"Truth"

Reflections4Life™ January 27, 2019

“Truth”

“Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.” Psalm 51:6

Scripture Contemplation: 1 Kings 17; Psalm 5; 145:18; Proverbs 12; Isaiah 59; Amos 5:10

S

ometimes the hardest thing to do is to speak your truth; not because you are ashamed or afraid, but because of the way that some only seem to hear, see, and believe what they want to. It often leaves one feeling vulnerable and with a desire to remain quiet. Yet, if we do not speak our truth, then what someone else says in falsehood may become the only “truth” that people believe.

I decree that this week’s Reflections will be a continued source of encouragement and inspiration for your heart mind and soul. Whatever you do, Beloved, continue to live and stand in your truth. Let the God of truth reign in your heart and reveal to you what is inside of you and what resides in the heart of others that are around you.

Proverbs 12:19 Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment.

Truth … what a small and powerful word; far too many take for granted, and what many others refuse to see or believe. All around us seems to be some kind of deceit going on. The deceit that is affecting the lives of those we love and ourselves. Lies are being told to destroy lives, families, marriages, friendships, communities, governments, etcetera. There is a blatant disregard for the truth, and all that is Holy, sacred, godly. When those who dare to speak the truth, they are met with disdain and ridicule. We cannot hide the fact these are signs of the time in which the word of God warns us about. Though the deceit and wickedness abound, God’s truth prevails. Lying tongues will not last and the truth will endure for always … if we have faith.

How important is truth to you? Is the truth more important than you being right or having your own way? Can you recognize the truth in the face of facts or circumstances? Can you hear the heart of God speaking the truth to your heart? Will you believe it in spite of what you see with your natural eyes? I heard a profound statement last evening that I wholeheartedly agree with: The truth is the truth even when you don’t know it. How profound is that?

Even when we do not know something, the truth is still the truth, and the truth will prevail. Truth endures forever. It is unbreakable, sustainable through every lie, storm, and every falsehood and lying tongue. We may be ignorant to many things, but when God shines His light, the truth is made known. Ignorance is no longer an option when the truth is revealed.

John 8:44-46 (ESV) You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me. Which one of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me?

In being candid, one of my greatest pet peeves and probably also my thorn-in-the-side, is having my integrity and word questioned; especially when I, myself, have done nothing to warrant having my character assassinated. Regardless of the situation or circumstances presented, it is a blow to my heart and soul when someone I love and who says they love and know me, questions my word and integrity. It hurts deeply. However, what cuts to the core more than anything, is when they believe what is presented, and lose trust and faith in my word. They are supposed to know me, know my heart and what I stand for. Yet, even in that, and how much it hurts I still must stand in my truth and give it to God so that my heart does not grow bitter with anger and mistrust. Because at the end of the day, God always gets the last say and He brings not only vindication but also healing for the wounds of a broken heart.

I think of the heart of God and the sacrifice that Christ made to save us. How many times is the heart of God stricken when someone rejects Him? Jesus is the truth. He came into this world—the truth and the light—and was rejected. Yes, Jesus was accepted by many, but also crucified by many of the same people that had sung His praises. Hosanna! Hosanna! Went to, Crucify! Crucify! Their hearts were easily turned. Lies were told about Jesus. He was betrayed by a disciple—someone He spent intimate time with, teaching; who was around to witness the many miracles and deliverance. He sold Christ out for thirty pieces of silver. How many of us have sold ourselves for less? Who have we spoken lies against? Or, what lies and crafted plans have we believed against loved ones and people we once trusted so easily? What part have we played in the hurt of others because we believed well-planned lies and the whispers of Satan? How many more times will hurt the heart of God, and sting Him with the arrow of rejection?

My Beloveds, may the spirit of peace and prosperity find permanent rest in your lives. I decree that every good thing that God has ordained for your life will become evident to you. The truth was given to us. His Name is Jesus. He yearns to live in our hearts and fix all that is broken. He desires to mend our broken hearts, heal our wounds, and bless us with the strength and courage to always walk in and live our truths. To stand in the face of conviction, and rejection, and move forward, receiving all the greatness and love He has ordained for our lives. You are blessed. Now go … and be a blessing!

©2019. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.

"Running From the Past"

Reflections4Life™ January 20, 2019

“Running From the Past”

“And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience … But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved …” Ephesians 2: 1-2, 4-5

Scripture Contemplation: Ezekiel 18; Matthew 9; 26; Romans 8 … 

We spend an awful lot of time running from our past or trying to outrun our sins. Of which, neither can we do. We can never outrun our past or our sins but we can definitely learn the lessons we need in order to grow, leave our past in the past, where it belongs, repent of our sins, forgive ourselves, and accept God’s forgiveness and move on—freely because of forgiveness—to the life that God has ordained for us.

I decree that this week’s Reflections is a continued source of encouragement and inspiration for your heart, mind, and soul. Allow God to fill your heart and soul with His very presence this week. Lay to rest your past and every misstep, failure, or mistake. Take the lessons, learn them well, and be open to our Heavenly Father and with all that He desires to bless your life.

Are you not tired, yet? Are the circumstances and situations not tiring enough? Does the truth really hurt that much that you are willing to sacrifice the blessings and healing of God in your life? Nothing, Beloved, is more freeing and liberating than accepting the will of God for your life and walking in it with confidence and certainty that not only has God forgiven you, He has freed you to move forward and walk in the fullness of the blessings that He has ordained for your life.

Yet, here we are; so many running from our pasts and the sins we have committed; too guilty and ashamed of ourselves that we can’t even fathom forgiving ourselves, let alone God forgiving us. Yet, that is exactly what the Father has done, and we often fail to do—forgive ourselves and move on.

Many cannot forgive themselves and move on, or stop running if they are not willing to first confront their past, repent of their sins, and listen to what God is speaking to their hearts; receiving it as truth and healing. Beloveds, we do not have to be afraid of anything or anyone; especially God our Father, our Creator. The One that knows every detail about who we were and who we are, today, in His presence and receiving of His love.

It is truly hard to and impossible to outrun one’s self. No matter where you go, there you are—with you. However, the great news is that God is there with you as well. The first thing we have to do is be honest. Yes. God knows everything already, so the confession is not so much about Him, as it is about us. How we see ourselves, to forgive ourselves, and to take the power and ammunition away from the enemy. There is no doubt that if given the opportunity, Satan will use any morsel he can to make you doubt your choices and who you are as a person, as a child of God. This is one of the reasons why we must stop running and start confronting because it renders the enemy’s attack against us mute.

The things we often run from are the things that hurt the most, but hold the most insight into where we need to go and what we need to do. We may have messed up and broken many things in our past but every day God grants us to see is a blessing; waiting for us to receive all that He has ordained for our lives on this earth, and not just in heaven.

There is a whole lot of life to be lived. Many experiences to be had; things to see, do, and feel. We cannot allow who we once were, the sins we have asked forgiveness for, and the taunts of the enemy make us forget who we are and whose we are. We are children of the Most High King, who has promised and granted us eternal life with Him, while simultaneously defeating the enemy for all eternity.

Ezekiel 18:22 None of the transgressions that he has committed shall be remembered against him; for the righteousness that he has done he shall live.

My Beloveds, may the spirit of peace and prosperity find permanent rest in your lives. I decree that every good thing that God has ordained for your life will become evident to you. Stop running from your past; from what hurt you, form the sins committed. Instead, start running to the promises of God for your life. Run into His outstretched arms where there are forgiveness, comfort, peace, joy, healing and all the strength you need to stop running and start living. You are blessed. Now go … and be a blessing.

©2019. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.

"The Fruit of Never Giving Up"

Reflections4Life™ January 13, 2019

“The Fruit of Not Giving Up”

“…holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.” Philippians 2:16

Scripture Contemplation: Proverbs 12:14; 14:14; Matthew 7; 1 Corinthians 15; Galatians 2

©Ruthe McDonald. "Through the Storms"

Every promise ever made by God is happening. However, it may seem to be taking a long time. And in the time of waiting, trials, tests, and circumstances out of our control can take place. They will both strengthen us and teach us lessons, or they will break us and have us giving up. While we are waiting, we are working; working towards the goals that God has ordained for our lives. We are also striving and determining not to give up. There is a harvest that comes from not giving up, the fruit of our labor. When we do not give up; when we press forward believing what God has spoken, having and walking in faith, we are creating an atmosphere conducive to the blessings of God waiting to manifest in our lives.

I decree that this week’s Reflections will be a continued source of encouragement and inspiration for your heart mind and soul. Beloved, be determined to run the race. Do not give up on the promises of God for your life and for the lives of those you love and have been praying for. Seek the Father. Pray earnestly and often. There is a harvest with your name on it. Good fruit from the labor, and prayers you have diligently given.

Sometimes in life, we reach a road in our lives that feel like things are at a standstill or, are going backward. It seems like there is no progression taking place when all we want to see are answers to our prayers, solutions to our problems, promises coming to pass. We are holding on, keeping the faith, continuing to believe in the word and promises of God. Yet, the opposition against us grows heavy, and the enemy’s whispers and taunts grow louder and bolder.

We are nearing the end of a race. The finish line—though not in sight—is actually right around the corner but the enemy would have us to believe it is much further along; that we are too far away to ever cross the finish line of our hopes, dreams, and visions. God, in His infinite love and mercies, has sent us encouragers, angels in both natural and supernatural form, to help us cross the finish line. Only, we have to cross that on our own. They are only there to bring encouragement and remind us of the promises of God. Only we can run our race but if we pay attention, at many junctures, Christ has been carrying us. Right at those times, we thought we’d die; that we believed we couldn’t go on. Through the storms, the fires, the losses, the heartaches, and heartbreaks—Jesus has been carrying us, encouraging us to push forward; to not give up no matter what things appear to be.

The Father knows what waits for us, and so do we if we would dare to believe what God has promised us, and what we have asked for has been granted. Many of us are at a crossroads in our lives, wondering if all that we believed in and waited for was a wise choice or if we have been lied to, or made the wrong choice, or went the wrong way. It is often hard to see the finish line or to recognize the markers on the road that tell us we are almost to our destination because we have been distracted by the whispers and lies of the enemy. We have taken our eyes off God, stopped speaking what He has spoken over our lives, and have not pulled down the strongholds nor denounced the lies of the enemy, but instead, entertained them.

There will be brick walls, ditches, roadblocks, potholes, naysayers, liars, distractions, and a host of things along our life’s journey that we can and will overcome because God has said so, and we have made up our minds to believe the report of the Lord, and not turn away or turn back. This stance—never giving up—produces a harvest of great fruit in our lives. We are closer to our breakthrough and miracles than we know. When we do not give up, we are producing strength, character, faith, and great fruit. Whatever God has spoken and declared over your life, believe Him, and walk accordingly.

I have held on, believing the word of God. I have kept it hidden in my heart, even when I had no understanding. Now the fog is lifting, and I am seeing the meaning behind so many trials and tests. My praying was not in vain. Neither was my labor. I now understand I was not ready for the magnitude of the blessings of God …then. Now I am ready. Hallelujah!

My Beloveds, may the spirit of peace and prosperity find permanent rest in your lives. I decree that every good thing that God has ordained for your life will become evident to you. Do not rush the process or try to move ahead of God. Allow His will to unfold in your life as God has an abundance of things He desires to make known in your life. Trust Him where you cannot trace Him. Let the reward of never giving up be your portion today and every day that God grants you. You are blessed. Now go … and be a blessing.

©2019. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.

"Happy New Year To The Authentic You"

Reflections4Life™ January 6, 2019

“Happy New Year to the Authentic You”

^“from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love …” Ephesians 3:15-17

Scripture Contemplations: Isaiah 63; Psalm 77; 139:1; Matthew 13; John 5:39

©Ruthe McDonald. "Self Portrait"

Happy New Year, Beloveds! I do not know about you, but I am excited about what God is doing in 2019! I am excited about the breakthroughs, the miracles, the supernatural, the manifest blessings and answers to long ago prayers. I am also excited to see people start to shake off the sins of their past and who they used to be, and the echoes of what people have called and thought of them. I am excited to see their authentic selves come shining through! All masks fallen, all chains and bondages broken! Praise God!

I decree that this week’s Reflections will be a continued source of encouragement and inspiration for your heart mind and soul. This is it, Beloved! This is your year to see the revelations of God unfold before you, and your authentic self, come forth from under all the debris that has been heaved on you over the years, stagnating you, and robbing you of the fullness of God’s blessings.

Who are you, Beloved? Who are you on the inside? Who is the person you see past the mirror, past your natural eyes, past the words of others? Can you see them? Can you see yourself when you close your eyes and picture your future? Do you have the ability to visualize your life as God has spoken to you? Have you seen in your heart and soul; in your mind’s eye, the promises of God fulfilled; the blessings manifested? One of the things I learned for certain is that when you truly believe what God has spoken concerning your life, and you write that vision down, memorizing it, visualizing it, it will come to pass. I’ve also learned that what you struggle to see, to visualize, is often not believed in the heart and rarely comes to pass because doubts and unbelief have settled, instead, in the heart.

In this New Year, God is calling us higher; higher in our faith, in our walk, in our communication and relationship with him. With everything going on in the world around us, it is a fight for many to know who they are and where they fit in, let alone see in their hearts who God says they are. Our opinion of ourselves holds a lot of weight in how we move forward in life, and if we fully grab a hold of what God has ordained for our lives.

God sees us. He knows who we are. Even the person we try to hide from others and even ourselves, at times. We can paint ourselves in the best possible light. Show things of ourselves that only we want to be shown, or seen by others. Yet, none of it changes the fact that God knows us. He sees the authentic us. He knows everything about us. The longer we run from the truth, the harder the fall to our knees. I’d rather humble myself before God humbles me. I’d rather believe what God says of me than spend a lifetime believing what others speak over my life. They did not create me. They do not know my heart. And they surely do not know all that God has ordained for my life.

I encourage you in this New Year to allow the authentic you shine through. It does not matter who accepts you or does not. Who supports you or not. What matters is that you are finally living your truth and following the steps laid before you by our Heavenly Father who loves you and seeks to bless you abundantly every single day.

My Beloveds, may the spirit of peace and prosperity find permanent rest in your lives. I decree that every good thing that God has ordained for your life will become evident to you. Beloveds, the real you—the authentic you that you have been protecting all of this time—is a lot stronger and capable than you give them credit for. Forget about the rejection of man and concentrate on the blessings and acceptance of God. Let this New Year see the best version of you—the authentic blessed and highly favored you. You blessed. Now go … and be a blessing!

©2019. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.

"If God Allowed It, Then It Can't Defeat You"

Reflections4Life™ December 30, 2018

“If God Allowed It, Then It Cannot Defeat You”

“Does anyone dare despise this day of small beginnings? They’ll change their tune when they see Zerubbabel setting the last stone in place!” Going back to the vision, the Messenger-Angel said, “The seven lamps are the eyes of God probing the dark corners of the world like searchlights.” Zechariah 4:10 (MSG)

Scripture Contemplation: Zechariah 4; Nehemiah 3; 4; Psalm 37; John 16

©Ruthe McDonald. Winter Wonderland.

If there is one thing that I am confident in, as this year ends, is that God has been with me and will always be with me throughout it all. All of the ups and downs, the heartaches, the blessings, the hopes, the dreams, the failures, the deaths—God has been with me through it all and I am still here. I am a lot stronger than I thought I could ever be. Even after decades of salvation, I continue to learn something new each and every day when I surrender all to God and let Him have His way in my life and all things concerning me. The greatest lesson I have learned is that, if God allows it [tests, trials, afflictions, etcetera], then it cannot defeat you. I will always win with God on my side and I trust Him implicitly.

I decree that this week’s Reflections will be a continued source of inspiration and encouragement for your heart mind and soul. DO not allow the current situation or circumstances stop you from living your best life. Do not allow it to stop your progression in the will of God. Instead, allow to propel you ahead. To, give you strength and joy, knowing that God has declared and decreed your victory, and you just have to ride out the storm.

It is difficult to see the bright side of anything when you are in a lot of pain, or circumstances and situations do not make any sense to your senses, and you do not know or understand the whys. Yet, that is what God wants us to do; He wants us to see His visions for our life. To concentrate on what we have always known in our hearts, that God is not a man that He should lie, and that no matter what we face in this lifetime, it is no match for the word that God has spoken over our lives. In fact, the tests, trials, and all of the crazy situations are there to strengthen us and develop us into the person that God ordained us to be before we ever entered the realm of time.

John 16:33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world, you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Beloveds, there is nothing in this world that we cannot overcome because Christ Himself overcame the world and so can we. No matter what comes at us; no matter what the enemy tries, God is with us and He will turn it all around for us. He will grant us double for our shame. Restore and multiply what the enemy has stolen from us, and what we ignorantly let go of.

Know this: whatever God is allowing to come at us. Whatever affliction, adversity, or storm has come into our lives that seem impossible to overcome—know that we can and will overcome. God has destroyed enemies for us. He has and will always have what is best for us. We just have to maintain faith and believe. Because, if God has allowed it, then there is no way it can defeat us when God has already decreed that we win! These are only storms, tests, and trials to strengthen us, and get us into position for where God has ordained us to be all along. We just have to continue to believe and trust that God knows what He is doing and how to bless us accordingly!

Beloveds, I pray over your lives the blessings of Amos 9:13-15:

 “Yes indeed, it won’t be long now.” God’s Decree.

“Things are going to happen so fast your head will swim, one thing fast on the heels of the other. You won’t be able to keep up. Everything will be happening at once—and everywhere you look, blessings! Blessings like wine pouring off the mountains and hills. I’ll make everything right again for my people Israel: “They’ll rebuild their ruined cities.
They’ll plant vineyards and drink good wine.
They’ll work their gardens and eat fresh vegetables.
And I’ll plant them, plant them on their own land.
They’ll never again be uprooted from the land I’ve given them.”
God, your God, says so.

My Beloveds, may the spirit of peace and prosperity find permanent rest in your lives. I decree that every good thing that God has ordained for your life will become evident to you. Embrace every trial and every test with the knowledge that God has allowed it because He knows the blessings that await you. Do not despise small beginnings, or the tests and trials; instead, give God the praise for trusting you with such responsibility, and the faith He has in you to make it through to your promised land, and His double anointing that is just for you. Blessings to a brighter and abundant New Year! You are blessed. Now go … and be a blessing!

©2018. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.

"The Wonder of it All"

Reflections4Life™ December 23, 2018

“The Wonder of it All”

“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” Luke 2:11-14

Scripture Contemplation: Matthew 1; Luke 2

"Life in Dead Winter" ©Ruthe McDonald.

Take a moment and bring to mind the one thing you want more than anything else right now. What is that one thing, that if you could snap your fingers, you would have it already? Something tangible but you know would take a long time to achieve or almost impossible for you. Got it? Okay, now picture God not only granting that one thing but also blessing you with even greater. No matter what you came up with, God guarantees to do even more than what you could ever think or imagine possible.

I decree that this week’s Reflections will be a continued source of encouragement and inspiration for your heart mind and soul. As we celebrate this wonderful birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ, let us take a moment to reflect upon the goodness of God in our lives. Forget about the things that are not what you like or want right now. Instead, meditate on the things that are, and that you know God has done in your life; especially those things and moments that you know that if it had not been for God you would not be here.

Sometimes when I think on the goodness of God, I get overwhelmed. When I think of all that God has done to reconcile His creation to Himself; to save us from an eternity without Him, my heart gets overwhelm from the share love and wonder of it all. Think about it; God sent Himself into this world, putting on the flesh, subjecting himself to the weaknesses, whims, and often hollowness that often accompany the flesh, just to save us. He became flesh to save flesh, to save the very ones that reject, accuse, abuse, use, and lie on Him. He came, not as a fully-grown man with no idea of the angst of growing up, but as an infant, taught and raised in a home with many different dynamics, but also knowing He was set apart. Wow! The wonder of it all.

It is a shame that many of us do not talk about the birth of Christ until the holidays. That, we do not acknowledge the miraculous, wonderful, awesomeness of our Creator, and His One gift that continues to give and give for all time. It is sad how we have commercialized such an advent and meaning of the birth of Christ, when it should be an everyday conversation, which leads to the acknowledgement, acceptance, and receipt of Christ in one’s life. Christ, for those who would believe, should be at the center of our lives, guiding and teaching us His ways, and how to not only navigate this world we live in, but also how to overcome it.

The wonder of it all, is how this one miraculous birth change the world, and how we, as believers can continue to change the world. Not by as much what we say but in what we do, and how we treat one another. Not judging but lifting one another up; encouraging those who need encouragement and supporting one another in our walk instead of tearing down.

Can you imagine the power surrounding the birth of Christ; the power that was circulating in the air that even the enemy knew something was up and it was not going away but coming to take his power and dethrone him for good? Imagine that power circulating around us today, cracking in the atmosphere so hard that the enemy is shaking because he understands the sign of the times, and this his days are numbered.

Right now, there is a mixture of feelings and far too many that are doubting the love of God in the midst of a year that has been fraught with so much hatred and frivolities that it has some hard-pressed to figure out who is actually for them or just using them. We are in a wondrous season where miracles are more prone to take place. It is like, for a moment, a curtain is opened and the goodness and kindness of men are being seen and felt around the world, and making an impact that is needed more now than ever before.

The wonder of it all is that we can and should be experiencing this same joy all year long and we can if we would put into practice the same things that people are doing right now. We must first have it in our hearts and not allow life’s circumstances to change what we believe. Neither changes our faith in God. We must stand steadfast and believe in what God says, even throughout our adversities and afflictions.

Trials in this life will come. There is no escaping that. We need only to look to Jesus to understand, but also look at the fact He overcame. Throughout it all, God is here for us and with us. He is waiting for us to align ourselves with Him, remember whose we are, and that He has blessed us to be blessings.

My Beloveds, may the spirit of peace and prosperity find permanent rest in your lives. I decree that every good thing that God has ordained for your life will become evident to you. The birth of Christ assured us a place at the table with the Father, a gift that continues to give. and multiplies as we yield ourselves to the Father and hold onto faith, never letting go. Have a very    Merry Christmas my dear friends. May your heart and days be filled with wonder and miracles every day! You are blessed. Now go … and be a blessing!

©2018. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.       

"God's Grace and His all Surpassing Peace"

Reflections4Life™ December 16, 2018

“God’s Grace and His all Surpassing Peace”

“Then, because you belong to Christ Jesus, God will bless you with peace that no one can completely understand. And this peace will control the way you think and feel.” Philippians 4:7

Scripture Contemplation: Isaiah 26; 1 Corinthians 15:10; Ephesians 2:8-9; Philippians 4

T

here are many things that bring comfort to this world for some, and many things that bring no comfort to anyone. Yet, God’s grace and His peace should bring all man’s soul comfort. The comfort of knowing that God has us covered, even when we cannot cover ourselves, and that He can and will grant us peace in the midst of chaos, and the storms that continue to come. God is our anchor; the One that keeps us tethered to divine life and His ordained will for our lives.

I decree that this week’s Reflections will be a continued source of encouragement and inspiration for your heart mind and soul. Take some quality time this week and search your heart. Search your heart to know if the grace and peace of God are residing there. Do yourself a favor and make room for God, for His grace and His peace. You will never know the greatness you have been missing until your heart and mind aligns with the Spirit of God that is residing in you.

Do you really know the grace and peace of God? Many say they do but have truly yet to taste the goodness of God and all that He has made available for us. The Father’s love is encompassing. It surrounds us, fills us, calls to us, yearns for us to believe in it and accept it. Yet, we are a skeptical creation. Due to years of man’s manipulative ways, the lies, let downs, and disappointments, we do not truly trust in the goodness of God, let alone His grace and His peace. We do not really believe that the grace of God can be that easy to accept, nor His peace, that force, that quiets all the chaos in our lives. Yet they are.

Ephesians 2:8-9 You were saved by faith in God, who treats us much better than we deserve. This is God’s gift to you and not anything you have done on your own. It isn’t something you have earned, so there is nothing you can brag about.

God’s grace is a gift to us, not something that we can earn or buy. It just is. By His grace, we are saved and we are treated far better than our sinful lives have dictated. It is and will always be a gift from our Heavenly Father, who has extended to us, His unconditional love in many different ways, without pointing out our faults and flaws.

We walk around in this world carrying heavy burdens. Burdens from our past, from mistakes and failures, from the mouths of other people, that we forget the sovereignty of our God and that He is not a man, nor does He judge as man does. We cannot continue to place God on the same level that we do one another and walk in the fullness of His grace and love that He has ordained for each of our lives.

If we think we can take advantage of His grace, then we know nothing of God. The Father knows our thoughts before we think them. He knows what we are going to do before we do it. God allows things to happen because He knows and understands who we are. He knows the plans that He has for our lives. Make no mistake; God is in control.

Isaiah 26:3 The Lord gives perfect peace to those whose faith is firm.

Unbelievably, God blesses us with a peace that many others will never understand. A peace is far above our human consciousness. A peace that controls how we think and feel. A peace, that will have you calm and cool when everything around you is in utter chaos. It is the peace of God residing in us that surpasses all understanding and interpretation.

How do we get this kind of peace? We get it when we receive Christ as our personal Savior. This peace is already in us when God is in us. Think about this: Everything that God resides in us. Every character, power, strength—all of it—is inside of us when we accept Christ as our personal Savior. The moment we said yes to God, He immediately awoke in us, all that He ordained for us since creation. It is a matter of us believing it, accepting it and then receiving it. Allowing the peace of God to have ruled in our lives. This is the kind of peace that has us believing God, even when everything and everyone around us may be speaking the opposite.

My mother would answer our phone with the same greeting for years: “Grace and Peace!” She would say it in a sing-song voice, that would in some way, comfort whoever called. I finally got what my mother was doing: each time she spoke those words … those powerful words … she was making a declaration for her and the caller. She was declaring God’s grace and peace; God’s grace over her and the caller’s life, and the manifestations of the peace of God. Also, she was being certain that no matter what the call was concerning, there would continue to be the grace and peace of God. There is nothing more powerful that God’s grace and peace.

My Beloveds, may the spirit of peace and prosperity find permanent rest in your lives. I decree that every good thing that God has ordained for your life will become evident to you. God’s grace is free. All we have to do is say, Yes, Lord. We maintain a level of peace when we maintain our faith. Our faith is maintained by spending quality time in the presence of God; accepting His grace and His instructions in our life. Declare and decree today, the grace and peace of God over and in your life. You are blessed. Now go … and be a blessing!

©2018. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.

"Are You Prepared?"

Reflections4Life™ December 9, 2018

“Are You Prepared?”

“For you, yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.” 1 Thessalonians 5:2

Scripture Contemplations: Matthew 25; 1 Peter 5:7-9; 2 Peter 3:10; Revelation 3:3 …

©Ruthe McDonald.

How prepared are we for the coming of the Lord? Are we as prepared as we believe we are? If Christ came back for His bride—the church—without a spot or wrinkle, how many of us can say we are ready without second-guessing who we are and the actions we have portrayed over the years. How ready are we when we see in the world, those who call themselves believers, not walking in any of the statutes sanctioned by God, and behaving far removed from the character of Christ?

I decree that this week’s Reflections will be a continued source of encouragement and inspiration for your heart mind and soul. I implore you to spend some quiet and quality time in the presence of God this week. It is time for a heart-check and to know and understand how prepared you are if Christ was to come back right now.

Last week, I had a conversation with my brother about how different the church is then when our mother raised us and the kind of church we were used to and the dedication and love that was present but seem to be missing now. He encountered some men that were truly hurting, just as I encountered some women. They poured out their hearts and expressed a need for someone to pray for them. To really, truly, and sincerely pray for them. My brother and I was were raised and taught to allow the Holy Spirit to lead you, and at times, He admonishes you to pray right then and there no matter where you were or the situation.

As my brother and I continued our conversation, we had concluded that the church was no longer the same. The church now just seemed to be a building where people congregated, instead of “the church”—a body of believers, the bride of Christ—who are following the principles and heart of God and attending to the needs of the sheep and lambs that God has given us charge over. We are not witnessing the love and dedication that we witnessed when our Mom raised us. That element of urgency, unconditional selfless love, that drew people not only to the house of God but also to God with the knowledge that there were healing and acceptance in His house.

How can we know we are prepared for the coming of Christ if we cannot even get through the trials of what we face today? The heaviness; the heartaches, the disappointments all taking its toll on our hearts and minds, rendering us emotionally paralyzed and mentally tired, filled with hopelessness and despair. How prepared can we be if we are not even certain where to go when our hearts are overwhelmed, and we have no leaders to guide, pray, intercede or to teach us the way of the Lord.

We ask where the Church Mothers are of Old. Where are the Intercessors? The ones that would literally shut in the church, fast and pray for everyone—from the Pastor to the visitor that only came on Friends & Fellowship Sunday's for some good food and a piece of pound cake? Where are they? Are they all gone? I want to know because there are some hurting people out here. Grown men and women breaking down in tears, feeling alone and abandoned; not knowing which way to go because the weight of the world is on their shoulders and they just cannot deal with it?

Where are you? I know you are out there somewhere! I know I am not alone! God said He has a remnant in the land. If we are to be prepared for the coming of Christ, then we must start obeying His word and being the church, He called us to be. It's time to step up, make yourself known and begin praying for one another, interceding on behalf of these hurting and despondent hearts. It's time to make the devil run from you! It's time to stand like the Prophet Elijah against Jezebel and Ahab and let God show up and shut the enemy down.

My Beloveds, may the spirit of peace and prosperity find permanent rest in your lives. I decree that every good thing that God has ordained for your life will become evident to you. No more, cave dwelling. No more, fearing the enemy. No more uncertainty. There is power in the Blood of the Lamb. Power in the Name of Jesus. Power in our prayers. It is time for the true church of God to rise up; speak to the dry bones, commanding flesh and life to come back; bringing resuscitation to the body of Christ. You are blessed. Now go … and be a blessing!

©2018. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.

"Recompense & Favor"

Reflections4Life December 2, 2018

"Recompense & Favor"

            "I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the hopper, the destroyer, and the cutter, my great army, which I sent among you." Joel 2:25

Scripture Contemplations: Psalm 5; Isaiah 61; Joel 2; 2 Corinthians 6

     Shake off the shame of yesterday. Shut down the strongholds and whispers that tell you, you are not good enough. Let go of the hurtful things people have said over your life. Stand in confidence knowing that God not only has you covered but has also answered your prayers, and is restoring to you everything that the enemy has stolen. This is the season of recompense and favor. You will determine in you see the hand of God in your life.

     I decree that this week's Reflections is a continued source of encouragement and inspiration for your heart mind and soul. No longer look at what should have been or what may have gone wrong. Instead, replace those thoughts and mental pictures with the promises of God for your life.  I urge you to open the word of God this week, immersing yourself in His promises to you, your children, and your children's children. The wait is over and God is manifesting His blessings.

     Do not be preoccupied with the things that did not work out in your life. Whether it is relationships, employment, ideas, etcetera. Move on from it by getting in God's presence and staying there until He releases you. There is so much that our Heavenly Father desires for us; so much that He has ordained for us, but we are not still long enough for us to receive or to see the favor of God manifest in our lives.

     God knows our hearts. He understands and sees what is inside of us; already knowing our motives and what we truly desire. He knows how many times we have been let down, disappointed, discouraged, and how close we are to giving up.  Do not give up. Do not let go of what God has placed in your heart because it has not come to pass just yet. Do not turn away from God because the promise or vision is taking some time to manifest. God is moving on your behalf.

     Beloveds, God has already worked everything out. He has already declared and decreed a path of success for us. Sometimes the hurt and disappointments we experience in life creates a hard shell over our hearts and we find ourselves distancing ourselves from emotions and feelings until we are desensitized to the voice and Spirit of God.

    God is restoring what was stolen from you. He is restoring what we messed up. He is restoring what we allowed our ignorance to destroy. He is giving recompense for all that we have given in His Name. He is giving to us pressed down, shaken together, running over, blessings for all that we have given and sacrificed in His Name without complaint.

    The Father has seen the seeds sown. He knows about the favors. He knows about the sacrifices. He knows about the hurt and pain and the past mistakes and the regrets we carry. He knows it all and is washing it all away, as He restores us and blesses us for everything we have given up, lain aside, sacrificed, and suffered. He is doing it all, and all we have to do is say, Yes, Lord! Believe Him, and let Him have His way! God is on it!

     My Beloveds, may the spirit of peace and prosperity find permanent rest in your lives. I decree that every good thing that God has ordained for your life will become evident to you. Boldy walk in this season with faith and confidence in our heavenly Father; knowing in your heart that not only has He heard your prayers and your cries, He has already answered and has covered you in His divine favor, and is repaying you for everything you have either lost or was stolen from you on this journey. You are blessed. Now go...and Be a Blessing!

©2018. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.

"True to Self"

Reflections4Life™ November 25, 2018

“True to Self”

“Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.” Psalm 51:6

Scripture Contemplations: Psalm 51; John 8

©Ruthe Mcdonald.

There is something very powerful, life-affirming, and in all honesty, invigorating about knowing and believing the truth about yourself. To understand yourself with such conviction, that you walk each day you are blessed to see with conviction, certainty, and all complete faith in what God has ordained for your life. You are not afraid to take chances but at the same time are willing to move forward and push through even if fear is present. When you know and understand the truth about yourself, not only can you be true to self, but also that means you have gained a knowledge and wisdom of who God is. It is then that we can be about God’s business without any trepidation but with complete faith, boldness, and assurance about the word of God and who we are.

I decree that this week’s Reflections will be a continued source of encouragement and inspiration for your heart mind and soul. Spend this week, Beloveds, yielding to God. Expose your heart; confess your hurts, sins, anger, disappointments, and fears to Almighty God. He is not only listening but is waiting to reveal to you, the warrior that resides within you.

There are many circumstances that I have faced in my life—I am facing some right now—where I have questioned who I am and whether or not I was being true to myself. I will be candid totally authentic and transparent with you. Sometimes I wonder. I wonder if I am getting this whole life thing right.

Am I doing what I should be doing? Am I getting this Christian-living thing correct? Or am I totally screwing all of this up? Am I making a mess of my life? Or am I really where I need to be and right where God has ordained for me at this time in my life? And if I am—right where I should be?—then why do I feel like such a failure at times or like I am truly missing the mark?

All of these questions and more run through my mind at one time or another, and sometimes they swirl around in my mind for a while; crippling me from doing anything else. Here is another thing about me: I am an introvert—an extreme introvert. When I am alone I do not get lonely. Reading a book is stimulating if at times, more exhilarating than being around a crowd of friends and family. I do not necessarily know what new movies are out or what the latest song on the charts is. If I am not reading, I am writing, doing research, editing, or working on other projects, pursuing my passions, even though I am currently in a place and space that is limiting what I can do and where I can go, and the truth of the matter is, it hurts so much that my flesh wants to cuss. However, at the same time, I know God loves me and that all of this is temporary and that my body will align with Christ in me and my healing will manifest, and I will be free to be to go and do everything without restrictions. Yes. I said that all in one breathe because I am being true to self. I am facing my truth and baring my soul because I want you to know, that no matter what you face in life that it is imperative that you stay true to self.  

Beloveds, when you are true to self, you can hear God speak to your soul. You will find the strength to go through the tests and trials; the afflictions, and adversities that arise without buckling under the weight of it all. Because you know in the core of your soul, that Jesus has you covered, and that joy does indeed come in the morning. All things are working out for your good according to God’s will for your life. At the end of the day, we walk by faith and not by sight, not by how we feel or of our own strength. It is all about God and the words that He has and continually speaks over us.

Here is what I have come to know for certain, and has become my very foundation; in order for me to know who I am, I must get to know who God is. I have to understand the heart of my Creator and how He does things. It all starts with listening. Listening to Holy Spirit and allowing Him to not only fill you but to teach you and guide you, and help you navigate through the very storms of this life, and come through it all as pure gold.

We must be honest with ourselves. Look ourselves in the mirror, no matter hard it is, and tell ourselves the truth. Be courageous enough to hear the Father tell us what we need and follow the instructions He gives. We must become malleable to the touch of God’s hands and so sensitive to His touch that we yield with ease and move with a quickness when He says move, and prayer becomes like breathing for us—a natural state of being. This can only happen if we yield our true self to God, without fear of exposing ourselves or being hidden from God.

My Beloveds, may the spirit of peace and prosperity find permanent rest in your lives. I decree that every good thing that God has ordained for your life will become evident to you. We have thirty-six more days to the New Year. Do not wait to make a change in the New Year—no one is promised tomorrow. Instead, yield to God today and His ways and start being true to yourself. It takes twenty-days to break a habit and start to create new ones. You have plenty enough time to begin now and show God how serious you are. You are blessed. Now go…and be a blessing.

©2018. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.

"Cornucopia of Manifested Blessings"

Reflections4Life™ November 18, 2018

“Cornucopia of Manifest Blessings”

“The Lord knows the days of the blameless, and their heritage will remain forever; they are not put to shame in evil times; in the days of famine, they have abundance. But the wicked will perish; the enemies of the Lord are like the glory of the pastures; they vanish—like smoke, they vanish away.” Psalm 37:18-20

Scripture Contemplation; Genesis 49; Romans 5:2; Ephesians 2:18; 5:13; Mark 4; 

Some of us have forgotten who we are. The trials and tribulations of this life have weakened some of us and have blinded others to the truth of who we are. We have forgotten that God is stronger than anything that comes our way. We have forgotten that the enemy is no match for God and that greater is He that is in us than he that is in this world! But of course, we have forgotten! Because we have not been spending enough time in the presence of God or speaking what He has spoken of us; declaring and decreeing to the atmosphere the truth of God’s word and we have been trying to do things in our own strength forgetting that there is nothing and no one more powerful than our God!

I decree that this week’s Reflections will be a continued source of encouragement and inspiration for your heart mind and soul. Dedicate intimate and quality time with the Father this week and just thank Him for all that He has done and will do in your life. Let His word fill you, sanctify your heart, and mind until your prayers become like breathing and your belief is unshakeable and unquestionable.

There is a cornucopia of manifest blessings with your name on it! God has not forgotten us. Though we go through many trials and tribulations, God is there with is—in the midst of it all. Yes, sometimes it feels like what we are facing will never end, and we may not get through it. However, we walk by faith and not by sight or feelings. We are established by the word of the Lord and all that He has declared and decreed concerning us.

Yes, we face situations that test and try our faith but here we are, in the land of the living, covered by the Blood of the Lamb and the promises of God on our lives. We forget that we are not in this alone, though it may feel as if we are when we are in the middle of certain trials and tests. However, God is there with us, though He may be silent, as a teacher is always silent during a test. Not because they do not want us to pass but because He knows that we have the answers we need to pass the test because He was the One that put them in us, to begin with! Now, we have to learn to draw upon those life lessons throughout our life’s journey and apply the knowledge that He has afforded us—displaying wisdom, and understanding.

I do not know about you, but sometimes I do forget how strong and capable my God is and that He is indeed in charge. Sometimes I take my eyes off God and His promises and start looking at the circumstances and situations I find myself in. When that occurs, I become overwhelmed and try to “fix” and maneuver things my way, or in the flesh. I try to solve situations with a human mind and human answers when the fact is, what is needed is a spiritual answer, a divine intervention. There are certain things in this life that we cannot do on our own. Some things only God can address and solve Himself. Yet, if we are not trusting God, and have decided to leave Him out of what we attempt to do to fix things; we only make things harder and even messier or worse than it was before we attempted to fix it on our own.

Do yourself a favor and get out God’s way! Sometimes the hardest thing to do is to wait on God and let God take care of the situation because it requires us to trust God where we cannot trace Him. To exercise faith when it looks and feels like God has forgotten about us, and things appear to be worsening. Yet, that is exactly what we must do. Stand still, have faith, and follow whatever God tells us to do.

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.

There are blessings that are bursting to manifest in our lives if we would learn to get out of our way and the way of God. We block our own manifestations and answers to prayers by

1. Lack of faith

2. Not trusting God

3. By applying human logic

4. Forgetting who God is

5. Equating God to man

6. Trying to solve it/fix it through our own might and power

7. Not yielding to the power and ways of God

All that we will ever need is in God. All that we hope to accomplish, every dream and vision was placed in us by God—who knows what He has in store for our lives. He has ordained our every footstep. Even our slips fall, mistakes and colossal failures have been accounted for by God. AND, HE STILL calls us blessed and anointed; appointing us in due season, if we will truly trust Him and not fold in the face of adversity.

My Beloveds, may the spirit of peace and prosperity find permanent rest in your lives. I decree that every good thing that God has ordained for your life will become evident to you. Thank God for His goodness, mercies, and grace. No matter what you are facing in this life, you are not alone, God is there with outstretched hands to lift you up, dust you off, and prepare you for the cornucopia of manifest blessings that He has ordained for your life before you were even birthed into this time realm. Thank God, and know that He is a very strong God who can handle anything that comes His or our way! You are blessed. Now go…and be a blessing!

©2018. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.