"Betrayal"

 Reflections4Life^TM March 28, 2021

“Betrayal”

“But there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who would betray Him.” John 6:64

Scripture Contemplation: Proverbs 6; Matthew 20; John 6; 1 Corinthians 11…

Wishing each and everyone who celebrates a Happy Palm Sunday. As I think back on my childhood, loving memories flood my mind filling me with a warmth that wraps itself around me like a cozy blanket. Enfolded in this embrace is every family tradition. Every lesson was taught to me by my mother, my Grams, and my Nana. I think of the church services, Sunday school, and the lessons we were taught about Jesus the Christ and His sacrifice for all mankind.

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. May you understand the multitude of love that our Heavenly Father has for you. Let your walls fall, and your guards down, allowing God that sacred place on the throne of your heart.

As a child, things seemed so simple. Conversations and Sunday sermons and Sunday school lessons now make sense to me. As I mature, I come to understand the meaning of Palm Sunday and Easter. It became much more than a time for families to gather and celebrate. For people to come to church after not coming for so long. Or, the delicious feast being prepared by my Grams and Nana, as all the grandchildren tried to eat their weight in candy from their Easter baskets. Lastly, the day had nothing to do with a bunny. But everything to do with love, betrayal, sacrifice, redemption, and reconciliation.

God indeed sent His Son for us. It was an act of love. Jesus, denying His deity to be born of a woman, so that we might have eternal life—made a decision based upon love, even though He'd have to face bitter betrayal from the ones he loved, healed, restored, and raised from the dead. For all His love and loyalty, Jesus was met with betrayal. A betrayal that needed to take place so that we might live eternally.

I always think about the thoughts that ran through Jesus's mind. How hurt was the heart of our Beloved? How many times do we—to this day—hurt His heart with the sting of betrayal? We betray Him every day. We doubt Him. We forget about Him and His praise. We stand in the way of His blessings. If that wasn't enough; we deny him. We act as though we are the only ones in pain. We act entitled when what we do is betray God. We reject Him; acting at times as though we don't know Him. And STILL, He loves us. Still, He knocks on the door of our hearts. Still, He pursues His lost lambs and sheep though He already has many found.

Betrayal. The word itself brings a sharp pain to the chest. To the heart. The sting of betrayal is biting. Often it leaves venom that spreads its poison through our heart and soul until we no longer trust anyone. We think it's trust, but betrayal's poison has seeped in so deep that we are left with lingering doubts and suspicions about every relationship forward. Wondering when; fearing when will be the next betrayal.

Hallelujah for the grace, mercy, and love of God. Because of Jesus, we can overcome the sting of betrayal. We can get past it and have trust and love for others. How? Because of how Jesus answered His betrayers. He loved them; even after suffering for them. Though they rejected Him, after all, He did for them. He understood the bigger picture.

We can rejoice! We have a bigger picture, Beloveds. Bigger than the betrayal we've endured and suffered. A picture worth more than the sting, and a picture so powerful, it will heal us from the poison of betrayal. We just have to be willing to let go and yield to God with everything we have. To once again, become vulnerable. Vulnerable unto God as He leads us to our promises, and heals our wounded souls.

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.  Do not allow betrayal to rob you of a future; of the promises of the living God. Allow the Father to soothe and heal your wounds, as you first learn to trust God, and allow Him to love on you. Know this: God will never betray you. You are blessed. Now go…and be a blessing!

©2021. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.

"Let Us Pray"

Reflections4Life™ January 15, 2017

“Let Us Pray”

“…be unceasing and persistent in prayer; in every situation [no matter what the circumstances] be thankful and continually give thanks to God…” 1 Thessalonians 5:17, 18 (AMP)

Scripture Contemplation: Acts 12; Romans 1; 1 Thessalonians 5; 2 Timothy 1…

©Ruthe McDonald

I cannot pretend—to myself—hat all is going perfectly well. That, I am not experiencing some troubles and trials, heartaches and some heaviness. I may be able to put on a smile for everyone else and continue to take care of business, while others (with the exception of my closest circle or confidante) will be no wiser of the inner turmoil that I am suffering.

There are many things I do not know in this life and many things I do. Such as love, happiness, joy, hurt, pain, sorrow, and betrayal, just to name a few. However, one of the greatest things I have come to know and learn is that I can ALWAYS look up to God when so many things cause me to want to look and keep my head down and my mouth closed.

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. Do not hide the pain in your spirit and heart. Let it out. Now is not the time to get quiet, but to speak to God, who is there; even when you feel everyone else has gone. Talk with God; He is listening and waiting to give you exactly what you need.

I may be able to hide my pain and turmoil from others, but I will never be able to hide it from myself or be able to pretend it is not like a boulder on a chain around my neck. I realized a long time ago, you could not be free or move forward if you hide from yourself, lie to yourself, or pretend that there is nothing wrong.

This, my Beloveds, is where prayer is essential. The anchor will hold you down. The lifeline that will keep you tethered to the heavenly Father. The connection that will give you peace of mind and heart and the strength to go on

Prayer gives strength to our spiritual and natural lives. Prayer is what keeps us grounded and open to hearing the voice of God. It is a conversation between our Creator and ourselves. It is not just making a list of wants and repeating them. God is not Santa Claus. Nor is He a magician, waiting to do magic tricks and perform.

Our answers, our strength, our joy, our help—all come from God, and whoever He leads into our lives, to be the representative of Him in this earth. I believe that there are angels all around us in human form. We just have to open our hearts, our minds, and our souls to see and believe and experience the wonders of God's infinite and unconditional love for us.

God is our Father, our Creator, and our Help. He is our Deliverer, our Savior, our Comforter, our Teacher, our connection to who WE really are. Our Father is the One we can ALWAYS turn to—no matter what we are facing.

Far too many times, and for far too long we allow pain, heartache, and disappointments blind and bound us from what is right in front of us. No. We cannot ignore the pain. We must confront and deal with it. However, we do not have to go it all alone; isolated, allowing our feelings to get the best of us.

In my life's journey, I have come to learn just how scared the enemy gets when we pray. He would prefer if we got quiet, did not speak, and held everything in. He would love it if we would evade what bothers us and pretend it does not exist. Because it would give him the continued opportunity to torment us; to mess with our minds; to create fear, and keep us bound by that fear.

The devil is a lie! And the truth—us speaking our truth—will not only set us free, but allow us to walk in the spirit of love, power, and a sound mind (2Timothy 1:7), giving God reign over our mind, our thoughts, and our heart where what we think of eventually resides.

Beloveds, we can look to God. Listen to His voice. Follow His instructions. Moreover, be open to the people He is sending in our life this season to aid us in moving forward. It may not be easy; the pain still very raw. However, God will be with us; that soothing balm that brings comfort, peace, strength, and a reminder that His love for us is not only unconditional but also boundless. We just have to keep the faith and never stop reaching or believing, or praying.

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. Do not allow the heartache and pain of current circumstances to keep your mouth shut when it comes to prayer. Meditate on the Word; pray diligently, and be open to who God sends your way. We must be in communication with the Father to know and recognize whom God has ordained to be our help in this time of need. Have faith and shut the enemy down finally. You are blessed. Now go…and be a blessing!

©2017. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.

The Devil Is A Liar!

I was watching Primetime, last evening. They covered this story about a man who claimed to be the second comiing Christ. He calls himself, Jesus.

This isn't a surprise or shock to me. For we are told in the Holy Scriptures, that many will come, claiming to be the Messiah, and many would be led astray.

The thing that did shock me, was his message: That it was okay to drink, smoke, etc.... In fact, he went so far as to say that he was the "Anti-Christ". He was going against every form of religion; Especially the Catholic church. And, was teaching young children, that it (faith) is not a matter of the heart, but a state of mind. That God cares about your mind. And, that sin and hell is just what the "church" uses to bring fear to man.

Everything he stood for, was about the flesh. Gratifying the flesh. And, getting as much as you can right now. It was sad. It broke my heart especially to see those children's minds being warped, and aspiring to get their tatoo's of "666". The Devil is a liar!

I watched with my mother, and she stated that it was very eery, how he reminded her of Jim Jones. Very charasmatic, and really people oriented. It was the beginning of the end.

I want to know, how far this man will go? Because, he is definitely setting his sites on America, and as much cash as he can get. Make no mistake: This is not about God, or about our getting to heaven. This is a war between Heaven and hell. God and the Devil. Between eternal life and eternal damnation. And the Devil has chose his soldiers.

It is time for God's soldiers to stand up, and get on the front-lines. It's time to get out of the Church buildings, and comfyy pews, and get your war clothes on: Having the mindset of, "Take No Prisoners".

The Devil Is A Liar!