"Look Again...The Rain is Coming!"

 Reflections4Life™ October 9, 2022

“Look Again…The Rain is Coming.”

“The seventh time the servant reported, “A cloud as small as a man’s hand is rising from the sea.” So Elijah said, “Go and tell Ahab, ‘Hitch up your chariot and go down before the rain stops you.’” 1 Kings 18:44

Scripture Contemplation: Deuteronomy 28; 1 Kings 17; 18; Matthew 6; James 5…

©Ruthe McDonald.

I don’t know about you but I hear the rain coming. I hear the rain of abundance; the rain of restoration, the rain of health, and the rain of promises and blessings manifested. Though at first glance things may appear the same, I encourage you to look again. The rain is coming, the rain of God’s blessings and promises.

I decree that this week’s Reflections are a continued source of encouragement and inspiration for your heart, mind, and soul. If you have not already, I encourage you to set aside some intimate time for yourself and the heavenly Father. We have entered a new season spiritually and physically. God has much He wants you prepared for but you have to be in His presence; spent quality and intimate time with Him for You to hear and see what God is about to do. God is showing up in a big way, Beloveds. Be prepared.

I am certain, considering the fact that so many of us have witnessed and some personally have experienced the devastation of several hurricanes; the last thing you want to think about or perhaps see is more rain. Yet, the rain that is coming now is a spiritual downpour that will alleviate the drought that many have been experiencing in their lives. Whether it has been a physical drought, an emotional and mental drought, or a spiritual or financial drought; the rain—spiritual rain—is coming to alleviate the pain and discomfort of the years of drought that we have suffered in our lives.

Many have suffered many things in their lives—myself included—that have left us feeling parched and dry. It has felt as if nothing in our lives is growing and that what we need has been sparse. There seems to never be enough and just when it looks like we are about to get relief, it is swept away and our wait for relief continues.

There has been a spiritual and physical drought and famine. It has claimed many a person’s faith; has stolen peace, joy, hope, and happiness. It has even robbed many of love. Droughts and famines are devastating. Blowing plumes of dust and dryness into every area of our lives until we barely recognize who we are or the dreams we once had.

Difficult times arise and our faith is brittle at best. We feel older than we are, as though we have aged years overnight. The fear of never having enough or reaching our goals has taken up residence in many hearts. Visions have been lost and let go of, as some have given up and cannot see any light at the end of the proverbial tunnel.

There are some not even aware they have been in a drought, they are in a famine. They are not even aware they have been operating in yesterday’s anointing, under yesterday’s mercies and grace. “Yesterday” is referring to any amount of time in the past. The ones who have surrounded themselves with yes people, and who debunk anything that will contradict them and their words. These are the ones that have robbed and caused pain for many others; especially the children of God. They do not even realize that their time is up or that the lies they have spoken and the truth of their hearts are about to be revealed just as King Ahab and Jezebel and their false prophets were in 1 Kings 18.

For those that have believed, though it has been difficult and painful, and may have suffered great loss, and may be getting ready to give up at this very hour, God is telling us today, Beloved, to look again! Look in your heart, your spirit; there is rain coming; a powerful downpour that will alleviate the sting that the drought and famine have caused. Dreams and visions are being rebirthed; given new life.

If you have stood by the Lord’s side, and held onto faith—though you may have stumbled or fallen a few times—you are about to see the fruit of your obedience and faith. There is relief coming. No matter what it looks like. No matter if it appears the same on the outside and the bill collectors keep calling; your bank account keeps an overdraft, your utilities keep getting shut off; you haven’t had more than enough in years—there is an abundance of rain coming that is alleviating the pressure. It is bringing new life and strength and reversing the damages left by the drought and famine in our lives.

God is restoring, Beloveds, so look again! Hear with your spiritual ears, see with your spiritual eyes, receive the word of God in your heart, and stand on your faith. That rain is coming and your life will not be the same—in a good way! God is renewing and making new. He is restoring hope, faith, and joy. So go on and look again! Even if it has to be seven times or seventy-seven, until you, too, see that fist of a cloud in the sky and hear the sound of rain coming.

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. Your turnaround season is here! God is sending the rains that are ushering in a new life, new hope, new joy, and new opportunities. Relief is here for those who have been devastated by drought and famine. The season of manifestations is upon us and God is showing up and letting us know that He is still King on His throne and in our lives. You are blessed. Now go…and be a blessing!

©2022. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.

"Resurrected Dreams and Visions"

 Reflections4Life™ October 2, 2022

“Resurrected Dreams and Visions”

“For as many as are the promises of God, in Christ, they are [all answered] “Yes.” So through Him, we say our “Amen” to the glory of God.” 2 Corinthians 1:20 AMP

Scripture Contemplation: Numbers 11:34;19; Genesis 15; Joshua 21:45; Psalm 12:6; John 16…

 ©Ruthe McDonald.

I declare that this week’s Reflections is a continued source of encouragement and inspiration for heart, mind, and soul. God is doing a great thing. Dreams and visions that you believed were long gone, forgotten about, and dead—God is resurrecting. Allow this week to find you get into a position and posture of prayer, receiving what God has ordained for your life. Get ready because God is moving mightily!

Know in your hearts Beloveds that as long as you have breath in your body, God is granting you another opportunity to walk in His blessings for your life. However, it is up to you to believe it, receive it, and walk in it. Yes, you may be going through some things right now that are dictating the opposite. However, God is moving and you do not want to miss what He is doing because you allow fear, anger, doubt, unbelief, and the lies of the enemy to keep you from seeing and receiving all that God says is yours…on this earth.

When we were children, we often had fantastical dreams and visions. So much, that many wanted to be one thing and by the following week, wanted to be something else. Our imaginations took us on flights of fancy that stirred our creativity and imagination. It stirred up in different ways, making us feel invincible and that anything was possible! There was no way we would not be all that we dared to believe and dream.

There was not much if anything that we feared or wouldn't try. Unless we were taught to be afraid, told we could not, and discouraged on a consistent basis, lacking any kind of support or encouragement to dream and reach for the stars. Not having seeds of faith planted in our young hearts and minds. All children should be encouraged and their dreams validated, no matter how inconsequential, far-out, or unattainable they may seem to an adult. Far too many of us had our dreams and visions killed before we ever had the chance to really even develop our imagination or figure out who we are and what we may or may not be good at.

 Allow me to say this to all parents and anyone with influence over children: encourage them. Encourage their imagination. Ignite their creativity and inspire them to dream. Do not kill the seeds of vision and creativity because you may have doubts or because of your disappointments in life. Do not put your burdens on children who haven’t even had the opportunity to fully dream or hope yet. Give them a fighting chance. If they fall, let them. There is a lesson for them to learn in getting up.

Not all of us had the kind of childhood that fostered our hopes, dreams, and imagination. I was privileged to have parents that encouraged me to fly, to dream, to soar. Constantly being told that I "would be" anything I desired. That I would live my dreams and have whatever my heart desired. My parents believed in my brothers and me.

Here is another truth: as awesome as my parents were, they could not stop life from happening. Certain things were not in their control, things that hurt me as a child, as a young girl, and then as a young woman; even now as an adult. We are going to grow up and find out for ourselves that life is not always pretty and it is not always fair. Some dreams will be deferred, some hopes will be smothered, and some visions will be forgotten. Fear, doubt, anxiety, and comparing ourselves to others, may become a part of our reality.

Beloveds, there is good news, however. God can and will restore and resurrect our dreams and visions. He will even give us bigger and greater dreams and visions; enlarging our territories. He will take our hurts, heartaches, disappointments, and pain, and turn them into our purpose, our passion, and our wealth. All of what we have lost will be restored. All that the enemy has stolen will be given back. God will turn our tests into testimonies; grant us double for our shame. We just have to believe Him and follow His instructions, and not be afraid to dream again and do the work that is necessary to get what God says is ours.

We are in our harvest time right now! Yet, many think that because the harvest is here. There is no longer any work that needs to be done. That, we can sit back, relax, and see things fall into place. No Beloved, the harvest means work. Perhaps, even more work than the planting. Yet, do not be afraid or allow that to intimidate you because of this kind of work; working for our harvest is one of the greatest times of our lives. It is when we begin to see the manifestations of the blessings and promises of God in our lives, the fruit of our labor blossoming.

This is the season of miracles, the supernatural, turnarounds, and answered prayers. Do not be fooled by the current state of affairs of this world. For, we may be in this world, be we are not of this world, and the Father is preparing us to lead others to the truth about who Jesus is, who He is, and who we are in Him. God has ushered us into a season of resurrected dreams and visions. We have much to do and God wants us ready to walk in the fullness of His promises and His love without hesitation or procrastination.

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. Do not despise humble beginnings or talk yourself out of the blessings of God. Stay in a posture of prayer, and God will reveal to you all that you need in order to move forward in His promises and abundance. The Father loves you…just as you are. You are blessed and highly favored. Now go…and be a blessing! AND DREAM!

©2022. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.

"After The Storms"

 Reflections4Life™ September 25, 2022

“After the Storms”

“Then they will rebuild the ancient ruins, they will raise up and restore the former desolations; And they will renew the ruined cities, The desolations (deserted settlements) of many generations.” Isaiah 61:4

Scripture Contemplations: Hebrews 10; Nehemiah 4; Ezra 3; Isaiah 49; Jeremiah 33:7; Acts 15:16

Many say the Lord is soon to come again. They observe nature’s seeming wrath against humanity and concur that the evil of man has brought all of this on. Though I see this as a sign of the times and Christ soon returns; I also see it as a time to rebuild and restore that, which has been broken in the land. To restore kindness, love, mercy, peace, community, unity, and faith in God. God is granting His creation, the opportunity to see the harvest before them. For those who know God, to go out into the fields and start working and help to restore, rebuild, and ignite others’ faith at this time in their lives, as He restores and rebuilds ours.

I decree that this week’s Reflections will be a continued source of encouragement and inspiration for your heart, mind, and soul. God is rebuilding and restoring what was lost during the storms of our lives. Do not continue to look at what was lost or destroyed but rejoice that you are still here and God is blessing you to start over. Though there may be some tough times, remember that you are not alone. God is with you through it all. Trust Him and let your faith be restored.

The tests and trials that we are facing in our lives can be equivalent to the hurricanes and earthquakes that ravish this earth. The devastation, the heartache, the loss; all of it so great and overwhelming. Yet, here we are, alive and able to move forward to another day when so many others have lost their lives. People are grieving and mourning. Though our hearts are grieving also and are heavy and we may feel overwhelmed and despondent; know that God is capable of restoring you.

Some of us may ask, how often do we have to start over? How many times do we have to lose before we start winning? You are alive and blessed with life and opportunities. It may not be everything you desire it to be right now, but you have the ability to start over; to change the ending of your story, starting right now.

Here is what I know for certain, Beloveds: Throughout our life's journey, we may find ourselves having to start over again. For some, it may happen several times before they are exactly where they desire to be. Sometimes we have to make an assertive decision completely to start over from a fresh perspective, a clean slate, rebuilding who we are.

That is exactly what God does for us—if we would listen and accept His will—is give us a fresh start, a brand new beginning; rebuilding us from brokenness and the devastation of life’s storms. We cannot change the past. However, we can change what happens next; transforming the ending of our stories, having it work in our favor.

I, myself, am at a crossroads in my own life at this moment; one that I am finding that God has been preparing me for all along. In keeping it honest with you, it is not the best of feelings. My faith feels as though it has been used up and stretched beyond its capacity. Yet, as the circumstances stand, in my heart I know emphatically that it does not change nor stop the blessings, favor, mercies, and grace of God for and in my life. I am coming out of this stronger than ever and more determined. Oh! Beloveds, I am just getting started! Ruthe 2.0.

When God is on your side, you never lose, you always win. Do not be afraid to begin again or start over—not when God is on your side. As long as you have breath in your body, it is not too late for you to have and live the life that God has promised you. No matter how broken and bruised you are. God can and will rebuild from nothing. He will take the ruins of the storms of our lives and build something beautiful and everlasting. All we have to do is believe and tell God, yes!

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. NOTHING is impossible for God. Love yourself enough to know when you deserve and warrant more than what you have been getting or received. Through the storms of life let your soul and spirit be anchored to Christ. Say Yes to God, and He will take care of the rest! You are blessed. Now go…and be a blessing!

©2022. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.

                                   

       

"Open Your Eyes"

Rflections4Life™ September 18, 2022

“Open Your Eyes”

“And not a creature exists that is concealed from His sight, but all things are open and exposed and revealed to the eyes of Him with whom we have to give account.” Hebrews 4:13

Scripture Contemplation: Genesis 3; 21:19; Numbers 22:31; 1 Kings 8; Psalm 34:15; 119:18; Isaiah 35:5; 42:5-7; Jeremiah 32:19; Matthew 9:30; John 9; Acts 26:18…

©Ruthe McDonald.

There will come a time in our lives when we will not only face the truth but understand the truth and see it for what it really is. All the blinders will be gone. All the coverings--stripped away. All the doubts and fears--eradicated. All excuses--silenced. That time is the seat of judgment before God where we will all face God for our actions and inactions.

In the meantime, many of us are walking blindly around with our hands covering our eyes to what is going on around us. Some believe if they act as though these things are not happening then they will not be held accountable for anything. However, beloved, God has given us charge over the earth, to go out, and minister to the world. We are to share the truth of His love and promises. We are to spread the Gospel while living a life that is pleasing and acceptable to Him. Not perfect, mind you but pleasing and acceptable. Yet, for us to accomplish this, we must open our eyes and see what it is that God is showing us before we get swept away in the darkness of despair and the lies of the enemy.

I declare that this week’s Reflections is a continued source of encouragement and inspiration for your heart, mind, and soul. Allow Holy Spirit to fill your heart and open your eyes to what is going on around you. Let this week be a time of self-reflection as you take inventory of your life, relationships, time, and actions. Allow God to renew your mind, stir your spirit, and encourage you where you may feel defeated. Nothing is over until God says it is over. Let your eyes be open to what God is showing you.

How many times have we closed our eyes or turned a blind eye to what was hurting us, confusing us, or something we did not understand because we did not want to face the truth of a situation? Or because we did not want to do the work required to do what God has ordained? Too many of us believe that we do not have to work or put effort into our relationships, work, dreams, and visions. We treat God like He is a genie in a bottle and when we pray we expect Him to do everything while we remain the same and do nothing.

We must put in the work to see the desired results that we hope and pray for. If there is something that we cannot do that is out of our hands, having done all we could do; followed all of God’s instructions; then and only then, do we lift our hands up. We leave it in God’s hands to do what we cannot do. However, whatever God determines, we must follow His will, and instructions concerning that situation.

It is time to open our eyes, Beloved. Open our eyes to God. Open our eyes to what is being shown to us and what has been prepared for us. We cannot open our eyes or be enlightened to the situations around us if we have not first surrendered to God and His ways and instructions. We must submit ourselves to God, be open to Him, and be filled with His understanding in order for us to see clearly what God wants us to see and is showing us.

It is vitally important that we first allow God to adjust our sight and vision because, Beloved, the enemy is very good at smoke and mirrors. Without the touch of the Holy Spirit, the insight of our Heavenly Father, and looking through His clear lens, we may misconstrue our situation, misinterpret, and miss all that God has ordained for our lives, especially if we are ruled by emotions and hurt feelings. Those emotions allow the enemy to insert himself further into our life circumstances, wreaking havoc and discord, until he has accomplished his goal of killing, stealing, and destroying.

Make no mistake about it, Beloved. Christ is soon to return. The signs are all around us. Even the enemy knows this; that his time is short and he has been escalating his attacks and attempts to destroy the children of God, to try to persuade them to give up on God, and to walk away from the blessings that God has ordained for our lives. He is killing our relationships, marriages, businesses, hopes, dreams, and visions. He is stealing joy, lives, and happiness. He is destroying lives, families, communities, countries, reputations, and many other things all to rob us of the promises of God and to hurt the Father’s heart. If you did not know, we are just pawns in his war against God. We are not the target, God is. However, we are who God loves and has placed His spirit in, created in His image, and given authority to. That right there burns the enemy up!

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. Open your eyes, Beloved. Open them to the will of the Father. See==through His lens. Do not allow the smoke and mirrors of the enemy to rob you of the promises of God for your life. The only way to recognize the enemy's machinations is to get closer to God. Allow God to fine-tune your sight, opening your eyes and heart to what is essential and what is happening right before you.  You are blessed. Now go…and be a blessing!

©2022. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.

 

COVERED BY GOD NIGERIA // SEPTEMBER 2022

"The Giants Fall Down"

 Reflections4Life™ September 11, 2022

“The Giants Fall Down”

“These were descended from the giants in Gath, and they fell by the hand of David and by the hand of his servants.” 1 Chronicles 20:8

Scripture Contemplation: Deuteronomy 3; Joshua 13; 2 Samuel 21; 1 Chronicles 20…

We are all on a journey called life. Each of us taking different yet similar paths. Sometimes our journeys will intersect with one another, giving us either perspective and encouragement, or distractions and discouragement. It is up to us to determine if what we are journeying towards is worth the travail, and sometimes the hardship and difficulty we may face, and the giants that will try to block us and scare us along the way.

No one gets around the giants in their journey. They are guaranteed to show up. Yet, here is what many do not understand: THEY ARE STRONGER THAN THE GIANTS. God says that when we believe in Him, His promises, and follow His instructions, those “giants” will fall down. The giants in our life's journey look like insurmountable problems. They look like naysayers, pessimists, family members, strangers, work, difficult situations, our past, or whatever may cause a hindrance or block us from moving forward. They are all considered “giants” in our lives. Those giants seek to keep us from walking in the promises of God in our lives. It is time to gird ourselves with our smooth stones and watch the giants fall down.

I declare that this week’s Reflections will be a continued source of encouragement and inspiration for your heart, mind, and soul. Gird yourselves in the armor of God. As you go forth in your journey, pray fervently and follow all that God has instructed. No matter what comes at you, remember: Greater is God in you than the enemy that is in this world. God has already given you the power to triumph and watch the giants fall down.

It is a guarantee that we will face some “giants” in our life’s journey. People, places, and things that will try to stop us from reaching our promised land. Yet God says they are no match for those who truly trust and believe in His word, and walk accordingly. God has a promise for each of us; a journey that we must take to get us to fulfill those promises.

There have been numerous giants in my life—there still are some giants now—that I face and sometimes question if I am strong enough to get through. God reminds me of His promises but I also have to remind myself. I have to take the initiative to speak what God says about me; to take time and be still in my Father’s presence; to read and meditate in the word; to charge the atmosphere with the very words God has decreed and declared over my life. Like David, I must carry my five smooth stones, prepared to take down the giants that come my way and try to block me from moving forward in the promises that God has ordained for my life.

I realized that God has been preparing me all of my life for the battles that I now face. When we are younger, we encounter things that seem so insurmountable. Yet, when we grow, mature, and are faced with different obstacles, we look back and might see that that was nothing compared to what we are facing now. However, in the lessons and those “small” obstacles, God was teaching us form, strategy, and technique. He taught us what to look for and how to conquer every giant.

Just like David, God has hidden some of us on the backside of the mountain. We have been spending time in the presence of God, getting to know His heart and worshipping Him, building a relationship of strength and confidence. Like David, we will face our own bear and lion and defeat them. No one knows what we are capable of. Neither do they understand what God has been preparing us for? Sometimes we don’t even know the breadth and scope of what God has for us. Yet, God has been preparing us for our own Goliath. We will either stand up and declare what is ours and what God has spoken, or we will back up and fear the illusion of strength that the Giant represents.

Beloved, I’ve come too far in my journey to turn back or be defeated this close to my promised land, and so have you. Many of us stand on the bridge of our journey—the bridge of crossing over. On the other side of the bridge is everything we have been striving for and working towards; all the manifestations of the blessings and promises for our lives. All we have to do is cross over the bridge but on the bridge is one more behemoth of a giant. A giant comprised of every obstacle you have ever faced. Every lie you were ever told. Every fear you ever experienced. Every pain you have ever felt. It’s there, on the bridge, trying to block your entrance to your God-ordained promised land. Not only is it there, but it is also taunting you and mocking you, and across its chest is a screen playing a picture of your journey, only showing the highlights of your failures; of every trip, fall, and mistake. There is a sound coming from this giant and it is all the negative thoughts you ever had and the negative words spoken by others. He will not budge. What are you going to do?

You are going to open your mouth (slingshot) and sling your stones (words) declaring what God has spoken to you. You will declare and decree, reminding the enemy, that God has already delivered you the victory and you will get what He promised. As you speak the word of God, pull down every stronghold, and take out your sword, you will witness the enemy start to crumble. You will move forward confidently, with the words of God coming from your mouth and heart, and watch as the Giant falls, your words hit him like heavy stones. When he has fallen, you will take its head off, so it will not rise again, and cross over into your promised land, giving God all of the glory. You WIN!  

 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. The giants fall down, Beloveds. They are no match for the power that resides in you; the power that is our God, our Creator. Do not back up now or run away when you are this close to the manifestations of the blessings and promises of God. The enemy is no match for you when you are standing and walking in confidence and courage. With God on your side, who can win against you? No one. You are blessed. Now go…and be a blessing!

©2022. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.

"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.