This is the best Lord's day you can turn to as an example of "doctrine is life!" Everything in my life is purposeful and is the hand of our mighty God who upholds and governs all things! He created and governs the entire universe that works together for His glory and they are all good.

Meaning: Talking about a theological term and there is no better meaning that we find in this Lord's day. It cannot be what the dictionary defines, but God does as He wills. History is the unfolding of His good pleasure and God is NOT RE-active. There are no probabilities in my life and all things work out for my good as scripture tells us. We are not deists who believe God created the world and then just let's it go. Scripture speaks to the contrary in the doctrine of providence (Jacob for just one example.) God directs, opens and closes doors, and works all things even as we seek out His will in our lives. (He asks Israel "who does all these things?") It is the Almighty, all present power of God whereby He directs ALL things in your life and mine! Read this Lord's day. ALL in God's control!

Scope: He directs ALL things. Every perfect gift flows from the Father of Lights. Nothing is exempt from the providence of God. Many in scripture struggle with this fact. Assaph asked "why do the wicked prosper?" and Joseph asked "why are all these things against me?" We see God's good pleasure and providential care in scripture as some meant things for evil when God turned it for good! We too struggle with this as creatures...but what is really in our control? NOTHING! It is all from the hand of the mighty God. No matter if we deem it negative or positive it is ALL grace unto us and He controls all things in our life!

Applied: When we understand this we will be 1- thankful, 2-patient, and 3-we will trust.

Thankful "when you reap of the vineyards that you did not plant remember the Lord thy God." These were the words to Israel. We too often times forget God and He calls us back to learn to trust in Him and Him alone.

Patient. When we meet adversity we do not thank Him thinking "the deck is stacked against us" instead of waiting on the will of the Lord that we will see in this world or when we get to heaven.