"No More Procrastinating"

 Reflections4Life™ March 12, 2023

“No More Procrastinating!”

“The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied.” Proverbs 13:4

Scripture Contemplation for This Week: Haggai 1; 2; Luke 9…

©Ruthe McDonald.

We all have hopes, dreams, and visions. For many, they have pursued them and successfully accomplished them; seeing them come to fruition, the fruit of their labor and faith manifesting. Others have lost their hope, dreams, and visions. Life has not been kind and has disappointed them. Yet, the truth is, life happened to both groups of people. Many of those who have accomplished their dreams and visions, too were met with disappointments and unkindness. However, they did not stay down when they fell. They did not stop trying or pushing forward. When one road was blocked, they found another. They did not give up. And when God told them to keep going, they did not procrastinate. When it was time to rebuild, that is just what they did. They walked in obedience to God.

I declare that this week’s Reflections will be a continued source of encouragement and inspiration for your heart, mind, and soul. Stand in faith and walk in obedience, Beloveds. Allow the word of God to cleanse you. Walk with confidence and faith, pursuing your dreams and passions. Do not allow setbacks, disappointments, and trials of life to derail you from seeing the manifestations of God’s blessings for your life. Be diligent in your prayer and meditation this week, allowing God to be your strength, as He instructs you how to rebuild. Be swift to move and follow His word, kicking the spirit of procrastination in the butt. Everything you need already resides in you.

Stop Procrastinating

Haggai 1:2-7  “Thus says the Lord of hosts: These people say the time has not yet come to rebuild the house of the Lord.” 3 Then the word of the Lord came by the hand of Haggai the prophet, 4 “Is it a time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins? 5 Now, therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts: Consider your ways. 6 You have sown much, and harvested little. You eat, but you never have enough; you drink, but you never have your fill. You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm. And he who earns wages does so to put them into a bag with holes. 7 “Thus says the Lord of hosts: Consider your ways.

God has given each of us instructions concerning His will for our lives. He gave instructions in His word, through His overseers and teachers. Even in our dreams and through circumstances and situations, God has admonished us and has sent His word on what we should do and the path we should walk. Yet, many have gone astray. They have not listened to God, but instead have followed their own desires and whims; have followed others on a path of disobedience and destruction, and have not yielded to God.

Our spiritual houses are breaking down. Our lives are not what we hoped for or expected. The truth of the matter is that many have been selfish in their pursuits, forsaking the word and will of God. We have moved away from the will of God and His instructions and have procrastinated in our repentance and have not humbled ourselves before the Lord. We wonder why we never have enough or can never move ahead or catch a break. We have been indulging in our flesh; gratifying the lusts of our eyes and ears, and have forsaken our relationship with God.

This has left many empty, in a place of uncertainty, and spiritually bankrupt. It is time to stop procrastinating, especially when it comes to following the will of God, walking in obedience to His will for our lives. We cannot continue to straddle the fence and only serve God part of the time but expect full-time blessings.

Romans 7:17-19 So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing.

There is a war within between the flesh and the spirit, and if we desire to rebuild, to start over, and see our dreams and visions resurrected, we must walk in obedience to the Spirit, put the flesh under subjection, and stop procrastinating when it comes to following God’s instructions. We must yield to God, and do exactly what He instructs without hesitation.

Start Rebuilding

2 Chronicles 7:14 if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

Haggai 2:18-19 Consider from this day onward, from the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month. Since the day that the foundation of the Lord's temple was laid, consider: 19 Is the seed yet in the barn? Indeed, the vine, the fig tree, the pomegranate, and the olive tree have yielded nothing. But from this day on I will bless you.”

The Father has spoken and given instructions, now it is time to start rebuilding. To begin to rebuild what has been torn down, and left in shambles. God has equipped us, enabling us to move forward. If you have repented, sought out the Lord, and have a heart that is willing to move forward in obedience, then it is time to remember those dreams and visions. God has restored hope, as He has forgiven you of your past. The only one that wants us to wallow in the past is the enemy so that he can use it to cause us to procrastinate long enough to talk us out of believing what God has already declared and decreed over our lives.

God has already forgiven you, now you must forgive yourself and start rebuilding, following the instructions that God has given. Repent, humble yourself, seek His will, the Kingdom of heaven first; allowing God to equip you with all that you need. Do not be afraid to start over, to begin again. God is with you. He will not allow you to fail when you are walking in obedience. Get your plans; the plans that the Master Architect has designed for your life. Follow His blueprints and you will not have to worry about it failing inspection. It already has the Holy Spirit’s seal of approval.

Finally Beloved

My Beloveds, May the spirit of peace and prosperity finds permanent rest in your lives. I declare that every good thing that God has ordained for your life will become evident to you. Rebuild and start living your best life now! Yes, you messed up! Who hasn’t? So what, you are getting older! We all are! Take what you know—all the life lessons; including the mistakes, and grow from them. Do that thing you always wanted to do but were afraid to do. Life is too short to live with so many regrets. Always remember your hopes, dreams, and visions. Remember who you are before that tumultuous relationship, before that job loss, the broken promises, and the heartaches that may come. Life is not easy but it is worth it. So remember all of those great things. Stop procrastinating and do them! You are blessed. Now go…and be a blessing!

©2023. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.

"It Starts in the Mind"

 Reflections4Life™ January 8, 2023

“It Starts in the Mind”

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Romans 12:1

Scripture Contemplation: Psalm 28; Psalm 51; John 14; Romans 12; Colossians 3; James 1...

©Ruthe McDonald.

It is a pleasure to be able to fellowship with God. Having access to His grace and mercies. His anointing is new in our lives every day. As you walk in faith, remember that God has heard you before you even called. Do not give up on God but hold fast to His word and promises. Stay in the word this year. Fast, pray, and meditate. Know in your hearts, that no matter what you face, you are not alone. Feed your mind and heart a consistent diet of the word of God. Surround yourself in worship and watch what God manifests in your life this New Year!

I decree that this week’s Reflections will remain a continued source of encouragement and inspiration for your heart, mind, and soul. There is nothing, which God will not do for His children. His love is unconditional and knows no bounds. Make it your business this year to get in the presence of God as never before. If you want to see a change in your life; if you want direction; if you want to know your purpose and how to handle the things that come your way, and remain steadfast? Then, spend more time with the Father and get set to have your mind renewed daily.

To be alive, in the presence of God, and receive all that He has ordained for your life is an awesomely powerful thing. I can assure you that there are many people that are grateful, never thinking or believing they would see another year. There are also those filled with gratitude for the opportunity to enter into a new season. Yet, still, others remain stuck in the past and are finding it difficult to move forward. No matter how many brand new days and years they receive, they are not living because they are stuck in a moment or situation, becoming prey for the enemy.

1 Peter 5:8-9 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of suffering.

It starts in the mind. Beloved, everything we are experiencing and will continue to experience begins in the mind—what we are telling ourselves, what we are listening to, whom we are listening to, and what we ultimately believe. What we have consistently thought about or have allowed planted in our minds will eventually become a belief in our hearts and manifest itself. The only way to keep those thoughts from taking root is to renew our minds daily, take on the thoughts of Christ, and learn to pull down strongholds. If we do not, we become a tool for the enemy to use in his fight against God. Trust me when I tell you, if the enemy finds any entrance he can slip through, he will, and will not stop until he destroys your life, your faith, and your love. Or until you stand in the authority that God has given you, and kick the devil out.

We are no match for Satan. Not on our own. He is the master manipulator and father of lies. The mind is the devil’s playground. If he gets in, he will try to take over. It begins with a whisper, a thought, an image, a dream. If we do not immediately dismiss it, plead the blood of Jesus, and learn to fight the way God instructs us, we will fall victim to the enemy, as he wreaks havoc in our lives, and destroy our hearts and lives in the process.

2 Corinthians 10:3-5 For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have the divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

We must—we must understand and believe that we are not waging war against a physical entity. We cannot underestimate the cunningness of the enemy. Or, how far he will go. Trust me when I tell you this: the enemy has studied us. He has roamed this earth, often aware of the greatness and power that rests in many of us that we do not even yet recognize in ourselves. He will use every arsenal he has to destroy us so that we do not come to that realization. Or, if we do realize it, destroy us before it manifests. That is why we must not be ignorant about the enemy and who we are in a battle with, and why it all starts in our minds, with what we tell ourselves, what we believe, what we think about, and what we know.

Renew your minds on a daily basis, Beloved. Allow God to saturate your heart and mind with His word, His truth, and revelation about the enemy. Do not underestimate your adversary, the devil. The mind is his choice of a battleground. If allowed as much as an inch, he will come in and wreak such havoc and devastation; you will not recognize who you are and what has transpired. But know this: we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ. We have, as well, Holy Spirit. Yet, we must yield to Him. Yield to what God is saying and release what we think we know and have faith, even in the things that make no sense. We must be willing to release who we are for who God says we are. We must be willing to release our intellects and ways of thinking, in exchange for the mind of Christ. We must totally yield to the Father, and lay aside what we thought we knew, in order to receive what we need, and the revelation of who we are in God, how to strategically fight AND win against the enemy. This is not a battle of the flesh, but a battle of the mind and spirit. This battle is won through the power and strength of our God.

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. It starts in the mind, Beloved. All victories begin in our mind and what we tell ourselves, what we think about consistently, and what eventually is believed in our hearts concerning all matters. Renew your mind daily. Think about the things of God. Meditate on His word, put on your armor of God, and fight how God teaches us strategically to fight against the enemy of our soul and future. You got this because God has you. Trust Him. You are blessed. Now go…and be a blessing.

©2023. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.

"Unmerited Favor & Blessings"

 Reflections4Life™ July 24, 2022

“Unmerited Favor and Blessings”

“For out of His fullness [the superabundance of His grace and truth], we have all received grace upon grace [spiritual blessing upon spiritual blessing, favor upon favor, and gift heaped upon gift].” John 1:16 (AMP)

Scripture Contemplation: Genesis 15; Deuteronomy 28; Psalm 5; 30; John 13:17; 20:29; Romans 4…

Reflections4Life Volume IV

I declare that this week’s Reflections will be a continued source of encouragement and inspiration for your heart, mind, and soul. Let the word of God penetrate your heart and soul this week. Let the truth of His goodness and the revelation of His grace fill your heart with hope and a burning desire to be in the presence of God, soaking up His wisdom and glory ordained for your life. Do not waste one more moment away from the loving arms of God. He has exactly what you need.

I do not even think that the word excited is big enough to explain the joy that is burning in my heart and my soul at this moment. It is like swallowing the sun and its light is shining through every pore of my being while burning away everything that ever hurt, healing every wound, and nourishing me for the continued race and journey ahead of me!

You may ask why I am so excited? If you but knew all the reasons I could give you. It would take my lifetime--and then some!--to explain and share absolutely everything that God has done and is doing for me. However, this week, I am excited to be celebrating FIFTEEN YEARS of Reflections4life™ Ministries and Blog!

As I was writing the next volume of the Reflections4Life™ Book and Journal series, I was just overwhelmed that, July 27th  to be exact, will mark our fifteenth year of sharing God's Word, His message, and hopefully bringing encouragement and hope to those who need it. My joy is overrunning. I began the Reflections4Life™ Blog as God whispered to my heart to start sharing my experiences, life lessons, and testimonies. I continue to learn some very strong and powerful life lessons. One, in particular, is that people need encouragement. They need to know that there is indeed a God; a true and living God who loves them and cares for them and that those of us who forgot because of life’s hardships, did not abandon us or forget about us. That what we are facing at this moment will strengthen us, and will, if we allow it to, draw us closer to God. Or, it will take us away from Him if the enemy gets his way.

Every post written has come from my own life and spiritual lessons. It has come from lessons that I have learned and am learning in my personal walk with God. These past fifteen years of my life have not been easy at all. Especially these past six years. Though I have not shared everything that has happened to me—yet (there are a time and place for all things), the lessons, knowledge, and wisdom gained have been phenomenal, and there was no way I couldn’t share them with you—my Reflections4Life™ community and family. Because, if you did not know, that is how I see you—as a family. A family comprised of many nations, ethnicities, cultures, and backgrounds, coming together to share the love and grace of God. I honor you all today and thank you for your fellowship and friendship. Thank you for your prayers and support, and for the wonderful dialogue. Even when we disagree or see something different, we still can communicate and respect and love one another, because that is what families should do.

For the past fifteen years, God has granted me to not miss too many Sunday posts, with the exception of when I lost internet connection, and recently this year, when God told me to take a break and that I did not have to be perfect ( a whole other testimony for another time!) and that, sharing Reflections4Life™ Blog was not a ritual but part of the ministry and sometimes, as a minister, we need a break and that even includes a Sunday every now and then.  In the past five years, however, the Lord has increased my ministerial writings to include five days of inspirational posts and seven days of publically posted prayers. Wherever God leads, I am determined to obey and follow.

Here is what I have learned and come to understand from fifteen years of Reflections4Life™ Ministries: God’s blessings and unmerited favor (grace) show up in our lives in many different and unexpected ways. It is not about how good we are, how perfect we try to be, or how many times we may have failed, messed up, screwed up, and totally blew things. No. It is about God’s love for us and His compassion and mercy towards us. His blessings and unmerited favor have nothing to do with how good we can be or how much we pray. It is about His love and purpose for our lives; about His Son, Jesus Christ, dying on the Cross for our sins, redeeming us, and covering us. So that when God looks at us, He does not see the wrong or bad, or even our faults. He sees His grace, His love, and His mercy. He sees us complete as He ordained us to be. He sees us as we should be and that is how He communicates with us.

God does not wait for us to get it right before He calls us or chooses us. No. If we could get it right and be all that we could and should be, there would have been no reason for Christ to go on the Cross in the first place. No. God calls us just as we are. He has chosen us, even while we are still in sin and have no clue who or what Holy Spirit is. God calls to us in our lowest places. He has a plan for our lives—a plan to prosper and give us hope, and peace.

While we are yet struggling, trying to find our way, wondering if there is a God, He has already placed a purpose inside of us that is waiting to be birthed, unearthed, to be uncovered, and revealed. Waiting for us to believe and see ourselves as He does. Not someone who is incomplete, broken, and used but someone who is loved, cherished, whole, and complete because of His love. We will never be good enough on our own but with God we are unstoppable and that is why the enemy tries so hard to take us out. That is why he is the enemy of our minds always whispering and using people to bring hurt and shame and lying to us that God cannot use us or that God has abandoned us.

I have learned over the years, in my walk with our Father that terrible things happen to good people. God gave everyone on this earth the same gift of choice and sometimes other people’s choices have negative effects on our lives. However, it does not stop God from calling, delivering, and healing us. Some of us are a casualty of a war we did not start but we can claim the victory and the spoils of the war by running into the waiting arms of God. We do not have to be perfect. We do not have to come from the richest family. We do not have to have the best schooling, clothes, or home or appearance. All we have to have is a willing heart. A heart that wants to be used by God and is ready to be filled with His love.

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. Thank you for fifteen years of fellowship. I am profoundly grateful to you. May the coming years bring us closer together, expanding our family and connecting us on greater and deeper levels. I love you and I pray for you always. Before I forget; Volume IV of the Reflections4Life™ Book Series will be available in three weeks (Thursday, August 11th, 2022) Faith...Written on the Wall In hardcover and a companion Journal!! So, get ready! It is all about faith!! Remember: You are blessed. Now go…and be a blessing!

©2022. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.

"Honoring Fatherhood"

 Reflections4Life™ June 19, 2022

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

Happy Father's Day to all the fathers, father-figures, and fathers-to-be. I pray that you will look to God for all instructions, allowing Him to lead you; even in the most difficult of times. Our heavenly Father will never leave you but will lift you up and be your strength.

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

I love my father and honored him no matter what he did or didn't do. Yes. I was a Daddy's girl. Many say it is difficult to look past or forgive their father's transgressions. However, I have come to understand, that unless we can forgive our fathers—no matter if he is present or not—we do ourselves a disservice when it comes to our own life's journey and choices made in relationships. It does not mean we condone heinous actions, such as abuse. To honor him means that we acknowledge them in that, they are part of the reason we exist. Not everyone will have a relationship with their father, for various reasons. And that is okay.

Not everyone makes a great parent. Some do not possess the skills or desire it takes to do what is necessary as a parent. Yet, this does not cancel out the fact that God says to show them respect, if not for the mere fact that because of them we are here in the land of the living. Let us face it: without his contribution, we would not be here. So for that reason alone, if you cannot find any other reason, he acknowledges them.

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 is the promise. Here is the deal: God wants us to show honor and respect to our parents regardless of what they may have done or not have done. The Father’s number one concern is our hearts, and that we are not blocked from receiving his blessings for our lives.

Do you think God doesn’t know about the atrocities that some parents make? You don't think He sees the abandonment. The failures? The broken promises? The abuse and rejection? Yes. He sees all of that. Yet, the Father understands that if we walk around with unforgiveness, bitterness, hatred, and 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; repeating their behaviors and patterns in our relationships with our own children.

Regard them, consider them, and respect them. Do not let your heart be 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. However, 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 are 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, despite, is a testament to your heart, and where God wants to take you. When it comes down to it; to honor, respect, and regard or consider them, has to do what you desire to accomplish in life.

Many fathers are not being honored or respected for who they are. They have worked hard to provide, for 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 what is right, so their children will benefit and receive what they never received as a child.

Whether you are considered the greatest of fathers, or the worst of fathers, I acknowledge 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 is doing all they can as a father; I honor you and pray that your heart is continually filled with joy, 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. To those fathers who just do not care or have it in them to parent, I honor God for using you as a conduit to bring forth a life that will do extraordinary things in this world despite who and what you are.

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. It may be difficult for some but honor your father. Whether he is the greatest or not, give honor to him as the person God chose to bring you into this world. 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!                                                                                                             

©2022. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.

"Walk Away"

 Reflections4Life™ June 5, 2022

“Walk Away”

“If any place won’t welcome you or listen to your message, leave and shake the dust from your feet as a warning to them.” Mark 6:11

Scripture Contemplation: Matthew 10; Acts 17; 2 Timothy 2…

©Ruthe McDonald.

I declare that this week’s Reflections is a continued source of encouragement for your hearts, minds, and souls. Set aside some quality God time this week so that He may fill up the reserves of your heart and spirit with His love, patience, kindness, joy, and peace. Allow Holy Spirit to lead you to where you need to be. Do not allow anyone’s rejection of who you are to keep you from remembering who God has already declared you to be.

I know. Sometimes the hardest thing to do is walk away when all you want to do is prove your point or want your message or what you are saying to be heard and understood. However, Beloveds, as you will come to know if you do not already, not everyone is going to be receptive to your ideas, your opinions, your knowledge, your message, or wisdom. You will be in some places and in others, where what you have to say will not be received. Not everyone will want to hear what God or you have to say or welcome you.

There is so much in all of us—a word, a message, a truth—that God wants us to share. God will indeed send us to places already knowing that what we have to say and to offer will not be received. Yet, our going is not about whether what we have to say is accepted or listened to, but about our obedience to God in going forth anyway.

We are encouraged, however, to not become discouraged by the lack of reception that we may receive. God admonishes us to leave and shake the dust from our feet. Meaning, do not linger in that place—physically, or mentally. There are so many people waiting for what you have to say. There are people waiting on the message that is burning in your heart and your soul. We cannot be caught up in our feelings every time someone does not want to listen to us or receive the message we are sharing. Even though one place was not receptive, or even the last five places!—does not mean the next place will be the same.

Know this, as well: Your message may have appeared to not have been received or listened to; you just never know if there was indeed one person, one soul that heard and received, or that the seeds you planted actually landed on good soil. So do not hang on being accepted or not. Just do whatever God has called you to do and move on. When it is time to go forth again, be certain to have also walked away mentally from the last place that did not receive you. You never want to bring doubt and uncertainty with you, but instead, confidence and boldness, knowing that God has ordained you for this hour and time.

Learning to walk away is pivotal in our lives, Beloveds. It is not always about staying, fighting, and not giving up. Sometimes it is about saving your sanity, your own faith, and being able to hear God before emotions and hurt feelings block and stop you from being and doing all that God has ordained. There are times when walking away is the best thing you could have done.

Many of us feel as though if we walk away, that we have given up, we are not exercising faith. No. We are actually using wisdom and following the instructions of God. The flesh will always want to save face and not be embarrassed or considered a failure. Yet, the real winners are those that see the situation for what it is and walk away in maturity, understanding that they have done all they could and should do and do not have to prove anything to anyone.

When God tells you to walk away; to no longer try to convince or to share your message, He already knows you have done all that you could and should have done. Do not stay in a place where you are not received, welcomed, celebrated, or listened to. If what you have to offer is not received, move on. Because it will be a shame for you to stay and try to convince someone and you end up being the person that is changed.

Oh yes! I have seen it countless times. Even with myself. You want the person(s) to receive what God has for them. You hate to see them walking in circles, or into brick walls, or generally just messing up their lives, and you desperately want them to see the truth and accept the truth. You desire for them to truly believe because you know how much their lives will be changed. However, in the process of trying to convince them, you become the one who has changed.

God does not want that. He wants us to retain our integrity and our belief. That is why it is so important to maintain a prayer-filled life; always seeking God’s direction; following his instructions, and checking our own hearts and motives. Why would you stay in a place that made it clear that your message was not being seen or heard? Let that pride go! When God says walk away, shake the dust from your feet, then do it! We are no one’s savior. Jesus is the only one who gets that spot! You know what? He can have it! LOL. We cannot save a single soul but we can be the instrument that God uses to get them to see and into position to receive what God has for them. But we must not linger in a place so long that we forsake all the rest that are waiting on us. And trust me, Beloveds; there are many others that are anxiously awaiting what we have to say and share with them today.

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. Walking away is not an indication of failure or giving up. It is learning not to linger in a place, space, or time that may hinder or eventually rob you of your own message and blessings. Let God lead you. When it’s time to shake the dust off your feet, do just that! Allow God to lead you where you need to be next because there are countless others who are waiting to hear and receive what you have to release. Trust God and keep it moving. You are blessed. Now go…and be a blessing!

©2022. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.

"God Faith and Favor"

Reflections4Life™ March 20, 2022

"God Faith and Favor"

"God is faithful, and you were called by Him to partnership with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord." 1 Corinthians 1:9

Scriptures for the Week: 1 Corinthians 1; Exodus 34:6; Deuteronomy 7:9; 32:4; Romans 16; 1 Peter 1; James 4

God, faith, and favor go together like peanut butter and jelly! Like, ice cream and cake! It's available separately but when combined, is an explosion of flavor and better. We can believe in God and accept Him into our hearts. Yet, many are not walking in faith or utilizing the favor available to us. The believer who consistently prays, communicating with the heavenly Father, discovers the power of the combination of life under this trifecta!

I decree, that this week's Reflections4life will be a continued source of encouragement and inspiration for your heart, mind, and soul. Determine to take your relationship with God to a new level of intimacy. Let God into your heart where you have been so guarded. God is not going to hurt you. He is going to love on you, opening your heart and mind to different levels of faith and His anointing of favor. Your life will never be the same once you understand and experience the powerful combination of God, faith, and favor at work in your life.

There is something absolutely amazing that happens in your life when you understand the power of God, faith, and favor all working together, at the same time, in your life. It is a powerful, life-changing, thing. And the truth is, many of us will not know this or even experience this if we do not let go of who we think God is, and the weak perception of what we believe faith and favor are. 

God is more than a deity. He is more than a prayer answered. He is more than we have the vernacular to describe or the mental capacity to understand. Yet, we can know Him through an intimate relationship. It is through this intimacy that we learn what God says is faith and how His favor works. Also, how they work together. God is the key to the mysteries in this world. He has the answers we seek for every question we could ever have. He is our Creator, our Father, our Friend. He is our Teacher and Counselor, as well. God Almighty is so many things that those who maintain an intimate relationship with Him will soon come to understand. God never leaves us in the dark. In time, He reveals all the things that need and should be revealed in His timing.

Here is the important thing that I learned about God's favor and faith. When God blesses you and tells you that He has filled you with His gift of faith-- a supernatural amount of faith that goes beyond just believing --and has covered you in His favor, He does not take it back! This blew my mind! When God makes a declaration over your life; He is not just making it for that moment; He is decreeing, making a law that now governs your life for as long as you are on this earth. Even if afterward, down the line you turn away from God, you stumble in your faith, His favor and faith remain in you. They are buried under sin and bad choices and decisions. They are overshadowed by troubles and by things you have now put higher than God. BUT...they are still there because God placed them there and they cannot be removed unless God removes them! It is God, through your repentance, that will remove the debris and layers that now cover faith and favor once you come back to Him.

Before God blessed us, He knew what we were going to do. He already knew if we would rise to the occasion, fall back in old ways, reject Him because of life's circumstances, or forget who we are because of fear and the enemy. He knew all of this, and still, He blessed us with Himself, a gift of faith, and His covering of favor. We are the ones that must come to this powerful revelation. We are the ones that must come to this understanding. We are the ones that must decide if we are going to finally stand up and be who God says we are and live in the space He has ordained for us, using faith and favor to achieve what God has already ordained in our lives. 

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. Know this: EverythingGod has promised you is already in you. Everything you need to succeed is already in you. God has placed in you all that you need to conquer every obstacle that comes your way. You just have to believe it! Should you lose hope and fall away, know that He has not left you. He is there; waiting on you to recognize that what He placed in you hasn't died but lays dormant waiting for you to repent and take your rightful place. You are blessed. Now go...and be a blessing!

©2022. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved. 

The Declaration Series: "I Will Delight Myself In The Lord"

 Reflections4Life™ February13, 2022

"I Will Delight Myself in the Lord"

"Take delight in the Lord, and he will give your heart's desires." Psalm 37:4 (NLT)

Scriptures for the Series: James 4; 2 Chronicles 7:14; Psalm 119:11; Lamentations 3:40; Psalm 51:10; Proverbs 11:28; Psalm 37:4; 42; Luke 3:4; Psalm 66:9; Isaiah 30:2

Welcome to part seven in our Declaration Series. Delight yourself in the Lord and He is going to give you the desires of your heart. That is pretty straightforward. Yet, many of us still do not do this. Or, we do it for a while and then stop but expect GOD to continue giving us what we want. This is not a one-time action. This is a lifestyle. A change in our thinking, our behavior, our relationship with our Creator. GOD is certainly waiting to give us the desires of our hearts. But we must first learn what it truly means to delight ourselves in the Lord.

I decree that this week's Reflections4Life will be a continued source of encouragement and inspiration for your heart, mind, and soul. Delight yourself in the Lord. Make it a habit and not just a one-time or sometimes thing. Think about it for what it is: a lifestyle change. You are making a conscious decision to change how you live your life and think about the relationship between you and GOD the Father.

Delighting yourself in the Lord is not about telling God what you think He wants to hear. God knows our thoughts before we think them. He definitely knows what is residing in our hearts. Better than we do! God desires for us to delight ourselves in Him. For many of us, we were not taught what it actually meant to delight ourselves in the Lord. Think about it; do you remember that being a Sunday School lesson? Or, if you came to Christ as an adult, did anyone say to you: Oh! Don't forget to delight yourself in the Lord every day? I am certain they didn't. If we are going to delight ourselves in the Lord and receive the desires of our hearts, we should at least know what delighting ourselves in the Lord looks like.

To delight yourself in the Lord, you are seeking Him daily with your whole heart, mind, and soul. You are seeking the mind of God to know what He knows. You are putting on the mind of Christ so that your thoughts are now lining up with His. You are meditating on the word of God, studying and applying it to your everyday life. Delighting yourself in the Lord is getting to know the heart of your Creator and what pleases Him. You decide not to be afraid to bare your heart and soul before Him, coming naked and vulnerable in your emotions. You expose yourself before God and receive His healing in return. You learn to trust Him where you cannot trace Him. But you also believe Him to keep His promises made to you.

Finally, when you have delighted yourself in the Lord, you will find that His ways are now your ways. His thoughts have become your thoughts. The things you now desire in your heart, are in alignment with the perfect will of the Lord for your life. You now understand that what God has for you is the best. You cannot beat God's giving. Whatever you can come up with, will still not hold a candle to what God has ordained for you. When God grants you the desires of your heart, they will be more than you thought possible.

Ephesians 3:20 "Glory to God, who is able to do far beyond all that we could ask or imagine by His power at work within us;" (CEB)

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. Delight yourself in the Lord. Get to know the heart and mind of God, our Father. Believe that He is granting you all that you need and your desires. He is doing great work in your life. You are blessed. Now go...and be a blessing!

©2022. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved. 

The Declaration Series: "I Will Submit to the LORD"

 Reflections4Life™ January 2, 2022

"I Will Submit to the Lord"

"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil and he shall flee from you." James 4:7

Scriptures for the Series: James 4; 2 Chronicles 7:14; Psalm 119:11; Lamentations 3:40; Psalm 51:10; Proverbs 11:28; Psalm 37:4; 42; Luke 3:4; Psalm 66:9; Isaiah 30:2

PEACE & BLESSINGS! HAPPY NEW YEAR! We intentionally celebrate the goodness, love, and life God has granted us in seeing this New Year.  God's grace and mercies are evident. May this year be one of revelation,  answered prayers, and manifest Blessings. 

Welcome to another year of Reflections4life. I declare and decree that it will continue to be a viable source of encouragement and inspiration for your heart, mind, and soul. Open your hearts to the wonderful possibilities and opportunities that await your life when you submit to the Father, all your heart, mind, and soul. Let this be the year you determine to be all in.

I had a wonderful time in Watch Night; bringing the New Year in with the Body of Christ, family of believers, and being inspired for the New Year. The Bishop spoke on making declarations instead of resolutions. Which is the inspiration for this ten-part series. I am taking each of the declarations she shared and turning them into points of conversation to further expound upon.

God is moving mightily. He has not forgotten about you. Neither has He rejected you. However, we must be willing to surrender our all unto Him, in order to hear and see Him. To understand His instructions and follow what He is instructing us to do. 

Many have not because they haven't asked, but because they haven't submitted completely to GOD, nor have they surrendered their hearts to His will and therefore have not aligned themselves with who God is and what He has ordained for them. So they're asking for things outside of His will and season for their lives.

Can you submit your all to the Father? Can you surrender your heart, mind, and soul, trusting GOD to give you all that you need? When we submit completely unto GOD; aligning ourselves to His will and ways, we give ourselves the advantage of preparing our hearts and minds to receive and hear the mysteries that GOD desires to share with only those that submit their all, to Him. 

GOD has so much He desires to give to us. So many things He wants to reveal to our hearts and to bring revelations to our minds. If only we would surrender all to Him. Submitting our will and our ways. There is nothing that the Father would not do for His children that love him and have submitted their hearts and minds and ways to Him. When we determine to know who GOD is, we, in return get to know who we really are.

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. Surrender! Do not hold back from GOD.  Submit your all to the LORD,  allowing Him to renew your mind and heart. Make this the year you not only get to know GOD but also get to know who you are in GOD. You are blessed.  Now go...and be a blessing. 

©2022. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved. 

"State of Grace"

 Reflections4Life™ November 21, 2021

“State of Grace”

“For by grace, you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9

Scripture Contemplation: Esther 2; Psalm 45; 86; John 1; Acts 11:23; Romans 1; 5; Ephesians 2…

©Ruthe McDonald.

I take this time to wish this wonderful community that God has blessed me to fellowship with, a wonderful and blessed week. I pray this is a week of answered prayers! For those in the States, I wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving! May it be a day of joy and grace, and just an extension of what each day already looks like.

I pray today’s Reflections will bring comfort and peace to your heart and mind. I decree it be a continued source of encouragement and inspiration; bringing peace and revelation to your heart, mind, and soul. There is a state of mind that we should all be working towards…keeping our minds stayed on Christ. It is in God we will find our peace and our comfort and our state of grace. It is in the presence of God that we come to understand just what the Grace of God truly encompasses.

I realize that it is because of the grace of God that I am not consumed by the heavy burdens faced in this life. When I want to give up and walk away, He reminds me that His grace is sufficient. That, it by His power and not of my own strength. But for the grace of God—His unmerited favor—I remain in the land of the living with another day and opportunity to live my best authentic life. Not perfect, but humble, honest, and mindful of God's grace.

Every day for years, I was guaranteed and fortunate to hear two things from my mother: "Grace and Peace!" and "I Love You". Those were constant phrases upon my mother's lips. You received that greeting when she answered the phone. Before anything else was spoken, you were greeted with, "Grace and Peace!" in a singsong manner.

The sincerity, coupled with the melodious timbre of her voice would make you smile and feel a warmth deep in your soul. Without a doubt, you knew you were speaking to someone who truly loved the Lord. And what I now understand, she was prophesying over lives. She was speaking God's grace over my life and the lives of those she encountered.

Grace, in the word of God, can be defined as God having unmerited favor or undeserving favor to those who are actually guilty or under condemnation. For me, grace is simply God's forgiveness even when I don't deserve it and have been in the wrong. It is His strength in my life when mountains of obstacles arise in my life, preventing me from moving forward.

The world's definition of grace is a way of moving that is smooth and attractive, not stiff or awkward; it is the elegance of beauty or form, manner, motion or action; a pleasant way of acting.

I can combine these definitions and describe a state of grace as being in receipt of God's forgiveness and favor, by which it allows me to move throughout life smoothly, pleasantly, with an attitude of gratitude, of thankfulness, knowing that I received a gift I didn't deserve but was given nonetheless to live my very best life possible. It is God's restoration for my life, in a season of rebuilding.

For this, and so much more, I am grateful. I am filled with gratitude to be alive. Though not everything in my life is, as I desire, I am alive, gifted with opportunities each time God wakes me. Moreover, a chance to inspire and tell someone else, that God loves them, too. In addition, to the rebuilding of my life; the restoration of strength, dreams, visions, and wherever God desires me to be. He is doing the same for you. The troubles, the rough places, the rough challenges? God's grace is going to take you where you need to be. You cannot do it by yourself; no matter how strong or wise you are. It is the grace of God that is going to get you through. God is divinely rebuilding our lives.

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. As we celebrate Thanksgiving this week. Let us remember to keep it in our hearts that each day is a day of Thanksgiving, of gratitude. Each time God grants us a new day of life, it is His grace and His love that affords us a brand new day filled with opportunities we just may not deserve but have received nonetheless. You are blessed. Now go…and be a blessing.

©2021. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.

"Be Still and Know"

 Reflections4Life™ November 14, 2021

“Be Still and Know”

“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations; I will be exalted in the earth!” Psalm 46:10

Scripture Contemplation: 1 Chronicles 22:9; 2 Chronicles 20; Provers 15:18; 29:9…

More than anything at this time, we need to quiet our souls and hear what God is saying. Many are dealing with much hurt, pain, disappointment, and fear. Though you may feel this way now, do not allow it to linger. Quiet your soul; your mind, so that you may hear what God has to say to you in this very important time in our lives.

I pray today’s Reflections will bring comfort and peace to your heart and mind. I decree it be a continued source of encouragement and inspiration; bringing peace and revelation to your heart, mind, and soul. Take a step back this week. Allow God to give you rest in your heart mind and soul. Let the blood of Jesus cover your thoughts and penetrate your soul, giving you an everlasting peace that will rest in all parts of your life.

Oh! Beloveds, there is so much angst and noise cluttering our souls. Our minds can barely keep up with the fast-changing emotions that many are dealing with. I want to encourage you today, to lean on God. Let Him give you rest in your heart and mind. Allow His peace to rule your heart as you navigate from day to day, especially encountering things that are a bother and vexation to your soul.

There are many times when God wants to bless our lives. He desires to impart knowledge, wisdom, and gifts of the spirit. However, we often miss it because our minds and hearts are cluttered and bogged down with the cares of the world. Often, it overshadows the voice and move of God.

Many times we have seen situations where it seemed hopeless, and in the eleventh hour, God worked it out. We may ask, why does God do that? Why does He come at the last hour instead of when we first asked? The truth of the matter is, He has answered us straightaway. Yet, there are those of us who need to be stretched in our faith and reminded that promises of God are yes and amen. Meaning, that whatever God tells us, and whatever we asked of Him, and believed that we already received, we can believe that no matter what things appear to be, God is answering and He will see us through.

We forget the power of God sometimes and question His love and concern for us when we witness things happen that are unfathomable to our hearts and minds and who God is. Our mind gets jumbled with all the doubts, fears, and noise of the enemy. Trust me; the enemy is diligently whispering in our ears and speaking doubts and fear into the fabric of our minds.

The noise in our mind often overshadows the voice of God, and the peace that He says belongs to those who keep their mind stayed on Him. Yes. It is very easy to get sidetracked with all the hate, evil, fear, and uncertainty that is in the world. But this is when we must remember who God is, who we are in Him, and that regardless of how things may appear, God is still God on His throne and He shall not be moved. And all that God has spoken concerning our lives—even in the midst of chaos and confusion—He will make come to pass if we will continue to believe, to stand firm in His word and on His promises.

Beloved, if you do not believe anything else today, believe this: God loves you and He has you covered. Though it may appear as the enemy is winning, God remains God and in control, and He has us covered. Regardless of what the enemy whispers to us, how crazy the world gets, remember that God has the last word and the last, best laugh. We can and will be victorious in the face of adversity and all manner of evil. When God is for us, who can be against us? No One. A couple of lost battles does not determine the outcome of a war. For God says, that the war has already been won and that all things are working out for our good.

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. Though it may appear at times that the enemy has won, do not be deceived—God is still on His throne and has declared us the winner. Yield to the Father. Allow Him to bring peace and quietness to your mind and soul. Do not be swayed or discouraged by what things appear to be. God always gets the final word. You are blessed. Now go…and be a blessing.

©2021. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.