"Priceless Vessels"

 Reflections4Life™ February 26, 2023

“Priceless Vessels”

“But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him.” 1 John 2:27

Scripture Contemplation: Luke 7; Mark 14; Colossians 1; Matthew 22:37; Romans 5; 1 John 2

©Ruthe McDonald.

To God, it does not matter what we look like, what our past entails, or what we may be facing or involved with at this very moment. He has already forgiven us and wants us to recognize that our sins do not dictate who we are. Nor does it make His love and forgiveness conditional. It is what we believe about ourselves that hinders or motivates us. The eyes of the Lord are always on us. When we accept Christ and learn of His ways, we become that precious Alabaster jar that holds the most expensive and fragrant anointing of Christ within.

I declare this week’s Reflections will be a continued source of encouragement and inspiration for your hearts, minds, and souls. I urge you to take the time this week to spend in the precious presence of God. Allow Him to pour into you His love and anointing. The anointing that destroys every yoke and lifts every burden and gets us through all difficulties and adverse times. God has created you to be a precious vessel for His anointing, His spirit, and His power. That, in itself, makes you quite valuable. You just have to believe it.

The Alabaster Jar

Luke 7:37-38 37 And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at the table in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment.

Alabaster Jars were expensive jars hewn from precious stones that often gave the jars the appearance of marble. Each jar held rare ointments, oils, and perfumes. The Alabaster jars contained the fragrance of their contents until broken open; making the vessels expensive since they only could be used once. In the time of Jesus, unmarried women in possession of an Alabaster jar(s), were likely a prostitute. They used the oils/ointments to either lure men or cover any odor since sources of water were limited.

When the woman of the city came before Jesus, washed His feet with her tears, dried them with her hair, then anointed His feet with the ointment, it symbolized her given all she had. It represented, also, the forgiveness she was seeking, and the coming crucifixion. Those around complained about the waste she made, while others questioned if Jesus was a Prophet, allowing a prostitute to touch Him in such a manner.

Yet Jesus, understanding and hearing the thoughts and words of the Pharisees around, admonished them, showing their lack of service and understanding of who He is. This woman who had many sins had committed many offenses, humbled herself, and gave all she had, recognizing who He is—the Son of God. He forgave her of all her sins. He filled her with love, forgiveness, and hope. The Holy Spirit filled her; anointing her with the power to overcome her past. And the ability to move on to the promises of God.

Priceless Vessels

1 John 3:20 for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything.

Beloveds, today we are the Alabaster Jar. We are the precious and priceless vessels that God has chosen to pour His anointing into, as well as, the Holy Spirit. It does not matter how we began or where we began, only that God has chosen us, forgiven us, and poured Himself and His anointing into us. God is in us. He loves us, no matter what our journey is or has been.

In this life, we will face many trials. We will have committed many sins and offenses. Yet God forgives us and sees the blood of Jesus that covers us. When God has called us and we answer and begin to study His word, meditate, pray, and seek Him with all of our heart, and soul, He fills us with His knowledge, understanding, and wisdom. We are already filled with His power the moment we accept Him into our hearts. As we yield to the Lord, He teaches us how to use that power, and how to walk in it.

Acts 4:31 And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.

1 John 4:4 Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

Just like the Woman

As the woman came before God, tired of her past and the sins she lived in, she recognized Jesus and saw what He did for others. Her desperation to be released from the bondage she was in, had her coming with everything she had, despite the ridicule and name-calling, hoping He may be able to do for her as He did for countless others. She was at a low place in her life, crying out that if Jesus was true, who many others said He was, then this was her last chance for peace from her already torrid life’s journey.

The same anguish resides in many of us. We are desperate for the touch of God, a change in our lives, and a chance to be free from heaviness, heartaches, and disappointments. Free from the ridicule and judgment of others. Our life’s journey has been difficult, leaving many jaded and empty. Yet, there remains for many a spark of hope.

It is that hope that pushes us forward, seeking God to relieve us and change our circumstances. We cry out and pour out our souls to God. He hears us, Beloved. He has heard and answered, even though it may not feel like it. The answers will manifest if we do not give up. We are stronger than we think. We are greater than we know. God has filled us with His power, His love, and His anointing that is new every day. This is why the enemy seeks to destroy us and twist our thoughts concerning our lives. The enemy will throw our past and shortcomings at us; reminding us of our failures. However, God says, as Jesus spoke of that woman, He has seen our hearts. He knows the truth and we have touched Him with our tears, our pain, and our sincerity.

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. God has forgiven us and is reshaping and molding us into precious vessels of honor, priceless vessels that hold His anointing, His Spirit, His truth, love, and power. We have to remember and remind ourselves because, like the Pharisees, the enemy seeks to remind us of our past. Yet God says, we are brand new in Him and are now priceless vessels of honor filled with His anointing and power that can and will destroy the enemy. You are blessed. Now go…and be a blessing.

©2023 Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.

"Good News: Prayer Still Works!"

 Reflections4Life™ August 8, 2021

“Good News…Prayer Still Works!”

“…being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ…” Philippians 1:6

Scripture Contemplation: Deuteronomy 28:12; 30:9; Isaiah 33:22; Isaiah 43:18-19; Matthew 26:41; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18; Matthew 6; 17:19-21; John 14:12-16; Ephesians 1:15-16; 6:18; James 5...

I know some of you don’t believe this. I know some of you have stopped believing long ago. I know that many of you have given up. I know that many are disappointed, with broken hearts and spirits today. But it’s true, Beloved. There is good news…prayer still works! Yes, it does!

I pray today’s Reflections will bring comfort and peace to your heart and mind. I decree it be a continued source of encouragement and inspiration.  I declare and decree that it brings revelation to your heart, mind, and soul. I implore you, Beloved, to make an effort this week to kick up your prayer life. Spend some quality and intimate time in the Father’s presence. Allow Him to fill you and speak to your heart. Let God show you that, yes, prayer indeed still works.

I don’t care what it looks like right now. I don’t care how hopeless a situation looks. I don’t care how many times you have felt disappointed. I don’t care how loud the enemy gets. None of this is going to change the fact that prayer still works! That is good news for you and for me! In this faith walk, we will face many trying times. We will encounter many storms in life. We will face situations that seem impossible. Yet, there is one weapon that we have that has been severely underused and misused: Prayer.

You don’t have to believe me today. You don’t have to take my word for it. That is why I am asking you to try it for yourself. To pray. Pray from your heart. Pray according to the will of God. Pray with a belief that you have already received what you have prayed for. Pray consistently and with purposeful intent. And whatever you do, do not let go, because God is answering. In His way. In His time. So, just know that what you ask for, the answer may not come in the package or the way you desire or imagined. However, if your heart is open to God, He will show you exactly how the answer(s) manifest.

Prayer still works. How do I know? Because I prayed and God answered. I prayed and continued to pray; even when it seemed to take a long time in coming. I am still praying. And though I am in the midst of a storm and fiery battle—I am continuing to pray, because that is my best defense. My best piece of armor that I will not allow the enemy to take from me…anymore.

Yes. Anymore. Because I know exactly how it feels to lack in your prayer life. You don’t even realize it until it is upon you. For whatever the reasons, many of us have slacked in our prayer life. We have not put on our armor of God; especially the armor of prayer. And we wonder why we are facing such devastation and battles and wonder where God is. God is where He has always been: waiting. Waiting for us to pray. To pray without ceasing. Praying fervently. Praying with belief.

Beloved, I don’t care what you are facing right now. I am telling you, that prayer still works. If you pray according to the will of God. If you pray the way God has taught us to pray. If you pray with believing that you have already received what you have prayed for. I guarantee you that prayer still works. If you seek God’s face early in the morning. If you seek Him throughout the day. If you make God your first phone call and pray according to His will, you will not only see that prayer still works, you will see your life and circumstances begin to change.

Pray without ceasing simply means that you are praying until something happens. P.U.S.H. Push through the negativity. Push through the heartache and disappointments. Push through the lies of the enemy. Push through the circumstances. Push through the storms. It may or may not happen today or tomorrow or this week, but it will happen! The manifestations will take place. Because you can believe that the moment you prayed, God heard it and answered it. However, there are principalities in the atmosphere that try and hold up the manifestations of our prayer. (Read Daniel 10:12-14) And these principalities gain strength and power when we doubt. When we don’t believe. When we stop praying. When we speak negatively. When we cease hitting our knees and pray about everything and all things. But make no mistakes: Prayer Still Works! God is not only listening, but He is also answering and we must do our part by continuing to pray, no matter what it looks or feels like. That we will put on the armor of prayer and stand our ground and believe with all our heart that God has not only heard us but has answered, no matter how long it takes to manifest. Be determined not to give up. Hold on. Have faith. And keep praying until something happens.

James 5:17-18 “Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit.”

It is burning in my soul today, Beloveds. It is burning with an intensity to let you know, that without a shadow of doubt in my heart and mind, that prayer still works. And that is good news! We have been going through horrific times. We have been hit left and right. We have and are weathering some dangerous storms. But, yet, I tell you today that prayer still works! How do I know? Because I tried for myself and I cried unto the Lord. And although the circumstances did not change in the flesh right at that moment, I felt a peace in my heart and soul that let me know God not only heard but that He sure enough answered and all I have to do is keep believing, receiving, and praying.

Listen; you don’t have to take my word for it. And I encourage you not to just take my word for it. Try it for yourself. Give God the next 21 days of your mornings. Give God your first fruits of the day. Let Him be the first one you speak to. Let Him be the first person you check in with. Not your loved ones. Not your social media, and emails; not your job; not your problems or your troubles, but God! I dare you to come before Him first. Ten minutes. That’s all I am asking you to commit to. Ten minutes in the morning. Ten minutes in the afternoon. Ten minutes at night. Thirty minutes out of 24 hours. Pray. Communicate with the Father. Be earnest. Be sincere. Talk to the Father. Listen to the Father, and I promise you—there will be a difference in your life. I’m telling you: Prayer still works! And that’s why the enemy is doing everything to try and stop you. To prevent you from opening your mouth and your heart. But the devil is a lie! And God is truth. And I know, you are going to accept this challenge and prove that prayer, indeed, still works! Hallelujah!

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 dare you! Prove it! Prayer still works! Give God your time. Supplicate to the Father. Believe that what you are praying for has already been answered. Keep praying until something happens. Let God wipe away every doubt. Let Him rip up every seed of unbelief that has been planted by the enemy’s whispers that have brought weeds of destruction to your heart and desires. Let God show you that, yes, prayer indeed still works! You are blessed. Now go…and be a blessing!

©2021. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.

"See The Good"

Reflections4Life™ August 4, 2019

"See the Good"

         “Thus says the Lord who made it, the Lord who formed it to establish it (the Lord is His name): ‘Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know."  Jeremiah 33:2-3

Scripture Contemplation: Joshua 1; Jeremiah 33; Daniel 6; Romans 8; Hebrews 11 ...

(c) Ruthe McDonald

        Far too often our focus is on the negative. Especially concerning ourselves. But that's because we live in a world that tends to highlight what's wrong more than they celebrate what's right. Can you imagine a news service that would deliver at least two news stories for every bad news report? Would it make a difference? I don't know. But I do believe that whatever you put into the atmosphere is constantly being regurgitated and manifested back onto the earth.

       I decree that this week's Reflections will be a continued source of encouragement and inspiration for your heart mind and soul. Let the Lord God touch your eyes--spiritually and physically--that you may see as He sees. Let His words be a soothing balm to your heart and mind. Let God's vision become more than a word or hope; allow it to become your truth, as you grow in your trust and truth in the Father.

       So, what if we decided to charge the atmosphere every single day with the good that we see? Sure. I hear you: "Are you serious, Rue? Don't you see all this hate and crazy stuff going on? And you want us to see the good?" Yes. I know you know, and even those doing the bad know that there are horrific things taking place. But I firmly believe that bad wouldn't exist without good being present. So, there is good around, if we would train ourselves to see it. 

      Are you telling me there is no good in your family? There is nothing good happening in your life, in the life of at least one person you know? Do you mean to tell me that you didn't see the sunrise or the sunset and you still made it alive to the next day?

      Don't think so hard about seeing the good. See the good in people before you immediately start ticking off the bad traits. See the good in the situation; how things could be turned around and the situation used as a learning lesson. See the good in people before making the decision to write someone off based on a bad first impression.

      My Beloveds, I decree that the spirit of peace and prosperity will be evident in every area of your life. I challenge you this week ahead to see the good. To find the good. To speak of the good. To point out the good. To charge the atmosphere of the good. And, to expect the good. Expect something good to happen to you each day. Anticipate it, Look for it. Be it. Be good. You are blessed. Now go...and be a blessing!


©2019. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.