Blessings and Benefits

Psalm 103:2 says, “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits.” The psalm continues to list many of the benefits that God has given to mankind (Forgiveness, healing, redemption, loving-kindness, mercies, etc.). I was encouraged by this passage and thought that you would be encouraged as well. As you read through, reflecting on the many blessings that God has given us, I suggest that you to start listing all that God has done (and is doing) in your life and thank Him for it.

Psalm 103

Photograph by Amanda T.

1   Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless His holy name.

2   Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits:

3   Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;

4   Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;

5   Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.

6   The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.

7   He made known His ways unto Moses, His acts unto the children of Israel.

8   The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.

9   He will not always chide: neither will He keep His anger forever.

10   He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.

11   For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward them that fear him.

12   As far as the east is from the west, so far hath He removed our transgressions from us.

13   Like as a father pitieth His children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.

14   For He knoweth our frame; He remembereth that we are dust.

15   As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so He flourisheth.

16   For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.

17   But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear Him, and His righteousness unto children's children;

18   To such as keep His covenant, and to those that remember His commandments to do them.

19   The LORD hath prepared His throne in the heavens; and His kingdom ruleth over all.

20   Bless the LORD, ye His angels, that excel in strength, that do His commandments, hearkening unto the voice of His word.

21   Bless ye the LORD, all ye His hosts; ye ministers of His, that do His pleasure.

22   Bless the LORD, all His works in all places of His dominion: bless the LORD, O my soul.

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Has God encouraged you through a special passage of Scripture recently?

A Prayer

Shared by Amanda T.

Photo by Amanda T.

I would not have the restless will

That hurries to and fro,

Seeking for some great thing to do,

Or wondrous thing to know;

I would be guided as a child,

And led where’er I go.

I ask Thee for the daily strength,

To none that asked denied,

A mind to blend with outward life,

While keeping at Thy side;

Content to fill a little space

If Thou be glorified.

Author Unknown

(verse from Ester Ried, by Isabella Alden)

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Do you have a verse, poem, or article that you would like to share? We enjoy hearing from you: rubieslikeruth@gmail.com

Recipe: Applesauce Oatmeal Bread

Shared by Ana Renee

All photos by Ana Renee

Ingredients:

1 cup white flour

1/2 cup whole wheat flour

1 cup quick cooking oats

3/4 cup brown sugar

1+1/2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1 cup raisins

1 1/2 cup applesauce

2 eggs

1/2 cup milk

Directions:
Combine dry ingredients.

Add wet ingredients and mix well. Batter will be slightly runny.

Pour into 1 well-greased loaf pan 8 1/2”x 4 1/2” recommended).

Bake at 350° for 45-60 minutes or until slightly brown.

Do you enjoy cooking or baking? Do you have a well-loved recipe that you would like to share? Email us at rubieslikeruth@gmail.com!

Recipe: Oatmeal Applesauce Muffins

Shared by Ana Renee

all photographs by Ana Renee

1 1/2 cups oats

1 1/4 all purpose flour

3/4 teaspoons cinnamon

1 teaspoon baking powder

3/4 teaspoons baking soda

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 cup applesauce

1/2 cup milk

3 Tablespoons oil

1 egg


Directions:
Combine dry ingredients. Add wet ingredients and mix just until blended. Fill muffin cups almost full. Bake at 400˚ for 20-22 minutes.

Yields 12 muffins.

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Do you have a favorite breakfast recipe? A delicious dessert? Share your recipe (and pictures!) with us: rubieslikeruth(at)gmail(dot)com.

Spirit of God, Descend Upon My Heart

The following hymn was written by George Croly (1780-1860).

Spirit of God, descend upon my heart;

Wean it from earth; thro’ all its pulses move;

Stoop to my weakness, mighty as Thou art,

And make me love Thee as I ought to love.

Teach me to feel that Thou art always nigh;

Teach me the struggles of the soul to bear,

To check the rising doubt, the rebel sigh;

Teach me the patience of unanswered prayer.

Teach me to love Thee as Thine angels love,

On holy passion filling all my frame;

The kindling of the heav’n-descended Dove,

My heart an altar, and Thy love the flame.

How Can My Thought-Life Prepare Me For Marriage?

Though we have officially "closed" our study on thought-life, here is an extra article that a guest writer sent. I appreciated her views as a married woman and thought that you would enjoy reading this as well. ~Ana Renee

By Mrs. Christina W.

Images from Reusable Art

Have you ever asked yourself this question? How can my thought life on a daily basis prepare me for a godly, Christ-centered marriage? My answer can be explained simply. Think: If I was married right now, how would my thoughts affect my husband? As someone pursuing the Proverbs 31 woman as her role model, she mentions that this kind of woman “does him good and not evil, all the days of her life”. It doesn’t say all the days she is married to her husband.  So, that means you have to start now.  How can you do good to your husband right now while you are still unmarried and maybe don’t even have a clue as to who that perfect someone will be?

Let me remind you that the woman you are today is the same woman you will be when you are married. In other words everything you are cultivating in your heart garden will keep growing unless you dig it out. The weeds of discontentment, bitterness, selfishness, dishonesty, unkindness and the list could go on, will still grow taller and wider in your garden and will take over the fruits of the spirit unless you get out your hoe and dig those weeds out.

More specifically, though, let’s say you are discontent with being single. You are cultivating discontentment in your garden. Why do you think you will suddenly become content when you are married?  Marriage is the most amazing union in the world, but it is also the most difficult to maintain. We are sinners and will always carry our flesh with us. Are you one of those young women who is always commenting on or thinking about other young men?  I’m talking about comments like “Did you see that guy in Science class in the green polo toward the front? He is so attractive! When he smiled at me it felt like I was going to faint! And his eyes! They were like pools of blue I wouldn’t mind sinking into for hours!” Yes, I’m sure you’ve heard or said similar things. But keeping your future husband in mind, how does that prepare your for the line in your wedding vows that says, “Forsaking all others”?

My goal isn’t to go through every part of your life because I want you to take time right now and do that on your own. How can you be the best wife someday in the future? By remembering the Proverbs 31 model and strive to do your husband good and not evil, all the days of your life. Think on things that are pure, honest, good, kind, and if it is worthy of praise, think on those things. 

1 year, 200 posts!

I am very grateful to the Lord for allowing us to reach one year at Rubies Like Ruth! I have learned many lessons in the last year with Rubies Like Ruth and have been blessed in many ways.

A special “thank-you” to every staff writer, guest writer, and photographer/artist who has given your time and talents to help Rubies Like Ruth be a blessing to others.

I look forward to what God might have in store for us at Rubies Like Ruth!

Blessings,

Ana Renee

Rubies Like Ruth, founder