The LORD has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all. Psa 103:19
In 1859 a young lad from Pennsylvania, after his graduation in Princeton under Professor Charles Hodge, was ordained and sent to Brazil as a missionary effort of the PCUSA to preach the gospel and the Presbyterian standards in that country. His name was Ashbel Green Simonton. In 1860, Rev. Simonton preached his first sermon in the Portuguese language and in 1862 founded the first Presbyterian Church in Brazil, located in Rio de Janeiro.
This just reminds me of God’s providence, His control over history, His absolute dominium. Anyone living in the catholic Brazil of the 19th Century would never believe that the Lord would bring a foreigner who would learn the local language in 2 years, enable him to preach His Gospel powerfully in such a way that,146 years later, that single church would become 2304, distributed in 236 presbyteries.
Since me and my wife arrived here, we have been learning a lot on that matter. We have found demonstrations from our Lord of his mercy and care not only in the Seminary but brothers and sisters individually have been used by Him to bless us with love, attention, prayers and gifts.
The knowledge of this biblical truth must find a special place in the hearts of faithful believers and must cause a great impact in the way they live and see the world. The Christian ought to exercise his dependence on God by struggling against the thought that he can solve problems or live his life by himself and by spending time in private prayer as advised by Lord Jesus.
This just reminds me of God’s providence, His control over history, His absolute dominium. Anyone living in the catholic Brazil of the 19th Century would never believe that the Lord would bring a foreigner who would learn the local language in 2 years, enable him to preach His Gospel powerfully in such a way that,146 years later, that single church would become 2304, distributed in 236 presbyteries.
Since me and my wife arrived here, we have been learning a lot on that matter. We have found demonstrations from our Lord of his mercy and care not only in the Seminary but brothers and sisters individually have been used by Him to bless us with love, attention, prayers and gifts.
The knowledge of this biblical truth must find a special place in the hearts of faithful believers and must cause a great impact in the way they live and see the world. The Christian ought to exercise his dependence on God by struggling against the thought that he can solve problems or live his life by himself and by spending time in private prayer as advised by Lord Jesus.
