all of my Heart? Am I doing all that I can? Do I trust Him sincerely? Do I really believe what God says about me? Does the Father truly have the number one place in my heart and soul? My only God?

Do you know that feeling you get when you fall in love for the first time? That feeling of free-falling? Always wanting to be in that person’s presence? Wanting to know everything about them? Wanting to share everything and get to know their heart and soul, as well as everything else? Yes. That feeling. That is an awesome thing. It is a wonderful feeling that we can cherish and celebrate. And it is a feeling that we should have towards our God each and every day. It’s definitely what God has for us; even though He knows us so well, and knows that we will, at some point, become distracted, preoccupied, disenchanted, and even for some—out of love. Yet, the Father’s love for us will never, ever change. This, we can be certain of.

Yet, for some of us that love deeply; who have huge hearts that we find ourselves pouring our love out on so many, and loving some so deeply to distraction, that we miss out on our relationship with God. We neglect what should be our number one priority and relationship. And when this occurs, slowly but surely, other areas in our life start to take a hit; even if we do not recognize it.

Sadly, many of us do not even realize that we have allowed our earthly relationships to not only hinder our heavenly relationship, but we have given God’s place in our heart to someone else. And even still, there are others who have allowed their earthly love and devotion to become their god, forsaking their relationship with the Heavenly Father.

God is a jealous God. He desires to be number one in our lives. He desires to be our only God. Our covering. Our Savior. Our Healer. Our everything. He yearns for our devotion so that He may bless us in the manner that He desires. He wants to blanket us in His love while protecting us from the machinations of the enemy. God desires our attention, Beloveds. However, far too many of us are preoccupied. And far too many have allowed our horizontal relationships to dictate our vertical relationship and receiving all that God has ordained for our lives.

It is not that God does not want us in relationships or to love anyone else. Not at all. He, however, doesn’t want it to hinder us from all that He has ordained for us while in this world. God wants us to be balanced. To be well-rounded. To not be so broken over a man or woman, boy or girl, that we begin to worship the creation instead of the Creator. That we allow the love in our earthly relationships to become so consuming, that we are doing any and everything to please, keep and sustain them that there is no room for God. We have abandoned our core and key relationship, chasing after fallible love.

Come on; be honest. How many times have you, or are still so gone in a relationship that it has affected your time with God? How many times has a relationship hindered you from doing all that God has asked of you? When was the last time, your time spent with God, was longer than any of your earthly relationships? Think about it. Really think.

There is nothing wrong with being in love. There is nothing wrong with loving people for who they are and where they are at in life. There is nothing wrong with wanting them to have the very best, and supporting who they are and their dreams. But, what is not all right is neglecting, forgetting, forsaking, and disrespecting God in your life. And please, don't get it wrong; we can also be in this position with our family. Our children, parents, etcetera. Anyone that is placed above God in our actions, reverence, and worship; even if we don't believe so in hearts and minds.

How many times has God reached out to you, but you didn’t hear him? Or, you ignored Him? Or you chose that earthly relationship over being obedient to God and what He has asked of you? Far too many, I might say.

Some of us do not even realize that the love we prayed for, asked God for, has become the very hindrance to God moving in our lives. Don’t get it twisted: Once again, I’m not saying there is anything wrong with loving someone deeply, but it is something wrong when that love causes us to do things out of the will of God and become someone that is not pleasing to God. God will not take a backseat or second place to anyone. He loves us way too much for that.

There are also the times when we love so much and so deeply that we make excuses for certain behaviors that we know are not of God. We accept things that we shouldn’t. Turn a blind eye instead of speaking up. We allow ourselves to be treated in a manner that is not becoming or acceptable unto God. I’m going to say this: DO NOT ALLOW A LOVE FOR THE CREATION TO OBSCURE YOUR LOVE FOR THE CREATOR AND MAKE YOU FORFEIT WHAT GOD HAS ORDAINED FOR YOUR ABUNDANT LIFE. Do not allow yourself to be treated in any kind of manner; like sheep being led to the slaughter by the enemy in disguise. Don’t allow the enemy to darken or taint a gift from God by you choosing to worship the creation and no longer the Creator.

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. Take a step back and evaluate your heart and motives. Give God what belongs to Him, and He will continue to do what He has always done for you: Love you anyway and unconditionally. Maintain a healthy balance by first seeking God for all things, and allowing God the honor to be not only your covering but to be your all in all. You are blessed. Now go…and be a blessing!

©2021. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.

"Beyond Measure"

 Reflections4Life^TM September 6, 2020

“Beyond Measure”                       

“Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.” Luke 6:38

Scripture Contemplation: Genesis 49:25-26; Deuteronomy 7:12; 28; Psalm 128; Proverbs 28:20

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. May you know and see the blessings that God has decreed over your life. Lean on God for all understanding and direction. Count your blessings, they are many; especially the ones you cannot see!

If there is one thing that I understand today, it is that I am blessed beyond measure. I cannot begin to count my blessings because they are far too numerous. I am fortunate that they outweigh the bad by a very great number.

Yes, there are days when I do not "feel" blessed. Days when I do not think God hears me. However, I know that is just the circumstances and situations I may currently be facing, talking. My feelings and emotions, but never my heart.

Today is a very blessed day.  As well as, one of the hardest for me. Today's my Birthday. I am so blessed and grateful. At the same time, I am missing my Mom's presence. I miss her 4:33 am (the time I was born! My Mom was serious about this! Lol) birthday call and her birthday song to me. I miss hearing her voice, her touch, her kiss and her embrace. But I feel her love all the way from heaven. And it gives my heart joy to know she is still with me.

I don’t ask for much, if anything, for my birthday. I never did. On my birthday, I’d always asked my mother what she wanted. I desired to give. To give someone else joy and pleasure on my birthday. That was the gift I wanted. To see someone else happy on my birthday. So, with that in mind, I pray that you will receive today what your heart desires. I pray that your prayers would be answered according to the Father’s will for your life. May you walk in the blessings God has ordained for your 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. I recognize my blessings today. More than any other. Because I know that my blessings are beyond measure. My beautiful mother taught me that! And as I celebrate life today, I pray for you. That you would be blessed and know your worth, and that everything that God has ordained for you, you will receive. You are blessed. Now go…and be a blessing!

©2020. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.

"Whom Do You Love?"

Reflections4Life™ February 9, 2020    

 

“Who Do You Love?”

“We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.” 1 John 4:16

Scripture Contemplation: Genesis 22; Genesis 29; Proverbs 3; Matthew 5; John 3; 1 Corinthians 13...

Whom do you love? You really don't have to answer that. Your actions will speak for you. Your actions will tell the story of what and who resides in your heart. Some people can hide the truth for a while, but eventually, all light stands out from darkness, and the truth about how you really feel is revealed.

I decree that this week's Reflections will be a continued source of encouragement and inspiration for your heart, mind, and soul. Let the love of God fill you and penetrate every part of your soul, so that you may know how to love the way the Father loves, and know-how to receive love. 

Many use the word love frivolously. I love this. I love that. I love movies. I love dessert. I love. I love. I love. Yet, our actions are speaking volumes concerning who we really love. Love is more than just an emotion. It is a force. It is power. It is the embodiment of God here on this earth. When we really understand how precious and powerful love is, we would be less likely to be frivolous in its use. We would honor love by showing and giving love as God has commanded.

People are making choices every single day based upon how they feel at any given moment. They are saying with their mouths how much they love. How much they love their families, their spouse, their children, their career. Yet, the actions they are putting forth do not speak of love. Their actions are not reflecting the love they say they have in their hearts. Instead, what is reflected is a spirit of selfishness, low self-esteem, resentfulness, animosity, sorrow, shame, and sometimes hate.

Matthew 6:20-22 “20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

We are making life choices based upon what is residing in our hearts. What we treasure the most will be found in the core of our hearts. That is what will occupy our time, energy, and efforts. What do you treasure today? What is it that has a hold of your heart that you will be willing to lay down your life if it came to that? 

Many walk around speaking words that sound lovely and correct. They are able to fool some people for some time. However, they can never fool God. The Father knows our hearts. He knows where our treasure lies. He knows what is on our priority list. He knows how weak or how strong our love is. He reaches towards us every day. Every day when we arise, it is a gift from God, and Him reaching toward us, so that He may fill us with Himself.

Yet, many have rejected the Father. Our actions have dismissed the hand of God. Many have assumed that they can walk on this earth and do what they like, and no one would be the wiser of who they really are and what they really believe. Not true. Because the actions we take today, have consequences for others tomorrow. Whether we see it or not, or acknowledge it.

Do you love God? Do you love your family? Do you love your friends? Do you love yourself? The truth is, many of us cannot give love or receive love or reciprocate love, because we do not love ourselves. How can you love anyone else when you have no love for yourself? Receiving, accepting love, and believing in love, is difficult when you are having trouble loving yourself. That, my Beloveds, is at the core of many who profess to love, but whose actions speak otherwise. 

This is the reason why so many people hurt their loved ones and make poor decisions because they lack self-love. Without self-love, you lack the ability to recognize or correctly assess what is best or good for yourself in the end. You may make poor decisions that can have devastating consequences for those you say you do love.

Whom do you love? Love is powerful. Love is healing. Love is delivering. Love is consuming. Love can change things in a moment’s time. Love is long-suffering. Love is patient. Love is kind. Love is selfless. Love is forgiving. 

1 Corinthians 13:1-2 “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.”

Let the love of God fill you today. Let God fill you. Let Him pour Himself into every part of you; restoring your heart and soul, healing the wounds of your past. Bringing deliverance to those areas, you have never spoken about or shared with anyone. Let the Father into your secret place of pain and shame, so that He may bless you with beauty for your ashes, and double anointing for your shame. Let love in today so that you may be free to love the way God has ordained you to love. That, you may love yourself and God that is in you.

My Beloveds, I decree that the spirit of peace and prosperity has found permanent rest in every area of your life. Let God in. Let Him pour Himself into your heart and soul, filling you with love that consumes restores and redeems, so that you may love yourself, and others unhindered and completely, just as God loves. You are blessed. Now go...and be a blessing!

©2020. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.

"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.

"God's Grace and His all Surpassing Peace"

Reflections4Life™ December 16, 2018

“God’s Grace and His all Surpassing Peace”

“Then, because you belong to Christ Jesus, God will bless you with peace that no one can completely understand. And this peace will control the way you think and feel.” Philippians 4:7

Scripture Contemplation: Isaiah 26; 1 Corinthians 15:10; Ephesians 2:8-9; Philippians 4

T

here are many things that bring comfort to this world for some, and many things that bring no comfort to anyone. Yet, God’s grace and His peace should bring all man’s soul comfort. The comfort of knowing that God has us covered, even when we cannot cover ourselves, and that He can and will grant us peace in the midst of chaos, and the storms that continue to come. God is our anchor; the One that keeps us tethered to divine life and His ordained will for our lives.

I decree that this week’s Reflections will be a continued source of encouragement and inspiration for your heart mind and soul. Take some quality time this week and search your heart. Search your heart to know if the grace and peace of God are residing there. Do yourself a favor and make room for God, for His grace and His peace. You will never know the greatness you have been missing until your heart and mind aligns with the Spirit of God that is residing in you.

Do you really know the grace and peace of God? Many say they do but have truly yet to taste the goodness of God and all that He has made available for us. The Father’s love is encompassing. It surrounds us, fills us, calls to us, yearns for us to believe in it and accept it. Yet, we are a skeptical creation. Due to years of man’s manipulative ways, the lies, let downs, and disappointments, we do not truly trust in the goodness of God, let alone His grace and His peace. We do not really believe that the grace of God can be that easy to accept, nor His peace, that force, that quiets all the chaos in our lives. Yet they are.

Ephesians 2:8-9 You were saved by faith in God, who treats us much better than we deserve. This is God’s gift to you and not anything you have done on your own. It isn’t something you have earned, so there is nothing you can brag about.

God’s grace is a gift to us, not something that we can earn or buy. It just is. By His grace, we are saved and we are treated far better than our sinful lives have dictated. It is and will always be a gift from our Heavenly Father, who has extended to us, His unconditional love in many different ways, without pointing out our faults and flaws.

We walk around in this world carrying heavy burdens. Burdens from our past, from mistakes and failures, from the mouths of other people, that we forget the sovereignty of our God and that He is not a man, nor does He judge as man does. We cannot continue to place God on the same level that we do one another and walk in the fullness of His grace and love that He has ordained for each of our lives.

If we think we can take advantage of His grace, then we know nothing of God. The Father knows our thoughts before we think them. He knows what we are going to do before we do it. God allows things to happen because He knows and understands who we are. He knows the plans that He has for our lives. Make no mistake; God is in control.

Isaiah 26:3 The Lord gives perfect peace to those whose faith is firm.

Unbelievably, God blesses us with a peace that many others will never understand. A peace is far above our human consciousness. A peace that controls how we think and feel. A peace, that will have you calm and cool when everything around you is in utter chaos. It is the peace of God residing in us that surpasses all understanding and interpretation.

How do we get this kind of peace? We get it when we receive Christ as our personal Savior. This peace is already in us when God is in us. Think about this: Everything that God resides in us. Every character, power, strength—all of it—is inside of us when we accept Christ as our personal Savior. The moment we said yes to God, He immediately awoke in us, all that He ordained for us since creation. It is a matter of us believing it, accepting it and then receiving it. Allowing the peace of God to have ruled in our lives. This is the kind of peace that has us believing God, even when everything and everyone around us may be speaking the opposite.

My mother would answer our phone with the same greeting for years: “Grace and Peace!” She would say it in a sing-song voice, that would in some way, comfort whoever called. I finally got what my mother was doing: each time she spoke those words … those powerful words … she was making a declaration for her and the caller. She was declaring God’s grace and peace; God’s grace over her and the caller’s life, and the manifestations of the peace of God. Also, she was being certain that no matter what the call was concerning, there would continue to be the grace and peace of God. There is nothing more powerful that God’s grace and peace.

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. God’s grace is free. All we have to do is say, Yes, Lord. We maintain a level of peace when we maintain our faith. Our faith is maintained by spending quality time in the presence of God; accepting His grace and His instructions in our life. Declare and decree today, the grace and peace of God over and in your life. You are blessed. Now go … and be a blessing!

©2018. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.

"Do Not be Deterred By Pretty Words"

Reflections4Life™ May 6, 2018

“Do not Be Deterred by Pretty Words”

“My hand will be against the prophets who see false visions and who give lying divinations. They shall not be in the council of my people, nor be enrolled in the register of the house of Israel, nor shall they enter the land of Israel. And you shall know that I am the Lord God.” Ezekiel 13:9

Scripture Contemplations: 1 Kings 13; 22; Jeremiah 14; 23; Psalm 62; Ephesians 4; Hebrews 4

©Ruthe McDonald.

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here are a plan and a purpose for each of our lives. God knows who we are and has declared and decreed a plan for us before we were birthed or in our mother’s womb. As we grow and mature, experiencing life and come to a knowledge of who God is and who we are in Him, we should develop an intimate relationship with our Creator for ourselves. Getting to know who God is on our own and learning His voice and His ways. It is that personal relationship with God, the development of intimacy between our Creator and ourselves, that allows us to know and recognize His plan and will for our lives. No matter what things appear to be—we will be less likely to be deterred by pretty words or lying lips that would try to keep us from the promises of God designed for our lives.

I decree that this week’s Reflections will be a continued source of encouragement and inspiration for your heart mind and soul. God desires to reveal and to make known to His children many things. Take the time to spend in His presence and get to know who He is for yourself this week. Determine to let this week be the week that you begin or start again, to set aside intimate and quality time with the heavenly Father. Get to know His voice, His character, His unconditional love, and plans for you. When you know God—truly know Him—you will not be easily deterred by the lies, whispers, or sweet sounding words of those who would prey upon you and desire your destruction.

Not All Things Are What They Appear to Be

2 Timothy 3:4-6 “treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions,

One year for my birthday, my Mom decided to surprise me and bake me a birthday cake. I never made a cake I wanted but whatever my Mom wanted. I always wanted to do something for someone else on my birthday. This particular year, she decided to surprise me and bake a coconut layer cake.

The cake was a beautiful three-layer confection with buttercream icing and mounds of coconut. It looked good. Smelled good, too. But it was a deceiving cake! That cake lied! We laughed long and hard about this cake. It looked and smelled like her other coconut cakes. But when we went to taste the cake? It was one of the worse cakes my Mom had ever made! I never took the first piece of cake. I always gave it to my Mom. She took a bite, and I saw her face. I asked her what was wrong. She shook her head and told me to try it myself. I took a forkful off her plate, and I knew why she made the face. That was a deceiving cake! It was so dry and had absolutely no flavor at all. I could not believe it. We stared at the cake for a minute then burst out laughing. It was truly a beautiful and good smelling cake, but it was like eating a piece of cardboard. Not even the icing saved it.

We never figured out what went wrong. We referred to that cake at the deception cake. We laughed so hard, and I said the cake’s appearance definitely did not match the truth of its contents. And just like that cake; all pretty and looking the way you would expect a coconut cake to look—are a lot of people walking around today. Some in our lives, pretending to be someone they are not and seeking to deter us by their deceptive words and false appearances. Yet, on the inside, they are empty, flavorless, deceptive, and sometimes jealous, hoarding plans to come and deter us from what God has ordained for our lives.

Beloved, if God has given you a word in your heart, and has instructed you to take a certain path, do not be deterred by the sometimes “well-meaning” words of those who may seem like they know God and walk with God. Not everyone who says they believe and are for God is. Not every person who has a title walks in the integrity of that title. Know God for yourself. Know the Father’s voice and be who God has called you to be; walking in the path He has ordained for Your life.

God’s Word is True

Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

If there is one thing you can depend on, it is the word of God. Whatever God has spoken to you; whatever He has impressed upon your heart to do; believe it, and believe that He has equipped you to do it, and will be the provision for vision(s) He has placed in you. You must trust God. In order to trust Him, you must spend time in His presence, and in the word, getting to know Him, allowing Him to bring understanding and wisdom.

God is not a man that He should lie or that has to repent. Whatever God has spoken to you, no matter how long it may appear to be in happening, it will come to pass. (Numbers 23:19) Exercise patience and meditate on the word of God. Ponder in your heart the things that God has spoken to you, and do not rush or easily share with others what God have placed in you. There are a time and place for all things. Let God show you who people are. Allow the spirit and gift of discernment grow in you so you may make the correct choices in the right seasons.

Be Anxious For Nothing

Proverbs 27:6-7 Faithful are the wounds of a friend [who corrects out of love and concern], But the kisses of an enemy are deceitful [because they serve his hidden agenda]. He who is satisfied loathes honey, but to the hungry soul, any bitter thing is sweet.

Sometimes the truth hurts. Yet, it is that same truth that will bring healing, direction, purpose, and the fulfillment of plans, visions, and dreams. We do not always like the delay in the things that we are waiting for. We often want the promises of God quick, fast, and in a hurry. For most with this attitude, they will sometimes miss the blessings and deceived by the enemy many a time.

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. Do not shy away from God when He brings correction. Fill your soul and heart with the promises and word of God. Do not be anxious for anything, but do all things in God’s timing, trusting Him to bring you to that point of fulfillment in His plans of prosperity for you—spiritually, physically, and yes, financially. You are blessed. Now go…and be a blessing.

©2018. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.