THANKING GOD FOR A GODLY WOMAN

“THANKING GOD FOR MARIE STANT - A GODLY WOMAN” Scripture: Proverbs 31:10

*We are going to miss Marie Stant. It is always hard to lose someone we love, especially when that someone is someone like Marie. But in the midst of our grief, we can remember Marie with joy. And we can have great gratitude for her life.

1. First: We can thank God for Marie’s devotion to her family.

*When it came to Marie, the very first Scripture I thought about was the Godly woman in Proverbs 31. And when Jeff and I met Wednesday, that was the Scripture you mentioned to me.

Listen to these verses from that tribute to a good woman. I am sure that they describe your mother, grandmother, great grand mother and friend:

10. Who can find a virtuous woman? For her worth is far above rubies.11. The heart of her husband safely trusts her; so he will have no lack of gain.

12. She does him good and not evil all the days of her life.13. She seeks wool and flax, and willingly works with her hands.14. She is like the merchant ships; she brings her food from afar.15. She also rises while it is yet night, and provides food for her household, and a portion for her maidservants.

*Those verses describe Marie Stant to a “T.”

-She was the wife who could be safely trusted by her husband.

-She was the wife who did you “good and not evil all the days of her life.”

*Marie was also like the good woman in Proverbs 31:13, who “seeks wool and flax, and willingly works with her hands.” She was a willing worker.

*And she was the woman in Proverbs 31:15 who “rises while it is yet night, and provides food for her household. . .” She worked in Banks after her husband Fred died in order to provide for her family.

She was there.”

-She was there for you all.

*No wonder we hear an echo of Proverbs 31:28 today: “Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.”

-Today, we can thank God for Marie’s devotion to her family.

2. And thank God for her demonstration of her faith.

*How did Marie demonstrate her faith? How does any Godly woman demonstrate her faith? -- God’s Word shows us 3 ways in Proverbs 31.

[1] First: she rejoiced in serving. Proverbs 31:20 says, “She extends her hand to the poor, yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy.” That’s one good way to serve. Marie loved to serve the Lord at church.

*She loved Elizabeth River Baptist Church! She was a Charter member, used her financial expertise in the counting committee. She visited the shut-ins. She was a great cook and served for years on the Kitchen Committee and helped out in the bereavement committee. She was a mentor to others. She served on the Lord’s Supper Committee, helping to prepare for that special service for worship. She was a part of the OPALs. “Older People with Active Lifestyles”. Loved the fellowship. She loved her church, church was her life.

*She rejoiced in serving the Lord. -- That’s how she demonstrated her faith.

[2] But Marie also relied on the Scripture. Proverbs 31:26 says this about a Godly mom: “She opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness.”

*Where did she get her wisdom and kindness? -- It came from the Word of God.

*And Marie was fully committed to God’s Word.

-She was in church every time she could be there.

She served as a Children’s Sunday school teacher for many years. She was an active member of the Women’s Missionary Union, concerned about missions education and support.

*She did all she could to learn and live by God’s Word. “She always had a very positive attitude. I never heard her complain about anything.

*That all is a living example of Hebrews 13:5, which tells us: “Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’”

*In these ways and many more, Marie demonstrated her faith by relying on the Scripture.

[3] But she also gave reverence to her Savior.

*Proverbs 31:30 says: “Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.”

*That Godly woman feared the LORD. In other words, she gave reverence to the LORD. She knew that the LORD is Almighty God. She knew that the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is God. There is no one above Him.

*She gave Him reverence, devotion and obedience. And that’s good, because He is worthy of our love and devotion.

*Proverbs passage: Believers in her day were waiting for the Savior to come. Believers in our day know that the Savior has already come. And His name is Jesus.

*He died on the cross for our sins and rose again from the dead. And His great love will give us everlasting life, IF we will receive Jesus as Savior and Lord.

*Marie Stant is in heaven today, not because she was a good woman, even though she was a good woman. Marie was a very good woman, but she wasn’t good enough to earn a place in Heaven.

-Nobody is that good.

-Nobody has ever lived a perfect life but Jesus Christ.

*The Bible tells us that all of us have sinned and come short of the glory of God.

-But Marie is forgiven. And she is in Heaven today because she opened her heart to receive Jesus as her Savior and Lord.

*She is in Heaven because she trusted in the cross and in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. And we will go to Heaven too if we will trust in the Lord.

*Family: God has a reunion planned for everyone who trusts in the cross of Jesus Christ. Through faith in Jesus, we will certainly see Marie again, and we will be together forever. Will you be there?

*Also remember this: The same God who took Marie to Heaven last Monday night is here today to help us in our time of sorrow.