"Shake It Off"

Reflections4Life™ December 8, 2019

“Shake It Off!”

“Whoever does not receive you, nor heed your words, as you go out of that house or that city, shake the dust off your feet.” Matthew 10:14

Scripture Contemplation: Judges 16:20; Nehemiah 5:13; Psalm 109:23; Isaiah 43; 2 Thessalonians 2; Hebrews 12…

Life is a journey with many vicissitudes, twists, and turns. Things can happen unexpectedly, affecting our lives in ways we never thought. We have often been told to "Let go and Let God". We do. However, what happens when the memory of the thing we let go of pops up and takes us for a heart-wrenching ride? Those are the times when we must learn to shake it off.

I decree that this week's Reflections are a continued source of encouragement and inspiration for your heart, mind, and soul. As you let go and let God, let the Father fill you and renew your mind. Think of the great and wonderful things of God and His promises. So, when the shadows of the past come, you can shake it off.

We can be living our lives, all is going well when something will happen, or someone will say something and we are suddenly encumbered by the thoughts and shadows of our past. It can throw us for a loop, disrupting our lives and may even stagnate us for a time.

Letting go was great. However, we need to learn how to shake it off; shake off the remnants of our past before it pulls us down and keeps us from moving forward and living God's best. Our past can be a chokehold on our future if we don't learn how to shake off the reminders that the enemy strategically hits us with; trying to stop our future. Which he can't. He's just hoping we're gullible enough to fall for his continued lies and game of smoke and mirrors.

Isaiah 43:18-19a “Do not call to mind the former things, or ponder things of the past. “Behold, I will do something new, now it will spring forth; will you not be aware of it?”

Beloveds, we can let go of the past but still be haunted by its memories. The enemy is wonderful at using our past against us, whispering our unworthiness of the goodness of God’s blessings. The Father desires to do a new thing. As we let go, it does not mean that we are not affected by the memories, however, we can move forward with the knowledge that our past holds no power when God has already forgiven us. It’s just that memories can be powerful tools of the enemy to come and cripple us; always seeming to surface as we are fully prepared to move ahead.

It’s. Just. A. Test. Trust me when I tell you. God is allowing the enemy to try, but once God has already declared you the winner; that’s what it is. The enemy just wants US to think that he has some kind of power, so he tries to intimidate us into submission by dredging up old memories.

The Father tells us not to call to mind the former things or to think about them. He already warns us that it has the ability to steal our attention and make us miss the new thing He is doing. Before you know it, we are repeating the past, and have picked up what we long ago let go. Don’t do it, Beloveds. Shake it off. Shake off the memories, the regrets, and the past, and receive what God has ordained for you today.

Here’s what I know for certain: There are many things that give us pause in our lives. Things we should and have let go of. Sometimes I find that letting go is the easy part. It’s the memories that seem to have a hold on your soul. At unexpected times, memories can bombard you, causing you to feel overwhelmed. These are the times, we must learn to shake it off. Shake off those memories. Shake off the dust of past mistakes, failures, rejection, and disappointment. Shake it all off. We let go, but there seems to be some residue in our mind we're not aware of; like a sheet or layer of dust that can't be seen until the sun or light hits it. When you let go, don't pick it up again. When the light exposes the residue, shake it off. Do not entertain thoughts and memories that steal your joy and claim your peace. When they come...shake it off and keep it moving! There is too much good that God has ahead of you.

I decree that the spirit of peace and of prosperity has found permanent rest in your lives. Before you, God has designed a road just for you. It is not an easy road, but a rewarding road, filled with the love and promises of God. In order to move forward on this road, you will have to let go of your past. Just know, however, that on this road there are those on the sideline that will look and sound familiar and try to get you off your path. Do not stop. Whatever you do, keep moving. Keep your focus on God, shake off the remnants of the past, and keep walking into the promises of God for your life. Just as there are reminders of your past, there will be reminders of your future. Do not forfeit the gift of today and the blessings of tomorrow, for the memories of a past that God has already forgiven. You are stronger than you believe. You are blessed. Now go…and be a blessing!

©2014. ©2019. Revised. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.

"Hold On"

Reflections4Life™ May 26, 2019

“Hold On”

“Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!” Psalm 27:14

Scripture Contemplation: Genesis 15; Psalm 27; Psalm 91; Numbers 19; Hebrews 12…

 

©Ruthe McDonald.

First, I want to give thanks to every Service man and woman. Thank you for your sacrifice, for your dedication and service to our country. We bask in the liberties we now have because you made the ultimate sacrifice, to give your life. We honor your memory, we honor your sacrifice, we honor your love and say thank you. Amen.

Whatever you are facing today whatever you may be going through right now, allow me to encourage you to hold on.

I declare that this week’s Reflections will be a continued source of encouragement and inspiration for your heart mind and soul. Dig your heels in, anchor yourself to the Lord, and do not give up or give in to the words, whispers, and lies of the enemy that only wants to rob you of your promises and manifest blessings. Hold on, and trust God. Pray, have faith, and stand in the knowledge that no one loves you more than your Heavenly Father.

It may not look like it. It may not feel like it, but God is indeed moving on your behalf and has already worked it all out in your favor. The wait does not feel good at all. In fact, you may even feel abandoned and lied to by God.

Know this and remember it, Beloved: GOD CANNOT LIE! Whatever, God has promised you, it will happen. When things are at its hardest; when it feels like all hope is gone, that is when you are right at the cusp of a breakthrough...of it all working out for your good.

The devil does not play fair. He fights dirty. However, God is just, and

He has given His angels charge over you. There is a legion of angels on your side, waiting for you to lift up your hands and begin to praise God in the midst of the hardship and sorrow. As the devil is whispering, you began praising God. When the blessings go up, you are giving the Angels charge to move on your behalf. Your praise is ushering in the angels of ministry, of worship, of warfare—all on your behalf.

There is power in your prayers and in your praise. That is why the enemy wants you to get quiet and give up. He wants you to be so angry, that you turn away from God. Do not give the enemy the satisfaction. Praise God, instead; through the tears, through the hurt, through disappointments—knowing that the Father is your help, and is bringing you through.

One more thing to think about, you must be pretty awesome for God to be bragging about you! You must be very great for the enemy to be so jealous that he had to get permission from God just to mess with you!

My Beloveds, I decree that the spirit of peace and of prosperity has found permanent rest in your lives. I decree that every good thing that God has ordained for your life will become evident to you. If God is allowing this test, these trials—just know that God believes in you and trusts you to stand and know, that He is your strength through this all, and just like Job, He is about to bless you with a double for your troubles! You are blessed. Now go…and be a blessing!

©2019 Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.

"God Cannot Lie"

Reflections4Life™ April 7, 2019

“God Cannot Lie”

“God is not a man, that he should lie, Neither the son of man, that he should repent: Hath he said, and will he not do it? Or hath he spoken, and will he not make it good?” Numbers 23:19

Scripture Contemplation: Joshua 1; Numbers 23; Job 5; Jeremiah 29; Ephesians 3; Philippians 1...

©Ruthe McDonald.

Do you trust God? Do you believe what God has spoken concerning your life? Do you believe He is able to do just what He said? Are you confident in God? Do you walk in confidence and faith? Or, are you bound by fear and unbelief? Know this truth, Beloved. Hold it in your heart, remind yourself daily: God cannot lie.

I decree and agree with Jesus, that this week's Reflections will be a continued source of inspiration for your heart, mind, and soul. That you will believe with all your heart that this is your season to believe and walk in the promises of God. That, you will know in your heart and believe with all your soul, that whatever God has promised you, He is making happen.

I understand clearly those times when you feel that what you have been waiting for is not going to happen. I clearly identify with the thought, that maybe God has forgotten you. Perhaps what He has promised is not going to happen. I know what it is like to wait and wait, and feel your faith get a little shaky; to the point that you almost stop believing. I have been there, Beloved. However, I held on by speaking the word of God, by meditating on His word, by praying, fasting, and surrounding myself with like-minded people.

In this world, we are surrounded daily with people and things that are contrary to our walk in God. We are faced with wickedness, fear, doubt, and unbelief. We often walk a fine line while navigating this narrow path every day. Yet, we must continue to believe in our God. We must continue to walk in confidence, in faith, knowing that God has us covered. That, what we are waiting upon is going to happen. In the meantime, there are obstacles to contend with. Many battles we will fight. However, through it all, we can overcome and see the promises of God fulfilled in our lives if we follow God's instructions.

Galatians 6:9 And let us not be weary in well-doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

Times will get hard sometimes. Our path will get a little bumpy. Things will happen in our life that will look nothing like the blessings of God. In fact, it may even look like we do not serve God or that there is a God. Yet, God tells us that this is a faith walk. We cannot walk this walk, or run this race by what we see. We must believe and walk by faith. Endure the hard times and have courage, believing that God will see us through every time.

Grant it, it can feel as though we are hit constantly on all sides at all times. That, just when we get over one hurdle and one test, and come through one difficult time, there is another one right behind it. Making you feel as though you cannot catch a break. The fact of the matter is it causes you to feel as though God is removed far from you, as though He has abandoned you.

These are those times Beloved when God is conditioning our heart. These are the times when our faith is being developed. When God is preparing us for what lies ahead. These are the times when we are so close to the manifestations of God's promises in our life happens. The enemy is hell-bent on causing us to lose focus and give up; to walk away from our miracle, from our blessings and promises.

Don't you let that happen! Don't you dare come this far and give up on God, when God has not given up on you! God has equipped us with everything we need to make it through this race. He has already assured us the victory. Jesus made us that assurance when He went to Cross and defeated hell and death.

Everything the enemy is doing is designed to get you to forfeit your promises. He is strategic in his war against you. You must be strategic in your prayers and faith. Do not grow weary while doing the will of God. Though those times of weariness come, shake it off by remembering the promises of God. Don't just read the word, pray the word. Stand firm in what God has told you. Now is not the time to get quiet. You must declare and decree what God has spoken concerning you. Declare His word to the atmosphere.

Surround yourself with those who can encourage you and not commiserate with you. Remember all that God has already done for you. We often forget past victories because of the severity of the current circumstances. People change, circumstances change, but God does not change. He will keep His promises to you. He will complete in your life that which He has started.

I don't care what it appears to be; what it looks like at the moment; you can believe with every fiber of your being, that God is not a liar. He cannot lie. He will do just what He said. We must believe. We must have courage. We must have faith. And, we must learn to pull down the strongholds and evil imaginations that the enemy uses against us. Greater is God in us that he that is in this world. If God was not so great, and your life was not so precious and valuable, and destined for greatness, as well, the enemy wouldn't take another look at you. But I have a feeling that just as Job, God has been bragging on His children again. If God believes we can pass these tests, and be all He called us to be; then it's about time we start believing it and believing in Him with all our heart and soul.

I decree that the spirit of peace and of prosperity has found permanent rest in your lives: spiritually, physically, emotionally, mentally, socially, and financially. Whatever you take from today, remember this: God cannot lie. He has already worked things out for you. His promises will happen. Stay in with a heart of faith. Believe in Him with all your heart. Trust Him where you cannot trace Him. Continue in prayer and meditation. And, leave the enemy to God. He knows just what to do. You are blessed. Now go...and be a blessing!

©2019. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.

"A Celebration of God's Grace"

Reflections4Life™ July 27, 2017

“A Celebration of God’s Grace”

“Praise the Lord! Praise God in His sanctuary; Praise Him in His mighty heavens. Praise Him for His mighty acts; Praise Him according to [the abundance of] His greatness. Praise Him with trumpet sound; Praise Him with harp and lyre. Praise Him with tambourine and dancing; Praise Him with stringed instruments and flute.  Praise Him with resounding cymbals; Praise Him with loud cymbals. Let everything that has breath and every breath of life praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! (Hallelujah!)” Psalm 150

Grace and Peace friends and family! I am overjoyed today because of the blessings of the Lord God Almighty. I am so grateful and my heart is bubbling over with joy!

Sometimes when you are facing so many things in life, and have been tested with life trials after trials, you tend to forget about the goodness and mercy of God. You may forget about what He has already done. You may forget those milestones and miss the victories and triumphs along the way because they may not seem that significant to you. However, they are! Every time you accomplish something, make it to a milestone, and you give God the glory is another black eye for and foot on the neck of the enemy!

We are celebrating TEN YEARS!—wow!—of Reflections4Life Blog and Ministry! Can someone help me give some praise to God! As I have said in a previous post, it almost passed my mind that this awesome milestone was happening. So much is going on in my life that a celebration really has been the last thing on my mind. However, God is just too great for me to not make the time and take a praise break for all of His kindness and blessings of His word that He has made possible over the past ten years! All of the phenomenal fellowship, powerful word, the precious friendships, answered prayers, and the powerful prayer circle! My goodness! I could go on and on! Seriously! But I won’t be before you long! I just want to share a bit of my heart with my Reflections4Life community and family! You guys totally rock!!!!

Ten years ago, I was in New York for the birth of my nephew. I was watching my other two nephews as their baby brother was being born. I sat in my brother’s living room with my laptop, filled with a grateful heart for life and God’s abundance. I figured I’d write in my journal. As I began to write the words, the more I felt encouraged. When I finished, God told me to share it with my current writing community. He said someone needed to be encouraged. To share, my testimony, and give Him the glory. That is how Reflections4Life came to be. It started as just, Reflections, then God said these are Reflections for daily life; thoughts that we can apply to our everyday living, and so it became, Reflections4Life.

I started writing Reflections4Life as a blog post. I did not see it as a ministry, just a way to share my heart, my experiences, and what I was reading and studying that week and how I was going to apply it to my own life. But when God has other plans, who am I to say no to God, when I know He has a proven track record? So, here I am ten years later, filled with a heart of gratitude overwhelmed with joy and wonder at what God has done in my life.

I want to thank you, my Reflectiosn4Life family and community. I want to thank you all for the fellowship and friendship over the past ten years, and look forward to much more for however long God chooses to use me in this capacity. I am open to His will and His way. I pray the blessings of God over your life. If there is anything that you stand in need of, I pray for you and stand in agreement with you that God is already taking care of it, in the name of Jesus! If there is any illness, by His stripes, you are healed and so we thank Him for the manifestations! Whatever you may be in need of, give it to God and believe for Him to open that door and to make a way for you in His Son’s mighty name! Amen!

As part of my gratitude today, and for all the gratitude in my heart towards you for the years of fellowship, I will be giving away three (3) paperback copies of my latest release, What Love Teaches Me, Volume 3 in my Reflections4Life Inspirational Series. The print version contains a special Reflections4Life Journal inside. I will also be giving away one (1) $25 Amazon e-gift card.

To be eligible, you have between today (July 27 2017) and Monday (July 31, 2017) by 8:00 PM EST to subscribe to my email list on my website at www.iamruthemcdonald.com Three names will be randomly chosen for the paperback copy, and one name will be chosen for the Amazon e-gift card. The contest is sponsored by Johnrue Publishing. All winners will be contacted by August 4^th, 2017. No purchase necessary to be entered into this giveaway.

The print version is available on Amazon. If you would like to purchase the eBook, please follow this link for a list of retailers: https://books.pronoun.com/what-love-teaches-me/

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 all once again for celebrating this day with me! You are appreciated and prayed for daily. Thank you for your continued friendship and fellowship. May the grace and peace of God be constant in your life. It is my prayer the coming years brings us closer, extending our family, and connecting us on greater and deeper levels. I love you and I pray for you always. You are blessed. Now go…and be a blessing!

©2017. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.

"Break Away"

August 14^th, 2016

“Break Away”

“Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; nor His ear heavy, that it cannot hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you so that He will not hear.” Isaiah 59:1-2 NKJV

Scripture Contemplation: Psalm 1; Hosea 9; Matthew 25; Romans 8; 1 Corinthians 15; 2 Corinthians 6…

What is holding you back, Beloved? Who is holding you back? What has stopped you from doing what God has placed in your heart to do? What has hindered you from pursuing those goals and visions that have now gone dormant and silent within your soul and spirit? It is time to break away. Break away from all things that have gotten in the way of you walking in the will of God for your life. Break away from the things that have hindered and even corrupted you in the way of your thoughts and how you see yourself.

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; bringing peace and revelation to your heart, mind, and soul. I don’t care how long it’s been. As long as you still have breath in your body, it is not too late to humble yourself at the feet of God and receive all that He has for you and watch as your life turns around. Run to Jesus, Beloved. Run to the Lord and ask Him to have His way in every area of your life. And watch, as the blinders begin to fall off!

I won’t be before you too long today. I just want to give you a word from the Lord and encourage you. And to let you know that it is time to break away. Break away from people, places, and things that have hindered you from fully investing yourself in the will and ways that God ordained for your life.  It’s time to break away from your past, from lies spoken over your life, from the bad and corrupt company; from everything and anything that would try and separate you from the love and will of God in your life.

Many of us have fallen victim to ourselves. To the needs and desires of our flesh and have forgotten that we are more than flesh. We are also spirit. And our spirits need to be nurtured and fed. Too many of us are starving. We are malnourished because of the things we have allowed to dominate our lives that were not of God.

Enough is enough! It is time to take a stand. To stand up against the enemy. To reclaim your victory and start walking it. It is way past time to experience the fullness and goodness of our God. To allow God to love you and bless you in the manner that He has always wanted to do since He created you.

Why, Beloved? Why do we continue to allow people to rob us? To steal our joy and peace? To hinder our growth and development in the Kingdom of God? Why? And we cannot blame everything on the perpetrators without looking to ourselves first. It is time to hold a mirror up to our face, look ourselves in the eyes and start telling the truth—no holds bar.

We must begin to separate ourselves from those who are toxic to us. Toxic to our dreams and visions. Toxic to our relationship with God. Toxic to our hearts and minds. We must not be afraid to stand up for truth and for what is in our hearts. We must begin to break away from old habits, bad habits that will engulf our minds and immobilize us; keeping us from moving forward and getting all that God has promised.

When God says let go, Beloved? Do it. When He says it’s time to move? Then you move. When God says, it time to fight? Then you fight. Beloved, God knows all about us. He knows us when we need to break away from a situation(s) or person(s). Wake up and hear what God is saying to you. There is a whole new chapter being written, and you will determine the ending.

Do not stand in the way of your blessings manifesting by staying too long in a place that was only supposed to be temporary or a life lesson. Do not give up on yourself because you feel as though you’ve no control over a situation. God has put all power in our hands. Power to break chains. Power to move mountains. Power to save and change lives. Power to get your life together no matter how many mistakes you have made. It’s a brand new day. Brand new opportunities. Allow God to teach you what is needed. How to break away from those false people. Break away from dream killers and vision snatchers. Wait on the Lord and be of good cheer. And stop taking advice from those who never ever seen the real you. Or, are constantly causing you more pain than there are days Trust God. Really trust Him to make things work for your good.

Revelation 3:14, 20 NKJV “And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, ‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come into him and dine with him, and he with Me.”

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. Allow God to lead you. Trust Him where you cannot trace Him. God knows you. And He has your number. He’s been knocking for quite some time. Knocking on the doors of your heart, in your spirit. Waiting for you to answer; to invite Him in. And waiting for you to once and for all break away from anything and anyone that would seem to block your blessings. You are blessed. Now go…and be a blessing!

©2016. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.

"It Will Not Last"

Reflections4Life August 16^th, 2015

“It Will Not Last”

“For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for a lifetime; Weeping may last for the night, but a shout of joy comes in the morning.” Psalm 30:5

Scripture Contemplation: Numbers 11; Psalm 5; Psalm 30; Jeremiah 11…

The pain. The heartache. The disappointment. It will not last. The uncertainty. The loneliness. The despair. It will not last.  How can I possibly say it will not last when I don't know how long you've been suffering? Because I believe my Heavenly Father when He said: Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.

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. Allow God into the hidden places that He may bring you joy and encouragement. Believe the promises of God. Yield to Him, as He reaches toward you with His love and greatness.

I may not know the cause of your heartache and suffering. As you may not know mine. However, I do know, with all my heart that my God loves us the same. And what He's done for another, He can and will do for me and you too should we believe and let Him have His way.

Most certainly as we suffer these afflictions, it feels like there is never an end in sight. But God! He is a promise-keeper. And if we hold on, believe His word, hold onto the promises, we will not only make it through, we will thrive in the blessings of God.

Beloveds, do not give up. Do not give in to the whispers of the enemy. God surely does love you. He does have a plan for your life. One to prosper you and bring you to an expected end. That is fulfilled with promises of God. Though your mourning and weeping seem to be lasting longer than a night, trust God when He tells you that your morning in soon coming. What you are faced with now will not last. There is an end in sight.

Galatians 6:9 Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.

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.  What heartaches, pain, trials and tests you are facing now, they will not last. Yet, they will make you stronger. Giving you a testimony that bring light to another person's dark night. You are blessed. Now go…and be a blessing!

©2015. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.

"Free"

Reflections4Life July 5, 2015

“Free”

“Christ has set us free to live a free life. So take your stand! Never again let anyone put a harness of slavery on you.” Galatians 5:1 (MSG)

Scripture Contemplation: Galatians 5; Ephesians 3; 5; Hebrews 6…

As we celebrated Independence Day in America, many took the time to thank those who fought and continue to fight for our freedom. To fight that we may pursue our happiness—whatever that may be.

I thought about it (freedom) quite a lot yesterday. And I realized that so many of us are anything but free. Whether it is physical, emotionally, mentally, or spiritually. Many of us are still bound. Bound to a way of life. To a belief. To a person, a lifestyle, an idea. Some are even bound to their negative thoughts.

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. As you delve into an intimate relationship with the Creator, allow Him to shape and mold and condition your heart. Let His love cover you, as He teaches you what it truly means to be free.

The ties that bind us are evident by what we witness in this world each and every day. The continued atrocities that occur against our fellow man based upon an ideal and belief system that makes some believe they have the right to treat others with such hate, animosity, and vitriol.

What right do have to judge others? Unless it is a righteous judgment?—Not self-righteousness but a godly righteousness. Wherein we see an injustice and want to correct it. Where we stand up and become the voice for those who do not have one. Who, have been vehemently wronged and bullied, taken advantage of, and stripped of their rights.

It is obvious that although many are physically free they remain bound in their thoughts and ideals. So many are walking around bound in heavy mental-chains when God has already freed us. But they hang on to hurt, pain, ideals and principles that keep them from truly living a free life.

Beloveds, you are free. Freedom is yours if you desire to walk in it. We cannot control what others think and the actions that they ultimately choose to make. But we can be free in our own lives and live accordingly. And we can continue to fight for those who cannot fight for themselves.

We can break vicious cycles of hate and judgment by living our lives in such a manner, that we respect others and their right to choose and stand up for those who have no voice and have suffered by the hands of those who continue to be bound and abuse their authority and power.

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. To be truly free, we must be free in our minds and hearts, and fight for those who cannot fight for themselves. Don't allow this world to bind you with its troubles. Allow God to pour His love into you, and free you physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. You are blessed. Now go…and be a blessing.

©2015. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.

"In Service of Others"

Reflections4Life May 24^th, 2015

“In Service of Others”

“I beseech you, therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.” Romans 12:1

Scripture Contemplation: Romans 9; 12; Philippians 2…

As we spend this weekend celebrating Memorial Day, it is an honor to remember those who served and have given their lives in service of others.

Each day we are granted is an opportunity to make a difference in not only our lives, but the lives of others. To be in the position to help others, gives us a chance to change lives.

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. Our Heavenly Father has given us a great gift: the opportunity to serve. When we understand the heart of a servant, then we understand the power we have to change lives. Allow God to show you how to serve and change lives.

In this life, I would hope that we could learn to give without the thought of only doing to receive something from someone in return. It is so much more than give and take. It is about selflessness. The ability to make a difference in the lives of others; even if you get no recognition for what you do. It’s not about being seen or heard, just about serving and making a difference.

I am in awe of each and every service person that makes a decision to serve their country. For whatever their reasons, it is a great sacrifice that they make. Not only for self, but also their families. Never knowing if one day may be their last while in service to their country and patriots.

When I think on the goodness of God, I think of all that He grants us each and every day. But mostly I think upon the freedom He grants us to choose how we will live our lives and affect the lives of others.

Life has its ups and downs, but it is how we live our lives personally that determines our quality of life. When we make a choice to serve others, we choose to give a part of ourselves. And when we do, we open up our hearts to unknown blessings and joys.

Not everyone gets it. Not everyone understands the heart of those who desire to serve. But everyone receives a benefit from those that choose to.

I give thanks and prayer for those men and women who have served and given their lives in service for the freedoms that we enjoy, and some take for granted. I honor you for the sacrifices that you have made. For the honor of your service. Happy Memorial Day. Blessings to the families that made the ultimate sacrifice in servitude.

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. May you be blessed with the heart that has the capacity to serve others; to make a difference in the life of someone who you may never even know. Be open to the will of god. It will change your life in unexpected ways. You are blessed. Now go and be a blessing.

©2015. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.