Being predestinated according to the purpose of Him who worketh all things after the counsel of His own will.

- Ephesians 1:11b

The LORD hath prepared His throne in the heavens; and His kingdom ruleth over all.

- Psalm 103:19

A man's heart deviseth his way; but the LORD directeth his steps.

- Proverbs 16:9

Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and ope of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.

But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.

- Matthew 10:29-30

Imagine a person receiving thousand-dollar gifts on a regular basis from a kind, concerned friend. However, with the money he receives, this person purchases weapons to fight againt the giver of his gifts. What would you think of such a person?

How valuable are the gifts of mental and physical health, of eyesight and hearing, and of being able to walk? Who is continually giving us these priceless benefits?

When we sin, how are we using the precious gifts God is giving us to fight against Him, even while He is giving them to us?

Government is the almighty power of God by which He directs and controls all things so that they fulfill the purpose determined by Him. When creating the world, God had a definite purpose and end in view. He rules over all things to accomplish His plan - a plan in which all shall serve to promote God's honor and glory.

Near the end of her reign, after having severely persecuted the Protestants in England, Queen Mary signed a commission to enforce similar action in Ireland. She appointed Dr. Cole to personally carry this commission to the proper authorities in Ireland.

On his way, Dr. Cole stopped in Chester and visited with the mayor of the city. While speaking together, Dr. Cole removed a leather box from his suitcase, and boastingly proclaimed, "Here is a commission that shall lash all the heretics in Ireland!" (As a Roman Catholic, he meant all "Protestants" when he used the term "heretics. ")

The mayor's wife was alarmed when she heard these words. She had favorable impressions of the Protestants, and her brother, John Edmunds, was a well-respected Protestant leader in Dublin.

When the mayor took his visitor outside to see the gardens, his wife quickly opened the box, removed the royal commission, and replaced it with a deck of cards she had hastily wrapped in a sheet of paper, and again closed the box.

At the conclusion of his visit, Dr. Cole repacked the leather box in his suitcase, and continued his journey.

A few days later, he arrived in Ireland and obtained a hearing with all the chief authorities, including the Lord