"Honoring Fatherhood"

Reflections4Life™ June 16, 2019

"Honoring Fatherhood"

"Just as a father has compassion on his children, So the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him. Psalm 103:13 NASB

Scripture Contemplation: Genesis 2:24; Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 5:16-17; Malachi 1:5-7; Matthew 15:3-7; Ephesians 6:1-3…

©Ruthe McDonald.

I would like to take this moment to wish a Happy Father's Day to all the father's and father's to be. May your heart be filled with abundant joy. I pray that you will continue to look to the Father for all instructions, allowing Him to lead you; even in the most difficult of times. God will never leave you but will lift you up and be your strength.

I decree that this week's Reflections will be a continued source of encouragement and inspiration for your heart, mind, and soul. As you honor your father, you are honoring God. No matter what path your earthly father may have walked, when you honor him as your father, God will move on your behalf.

I love my father. I honored him no matter what he did or did not do. He is my father. Yes. I was a Daddy's girl. Most people believe that it is much easier for a daughter to look past or forgive her father's transgressions than a son. Maybe for some. However, I have come to understand, that unless both daughter and son can honor their father—no matter the actions of his life—they do themselves a disservice when it comes to their own life's journey and choices made in relationships.

Not all people make great parents. Some just do not have the skills it takes to do what is necessary. Yet, this does not cancel out the fact that God says we must honor them. We must show them respect, if not for the mere fact that because of them, you are here in the land of the living. He gave to your life. Let us face it: without his contribution, you would not be here. So for that reason alone, if you cannot find any other reason, he deserves that much respect.

Did you know that the commandment: Honor thy father and mother, is the first commandment with a promise?

Ephesians 6:2-3 "Honor your father and mother (which is the first commandment with a promise), so that it may be well with you, and that you may live long on the earth."

So that it may be well with you, and that you may live long on the earth…That's the promise. Here's the deal: God wants us to show honor and respect to our parents regardless of what they may have done or not have done. He is concerned with our heart and our future and His plans for our lives. Don’t you think God knows about the atrocities that some parents make? You don't think He sees the abandonment, failures, and broken promises. Yes. He sees all of that. Yet, the Father understands that if we walk around with un-forgiveness, bitterness, hatred, disrespect towards our parents—the very ones who gave us life—then we are blocking what He has ordained for our lives. We trap ourselves, and may very well become the very person we have dishonored all this time. God will always respect His own laws that He has put in place and He will not go against them for anything.

Regard them, consider them, and respect them. Do not let your heart become burdened down with dishonor that you miss what God has for you in your life.

I honor my father. He was far from perfect. He did things that were not acceptable. Nevertheless, I love him, honor him, and considered his life, as well. If it had not been for him, I would not be here. If it had not been for him, I would not be an author. He was the first person who told me I could. When he passed, I was only sixteen. I thank God for the Uncles I have who stood in the gap and nourished my broken heart. They are fathers, as well, who have made mistakes and were not perfect. Yet I honor them, just as their children do.

Honoring your father is not for his benefit; it is for yours. God knows exactly how to reach a parent who is not behaving accordingly. To honor them, in spite of, is a testament to your heart, and, where God wants to take you. When it comes down to it; to honor, respect, regard, or consider them, has to do with where you want your life to go, and how long you desire it to be.

Many fathers do not receive honor, or respect, for who they are. They have worked hard to provide and to be the best father they could be; even when they had no example themselves of a good father. They make mistakes along the way, but they are not giving up. They are striving to do that which is right so that their children will benefit and receive what they never received.

I take this time to honor every father. If you are considered the greatest of fathers, I honor you today. I give God praise for you. For those who are not doing so well as a father, I consider you and all you may have gone through, and pray that the Lord will get a hold of you and direct your path; bring healing to your wounds, and forgiveness to your life so that you may truly begin to experience the joy and abundance of fatherhood. To every father that are doing all they can as a father; I honor you, and pray that your heart is continually filled with joy, and that your example of fatherhood and leadership will be passed on to your children, and that your children will honor you all the days of your life.

My Beloveds, I decree that the spirit of peace and of prosperity has found permanent rest in your lives. I decree that every good thing that God has ordained for your life will become evident to you. Honor your father. Whether he is the greatest or hasn't done all that well; still give honor to him as your father. For, God is looking at your heart, and it will determine how your days are on this earth. Make peace so that your manifestations of blessings are not held up. You are blessed. Now go…and be a blessing!


©2019. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.

Reflections4Life: "Our Father"

Reflections4Life June 15^th, 2014

“Our Father”

“The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice, And he who sires a wise son will be glad in him.” Proverbs 23:24

Scripture Contemplation: Genesis 2:24; Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 5:16-17; 1 Kings 8; John 1;6:45-47; Romans 1:6-8; 2 Corinthians 1:1-3...

Happy Father's Day! I give honor to each and every father this day and every day. Thank you for all that you do. Thank you for your leadership, your support, your provision. May our heavenly Father bless the work of your hands to prosper and the dreams and visions in your heart to come to pass. Allow Him to lead you; especially in the most difficult of times. Believe in your heart that, God will never leave you but will lift you up and be your strength.

I declare and decree that this week's Reflections will be a continued source of encouragement and inspiration for your heart, mind, and soul. Let your heart be opened to Father God, as He desires to fill those empty places, and to bring you into to a deeper and more intimate relationship with Him.

It brings a certain kind of peace and calmness when you know and trusts that someone is protecting you. That, there is someone that is there to cover you, and to make sure that your needs are met, you are well provided for, is there for you to run to for shelter and safety. There is a peace in your soul and contentment in your heart when you know that you are not alone and that there is someone who will sacrifice all just to keep you safe. Who'd never give up on you or searching for you if you were ever lost.

Much like our earthly fathers, that is who our heavenly Father is, and so much more that cannot be put into words. We can take joy in the knowledge that God is our Father. Even if you've never had the kind of relationship with your earthly father, or you lost your father at a young age; God said, He is a Father to the fatherless. And He is there for you always. ALWAYS.

My earthly father did the best that he could do. His love was unconditional and never wavering. He encouraged me in so many ways. He was my first love and showed me what it means to be treated special and to be cherished. He was my first champion. He was the first one to believe in me and my dreams and told me I could and would achieve them because he knew I had it in me to do so. He was my best friend. And when he was taken away, I thought I'd die with him.

I didn't though. I lived. And I thrived because in addition to the love that my father showered me in; although he had his faults, his love propelled me forward, along with the love and care of my heavenly Father. My Savior. My Lord. My King. My Deity, now truly became my Father. My reflection of Him upon this earth was robbed from me, but He gave me Himself and along the way father figures upon this earth, who could physically embrace me and guide me. God never leaves us fatherless.

God wants to father us. To love us. To dote on us. To be there for all things concerning us. And yes...even to discipline us. Because, a good father knows that without discipline, there is destruction. Without discipline, we could never fully receive, or comprehend, or handle the bountifulness of the astounding awesomeness of the blessings of God!

A father should prepare you; lead, guide and instruct you in the ways of truth that will give you an expected end. Whether you had a father present in your life or not; regardless if you had a father that was good or bad; God says, He desires to be YOUR Father. To teach you and guide you, and prepare you for the inheritance that has been waiting for you.

The Bible tells us that a good father leaves an inheritance for their children. And it is not just speaking in terms of a monetary inheritance. He leaves an inheritance of integrity, of sound character, of love, of joy, of peace and of hope and faith.

Beloved, God wants to be our Father. He wants to bring us to an intimate place in Him, so that He may reveal to us the mysteries of His word, the joys of being in His presence, the abundance that comes from being showered in His love, the grace and peace that comes from His covering, the peace of knowing that He is always there and will never leave or forsake you. And that whatever you ask in Jesus' name, you can have if you believe.

I decree that the spirit of peace and of prosperity has found permanent rest in your lives. God our Father waits for you to yield to His touch; to answer His call and the knocking on the doors of your heart. Open up and let Him in. Let Him fill those empty places. Restore any damage, heal all the pain. Come to Him with all your heart so that He can fill you and love you the way only a Father could. You are so Blessed! Now go...and Be a Blessing!

©2014. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.

Reflections4Life: Honoring Your Father

Reflections,  June 16, 2013

"Honoring Your Father"

"Just as a father has compassion on his children, So the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him. Psalm 103:13 NASB

Scripture Reading For This Week: Genesis 2:24; Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 5:16-17; Malachi 1:5-7; Matthew 15:3-7; Ephesians 6:1-3…

I would like to take this moment to wish a Happy Father's Day to all the father's and father's to be. May your heart be filled with abundant joy. I pray that you will continue to look to the Father for all instructions, allowing Him to lead you; even in the most difficult of times.  God will never leave you, but will lift you up and be your strength.

I declare and decree that this week's Reflections will be a continued source of encouragement and inspiration for your heart, mind, and soul. As you honor your father, you are honoring God. No matter what path your earthly father may have walked, when you honor him as your father, God will move upon your behalf.

I loved my father. I honored him no matter what he did or didn't do. He was my father. Yes; I was a Daddy's girl. And most people believe that it is much easier for a daughter to look past or forgive their father's transgressions than a son. Maybe for some. However, I have come to understand, that unless both daughter and son can honor their father—no matter the actions of his life—they do themselves a disservice when it comes to their own life's journey and choices made in relationships.

Not all people make great parents. Some just do not have the skills it takes to do what is necessary. Yet, this does not cancel out the fact that God says we must honor them. We must show them respect; if not for the mere fact that because of them, you are here in the land of the living. He gave to you life. Let's face it: without his contribution you would not be here. So for that reason alone, if you can't find any other reason, he deserves  that much respect.

Did you know that the commandment: Honor thy father and mother, is the first commandment with a promise?

Ephesians 6:2-3 "Honor your father and mother (which is the first commandment with a promise), so that it may be well with you, and that you may live long on the earth."

So that it may be well with you, and that you may live long on the earth…That's the promise. Here's the deal: God wants us to show honor and respect to our parents regardless to what they may have done or not have done. He is concerned with our heart and our future and His plans for our lives. You don't think God knows about the atrocities that some parents make? You don't think He sees the abandonment? The failures? The broken promises?  Yes. he sees all of that. Yet, the Father understands that if we walk around with un-forgiveness, bitterness, hatred, disrespect towards our parents—the very ones who gave us life—then we are blocking what He has ordained for our lives. We trap ourselves, and may very well become the very person we have dishonored all this time.

Regard them, consider them, respect them.  Do not let your heart be burdened down with dishonor that you miss out on what God has for you in your life.

I honor my father. He was far from perfect. He did things that were not acceptable. But I loved him, honored him, and considered his life, as well. If it had not been for him, I would not be here. If it had not been for him, I would not be an author. He was the first person who told me I could. When he passed, I was only sixteen. I thank God for the Uncles I have who stood in the gap and nourished my broken heart. They are fathers, as well, who have made mistakes and were not perfect. But I honor them, just as their children do.

Honoring your father is not for his benefit; it is for yours. God knows exactly how to reach a parent who is not behaving accordingly. To honor them, in spite of, is a testament to your heart and where God wants to take you. When it comes down to it; to honor, respect, regard or consider them, has to do with where you want your life to go, and how long you desire it to be.

There are many fathers who are not being honored or respected for who they are. They have worked hard to provide, and to be the best father they could be; even when they had no example themselves of a good father. They make mistakes along the way, but they are not giving up. They are striving to do that which is right so that their children will benefit and receive what they never received growing up.

I take this time to honor every father. Whether you are considered the greatest of fathers, or the worst of fathers, I honor you today. I give God praise for you. For those who are not doing so well as a father, I consider you and all you may have gone through, and pray that the Lord will get a hold of you and direct your path; bring healing to your wounds, and forgiveness to your life so that you may truly begin to experience the joy and abundance of fatherhood. To every father that are doing all they can as a father; I honor you, and pray that your heart is continually filled with joy, and that your example of fatherhood and leadership will be passed on to your children, and that your children will honor you all the days of your life.

I decree that the spirit of peace and of prosperity has found permanent rest in your lives: spiritually, physically, emotionally, mentally, socially, and financially. Honor your father. Whether he is the greatest or hasn't done all that well; still give honor to him as your father. For, God is looking at your heart, and it will determine how your days are upon this earth. Make peace so that your manifestations of blessings are not held up. You are Blessed. Now go…and Be a Blessing!

©2013. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.