"Seek God First"

Reflections4Lfe™ August 26, 2018

“Seek God First”

“Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.” Isaiah 55:6-7 (ESV)

Scripture Contemplation: 1Chronicles 10; 16:11; Psalm 14; 22; Isaiah 41; Matthew 6

©Ruthe McDonald.

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any are missing the mark and fumbling in their lives because of one thing: not seeking God first. There is a school of thought present in the mind of many suggesting, if they connect with the right people, they will have the success desired. Success is a matter of connecting with the right people to obtain the hook-up. There is no hook-up greater than the connection one receives from knowing God. God is that great Equalizer. To know this, we must seek God first, instead of as a last resort.

I decree that this week’s  Reflections will be a continued and constant source of encouragement and inspiration for your heart mind and soul. Seek God first in all that you do this week. I dare you, before you ask another person’s opinion or look at another plan, that you will go to God first and see the difference that will take place in your life. Allow God to direct your path and give you what He has already ordained for you.

Busted Broken and Delayed Plans

Proverbs 3:6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

How many times have you thought about something that you desired to do and then set out to do it, only to fail? Have you sought the Lord? Did you first seek God out before you moved forward in your brilliant plans? Did you present your plans to God and asked Him what He thought and what you should do in moving forward? Did you ask God if this was the right time to move ahead?

For those of us mature enough to understand, God does not expect us to seek Him for every little thing that we do. For example: how to brush our teeth, which outfit to wear, what to cook for dinner, how we should do our hair if we should ask for a raise, etcetera. I am referring to the plans we desire to execute in our lives; those plans that have an effect on our lives and the lives of others.

God desires for us to seek Him first; to come to Him and present our plans before Him and get His opinion, direction, and seal of approval. If many of us would have done this in the first place and opened our hearts and mind to what God has to say, it would have saved us from a lot of heartaches, loss, and mishaps along the way.

We have many ideas that will come and go. Not every idea or plan is the right one for us. Nor is it the time to try to execute those plans. There are a time and season for all things. Many of us are rushing ahead, trying to get plans and ideas done only to fail miserably in our attempts. Then, we find ourselves giving up on dreams and visions, believing the lies of the enemy that maybe we just were not meant to succeed. Maybe this just was not for us. Hogwash! The devil is a lie! Failure does not necessarily mean it is not for us, it can simply mean we missed a few key things in our planning and the biggest thing was not seeking God for His wisdom and directions.

God Never Fails

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

There is nothing more than God wants for us (other than accepting Christ as our Savior) than to see us succeed. His plan for us has always been for us to prosper. That we would have a future filled with hope and the manifestation of His promises. How can this happen when we do not even go to God and seek His advice or ask about His plans for us?

Beloveds, there is a long line of blessings waiting to manifest in our lives. Blessings that would answer our questions of how, bring provisions for every need, open up doors and create opportunities for many in need. However, we will never see or receive them if we do not start seeking God first and receiving His ideas, changes, and seal of approvals on our plans.

Here is what I know: The plans we have? God placed them in us in the first place. Those brilliant ideas—whispers from Holy Spirit. Sometimes we move too quickly and other times we seek the wrong people for advice or believe we need a certain connection to make our visions happen. You’re right. We do need a certain connection: God!

Can no one give you the greatest hook-up that God! Far too many of us are in a rush to get to the front of the line. For our businesses to be a success that we cut corners, either compromise or get connected with people we should never be in alignment with or have them touch or even know about our plans and visions.

Here’s a secret that many do not know: When God gives you a vision He is responsible and will provide the provision for that vision to happen. God does things in decency and in order. If we would take our plans to God; read our word, and meditate on it; praying before we do anything; many more of us would be successful in our endeavors and not be filled with regrets for sharing our visions, our plans with people who desire to rob us; to steal what God has given us.

The enemy comes to kill, steal, and destroy. We are making it easy for him to do so when we do not first seek God for His blessing and His directions on the plans, visions, and ideas He has birthed in our hearts.

When was the last time you read your Bible? I mean, really sat down and studied scripture and received a download into your soul from God, that gave you light and understanding in other areas? I’ll be the first to admit that I am guilty of that. I am guilty of not reading the word as diligently and frequently, getting caught up in the busyness of the day and then wondering why I am so taxed and flabbergasted and cannot think. I overwhelm myself when all I had to do was seek the Lord God first, and allow Him to order my footsteps and follow the plan He has given me.

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. Seek God first in all that you do. Every plan that has been given to God; that has been presented to Him will succeed in its due season. You desire the best, then give God your best and make Him first, He is the greatest connection, hook-up, that you will ever have, because He aims to give you His best and to prosper you, giving you a future filled with hope!  You are blessed. Now go…and be a blessing!

©2018. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.

"Do Not Limit God"

Reflections4Life™ August 19, 2018

“Do Not Limit God”

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8, 9

Scripture Contemplation: Numbers 11:13; 23:19; Jeremiah 32; Isaiah 55...

©Ruthe McDonald.

GOD.

Father. Deliverer. Healer. Omnipotent. Omniscient. Omnipresent. There is more to God than what we see. There are countless mysteries waiting to be revealed. Countless downloads of knowledge, wisdom, and understanding waiting to be downloaded to believing and faithful hearts, minds, and souls. Yet, we place limits on God. How? Through our thoughts and our inactions. When we do not walk in faith and accept in our hearts, what God has spoken and prepared for us; we continually place limits on what God will do and manifest in our lives. It is time to take a long look at ourselves, to ask the difficult questions, and not limit God in His answers.

I decree that this week’s Reflections will be a continued source of encouragement and inspiration for your heart mind and soul. It is my prayer that you will let go of all the bad ideas and preconceived notions that you have about our heavenly Father. Release every thought that has you doubting the veracity of our God and His love and power that can change your life forever. I dare you to not put limits on what God can and will do for you if you would believe.

It Won’t Cost You Anything

Isaiah 55:1-2 Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food.

Somewhere in our hearts and mind, many of us have gotten the idea that God cannot deliver us. We have been in the same predicament for so long that it has become a comfortable place in a dysfunctional manner. We accept things in and about our lives that God says we should never accept but instead stand against, calling on Him to deliver us.

We are told that there is a price to pay. We have to be good. We have to dress a certain way. We must behave a certain way. We must believe a certain way. All of the conditions that somehow must be met before God will do what we need. Why? Beloveds, if we could meet these conditions before God would do anything for us, then there would have been no need for Jesus to go to the Cross. We could save ourselves. Answer our own prayers and heal ourselves if what many of us are taught is true.

It is as though, God has no power to deliver us from the hardships and exasperating circumstances if we do not first get “ourselves” together and make a clean path for God to come. Not so! It is a lie! We need to make that move! To go before the throne and lay at the altar, laying it all the Father’s feet and trust Him to do what He does best, and that is our Father; to deliver us from ourselves. To save us and redeem us; forgiving us of our sins and shortcomings.

Beloved, the price has been paid a long time ago. Jesus paid the cost for our salvation, our deliverance, our healing. Christ stood in our stead and bore the stripes, the nails, the piercing of His side for us. There is no limit to what God will do for us when we come to Him and allow Him to have His way in our lives, and access to ALL of us. Even those secret places we try to hide from others.

We are filling our lives with things that do not satisfy or fulfill us because we have this notion that God cannot possibly be that forgiving or that loving. Many have bought into the lies that God is not answering our prayers but instead forsaking us; forgetting about us. That could not be further from the truth. It is time to take the limits of God by dropping our ill-conceived notions and getting to know who God really is. By hitting our knees, turning down our plates, and inviting God into every single place and space in our lives, healing us from the lies that have attached themselves to our psyche and spirit, blinding us to our Father’s unlimited power and infinite wisdom.

Seek God’s Ways

Isaiah 55:6-9 “Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts;
let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

There is no limit to the power of God and His desire for our lives. There is a pathology, which must be broken. A belief that has been passed down through families, from generation to generation that has us repeating the sins of our fathers and mothers, blinding us to the saving grace, healing, and redemptive, restorative power of our Heavenly Father.

We must diligently seek God for ourselves. To know the truth of who God is and who we are for ourselves. There will always be someone, somewhere giving an opinion of who they believe God is, as well as what we should be doing. Even I, as I am sharing these words of encouragement and inspiration based upon my personal relationship with God, am very much aware that it is another opinion; my point of view based upon my life and walk. Although I know in my heart and soul, that it is an inspired word of God, a message received to share; it is still up to the individual to believe and know God for himself or herself; to experience His divine love and redemptive power on an intimate and personal level. When you receive this truth for yourself, there is no one that can change your mind. No one that can refute what you know to be the truth because you received it for yourself.

A No Limit God

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. Though what you may be facing right now may make no sense at all, making it feel as though God is far removed from your situation; know that there is nothing impossible for God. We may not understand all of His ways but we can know for a certainty that He has no limits to His power or His unconditional love. Trust Him. Trust in His unconditional love for you. You are blessed. Now go…and be a blessing!

©2018. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.

"God's Plan"

Reflections4Life™ July 29, 2018

“God’s Plan”

“I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have given me life.” Psalm 119:93

Scripture Contemplation: Jeremiah 29; 1 Chronicles 28; Proverbs 15:22; Isaiah 25:1; Daniel 11

©Ruthe McDonald.

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veryday is filled with brand new opportunities to live the life that God has ordained for us. It is a chance to be one day closer to the manifest blessings and prayers that God has promised. However, we must know and believe in our hearts that God certainly do have plans for our lives. In addition, those plans may look nothing like what we think or believe. It is in the small things that we often see grandness God’s plans.

I decree that this week’s Reflections will be a continued source of encouragement and inspiration for your heart mind and soul. Never underestimate the plan of God for your life. Take this week to meditate on the word and promises of God that He has spoken concerning your life. Let your heart and mind become expectant of the great things that God has in store for you. Follow God’s plans; His are a sure victory.

First and Foremost

2 Samuel 7:18-19 Then King David went in and sat before the Lord and said, “Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far? And yet this was a small thing in your eyes, O Lord God. You have spoken also of your servant's house for a great while to come, and this is instruction for mankind, O Lord God!

Thank You, Lord! Thank You, Father! I have to give God the praise today because this is the eleventh year of God’s blessings and grace for Reflections4Life™ Ministry and Blog! God is so amazing and His favor is incomparable. When God has a plan for your life, He will make certain, as we yield our heart, mind, and soul to Him, that we know, see, and understand those plans. Sometimes I think God does not tell us all of His plans because He knows it may overwhelm some, scare others, and cause a few to develop a spirit of fear.

Reflections were God’s plan. Not mine. I was in New York babysitting my nephews while my newest nephew was being born. While there, I opened my laptop and started writing about the goodness of God and what I experienced on that trip. It was a short post to my then writing community about my journey and the lessons that God had shown me during that time, and I hoped that the words I had written, encouraged and inspired someone else. The next thing I knew, God placed it in my heart to write the following post the next Sunday.

So…now here I am, 3 Inspirational Books, countless Essays, 571 Sunday Devotionals and 2500+ Blog posts, (and few speaking engagements) later, and to God be all the glory for His plans! I thank Him, that every Sunday Devotional. Not one is the same—Five-hundred-seventy-one original posts, inspired by Holy Spirit. God is great! And I thank God for you! For being apart of this fellowship and ministry. I pray God’s continued blessings on your life.

God’s Plan

Galatians 6:9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

We will not always see what God has in store for us but we can be confident in whatever God has ordained. It all good with God. While we are waiting for those manifestations, do not give up when those rough patches hit. Do not walk away from God and His blessings on your life because you feel you have been waiting too long and God is not answering.

Each day you wake up is proof that God is not only answering but also has a plan for you. He has heard your prayers and is aligning things in the order in which they should be. He is also removing people, places, and things that would be a hindrance to His ordained will coming forth in your life.

Trust God, Beloveds! Trust His process and trust what He has ordained for you before you even entered the realm of time. Sometimes we think we should be going right and something will take place, adjusting our coordinates. That is God, placing us in position to receive His blessings and His anointed plan for our lives.

God is not a man that He should lie, nor the son of man that He should repent. Whatever God has ordained and spoken for your life will come to pass. (Numbers 23:19) He will make certain what He has spoken will manifest in His due season.

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 not look like it right now but God has a purpose and plan for your life. Though things may not be happening according to your timetable and the way you thought it should be; trust God and His process, knowing that God cannot lose; especially when it comes to you. His plans are far greater than anything you could ever imagine or plan for yourself. This will become evident with the more you exercise your faith and trust God to be whom He is without giving up. God has you, Beloved. Believe that! You are blessed. Now go…and be a blessing!

©2018. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.

"Straight From The Heart"

Reflections4Life™ July 22, 2018

“Straight From the Heart”

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:21

Scripture Contemplation: Genesis 6; Psalm 4; 10:17; 34; Lamentations; Hosea 10; John 7

©Ruthe McDonald

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N this world, we are unfortunately surrounded with all manner of evil. The closer it gets for the return of Christ, the colder and more evil the world waxes. It fights against all that is holy; scoffs at what is righteous, and detests what is godly. Fortunately, God is with His children. He is amidst His creation and He is consistently knocking on the doors of our hearts, waiting for an invitation to come in and to take care of every situation; delivering us from the mess we have created, as well as the mess of those who say they love us. Make no mistake. God knows our hearts and in order for us to receive, we must ask, and we must ask straight from our hearts.

I decree that this week’s Reflections are a continued source of encouragement and inspiration for your heart mind and soul. However, there may be many things happening in your life, and you may not know which way to turn or if the pain of your heart will ever dissipate; come to God with all of it. There is nothing we face that God cannot handle. He is the solution to our problems, the answers to the questions, the healing for the hurts that burden our souls. Trust the Father today, and come straight from the heart. God can handle it. No matter what it is.

Unburden Your Heart to the Lord

Joshua 23:14 “And now I am about to go the way of all the earth, and you know in your hearts and souls, all of you, that not one word has failed of all the good things that the Lord your God promised concerning you. All have come to pass for you; not one of them has failed.

If there is one thing that I am certain of, is that God hears our prayers before we utter one word. He knows our hearts. If no one else knows who we are, how bad we hurt, the Father certainly does. He knows all about the heartaches, the pains, the disappointments, and even the confusion.

The Father desires for us to unburden our hearts to Him; to let go of everything that we have been holding onto and more than likely hiding from others. There are many who are walking around with heartache and hurt that has been like a heavy boulder upon their chests and shoulders. They have carried it for so long, that it cripples their lives and emotions.

Mentally, we are distracted, spiritually wounded, and physically pained. It is too much. Every aspect of our lives is affected. Far too many have been praying for death, losing all hope and faith. How can we possibly receive what God has for us if we are preoccupied with the things of our heart, and a mind that hurts, causing doubt about the power of God, and who we are in Him?

Whatever God has spoken, He will make certain it happens. In the meantime, we must unburden our hearts to the Lord, and receive what He has for us. Is it easy? Nope. Especially with the enemy after us. We must remind ourselves that all that He has spoken will happen.

A Changed Heart and Renewed Mind

Ezekiel 36:26 And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.

Ephesians 4:23-24 …be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

Allow God to renew and protect your heart, Beloveds. Let His Spirit renew your mind. Do not allow the trials of this earth; this world, consume you to the point that you walk away from the very promises of God. The very thing you have been praying and waiting for. Keep your heart open to God, and put on your armor, daily. However, the battle belongs to God, it is a fierce one, and we must be prepared.

Beloved, I can only come from my heart and be candid with you. I know the hurt, the pain, and the heartaches. I understand the hopelessness and helplessness that can overwhelm you until it feels as though it is choking you; slowly wrapping its fingers around your heart; trying to crush it, along with every dream, and all hope you have ever had for your life. The enemy tries to crush your faith and love of God, along with all God has blessed you with and promised you. He will try everything to strip you bare and make you walk away before its manifestations. Especially when you are right at the door, that God is opening.

I know! I am there right now! I have to be honest with you, so you understand that you are not alone. My heart feels like it is in a billion little pieces; as if it will never come together again. My mind drifts on a daily basis, wondering if there was something, anything I could have done differently. Is there something wrong with who I am? What about the seeds I have sown? Did I not sow in love? Have I asked amiss? Was my heart not in the right place? All of these questions and so many more go through my heart and mind on a daily basis through this difficult time in my life, as the storm rages.

But for God! God has made a promise to me. I do not know Him to be a liar. Sometimes the enemy is coming after you hot and heavy from all sides, launching an attack that seems impossible to overcome or get through. He comes after you relentlessly, not letting up, as he whispers lies into your ears every chance he gets. He parades in front of you your worse fears, brings to mind your worst pains and every mistake. He is like an army all by himself, that has scaled a full-on attack and seems to have more firepower and ammunition, and inside information on your weaknesses and Achilles heel. He throws your past against you and everyone and thing that has hurt you. He reminds you of everyone who has abandoned, rejected, and hurt your heart, and then seeks to amplify those feelings until you can hardly think, less much speak the word and promises of God in your life.

No matter what you are facing, you can make it through if you do not give up and you trust God to see you through. Do not allow your heart to be hardened and your mind closed to the truth of God; even if you do not understand it or can see God moving. Know that He is, and understanding will come if you faint not.

It is the Love

Song of Solomon 8:6 Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm, for love is strong as death, jealousy is fierce as the grave. Its flashes are flashes of fire, the very flame of the Lord.

It is the love, Beloveds. It the unconditional, powerful, transforming, healing, life-changing love of God that makes all of the difference. We just have to believe and have faith.

There is nothing more powerful, whole, more healing than the love of God. God is love, and His love for you is stronger than anyone and anything—including your parents, spouse, sibling, best friend. At the end of the day, and every battle—it was and will always be the love of God that destroys the enemy while simultaneously renewing and uncovering what He has already placed in your heart. He will bring to pass every promise He has given you; every vision He has shown you; every promise He has made. You must stand your ground against the devil; standing in the uncompromising unconditional love of the Father.

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. Beloved, nothing comes close to the healing and transforming love that God hoards for His creation. When we dare to believe God and stand on His word, coming straight from our heart; we gain a strength we never realized we have. We fill our minds and hearts with the word and promises of God, reminding ourselves that with God on our side, how can we not win the race that God has secured with the precious gift of Jesus Christ. You are blessed. Now go…and be a blessing.

©2018. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.

"Take a Second Look"

Reflections4Life™ July 15, 2018

“Take a Second Look”

“O Lord, You have searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up; You understand my thought from afar. You scrutinize my path and my lying down And are intimately acquainted with all my ways. Even before there is a word on my tongue, Behold, O Lord, You know it all.” Psalm 139:1-4 (NASB)

Scripture Contemplation: Psalm 139, Jeremiah 29, Zechariah 9, 2 Corinthians 10…

©Ruthe McDonald.

Have

 you ever looked over your life, wondering why some things continue to happen over and over again? Why the constant struggles? Why the same mistakes? Why, when you have repented, confessed, and asked for forgiveness and moved on?

It sometimes feels as though you are in a constant cycle. Everything starts to get better than at some point, the past is repeating itself, and you seem to be right back where you started or worse. Perhaps it’s time to take a second look. Second looks, at your heart, at the way you think, how you speak to yourself, what you believe, and who is in your circle.

I decree that this week’s Reflections will be a continued source of encouragement and inspiration for your heart, mind, and soul. Allow the love of God to fill your heart and open your eyes to that which you may have hidden within your soul, allowing it to cleanse you and free you from all negative strongholds and evil imaginations.

Our Inner Dialogue

Did you ever stop to think about your inner dialogue? What is it that you are saying to yourself on a daily basis? Many are not conscious of the fact that they are continually speaking negative things to themselves. Some have accepted the lies and whispers of the enemy, and those he uses, to become their truth.

It can be subtle. A thought here, a whisper there, but the negative thoughts never denounced. If we do not pull them down or reject them, those thoughts are cataloged; stored somewhere in our mental, where it takes root and begins to sprout bad fruit. The bad fruit is the way we now see ourselves, the things we get into, the habits we cannot let go of, the opinions we have of ourselves, and the garbage and abuse we accept from others.

Many of us are not even aware of this. We do not realize this about ourselves, especially when things may be going well for a while. It isn’t until we find ourselves in a familiar crisis that we question what is going on.

Our mindset, inner dialogue, and old baggage have much to do with our current situation and experiences. There are things in our lives that we must confront. There are also things that we may not even be aware of that are lingering in hearts and are a hindrance to the move of God in our lives.

We must take a second look and search ourselves; searching our hearts and be completely honest with ourselves. We must be willing to see and hear the truth and be ready to get rid of those negative strongholds.

The Circle We Keep

We cannot allow the opinions and thoughts of others to rule us. We cannot allow the hurt and pain inflicted by others to dictate our lives. We cannot allow resentment and un-forgiveness to reside within our hearts. These things obstruct our path. They muddy the road of righteousness. They can prevent us from breaking through those painful reoccurring.

Not everyone that may be in our circle is there for us. They may have a whole other agenda (Judas). The enemy will use whomever he can to infiltrate our hearts and minds; to discredit the will and work of God in our lives. Their words and whispers can become a stronghold, as they create dissension and disrupt the flow of our lives. Their grip and influence on our lives must be broken; even if that means allowing God to remove them. 
 

It is Time to Break Free

One of the saddest things I have witnessed and to learn is the apparent comfortability many have with the cycle. They have become attached and acclimated to the dysfunction, hurt, pain, and abuse. Worse, they believe the lies of the enemy over the truth of God.

Beloveds, the world goes by what is seen. The way of the world is far removed from God. If we are going to overcome, declare, and stand in our victory, then we must fight the way God says to fight. There is no self-medicating here. There is no easy way out of a messy mind or destructive pattern. It is a process.

When we come to God and believe in Him, He has worked all things out concerning us. He has forgiven and given us a clean slate. But deliverance is a process. A process by which we are becoming who God says we are, as we let go of the lies and the pain of what others have said concerning us, and our own mistakes. We must forgive ourselves and receive what God has.

I have learned throughout my life journey with the Lord that, what we do not willingly confront will continue to show up in different ways in our lives. It will continue to be a thorn, a stronghold, until we face the truth, confront it, deal with it, and allow God truly to deliver us.

It is God’s Way or No Way

In order to break this cycle, to rid the mind and heart of the residue of afflictions by which God has already forgiven us of, things must be done God’s way. We must confess daily, what the Father says, and change the dialogue about yourself. We must search your hearts daily becoming mindful of our thoughts and attitude; willing to let go of some people, places, and things.

One of the hardest things, however, will be confronting our truth. It will be like looking into a mirror, bare before the Lord, and seeing every weakness, flaw, imperfection, and giving it all to God, and then seeing yourself through His eyes.

This is a fight that must be fought in the strength and wisdom of God. We must use spiritual weapons, and know that whatever God has spoken concerning us, it is the truth.

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 nothing too hard or difficult for God our Father. God will do just what He said. We must be willing to do what He has called of us. There are no shortcuts to deliverance. A process requires us to see the truth, accept the truth, and become the truth. In God is, healing, deliverance, freedom, peace, and love everlasting. It’s time to break the cycle, pull down those negative strongholds, and let the mind of Christ dwell in you richly! You are blessed. Now go…and be a Blessing!

©2018. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.

"Satan's Lies, God's Truth"

Reflections4Life™ July 8, 2018

“Satan’s Lies, God’s Truth”

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” John 10:10

Scripture Contemplations: 1 Chronicles 21; Job 1; 1 Peter 5; Isaiah 48; Romans 3; 9; 15…

©Ruthe McDonald.

There

 is so many duplicitous actions taking place in our world today, making it hard-pressed to trust anything that anyone says. When surrounded by a spirit of lies and deception, it makes it difficult to see, hear, and receive the truth. We raise a guard around our hearts and a filter over our ears to protect ourselves from deception and hurt. While at the same time running the risk of losing the blessings that God has placed in our lives, and ordained for us to have, because we have been manipulated by Satan’s lies, forgetting God’s truth that He spoke to us at the beginning of our journey, because nothing looks or appears, as it should. Yet, God admonishes each day to pull down the strongholds and to speak what He has spoken to our hearts and stand on His truth. Because just as those in the past—this is only a test—and if we faint not, not only will we reap the rewards of victory, all truth will be revealed as all lies are exposed.

I decree that this week’s Reflections are a continued source of encouragement and inspiration for your heart mind and soul. All that God has ordained for your life is coming to pass if you do not give up before seeing the victory. Though what you are facing today and have been facing for a while is taxing and having a profound effect upon your heart mind and soul, I implore you to continue to trust God and hold on to His promises. Meditate on the word and promises of God. Take some extra time this week and not only visualize what God has spoken to your heart, but also write down the plans that you desire God to bring to pass. See and speak on your future—where victory has manifested—and leave the present to God.

Satan’s Lies

1 Peter 5:8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

We may not understand it or even believe it, but God really is in control and Satan can do nothing without God’s permission. If God is giving Satan permission to mess with you, then you can believe that what God has for you is far greater than you could ever imagine. Whatever God is, allowing the enemy to do and bring into your life is designed to make you stronger, to open your eyes and heart, and prepare for the greatness that lies ahead of you.

There is no truth in Satan. He seeks to devour us. He comes to kill, steal, and destroy. To kill hopes dreams, faith, and lives. To steal our destinies, the promises of God in our lives, to steal our mind, our mental health. To rob us of relationships, marriages, and friendships. To destroy our joy and happiness.

The enemy does not care what he has to do to accomplish his goal, or who he will use. He will use those closest to you—husbands, wives, children, friends, family, etcetera. It does not concern him, as long as his intentions are fulfilled, and you have relinquished, or given up on the blessings and promises of God.

Make no mistake: the enemy is a master liar and manipulator and knows how to make something appear real just so he can destroy you; king all of your faith and the love that you have in your heart.

This is why the Apostle Paul reminds us in Ephesians 6 that we wrestle not against flesh and blood and admonishes us to place on the armor of God each and every day. We have to remember who we are and whose we are, as well as what God says concerning our walk and blessings in Him. Also the fact that the enemy has no power except for the power we give him; especially by what we are thinking and allowing our minds to dwell on, on a consistent basis without pulling down the strongholds and pleading the blood of Jesus over our mind and heart.

Satan is a liar. Even when it sounds plausible and like the truth, he twists things to fit his agenda—to kill steal and destroy God’s creation. This is personal for him and it should be personal for us, too.

God’s Truth

Numbers 23:19 God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?

We may not understand the ways and thoughts of God but we can be assured that His word is the truth and what He has ordained for our lives will certainly come to pass if we continue to trust Him, believe Him, and walk obediently.

Beloveds; God cannot lie. His truth stands out from all darkness. Whatever He has ordained for our lives, whatever He has shown us and spoken to our hearts—we can believe that. He has a proven track record. However, many of us may have our doubts and we cannot understand how or why God would allow certain things to happen in our lives. Even when we cannot fathom why God would continue to allow lies to prevail when He knows and understands our hearts and what we hold dear—God will always speak the truth and make it known in His timing.

We all should be familiar with the story of Job. If not, please take some time and study it, and if possible read some commentaries on this pivotal chapter on withstanding the wickedness and taunts of the enemy. God had a plan for Job. To bless him twice as much. But there was some growth and strength that Job needed in his life. Some pride and pomposity that needed to be removed. God used the enemy, who came accusing God and his creation. God gave Satan permission to do what he will but he could not take Job’s life. Though Job went through a myriad of emotions, one thing remained true: Job’s worship and belief that God would see him through ushered him into a season of double blessings. Right into the place, that God had for Job all along.

Finally

This, Beloved, is what God desires for us, to manifest His best in our lives. Listen; God cannot and will not lie to us. No matter what something looks like, or how many times someone says, something to infer that God does not care about us. God is not a liar. We may not have an understanding to all the whys but we still have the word and promises of God before us, and all we have to do is stand our ground against the enemy and his lies and believe the truth that God has spoken to our heart and soul.

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. Whatever you do, Beloved, I implore you to not give up or to give in and fall for Satan’s lies. Trust God. Trust God’s truth. Allow Him to manifest in your life, the promises you have been waiting for. You are so close. Closer than you think. How do I know? Because the closer you get to the promises and manifestations of God’s promises and blessings, the harder the enemy comes against you. The more elaborate and convincing Satan’s lies become. Just remember these two things: 1. God cannot lie. 2. You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you. You are blessed. Now go…and be a blessing!

©2018. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.

"Crossing The Finish Line"

Reflections4Life™ July 1, 2018

“Crossing the Finish Line”

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” 2 Timothy 4:7

Scripture Contemplations: Ecclesiastes 9:11; Jeremiah 12:5; Nahum 2; 1 Corinthians 9:25; Hebrews 12:1

©Ruthe McDonald.

W

E are running a faith marathon. From the moment we enter this earth, the stopwatch begins. Throughout our life’s journey, we are running countless races within this one great marathon. Some races we win, some we lose, but at every race, the goal is to cross the finish line. The victory is not coming in first; it is in accomplishing the goal you have set for yourself; finishing the race, crossing the finish line.

I decree that this week’s Reflections is a continued source of encouragement and inspiration for your heart mind and soul. Spend some quality time in the presence of the Lord this week. Allow Him to fill your spirit and prepare you for this marathon of faith and every race you will run. There is something great that God wants to bless you with this week but it will require you setting some things aside and having an open heart and mind to the move and hand of God.

Do Not Grow Weary

Galatians 6:9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

In our life’s journey and the countless races will run, tiredness and fatigue will come. Sometimes we will not have the energy to run at full speed but we will have to jog or walk, and that is okay as long as we do not give up and stop moving toward the goal of the finish line.

Every race, there are valuable life lessons to be learned. Some races we will win and some we will lose but in all races, we will learn something; gain knowledge and wisdom that we will take with us in the next race and that will equip us for this marathon of faith that we are in.

Do not grow weary of doing what is right and working towards your goals. Keep in mind the finish line, all that you have to gain, where you want to go. We can be distracted with the trials of life and the hurdles placed before us. It is a guarantee that the enemy will do everything he can to trip us, make us give up, and to turn away from what God has placed in our heart. That is the enemy’s plan and purpose—to make us give up when we are so close to reaching the goals we have set before us and receiving the promises that God has ordained for our lives. But his ultimate goal is to knock you out the marathon of faith. The enemy seeks to steal, kill, and destroy who we are and all that God has ordained for us; his ultimate goal is to separate us from God for all eternity.

Though things may seem to be taking longer than you believe they should and almost every obstacle presents itself during your race, do not grow weary—to the point of exhaustion, where you want to give up and turn away from the path of righteousness. Let God be your strength and do not give up. Encourage yourself in the word of God. Surround yourself with likeminded individuals who will encourage you and inspire you, and even run alongside you in this marathon of faith.

It is Not about Speed or Strength

Ecclesiastes 9:11 Again I saw that under the sun the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to the intelligent, nor favor to those with knowledge, but time and chance happen to them all.

Zechariah 4:6 Then he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.

Many considered strong in faith have fell the hardest and the farthest. We can look at Samson to see his downfall. Many who are known to have speed and agility have been known to lose to someone who was once considered not as fast, such as the analogy of the tortoise and the hare.

The marathon we are in Beloveds is not about speed or strength. It is about endurance. Nor can it be won through might or our own power, but by the Spirit of God that works through us, giving us what we need to win not only the marathon, but also every race we find ourselves in along the journey of life.

We find in life that we will be up against many things that will try us as individuals, test our faith, and push many of our buttons. It is not always about how strong we are or how fast we can finish this race. It is about the lessons learned along the journey, and in each race, we run. Always something, we can take from every race that will help strengthen us for the next race we are in and that will aid us in the marathon along the way. We just have to let God lead us. Allow Him to be our Coach and to teach us and point out where we need growth, change, strength, and where we have done well.

We will only find this in our communication and relationship with our Heavenly Father. When we learn the pace of God, we gain wisdom and understanding, and we win more races, only to gain strength in our marathon. There is a lot to gain and see in the marathon of faith; a lot that God desires for us to have before getting to the finish line. Because the ultimate goal is not just crossing the finish line but also not crossing the finish line alone.

We Are Not in it Alone

Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us…

We are not alone in this marathon of faith, neither in every race. We have a cloud of witnesses on each side cheering us on; angels watching over us, and God poring His love and strength into us. They are there, whispering words of encouragement. Reminding us of the promises of God when we feel like giving up and wondering what this is all for. They are there to offer a cool drink of water. They are there to remind us of the call on our lives, the blessings that wait for us, the strength that resides in us, and there to cheer us on; giving us praise for not giving up but standing strong.

Of course, the enemy has his team on the sidelines trying to discourage us and make the load on our shoulders heavy and our minds filled with doubts and false images appearing real. They are there to trip us up, throwing hurdles and roadblocks, emptying our cups, so we have no water. Trying to deplete us of the nutrients we need to keep going. As well as having naysayers and negative people saying what we can’t do, reminding us of pasts and any and all mistakes we ever made.

However, God has raised up a remnant to run alongside of us. The more we continue to go forward, pushing pass pain and insecurities, all doubts and fears—we gain companions along the way. They see us, though we may not say anything—they are watching, some becoming encouraged in their own race. Before we know it, we are crossing the finish line one after the other and have gained many lives that are crossing the marathon finish line with us. For the true goal was never to cross it alone.

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. Run every race with valor and determination. Do not pay attention to the naysayers on the sidelines. Though you may lose some races, you will gain wisdom and strength and you will win in the most important race of all: the marathon of faith, bringing countless others as you cross the finish line into eternity with our Lord and Savior. You are blessed. Now go…and be a blessing.

©2018. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.