"The Giants Fall Down"

 Reflections4Life™ September 11, 2022

“The Giants Fall Down”

“These were descended from the giants in Gath, and they fell by the hand of David and by the hand of his servants.” 1 Chronicles 20:8

Scripture Contemplation: Deuteronomy 3; Joshua 13; 2 Samuel 21; 1 Chronicles 20…

We are all on a journey called life. Each of us taking different yet similar paths. Sometimes our journeys will intersect with one another, giving us either perspective and encouragement, or distractions and discouragement. It is up to us to determine if what we are journeying towards is worth the travail, and sometimes the hardship and difficulty we may face, and the giants that will try to block us and scare us along the way.

No one gets around the giants in their journey. They are guaranteed to show up. Yet, here is what many do not understand: THEY ARE STRONGER THAN THE GIANTS. God says that when we believe in Him, His promises, and follow His instructions, those “giants” will fall down. The giants in our life's journey look like insurmountable problems. They look like naysayers, pessimists, family members, strangers, work, difficult situations, our past, or whatever may cause a hindrance or block us from moving forward. They are all considered “giants” in our lives. Those giants seek to keep us from walking in the promises of God in our lives. It is time to gird ourselves with our smooth stones and watch the giants fall down.

I declare that this week’s Reflections will be a continued source of encouragement and inspiration for your heart, mind, and soul. Gird yourselves in the armor of God. As you go forth in your journey, pray fervently and follow all that God has instructed. No matter what comes at you, remember: Greater is God in you than the enemy that is in this world. God has already given you the power to triumph and watch the giants fall down.

It is a guarantee that we will face some “giants” in our life’s journey. People, places, and things that will try to stop us from reaching our promised land. Yet God says they are no match for those who truly trust and believe in His word, and walk accordingly. God has a promise for each of us; a journey that we must take to get us to fulfill those promises.

There have been numerous giants in my life—there still are some giants now—that I face and sometimes question if I am strong enough to get through. God reminds me of His promises but I also have to remind myself. I have to take the initiative to speak what God says about me; to take time and be still in my Father’s presence; to read and meditate in the word; to charge the atmosphere with the very words God has decreed and declared over my life. Like David, I must carry my five smooth stones, prepared to take down the giants that come my way and try to block me from moving forward in the promises that God has ordained for my life.

I realized that God has been preparing me all of my life for the battles that I now face. When we are younger, we encounter things that seem so insurmountable. Yet, when we grow, mature, and are faced with different obstacles, we look back and might see that that was nothing compared to what we are facing now. However, in the lessons and those “small” obstacles, God was teaching us form, strategy, and technique. He taught us what to look for and how to conquer every giant.

Just like David, God has hidden some of us on the backside of the mountain. We have been spending time in the presence of God, getting to know His heart and worshipping Him, building a relationship of strength and confidence. Like David, we will face our own bear and lion and defeat them. No one knows what we are capable of. Neither do they understand what God has been preparing us for? Sometimes we don’t even know the breadth and scope of what God has for us. Yet, God has been preparing us for our own Goliath. We will either stand up and declare what is ours and what God has spoken, or we will back up and fear the illusion of strength that the Giant represents.

Beloved, I’ve come too far in my journey to turn back or be defeated this close to my promised land, and so have you. Many of us stand on the bridge of our journey—the bridge of crossing over. On the other side of the bridge is everything we have been striving for and working towards; all the manifestations of the blessings and promises for our lives. All we have to do is cross over the bridge but on the bridge is one more behemoth of a giant. A giant comprised of every obstacle you have ever faced. Every lie you were ever told. Every fear you ever experienced. Every pain you have ever felt. It’s there, on the bridge, trying to block your entrance to your God-ordained promised land. Not only is it there, but it is also taunting you and mocking you, and across its chest is a screen playing a picture of your journey, only showing the highlights of your failures; of every trip, fall, and mistake. There is a sound coming from this giant and it is all the negative thoughts you ever had and the negative words spoken by others. He will not budge. What are you going to do?

You are going to open your mouth (slingshot) and sling your stones (words) declaring what God has spoken to you. You will declare and decree, reminding the enemy, that God has already delivered you the victory and you will get what He promised. As you speak the word of God, pull down every stronghold, and take out your sword, you will witness the enemy start to crumble. You will move forward confidently, with the words of God coming from your mouth and heart, and watch as the Giant falls, your words hit him like heavy stones. When he has fallen, you will take its head off, so it will not rise again, and cross over into your promised land, giving God all of the glory. You WIN!  

 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. The giants fall down, Beloveds. They are no match for the power that resides in you; the power that is our God, our Creator. Do not back up now or run away when you are this close to the manifestations of the blessings and promises of God. The enemy is no match for you when you are standing and walking in confidence and courage. With God on your side, who can win against you? No one. You are blessed. Now go…and be a blessing!

©2022. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.

"More Than A Feeling"

 Reflections4Life™ February 28, 2021

“More Than a Feeling”

“Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise…” Hebrews 10:35-36

Scripture Contemplation: Joshua 1; 2 Kings 18; Job 4:6; Ephesians 3; Hebrews 10; James 5…

©Ruefox.

There are times when we get caught up in our feelings. We sometimes do things that we later regret because we reacted based upon our feelings at the time. Have you ever done that? React, based upon your feelings? Out of emotions? Only to wholeheartedly regret the actions afterward? We've all been there a time or two. Or maybe a few! We must learn that we are more than our feelings. When we walk in confidence, we’re learning to respond instead of reacting.

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. Be certain to spend quality, intimate time with the Father this week. Let Him pour into you; filling your spirit and soul with all that He is. So that you may grow in boldness and confidence and not be swept away or swayed by wavering emotions.

Here's the thing, Beloved: Our feelings are at times like a pendulum; swinging high one moment then low the next. They change like the wind depending upon what is happening in our lives at the moment. Our emotions can be calm and peaceful as a steady stream. Or, as dangerous and ravishing as a Tsunami.

God does not desire that for us. Living by our emotions is not living at all. The Father wants us to walk with confidence. Confidence in Him and confidence in ourselves. When we walk in confidence, believing in the Word of God and promises for our lives, there is very little that can disturb our emotions. Should our emotions become disturbed or our feelings hurt; we learn to respond instead of reacting; having fewer regrets had we allow our emotions to overrule our hearts and dictate our actions.

Many times when we react to our feelings, it is out of fear. I don’t think many realize how fear plays a role in whether or not they are reacting or responding. Fear is often the absence of confidence. Our confidence in a situation, a person, or even God, can be shaken because of something that may have occurred. And when fear is present, it messes with our emotions often causing us to react, instead of being still, praying, and responding after we have given thought and consideration to the situation.

Beloved, remember that God has not given us a spirit of fear. But one of love, power, and a sound mind. We do not have to be overwhelmed by emotions. We do not have to allow our feelings to dictate our behavior. Instead, we can be bold and confident, and walk assuredly in all that God has spoken. Instead of allowing our emotions to rule; we yield to Holy Spirit and follow His lead in any and all situations, with the confidence that God has already worked it all out.

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. Be confident in God. Be confident in yourself. Do not be carried away in your feelings only to regret rash decisions. Pray, think, and then respond. You are blessed. Now go…and be a blessing!

©2021. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved. 

"We've Already Won!"

 Refelctions4LifeTM February 21, 2021

“We’ve Already Won!”

“But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1Corinthians 15:57

Scripture Contemplation: Luke 10; Romans 12:1-2; 1 Corinthians 15; 1 John 1; Revelation 15…

Family

Most of us don't even know that the battle we are in, we've already won. We have been declared the winner way before the battle has even begun. Yet, many will be defeated because they were led to believe they could never win. So, instead of fighting and believing in themselves, they gave up before they even began to fight. Their thoughts defeated them.

I declare today’s Reflections bring comfort and peace to your heart and mind. I decree it be a continued source of encouragement and inspiration. Let your heart and mind be on Christ. Allow His words and thoughts to fill you and renew your mind daily, so you do not forget the promises and the victory that was already attained for you.

Beloved, let me let you in on something in case you did not know, or perhaps have forgotten: GOD HAS ALREADY DECLARED YOU THE WINNER! THE WAR WAS WON AND YOUR VICTORY SECURED WHEN CHRIST GAVE HIS LIFE ON THE CROSS; DEFEATING HELL AND DEATH.

It may certainly seem like we are on the losing team when we are faced with so many trials and heartaches.  It is easy to forget that we have won when the battles we are in feel like an all-out war. But that's how the enemy rolls. His very first strategic attack is to get in your mind. To make suggestions. To whisper in your ear until it seems like your own thoughts. To plant seeds of doubt's and water them by attacking you, and often using those closest to you as weapons to weaken your resolve and have you question where is God and if there is a God!

Another thing the enemy will try and use is to make you feel alone and isolated. He will try his best to convince that no one understands you, loves you, or cares about you. He will point out every bad thing about your family. Magnifying a lone incident until your entire family nonpersona non Grata. It's all lies.

As I was collecting photos this week for a slideshow for my Uncle's celebration of life services, I realized just how much my family enjoyed time together. In these crazy quarantine times and my personal trials and tests taking place, it was easy to forget how many times my family got together! I looked at all the pictures and was overwhelmed with so much joy and floods of memory. We truly were a family that gathered together every chance we could get. If that Sun was shining, we were gathering. If it rained or snowed, we were meeting at someone's house. 

The memories came flooding back thick and heavy, causing me to ache for what was, But also giving me hope for what's going to be. You see, we are all in a war right now; battling Covid, family issues, political issues, policy issues, human rights issues. But it all boils down to the same thing: We've Already Won! Satan can't keep us down. He can't stop a family that prays together from winning. Because we win! We will see healing. We will get together again! We will enjoy one another while thanking God for His Supernatural. However, we cannot allow the enemy to deceive us; making us give up and walk away when the restoration is here, and we've already been declared the winners.

I've said it before and I will say it again: Satan is the master illusionist. He is great at smoke and mirrors. But his greatest trick still doesn't trump God's greatest gift: His Son, Jesus, who gave His life so that we may live.

The enemy knows he has no power. The only power he has is the power we give him when we give up, doubt God, stop praying and turn away from God. The Father has not only secured our victory, but He has also given us authority and power over the enemy.

We've already won Beloved. You have already been declared victorious. But you have to believe it and walk in it. Do not be like Eve and enter into a conversation with the enemy. He will manipulate you every time. Instead, speak the word and declare it like Jesus did.

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. Say what God has already said and believe it. You are the winner! And you are strong enough to go through any battle that comes your way! You are blessed. Now go…and be a blessing!

©2021. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.