Tell Me Where You Hurt

Sunday, March 24, 2019

"Do Not Be Robbed"

Reflections4Life™ March 24, 2019

“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 decree 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. Even more of a distraction is our emotions. Many of us do not respond but rather react to anger. Although we may be 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 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 is 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!

Sunday, March 17, 2019

"Call Unto God"

Reflections4Life™ March 17, 2019

“Call Unto God”

“This is God’s Message, the God who made earth, made it livable and lasting, known everywhere as God: ‘Call to me and I will answer you. I’ll tell you marvelous and wondrous things that you could never figure out on your own.” Jeremiah 33:2-3 MSG

Scripture Contemplation: Judges 16:27-29; 2 Samuel 22; 1 Kings 18; Psalm 18;37; Hebrews 5:6-8...

©Ruthe McDonald.

Have you ever had those times in your life when you are so overwhelmed and you just do not know what to do or where to go? I know I have. And it is in those times that I cry out even the more, and call unto my God who I know has the answers. Even if the answers are not the ones I was expecting or recognize.

I decree that this week's Reflections will be a continued source of encouragement and inspiration for your heart, mind, and soul. Call unto God and He will answer you. Go before Him with an open heart, and allow Him to fill you and direct your paths. Trust Him; He knows what is best for you. Learn to trust Him where you cannot trace Him.

There are just times when we really do not know which way to go. We do not see a way out of our situation. Many have come to the end of their ropes and are just about ready to let go and give up. Don't! Do not let go unless you are letting it all go into the hands of God! Do not give up, walk away, and do something that you may regret because the road ahead of you seems to be dark, or the road you're on just seems to be too much to bear. God has you, beloved! He has you, and this is where you must call to Him, and believe that He will answer you and deliver you. You just have to believe and hold on. Even in the darkness.

Isaiah 65:24 “Before they call out, I’ll answer. Before they’ve finished speaking, I’ll have heard.”

God has you, beloved. He knows all about you. He has answered your prayers before you even asked them. Before you even finish speaking it, He has already heard you. How many of us truly believe that God has heard our prayers and that He is answered? How many of us can honestly say that our level of faith is still in the same place when we encounter very difficult times? Or, when we have been waiting and waiting for the promises to come to pass? Has your faith grown or faltered? Tough times will come, and they will try your faith and bring forth what's really in your heart.

I love the Lord. I love Him with every fiber of my being. And I am the first to admit that there were times when my faith was shaken. It wasn't taken, but it was definitely shaken. From all that I had endured, and all the heartache and tests and trials; I began to wonder if I missed something? Was there something that I wasn't doing? Did I miss the mark? Was my faith really not strong enough? Then the Lord let me know, that there are times when our faith will be tested. We will go through moments of stretching and pain, and grief, but we must know to call unto Him, and allow Him to stretch our faith, and grow our faith in these times of adversity.

The saying is true: No pain, no gain. Even in our walk with the Lord. Jesus was not exempt, and neither will we be. There will be trials and hard times in this life. However, they will never outweigh the love and joy and the victory that is in this life, if we would believe and hold on and trust God. Learn to call unto Him first and foremost. Our faith is strengthened through adversity. The tests and trials allow us to see what is in our hearts and what we truly believe.

Do you call unto God first when something happens, and you don't know what to do? Or, do you seek the counsel of man, asking your family, friends, counselors, etc., for answers and direction? Our first call should be unto God. He is there waiting for us to just ask Him; to call upon His name and seek Him so that He may show us what to do; where to go, and what steps to take, and even whose counsel to seek.

So often, God is the last one we call upon. We often go to God last, after we have gone to everyone else seeking for the answers that only God has. We must learn to go to God first in all things; whether they be big or small, we need to take them all to the Lord. We must seek out God; seek His will and answers concerning our lives and the road we need to be taking. God should be the first stop, not the last.

Troubles will come. Storms will arise. But I can promise you this: God will have you through it all. Put your trust in Him, and do not go by what it appears to be, but what God has spoken it to be. Lean not on your own understanding, but put all your trust in God who loves you more than anything and anyone.

Proverbs 3:5-6 “Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths.”

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 God be your first call. Trust Him to lead you to where you cannot trace Him. Be confident in the Lord, knowing that He has not abandoned you, but has only the best for you. Do not try to figure things out on your own. Go to God, and allow Him to speak to your heart and show you marvelous and wondrous things. You are blessed. Now go...and be a blessing!

Sunday, March 10, 2019

"Words of Encouragement"

Reflections4Life™ March 10, 2019

“Words of Encouragement”

“And David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters; but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God.” 1 Samuel 30:6

Scripture Contemplation: Joshua 1; Romans 1;12; 15:5; 2 Corinthians 7;Ephesians 6:22; 1Thessalonians 4; 5; Hebrews 13...

© Ruthe Mcdonald.

Be encouraged! Be encouraged! Be encouraged! Know that the Father in Heaven has not forgotten, nor has He abandoned you. Stand firm and know in your heart, that the fulfillment of His word in your life is soon to happen.

I declare that this week's Reflections will be a continued source of encouragement and inspiration for your heart, mind, and soul. Be encouraged today through the word of God. Stand on His word and promises. Encourage yourself in the word this week, and do not let go of what God has spoken concerning your life.

How much weight and power does the word of God hold in your life? Many of us have forgotten the word of God. We have long forgotten the promises He has made unto us because the trials of this life have overwhelmed us. We are discouraged with the passing of time; believing that if what God said was going to happen, it should have happened by now. Because of these thoughts, we prolong the manifestations of His word manifesting in our lives.

The spirit of discouragement has seized many of our hearts. So much so, that we have lost sight of the promises of God. We have become lax in our intimate time with God. We no longer read or study the word, or go before Him in prayer. Our internal conversations have become one of doubt, negativity, and almost silent.

It is easy to lose our sight when we take our eyes off God. We live in a world ruled by negativity. It thrives on destruction and bad news. Seldom do we see things of encouragement outweighing that of negative feedback. This creates a bleak picture. Should we dwell on these things, we too will soon have a negative outlook and give up on what God has promised us.

I encourage you today to stand strong on the promises of God. Do not give in to feelings. Emotions are subject to change. They are like a pendulum that swings, either way, depending upon the current winds. Stand firm in your faith. Do not go by what it looks like or feels like. Instead, walk and go by the word of God, and what He has spoken concerning you.

Surround yourself with positive energy. Surround yourself with like-minded people. It is a fact that when we continue to associate with negative people, we tend to be influenced more by their negativity than they are by our positivity.

Speak to your heart and to the atmosphere the promises of God. Say it aloud every day. Write it out. Put it in places that you can see so that you are constantly reminded of what God has said concerning you.

Beloved, the enemy, our adversary, is continually seeking to destroy us. He lies in wait waiting to pounce on us at any given sign of an opening. He presses in on all sides, whispering lies into our ears, stirring up controversy and negativity, and often coming as an angel of light to deceive us. His goal is to move us; to move us out of a position of receiving what God has ordained for us. He wants us destroyed, busted, broken, and out of focus.

1 Peter 5:8 “Be sober, be watchful: your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour...”

1 John 10:10 “The thief cometh not, but that he may steal, and kill, and destroy: I came that they may have life, and may have it abundantly.”

Beloved, the enemy has already lost! He knows this! However, he will use every weapon in his arsenal to come at us and try to get us to forfeit the blessings and promises of God. His mission is to steal, kill, and destroy. To steal your dreams and visions; to kill you before you had the chance to live; to destroy your happiness and your peace of mind and your will to go forward! Don't you let him do that when God came to give you life and life abundantly!

This life, through its challenges and adversities, was meant to be lived with joy and love and hope! God sent Jesus for this purpose: that you would have eternal life. That, you would be redeemed by His blood. And that, on this earth, while we tarry, we would live an abundant life filled with love, joy, peace, and grace; even in the midst of the trials that come our way.

Be encouraged today. Be encouraged that troubles don't last always, and that joy comes in the morning! Be confident in the promises of God. Stay firmly planted in the word of God. Do not slack in your intimate time with the Father! It is your key to holding on and forging ahead through all the crap the enemy tries to send your way. For, those that keep their mind stayed on Christ will be kept in perfect peace. Those that stay at the feet of Jesus, know and understand that the battle is not ours, it is the Lord's!

Beloved, God has us. Yes. the devil is going to try everything he can do to discourage you and try to knock you off the path of righteousness. And if he could, he would take you out and destroy everything you ever hoped and believed for, and have you believe that he is the winner and you are the loser! But glory to God! The devil remains a liar, and we have already won! The enemy has no power except the power you give him. Stand your ground against the devil. Be encouraged in the word and promises of God. Keep your focus on God and not the circumstances, and stand firm in the word of God! He got you!

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. The Father is not slacking concerning His promises to you! He is answering. The manifestations are taking place. Know that God has already declared you the winner. I've read the book, and I know that we win! You are blessed. Now go … and be a blessing!

Sunday, March 03, 2019

"Conflict Resolution"

Reflectons4Life™ March 3, 2019

“Conflict Resolution”

“And even if he sins against you seven times in a day, and turns to you seven times and says, I repent [I am sorry], you must forgive him (give up resentment and consider the offense as recalled and annulled).” Luke 17:4 AMP

Scripture Contemplation: Proverbs 17:9; 19:11;Ecclesiastes 10:4; Matthew 11; Acts 24; Ephesians 1; James 5...

There is so much anger circulating through our lives; in our families, our marriages, our jobs. Many are wound up tight and can explode at the slightest gesture. What many of us have forgotten and some do not know, is the root of this anger is hurt. Somewhere, at some point in time, somebody was hurt. Perhaps deeply wounded. That hurt caused anger. Until we can get to the root of the hurt, and learn that the answer to healing that hurt is forgiveness and love, we will remain in constant conflict.

I decree that this week's Reflections will be a continued source of encouragement and inspiration for your heart, mind, and soul. May you be free from all hurt and anger by allowing the spirit of forgiveness to find its place within your heart, as you learn to love in spite of and not solely because of.

Honestly speaking, we miss out on many joys in life because we are allowing anger, resentment, and unforgiveness, keep us bound—bound to the past. Bound to the past and the people that have hurt us in some way or another. When we do not let go of the hurt, we remain in constant conflict. Not just with that person we have an offense with, but with others, also. Hurt has many tentacles. It grows with every passing day we do not resolve it. It spreads like cancer throughout our lives and relationships; often times in places we would never think, taking on a new form, under a new name.

Hurt will mask itself as anger, resentment, bitterness, disinterest, hate, conflict of any sort. I am certain you've heard the saying: Hurt people, hurt people. Well, it is true. When people are hurt, whether it is on purpose or not, they will hurt others. It is a vicious cycle that can spiral out of control if the hurt is not addressed and dealt with.

There is only one solution that I know of to combat the hurt: forgiveness and unconditional love. Forgiveness will bring healing to the hurt and bring resolution to many conflicts. Yet, many do not understand that forgiveness is not for the offender, but it is for you—the person that is hurt—to free you and keep you from being bound. Forgiveness brings healing to the hurt and releases you from being bound to a person that hurt you. Unconditional love enables you to love the person, in spite of their actions. You do not have to like their ways. But you can love them; even if it’s from a distance.

Often, we will hold onto the hurt and anger as a badge to remember what we have been through. More often than not, however, the person who has hurt us doesn't remember, doesn't know, or doesn't even care. They often move on with their lives, as we stay stuck in a moment. A moment that can take over our lives, and leave us stagnated and filled with rage, anger, and bitterness. A person who no one wants to be around. A person who is incapable of giving or receiving love.

James 5:16,17 “Make this your common practice: Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you can live together whole and healed. The prayer of a person living right with God is something powerful to be reckoned with.” MSG

James 1:19-21 “Post this at all the intersections, dear friends: Lead with your ears, follow up with your tongue, and let anger straggle along in the rear. God’s righteousness doesn’t grow from human anger. So throw all spoiled virtue and cancerous evil in the garbage. In simple humility, let our gardener, God, landscape you with the Word, making a salvation-garden of your life.” MSG

1 Peter 4:8 “Above all things have intense and unfailing love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins [forgives and disregards the offenses of others].” AMP

There is a reason the Word of God admonishes us to be free of anger, to let love lead us, to have a heart of forgiveness; God knows, and we must understand that forgiveness is healing. Forgiveness releases us from that spirit of hurt that can cause us to live a life that is far less than what God has ordained for us. And, to love as God loves frees us from trying to make a person someone that only God can make them. All we can do is love; even it's from a distance. But when we love, we are allowing Holy Spirit to live and love through us, and we are no longer bound by the actions of another; but free to move on in our lives and will that God has ordained for us.

Don't allow the actions of another to dictate the content and quality of your life. Forgive for yourself. Free yourself from the hurt and pain. Love them in spite of. Move forward and live your life the way God has ordained. You cannot live a life that is full and rewarding if you are bound by a spirit of unforgiveness and hate. Don't allow those to have hurt you—no matter who they are—to hold you hostage to a moment in time. Release it. Release the hurt, the anger, the resentment. God has so much more for you than what you feel you may have been robbed of by another. Allow God to fill your cup, and bless you the way He desires. Forgive. Love. Move on. And receive the abundance that God has ordained for your life.

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 the peace of God rest, rule and abide within you. Forgiveness is a gift and restorer for you. Walk in it, and in the love of God, and be free from the past that would try and hold you from a future that God has ordained just for you! You are blessed. Now go...and be a Blessing!