"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.

"Winning in Unfamiliar Territory"

 Reflections4Life™ June 12, 2022

“Winning in Unfamiliar Territory”

“We are not fighting against humans. We are fighting against forces and authorities and against rulers of darkness and powers in the spiritual world. So put on all the armor that God gives. Then when that evil day comes, you will be able to defend yourself. And when the battle is over, you will still be standing firm.” Ephesians 6:12-13

Scripture Contemplation: Exodus 13; Ephesians 6; Isaiah 40; 2 Corinthians 10; 1 Timothy 1; 1 Peter 5; Zechariah 4:6; Romans 12:2; 1 Samuel 17:47

©Ruthe McDonald

I declare that this week’s Reflections will be a source of continued encouragement and inspiration for your heart, mind, and soul. There is an ongoing war; a spiritual war that we are in every day. Our best defense is an intimate and disciplined relationship with our Heavenly Father. This assures that we will not only be properly dressed in the armor of God but also know how to do battle with an enemy older than the sands of time.

Beloveds, there is indeed such a thing as spiritual warfare; a battle fought in the spiritual realm that affects every aspect of our lives, including our physical lives. Satan has long declared war against our heavenly Father. This war has never been about us directly. The enemy wants to hurt God and destroy His greatest creation—mankind. He wants to destroy our belief in God, in righteousness, in holiness, in faith, and our belief in love. The enemy believes that if he can destroy us and take as many as he can to the lake of fire, he will have destroyed God’s plan.

The enemy forgets that he has already lost. That, not only has God won, but we have won also because, Christ not only went to the Cross and died for our sins, He rose again. And before He rose, he won against death and hell, taking back the keys to life and has made them available to us; giving us the victory.

The greater problem is, that many of us forget these facts also, especially when we face trials and tribulations in our lives. We forget who we are, whose we are, and the weapons that we have at our disposal. We also forget that sometimes in battle, God will take us through unfamiliar territory and grant us the victory because we obeyed and believed Him. 

The enemy counts on us forgetting and being sidetracked so that he can get in and distort what we believe, making us forget the goodness and promises of God. This, my beloveds, is the reason that we need to make sure we have an intimate relationship with our Father each day. That, we are seeking God’s face, reading our word, following His directions, and having a stealthy prayer life.

The enemy is crafty in his moves and watches like a wild animal stalking its prey, waiting to pounce. Strategic in his machinations, he strikes to kill and destroy, to maim, and alienate, to drive insane and separate. The enemy wants in our minds, wreaking havoc until all we hear and believe are the lies he constantly whispers and his smoke and mirrors. If he can make us doubt at any time the promises and love of God, he has an opening. And you can rest assured, he will barrage his way through to take over your mind until he has left nothing of your life but shambles, confusion, hate, bitterness, and no belief in the word or promises of God. Or, even belief in yourself, destroying love in your life. Trust, he twists every word around. He will have you question the validity of the word and everything you have ever believed or have been taught, learned, and experienced firsthand.

The good news is we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus. He has already given His life and assured our victory. He has done the hard part—dying for our sins and retrieving the keys of life. He has made available to us not only the keys of life but also the keys of the Kingdom. What we have to do is be vigilant in our relationship with God. Seek His face and His will daily, following His instructions, walking in faith, and reminding ourselves when the very harsh and difficult times arise in our lives [and they will] that God has already declared us victorious.

We must know in our hearts that sometimes, in order to win, God will take us on a journey that will lead us through unfamiliar territories. On these unfamiliar roads, our victories will come. The Father will teach and prepare us for the battles that lie ahead. He will strengthen us and build our courage and conviction. But the most wonderful thing about these journies that many of us cannot see and will not understand until the battle is over, is the fact that all along, God will hide us in plain sight. He will protect us, while also preparing us for the right time. When we're ready, we will shoot forth like an arrow, hitting its intended mark; claiming the victory, winning in unfamiliar territory.

Beloved, get in your word every day. Fill your heart and mind—saturate it—with the will of God. See what God sees. Hear what He is saying. If we know the heart and mind of God, then we will know how to stand against the enemy and how to use our armor. We do not learn these things by skimming the word of God and occasionally praying or only praying when something goes wrong. No. We must saturate our hearts and minds in the things of God; renewing our minds daily, pulling down strongholds. We cannot fight the enemy on physical terms or by wit. We must armor ourselves in truth and under the direction of the Holy Spirit, following ALL of His instructions, lest we succumb to the lies and evil plots of the enemy. Remember who you are and what has been given to the body of Christ. We cannot fight a spiritual fight without spiritual armor. That would be like going to a gunfight with a knife. And, we cannot always stay in the same place and expect to win when God said to move and go another way.

Exodus 13:18 So God chose a different, longer path that led the community of His people through the desert toward the Red Sea. The Israelites marched out of the land of Egypt like an army ready for battle. 

Zechariah 4:6 “…‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ saith the Lord of hosts.”

1 Samuel 17:47 And all this assembly shall know that the Lord saveth not with sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord’s, and He will give you into our hands.”

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. Spiritual warfare has been launched against the children of God. Designed to destroy and separate us from the love and promises of God. At some point in our walk with God, He will take us on a journey in unfamiliar territory. Be obedient and follow His lead. He is ensuring our victory on this earth so that we not only win against the enemy but will also receive God's best for our lives. He will cause us to win in unfamiliar territories where the enemy didn't even see us coming! Put on your armor of God; spend time in His presence, filled with Him and the knowledge and wisdom needed to navigate through a war that has already been won and a battle that is not ours, but the Lord’s. Trust; He got us. We have already won…a long time ago. You are blessed. Now…go and be a blessing!

©2022. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.

"God's Reflection"

 Reflections4Life™  May 9, 2021

“God’s Reflection”

“And I will bless her and also give you a son by her; then I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of peoples shall be from her.” Genesis 17:16

Scripture Contemplation: Genesis 3; 17; Psalm 22; 139; Proverbs 31; John 19; Ephesians 6…

I want to take the time to wish each and every woman a Happy Mother's Day. Whether they are your children biologically, through marriage, adoption, foster care, that special auntie, or through mentoring; We celebrate you.

I pray today’s Reflections brings comfort and peace to your heart and mind. I decree it be a continued source of encouragement and inspiration. There is no greater love than the love that God has for His creation. Allow God to show you how to love. How to be love. How to walk in love. If there were any two things this world needs, it would be the sincere love of a parent and the anointing love of God.

I couldn't share any roses with my Mom today or fix her a breakfast fit for a Queen. I couldn’t do the things I normally would do today. But I can recall the love of my Mom. The love that bursts through the core of her very being, spilling into the lives of every person she touched. She mothered way more than her biological children and was called mother by many. I don't have biological children...yet. I can only pray that I would walk in my mother’s path and be God’s reflection upon this earth.

There is something so precious and awe-inspiring about how God created a woman. How He wrapped her in strength, grace, beauty, and love. If you want to know what the love of God looks like, then look at a mother who fiercely loves her children. I believe with all my heart that a mother's love is a reflection of God's love for us. Never underestimate how far a mother would go to protect her child.

Life can be difficult at times, but it is nothing that a mother cannot handle and make it seem like it's just another day. There is life in a mother. The kind of life that gives life restores life and sustains life. There is a purpose in every action. There is indeed power in this kind of love.

Motherhood comes in different shades and forms. It is an on-the-job training kind of deal. No matter how many books you read or how much advice you seek, nothing prepares you for love and life like motherhood.

Motherhood is boot camp for life. Every mother worth her weight should be deemed a superhero. God indeed blessed women with the gift of motherhood to remind them of their place in Eden. To remind her daily of the infinite and unyielding love of God for His creation.

 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. Relish in this not just today but every day. Celebrate the mothers in your life. And just know; if you ever question how much God loves you? Then just look at a mother who loves and fights for her child. You are blessed. Now go…and be a blessing!

©2021. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.

"Go On, Release It!"

 Reflections4Life^TM, March 21, 2021

“Go On, Release It!”

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11

Scripture Contemplation: Proverbs 3; Isaiah 12; Jeremiah 29; Philippians 1; Hebrews 10…

I decree that today’s Reflections be a continued source of encouragement and inspiration to your heart, mind, and soul, and bring comfort, and peace. In the presence of our Heavenly Father, there is peace, joy, and strength. Everything we need to see the truth, to be on the right path, to make the best and sound decisions, is in the presence of God. His will for our lives will always be for the best. We must learn to trust Him. No matter what.

Within us lies many experiences. Some things we probably don't realize exist. There are some of us that experience great joy. Awesome happiness. And, unforgettable love. There is also within us the experiences of much hurt, pain, sadness, regrets, etcetera; things many have probably blocked out because of the pain.

Oftentimes, we walk around trying to evade what is going on within ourselves because it might be too painful to deal with. Yet, the more we try to run from it, bury it, ignore it—the more we hurt. It is time for us to look within ourselves and deal with our issues and release them!

There is no more time to run and hide; life is too short. We must begin to look within and take stock of what is going on, so we may confront and deal with it once and for all.  So we may be healed. We will never be free from what hurts us if we do not face it, confront it, deal with it, and then destroy it. The more we bury it, the bigger it gets, and the more we hurt.

God does not want us filled with all of this pain and hurt. He does not want us to be constantly suffering and hiding. He wants us to be free. To enjoy the life He has destined for us. In order to do this, to live this promised life, we must begin to see within ourselves and take inventory of what's really going on.

Take a look inside, Beloved. Don't you think you're worth it?

Whatever it is today that you just cannot handle, release it! Whatever has been holding you down and giving you pain? Release it! Life is too short to continue to have so many regrets and problems that block and hinder happiness and God's best for you.

What would happen? Really? What would happen, if just for one day you gave up the battle of trying to figure out how to fix that problem or solve that question, and really gave it all to God? You'd experience the promised peace of God.

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. I encourage you to release it! Not certain? Then how about at least for today? One day. Take a breather. Go do something that will bring you some joy and pleasure. It might surprise you what will happen if you did. Go ahead, that's right. I dare you to really trust God and release it all! You are blessed. Now go…and be a blessing!

©2021. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.

"In This Moment"

Reflections4Life April 26, 2020

“In This Moment”

“Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?  Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?” Matthew 6:25-27

Scripture Contemplation: Ecclesiastes 3; Matthew 6; 1 Peter 5…

We are often worried about what happened yesterday, and what is going to take place tomorrow that, we miss this moment. We do not enjoy the gift of today and right now.

At this moment, there are people crushed, literally, and figuratively speaking, by the devastation, this pandemic has caused many lives and livelihoods. There are families saying goodbye tho their loved ones; not even certain why. All they have is this moment.

I decree today’s Reflections brings comfort and peace to your heart and mind. may it be a continued source of encouragement and inspiration for your heart, mind, and soul. Be present at this moment. Do not dwell in the past you cannot change, or a tomorrow that hasn’t arrived. Live in this moment with gratitude. Allow God to fill you this moment, so that He can be the one who prepares you for a tomorrow, and washes away the cares of yesterday.

We find so many things to complain about. There are so many things we can come up with that we want to change. But how often do we stop, and be grateful, truly grateful for this moment? The moment we are in right now, breathing, feeling, seeing, hearing, and receiving.

God is a faithful God. He knows our thoughts. He knows our hearts. He knows what we have gone through, and what lies before us. He encourages us to take no thought for tomorrow; about what we will eat or what we will wear. He has made it abundantly clear that He will take care of us.

In this moment, where are your thoughts? What is your focus on? Are you enjoying this new day? Are you taking the time to relish in this awesome gift of today? Or, are you hindered by the mistakes of yesterday and what-ifs of tomorrow? Do not be. Take this time to enjoy the time with your loved ones. Take this time to gain the knowledge you never would have had time to do. Do not be in a rush for things to back to "normal"; instead, determine to do things in a new way. Even the earth recognizes the clock being reset. The animals even sense the shift in the air.

If we could sincerely be grateful for this moment; seeking to do things the way God would have us to do, I suspect we would have minimal regrets in our lives going forward. Enjoy this moment; this time. Be grateful for it. Love with all you have, in this moment.

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. Live in this moment with the certainty that God has taken care of your every tomorrow. Whatever took place in the past, He has taken care of that also. Do not miss the miracles of today by being wrapped up in things you cannot change. You are blessed. Now go and be a blessing.

©2020. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.

"Peace in Chaos"

Reflections4Life™ March 15, 2020

“Peace in Chaos”

“Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?” Matthew 6:25-27

Scripture Contemplation: Ecclesiastes 3; Matthew 6; 1 Peter 5…

Who is your trust in? Do you believe in the report of the Lord, or the report of the enemy, the news media, and social media? At this moment, there are people losing their minds because of the current pandemic, COVID-19 aka the Coronavirus. What’s worse? Those who call themselves believers have been the worst offenders, behaving in unseemly manners; totally forgetting that our peace, our healing, our help comes from the Lord.

There is chaos in these streets. People are forgetting about kindness, selflessness, humility, and helping the elderly, the sick, and those who cannot fend for themselves. God called us to a higher standard; to be the light on the hill in the midst of darkness. To be the salt of the earth that has lost its flavor.

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 for your heart, mind, and soul. Be present at this moment. Do not dwell in the reports of man. Turn off the news for a while and open your word. Live in this moment with gratitude. Allow God to fill you with His peace that surpasses all understanding.

Before this new pandemic struck, how many of us were worrying about next week or next month? Most likely, only those who know what it is like to live paycheck to paycheck. Those who can only afford one meal a day. Those who rely upon schools as a form of daycare. How often do we stop, and be grateful, truly grateful for what we have been blessed with, and the ability to help someone else? This sudden crisis is not foreign or even sudden if we have been reading and meditating in the word of God. We would have heard the Lord speak to our hearts and prepare us for what was coming. We would be walking in peace and not chaos. Our hearts at rest, because we would have long ago been preparing for what was taking place now.

God is a faithful God. He does not leave His children unaware or unprepared. He knows our thoughts. He knows our hearts. He knows what we have gone through, and what lies before us. He encourages us to take no thought on tomorrow, about what we will eat or what we will wear. He has made it abundantly clear that He will take care of us. Yet, because of the chaos, we do not hear Him because of the fear and panic that have paralyzed us and arrested our faith and belief in God. We are behaving like the world, desensitized to the needs of others. How can we be a witness or a place of comfort and example of peace if we are allowing ourselves to be disturbed and unhinged by the current state we are living? We cannot. Instead, we are adding to the chaos and uncertainty.

At this moment, where are your thoughts? What is your focus on? Are you worried about the pandemic and relying on the reports of the Media? Or, are you fretting about what you have, or how you will make it for the weeks and possibly months to come? Or, do you trust God to see you and yours through these travailing times; trusting Him to continue to be your source and resource? Your anchor in the storm? Your shelter in the rain? Your Peace in chaos?

Be grateful for this moment. You are alive and have the opportunity to not only receive what God has for you but also the opportunity to be a vessel used by God to aid others in their times of need and uncertainty. Who’s going to look after the sick, shut-in, and elderly? Are you willing to share from your stockpile of abundance, believing that God will restore everything to you? Seek to do things the way God would have you to do. Be grateful for this moment.

 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. Live in this moment with the certainty that God has taken care of your every tomorrow. Let Him be your peace in the midst of chaos; the peace that surpasses all understanding. Do not miss the miracles of today wrapped up in things you cannot change. You are blessed. Now go and be a blessing.

©2020. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.

"Brand New"

Reflections4Life™ January 5, 2020 

“Brand New”

“Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, 'Write, for these words are true and faithful.'” Revelation 21:5

©Ruthe McDonald.

Scripture Contemplation: Isaiah 43:18-20; Jeremiah 31:30-32; Philippians 1:6; 1 John 1:6-8...

Happy New Year! Here we are with an opportunity to embark on a brand new year, a new decade, a new beginning, a fresh start. When you are walking with Jesus, however, each day is a fresh start. When you yield to Him, He makes you brand new; brand new heart, brand new mind, brand new sight, a brand new life.

I decree that this week's Reflections will be a continued source of encouragement and inspiration for your heart, mind, and soul. Allow the blood of Jesus to cleanse your heart and soul from old baggage that has been weighing you down. Allow the Lord to make you brand new all over—your heart and mind. This is a new year with new opportunities. God has given you a reset. What are you going to do with it?

You know how it feels to get something brand new. The feeling of something fresh and new is exciting. I think about those of us who, growing up, had to wear hand-me-downs, and the first time you were able to buy something new just for you. How did that feel? Wonderful, didn't it? 

What about that feeling you have after a storm in your life has passed. Or you let go of things you should have let go of a long time ago? Or, when you clean out your house of all those old things, or you walk into a brand new home? Exhilarating! 

That's what it is to be in a relationship with the Father. He makes all things new. He comes into our lives (the home of our hearts) and makes all things new. He cleanses us and gives us the opportunity to see things through fresh eyes, a clean heart, through His eyes. God has given us a reset button for our lives when we receive Jesus as our Savior. Our life clock is reset. What a precious gift from our Heavenly Father.

There are indeed consequences for our actions. Sinful behavior has repercussions. The sinful and wrong acts of others can have devastating effects on innocent people's lives. Yet, when we come to God, He will make all things new; a new perspective, a new determination, and new grace to help us walkthrough and get through the consequences of those actions. We will have a brand new mindset, and a brand new start at a new life, where we can walk in His love and guidance, and in obedience to His will.

Many have made resolutions to change this or to change that in their lives. What if you allowed God to change it for you. How about yielding your heart to God; submitting to His will and His way, and allowing Him to lead you where you cannot trace Him; having faith in God, and where He desires to take you?

It's a brand new year, and God desires to do brand new things in your life. Are you not tired of promising yourself something different, only to find yourself in old habits, doing the same thing repeatedly, never feeling complete or whole? Then yield to the Father. Allow the cleansing blood of Jesus to restore you, and reset your life clock. Allow Him to elevate you. To erase your past, and bring you into the future He has ordained for you.

There are lessons we can take from our past, but we do not have to linger there, feeling sorry for ourselves, reliving what we did, wishing we would have done something different. No matter how you try, you do not have the ability to change your past. Only God can do that. But what you do have is the ability to move forward, and live a life that is filled with hope and expectations for greatness. You have the opportunity to walk in a brand new mindset, with brand new insight, and brand new determination. All you have to do is believe and walk the path that God has ordained for you.

You are not limited by your past experiences. Your past and any mistakes do not determine the entirety of your life. What YOU do right now and believe in your heart, determines your life. The choice is yours. You can both reach towards God, and receive what He has for you. Or, you can linger in the past, and allow the whispers of the enemy to taunt you, and cripple you from moving forth. The choice is yours.

John 5:5-9 Now a certain man was there who had an infirmity thirty-eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, “Do you want to be made well?” 7 The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps down before me.” 8 Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your bed and walk.” 9 And immediately the man was made well, took up his bed, and walked.

There is a brand new life waiting for you; a brand new mindset, brand new experiences, and brand new joy, and anointing every day. So what are you going to do? Are you going to stay stuck in the past; or in unforgiveness, or self-pity? Or, are you going to have faith and believe what God says about you? The choice is yours. There is a brand new life with your name on it. A life, that God has ordained for you before the existence of time. All you have to do is believe, have faith, and receive. For God has already declared and decreed it!

Isaiah 65:24 “It shall come to pass that before they call, I will answer; And while they are still speaking, I will hear.

My Beloveds, I decree that the spirit of peace and prosperity has found permanent rest in every area of your life. Let God bring forth the brand new in you. Allow Him to create in you a clean heart, and a right spirit, and a renewed mind. Let the Blood of Christ reset your life clock, so that you may live a life that is full of love, grace, purpose, and the joy of the Lord. You are so very blessed. Now go... and be a blessing!

©2020. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.