"Free"

 Reflecions4Life™ July 3, 2022

“Free”

“It was for this freedom that Christ set us free [completely liberating us]; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery [which you once removed].” Galatians 5:1 

Scripture Contemplation: Psalm 118:27; Isaiah 61:1; Zephaniah 3:20; Acts 7; 2 Corinthians 3:17

I declare that this week’s Reflections are a continued source of encouragement and inspiration for your heart, mind, and soul. The Father has freed us from many things by His giving of His only begotten Son, Jesus. There are benefits of the Kingdom of God that we have yet to tap into because we have not realized just how truly free we are. Make time this week for you and God. Get to know His heart, His voice, and His face. The Lord will show you just how free you truly are.

There is a certain kind of freedom that comes when you are in a relationship with God that cannot be compared to anything else on this earth. It certainly is something that is better experienced than explained. I will venture to say that when you are finally ready to walk in the will of God for your life, you will not be disappointed. Not in the heavenly Father. When you learn to trust God with everything, you will find that committing to Him becomes easier. And when you are committed to your relationship with the Father, you will understand true freedom and just how free you truly are.

Please do not get it wrong; there are tests, trials, attacks from the enemy, and all manner of things that come our way when we are walking with the Lord. We become walking targets because of our relationship and faith, and the enemy wants nothing more than to pluck us off; to steal, kill, and destroy us and our faith and belief in God. Yet, when we are in a relationship with God, the battle is not ours but His. When we learn to trust God, we come to understand that the enemy has waged a war against God and will try to use us as pawns and weapons in his fight. But he has forgotten—he has already lost the war the moment Jesus died on the Cross, reclaimed the keys of life and death, gave them and the Holy Spirit to us, then ascended into heaven, freeing us from a life of sin and death with the ability to repent and the freedom to choose our path in life.

2 Corinthians 3:17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty [emancipation from bondage, true freedom].

Beloved, there is nothing better than having true freedom, and that freedom comes from being in a committed relationship with the Highest and having Holy Spirit reside in us. Because wherever the Holy Spirit is, there is freedom. When we yield to Holy Spirit within, we will find that choosing to do what is best and right for our walk is not hard. In each circumstance or situation that arises, we have an advocate with the Father and the Holy Spirit within, guiding us, and fighting for us. We just have to recognize our freedom and walk in it with confidence and assuredness.

The truth is many ascribe to God the same characteristics as a man. We expect God to fail us, or not do what we need and when. We think God has forgotten or abandoned us and that, He has not heard or listened to our prayers. While we walk in this frame of mind, the enemy wreaks havoc and we block ourselves from hearing, seeing, and recognizing God or knowing the Holy Spirit. God is not man; neither are His ways like men.

Isaiah 55:8 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord.

As a young girl, I remember going to a church that was extremely strict. As I look back, there was no true worship, either. It made God seem so unloving, harsh, and unforgiving. There were so many things that you could not do that it made it seem as though a life with Christ was anything but freedom but instead more bondage; like a prison sentence to life that was dull and gray with no vibrancy, no color or warmth.

I felt stifled in that environment. In my heart, I knew that it was not right. That was not the God I came to know and love as a little girl. That did not sound like the God that reached out to me as a child through the moon and stars and intrigued me to get to know Him. The "god" being presented in that church was not the same God I knew that had covered me and soothed me. I understood that as we got older we would learn and understand more, or at least we were supposed to. However, what I was being taught was binding not freeing. So many rules that it literally hurt my head and my heart. My spirit would not conform. Holy Spirit residing in me would not leave or be squelched. I knew in my heart there was more to God because I had already tasted of His goodness and was touched by His spirit of freedom, and there was no going back.

Beloved, far too many have been led to believe and see God for who He is not. In doing so, they have associated God with nothing but restrictions, rules, bondage, and no freedom. You cannot trust someone you are afraid of. And you cannot commit to someone you cannot trust. There is order and decency in the Lord. There are things that God does abhor that are sins. However, there are so many more yes' with God than there are no’s. So much more happiness and uplifting words of encouragement and teachings of love, light, and healing than there are of damnation and shame. Yet, most will not know this if they do not have a personal relationship with God.

True freedom comes with an intimate relationship with God, where you learn for yourself, through your own personal walk with God, who He is, and who you truly are in Him. Where you learn to trust Him with your entire being. God wants us free. Because a free heart and mind can receive all that He has ordained and can serve and be an instrument of change on this earth, helping to free others from their own bondages and false impressions of who God really is. You happily commit to a relationship with the Father.  Light cannot do its job if it is hidden or dimmed because it has been restricted to shine. That is like telling the Sun it shines too brightly so we are going to wrap a shade around it. No.

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. There is freedom in God, in a relationship with the King. A kind of freedom you have never tasted or dreamed of, but always hoped for, and the only way to truly receive and understand it is to be in an intimate relationship with the Heavenly Father. Get a firsthand account. You will not be disappointed. Not with the God, I serve. You are blessed. Now go…and be a blessing!

©2022. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.           

"And God Said"

 Reflections4Life^TM October 18, 2020

“And God Said”

“For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6

Scripture Contemplation: Psalm 145; Matthew 5:16; Romans 8:28; Ephesians 2:10; Philippians 2:13…

©by Phil Koch

We receive a lot of advice. Some asked for, some not. Some of it wanted, some not wanted. Some good, some not so good. Yet it still stands that regardless of what someone else may say or think, it does not change or trump what God has said.

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. Let your intimate time with the heavenly Father build you and saturate your heart until you become immune to the false concern and opinions of those that have not received the message that, God has already spoken what is, and what will be concerning your life.

Do you know what God says about you? Do you know what your Creator thinks of you? I bet you are a lot harsher and judgmental of yourself than God could ever be. We often are, because we've yet to believe or see what God says concerning us: The truth.

Here's the deal, beloved: God does not see us as we see ourselves. When He looks upon us, He doesn't see the sin, the screw-ups, mistakes, or unworthy individuals. No. God sees the blood of Christ. He sees us as He created us to be: great, wonderful, beautiful, worthy of His greatest blessings. Because He sees us as we truly are, He speaks accordingly.

When God speaks of us, He speaks in the manner that states His work is done. That we are all that He ever declared and decreed us to be, as though all the work in us is complete.  Most of us have trouble with this because we have yet to see ourselves as God sees us—complete and whole. A finished work of greatness.

We tend to quickly believe the deceits of others and the enemy than what God has spoken. It's time to change that. It's time to embrace and believe what God says of you. We listen to the advice of those who know nothing about what's in our hearts. We allow those unsolicited comments to affect how we see ourselves.

Beloved, it's time to believe what God says. It's time to answer those negative decrees with, "And God said..." It's time to speak what God has spoken of you. That you are wonderfully and fearfully made in His image. That greatness is in you. That you are worthy of every good thing that God has spoken. That you are all that God has decreed. That every promise God has made to you is coming to pass. The very work that God has begun in you, He will surely complete. You are worthy, loved, and cherished.

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. Let your heart believe and your mind sees what God has spoken concerning you. Meditate in the Word of God. Spend intimate time in the presence of God, allowing His love and truth to penetrate your heart, mind, and soul. You are worthy because God made you worthy. You are blessed. Now go…and be a blessing.

©2020. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.  

"Grab On and Hold Tight!"

 Reflections4Life^TM September 27, 2020

“Grab On and Hold Tight”

“Not one of the good promises which the Lord had made to the house of Israel failed; all came to pass.” Joshua 21:45

Scripture Contemplation: Deuteronomy 28; Numbers 11; John 16:23; Galatians 3:16-21; 2 Peter 1:4…

We are often told to let go and let God when it comes to things of our faith, and situations that we have no control over. To let go and let God do what only He can do.  We are not often told, however, to grab on and hold tight to the promises and the visions that God has given us. This, too, is a part of having faith.

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.  Beloveds, whatever dreams and visions you have; whatever God has spoken to you, grab on and hold tight! Do not let go of the visions, plans or promises. Trust God to bring them all to fruition.

We must be tenacious in our faith. We must be tenacious when it comes to the promises of God and the dreams and visions we are diligently working towards.  Some of us give up too soon. We are often so close to the manifestations of the promises and the dreams and visions, but allow fear and weariness to persuade us to walk away. Don't do it. Do not let go after all of this time. Grab on and hold tight.

Yes. Life's journey will throw us some serious curve balls. We will have some setbacks and delays while we work and wait for the visions and promises to be fulfilled. But that is life. It is not always easy, but well worth living.

I promise you Beloved, on the other side of the waiting, working, trials, and tribulations is a sweetness of life waiting just for you. There may be other tests. Other waiting times for new visions and dreams. But the reward for being tenacious and diligent far exceeds your expectations.

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.  Grab on and hold tight to the Father; to His promises; to your visions. Be like Joshua and Caleb who believed what God had spoken and wouldn't allow the obstacles and giants before them to defeat their belief in the promises of God. You are blessed. Now go…and be a blessing.

©2020. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.

"Do Not Be Robbed"

Reflections4Life July 26, 2020

“Do Not Be Robbed”

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” John 10:10 (NASB)

Scripture Contemplation: Jeremiah 22; John 10; 1 Peter 5…

Beloveds, we are in such a time that it may often feel as though no matter how hard you fight; how much you believe; how strong your faith; it feels like you are losing.

That's a lie! A trick from the enemy of our souls to blind us and steal from us. To rob us of our birthright; our joy, peace, and happiness. All of these things—these unexplained occurrences, the hate, and vitriol we see and experience on a daily basis...all of it—schemes plotted by the enemy to rob us. Yes. He wants to destroy us, to kill us. And what better way than to distract us, diverting our attention, so that we may lose our focus. His number one goal, to permanently rob us of our blessings and the promises of God. To take our very life.

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. Run to the Father. Before you react. Before you make any decision to do anything, run to the throne of grace, and seek the will of God. Allow Him to lead you so that you may remain standing strong and in the victory, He has assured you.

It is so easy for us to get distracted these days. And even more of a distraction is our emotions. Many of us do not respond but rather react to anger. Although we are justified in our anger, we are not justified when we act out and do something that does irreparable damage to ourselves and our families. That's what the enemy of our souls wants. He wants us to be distracted by the pain and the hurt and do something that will allow him to rob us of our future, our families, our freedom, and our lives.

We can also be robbed of our relationships. The enemy does not care about families and relationships. One of his tactics is to isolate and separate. Even he understands and knows how powerful we are when we come together in agreement. Do not allow the enemy to turn you away from the ones you love and those that can help you. Do not be robbed of family, friends, and fellowship. We must learn to reach out, and deal with things together. To trust one another and work with each other.

Beloved, do not allow the enemy to rob you. Yes. Get angry but do not sin in your anger. Respond to the hurt and pain but do not react. Do not isolate yourself or play the lone ranger. Seek God, and come together in prayer and fellowship.

Another strategy the enemy loves, it when we give up because we become scared or fearful. Some give up before they have even begun to fight back; putting an end to his distractions, and his constant attempt to steal, kill, and destroy. Don't give up. Don't lose hope or faith. But also, do not fall for the traps of the enemy. Do not allow him to goad you and make you so angry that you do not pray or think, and just walk away defeated. 

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.  Don't allow the distractions, the hurtful things, and the hateful and evil things of this world to steal your focus and your victory. God has already declared us the winner. The enemy may be conniving, but he is not more powerful than God or those who maintain their focus and choose to stand and fight in the manner in which God instructs. For greater is He in us than he that is in this world. You are blessed. Now go…and be a blessing!

©2020. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.

"Don't Let Your Eyes Block You"

Reflections4Life™ January 12, 2020

"Don't Let Your Eyes Block You" 

     "But it is just as the Scriptures say, “What God has planned for people who love him is more than eyes have seen or ears have heard. It has never even entered our minds!” 1 Corinthians 2:9 (CEV)

Scripture Contemplation: 1 Corinthians2; 12; Matthew 6:22; 2 Timothy 4:3-4; Habakkuk 2...

©Ruthe McDonald.

With so much social media at our fingertips, it is easy to think that we know exactly what is going on. With all the cameras; people recording everything, person, and place—one might believe that they are seeing the whole truth; the entire picture of what is going on. The truth of the matter is, what we see what our natural eyes can not only deceive you but also block you from receiving the blessings that God has ordained for your life.

I decree that this week's Reflections will be a continued source of encouragement and inspiration for your heart mind and soul. It is so very easy to be fooled today into believing that we know exactly what is going on. Do not allow your natural eyesight block from the blessings of God for your life. Take time this week to exercise your spiritual sight; having faith that God will show you exactly what you need to see.

There have been many times in my life that I have missed opportunities because I allowed what I saw deter me and even plant seeds of fear inside of me. At this point in my life; I cannot afford to allow that to happen anymore. God has way too much for me to see, do, achieve; to give, change, and accomplish, for me to allow my natural sight to block the blessings of my Heavenly Father in my life.

How many times have you backed down or walked away because of what something looked like? How many times did you dismiss or prejudge someone based upon what they looked like? Not fair, but we do it more often than not; allowing what we see in the natural to curtail what the spirit is saying in our hearts.

I know that God has spoken to many of us; showing us His promise for our lives and the awesome greatness that waits to be manifested in our lives. It is such a beautiful and special thing to behold—the plan of God for our lives—that if we are not careful, we will allow what things "look" like at the present to dictate how we move and how we believe.

Things change, people change, circumstances change; but God never changes. He and His word remain the same; steadfast, true, and immoveable. All that God has spoken concerning our lives is not a guess but an assuredness. He is God. He cannot lie. And the truth of the matter is, His thoughts are far above our thoughts. His ways are that way, as well.

God will give us instructions and a word of knowledge and wisdom based on His truth and that which He has ordained for our lives. He is not telling us something—on His part—that may or may not happen. He is speaking the truth and what He has ordained for our lives, All we have to do is believe Him, have faith, follow His instructions and walk with complete faith, that whatever God has spoken concerning us, will indeed come to pass.

          2 Corinthians 5:7 (CEV) But we live by faith, not by what we see.

Beloved, do not allow what your natural eyes see, to block you from receiving what God has promised you or from the life He has ordained for you. Do not get caught up in what things appear to be. As we know, things have a way of changing suddenly. See, through your spiritual eyes, what God is saying to you today. See, through your spiritual eyes—your mind's eye—who God called you to be. See yourself whole, happy, and filled with the goodness of God, walking in the manifestations of His promises and blessings.

In this world, we learn quickly that everything is not always as it seems. More times than not, we never have the whole picture when dealing with the world. That is why the Father admonishes us concerning judging one another...we should not. We should not even judge ourselves.

My Beloved, I decree that the spirit of peace and of prosperity has found permanent rest in every area of your life. Do not allow your eyes to block you from the blessings that God has for you. Do not be like the children of Israel and only see the giants in the land. Instead, see the blessings and promises that God made to you, and go after them. God cannot lie. It really is yours for the taking...when you finally believe. You are blessed. Now go...and be a blessing.

©2020. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.