"Recompense & Favor"

Reflections4Life December 2, 2018

"Recompense & Favor"

            "I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the hopper, the destroyer, and the cutter, my great army, which I sent among you." Joel 2:25

Scripture Contemplations: Psalm 5; Isaiah 61; Joel 2; 2 Corinthians 6

     Shake off the shame of yesterday. Shut down the strongholds and whispers that tell you, you are not good enough. Let go of the hurtful things people have said over your life. Stand in confidence knowing that God not only has you covered but has also answered your prayers, and is restoring to you everything that the enemy has stolen. This is the season of recompense and favor. You will determine in you see the hand of God in your life.

     I decree that this week's Reflections is a continued source of encouragement and inspiration for your heart mind and soul. No longer look at what should have been or what may have gone wrong. Instead, replace those thoughts and mental pictures with the promises of God for your life.  I urge you to open the word of God this week, immersing yourself in His promises to you, your children, and your children's children. The wait is over and God is manifesting His blessings.

     Do not be preoccupied with the things that did not work out in your life. Whether it is relationships, employment, ideas, etcetera. Move on from it by getting in God's presence and staying there until He releases you. There is so much that our Heavenly Father desires for us; so much that He has ordained for us, but we are not still long enough for us to receive or to see the favor of God manifest in our lives.

     God knows our hearts. He understands and sees what is inside of us; already knowing our motives and what we truly desire. He knows how many times we have been let down, disappointed, discouraged, and how close we are to giving up.  Do not give up. Do not let go of what God has placed in your heart because it has not come to pass just yet. Do not turn away from God because the promise or vision is taking some time to manifest. God is moving on your behalf.

     Beloveds, God has already worked everything out. He has already declared and decreed a path of success for us. Sometimes the hurt and disappointments we experience in life creates a hard shell over our hearts and we find ourselves distancing ourselves from emotions and feelings until we are desensitized to the voice and Spirit of God.

    God is restoring what was stolen from you. He is restoring what we messed up. He is restoring what we allowed our ignorance to destroy. He is giving recompense for all that we have given in His Name. He is giving to us pressed down, shaken together, running over, blessings for all that we have given and sacrificed in His Name without complaint.

    The Father has seen the seeds sown. He knows about the favors. He knows about the sacrifices. He knows about the hurt and pain and the past mistakes and the regrets we carry. He knows it all and is washing it all away, as He restores us and blesses us for everything we have given up, lain aside, sacrificed, and suffered. He is doing it all, and all we have to do is say, Yes, Lord! Believe Him, and let Him have His way! God is on it!

     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. Boldy walk in this season with faith and confidence in our heavenly Father; knowing in your heart that not only has He heard your prayers and your cries, He has already answered and has covered you in His divine favor, and is repaying you for everything you have either lost or was stolen from you on this journey. You are blessed. Now go...and Be a Blessing!

©2018. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.

"Remember to Laugh"

Reflections4Life™, March 26, 2017

“Remember to Laugh”

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

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

©Ruthe McDonald.

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

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

Sometimes the hardest thing to do is to laugh or to smile when you feel as though there is nothing in your life to feel joy over or to laugh or smile about. However, there is Beloved. Even when we cannot see it, there is something to smile about, to have joy over. There is always something to laugh about, to be happy about; especially if you serve a great and mighty God.

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

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

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

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

When my mother transitioned, it is one of the most heart-wrenching things I have experienced. My mother was a woman of joy and laughter; even through pain, she would find a reason to laugh, make a joke, and smile. It took her time to get to that place, but she made it there and she gave that to me as a gift. She shared her humor effortlessly with others. She was my own comedian. It hurts so bad at times to think of her not being here, but then I hear her in my spirit. I hear her admonishing me about the promises of God at this was not a goodbye, but a see you later, and that she is watching over me and sees everything! That was our private joke about death. She would say, just think, whatever you do, I will see it. You cannot hide anything from me then! I’d laugh so hard, just what she wanted me to do. I find myself laughing and remembering the joy she brought into my life and still brings. I laugh at the memories and embrace the joy and comfort that comes. Though my heart is heavy from her departure, it does not overshadow the love and laughter she brought and planted in my life.

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

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. Remember the times of laughter. Draw on those memories and allow it to bring comfort to your heart and soul. Take joy in the Lord and His promises. Do not allow the lies and the voice of the enemy to overshadow the voice and promises of God in your life. Take joy in the Lord. Remember the laughter, always. It will be a source of strength. You are blessed. Now go…and be a blessing!

©2017. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.

"Neutralize the Enemy"

Reflections4Life™ January 8, 2017

“Neutralize the Enemy”

“This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.” Joshua 1:8

Scripture Contemplation: Daniel 6; Proverbs 6; Habakkuk 2:4; Haggai 1; Mark 2; John 3…

There is no one more for you or on your side than God. From the moment you were a thought, He has made certain to protect you, provide for you, and destroy the enemy for you. Now, as you move forward in the will of God and you desire to be and do all that He as promised, the enemy will do his part to try and distract you, disturb you, and if he can, destroy and kill you. Do not allow it. It is time to neutralize the enemy.

I declare and decree that this week’s Reflections will be a source of encouragement for your heart, mind, and soul. Allow it to penetrate to the marrow of your spirit and soul, confirming the very things that God has already spoken to you.

Beloveds, I hope you are ready to live the life you have prayed and believed for. I pray that you are ready to walk in your greatness. Because, once the enemy is neutralized in your life for a season, it is time to move full steam ahead. No procrastinating. No hesitating. If you do either, you will allow the enemy to gain his footing.

It is time to neutralize the enemy. How? By having courage, walking in faith and doing exactly what God instructs us to do. We cannot wait when it comes to obedience to the Father. We must be swift to act, and not allow a spirit of procrastination to set in.

When we procrastinate in the things we need to do, we give time and room for the enemy to get in. Trust me; an inch will never be enough for him. The enemy seeks to kill, steal, and destroy. Do you think the enemy wants you believing God? Do you believe that he likes it when you show courage, walk in the will of God, and follow His instructions? Do you think he likes when you do not waste time mulling things over but instead move quickly in the word of God?

He does not. A person who has a made up mind, who moves quickly on the instructions of God leaves no room for the enemy to get in. The enemy wants to destroy who we are, our relationships, steal our future and promises, and kill our spirits, our visions, our faith, our love, and our humanity.

The only way to neutralize the enemy is to be sold out to God, walking in faith and obedience. By, standing on God's word and walking in truth, living truth, and not in fear or trepidation, or procrastinating on the things of God, we strip the enemy of any and all ammunition he will try and use against us.

Faith neutralizes the enemy. As does obedience and love. And guess what else neutralizes him? Forgiveness. Yes. When we forgive ourselves and we forgive others, we let go of those albatrosses around our necks. We are not walking with guilt that hinders us and keeps us from walking in truth and faith. Or, from hearing and recognizing the voice of our God.

It is time, that the enemy has been neutralized in our lives. Bound from doing any more harm and destruction; from causing chaos and confusion; from creating dissension and self-loathing. Obedience to God gives us leverage over the machinations of the enemy. He is powerless to do anything other than what God allows him to do. See the enemy for who and what he is. Do not underestimate him or believe that you are strong enough to fight him alone on his turf. We need God. We need his power and His covering. And we need to walk in His love and truth. When we do, the enemy cannot get in, unless we invite him in.

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. Beloveds, do not give the enemy any room in your life. Do not give him an inch to get in and try to destroy you. Walk in obedience and confidence in God. Do not procrastinate; move quickly on the things of God. He gave us the power. You are blessed. Now go…and be a blessing!

©2017. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.

"I Love You!"

Reflection4Life™ December 25, 2016

“I Love You!”

For unto us a child is born; unto us, a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder. These will be his royal titles: “Wonderful,” “Counselor,” “The Mighty God,”  “The Everlasting Father,” “The Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6 (TLB)

Scripture Contemplation: Isaiah; Luke 1, 2…

Merry Christmas! May this day be filled with joy and love and happiness and the reason for the season!

I Love You! That is it in a nutshell. The reason for this season was for man to know that they are loved. The birth of Christ was a gift from God, showing us His unwavering and unconditional love towards man. His gift to us so that we may not be forever lost in the clutches of the enemy and his warped, depraved, and empty existence. The Father sent His Son for us. If that doesn’t say I Love You, I don’t know what else does.

I declare and decree that today’s Reflections will be a continued source of encouragement for your heart, mind, and soul; bringing you peace and comfort to you. Celebrate the birth of the King—the reason for this season. Share the love today and each day. Be that walking reminder of who God is and whom He called us to be—a reflection of His love on the earth toward all man.

Yes! I love you! I love you very much. But no one, nobody, will ever love you more than God loves you. He loves you for who you are, just as you are before you even entered this earth. He loves you so much, that He had you in mind when He created this earth. He loves you so much He gave His only Son to enter the world that would reject Him, turn against Him, and crucify Him, just to save us all. He gave us the ultimate gift: a life for an entire creation’s redemption.

Don’t ever allow anyone to tell you that you are not loved. That, you are not special or thought of, or that your life does not have purpose or meaning. Are you serious? God has loved you before you were ever formed in your mother’s womb. He’s loved you from creation. And you are precious and important to him.

One of my favorite movies is, It's A Wonderful Life. I love many things about this movie. When Clarence says to George: “Strange, isn't it? Each man's life touches so many other lives. When he isn't around he leaves an awful hole, doesn't he?” How magnificent is that? Don't think for a moment that you are not making a difference or that your life is not important. God knew that! That’s why He created you—to make a difference!

No matter what our life's circumstances are at the present; no matter what yours or mine may be dictating at the moment—GOD LOVES US AND OUR LIVES MATTER AND WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO TOUCH AND CHANGE THE LIVES OF COUNTLESS OTHERS! Remember that when you start to doubt why you are on this earth, and if your life has any value or meaning.

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. Remember that God does love you. You are one of His greatest gifts, as well. Just as His gift of Christ was to let us know He loves us, we, too, are His gifts to one another. To remind one another of the fact that God is among us, that He loves us, and that He has not forgotten us but is indeed thinking of us. You are blessed. Now…go and be a blessing!

©2016. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.

Reflections4Life: Call Unto God

Reflections4Life August 4^th, 2013

“Call Unto God”

“This is God’s Message, the God who made earth, made it livable and lasting, known everywhere as God: ‘Call to me and I will answer you. I’ll tell you marvelous and wondrous things that you could never figure out on your own.” Jeremiah 33:2-3 MSG

Scripture Contemplation:Judges 16:27-29; 2 Samuel 22; 1 Kings 18; Psalm 18;37; Hebrews 5:6-8...

Have you ever had those times in your life when you are so overwhelmed and you just do not know what to do or where to go? I know I have. And it is in those times that I cry out even the more, and call unto my God who I know has the answers. Even if the answers are not the ones I was expecting or recognize.

I declare and decree that this week's Reflections will be a continued source of encouragement and inspiration for your heart, mind, and soul. Call unto God and He will answer you. Go before Him with an open heart, and allow Him to fill you and direct your paths. Trust Him; He knows what is best for you. Learn to trust Him where you cannot trace Him.

There are just times when we really do not know which way to go. We do not see a way out of our situation. Many have come to the end of their ropes and are just about ready to let go and give up. Don't! Do not let go unless you are letting it all go into the hands of God! Do not give up and walk away and do something that you may regret because the road ahead of you seems to be so dark, or the road you're on just seems to be too much to bear. God has you, beloved! He has you, and this is where you must call unto Him, and believe that He will answer you and deliver you. You just have to believe and hold on. Even in the darkness.

Isaiah 65:24 “Before they call out, I’ll answer. Before they’ve finished speaking, I’ll have heard.”

God has you, beloved. He knows all about you. He has answered your prayers before you even asked them. Before you even finish speaking it, He has already heard you. How many of us truly believe that God has heard our prayers and that He is answered? How many of us can honestly say that our level of faith is still in the same place when we encounter very difficult times? Or, when we have been waiting and waiting for the promises to come to pass? Has your faith grown or faltered? Tough times will come, and they will try your faith and bring forth what's really in your heart.

I love the Lord. I love Him with every fiber of my being. And I am the first to admit that there were times when my faith was shaken. It wasn't taken, but it was definitely shaken. From all that I had endured, and all the heartache and tests and trials; I began to wonder if I missed something? Was there something that I wasn't doing? Did I miss the mark? Was my faith really not strong enough? Then the Lord let me know, that there are times when our faith will be tested. We will go through moments of stretching and pain, and grief, but we must know to call unto Him, and allow Him to stretch our faith, and grow our faith in these times of adversity.

The saying is true: No pain, no gain. Even in our walk with the Lord. Jesus was not exempt, and neither will we be. There will be trials and hard times in this life. However, they will never outweigh the love and joy and the victory that is in this life, if we would believe and hold on and trust God. And learn to call unto Him first and foremost. Our faith is strengthened through adversity. The tests and trials allow us to see what is in our hearts and what we truly believe.

Do you call unto God first when something happens, and you don't know what to do? Or, do you seek the counsel of man, asking your family, friends, counselors, etc., for answers and direction? Our first call should be unto God. He is there waiting for us to just ask Him; to call upon His name and seek Him so that He may show us what to do; where to go, and what steps to take, and even whose counsel to seek.

So often, God is the last one we call upon. We often go to God last, after we have gone to everyone else seeking for the answers that only God has. We must learn to go to God first in all things; whether they be big or small, we need to take them all to the Lord. We must seek out God; seek His will and answers concerning our lives and the road we need to be taking. God should be the first stop, not the last.

I know this, beloved, that God has something wonderful to tell us when we come to Him. He has the answers that we seek, to the questions in our lives. He has the solutions to the difficulties we may be facing. And He wants to be our first call so that He may direct our paths and lead us to the right place and people. If only we would trust the counsel of God and believe that He has what is best.

I know for certain that the enemy revels in the fact when we do not seek out God. For even He knows that those who seek first the Kingdom of Heaven will be privy to his machinations, and less likely to fall for his lies and traps. I know it can be difficult to hear or see your way out when everything seems to be going the opposite of what we have believed and hoped for. I also know the pain and hurt that comes when it seems like you can never seem to get away from heartache, trials, and tests; feeling as though just when one ends, here comes another one, threatening to take the very life out of you.

I say to you, beloved, stand strong and call unto God. Tell Him everything that is in your heart and soul. God can handle it! He is big and mighty God. And once you are finishing pouring out, be still and listen. God is going to answer you and He is going to show you some things that will give you exactly what you need to make it through. I'll be honest with you: He will not stop the tests, but He will direct you and tell you how to get through and how to come out stronger and wiser. He will also give you something so phenomenal to hold on to, that it will stir your faith, and give you the very ammunition that you need to defeat and destroy the enemy once and for all. You just need to be certain that God is your first call and not your last.

Troubles will come. Storms will arise. But I can promise you this: God will have you through it all. Put your trust in Him, and do not go by what it appears to be, but what God has spoken it to be. Lean not on your own understanding, but put all your trust in God who loves you more than anything and anyone.

Proverbs 3:5-6 “Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths.”

I decree that the spirit of peace and of prosperity has found a permanent place in your lives: spiritually, physically, emotionally, mentally, socially, and financially. Let God be your first call. Trust Him to lead you to where you cannot trace Him. Be confident in the Lord, knowing that He has not abandoned you, but has only the best for you. Don't try to figure things out on your own. Go to God, and allow Him to speak to your heart and show you marvelous and wondrous things. You are Blessed. Now go...and Be a Blessing!

©2013. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved. 

Reflections4Life: Our Strength in Joy

Reflections June 23^rd, 2013

“Our Strength In Joy”

“Then [Ezra] told them, Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet drink, and send portions to him for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. And be not grieved and depressed, for the joy of the Lord is your strength and stronghold.” Nehemiah 8:10 (AMP)

Scripture Reading For This Week: Deuteronomy 28; Nehemiah 8; 2 Chronicles 20; Psalm 21; 1 John 5

What an awesome feeling to know that God is on your side. It fills your heart with peace and an unspeakable kind of joy. It is also liberating to understand the power that joy has and why the enemy is always trying to steal it. When we understand joy, then we will do all we can to hold on to joy and never let it go.

I declare and decree that this week's Reflections will be a continued source of encouragement for your heart, mind and soul. Allow the joy of the Lord to reside in every area of your life; strengthening you in your walk and commitment to the Father, and your resolve to hold on, as you wait upon the promises of God to be fulfilled in your life.

In my spirit, a song is ringing loud and clear: Joy, Joy, God's great joy. Joy, joy, down in my soul! Sweet, beautiful, soul saving joy. Oh, joy, joy in my soul. I find myself filled with so much joy. Joy that I do not, and cannot, and will not let go of.

The most important thing that I've learned about the joy of the Lord, is that it is my strength. It is what keeps me pushing forward when everything around me says to give up. It's what encourages me when I don't see no way out of a situation. It helps me to remember the plans of the Father concerning my life. Joy is what encourages me in the mist of sorrow and heartache.

“Then [Ezra] told them, Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet drink, and send portions to him for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. And be not grieved and depressed, for the joy of the Lord is your strength and stronghold.” Nehemiah 8:10

Ezra was reading the law to the children of Israel so that they would understand. As the people heard the word, they began to mourn and be sad. But Ezra admonished them to rejoice. To not be depressed for it was the Lord's day, and that the joy of the Lord was their strength and stronghold.

What is the joy of the Lord? The joy of the Lord is His word. It is His thoughts. It is His promises. It is Jesus. The joy of the Lord is powerful. It transforms your mind, heart, and life. It is the Lord's strength that is placed in us to walk in this journey that we call life. The joy of the Lord gives us hope in a world that is filled with evil and sorrows.

There are times that we are surrounded with so much negativity that we begin to see things as impossible. It makes us feel as though mourning will never cease, and joy will never come. It is the joy of the Lord that enables us to see past the moment, to get through the grief, and to understand that mourning will occur—it is a part of life—but there will be a morning.

Psalm 30:5 For His anger is but for a moment, but His favor is for a lifetime or in His favor is life. Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.

We may not know how long the night is—for some of us it has been a very long night—but we do have the promise of our Father that there will be a morning. A morning that comes with joy. And while we are waiting for our morning, we can be strengthened by the joy of the Lord. We can allow it to be a stronghold over our heart and mind, and draw upon whenever we feel weak or afraid or even abandoned. God's joy will strengthen you. His word. His promises. His thoughts. His ways.

In order for us to hold onto this joy, we must be intimate with the Father daily. We must be in His word, meditating upon it, and keeping ourselves away, as much as possible, from constant negativity that would hinder us from seeing or hearing that which God is saying.

The joy of the Lord is my strength. Whatever I face in this world; I am not alone. For my God is with me. Through my mourning and weeping times; I have the courage to hold on knowing that my tomorrow will soon come. In fact, my morning has arrived. And I know it was the strength of my God—His joy that resides in my heart—that strengthened me to hold on, keep believing, and never give up. God said it. I believe it. My Morning has come.

I decree that the spirit of peace and prosperity has found permanent rest in your lives: spiritually, physically, emotionally, mentally, socially, and financially. Hold on to your joy. Let the joy of the Lord bring you comfort and peace of mind as it strengthens you through all waiting periods, and battles. Meditate on the word of God. Speak His word to the atmosphere and to yourself. God cannot lie. There will be a morning, and His joy will see you through. You are Blessed. Now go...and Be a Blessing!

©2013. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.