#ourlordandsavior

“Thank you, God!” 

That’s how simple it is to thank God! It doesn’t have to be a long prayer with big, fancy words. Short and sincere please God more.

“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” (Matthew 6:5-8)

I read a devotional today on the Bible app which reminded me: “One of the best ways for our heart to stay in a gratitude posture is to count our blessings. That’s right. Literally start naming them. To simply stop and count our blessings will lead to an attitude overhaul.”

If we just simply sat down alone with God and gave Him a simple list of the things He’s done for or given us followed by a “Thank you, God!” It would show Him we are grateful for our abundance of blessings He gives us on a daily basis. Which is how often we should being saying our “Thank you, God!” Prayer—daily.

“Be persistent in prayer, and keep alert as you pray, giving thanks to God.” ‭‭(Colossians‬ ‭4:2)‬

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

And gratitude brings us peace.

“The peace that Christ gives is to guide you in the decisions you make; for it is to this peace that God has called you together in the one body. And be thankful.” (Colossians‬ ‭3:15‬)

We’re created by Him, our being and every breath comes as a gift from His Hands.

“In him we live and move and have our being!” (Acts 17:28)

“Every good gift and every perfect present comes from heaven; it comes down from God, the Creator of the heavenly lights, who does not change or cause darkness by turning.” ‭‭(James‬ ‭1:17‬)

Everything we have and see in our beautiful world comes from our Father in Heaven.

We all—women I mean—aspire to be a Proverbs 31 woman. What does that mean? What kind of woman would she be?

A God-fearing, Christian woman who does and wants what’s right. She spends time reading God’s Word. She’s strong and smart; patient and compassionate. She works hard and helps those in need. She seeks God’s Will and fully trusts in Him. She knows He always does what’s right and just and provides good for those who seek His Perfect Will.

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

“I alone know the plans I have for you, plans to bring you prosperity and not disaster, plans to bring about the future you hope for.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

She, with God’s help and blessing, will find a man who puts God first as she does and their family second. They will love each other deeply and help each other through any and every thing in life.

“Then the Lord God said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him.’ “...So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and he slept; then He took one of his ribs and closed up the flesh at that place. The Lord God fashioned into a woman the rib which He had taken from the man, and brought her to the man. The man said, “This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.” (Genesis 2:21-23)

“Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” (Ecclesiastes 4:12)

When and if they have children they will be able to provide them with all they need; for God has provided—and will always provide—for all their needs. They will teach them in the way they should go.

“Teach children how they should live, and they will remember it all their life.” (Proverbs 22:6)

She will do everything for them. Her husband knows that she’s worth far more than any possession and he has done good in marrying a woman like her. And he will be admired for it. They’ll have a blessed Christian home.

“...But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15)

They’ll be blessed and feel thankful for a woman like her as their wife and mother. For being a good mom—loving, caring, and forgiving.

People will praise her for the kind of person she is and all the good she does.

Proverbs (31: 10-31)

Epilogue: The Wife of Noble Character

“...A wife of noble character who can find?

    She is worth far more than rubies.

Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.

She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.

She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.

She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.

She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family and portions for her female servants.

She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.

She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.

She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night.

In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.

She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.

When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet.

She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple.

Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.

She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes.

She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.

She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.

Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:

“Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.”

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.”

“I know that I will live to see the LORD’s goodness in this present life. Trust in the LORD. Have faith, do not despair. Trust in the LORD.” (Psalms‬ ‭27:13-14‬)

The Psalmist is so confident in God and that is through faith and trust. He encourages us to trust in the Lord, not once but twice in this Psalm alone.

In previous posts, I’ve talked about the importance of not just forgiveness but of feeling forgiven. God didn’t send His Son to die for our Salvation only to have us walk around feeling that He hasn’t forgiven us. Wrong, that’s not what He wants for us! Feeling this way is a signal we need to trust God more. This feeling a deceptive emotion from the enemy to make us think God doesn’t/won’t forgive us. He wants to disconnect or break our relationship with God. Trust and reliance in God will strengthen our relationship with Him and shuts down that lie.

When we are truly apologetic to Him and regret our sins, He is faithful and just and does forgive us.

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)

God indeed forgives us and He tells us in His Word to believe and trust in Him and His forgiveness.

In verse 13 the Psalmist displays this very trust, saying He will see God’s goodness in this present life. We can’t expect to see God’s goodness unless we trust Him and know that He’s forgiven us—His goodness is where our forgiveness is found. For He is our good, good Father who always loves us and forgives, us even though we don’t deserve it.

By our faith, we see God’s goodness now. And thanks to our Lord Jesus Christ, His Sacrifice and forgiveness are what lead to us seeing His goodness in the life to come as well. As long as we continue following Him, trusting Him, and keeping our hope in Him…

“For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance. That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe.” (1 Timothy 4:8-10)

“It is a trustworthy statement: For if we died with Him, we will also live with Him” (2 Timothy 2:11)

The Psalmist also reminds us to have faith and not be afraid. Something Jesus Himself says to us…

“Overhearing what they said, Jesus told him, "Don't be afraid; just believe." (Mark 3:56)

God is all for us not being scared or worried. But the only way we’ll be able to accomplish that is by trusting Him. And He wants us to remember He’s always with us and for us.

“What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31)

And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matthew 28:20)

Here are a few more verses showing how Paul verbalized his trust in God’s Salvation…

“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.“ (Romans 8:18)

“And if our hope in Christ is only for this life, we are more to be pitied than anyone in the world.” (1 Corinthians 15:19)

It sounds a little he’s doubting here but no I don’t think so. His point is that we have everything to gain by believing in God, and everything to lose.

“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” (Jeremiah 29:11)

Sometimes those plans may change, but that’s okay. God our Father always knows what’s best for His Children.

“In their hearts, humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.” (Proverbs 16:9)

He never fails us.

“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘I will never leave you; I will never forsake you.’”

(Hebrews 13:5)

God has special plans for each and every one of us. He planned our lives even before we were born. Each of us has something special that makes us different and unique.

We each bring something new and valuable to the table.

Although different we all have the most important thing in common—we believe in and serve the same (Thee One and Only) God. And are one with Him.

“There is one body, but it has many parts. But all its many parts make up one body. It is the same with Christ. We were all baptized by one Holy Spirit. And so we are formed into one body.” (1 Corinthians 12:12-13)