Bits and Pieces – 191st Edition – May 19, 2024

      The Westminster Confession of Faith states that, ‘God, the great creator of all things, doth uphold, direct, dispose and govern all creatures, actions and things, from the greatest even to the least, by His most wise and Holy providence.” He governs all things according to the counsel of His own will.

     That includes His people – He has a plan for them individually and collectively.  The great problem is that some never seem to know God’s will for their lives.  There are three main dimensions in discerning God’s will.  Let us illustrate them for you.

     To pinpoint exactly any object in a room, three dimensions are needed.  The height from the floor will tell you the object lies on a plane.  A dimension from one wall will fix the object on a line a certain distance from the floor.  It takes a third dimension from another wall to accurately pinpoint the object.

     Likewise, in the call of God there are three dimensions.  Where there is a confluence of these three factors it is possible to be absolutely sure of God’s will.  Without such a clear-cut call no one should go into full time service.  Spurgeon gave good advice; “don’t go into God’s service if you can stay out.”  If you can stay out He probably never called you in the first place.

     The first is to be willing to do whatever God desires.  It is not for us to make the decision.  Paul said, “What wilt Thou have me to do?”  We must accept that with no ‘buts.’

     If we are to work for the Lord there will be some latent, but undeveloped, talent to do the job God wants.

     Perhaps the most important dimension is clear guidance from God’s Word.  On your knees, prayerfully and carefully seek God’s face and His direction. He will reveal His perfect will.

     Some sincere Christians rely on circumstances to ascertain God’s will.  This is dangerous.  Jonah looked for a ship.  He found one, and it was going to a suitable destination, Tarshish.  There was space, and the captain accepted him as a passenger.  He had enough money to pay the fare.

     The circumstances aligned and suggested that Tarshish was right for him. But there was a serious problem.  God’s Word pointed in the opposite direction.  It was very clear, “Arise, go to Nineveh” [Jonah 1:2].  God said east but Jonah went west, and disaster.

     When we are led by God’s Word, the circumstances will support our decision, but circumstances alone are not enough.

     With the influx of many books the church library needed much work.  Mrs. Nagwa Mounir has done a sterling job in cataloguing and rearranging the books.

     We encourage the church people to make use of our excellent library. Paul exhorted young Timothy to “give attendance to reading” [1 Timothy 4:13].  They say that those who never read will never be quoted.

     Universities are supposed to be places of learning.  Sadly, today, more and more, the students are getting involved in political protests and turning to violent behaviour.

     Many of the students are genuinely espousing some noble cause, but there is a radical element that is happy to use any excuse for violent action, and infiltrate the genuine protest for their nefarious ends.

     Pray for our young people that, after graduating from a godly Christian environment, and going to university, they will be protected by the Lord from those who want to get them involved in some God – dishonouring behaviour.

“Wherewithal shall a young man (or woman) cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to Thy Word” [Psalm 119:9].