The sovereignty of God...

...means that we should not regret anything that has ever happened in our lives.

"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 (NIV)

The Consolation of God

"Unless the LORD had given me help, I would soon have dwelt in the silence of death. When I said, "My foot is slipping," your love, O LORD, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul." - Psalm 94:17-19 (NIV)

When the same verses hit you from different sources, it is probably not a coincidence.

Restart

"So the LORD God said to the serpent, "Because you have done this, "Cursed are you above all the livestock and all the wild animals! You will crawl on your belly and you will eat dust all the days of your life. And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.""" - Genesis 3:14-15 (NIV)

"The infant will play near the hole of the cobra, and the young child put his hand into the viper's nest. They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain, for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea." - Isaiah 11:8-9 (NIV)

Verse of the Day

*From the Old Testament reading of the ESV Study Bible plan for 24 Apr*

"You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you." - Isaiah 26:3 (ESV)

3 in 1

"The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him - the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of power, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD." - Isaiah 11:2 (NIV)

The trinity in one, or in fact a quarter of a verse.

Papiss Cisse: £10m Striker Gets a £6 Haircut

Screaming fans mobbed Newcastle striker Papiss Cisse when he went for a £6 haircut at a barber's shop in Gateshead.

The £10 million forward visited The Barber Shop on Sunderland Road in Felling for a trim.

Owner Iyad Attallah said, "It was crazy. Everyone was screaming his name asking for a picture."

"But Papiss didn't mind. He really enjoyed seeing the fans."

"His haircut would have cost £6 but I didn't accept the money because I see him as my friend now, and I don't charge my friends."

Source: Sky News (article and video here)

The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard (Matthew 20:1-16)

The workers who were hired about the eleventh hour came and each received a denarius. So when those came who were hired first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also received a denarius. When they received it, they began to grumble against the landowner. "These men who were hired last worked only one hour," they said, "and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of the day."

But he answered one of them, "Friend, I am not being unfair to you. Didn't you agree to work for a denarius? Take your pay and go. I want to give the man who was hired last the same as I gave you. Don't I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?"

So the last will be first, and the first will be last.

- Matthew 20:9-16 (NIV)

The grace of God amazes penitent sinners - and alarms proud saints!

Penitent sinners cry out, "I'm so bad - surely God can't love me. Yet He does!" Grace amazes them!

Proud saints call out, "I'm so good - surely God would be impressed by me. Yet He isn't!" Grace alarms them!

Our view of God exposes the true condition of our heart. If you were to ask the vineyard workers what they thought of the vineyard owner, you would receive totally different answers depending on who you asked - the late 5pm workers or the early 6am workers...

Failing to understand God's grace, we are often calculative, competitive and conceited. Understanding God's grace, we are contented!

- Edmund Chan, Growing Deep in Faith

Divine Sovereignty and Human Responsibility

"The Son of Man will go as it has been decreed, but woe to that man who betrays him." - Luke 22:22 (NIV)

"Men of Israel, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. This man was handed over to you by God's set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him." - Acts 2:22-24 (NIV)

"Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen." - Acts 4:27-28 (NIV)

"For you will certainly carry out God's purpose, however you act, but it makes a difference to you whether you serve like Judas or like John." - C. S. Lewis, The Problem of Pain

Verse of the Day

*From the Wisdom reading of the ESV Study Bible plan for 3 Apr*

"When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul." - Psalm 94:19 (ESV)

Choice of Words

*Random thoughts arising from this morning's message in church, Standing on the Promises of the Covenant God (2 Samuel 7)*

Speaking for the LORD (Our Action)

"After the king was settled in his palace and the LORD had given him rest from all his enemies around him, he said to Nathan the prophet, "Here I am, living in a palace of cedar, while the ark of God remains in a tent." Nathan replied to the king, "Whatever you have in mind, go ahead and do it, for the LORD is with you."" - 2 Samuel 7:1-3 (NIV)

Do we sometimes take it upon ourselves to speak for the LORD when He has not spoken (eg. matters on which Scripture remains silent)?

Speaking by the LORD (God's Reaction)

"That night the word of the LORD came to Nathan, saying: "Go and tell my servant David, 'This is what the LORD says: Are you the one to build me a house to dwell in? ...Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.'"" - 2 Samuel 7:4-5, 16 (NIV)

If we speak for the LORD when He has not spoken, we might not only refuse to let Him speak for Himself; we might also be surprised (not necessarily in a good way) when He does speak.

Speaking to the LORD, under the LORD (Our Response)

"O LORD Almighty, God of Israel, you have revealed this to your servant, saying, 'I will build a house for you.' So your servant has found courage to offer you this prayer. O Sovereign LORD, you are God! Your words are trustworthy, and you have promised these good things to your servant. Now be pleased to bless the house of your servant, that it may continue forever in your sight; for you, O Sovereign LORD, have spoken, and with your blessing the house of your servant will be blessed forever." - 2 Samuel 7:27-29 (NIV)

In other words, praying about the hidden will of God based on the revealed will of God.

Speak, O Lord, as we come to You
To receive the food of Your Holy Word
Take Your truth, plant it deep in us
Shape and fashion us in Your likeness

That the light of Christ might be seen today
In our acts of love and our deeds of faith
Speak, O Lord, and fulfill in us
All Your purposes for Your glory