Filling some Big Shoes

My roller coaster weekend is finally finished. My dad has been out of town, and I have had the priviledge of filling his shoes for the past weekend. This included teaching in our men's bible study on the Sovereignty of God over election and salvation and leading worship in our main services morning and evening. It was a long weekend and took a lot of energy, but before I pat myself on the back too much for getting it all done, I have to remember that this is what my dad does every week of his ministry here, and he does an excellent job. Ministry is a blessing for my dad, and even with the expanded work load he has had with the loss of a few pastors over the years, he takes it all in stride and continues to do his work heartily, as to the Lord, rather than men. He's a great example and I hope to be more like him as I pursue my ministry.

I was very pleased particularly with the discussion on God's sovereignty during the men's Bible study. There was no debate for the purpose of arguing, just good discussion about man's inability to effect his own salvation and God's ultimate control over all things. There was a bit of discussion over the difference between foreknowledge and foreordination, but I think Jonathan Edwards puts that debate to rest with this great quote:

"Whether God has decreed all things that ever come to pass or not, all that own the being of a God, own that He knows all things beforehand. Now, it is self-evident that if He knows all things beforehand, He either doth approve of them or doth not approve of them; that is, He either is willing they should be, or He is not willing they should be. But to will that they should be is to decree them."

The very fact that things happen testifies to God's decreed will over all matters. And in that truth I trust He will continue to give me grace as I pursue ministry. God is good, gracious, and truly holy, holy, holy.