"In Service of Others"

Reflections4Life May 24^th, 2015

“In Service of Others”

“I beseech you, therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.” Romans 12:1

Scripture Contemplation: Romans 9; 12; Philippians 2…

As we spend this weekend celebrating Memorial Day, it is an honor to remember those who served and have given their lives in service of others.

Each day we are granted is an opportunity to make a difference in not only our lives, but the lives of others. To be in the position to help others, gives us a chance to change lives.

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. Our Heavenly Father has given us a great gift: the opportunity to serve. When we understand the heart of a servant, then we understand the power we have to change lives. Allow God to show you how to serve and change lives.

In this life, I would hope that we could learn to give without the thought of only doing to receive something from someone in return. It is so much more than give and take. It is about selflessness. The ability to make a difference in the lives of others; even if you get no recognition for what you do. It’s not about being seen or heard, just about serving and making a difference.

I am in awe of each and every service person that makes a decision to serve their country. For whatever their reasons, it is a great sacrifice that they make. Not only for self, but also their families. Never knowing if one day may be their last while in service to their country and patriots.

When I think on the goodness of God, I think of all that He grants us each and every day. But mostly I think upon the freedom He grants us to choose how we will live our lives and affect the lives of others.

Life has its ups and downs, but it is how we live our lives personally that determines our quality of life. When we make a choice to serve others, we choose to give a part of ourselves. And when we do, we open up our hearts to unknown blessings and joys.

Not everyone gets it. Not everyone understands the heart of those who desire to serve. But everyone receives a benefit from those that choose to.

I give thanks and prayer for those men and women who have served and given their lives in service for the freedoms that we enjoy, and some take for granted. I honor you for the sacrifices that you have made. For the honor of your service. Happy Memorial Day. Blessings to the families that made the ultimate sacrifice in servitude.

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. May you be blessed with the heart that has the capacity to serve others; to make a difference in the life of someone who you may never even know. Be open to the will of god. It will change your life in unexpected ways. You are blessed. Now go and be a blessing.

©2015. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.

Reflections4Life: Are You A Joseph?

Reflections4Life August 25^th, 2013

“Are You A Joseph?”

“And the Lord will make you the head and not the tail; you shall be above only, and not be beneath, if you heed the commandments of the Lord your God, which I command you today, and are careful to observe them.” Deuteronomy 28:13

Scripture Contemplation: Genesis 37; 41; 42; Deuteronomy 28; Psalm 37; Matthew 6; Philippians 4...

There are those of us that dream big. Our vision is far beyond what most can even imagine—even family members. And when we begin to share what is in our hearts, more often than not, we will find opposition rather than agreement.

I declare and decree that this week's Reflections will be a continued source of encouragement and food for your heart, mind, and soul. Be bold in your walk in God. Declare and decree the things that God has spoken of you. Do not back down to opposition, but know that it will come. Let it strengthen you and cause you to seek the Lord even more. God desires to use you; even in the lives of those that have opposed you and hurt you.

Are you a Joseph? Did God give you a vision, a dream that is far beyond what you could have ever imagined? Did you share that dream and vision with your loved ones and be looked at as though you were insane? Did your vision cause disruption, bring opposition, cause you to see less than the favorable side of character of your loved ones? If you answered yes to any of these, then you are a Joseph!

Genesis 37:5-11 5 Now Joseph had a dream, and he told it to his brothers; and they hated him even more. 6 So he said to them, “Please hear this dream which I have dreamed: 7 There we were, binding sheaves in the field. Then behold, my sheaf arose and also stood upright; and indeed your sheaves stood all around and bowed down to my sheaf.” 8 And his brothers said to him, “Shall you indeed reign over us? Or shall you indeed have dominion over us?” So they hated him even more for his dreams and for his words. 9 Then he dreamed still another dream and told it to his brothers, and said, “Look, I have dreamed another dream. And this time, the sun, the moon, and the eleven stars bowed down to me.” 10 So he told it to his father and his brothers; and his father rebuked him and said to him, “What is this dream that you have dreamed? Shall your mother and I and your brothers indeed come to bow down to the earth before you?” 11 And his brothers envied him, but his father kept the matter in mind.

Wow! Talk about hating! But those of us who have been walking in the Lord, and have been walking in obedience understand that “haters” will come; even in our own family. It always seems to be the ones closest to us, the ones we love the most.

Here is what I have come to understand and know for sure: God will use the opposition to propel us into the position that we need to be in, in order for His vision and purpose in our life to come to pass. What's the saying: haters are going to hate? Well it's true. Yet, God is still God, and there is nothing that can stop the will and plan of God for our lives from coming to fruition, unless we remove ourselves or walk away from the Lord, and walk in disobedience.

God will and has used the enemy to catapult us into the place in which we need to be, so that He may bless us as He desires. Let's face it; there are some things about our character and our behavior that can be a hindrance to what God desires to make happen in our lives. There are some things about ourselves that need to be checked before we can walk in the fullness of God, and the visions that He has given to us.

Being a Joseph is more than just being someone that has dreams and a vision. It is more than just being hated upon and receiving opposition from those closest to you. Being a Joseph is being able to go through the process of being stripped of your flaws, of human pride, of being made humbled, and learning to look to God for all things, and not making a move until God says so.

In being a Joseph, it is not just coming from the “pit to the palace” like so many have preached. No. It is being able to withstand what happens in the middle; the process between the pit and the palace, and the ability to rise above hurt feelings, not yielding to emotions, and walking in the anointing of God, full of forgiveness and kindness; being able to be in the position to bring aid to the very ones that tried to destroy you, and left you for dead, without holding animosity. The ability to love in spite of and not because of. Being a Joseph is allowing the Christ in you to rise up and live.

Is that you today? Have you been rejected, scoffed at, opposed, lied on, falsely accused, deserted, abandoned by your family, sold out for money, left for dead, outcast, imprisoned, forgotten, despised; but you still dream, you still have vision, you're still holding on to what God has spoken to you, you still love those that hurt you?

Is this you? Then know this: God has anointed you today. He has chosen you to stand and to be the person in your family that brings healing and aid to them. God is using YOU; the one thought the least of; the one rejected, and abandoned to bring about healing and deliverance to the very ones that hurt you the most.

Don't allow the process to rob you of your vision or belief. Do not allow the rejection and opposition of those you love to deter you, or stop you from trusting and believing God. Joseph was given a gift from God. God trusted Joseph to go through what he went through, knowing that He could trust Joseph, and use him for His glory, and to bring salvation to a nation.

Joseph was a spoiled and prideful child. He was favored of Jacob. Jacob doted upon him, and that caused friction and jealousy amongst his brothers. Yet, there was something special about Joseph. And God used the actions of Joseph's brothers to bring about a plan that would cause a maturity and strength in Joseph that was needed. It caused the man in Joseph to rise; the visionary to come forth. It caused Joseph to call upon his God in a land that knew not his God. Joseph became a blessing even in the enemy's camp. God promoted him within to bless those without.

Know this beloved: whatsoever it is you are faced with today, do not allow it to keep you from seeking God and believing in what God has spoken to you. No matter how long the wait for the manifestation; continue to walk in the knowledge and preparation that today is the day that it comes to pass. Be ready. Forgive those that have hurt you, rejected you, opposed you. And learn to say thank you to your haters. For God is using them to propel you where He has ordained you to be, from the beginning.

I decree that the spirit of peace and of prosperity has found a permanent rest in your lives: spiritually, physically, emotionally, mentally, socially, and financially. Are you a Joseph? Continue to believe in the Lord and His purpose and plan for your life. Let God use you. You are the instrument that God has chosen to bless your family; to bring deliverance to a nation. Forgive. Love. And move forward in the Lord. He has anointed you to go through, and you are victorious! You are Blessed! Now go...and Be that Blessing!

©2013. 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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