Comfort of the Scriptures - Romans 15 v 4

I realize this is the first entry of 2011 - Have I really had nothing to say??
Tomorrow it is my turn to lead the prayer meeting, and I shall, God willing speak for a few minutes on the subject of the comfort of the scriptures?
Do we find the scriptures comforting? In what do we derive comfort?
Just a few simple thoughts - They are true. They proclaim the God who comforts his people - especially by the consolation of Israel.They show the lives of those who knew the power of prayer. They see that nothing takes God but surprise - and that they are more than conquers through Christ. They look forward to the hope that is ahead of them.

Providence Bible study - Suffering

Last Sunday afternoon we had our 3rd study on Providence. In this study I wanted to look at Gods purpose and providing in suffering. Suffering, disasters, wars etc are often citied as reason to be atheist. I tried to show that these are all in Gods purposes.After looking at the subject generally, we went on more specifically to look at the man born blind in John 9 and the death and resurrection of Lazarus in John 11. The man was born blind so that the works of God night be manifest in Him, and Lazarus to glorify the Son. What lives of purpose.

Providence Bible Study No 1

This afternoon I started the first in the series of Bible Studies on Providence. It is quite a large subject, and covering a lot of issues. To help us give definition to the subject, we had a brief look at what confession,s catechisms, and theologians say about providence.
John Flavel says in his book -  The Mystery of Providence.

In nothing does providence shine forth more gloriously in this world than in ordering the occasions, instruments and means of conversion of the people of God… this O this is the most excellent benefit you ever receive from his hand.

It is a mistake to see any divorcing between providence and grace. We looked at Genesis 22 to highlight the central point of Providence as God Himself providing  the Lamb for the sacrifice, foreshaddowing Jesus

I hope it wasn't too heavy for a Sunday afternoon. Next time we hope to have a brief overview of the book of Esther to highlight Gods Hand at work.