Preaching with a purpose

  I first suggested a trip to Russia to a friend about three weeks ago.   Since then we have been encouraging each other to make this a reality.   We have been to a travel agent’s and come away with brochures. I have been learning the language since February and enjoying it very much.   I have also joined the local twinning association.   In these associations a town or city or even a village will form links with towns in other countries.   These are most frequently with French or German towns.   My local city Exeter is twinned with Yaroslavl.   I have just joined by email and will be meeting the other members for the first time this Tuesday. From these meetings I will learn lots about Russia and its people.   There is one person I would like to meet in Russia, that is Danil Pluzhnikov who won Golos Deti (Children’s Voice.) He is an exceptional person of strong character and a good attitude to life.   He is a wonderful advert for Russia. My holiday will not happen till next ye

I remember hearing a well known speaker, but I can’t remember who it was, who had a very successful ministry and yet he said it was second best as he believed he had been meant to be a missionary in China.   Had he thwarted God’s will for him? Does God’s will have a solid centre which He really wants us in and can we slide to the edges of His will?   Does His will have a centre and a lesser outer edge? Can we thwart His will?   What a strange idea.   God is Almighty and knows the end from the beginning.   The wickedest sinner who does the most evil things is not thwarting God.   Yes he is responsible for his actions and unless he repents he will suffer for them, but he cannot and does not thwart God’s will. But for those of us who want to follow God and fit in with His purposes there is great comfort in knowing that God is in charge. When we say the prayer that Jesus taught His disciples there is great comfort in these words, “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in