"What About Yesterday?"

Reflections4Life™ September 4, 2022

“What About Yesterday?”

“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”... Isaiah 43:18-19a (NASB)

Scripture Contemplation: Isaiah 42; 43; 2 Corinthians 5; Colossians 3; Revelation 21…

Whatever is going on in your life now, be assured that God is doing a new thing. However, you will never be able to see, understand, or recognize it, if you are too preoccupied with yesterday. It is time to let some things go so that you can make room for what God has for you right now.

I decree that this week’s Reflections are a continued source of encouragement and inspiration for your heart, mind, and soul. There is much the Father wants to reveal to you; so much, He wants to do in your life. There is so much greatness waiting to manifest. Yield to His love and cover this week. Open your heart and receive all God has been longing to give you.

This week I will celebrate my birthday (Should God grant me continued life) I am truly grateful. However, on this birthday I feel a different current working through the atmosphere. There are shifts in my life. Though it may not feel good right now, I know it is for the better, for a great and mighty tomorrow. I am grateful for another year of life. Although all is not as I desire, I am nonetheless blessed because I trust the Father to keep His promises. I am determined to concentrate on the good and not allow sadness, heartache, disappointment, or discouragement to dictate the happiness of my present or future. I am truly blessed and thank the Father for a new year of His grace, mercy, love, direction, and supernatural happenings in my life! Thank You, Lord!

There is so much of today, of the present, that we miss out on in life because our focus is continually on yesterday: What happened yesterday? Who did what to you yesterday? What didn’t go right yesterday? What you didn’t get yesterday, and so on, and so on. We miss many opportunities that God has placed before us today, opportunities waiting for us to seize.

Fear is often a part of yesterday. Because yesterday did not occur as we desired, or bad things occurred, we have fears of moving forward or hoping in today. Relationships did not work out, so we fear not being loved or loved again. Friendships fall apart; we fear we will not trust another person again. The career we desired did not pan out the way we wanted, so we fear trying something new or different because we do not want to be disappointed. Beloved, all of this is a part of life. These things happen sometimes. However, we should never give it the power to rule and dictate the rest of our lives. That was just a season. Yes, it has an impact. Yet, what God has written for us is larger than heartache and pain. It is far greater than anything else we could have ever known.

Yet, most of us have made fear our companion. Fear can immobilize us; keep us from moving forward in the promises of God. We can become fearful of ever trying again or stepping out in faith on the path God has ordained for us. Together, faith and fear cannot operate. We are either walking in one or the other but never both. I can testify faith is a whole lot better!

 It is time, Beloveds. It is time to move forward and into the new things God has ordained for your life. It is time to stop pondering on former things and allow the Holy Spirit to lead you into the path of today and the promises of the Father manifesting in your life.

Are you tired of carrying those old bags? Are you tired of fighting the same old fight? Tired you are missing out? Are you not tired of not living life to the fullest? God is waiting on you to decide if you truly want what He has already promised and done for you.

Isaiah 43:16-19 (The Message Bible) “This is what God says, the God who builds a road right through the ocean, who carves a path through pounding waves the God who summons horses and chariots and armies—they lie down and then can’t get up; they’re snuffed out like so many candles: “Forget about what’s happened; don’t keep going over old history. Be alert, be present. I’m about to do something brand-new. It’s bursting out! Don’t you see it? There it is! I’m making a road through the desert, rivers in the badlands.”

Amen! I do not know about you, but that makes me excited! It not only makes me excited, but it also gives me hope, strengthening my faith in the God I serve. I know and understand that my Father has already made a path for me. To walk on that will lead me to an expected end. That, through the harshest of places and the roughest of times, God is doing something brand new just for me. All I have to do is let go of the past, what didn’t work, and who did whatever, and follow what God is saying right now!

Yes. It can be difficult letting go of the past, not dwelling on what took place when you are currently dealing with its aftermath. However, yield to the Father. Give it all to God. Do not keep going over what was and what did not take place or what someone did. Be alert and present. Be in the here and now, and allow God to lead you to the place He has long ordained for you. Think of it this way: Every hurt, pain, failure, and heartaches are tools and experiences that God has used to strengthen you for the abundance and overflow of blessings He is about to manifest in your life. Those trials and tests? The heartache and heartbreak? They were all making room for the divine blessings of God that He has ordained for you from the beginning. Think about Job.

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. Let the Father’s healing consume you—reaching every barren, hollowed, and hurting place. Let God do that new thing in you and bring you to a place of rest and completion. He loves you and has already ordained a path filled with hope, love, faith, and greatness. You are blessed. Now go ….and be a Blessing!

©2022. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.

 

"Breaking Life Crutches"

 Reflections4Life™ August 22, 2022

“Breaking Life Crutches”

“Jesus said, “If you were really blind, you would be blameless, but since you claim to see everything so well, you’re accountable for every fault and failure.” John 9:41

Scripture Contemplation: Exodus 32; 1 Samuel 3;4; 1 Chronicles 7; Acts 5...

©Ruthe McDonald.

I am reminded of an important truth that many of us may not see; especially when you love someone. When you love so deeply as a spouse, a parent, a child, or a sibling, there are times when we may allow our love for another to hinder a move of God from happening in our loved one's life and even our own. Unwittingly, we become a tool in the enemy's plan to destroy our loved ones and sabotage ourselves by not following what God said. Instead, we yield to the heartstrings pulled by our flesh. Beloved, it is time to break every crutch.

I declare that this week's Reflections will be a continued source of encouragement and inspiration for your heart, mind, and soul. Lay it all on the altar—including your loved ones—and leave it/them there. Trust God to do what needs to be done in their lives, as well as your own. Allow the peace of God to rest in your heart concerning the ones you love and your own life journey before you. Trust everything to the Father's capable hands.

It is never easy seeing loved ones suffer. It is in some of our natures to be nurturers and caregivers; always being there in the time of someone's need. There comes a time, however, when we must step back and learn to allow them to walk their own path, to fall, if they must, and let God be the One to pick them up.

Sometimes our help becomes a hindrance, blocking the move of God in a person's life. Think about it this way: What if you constantly carry your child around? What if you carried them everywhere, for fear that they would hurt themselves? How would they learn to walk? To know if it is possible to get back up and start again? How would they come to the understanding that sometimes you can be bruised, but in time, healing will come? How will they learn not to be scared but to have faith?

You would be responsible for crippling your child for the rest of their life. You would be depriving them of learning their own strengths, and weaknesses, and learning how to take care of themselves when the time came. They would never develop strong legs or a tough bottom if all you ever did were carry them. They must learn to walk on their own. Moreover, in the process, gain strength in their legs, learn that they can get back up, and learn that they can walk on their own.

If we know the truth and do not abide by that truth; live and walk in that truth, we are just as guilty by going along with those who are sinning against God. By not standing up for truth and speaking out against what we know to be wrong, we are a crutch to those who will do wrong. Our silence or allowance for such behaviors makes us part of the sin and liable for the consequences that follow.

God does not fault us for loving our children or wanting what is best for them. But we cannot be the kind of parent that does not give correction or discipline, holding our children accountable for their actions. We can often become a crutch for those we love by constantly bailing them out, never allowing them to face the consequences of their actions. How can our loved ones come to learn accountability and responsibility if we continue to provide a license for them to do what they want to do, whenever they want to do it without any repercussions for their actions? We become just as guilty as they.

God knows our hearts. He knows all that we do and say. He knows our thoughts before we think them. Yet, many of us have knowingly lied and covered up sins and wrongdoings for those we may love, believing that we are showing loyalty and unconditional love. Being a crutch and making excuses for sin is not loyalty or unconditional love; it is being an enabler.

The Father is holding us accountable for our actions and inactions. He is not idly sitting upon His throne and watching us, winking at our iniquities. He is not moved by our devotion to our loved one's sinful behaviors. He is not pleased by the excuses we make for them or for ourselves. God is holding us accountable and their blood is on our hands. How can we know the truth and not live it or teach the truth? How can we say we love God and love our family and not allow God to do what needs to be done in their lives? We cannot continue to make excuses, or become an excuse, or continue to bail out our loved ones and expect them to become who God has ordained for them to be.

If we sincerely love them, we must be willing to let them fall and get back up on their own. We must be willing to let them walk their walk on their own, learning, growing, and coming to God for themselves. There is only one Savior, and His name is Jesus Christ. Tough love is often allowing those we love and care for to come to the realization that only God can deliver them and save them from the course their life has taken. Do not be the crutch that eventually brings death—spiritually and physically—to the ones that you say you love. Let God be God. If they fall, allow God to pick them up. Stop being a pawn in the enemy’s plots and schemes.

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. Break the crutches today. Place your loved ones on the altar, allowing God to do for them what He has ordained for them. Let Jesus become their Savior and Deliverer. Move out of God's way and see what the Father will do when you have complete faith in Him. You are blessed. Now go...and be a blessing!

©2022. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.

"True Love Is Always Worth The Fight"

 Reflections4Life™ August 14, 2022

“True Love is Always worth the Fight”

“But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians 13:13

Scripture Contemplation: Genesis 1;2; Song of Solomon; John 3:16-17; John 17; 1 Corinthians 13; Galatians 5:22-23...

©Ruthe McDonald.

I do not believe I can adequately explain how much I love God. The proper vernacular escapes me to do justice to what my heart and spirit hoards for our Creator. I love Him with every fiber of my being, every single molecule. His love has set me free, and I never want to be bound again. No matter what experiences and challenges I am met with; I will always fight for true love. It is worth it.

I decree that this week's Reflections will be a continued source of encouragement and inspiration for your heart, mind, and soul. You may have suffered some great heartache and disappointments; now is the time to get back in the fight for unconditional love. No longer will you let go of love, but you will hold on, give love, and receive the love you deserve.

The heavenly Father has blessed me with a powerful understanding and revelation concerning love. Still, I know there are more revelations (about His love) to come. How can I begin to explain or convey such knowledge and wisdom? I believe the best way is to show you; through my actions, through my writings, and through my service to the Father on a daily basis.

Do you know how powerful love is? Do you understand how love can change things? Unconditional love? God love? God? Oh my Beloveds, when I finally understood that God is love and that He has created in me that same love; a part of Him is in me—I cannot begin to tell you how that one revelation changed my life, and how I love and receive love. How, I will fight for love, knowing that true, unconditional, sincere love is worth the fight.

It is but a guarantee that in this lifetime we will suffer hurt, disappointments, and discouragements. Yet, we cannot allow those things to stop us from loving unconditionally or giving up on love. Sure, many of us love but we place conditions on that love. When we are born, all we know is to love unconditionally as a child, until we grow up and begin to experience life and put into practice what we are taught. Taught through others' actions; mimicking the way others loved around us. Sadly, we learn to give up to soon and not fight for that gift that God has given all of us.

The only way to know how to love unconditionally, to fight for it, is to be intimate with the Father; to understand how He loves, and to know what it is He desires from us. Any other kind of love is temporal. It will not last or stand the tests and trials of our lifetime. It holds restraints and has conditions upon it and soon does not become worthy of our time and effort.

Now the love of God—God Love?—is refreshing, liberating, unconditional, mind and heart-changing, and it is everlasting. It is worth fighting for and never giving up on. I am not saying that we will not experience hurt and disappointments while loving unconditionally, because we will, as a part of life on this earth. However, we can triumph over those hurts and learn to love freely and fight for what God has promised and given to us, without having to contort ourselves into someone we do not know, filled with bitterness, regrets, carrying baggage, and never capable of trust. That is not Christ! That is not God's Love! That is a prison sentence. Not anything, that one would remotely want to fight for. God has set us free from that. We can live and love without any strings or conditions attached, and when circumstances arise to threaten that love, we will know that it is worth the fight to secure and keep that love because we will understand how precious it sincerely is.

 So can we agree that in this life we will experience disappointment and hurt? But can we also agree that we can also experience the joy and gift of love when we love God's way? We cannot allow unconditional love to slip from our spirit because we have been hurt. No matter how many times it has occurred. I know: sounds easier said than done. However, it is not when you have allowed God to place upon the throne of your heart that you begin to love as He loves. When you allow the Father to teach you how to navigate and love as He does. That is something you will fight for because once you experience it, there is nothing else that compares to it.

I learned a valuable lesson, coming to the understanding that many of us have allowed the way we love to be shaped by our experiences with others. Because of this, we hinder and shortchange ourselves when it comes to giving and receiving love. We punish others for the missteps and hurts caused by another and we give up and do not fight for unconditional love, the gift of love that God brings into our lives.

Heartache can be devastating, affecting the way you love. Love should be unconditional. Do not allow heartaches and disappointments from previous relationships--romantic, friendships, or relationships with a church—to change how you give and receive love or your willingness to give your all and fight for love. Allow God to guard your heart, as you continue to love unconditionally.

1 Corinthians 13:4-8a “Love is kind and patient, never jealous, boastful, proud, or rude. Love isn’t selfish or quick-tempered. It doesn’t keep a record of wrongs that others do. Love rejoices in the truth, but not in evil. Love is always supportive, loyal, hopeful, and trusting. Love never fails!”

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. Let love reign. Let God be all up in your space, loving on you and teaching you to love. Hold onto love and never let it go. Fight for true love to remain in your life. No matter the circumstances or situations, true, unconditional love can always and will always endure. You are blessed. Now go...and be a Blessing!

©2022. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved. 

"The Trouble With Doubts"

 Reflections4Life™ July 31, 2022

“The Trouble with Doubt”

“And the woman said to Elijah, 'Now by this, I know that thou art a man of God and that the word of the Lord in thy mouth is truth.'” 1 Kings 17:24

Scripture Contemplation: Genesis 15; 1 Kings 17; 18; 19; Habakkuk 2; John 10; 12; James 3...

"No fear or doubts allowed. Not when
GOD has already decreed me the winner!"

It is so easy to have doubts when our focus is on the circumstances and current situations instead of the word of God. God desires for us to believe Him with all of our hearts. However, the trouble with doubt is, that we tend to forget about listening to the Spirit and voice of God when we are in a situation that speaks loudly to what fear or insecurity lies buried in our hearts.

I decree that this week's Reflections will be a continued source of encouragement for your heart, mind, and soul. Let this be the week that all doubts become eradicated, and your faith stirred up, as you determine to stand on the word of God.

When we first receive a word from the Lord, and we believe, His promises, and what He has spoken to our hearts—our faith is strong and we have no qualms declaring what the Father has spoken concerning our lives with enthusiasm and complete faith. Then time happens. Trials and tests come to test what we believe and have faith in and in who we have faith. The enemy begins to whisper: Look at all the trouble you’ve been having. Things are not like they used to be. How can you be certain God did not change their mind or His mind? You’re being lied to. Your past is repeating itself. Things good never happen for you. You are not good enough.

I have been there. Yet, neither time, circumstances, words of people around us, or whispers of the enemy changes what God has spoken and promised. It will come to pass. Every. Single. Promise. What we desire can and will take place if we can eradicate the doubts before they settle in our hearts and begin to bloom, soon becoming unbelief.

You see, Beloveds, the trouble with doubt is that it is just like weeds and Satan. If you give an inch, it is going to try and take over. If you give in to that one thought in that area; it soon spreads like a disease, destroying everything in its path and causing our mouths to say things that we could never take back.

James 3:5-7 Even so the tongue is a little member, and it can boast of great things. See how much wood or how great a forest a tiny spark can set ablaze! And the tongue is a fire. [The tongue is a] world of wickedness set among our members, contaminating and depraving the whole body and setting on fire the wheel of birth (the cycle of man’s nature), being itself ignited by hell (Gehenna). But the human tongue can be tamed by no man. It is a restless (undisciplined, irreconcilable) evil, full of deadly poison.

When we deem to speak from a place of doubt, uncertainty, fear, or insecurities, we run the risk of doing irrevocable harm to not only others but also to ourselves. We have a tendency to say things that cannot be unsaid and operate from a place of hurt instead of power and wisdom and faith.

Though we may have doubts, we can and should confess and submit those doubts to God and ask Him to be a guard over our mouths and our tongues; delivering us from a spirit of doubt that can spread like a wildfire that is untamed, scorching the hearts and minds of those we come in contact with. What is most sad is that many of us do not even realize the damage we do with the words we have spoken until it is too late and we cannot take them back.

Words are powerful, Beloveds. What we speak into the atmosphere can be a matter of life and death for some people, some, dreams, and visions. It can also be fuel for the enemy’s plot to kill, steal, and destroy.

I implore you, to be seasoned in the word and wisdom of God, careful to not speak from a place of uncertainty with such convictions or as a declaration. But to speak with understanding and a heart receiving of the goodness, promises, and wisdom of God in spite of what the circumstances may currently dictate or look like.

James 3:17 But the wisdom from above is first of all pure (undefiled); then it is peace-loving, courteous (considerate, gentle). [It is willing to] yield to reason, full of compassion and good fruits; it is wholehearted and straightforward, impartial and unfeigned (free from doubts, wavering, and insincerity).

It is easy for us to forget what God has already done for us, and what He has promised when we focus on a situation and are faced with uncertainties and heartaches, as well as constant badgering from the enemy. We may grow weary and begin to doubt what God has spoken concerning our lives because what we currently see looks nothing like the promises we first believed.

Beloveds, there are times in our life when God has spoken a word to us. He has sent His messengers, His prophets, His teachers, and His shepherds. We receive the word. We wait. We even have been blessed and seen miracles and God move in such a way that we were certain it was God. Yet, there is still that promise; that one or two things that God said He was going to do that has yet to happen. In the midst of our waiting, we begin to doubt as the enemy stirs up strife and disillusionment. We begin to question those we love and ourselves, even though we have experienced previous blessings and breakthroughs. We have witnessed the move of God in many ways. Yet the trouble with doubt is, that it will arise when we take our eyes off God and begin to look at the circumstances and situations instead of the heart of those we love and the promised word of God.

I don’t know about you, but I do not want to miss out on the promises of God because I have allowed a spirit of doubt to settle in and become unbelief. Because when unbelief settles in, it is that much harder to maintain a heart that is filled with hope and promise. Instead, it becomes hardened and unyielding. I refuse to go there.

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. Believe in the word that the Father has spoken to you. Stand on His word. Meditate on it day and night; allowing it to wash away all doubts. You are blessed. Now go...and be a blessing!

©2022. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.

"Unmerited Favor & Blessings"

 Reflections4Life™ July 24, 2022

“Unmerited Favor and Blessings”

“For out of His fullness [the superabundance of His grace and truth], we have all received grace upon grace [spiritual blessing upon spiritual blessing, favor upon favor, and gift heaped upon gift].” John 1:16 (AMP)

Scripture Contemplation: Genesis 15; Deuteronomy 28; Psalm 5; 30; John 13:17; 20:29; Romans 4…

Reflections4Life Volume IV

I declare that this week’s Reflections will be a continued source of encouragement and inspiration for your heart, mind, and soul. Let the word of God penetrate your heart and soul this week. Let the truth of His goodness and the revelation of His grace fill your heart with hope and a burning desire to be in the presence of God, soaking up His wisdom and glory ordained for your life. Do not waste one more moment away from the loving arms of God. He has exactly what you need.

I do not even think that the word excited is big enough to explain the joy that is burning in my heart and my soul at this moment. It is like swallowing the sun and its light is shining through every pore of my being while burning away everything that ever hurt, healing every wound, and nourishing me for the continued race and journey ahead of me!

You may ask why I am so excited? If you but knew all the reasons I could give you. It would take my lifetime--and then some!--to explain and share absolutely everything that God has done and is doing for me. However, this week, I am excited to be celebrating FIFTEEN YEARS of Reflections4life™ Ministries and Blog!

As I was writing the next volume of the Reflections4Life™ Book and Journal series, I was just overwhelmed that, July 27th  to be exact, will mark our fifteenth year of sharing God's Word, His message, and hopefully bringing encouragement and hope to those who need it. My joy is overrunning. I began the Reflections4Life™ Blog as God whispered to my heart to start sharing my experiences, life lessons, and testimonies. I continue to learn some very strong and powerful life lessons. One, in particular, is that people need encouragement. They need to know that there is indeed a God; a true and living God who loves them and cares for them and that those of us who forgot because of life’s hardships, did not abandon us or forget about us. That what we are facing at this moment will strengthen us, and will, if we allow it to, draw us closer to God. Or, it will take us away from Him if the enemy gets his way.

Every post written has come from my own life and spiritual lessons. It has come from lessons that I have learned and am learning in my personal walk with God. These past fifteen years of my life have not been easy at all. Especially these past six years. Though I have not shared everything that has happened to me—yet (there are a time and place for all things), the lessons, knowledge, and wisdom gained have been phenomenal, and there was no way I couldn’t share them with you—my Reflections4Life™ community and family. Because, if you did not know, that is how I see you—as a family. A family comprised of many nations, ethnicities, cultures, and backgrounds, coming together to share the love and grace of God. I honor you all today and thank you for your fellowship and friendship. Thank you for your prayers and support, and for the wonderful dialogue. Even when we disagree or see something different, we still can communicate and respect and love one another, because that is what families should do.

For the past fifteen years, God has granted me to not miss too many Sunday posts, with the exception of when I lost internet connection, and recently this year, when God told me to take a break and that I did not have to be perfect ( a whole other testimony for another time!) and that, sharing Reflections4Life™ Blog was not a ritual but part of the ministry and sometimes, as a minister, we need a break and that even includes a Sunday every now and then.  In the past five years, however, the Lord has increased my ministerial writings to include five days of inspirational posts and seven days of publically posted prayers. Wherever God leads, I am determined to obey and follow.

Here is what I have learned and come to understand from fifteen years of Reflections4Life™ Ministries: God’s blessings and unmerited favor (grace) show up in our lives in many different and unexpected ways. It is not about how good we are, how perfect we try to be, or how many times we may have failed, messed up, screwed up, and totally blew things. No. It is about God’s love for us and His compassion and mercy towards us. His blessings and unmerited favor have nothing to do with how good we can be or how much we pray. It is about His love and purpose for our lives; about His Son, Jesus Christ, dying on the Cross for our sins, redeeming us, and covering us. So that when God looks at us, He does not see the wrong or bad, or even our faults. He sees His grace, His love, and His mercy. He sees us complete as He ordained us to be. He sees us as we should be and that is how He communicates with us.

God does not wait for us to get it right before He calls us or chooses us. No. If we could get it right and be all that we could and should be, there would have been no reason for Christ to go on the Cross in the first place. No. God calls us just as we are. He has chosen us, even while we are still in sin and have no clue who or what Holy Spirit is. God calls to us in our lowest places. He has a plan for our lives—a plan to prosper and give us hope, and peace.

While we are yet struggling, trying to find our way, wondering if there is a God, He has already placed a purpose inside of us that is waiting to be birthed, unearthed, to be uncovered, and revealed. Waiting for us to believe and see ourselves as He does. Not someone who is incomplete, broken, and used but someone who is loved, cherished, whole, and complete because of His love. We will never be good enough on our own but with God we are unstoppable and that is why the enemy tries so hard to take us out. That is why he is the enemy of our minds always whispering and using people to bring hurt and shame and lying to us that God cannot use us or that God has abandoned us.

I have learned over the years, in my walk with our Father that terrible things happen to good people. God gave everyone on this earth the same gift of choice and sometimes other people’s choices have negative effects on our lives. However, it does not stop God from calling, delivering, and healing us. Some of us are a casualty of a war we did not start but we can claim the victory and the spoils of the war by running into the waiting arms of God. We do not have to be perfect. We do not have to come from the richest family. We do not have to have the best schooling, clothes, or home or appearance. All we have to have is a willing heart. A heart that wants to be used by God and is ready to be filled with His love.

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 for fifteen years of fellowship. I am profoundly grateful to you. May the coming years bring us closer together, expanding our family and connecting us on greater and deeper levels. I love you and I pray for you always. Before I forget; Volume IV of the Reflections4Life™ Book Series will be available in three weeks (Thursday, August 11th, 2022) Faith...Written on the Wall In hardcover and a companion Journal!! So, get ready! It is all about faith!! Remember: You are blessed. Now go…and be a blessing!

©2022. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.

"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.           

"Honoring Fatherhood"

 Reflections4Life™ June 19, 2022

“Honoring Fatherhood”

"Just as a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him.” Psalm 103:13 NASB

Scripture Contemplations: Genesis 2:24; Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 5:16-17; Malachi 1:5-7; Matthew 15:3-7; Ephesians 6:1-3…

Happy Father's Day to all the fathers, father-figures, and fathers-to-be. I pray that you will look to God for all instructions, allowing Him to lead you; even in the most difficult of times. Our heavenly Father will never leave you but will lift you up and be your strength.

I declare that this week's Reflections will be a continued source of encouragement and inspiration for your heart, mind, and soul. In honoring your father, know that you are honoring God. No matter what path your earthly father may have walked, when you acknowledge him as your father, God will move upon your behalf.

I love my father and honored him no matter what he did or didn't do. Yes. I was a Daddy's girl. Many say it is difficult to look past or forgive their father's transgressions. However, I have come to understand, that unless we can forgive our fathers—no matter if he is present or not—we do ourselves a disservice when it comes to our own life's journey and choices made in relationships. It does not mean we condone heinous actions, such as abuse. To honor him means that we acknowledge them in that, they are part of the reason we exist. Not everyone will have a relationship with their father, for various reasons. And that is okay.

Not everyone makes a great parent. Some do not possess the skills or desire it takes to do what is necessary as a parent. Yet, this does not cancel out the fact that God says to show them respect, if not for the mere fact that because of them we are here in the land of the living. Let us face it: without his contribution, we would not be here. So for that reason alone, if you cannot find any other reason, he acknowledges them.

Did you know that the commandment: Honor thy father and mother, is the first commandment with a promise?

Ephesians 6:2-3 "Honor your father and mother (which is the first commandment with a promise), so that it may be well with you, and that you may live long on the earth."

So that it may be well with you, and that you may live long on the earth…That is the promise. Here is the deal: God wants us to show honor and respect to our parents regardless of what they may have done or not have done. The Father’s number one concern is our hearts, and that we are not blocked from receiving his blessings for our lives.

Do you think God doesn’t know about the atrocities that some parents make? You don't think He sees the abandonment. The failures? The broken promises? The abuse and rejection? Yes. He sees all of that. Yet, the Father understands that if we walk around with unforgiveness, bitterness, hatred, and disrespect towards our parents—the very ones who gave us life—then we are blocking what He has ordained for our lives. We trap ourselves, and may very well become the very person we have dishonored all this time; repeating their behaviors and patterns in our relationships with our own children.

Regard them, consider them, and respect them. Do not let your heart be burdened down with dishonor that you miss what God has for you in your life.

I honor my father. He was far from perfect. He did things that were not acceptable. However, I loved him, honored him, and considered his life, as well. If it had not been for him, I would not be here. If it had not been for him, I would not be an author. He was the first person who told me I could. When he passed, I was only sixteen. I thank God for the Uncles I have who stood in the gap and nourished my broken heart. They are fathers, as well, who have made mistakes and are not perfect. But I honor them, just as their children do.

Honoring your father is not for his benefit; it is for yours. God knows exactly how to reach a parent who is not behaving accordingly. To honor them, despite, is a testament to your heart, and where God wants to take you. When it comes down to it; to honor, respect, and regard or consider them, has to do what you desire to accomplish in life.

Many fathers are not being honored or respected for who they are. They have worked hard to provide, for and to be the best father they could be, even when they had no example themselves of a good father. They make mistakes along the way but they are not giving up. They are striving to do what is right, so their children will benefit and receive what they never received as a child.

Whether you are considered the greatest of fathers, or the worst of fathers, I acknowledge you today. I give God praise for you. For those who are not doing so well as a father, I consider you and all you may have gone through, and pray that the Lord will get a hold of you and direct your path; bring healing to your wounds, and forgiveness to your life so that you may truly begin to experience the joy and abundance of fatherhood. To every father that is doing all they can as a father; I honor you and pray that your heart is continually filled with joy, that your example of fatherhood and leadership will be passed on to your children, and that your children will honor you all the days of your life. To those fathers who just do not care or have it in them to parent, I honor God for using you as a conduit to bring forth a life that will do extraordinary things in this world despite who and what you are.

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. It may be difficult for some but honor your father. Whether he is the greatest or not, give honor to him as the person God chose to bring you into this world. God is looking at your heart, and it will determine how your days are upon this earth. Make peace so that your manifestations of blessings are not held up. You are blessed. Now go…and be a blessing!                                                                                                             

©2022. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.

"Winning in Unfamiliar Territory"

 Reflections4Life™ June 12, 2022

“Winning in Unfamiliar Territory”

“We are not fighting against humans. We are fighting against forces and authorities and against rulers of darkness and powers in the spiritual world. So put on all the armor that God gives. Then when that evil day comes, you will be able to defend yourself. And when the battle is over, you will still be standing firm.” Ephesians 6:12-13

Scripture Contemplation: Exodus 13; Ephesians 6; Isaiah 40; 2 Corinthians 10; 1 Timothy 1; 1 Peter 5; Zechariah 4:6; Romans 12:2; 1 Samuel 17:47

©Ruthe McDonald

I declare that this week’s Reflections will be a source of continued encouragement and inspiration for your heart, mind, and soul. There is an ongoing war; a spiritual war that we are in every day. Our best defense is an intimate and disciplined relationship with our Heavenly Father. This assures that we will not only be properly dressed in the armor of God but also know how to do battle with an enemy older than the sands of time.

Beloveds, there is indeed such a thing as spiritual warfare; a battle fought in the spiritual realm that affects every aspect of our lives, including our physical lives. Satan has long declared war against our heavenly Father. This war has never been about us directly. The enemy wants to hurt God and destroy His greatest creation—mankind. He wants to destroy our belief in God, in righteousness, in holiness, in faith, and our belief in love. The enemy believes that if he can destroy us and take as many as he can to the lake of fire, he will have destroyed God’s plan.

The enemy forgets that he has already lost. That, not only has God won, but we have won also because, Christ not only went to the Cross and died for our sins, He rose again. And before He rose, he won against death and hell, taking back the keys to life and has made them available to us; giving us the victory.

The greater problem is, that many of us forget these facts also, especially when we face trials and tribulations in our lives. We forget who we are, whose we are, and the weapons that we have at our disposal. We also forget that sometimes in battle, God will take us through unfamiliar territory and grant us the victory because we obeyed and believed Him. 

The enemy counts on us forgetting and being sidetracked so that he can get in and distort what we believe, making us forget the goodness and promises of God. This, my beloveds, is the reason that we need to make sure we have an intimate relationship with our Father each day. That, we are seeking God’s face, reading our word, following His directions, and having a stealthy prayer life.

The enemy is crafty in his moves and watches like a wild animal stalking its prey, waiting to pounce. Strategic in his machinations, he strikes to kill and destroy, to maim, and alienate, to drive insane and separate. The enemy wants in our minds, wreaking havoc until all we hear and believe are the lies he constantly whispers and his smoke and mirrors. If he can make us doubt at any time the promises and love of God, he has an opening. And you can rest assured, he will barrage his way through to take over your mind until he has left nothing of your life but shambles, confusion, hate, bitterness, and no belief in the word or promises of God. Or, even belief in yourself, destroying love in your life. Trust, he twists every word around. He will have you question the validity of the word and everything you have ever believed or have been taught, learned, and experienced firsthand.

The good news is we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus. He has already given His life and assured our victory. He has done the hard part—dying for our sins and retrieving the keys of life. He has made available to us not only the keys of life but also the keys of the Kingdom. What we have to do is be vigilant in our relationship with God. Seek His face and His will daily, following His instructions, walking in faith, and reminding ourselves when the very harsh and difficult times arise in our lives [and they will] that God has already declared us victorious.

We must know in our hearts that sometimes, in order to win, God will take us on a journey that will lead us through unfamiliar territories. On these unfamiliar roads, our victories will come. The Father will teach and prepare us for the battles that lie ahead. He will strengthen us and build our courage and conviction. But the most wonderful thing about these journies that many of us cannot see and will not understand until the battle is over, is the fact that all along, God will hide us in plain sight. He will protect us, while also preparing us for the right time. When we're ready, we will shoot forth like an arrow, hitting its intended mark; claiming the victory, winning in unfamiliar territory.

Beloved, get in your word every day. Fill your heart and mind—saturate it—with the will of God. See what God sees. Hear what He is saying. If we know the heart and mind of God, then we will know how to stand against the enemy and how to use our armor. We do not learn these things by skimming the word of God and occasionally praying or only praying when something goes wrong. No. We must saturate our hearts and minds in the things of God; renewing our minds daily, pulling down strongholds. We cannot fight the enemy on physical terms or by wit. We must armor ourselves in truth and under the direction of the Holy Spirit, following ALL of His instructions, lest we succumb to the lies and evil plots of the enemy. Remember who you are and what has been given to the body of Christ. We cannot fight a spiritual fight without spiritual armor. That would be like going to a gunfight with a knife. And, we cannot always stay in the same place and expect to win when God said to move and go another way.

Exodus 13:18 So God chose a different, longer path that led the community of His people through the desert toward the Red Sea. The Israelites marched out of the land of Egypt like an army ready for battle. 

Zechariah 4:6 “…‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ saith the Lord of hosts.”

1 Samuel 17:47 And all this assembly shall know that the Lord saveth not with sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord’s, and He will give you into our hands.”

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. Spiritual warfare has been launched against the children of God. Designed to destroy and separate us from the love and promises of God. At some point in our walk with God, He will take us on a journey in unfamiliar territory. Be obedient and follow His lead. He is ensuring our victory on this earth so that we not only win against the enemy but will also receive God's best for our lives. He will cause us to win in unfamiliar territories where the enemy didn't even see us coming! Put on your armor of God; spend time in His presence, filled with Him and the knowledge and wisdom needed to navigate through a war that has already been won and a battle that is not ours, but the Lord’s. Trust; He got us. We have already won…a long time ago. You are blessed. Now…go and be a blessing!

©2022. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.

"Walk Away"

 Reflections4Life™ June 5, 2022

“Walk Away”

“If any place won’t welcome you or listen to your message, leave and shake the dust from your feet as a warning to them.” Mark 6:11

Scripture Contemplation: Matthew 10; Acts 17; 2 Timothy 2…

©Ruthe McDonald.

I declare that this week’s Reflections is a continued source of encouragement for your hearts, minds, and souls. Set aside some quality God time this week so that He may fill up the reserves of your heart and spirit with His love, patience, kindness, joy, and peace. Allow Holy Spirit to lead you to where you need to be. Do not allow anyone’s rejection of who you are to keep you from remembering who God has already declared you to be.

I know. Sometimes the hardest thing to do is walk away when all you want to do is prove your point or want your message or what you are saying to be heard and understood. However, Beloveds, as you will come to know if you do not already, not everyone is going to be receptive to your ideas, your opinions, your knowledge, your message, or wisdom. You will be in some places and in others, where what you have to say will not be received. Not everyone will want to hear what God or you have to say or welcome you.

There is so much in all of us—a word, a message, a truth—that God wants us to share. God will indeed send us to places already knowing that what we have to say and to offer will not be received. Yet, our going is not about whether what we have to say is accepted or listened to, but about our obedience to God in going forth anyway.

We are encouraged, however, to not become discouraged by the lack of reception that we may receive. God admonishes us to leave and shake the dust from our feet. Meaning, do not linger in that place—physically, or mentally. There are so many people waiting for what you have to say. There are people waiting on the message that is burning in your heart and your soul. We cannot be caught up in our feelings every time someone does not want to listen to us or receive the message we are sharing. Even though one place was not receptive, or even the last five places!—does not mean the next place will be the same.

Know this, as well: Your message may have appeared to not have been received or listened to; you just never know if there was indeed one person, one soul that heard and received, or that the seeds you planted actually landed on good soil. So do not hang on being accepted or not. Just do whatever God has called you to do and move on. When it is time to go forth again, be certain to have also walked away mentally from the last place that did not receive you. You never want to bring doubt and uncertainty with you, but instead, confidence and boldness, knowing that God has ordained you for this hour and time.

Learning to walk away is pivotal in our lives, Beloveds. It is not always about staying, fighting, and not giving up. Sometimes it is about saving your sanity, your own faith, and being able to hear God before emotions and hurt feelings block and stop you from being and doing all that God has ordained. There are times when walking away is the best thing you could have done.

Many of us feel as though if we walk away, that we have given up, we are not exercising faith. No. We are actually using wisdom and following the instructions of God. The flesh will always want to save face and not be embarrassed or considered a failure. Yet, the real winners are those that see the situation for what it is and walk away in maturity, understanding that they have done all they could and should do and do not have to prove anything to anyone.

When God tells you to walk away; to no longer try to convince or to share your message, He already knows you have done all that you could and should have done. Do not stay in a place where you are not received, welcomed, celebrated, or listened to. If what you have to offer is not received, move on. Because it will be a shame for you to stay and try to convince someone and you end up being the person that is changed.

Oh yes! I have seen it countless times. Even with myself. You want the person(s) to receive what God has for them. You hate to see them walking in circles, or into brick walls, or generally just messing up their lives, and you desperately want them to see the truth and accept the truth. You desire for them to truly believe because you know how much their lives will be changed. However, in the process of trying to convince them, you become the one who has changed.

God does not want that. He wants us to retain our integrity and our belief. That is why it is so important to maintain a prayer-filled life; always seeking God’s direction; following his instructions, and checking our own hearts and motives. Why would you stay in a place that made it clear that your message was not being seen or heard? Let that pride go! When God says walk away, shake the dust from your feet, then do it! We are no one’s savior. Jesus is the only one who gets that spot! You know what? He can have it! LOL. We cannot save a single soul but we can be the instrument that God uses to get them to see and into position to receive what God has for them. But we must not linger in a place so long that we forsake all the rest that are waiting on us. And trust me, Beloveds; there are many others that are anxiously awaiting what we have to say and share with them today.

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. Walking away is not an indication of failure or giving up. It is learning not to linger in a place, space, or time that may hinder or eventually rob you of your own message and blessings. Let God lead you. When it’s time to shake the dust off your feet, do just that! Allow God to lead you where you need to be next because there are countless others who are waiting to hear and receive what you have to release. Trust God and keep it moving. You are blessed. Now go…and be a blessing!

©2022. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.