For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?...But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.

Chapter 15: Pages 197-207, 1 Corinthians 4:7, and 15:10

For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?...But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me. 1 Corinthians 4:7, 15:10

This morning, I continued John Piper's book Providence (purchased from Amazon Kindle Store) and started Part 3 "The Nature and Extent of Providence", moving to Section 1 "Setting the Stage" - moving to chapter fifteen "Knowing the Providence of the God Who Is". 

Piper defines the extent of God's providence as "how extensive, or far-reaching, is God's governance or control of created reality?" He then defines the nature of God's providence as how "he influences whatever it is that he governs.  Is his control always exerted in the same way?"  Up front, as he starts this new section, Piper writes that "[w]e depend on [God] for our being and for our knowing-especially our knowing of him.  We are because he is.  We know because he reveals."

In the subsequent chapters of this section Piper digs deeper into the "how" of providence - but for now I rest on how providence unfolds and settle on how according to Piper, scripture alone provides the answers.

I am reminded of Paul's words to Timothy and those of David from Psalms 16:

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17

I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing.” Psalm 16:2

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, I KNOW that I am utterly dependent on You for all things, including understanding of Your providence and how it works.  Thank You for the gift of faith and for helping me understand You better - with each passing day I am renewed and know more about You - I also know that You are making me more like You.  Thank You Jesus!  I am undeserving of such rich blessings.  I worry and I have other sins.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.