#theeoneandonly

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:22-23)

How wonderful is it and how blessed are we that God’s Mercy never ever ceases?

I often use words such as unfailing; unending; unstoppable when speaking of God and His Promises.

But I don’t say them just to say them, they’re FACTS!

The Bible tells us of all God has promised to us from the beginning of time. Two of my favorites are:

His Love, forgiveness, and mercy will never end

He will never leave us but will always be with us

What’s even more comforting and reassuring (and God knows He has to reassure us often since our emotions go up and down and we sometimes feel like what we’ve done can never be forgiven—even by Him) is that His promises are unfailing; unending; unstoppable!

Here are some of the countless verses in which the Bible reminds us of God’s Promises:

Psalm 136

“The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” (Exodus 14:14)

“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” (Deuteronomy 31:8)

“I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted.” (Job 42:2)

“No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you.” (Joshua 1:5)

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)

“Not one word of all the good promises that the LORD had made to the house of Israel had failed; all came to pass.” (Joshua 21:45)

“I will be his father, and he will be my son. When he does wrong, I will punish him with a rod wielded by men, with floggings inflicted by human hands. But my love will never be taken away from him, as I took it away from Saul, whom I removed from before you. (2 Samuel 7:14-15)

“Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. (Psalm 24:8)

“For the word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all he does.” (Psalm 33:4)

“He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor punished us according to our iniquities. For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.” (Psalm 103:10-12)

“If You, Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But there is forgiveness with You, that You may be feared.” (Psalm 130:3-4)

"The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever." (Isaiah 40:8)

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10)

“I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake; and I will not remember your sins.” (Isaiah 43:25)

"Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away." (Matthew 24:35)

“Teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20)

“For the word of God will never fail.” (Luke 1:37)

“If we are faithless, He remains faithful—for he cannot deny himself.” (2 Timothy 2:13)

“Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5)

Not to mention the promises God made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob! 

And He promised David would always have one of his descendants be 

We can rest assured our God is good, all the time; and all the time our God is good. And He is always with us, forgiving us when we turn away from our sins and return to Him.

His Love is forever and ever and ever!

“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)

“When the donkey saw the angel of the Lord standing in the road with a drawn sword in his hand, it turned off the road into a field. Balaam beat it to get it back on the road. Then the angel of the Lord stood in a narrow path through the vineyards, with walls on both sides. When the donkey saw the angel of the Lord, it pressed close to the wall, crushing Balaam’s foot against it. So he beat the donkey again. Then the angel of the Lord moved on ahead and stood in a narrow place where there was no room to turn, either to the right or to the left. When the donkey saw the angel of the Lord, it lay down under Balaam, and he was angry and beat it with his staff. Then the Lord opened the donkey’s mouth, and it said to Balaam, “What have I done to you to make you beat me these three times?’  Balaam answered the donkey, “You have made a fool of me! If only I had a sword in my hand, I would kill you right now.’ The donkey said to Balaam, ‘Am I not your own donkey, which you have always ridden, to this day? Have I been in the habit of doing this to you?’ ‘No,’ he said. Then the Lord opened Balaam’s eyes, and he saw the angel of the Lord standing in the road with his sword drawn. So he bowed low and fell facedown. The angel of the Lord asked him, “Why have you beaten your donkey these three times? I have come here to oppose you because your path is a reckless one before me. The donkey saw me and turned away from me these three times. If it had not turned away, I would certainly have killed you by now, but I would have spared it.” (Numbers 22:23-33)

Balaam’s donkey was actually trying to protect him. And it did, it saved his life. God had sent His Angel to oppose Balaam because of His Anger towards Balaam. He disobeyed God by going with the Moabite officials to see Balak when Balak sent for him to curse Israel. So, went his donkey saw The Lord’s Angel he was protecting him from God’s Wrath. But Balaam was stubborn and punished his donkey, again and again, failing to see why his donkey was turning away from the path Balaam chose. He took out his frustration on the donkey. By the third time, Balaam punished his donkey—God enabled the donkey to speak to open his eyes. God then tells Balaam to go on ahead but only say what He tells him to.

How many times do we act like Balaam? For me, too many to count. I think I’m the most stubborn person ever. My donkey is crushing my foot and straying me from the paths I choose all the time. But it’s only trying to protect me. The donkey is saying to me “Am I not your own donkey, which you have always ridden, to this day? Have I been in the habit of doing this to you?” The fact is that God is always there trying to lead us right. He’s never guided us wrong—just like Balaam’s donkey reminds him that he’s never led him wrong either and his doing so now is obviously for a reason. So when our donkey is standing in front of us, it’s because God told him to. God gives us endless warnings and second and third and endless chances but at some point, we have to listen and be obedient as Balaam eventually was after his third warning.

Why do we think we know better than God? Or think that by Him not doing things our way, it must mean we’re being punished or that He doesn’t love us?

It’s actually the opposite. God could’ve released His punishment through His Angel on that road right then and there. When Balaam’s blind stubbornness was keeping him from doing things his way. But instead, He lets him go to Balak and instructs him to bless instead of cursing Israel! He uses Balaam when he turned away from his stubbornness to do as the Lord said and He turned bad into good.

We should learn from this the importance of trusting God when He wants us to choose a different path. This story should remind us to follow God because only He knows best!

Balaam’s donkey was actually trying to protect him. And it did, it saved his life. God had sent His Angel to oppose Balaam because of His Anger towards Balaam. He disobeyed God by going with the Moabite officials to see Balak when Balak sent for him to curse Israel. So, went his donkey saw The Lord’s Angel he was protecting him from God’s Wrath. But Balaam was stubborn and punished his donkey, again and again, failing to see why his donkey was turning away from the path Balaam chose. He took out his frustration on the donkey. By the third time, Balaam punished his donkey—God enabled the donkey to speak to open his eyes. God then tells Balaam to go on ahead but only say what He tells him to.

How many times do we act like Balaam? For me, too many to count. I think I’m the most stubborn person ever. My donkey is crushing my foot and straying me from the paths I choose all the time.

Why do we think we know better than God? Or think that by Him not doing things our way, it must mean we’re being punished or that He doesn’t love us?

It’s actually the opposite. God could’ve released His punishment through His Angel on that road right then and there. When Balaam’s blind stubbornness was keeping him from doing things his way. But instead, He lets him go to Balak and instructs him to bless instead of cursing Israel! He uses Balaam when he turned away from his stubbornness to do as the Lord said and He turned bad into good.

Rainbows are a sign of God’s covenant(s). They’re a sign of hope. God Himself created the rainbow(s) to bring us hope. They don’t happen accidentally after rainstorms. They happen just as the sun glistens after it’s been pouring for hours to remind us of three things.

1 - our GOD is Thee GOD Almighty! Thee One and Only!!

2 - our GOD is a God of miracles and forgiveness

3 - our GOD never ever breaks His Promises

“Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him: ‘I now establish my covenant with you and with your descendants after you and with every living creature that was with you—the birds, the livestock and all the wild animals, all those that came out of the ark with you—every living creature on earth. I establish my covenant with you: Never again will all life be destroyed by the waters of a flood; never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth.’ And God said, ‘This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come: I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life. Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth.’ So God said to Noah, “This is the sign of the covenant I have established between me and all life on the earth.” (Genesis 9:8-17)

God is our Creator and He has infinite power of all creation. He sends rain or sun; clouds or clear skies; thunderstorms with lightning or just a little rain shower. He knows everything we do, think, or say before we even think, do, or save them. And He alone is our Lord, our God!

“For You are great and do wondrous deeds; You alone are God.” (Psalm 86:10)

“You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely. You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.” (Psalm 139:1-6)

He controls our fate and will guide us if and when we turn to Him.

“Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.” (Psalm 139:7-10)

Rainbows are miracles themselves, besides being a sign of God’s covenant. And His eternal covenant with His People is His Sacrifice of Jesus our Savior! He came as man and performed among us many miracles.

“He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted.” (Job 5:9)

“Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak. She said to herself, ‘If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.’ Jesus turned and saw her. ‘Take heart, daughter,’ he said, ‘your faith has healed you.’ And the woman was healed at that moment.” (Matthew 9:20-22)

God never EVER breaks His Promises. He doesn’t go back on even a single word!

“God can't break his word. And because his word cannot change, the promise is likewise unchangeable. It's an unbreakable spiritual lifeline, reaching past all appearances right to the very presence of God where Jesus, running on ahead of us, has taken up his permanent post as high priest for us, in the order of Melchizedek.” (Hebrews 6:18-20)

“Then Jesus said, ‘Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?’” (John 11:40)

God’s Glory isn’t just in one place. It’s not visible at a certain time and place. It’s always visible in all things to those who believe. Here Jesus plainly says if you believe, you [will] see God’s Glory.

“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31)

As Christians, nothing we do shouldn’t be done for God. All we do should be for God! Whether we eat, drink, or sleep. And it should be done in love.

“Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22:37-40)

Jesus showed us how to live and love each other, by serving one another, and it’s for our own good. As Paul phrased it…

“All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.” (2 Corinthians 4:15)

Why? Because when we live following Jesus’s example—people either praise Him and glory are brought to His Name or they become curious as to what makes us the way we are and then they might come to believe and glory is brought to His Name.

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)

Our job is to get more and more people praising the Big Guy Upstairs!

For it’s all for His Glory, all we do and all we are the Glory belongs to our Creator!