Unguessable chemistry

4th Annual Women's Conference 2008

The conference, organised by the Grace Baptist Women's Association (South East), was held at Union Chapel in Bethersden, Kent, on Saturday 19 February and the title was 'Unguessable chemistry - God's sovereignty in an uncertain world. Over 150 women from SE London, Kent and Sussex attended. The speaker, Ann Benton, explained God's sovereign providence at work in the story of Ruth.

First session - Ruth 1 & 2

The opening verses amply demonstrated that life is full of trouble and sorrow. The experience of human kindness bears witness to the fact that people are made in the image of God. The book of Ruth teaches that our sovereign God is kind - in his creation and provision, in his common grace, in his laws and in his welcome.

Second session - Ruth 3 & 4

Lessons can be learnt from the actions of the main characters in this story. God's sovereign purposes never preclude responsible action: Naomi, Ruth and Boaz were all depicted as people with great integrity. Their agenda was honourable and they followed God-given guidelines. God's sovereign purposes are often surprising. God's sovereign purposes encompass all of history: the end result in this story was a son for Naomi, then later a king for Israel and, ultimately, a redeemer for the world.

Final session - 1 John 3.1-3

Our true identity is not determined by our relationships, our looks, our achievements or our performance, but by our relationship to God. We are loved extravagantly. We are children of God. We have a secure future - one day 'we shall be like him'.

It was a day of great encouragement and blessing.