The Declaration Series: "I Will Pray to My God"

   Reflections4Life™ February27, 2022

"I Will Pray to God"

"Praise the One who gives us life and keeps us safe, who does not allow us to stumble in the darkness." Psalm 66:9 (VOICE)

Scriptures for the Series: James 4; 2 Chronicles 7:14; Psalm 119:11; Lamentations 3:40; Psalm 51:10; Proverbs 11:28; Psalm 37:4; 42; Luke 3:4; Psalm 66:9; Isaiah 30:2

Welcome to part nine in our Declaration Series. Pray to God. The answers we need and the solutions we seek are in God. He has the answers. When we pray, we enter spiritual warfare. So put your Spiritual armor on and let God lead. We do not have to wonder if we would kneel or lie prostrate before the Lord, giving Him all the praise and worship, and believing in your heart that the answers you need can all be found in Him. You just have to ask.

I decree that this week's Reflections4Life will be a continued source of encouragement and inspiration for your heart, mind, and soul.  This week,  concentrate on your prayer and meditation life. There is so much that God desires to reveal to you but waits for you to come to Him in prayer.  Ask Him first before seeking answers elsewhere. Make God your first stop when seeking answers to your questions and solutions to your problems.

I have been guilty of seeking advice from others and answers to my questions from others before I even thought of going to my Heavenly Father and seeking His wise Counsel. Why do we do this? Why do we seek everyone else's advice and answers before we go to God, who knows us and knows the plans He has ordained for our lives? Surely He would have the answers we seek? Instead, we spend the time we really do not have, seeking answers from people who do not know us the way God knows us. Neither do they know the plans that God has ordained for our lives. Therefore, they would not have the best answers to give and we run the risk of making circumstances and situations worse.

The Bible is filled with many instances of people praying to God for answers. They sought His direction, His leading, and His help. They understood that God, above everyone else, knew the path they should take. That, the One True God, would direct them and give them victory.

Ephesians 6:18 (VOICE) Pray always. Pray in the Spirit. Pray about everything in every way you know how! And keeping all this in mind, pray on behalf of God’s people. Keep on praying feverishly, and be on the lookout until evil has been stayed.

 Here are a few more scriptures to meditate on Psalm 5, Psalm 22, Psalm 42, Psalm 51, Genesis 20:17, Genesis 24:12; 42, Genesis 32:9; 12.

There is power in our prayers, Beloved. Maybe you forgot that. Perhaps you did not know. But yes, there is power in our prayers. Not only are we lifting up the Name of Jesus, seeking His will for our lives, answers to our questions, but we are also engaged in spiritual warfare! Yes! Prayer is spiritual warfare! If you think the enemy doesn't try to stop you from praying, then take a moment and recall the various times you would begin to pray and something happened. Or, you fell asleep. Or, you felt like God did not hear you or was not listening to you. All distractions from the enemy. Seeking to keep us from 1. the answers we seek, and 2. the power that destroys his plots and plans. As well as break his stronghold and chains off of ourselves and those we love and have been called to minister to.

Put on your spiritual armor when you go to pray. Things happen when we pray. Not only do we get answers and solutions to our problems, but we are also breaking down the enemy's camp and destroying the hold he has on so many of our loved ones. This is why God tells us to always pray. To, constantly seek Him and His will for our lives and those we lift in prayer. We cannot stay where we are and expect to get what God ordained for us when He is in another place, telling us to come on! But you will not know this if you are not praying.

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. Pray with all your heart every day. Seek the Lord and His ways.  Let God be the first place you go when seeking answers and solutions. Prayers are powerful. Your prayers are powerful. God has the answers you seek.  Go to Him first. He is doing great work in your life. You are blessed. Now go...and be a blessing!

©2022. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved. 

THE DECLARATION SERIES: "I Will Look Up To The Lord"

  Reflections4Life™ February20, 2022

"I Will Look Up to the Lord"

"This is just as it is written in the scroll of the words of Isaiah the prophet, A voice crying out in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way for the Lord; make his paths straight'." Luke 3:4 (CEB)

Scriptures for the Series: James 4; 2 Chronicles 7:14; Psalm 119:11; Lamentations 3:40; Psalm 51:10; Proverbs 11:28; Psalm 37:4; 42; Luke 3:4; Psalm 66:9; Isaiah 30:2

Welcome to part eight in our Declaration Series. Look up to the Lord. He will give you the instructions you need to make the paths before you, straight. He will provide you with what you need to walk the path of righteousness, allowing Jesus to be Lord over your life and have a seat on the throne of your heart. Look up to the Lord and He will tell you how to prepare for His coming, once again.

I decree that this week's Reflections4Life will be a continued source of encouragement and inspiration for your heart, mind, and soul. Look up to the Lord. for all things. Make it a habit to seek out GOD and His ways of doing things. When fear tries to grip your heart, look up to GOD. When You want to know how to accomplish a task, look up to GOD. What worked yesterday will not work today. We are under a new anointing every day and we must move as GOD leads or miss where He desires us to be. 

In the Book of Luke, John the Baptist was the one crying out in the wilderness. Son of Jewish Priest, Zacharias, John did not follow in his father's footsteps. He moved as a prophet, announcing and preparing those for the coming of Jesus. He preached about the coming of the Lord and how He would be a different kind of Rabbai. John was preparing the people and the way, for the radically new way GOD was coming to the earth. It was a far cry from the way of their fathers and the way the current Priests had taught and governed themselves and others. 

John the Baptist shook things up, well in the same manner that Jesus was going to do. He was doing a new thing. Just as Christ came to do a new thing back then, He desires to do a new thing in us and in a new way. However, in order to catch this new thing; to be in a position to receive His instructions, we must look up to Him. We must seek Him in a new way that allows us to be in sync with the living GOD. We must be willing to do things we have never done before. Do things in a new way that may seem radical to the ways we were taught and the old traditional ways.

Jesus came in a totally different and radical way than many were expecting. Had the priests of that time been listening to John the Baptist, they would have known to look up to GOD for the new instructions and the new way that things were going to be done. They would have been prepared for the radical way in which Jesus moved and spoke of the Heavenly Father. Jesus did not come using violence, cheating, or dominance. Instead, He used love, healing, service, and compassion, as He lead with all power in His hands, given to Him by the Father.

John preached that GOD was not interested in their ritualistic religion. The Father wanted to change lives and that would only be done through His Son, Jesus. GOD wants to change our lives. But in order to happen, we have to follow His lead; His instructions. To know what they are, we have to look up to Him. We have to go before Him and receive His instructions and way of doing things. We cannot assume what worked yesterday will work today. Or, what He desired from us yesterday are the same instructions for today. His anointings are new every day. And every day we must seek His will. We must look to Him and find our way.

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 relying on what things used to be and start looking to GOD for how they should be. There is no guessing when you look up to GOD. Because He will make your paths straight; empowering you to walk in your blessings as He ordained. He is doing great work in your life. You are blessed. Now go...and be a blessing!

©2022. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved. 

The Declaration Series: "I Will Delight Myself In The Lord"

 Reflections4Life™ February13, 2022

"I Will Delight Myself in the Lord"

"Take delight in the Lord, and he will give your heart's desires." Psalm 37:4 (NLT)

Scriptures for the Series: James 4; 2 Chronicles 7:14; Psalm 119:11; Lamentations 3:40; Psalm 51:10; Proverbs 11:28; Psalm 37:4; 42; Luke 3:4; Psalm 66:9; Isaiah 30:2

Welcome to part seven in our Declaration Series. Delight yourself in the Lord and He is going to give you the desires of your heart. That is pretty straightforward. Yet, many of us still do not do this. Or, we do it for a while and then stop but expect GOD to continue giving us what we want. This is not a one-time action. This is a lifestyle. A change in our thinking, our behavior, our relationship with our Creator. GOD is certainly waiting to give us the desires of our hearts. But we must first learn what it truly means to delight ourselves in the Lord.

I decree that this week's Reflections4Life will be a continued source of encouragement and inspiration for your heart, mind, and soul. Delight yourself in the Lord. Make it a habit and not just a one-time or sometimes thing. Think about it for what it is: a lifestyle change. You are making a conscious decision to change how you live your life and think about the relationship between you and GOD the Father.

Delighting yourself in the Lord is not about telling God what you think He wants to hear. God knows our thoughts before we think them. He definitely knows what is residing in our hearts. Better than we do! God desires for us to delight ourselves in Him. For many of us, we were not taught what it actually meant to delight ourselves in the Lord. Think about it; do you remember that being a Sunday School lesson? Or, if you came to Christ as an adult, did anyone say to you: Oh! Don't forget to delight yourself in the Lord every day? I am certain they didn't. If we are going to delight ourselves in the Lord and receive the desires of our hearts, we should at least know what delighting ourselves in the Lord looks like.

To delight yourself in the Lord, you are seeking Him daily with your whole heart, mind, and soul. You are seeking the mind of God to know what He knows. You are putting on the mind of Christ so that your thoughts are now lining up with His. You are meditating on the word of God, studying and applying it to your everyday life. Delighting yourself in the Lord is getting to know the heart of your Creator and what pleases Him. You decide not to be afraid to bare your heart and soul before Him, coming naked and vulnerable in your emotions. You expose yourself before God and receive His healing in return. You learn to trust Him where you cannot trace Him. But you also believe Him to keep His promises made to you.

Finally, when you have delighted yourself in the Lord, you will find that His ways are now your ways. His thoughts have become your thoughts. The things you now desire in your heart, are in alignment with the perfect will of the Lord for your life. You now understand that what God has for you is the best. You cannot beat God's giving. Whatever you can come up with, will still not hold a candle to what God has ordained for you. When God grants you the desires of your heart, they will be more than you thought possible.

Ephesians 3:20 "Glory to God, who is able to do far beyond all that we could ask or imagine by His power at work within us;" (CEB)

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. Delight yourself in the Lord. Get to know the heart and mind of God, our Father. Believe that He is granting you all that you need and your desires. He is doing great work in your life. You are blessed. Now go...and be a blessing!

©2022. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved. 

The Declaration Series: "I Will Seek After The Kingdom of God"

  Reflections4Life™ February 6, 2022

"I Will Seek After the Kingdom of God"

"Those who trust in their riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf." Proverbs 11:28 (NIV)

Scriptures for the Series: James 4; 2 Chronicles 7:14; Psalm 119:11; Lamentations 3:40; Psalm 51:10; Proverbs 11:28; Psalm 37:4; 42; Luke 3:4; Psalm 66:9; Isaiah 30:2

Welcome to part six in our Declaration Series. We will determine to first seek after the Kingdom of God. Not after riches or the lusts of the flesh. But after the heart of God and the things that matter most to His heart and not of our flesh. Seeking the Kingdom of God and the way God does things keeps us from pursuing the lusts of the flesh, which often results in nothing but trouble, and not to mention, the delay of God's promises manifesting in our lives.

I decree that this week's Reflections4Life will be a continued source of encouragement and inspiration for your heart, mind, and soul. Seek after the Kingdom of God with all of your heart and soul. Ask yourself if the things you seek after are only to gratify your flesh or to edify your spirit and the lives of others. The things we often seek to gratify our flesh are often not after the Spirit or the heart of God. Sometimes we forget that the Holy Spirit resides in us. We also forget that the Father has called us to share the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Seek His Kingdom and how God does things.

Our successes do not lie in how much money we can accumulate in. our lifetime. Success lies within the growth of our Souls and Spirits. True wealth is measured by the lives we touch and change for the better; for eternity. It lies in the actions of us sharing the Good News, the love of Christ, and the true secret of success, with others. That, prioritizing seeking after the Kingdom of God and its righteousness is the standard by which God will judge us on judgment day. 

There is nothing wrong with desiring the finer things in life. To own beautiful things, live in gorgeous places, and even find someone to share our lives and love with.  However, God must come first. Beloved, when we seek after the Kingdom of God, He, our Heavenly Father, will add all these other things to our lives. In fact, God will GIVE us the desires of our heart when we seek Him and delight in HIM. (Psalm 37:4)

Our time spent in God, seeking His will and after His Kingdom and the way He does things, is not in vain. Though we may not see things right away, what we are producing through our obedient actions, through our fasting and praying, is preparing us to receive the abundance of blessings that God has ordained for us. God is a promise keeper. Following after the Kingdom of God empowers us. It also gives us the knowledge and wisdom we need on this earth. It strengthens us as we wait for the manifest blessings of God. It gives us the courage, the words, the heart to share with the people God sends us to. Including those in our own family.

Matthew 6:31-34 Do not worry then, saying, ‘What are we to eat?’ or ‘What are we to drink?’ or ‘What are we to wear for clothing?’ For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But [seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided to you..So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

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. Seek after the Kingdom of God for ALL things. Invite God into every area of Your life.  Though some things might prove difficult, allow God to be your strength and your Supplier. Seek after Kingdom, fast and pray, and believe that God is granting you all that you need and even your desires. You are blessed. Now go...and be a blessing!

©2022. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved. 

The Declaration Series: "I Will Clean Up My Life"

 Reflections4Life™ January 30, 2022

"I Will Clean Up My Life"

"Create in me a clean heart, O God; restore within me a sense of being brand new." Psalm 51:10

Scriptures for the Series: James 4; 2 Chronicles 7:14; Psalm 119:11; Lamentations 3:40; Psalm 51:10; Proverbs 11:28; Psalm 37:4; 42; Luke 3:4; Psalm 66:9; Isaiah 30:2

Welcome to part five in our Declaration Series. Having a clean heart and mind is imperative to living the life that God ordained. Certainly, there is His permissive will. Yet we desire His perfect will for our lives. Living a clean life, with a clean heart and mind, allows us to hear God clearly and see the vision plainly. When we are polluted with the debris of life, it makes it difficult to receive what God has for us. Because, most often, an unclean life is accompanied by guilt and shame. God wants us free from all of that.

I decree that this week's Reflections4Life will be a continued source of encouragement and inspiration for your heart, mind, and soul. Spend time this week doing a self-inventory of your life. Ask yourself if things are holding you back, keeping you from moving forward in God. If there is, ask the Father to clean your heart and mind; to get rid of those things in your life that would hinder you from moving freely in His will for you. The Father has so much to give you and share with you. You do not want to miss this season.

I do not know about you, but I do not want to doubt God and His will for my life any longer. I recognize now, that when doubt is present in my life, it leads me to do things and to think a certain way that only hinders God from moving freely and the way He desires in my life. I have had enough of missing opportunities and the move of the Spirit because I allowed myself to get out of alignment with God and His path of righteousness. I want my faith to be so strong that there is no room for doubt to get in, let alone take a breath.

This can only happen if I daily clean my thoughts and watch what I allow to infiltrate my spirit. Also, what I allow to enter my eye-gate, ear-gate, mouth-gate, and thought-gate, just to name a few. Beloved, we are responsible for what we bring into our sphere of influence. Just as our parents had (or should have) protected us from things that were not beneficial to us as children, as well as, from any other dangers that would bring harm to us; we must protect our spirit. We must protect ourselves from getting polluted with the things of this world. Anything that would take our minds and hearts away from the heart and will of God, is pollution to our spirits. 

Do you know why the Bible talks about pouring new wine into new wineskins instead of old wineskins? Because the old wineskins have been stretched and still carry remnants of the old wine. If you put new wine into the old wineskins, they would contaminate the new wine, and also, the old wineskin would burst.

If you truly desire what God has for you and do not miss out on anything ordained for your life, then you have to clean up your life so you can receive what God has for you. Cleaning up your life is a task of laying aside the old things; those things that have kept you separated from God. It consists of asking God to clean your heart and purify your mind. You do not want old things and stinking thinking contaminating what God has for you or blocking you from receiving all of 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. Clean up your life. Get rid of those things that hinder you from receiving all that God has for you. Invite God in to show you what needs to go and how to get rid of it. Though some things might prove difficult, allow God to be your strength. Confess, repent, and move forward in the Lord, receiving what He has ordained just for you! You are blessed. Now go...and be a blessing!

©2022. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved. 

The Declaration Series: "I Will Return Quickly to the Lord"

 Reflections4Life™ January 23, 2022

"I Will Return Quickly to the Lord"

"We must search and and examine our hearts; we must return to the LORD." Lamentations 3:40

Scriptures for the Series: James 4; 2 Chronicles 7:14; Psalm 119:11; Lamentations 3:40; Psalm 51:10; Proverbs 11:28; Psalm 37:4; 42; Luke 3:4; Psalm 66:9; Isaiah 30:2

Welcome to the fourth week in our Declaration Series. We have declared to submit to the Lord, to listen to His instructions, and to store His instructions in our hearts. This week, we declare to return quickly to the Lord if and when we may find ourselves walking outside of His will. Beloveds, do not delay in quickly returning from God when you find yourself going down the wrong path and away from God's will for your life.

I decree that this week's Reflections4Life will be a continued source of encouragement and inspiration for your heart, mind, and soul. Examine and search your ways this week. Do a heart check and honestly ask yourself if you have been following the precepts of God, or have you deviated from His path and gone rogue? There are times when we think we are still on the righteous path, only to find out that we are far from God's path and have ventured on a path dictated by our flesh.

After much searching and examination, we often find that it is not the obvious things that have changed or led us astray from the paths and things of God. It is often the small things, subtle habits, and idiosyncrasies that have caused us to veer off the path of righteousness. Soon we find ourselves far from where God has called us to, often wondering how we got there.

In the Song of Solomon (2:14-16), it is the small foxes that spoil the vine.  A small unassuming animal that if ignored or often goes unnoticed, gets into the vines and spoils its crops or eats its fruits before anyone has a chance to harvest its best. It is often the small things that we do here and there that sabotage our righteous walk and relationship with God. The small things that we often ignore or say we will take care of later, knock us off the path of righteousness and living holy for God. These same habits that we will suddenly find a problem and interference with our walk, in God.

The Father has given us the charge to examine and search our hearts, our actions, our walk, in Him. To see if we truly are on the right path of His righteousness. Or if we have unknowingly taken a detour because of all those small choices we have made along the way. Oh! Trust that God has always sent His word, a reminder, His messengers to tug at our hearts. To engage us in conversation and get us back on track.

The longer we stay off the paths of righteousness, the harder it is for many to return to God. Many find themselves going further down the rabbit hole, away from God and His ways, and the peace that can only be found in God. If you find yourself in this position, Beloved, return quickly to God. Repent, seek God, and follow whatever He leads your heart to do.

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. Quickly return to the Lord. Search and examine your heart. Let God show you what resides there and where you lost your way. Though some things might prove difficult, allow God to be your strength. Confess, repent, and move forward in the Lord, receiving what He has ordained just for you! You are blessed. Now go...and be a blessing!

©2022. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved. 

The Declaration Series: "I Will Hide His Word in My Heart"

 Reflections4Life™ January 16, 2022

"I Will Hide His Word in My Heart"

"Deep winthin me I have hidden your word, so that I will never sin against you." Psalm 119:11

Scriptures for the Series: James 4; 2 Chronicles 7:14; Psalm 119:11; Lamentations 3:40; Psalm 51:10; Proverbs 11:28; Psalm 37:4; 42; Luke 3:4; Psalm 66:9; Isaiah 30:2

Our hearts are a sacred place. A place that is only truly known, 100% by GOD and ourselves--if we are honest with ourselves. In our hearts are hidden many things, from childhood to the present moments, and even thoughts and feelings concerning the future. GOD knows all of this, too. He especially knows if His word is hidden there, also.

I decree that this week's Reflections4Life will be a continued source of inspiration and encouragement for your heart, mind, and soul. Each time you read and hear the word of God, do not only hear it but also let it marinate and find a place deep in your heart to settle in. Hide the word of God in your heart so that you will be reminded of Him, His Word, and promises to you.

Thank you for coming back and fellowshipping with us this week. This is the third lesson in our DECLARATION SERIES. This series was inspired by a New Year Eve's message given by Bishop Dr. Roberta Moore of Victory Christian Tabernacle Ministries. What if we declared over our lives and into the atmosphere, our intentions for this year? Decreeing--making it law--to live by this year? Most, if not all resolutions, hardly make it past the first week of the year and are forgotten by the end of the month.

I will hide His Word in my heart. Another way to say this would be: I will hide His INSTRUCTIONS in my heart. When we hide the instructions of God in our hearts, we remember what He has called us to do. We remind ourselves how He desires us to live, and we are also reminded not to sin against Him. His instructions/Word clearly informs us what would be and would not be pleasing in God's sight. What is acceptable and not acceptable. 

When His instructions are hidden deep in our hearts, we cannot say we do not know what God expects or desires from us. Nor can we say we do not know or understand what is a sin or not sin against GOD. The Father has made His word clear. He does not deal in grey areas but in black and white. The only way to know and understand these things about GOD and His Word is to study. Study and meditate on them every day. Take time to not only pray but also read and meditate on the word and speak the word out loud.

When you make up in your heart to abide by His word, you are choosing to listen to GOD. You are making the choice to walk in wisdom and not sin against the Father and short-change yourself from a life that He has ordained for you, as well as a multitude of blessings He has for you and those He has called you to.

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. Hide the word of GOD in your heart. Meditate and study it day and night. Let be a light in your heart that guides you and keeps you from sinning against GOD. Though some things might prove difficult, allow God to be your strength. Confess, repent, and move forward in the Lord, receiving what He has ordained just for you! You are blessed. Now go...and be a blessing!

©2022. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved. 

The Declaration Series: "I Will Listen To The Lord"

  Reflections4Life™ January 9, 2022

"I Will Listen to the Lord"

"A wise person will hear and increase in learning. And a person of understanding will acquire wise counsel." Proverbs 1:5

Scriptures for the Series: James 4; 2 Chronicles 7:14; Psalm 119:11; Lamentations 3:40; Psalm 51:10; Proverbs 11:28; Psalm 37:4; 42; Luke 3:4; Psalm 66:9; Isaiah 30:2

We have made it through the first week of the New Year by the grace of GOD. His mercies and grace are enduring, allowing us to prepare our hearts and minds in moving forward and receiving all that He has ordained for us. Yet, to truly receive what the Father has for us, we must fine-tune our hearts and ears to His frequency and listen to what He is saying and instructing us to do.

I decree today's Reflections4Life will be a continued source of encouragement and inspiration for your heart, mind, and soul. Lend God your ears so He may speak to your heart, also. Allow Him to fill you with His knowledge, wisdom, and understanding. Listen to what He says, then follow the instructions He gives. For certain, they will lead to an abundant and promised life. 

This week's second Declaration in the Declaration Series is I Will Listen. We cannot fully walk in the promises of God for our lives if we do not listen to what He is saying or follow His instructions that He gives us. Sure, we can go about our business living life as we choose. God gives us that right. We all have a right to choose the path we take. However, if we desire the perfect will of God for our lives and to walk in His promises, then we must learn to listen, following the instructions set before us. The instructions that God gives in His word and in our private time with Him are not just kind and suggestive words. What God has shared is an actual roadmap to success. 

We spend a lot of time seeking ways to live our best life. We seek fame, fortune, success; even healthy and godly things, but we are not listening to the One source that can and will give us everything.  God! We twist ourselves; even to the point of abandoning our relationship with the Father, after a lifestyle or what we deem. to be perfect for us. We find ourselves so far removed from God and a relationship with Him. Some do not even find their way back, having gone so far. They listen to the lies of the enemy, believing that God would never receive them again; some never realize all they had to do was call on the name of God and He would deliver them.

But you see, that is the goal of the enemy. He desires to separate us from God. To, create a huge gulf and trick us into believing that God would never forgive us because we have gone too far. Like he did in the Garden of Eden with Adam and Eve. They were so ashamed of what they did, that they clothed their nakedness and hid from the presence of God. That is where the enemy wants to get us and eventually take our lives before we have the chance to reconcile with God and learn the truth.

And what is that truth? That, if we would listen to God; repent and turn from our wicked ways (2 CHRONICLES 7:14), confess our sins, lay everything on the altar, God will forgive us, heal us and our land, and place us in the position to receive all that He has ordained for our lives. Beloved, all we have to do is listen to God and follow what He suggests. Yes, it all remains our choice. But why wouldn't you want to follow the plans of the Creator that created you and this entire world and universe? That's a pretty awesome resume!

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. Listen to God. Follow His precepts; His instructions. Though some things might prove difficult, allow God to be your strength. Confess, repent, and move forward in the Lord, receiving what He has ordained just for you! You are blessed. Now go...and be a blessing!

©2022. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved. 

The Declaration Series: "I Will Submit to the LORD"

 Reflections4Life™ January 2, 2022

"I Will Submit to the Lord"

"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil and he shall flee from you." James 4:7

Scriptures for the Series: James 4; 2 Chronicles 7:14; Psalm 119:11; Lamentations 3:40; Psalm 51:10; Proverbs 11:28; Psalm 37:4; 42; Luke 3:4; Psalm 66:9; Isaiah 30:2

PEACE & BLESSINGS! HAPPY NEW YEAR! We intentionally celebrate the goodness, love, and life God has granted us in seeing this New Year.  God's grace and mercies are evident. May this year be one of revelation,  answered prayers, and manifest Blessings. 

Welcome to another year of Reflections4life. I declare and decree that it will continue to be a viable source of encouragement and inspiration for your heart, mind, and soul. Open your hearts to the wonderful possibilities and opportunities that await your life when you submit to the Father, all your heart, mind, and soul. Let this be the year you determine to be all in.

I had a wonderful time in Watch Night; bringing the New Year in with the Body of Christ, family of believers, and being inspired for the New Year. The Bishop spoke on making declarations instead of resolutions. Which is the inspiration for this ten-part series. I am taking each of the declarations she shared and turning them into points of conversation to further expound upon.

God is moving mightily. He has not forgotten about you. Neither has He rejected you. However, we must be willing to surrender our all unto Him, in order to hear and see Him. To understand His instructions and follow what He is instructing us to do. 

Many have not because they haven't asked, but because they haven't submitted completely to GOD, nor have they surrendered their hearts to His will and therefore have not aligned themselves with who God is and what He has ordained for them. So they're asking for things outside of His will and season for their lives.

Can you submit your all to the Father? Can you surrender your heart, mind, and soul, trusting GOD to give you all that you need? When we submit completely unto GOD; aligning ourselves to His will and ways, we give ourselves the advantage of preparing our hearts and minds to receive and hear the mysteries that GOD desires to share with only those that submit their all, to Him. 

GOD has so much He desires to give to us. So many things He wants to reveal to our hearts and to bring revelations to our minds. If only we would surrender all to Him. Submitting our will and our ways. There is nothing that the Father would not do for His children that love him and have submitted their hearts and minds and ways to Him. When we determine to know who GOD is, we, in return get to know who we really are.

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. Surrender! Do not hold back from GOD.  Submit your all to the LORD,  allowing Him to renew your mind and heart. Make this the year you not only get to know GOD but also get to know who you are in GOD. You are blessed.  Now go...and be a blessing. 

©2022. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved. 

"Keep Your Hands Up!"

 Reflections4Life™ December 19, 2021

“Keep Your Hands Up!”

“And as long as Moses held up the rod in his hands, Israel was winning; but whenever he rested his arms at his sides, the soldiers of Amalek were winning. Moses’ arms finally became too tired to hold up the rod any longer; so Aaron and Hur rolled a stone for him to sit on, and they stood on each side, holding up his hands until sunset. As a result, Joshua and his troops crushed the army of Amalek, putting them to the sword.” Exodus 17:11-13 (TLB)

Scripture Contemplation: Exodus 17; Deuteronomy 28; Joshua 1; Ezra 7:28; Romans 15; 2 Corinthians 9; Ephesians 1…

I sincerely pray that today greets you with answered prayers. There are so many things and people we fight against on a daily basis. We even fight against who we are and ourselves. Why? Why do we fight? I think the reasons we fight will determine if we truly have a chance of winning that particular battle or not.

I pray today’s Reflections brings comfort and peace to your heart and mind. I decree it be a continued source of encouragement and inspiration; bringing peace and revelation to your heart, mind, and soul. The victory has been guaranteed. We just have to walk in it. Take this week to reflect upon all that God has already done for you. How many times did you feel like you were going to lose, only to look back now, and see how God worked it all out? Remember that, as we celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ, and the fact that God is the same God today, and forever more. 

I love the story of the Israelites and their battle against the Amalek soldiers. Though they were fighting, the battle’s victory was already determined: As long as Moses held the rod up, Israel was winning. However, the moment he rested his arms and the rod came down, Israel began to lose. Aaron and Hur recognized the significance and did everything they could to make certain that Moses’ hands stayed lifted with the rod so that Israel would be victorious.

There are certain battles, Beloved, that we are fighting that are not ours. There are certain situations we have entered into that we had no business being a part of. And there are certain battles we are in that cannot be won unless we totally surrender to God and His will. We must recognize when to lift our hands and allow God to be God.

Our rod is the word of God. The word of God and the promises of God that have been hidden in our hearts. When we surrender to God and believe what He has spoken to us, then we have the victory. It may require us to lift our hands from a situation. To surrender completely to the will of God; even when it feels like we are giving up.

We are not defeated or admitting defeat, but we are wisely surrendering to God and His will. There are certain victories that come when totally surrender to God. I am a firm believer that when the praises go up, the blessings come down. When we lift our hands off of a situation we had no business getting into in the first place, peace will come.

Keep your hands up, Beloveds. Keep them up in surrender to God and His way. Don't try to fix anything. Don't try to save anything. Don't try to figure it out, while things steadily get worse and more confusing. No. Keep your hands up, off the situation, and in surrender to God and His plan and purpose.

There are times when we are too close to a situation to see or think clearly. We must learn to back up and allow God to be God. Sometimes the victory lies in our ability to keep our hands up and allow God to be God and do what He does best, intervening on our behalf.

Our victory may not depend on how good we fight or how strong and capable we are. It may depend upon how obedient and trusting of God we are. The victory can very well be in the act of surrender to God, His will, and His ways.

If you find yourself in a current situation and you just seem to be losing at every turn, I encourage you to lift your hands from the situation. Surrender. Keep your hands up and off the situation, and allow God to do what He does best: love and protect you. God has this, beloved. Trust Him.

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. Keep your hands up in total praise. Surrender it all to God. We have already been declared the winner; guaranteed by the precious blood of Christ. Walk in your victory, and share the love of GOD with others. Merry Christmas to you and yours, from me and mine. You are blessed. Now go…and be a blessing!

©2021. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.

"A Restored Mind"

 Reflections4Life™ December 5, 2021

“A Restored Mind”

“Come back to me and really mean it! Come fasting and weeping, sorry for your sins!”

Change your life, not just your clothes. Come back to God, your God. And here’s why: God is kind and merciful. He takes a deep breath, puts up with a lot. This most patient God, extravagant in love, always ready to cancel catastrophe.” Joel 2:12b-14a MSG

Scripture Contemplation: Joel 2; Romans 7:23-25; 8; 12; 1 Timothy 6; Hebrews 8:10…

I pray today’s Reflections brings comfort and peace to your heart and mind. I decree it be a continued source of encouragement and inspiration; bringing peace and revelation to your heart, mind, and soul. If you desire a changed life; to experience a different outcome from your efforts; then you must allow God to restore your mind. It takes a restored mind that leads to a restored heart to change one’s life. This can only begin by being in the presence of God daily.

As we are nearing the end of this year, many are already thinking and planning for the New Year. Oh! The things they will do differently. The new attitude they will adopt. The plans they will follow through.

That is fine. We all should have plans that we are ready and willing to follow through. Yet, I suspect, many will not make it past the first two weeks or month of the New Year with their new plans. 

Why would I say this? Seems somewhat negative, no? Well, allow this explanation: In order for most of us to make a change for this coming New Year, we have to have begun implementing those changes well before the New Year began; at least six weeks to the most three months.

We are creatures of habit. In addition, we usually resist change and anything that feels uncomfortable. Moreover, the one place we need change the most in is our minds. Our minds must be renewed and restored if we are going to be successful.

Beloveds, our minds are powerful. For many of us, when we get something into our minds, it is hard to shake it loose. Especially, when it begins to take root and settle in our hearts. This is why we either fail or succeed at the changes and plans we often devise.

It is the restored mind; the mind that has gone through the restoration process that will be successful at the plans that they often set forth.

It takes a new way of thinking and seeing things for us to change our beliefs, behaviors, and habits. That is what God desires to grant us when we give Him a place in our hearts. He desires to restore our minds, which restores our hearts, and gives us a brand new foundation--a clean slate--so to speak, as a place to start that will allow us success.

We miss many wonderful things, relationships, happiness, opportunities when our minds remain unchanged; when we do not allow the renewing of our minds and souls to take place when we come to God. Yet, wonder why we fail. Why things fall apart?

Beloved, it all begins in our minds, our thoughts and if we allow the Father to truly restore our minds and give us a new way of thinking and seeing, and interpreting things. You desire a new start. Yield to God's way.

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. Allow the Father into every part of your life, bringing the power of restoration—restoration to your heart, your mind, and your soul. It is the mind that allows God’s reign, that sees change, leading them always in the paths of righteousness and abundance. You are blessed. Now go…and be a blessing.

©2021. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.

"State of Grace"

 Reflections4Life™ November 21, 2021

“State of Grace”

“For by grace, you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9

Scripture Contemplation: Esther 2; Psalm 45; 86; John 1; Acts 11:23; Romans 1; 5; Ephesians 2…

©Ruthe McDonald.

I take this time to wish this wonderful community that God has blessed me to fellowship with, a wonderful and blessed week. I pray this is a week of answered prayers! For those in the States, I wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving! May it be a day of joy and grace, and just an extension of what each day already looks like.

I pray today’s Reflections will bring comfort and peace to your heart and mind. I decree it be a continued source of encouragement and inspiration; bringing peace and revelation to your heart, mind, and soul. There is a state of mind that we should all be working towards…keeping our minds stayed on Christ. It is in God we will find our peace and our comfort and our state of grace. It is in the presence of God that we come to understand just what the Grace of God truly encompasses.

I realize that it is because of the grace of God that I am not consumed by the heavy burdens faced in this life. When I want to give up and walk away, He reminds me that His grace is sufficient. That, it by His power and not of my own strength. But for the grace of God—His unmerited favor—I remain in the land of the living with another day and opportunity to live my best authentic life. Not perfect, but humble, honest, and mindful of God's grace.

Every day for years, I was guaranteed and fortunate to hear two things from my mother: "Grace and Peace!" and "I Love You". Those were constant phrases upon my mother's lips. You received that greeting when she answered the phone. Before anything else was spoken, you were greeted with, "Grace and Peace!" in a singsong manner.

The sincerity, coupled with the melodious timbre of her voice would make you smile and feel a warmth deep in your soul. Without a doubt, you knew you were speaking to someone who truly loved the Lord. And what I now understand, she was prophesying over lives. She was speaking God's grace over my life and the lives of those she encountered.

Grace, in the word of God, can be defined as God having unmerited favor or undeserving favor to those who are actually guilty or under condemnation. For me, grace is simply God's forgiveness even when I don't deserve it and have been in the wrong. It is His strength in my life when mountains of obstacles arise in my life, preventing me from moving forward.

The world's definition of grace is a way of moving that is smooth and attractive, not stiff or awkward; it is the elegance of beauty or form, manner, motion or action; a pleasant way of acting.

I can combine these definitions and describe a state of grace as being in receipt of God's forgiveness and favor, by which it allows me to move throughout life smoothly, pleasantly, with an attitude of gratitude, of thankfulness, knowing that I received a gift I didn't deserve but was given nonetheless to live my very best life possible. It is God's restoration for my life, in a season of rebuilding.

For this, and so much more, I am grateful. I am filled with gratitude to be alive. Though not everything in my life is, as I desire, I am alive, gifted with opportunities each time God wakes me. Moreover, a chance to inspire and tell someone else, that God loves them, too. In addition, to the rebuilding of my life; the restoration of strength, dreams, visions, and wherever God desires me to be. He is doing the same for you. The troubles, the rough places, the rough challenges? God's grace is going to take you where you need to be. You cannot do it by yourself; no matter how strong or wise you are. It is the grace of God that is going to get you through. God is divinely rebuilding our lives.

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. As we celebrate Thanksgiving this week. Let us remember to keep it in our hearts that each day is a day of Thanksgiving, of gratitude. Each time God grants us a new day of life, it is His grace and His love that affords us a brand new day filled with opportunities we just may not deserve but have received nonetheless. You are blessed. Now go…and be a blessing.

©2021. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.

"Be Still and Know"

 Reflections4Life™ November 14, 2021

“Be Still and Know”

“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations; I will be exalted in the earth!” Psalm 46:10

Scripture Contemplation: 1 Chronicles 22:9; 2 Chronicles 20; Provers 15:18; 29:9…

More than anything at this time, we need to quiet our souls and hear what God is saying. Many are dealing with much hurt, pain, disappointment, and fear. Though you may feel this way now, do not allow it to linger. Quiet your soul; your mind, so that you may hear what God has to say to you in this very important time in our lives.

I pray today’s Reflections will bring comfort and peace to your heart and mind. I decree it be a continued source of encouragement and inspiration; bringing peace and revelation to your heart, mind, and soul. Take a step back this week. Allow God to give you rest in your heart mind and soul. Let the blood of Jesus cover your thoughts and penetrate your soul, giving you an everlasting peace that will rest in all parts of your life.

Oh! Beloveds, there is so much angst and noise cluttering our souls. Our minds can barely keep up with the fast-changing emotions that many are dealing with. I want to encourage you today, to lean on God. Let Him give you rest in your heart and mind. Allow His peace to rule your heart as you navigate from day to day, especially encountering things that are a bother and vexation to your soul.

There are many times when God wants to bless our lives. He desires to impart knowledge, wisdom, and gifts of the spirit. However, we often miss it because our minds and hearts are cluttered and bogged down with the cares of the world. Often, it overshadows the voice and move of God.

Many times we have seen situations where it seemed hopeless, and in the eleventh hour, God worked it out. We may ask, why does God do that? Why does He come at the last hour instead of when we first asked? The truth of the matter is, He has answered us straightaway. Yet, there are those of us who need to be stretched in our faith and reminded that promises of God are yes and amen. Meaning, that whatever God tells us, and whatever we asked of Him, and believed that we already received, we can believe that no matter what things appear to be, God is answering and He will see us through.

We forget the power of God sometimes and question His love and concern for us when we witness things happen that are unfathomable to our hearts and minds and who God is. Our mind gets jumbled with all the doubts, fears, and noise of the enemy. Trust me; the enemy is diligently whispering in our ears and speaking doubts and fear into the fabric of our minds.

The noise in our mind often overshadows the voice of God, and the peace that He says belongs to those who keep their mind stayed on Him. Yes. It is very easy to get sidetracked with all the hate, evil, fear, and uncertainty that is in the world. But this is when we must remember who God is, who we are in Him, and that regardless of how things may appear, God is still God on His throne and He shall not be moved. And all that God has spoken concerning our lives—even in the midst of chaos and confusion—He will make come to pass if we will continue to believe, to stand firm in His word and on His promises.

Beloved, if you do not believe anything else today, believe this: God loves you and He has you covered. Though it may appear as the enemy is winning, God remains God and in control, and He has us covered. Regardless of what the enemy whispers to us, how crazy the world gets, remember that God has the last word and the last, best laugh. We can and will be victorious in the face of adversity and all manner of evil. When God is for us, who can be against us? No One. A couple of lost battles does not determine the outcome of a war. For God says, that the war has already been won and that all things are working out for our good.

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. Though it may appear at times that the enemy has won, do not be deceived—God is still on His throne and has declared us the winner. Yield to the Father. Allow Him to bring peace and quietness to your mind and soul. Do not be swayed or discouraged by what things appear to be. God always gets the final word. You are blessed. Now go…and be a blessing.

©2021. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.

"Meditate On It"

 Reflections4Life™ November 7, 2021

“Meditate On It”

“This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success.” Joshua 1:8

Scripture Contemplation: Joshua 1; Psalms 1; 4; 27; Philippians 4:8…

©Ruthe McDonald.

           I pray today’s Reflections will bring comfort and peace to your heart and mind. I decree it be a continued source of encouragement and inspiration; bringing peace and revelation to your heart, mind, and soul. This week, I implore you to try again. To make things happen for yourself that you may have been waiting for a long time. And the way to do this is to first meditate. Meditate on the word and promises of God. Meditate on the promises and plan of God. See yourself walking in the promises and the fulfillment of the plans and visions in your heart.

I truly hope this week is everything you hope it will be. Everything you work towards it to be. Everything that God has ordained it to be. This past weekend, God has been speaking to my heart about trying again, and the power to make it happen already residing within us. Beloveds, many of us have given up and are hurt, jaded, and too scared to move forward to try again. It's time to regroup. It is time to stand still and spend some time meditating on the word of God, what is in our heart, and the plans we desire to see come forth.

There are times when things will appear as if nothing is happening. It will seem as though prayers are not being answered, life is at a standstill, and in fact, things are getting worse. That is the time, Beloveds, we must determine to praise God anyhow! To praise our way through the difficult times. To see, not through our natural eyes, but through the eyes of our God, and take strength and comfort from His word, His promises.

Habakkuk 3:17-19(MSG) “Though the cherry trees don’t blossom and the strawberries don’t ripen. Though the apples are worm-eaten and the wheat fields stunted. Though the sheep pens are sheepless and the cattle barns empty, I’m singing joyful praise to God. I’m turning cartwheels of joy to my Savior God. Counting on God’s Rule to prevail, I take heart and gain strength. I run like a deer.  I feel like I’m king of the mountain!”

I promise you today, that there are much greatness and power waiting to be birthed; to be unleashed. THERE IS ALSO SOMEONE ON THIS EARTH WAITING FOR YOU TO SHOW UP. INSIDE OF YOU IS EXACTLY WHAT THEY NEED TO TAKE THEIR NEXT STEP IN LIFE.

What we sometimes fail to realize is that we become the hands and feet of God on this earth. God uses us to serve and help one another. He uses the gifts and talents He has placed in us to be the answer and solution to the questions and problems of our brothers and sisters on this earth. But, if we never recognize who we are, or walk in the greatness that already resides in us, then not only do we cheat ourselves and prolong our happiness, we also prolong the suffering and heartache of others who have been waiting for us to show up to our assignments.

Yes. You have been hurt, disappointed, and wounded. You have been discouraged and nearly destroyed. However, you have the opportunity to try again and make things happen. God has given you that power. It is time to meditate on the word of God, on His promises, in your life. Meditate on the visions that are in you. Let God show you His way, His plan. Meditate until it is embedded in your heart and soul. Then go forth and make it happen. Try again. Walk-in your greatness with confidence and change the lives of those waiting for you.

My Beloveds, may the spirit of peace and prosperity find permanent rest in your lives. I decree that every good thing that God has ordained for your life will become evident to you.  Do not be discouraged by what things may appear to be at the moment. Instead, have faith and believe in the promises of God and that things will happen. You can try again; make it happen, while continually meditating on the word and promises of God, following His lead. You are blessed. Now go…and be a blessing!

©2021. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.

"From the Projects to the Vineyard"

 REFLECTIONS4LIFE™ October 24, 2021

“From the Projects to the Vineyard”

“He had another dream and told this one also to his brothers: ‘I dreamed another dream—the sun and moon and eleven stars bowed down to me!’ When he told it to his father and brothers, his father reprimanded him: ‘What’s with all this dreaming? Am I and your mother and your brothers all supposed to bow down to you?’ Now his brothers were really jealous, but his father brooded over the whole business.” Genesis 37:9-11 (MSG)

Scripture Contemplation: Genesis 37-50…

I have always enjoyed the lessons of Joseph from the Bible. It always encourages me and gives me understanding and reminders at different times in my life. Many have preached a sermon about Joseph’s life titling it, From the Pit to the Palace; encouraging many. Yet, what I want you to understand are the events that took place leading to the pit.

I pray today’s Reflections will bring comfort and peace to your heart and mind. I decree it be a continued source of encouragement and inspiration; bringing peace and revelation to your heart, mind, and soul. It is my sincerest prayer that you will see and receive something new today that will encourage and inspire you. That today will be the beginning of you recognizing your purpose, and the purpose for all the pain that you may have endured and suffered.

Beloveds, God has a plan and purpose for everything that has occurred in your life. Every unexplainable thing. Every hurtful thing. Every heartbreaking thing. Every confusing thing. And indeed, every good thing.

Here’s what I learned so far in my journey: Sometimes people see the light in you before you have a chance to recognize it and own it. They will do everything they can to dim or destroy that light because of jealousy. What they fail to realize is, God will use them as an instrument to place you in the right position to manifest His blessings in your life, for your light to shine the brightest, and where you will have the most impact.

God has placed a light in each of us. His light. There are many that God has called to change the world. To touch lives in a positive way. To bring the love of God to people who have given up on humanity and believe there is no God. There are those who God has chosen to triumph over every adversity and become that man or woman He has ordained us to be before we were in our mother's womb.

There are some of us that do not see ourselves as God does. We do not recognize our gifts and talents. We do not see the light in us that causes some people to dislike us on site. To even hate us, and try maligning our character every opportunity they get. Listen; just as God has sent His angels to watch over us, and has sent those in our life to protect us; the enemy has sent his cohorts to trip us up, to destroy us, to rob us, and even try to kill us.

But God, Beloveds! God sees all and knows all. Even when we are not aware, God is moving on our behalf and we must hold onto Him and seek His face. Sometimes we do not see ourselves the way God does or even get why the enemy is so scared. However, God knows, and He will use the enemy to place you in the right positions for the greatest impact of your life will have for many others.

Understand this: Before you even get to the pit, God has already made a way of escape for you. Before you even head down a road that seems so far from your dreams, God has already worked it all out. Just when the enemy thought he had you and destroyed you, God was all along setting you up for the greatest victory in your life. God has already written and finished the book, and if you did not know already—you win!

God will take you from obscurity and ridicule to sitting before Kings and Queens and Presidents; in front of people that can aid you in doing what He has placed in you to do. He will raise you up—using your enemy and their jealousy—to position you in your place of greatness, power, and influence. Even when you do not see it, your adversity will become your teacher, your afflictions your greatest strength and character builder.

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. You may not see it right now. It may not feel like anything good is happening in your life. I promise you—God has already moved on your behalf and is positioning you for every good and perfect gift He has ordained for your life and for the lives of those, He has assigned you to. You are blessed. Now go…and be a blessing.

©2021. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.