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Dear Congregation,
I want to thank all of you who have prayed and supported the work of the Gospel through the church in 2023 and this first month of 2024. It is a great joy to minister at Westminster Baptist and I love the church here greatly. Through this past year, there have been heart-wrenching tragedies alongside blessings too. This is often the case in Christian life and yet we are called to keep trusting and believing. We often bear the battle scars of past experience and circumstance, as we live in this sinful world and anticipate heaven. We see Mordecai, mocked and scorned for years in Esther and on the brink of execution, yet he latterly knew blessing from God. The most important thing was he was faithful in serving the Lord. Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful - 1 Corinthians 4.2. This verse especially applies to ministers, church workers, but to all Christians. We are stewards of the oracles of God and to us has the light of the gospel been revealed. We should therefore be striving to be faithful, not popular, faithful. May that be our aim by the grace of God. In the beginning month in recent years we have spent a week praying together on each day for certain things. As a reminder that with continuing faith that prayer is essential. Key to our hope and joy and endurance and love, and with new resolve to make time to pray regularly alone and with your family and with some group of fellow believers. Alongside reading the Scriptures these should be our daily routine. There are various encouragements in the Scriptures to pray: - Pray without ceasing (1 Th. 5:17). - Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; (Ep. 6:18). - Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving; (Col. 4:2). These are a few verses of the many that encourage us to pray and undoubtedly set before us a biblical mandate that we should be concerned to pray. Maybe you have fallen out of the 'habit' or relegated prayer to a part time practice; or you only pray when trouble or danger comes. To that end I would ask the church to pray, if led, the suggested topics below so we might pray for the same things (roughly speaking) on the same day to encourage us. Let us be prayerful people and realise we too need prayer. To say we are praying for someone should be an expression of concern but an indication of our own action to bring the matter before God, before the throne of Grace through the believers mediator and High Priest. Jesus Christ, Paul even requests prayer for himself and those labouring for the Gospel with him twice in 1 and 2 Thessalonians saying 'brethren pray for us'. May we be a prayerful church and prayerful individuals, knowing that we have a prayer hearing and answering God. Pastor Jonathan Arnold Daily Prayer - Sunday - God thanks to God for His character, perfect, unchangeable, the same yesterday today and forever. - Give thanks to God that we can meet in the church and have fellowship with one another. - Pray the Lord would grant the preaching of his word power and clarity, and there are ready ears to hear and believe it. (2 Thes. 3.1.) - Pray we would be granted faithful ministry and good spiritual food from God's Word. (1 Peter 2.2.) Daily Reading Plan - First Year Preface - The oil for the lamps. The shewbread. Shelomith's son blasphemeth; his sentence; and the law of blasphemy. The law of murder: of damage. The blasphemer is stoned. Leviticus 24 Preface - David shewing his confidence in God desireth his help: he rejoiceth in God's mercy: he prayeth in his calamity: he extolleth God's goodness toward them that fear him: he blesseth him for the kindness which he himself had experienced: he exciteth the faithful to love and trust in him. Psalms 31 Daily Reading - Morning There shall cleave nought of the cursed thing to thine hand. Come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing. - Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul. - Hating even the garment spotted by the flesh. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. - The grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. Deu. 13.17; 2 Co. 6.17; 1 Pe. 2.11; Jude 23 1 Jn. 3.2-3; Titus 2.11-14 Daily Reading - Evening Who art thou, Lord?.... I am Jesus. It is I; be not afraid. - When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the LORD thy God....thy Saviour. Thou I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. - Emmanuel....God with us. Thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. - If any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. - Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Ac. 26.15; Mt. 14.27; Isa. 43.2-3 Ps. 23.4; Mt. 1.23 Mt. 1.21; 1 Jn. 2.1; Ro. 8.34-35 A Puritans Catechism Q 79 - What is the duty of such as are rightly baptized? A - It is the duty of such as are rightly baptized, to give themselves up to some particular and orderly Church of Jesus Christ, that they may walk in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. The 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith Of Free Will Chapter 9 PARAGRAPH 1 God has endued the will of man with that natural liberty and power of acting upon choice, that it is neither forced, nor by any necessity of nature determined to do good or evil. (1) (1)-Matt. 17.12; James 1.14; Deut. 30.19 Robert Murray M'Cheyne - God Makes A Path - Daily Devotional Readings It was good Only one sin For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. Romans 5 v 19 Only one sin. Some of you see little evil in one sin, or in a hundred sins; but here you see one sin cast Adam and all his children out of paradise. God did not wait till it was repeated. It appeared a small sin. The outward action was small - only stretching out the hand and taking an inviting fruit. Some of you think little of sins that make no great noise; such as breaking the Sabbath, drinking too much, speaking what is false, sitting down Christless at the Lord's table; but see here, one small sin brought a world under the curse of God. God would rather a world should perish than one small sin go unpunished.
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Daily Prayer - Saturday
- Give thanks to God that we have good news of salvation to tell that the repentant sinner might have everlasting life through Jesus Christ. (John 3.16.) - Pray the Lord would bless the Gospel outreach by the church in Westminster. Both on Saturday mornings and at services. - Pray the Lord would work in the contacts we have made both on Saturday mornings and at services; through personal conversations and online contacts. Church Services Sunday morning at 11:00am in church (and also available online via Facebook) Doctrine Class - in church (after lunch) (and also available online via Facebook) Sunday evening at 6:30pm in church (and also available online via Facebook) Bible Study and Prayer Wednesday evening at 7:00pm in church (and also available online via Facebook) Lunch Hour Service Thursday afternoon between 1:00pm and 1:30pm in church (and also available online via Facebook) Outreach/Witnessing Saturday morning at Victoria Street (outside the big Boots store) for 10:30am (across the road from Town Hall - No. 64). Afterwards we go back to church for prayer. Daily Reading Plan - First Year Preface - The feasts of the Lord. The sabbath. The passover. The sheaf of firstfruits. The feast of Pentecost. Gleanings to be left for the poor. The feast of trumpets. The day of atonement. The feast of tabernacles. Leviticus 23 Preface - David praiseth God, and exhorteth others thereto from his own experience. They are blessed that trust in God. An exhortation to the fear of God. The privileges of the righteous. Psalms 34 Daily Light - Morning Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. The veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom. - Christ....hath one suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God. - The way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing. I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. No man cometh unto the Father, but by me. - Through him we....have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God. - Having....boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh. - We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: by whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Jn. 10.7; Mt. 27.51; 1 Pe. 3.18; He. 9.8 Jn. 10.9 Jn. 14.6; Eph. 2.18-19; He. 10.19-20; Ro. 5.1-2 Daily Light - Evening His word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay, Necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!... What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel. - They called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered and said unto them.... We cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard. - The love of Christ constraineth us. I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth.... Thou wicked and slothful servant....thou oughtest....to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. Go....to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee. Jer. 20.9; 1 Co. 9.16,18; Ac. 4.18-20; 2 Co. 5.14 Mt. 25.25-27 Mk. 5.19 A Puritans Catechism Q 78 - How is baptism rightly administered? A - Baptism is rightly administered by immersion, or dipping the whole body of the person in water, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, accordin gto Christ's institution, and the practice of the apostles, and not by sprinkling or pouring of water, or dipping some part of the body, after the tradition of men. The 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith Of Christ the Mediator Chapter 8 PARAGRAPH 8 To all those for whom Christ has obtained eternal redemption, He does certainly and effectually apply and communicate the same, making intercession for them; (38) uniting them to Himself by His Spirit, revealing to them, in and by His Word, the mystery of salvation, persuading them to believe and obey, (39) governing their hearts by His Word and Spirit, (40) and overcoming all their enemies by His almighty power and wisdom, (41) in such manner and ways as are most consonant to His wonderful and unsearchable dispensation; and all of free and absolute grace, without any condition foreseen in them to procure it. (42) (38)-John 6.37, 10.15-16, 17.9; Rom. 5.10 (39)-John 17.6; Eph. 1.9; 1 John 5.20 (40)-Rom. 8.9,14 (41)-Ps.110.1; 1 Cor. 15.25-26 (42)-John 3.8; Eph. 1.8 Robert Murray M'Cheyne - God Makes A Path - Daily Devotional Readings Looking at Christ But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: Philippians 2 v 7 He was the eternal Son of God - equal with the Father in every thing, therefore equal in happiness. He had glory with Him before ever the world was. Yet His happiness also consisted in giving. He was far above all the angels, and therefore He gave far more than they all: 'The Son of Man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many.' He was highest, therefore He stooped lowest. They gave their willing services, He gave Himself: 'Ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for our sakes he became poor, that we, through his poverty, might be made rich. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ.' Now, dear Christians, some of you pray night and day to be branches of the true Vine; you pray to be made all over in the image of Christ. If so, you must be like Him in giving. A branch bears the same kind of fruit as the tree. If you be branches at all, you must bear the same fruit. An old divine says well: 'What would have become of us if Christ had been as saving of His blood as some men are of their money?' Daily Prayer - Friday
- Give thanks to God for many good things we enjoy and daily blessings. - Pray the Lord would supply the needs of those in the congregation at Westminster and guide us as we help those destitute and suffering. Especially those we have met in the pandemic. (Numbers 6.24-26.) - Pray for the ministry among the children and that they would know Christ from a young age. A rich blessing in this troubled world. - Pray for the evangelistic work, that people would know the greatest blessing of all salvation by the grace of God through Christ. Church Services Sunday morning at 11:00am in church (and also available online via Facebook) Doctrine Class - in church (after lunch) (and also available online via Facebook) Sunday evening at 6:30pm in church (and also available online via Facebook) Bible Study and Prayer Wednesday evening at 7:00pm in church (and also available online via Facebook) Lunch Hour Service Thursday afternoon between 1:00pm and 1:30pm in church (and also available online via Facebook) Outreach/Witnessing Saturday morning at Victoria Street (outside the big Boots store) for 10:30am (across the road from Town Hall - No. 64). Afterwards we go back to church for prayer. Daily Reading Plan - First Year Preface - The priests in their uncleanness must abstain from the holy things. Who of the priest's house may eat of them. Of satisfaction to be made by him who eateth of them unwittingly. The sacrifices must be without blemish. The age of the sacrifice. The law of eating the sacrifice of thanksgiving. Leviticus 22 Psalms 28) Preface - David prayeth earnestly for God's help against the wicked: he blesseth God for his gracious succour: he prayeth for the people. Psalms 29) Preface - David exhorteth princes to give glory to God, by reason of his power, and protection of his people. Psalms 28-29 Daily Light - Morning I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee. [Moses] stood between the LORD and you at that time, to shew you the word of the LORD: for ye were afraid. - There is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth. - Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. - Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men. Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after; but Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end. Deu. 18.18; Deu. 5.5; 1 Tim. 2.5 Nu. 12.3; Mt. 11.29; Phil. 2.5-7 He. 3.5-6 Daily Light - Evening Teach me thy way, O LORD.Everlasting consolation. I will remember my covenant with thee in the days of thy youth, and I will establish unto thee an everlasting covenant. By one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. - He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. - I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. The gifts and calling of God are without repentance. - Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? - The Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. - So shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words. This is not your rest. - Here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come. 2 Th. 2.16; Ezek. 16.60 He. 10.14; He. 7.25; 2 Tim. 1.12 Ro. 11.29; Ro. 8.35; Rev. 7.17; 1 Th. 4.17-18 Mi. 2.10; He. 13.14 A Puritans Catechism Q 77 - Are the infants of such as are professing to be baptized? A - The infants of such as are professing believers are not to be baptized because there is neither command nor example in the Holy Scriptures for their baptism. The 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith Of Christ the Mediator Chapter 8 PARAGRAPH 7 Christ, in the work of mediation, acts according to both natures, by each nature doing that which is proper to itself; yet by reason of the unity of the person, that which is proper to one nature is sometimes in Scripture, attributed to the person denominated by the other nature. (37) (37)-John 3.13; Acts 20.28 Robert Murray M'Cheyne - God Makes A Path - Daily Devotional Readings Heavenly tenderness Nevertheless I tell you the truth; it is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. John 16 v 7 When friends are about to part from one another, they are far kinder than ever they have been before. It was so with Jesus. He was going to part from His disciples, and never till now did His heart flow out toward them in so many streams of heavenly tenderness. Sorrow had filled their heart, and therefore divinest compassion filled His heart. 'I tell you the truth, it is expedient for you that I go away.' Surely it was expedient for Himself that He should go away. He had lived a life of weariness and painfulness, not having where to lay His head, and surely it was pleasant in His eyes that He was about to enter into His rest. He had lived in obscurity and poverty - He gave His back to the smiters, and His cheeks to them that plucked off the hair. Now, surely, He might well look forward with joy to His return to that glory which He had with the Father before ever the world was, when all the angels of God worshipped Him. And yet He does not say: 'It is expedient for me that I go away.' Surely that would have been comfort enough to His disciples. But no: he says: 'It is expedient for you.' He forgets Himself altogether, and thinks only of His little flock with He was leaving behind Him: 'It is expedient for you that I gow away.' O most generous of Saviours! He looked not on His own things, but on the things of others also. He knew that it is far more blessed to give than it is to receive. Daily Prayer - Thursday
- Give thanks to God that we are part of a global church made up of true Christians across the world. - Give thanks to God for the freedoms we have to share the Gospel in England and pray that it may continue. - Pray for missionaries across the world who are seeking to preach the Gospel and establish a faithful church. - Pray for those in persecuted countries who have to meet in secret. Even those who are now in prison for their faith. Give thanks to God that we are part of a global church made up of true Christians across the world. Church Services Sunday morning at 11:00am in church (and also available online via Facebook) Doctrine Class - in church (after lunch) (and also available online via Facebook) Sunday evening at 6:30pm in church (and also available online via Facebook) Bible Study and Prayer Wednesday evening at 7:00pm in church (and also available online via Facebook) Lunch Hour Service Thursday afternoon between 1:00pm and 1:30pm in church (and also available online via Facebook) Outreach/Witnessing Saturday morning at Victoria Street (outside the big Boots store) for 10:30am (across the road from Town Hall - No. 64). Afterwards we go back to church for prayer. Daily Reading Plan - First Year Preface - Of the priests' mourning. Of their holiness. Of their marriages. Of a priest's daughter convicted of playing the harlot. Of the high priest's holiness. Of his marriage. The priests that have blemishes must not minister in the sanctuary. Leviticus 21 Psalms 26) Preface - David in confidence of his integrity resorteth unto God. Psalms 27) Preface - David's faith in the power of God as his continued safeguard: his love for the service of God: he prayeth for future grace and assistance. Psalms 26 Psalms 27 Daily Light - Morning Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. - Glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's Ye are....a royal priesthood....that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light. - Ye....as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. - By him....let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to his name. My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall bear thereof, and be glad, O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together. Ps. 50.23; Col. 3.16-17; 1 Co. 6.20 1 Pe. 2.9; 1 Pe. 2.5; He. 13.15 Ps. 34.2-3 Daily Light - Evening Draw me, we will run after thee. I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee. - I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love. - I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. - Behold the Lamb of God! - As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. - We love him, because he first loved us. My beloved spake, and said unto me, Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away. For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone; the flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land; the fig tree putteth forth her green figs, and the vines with the tender grape give a good smell. Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away. Song 1.4; Jer. 31.3; Hos. 11.4; Jn. 12.32; Jn. 1.36; Jn. 3.14,15 Ps. 73.25; 1 Jn. 4.19 Song 2.10-13 A Puritans Catechism Q 76 - To whom is Baptism to be administered? A - Baptism is to be administered to all those who actually profess repentance towards God, and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, and to none other. The 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith Of Christ the Mediator Chapter 8 PARAGRAPH 6 Although the price of redemption was not actually paid by Christ until after His incarnation, yet the virtue, efficacy, and benefit thereof were communicated to the elect in all ages, successively from the beginning of the world, in and by those promises, types, and sacrifices wherein He was revealed, and signified to be the seed which should bruise the serpent's head; (34) and the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world, (35) being the same yesterday, and today and for ever. (36) (34)-1 Cor. 4.10, Heb. 4.2; 1 Pet. 1.10-11 (35)-Rev. 13.8 (36)-Heb. 13.8 Robert Murray M'Cheyne - God Makes A Path - Daily Devotional Readings Misers of grace And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. John 1 v 16 A Christian in our day is like a man who has got a great reservoir brimful of water. He is at liberty to drink as much as he pleases, for he never can drink it dry; but instead of drinking the full stream that flows from it, he dams it up, and is content to drink the few drops that trickle through. O that ye would draw out of His fullness, ye that have come to Christ! Do not be misers of grace. There is far more than you will use in eternity. The same waters are now in Christ that refreshed Paul, that gave Peter his boldness, that gave John his affectionate tenderness. Why is your soul less richly supplied than theirs? Because you will not drink: 'If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.' 8Daily Prayer - Wednesday
- Give thank to God for the Bible its inspiration and preservation for us to read it today. (2 Timothy 3.16, Proverbs 30.5.) - Give thanks to God that we have easy access to the Scripture in English, in our mother tongue. - Pray the Lord would bless us as we study the Bible through the ministry this coming year. That as we work through a book of the Bible the Lord would continue to help us to grasp God's truth. - Pray for the Lunchtime outreach service and those who attend; pray that more from the offices nearby and Christians who commute are able to join us. Church Services Sunday morning at 11:00am in church (and also available online via Facebook) Doctrine Class - in church (after lunch) (and also available online via Facebook) Sunday evening at 6:30pm in church (and also available online via Facebook) Bible Study and Prayer Wednesday evening at 7:00pm in church (and also available online via Facebook) Lunch Hour Service Thursday afternoon between 1:00pm and 1:30pm in church (and also available online via Facebook) Outreach/Witnessing Saturday morning at Victoria Street (outside the big Boots store) for 10:30am (across the road from Town Hall - No. 64). Afterwards we go back to church for prayer. Daily Reading Plan - First Year Preface - Of him that giveth of his seed to Molech. Of him that favoureth such an one. Of going to wizards. Of sanctification. Of him that curseth his parents. Of adultery. Of incest. Of sodomy. Of bestiality. Of uncleanness. Obedience is required with holiness. Wizards must be put to death. Leviticus 20 Preface - David's confidence in prayer: he prayeth for remission of sins, and for help in affliction. Psalms 25 Daily Light - Morning I said in my haste, I am cut off from before thine eyes: nevertheless thou heardest the voice of my supplications when I cried unto thee. I sink in deep mire, where there is no standing: I am come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me. - Waters flowed over mine head; then I said, I am cut off. I called upon thy name, O LORD, out of the low dungeon. Thou hast heard my voice: hide not thine ear at my breathing, at my cry. Thou drewest near in the day that I called upon thee: thou saidst, Fear not. Will the Lord cast off for ever? and will he be favourable no more? Is his mercy clean gone for ever? doth his promise fail for evermore? Hath God forgotten to be gracious? hath he in anger shut up his tender mercies? And I said, This is my infirmity: but I will remember the years of the right hand of the most High. I will remember the works of the LORD: surely I will remember thy wonders of old. - I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Ps. 31.22; Ps. 69.2; Lam. 3.54-57 Ps. 77.7-11; Ps. 27.13 Daily Light - Evening He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him. And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested. - Ask what I shall give thee. And Solomon said unto God.... Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people. - And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart, even as the sand that is on the sea shore. Asa cried unto the LORD his God, and said, LORD, it is nothing with thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power.... O LORD, thou art our God; let not man prevail against thee. So the LORD smote the Ethiopians before Asia. O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come. Ps. 91.15; 1 Chr. 4.10; 2 Chr. 1.7-8,10; 1 Ki. 4.29 2 Chr. 14.11-12 Ps. 65.2 A Puritans Catechism Q 75 - What is baptism? A - Baptism is an ordinance of the New Testament, instituted by Jesus Christ, to be to the person baptized a sign of his fellowship with him, in his death, and burial, and resurrection, of his being ingrafted into him, of remission of sins, and of his giving up himself to God through Jesus Christ, to live and walk in newness of life. The 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith Of Christ the Mediator Chapter 8 PARAGRAPH 5 The Lord Jesus, by His perfect obedience and sacrifice of Himself, which He through the eternal Spirit once offered up to God, has fully satisfied the justice of God, (32) procured reconciliation, and purchased an everlasting inheritance in the kingdom of heaven, for all those whom the Father has given unto Him. (33) (32)-Heb. 9.14, 10.14; Rom 3.25-26 (32)-John 17.2; Heb. 9.15 Robert Murray M'Cheyne - God Makes A Path - Daily Devotional Readings A good thing And the ark of the Lord continued in the house of Obed-edom the Gittite three months: and the Lord blessed Obed-edom, and all his household. 11 Samuel 6 v 11 When the ark of God was carried into the house of Obed-edom the Gittite, and remained there three months, then it is said the Lord blessed Obed-edom, and his household, and all that he had. Now, every believer is a kind of ark of God in which he hides His law, every believer is a temple of the Holy Ghost. It is a good thing to receive a believer unto our house, for the blessing of God goes with him. That promise is true to him: 'Blessed is he that blesseth thee, cursed is he that curseth thee.' As far back as the flood you remember how wicked Ham was saved in the ark, and kept from being devoured with the wicked world, because he was in righteous Noah's family. Doubtless man an ungodly son among us is kept alive, and spared a little longer because of his righteous father. You remember how Sodom would have been spared if there had been ten righteous men found in it; and how the angel told Lot, 'I cannot do any thing until thou be escaped thither.' Doubtless, this town in which we live is spared only for the sake of the few children of God that are in it. Take them away, and God's wrath would doubtless come down immediately. How little you think, my unconverted friends, that you owe it to the children of God, whom you despise, that you are not this day in hell. Prayer - Tuesday
- Give thanks to God for those who have recently recovered from sickness. - Pray for those who are sick or receiving treatment in our congregation. - Pray that we each would walk close to God, putting off sins that easily beset us and that we would daily give thanks for our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. (1. John 1.3; Hebrews 12.1; 1 Thes. 5.16.) Church Services Sunday morning at 11:00am in church (and also available online via Facebook) Doctrine Class - in church (after lunch) (and also available online via Facebook) Sunday evening at 6:30pm in church (and also available online via Facebook) Bible Study and Prayer Wednesday evening at 7:00pm in church (and also available online via Facebook) Lunch Hour Service Thursday afternoon between 1:00pm and 1:30pm in church (and also available online via Facebook) Outreach/Witnessing Saturday morning at Victoria Street (outside the big Boots store) for 10:30am (across the road from Town Hall - No. 64). Afterwards we go back to church for prayer. Daily Reading Plan - First Year Preface - A repetition of various laws. Leviticus 19 23) Preface - David's confidence in God's providential care and goodness. 24) Preface - God's sovereignty over the whole world, who shall stand in his holy place. The solemn entrance of the Lord into his sanctuary. Psalms 23-24 Daily Light - Morning Their Redeemer is strong. I know your manifold transgressions and your mighty sins. - I have laid help upon one that is mighty. - The LORD....thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob. - Mighty to save. - Able to keep you from falling. - Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. - He is able....to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him. Is my hand shortened at all, that it cannot redeem? Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?.... I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Jer. 50.34; Am. 5.12; Ps. 89.19; Isa. 49.26; Isa. 63.1; Jude. 24; Ro. 5.20 Jn. 3.18; He. 7.25 Isa. 50.2 Ro. 8.35,38-39 Daily Light - Evening Seekest thou great things for thyself? seek them not. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. - Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. He that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. - Christ....suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps. Godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing our. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. Jer. 45.5; Mt. 11.29; Phil. 2.5-8 Mt. 10.38; 1 Pe. 2.21 1 Tim. 6.6-8 Phil. 4.11 A Puritans Catechism Q 74 - How do Baptism and the Lord's Supper become spiritually helpful? A - Baptism and the Lord's Supper become spiritually helpful, not from any virtue in them, or in him who does administer them, but only by the blessing of Christ, and the working of the Spirit in those who by faith receive them. The 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith Of Christ the Mediator Chapter 8 PARAGRAPH 4 This office the Lord Jesus did most willingly undertake, (21) and did perfectly fulfill it, and underwent the punishment due to us, which that He might discharge He was made under the law, (22) and did perfectly fulfill it, and underwent the punishment due to us, which we should have born and suffered, (23) being made sin and a curse for us; (24) enduring most grievous sorrows in His soul, and most painful sufferings in His body; (25) was crucified, and died, and remained in the state of the dead, yet saw no corruption: (26) on the third day He arose from the dead (27) with the same body in which He suffered, (28) with which He also ascended into heaven, (29) and there sits at the right hand of His Father making intercession, (30) and shall return to judge men and angels at the end of the world. (31) (21)-Ps. 40.7-8; Heb. 10.5-10; John 10.18 (22)-Gal. 4.4; Matt. 3.15 (23)-Gal. 3.13; Isa. 53.6; 1 Pet. 3.18 (24)-2 Cor. 5.21 (25)-Matt. 26.37,38; Luke 22.44; Matt. 27.46 (26)-Acts 13.37 (27)-1 Cor. 15.3-4 (28)-John 20.25.27 (29)-Mark 16.19; Acts 1.9-22 (30)-Rom. 8.34; Heb. 9.24 (31)-Acts 10.42 (31)-Acts 10.42; Rom. 14.9-10; Acts 1.11; 2 Pet. 2.4 Robert Murray M'Cheyne - God Makes A Path - Daily Devotional Readings An amazing weapon For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. 1 Corinthians 1 v 18 To ungodly men nothing appears more weak and powerless than the gospel. They regard it as Lot's sons-in-law did his solemn warning: 'He seemed as one that mocked.' It appears an idle tale, and old wife's fable; but it is in reality 'the power of God unto salvation.' The gospel is an amazing weapon, when God wields it: 'The weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds.' When God wields the gospel, it is mighty to awaken the hardest hearts. Paul felt this in his own experience. He was a proud blasphemer, persecutor, and injurious - a proud, self-righteous Pharisee. You would have said: 'Nothing in the world can awaken that man.' Jesus revealed Himself to him, and he fell to the ground, trembling and astonished. So he had seen it in the case of others: in Lydia and the jailer, in Sergius Paulus, the deputy of Cyprus: 'He believed, being astonished at the doctrine, of the Lord' (acts 13 v 12). 'The power of God unto salvation!' Not God's mighty arm to destroy, but His mighty arm to save. Prayer - Monday
- Give thanks to God for salvation and the redemption that is found alone through Jesus Christ. - Give thanks to God for granting us particular skills and abilities that we might fulfil our vocations (jobs, studies, family responsibilities and time we spend alone). (Ecclesiastes 9.10, Ephesians 6.6) - Pray for the Lord's blessing on the working week for us and all in the congregation. - Pray the Lord would grant us grace to be good ambassadors for Christ (2 Corinthians 5.20) Church Services Sunday morning at 11:00am in church (and also available online via Facebook) Doctrine Class - in church (after lunch) (and also available online via Facebook) Sunday evening at 6:30pm in church (and also available online via Facebook) Bible Study and Prayer Wednesday evening at 7:00pm in church (and also available online via Facebook) Lunch Hour Service Thursday afternoon between 1:00pm and 1:30pm in church (and also available online via Facebook) Outreach/Witnessing Saturday morning at Victoria Street (outside the big Boots store) for 10:30am (across the road from Town Hall - No. 64). Afterwards we go back to church for prayer. Daily Reading Plan - First Year Preface - The Israelites must not follow the practices of Egypt and Canaan, but the ordinances of God. Unlawful marriages. Unlawful lusts. Leviticus 18 Preface - David complaineth and prayeth as one sorely distressed: he promiseth public thanksgiving and praise for mercy shewn him. Psalms 22 Daily Light - Morning My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips: when I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches. How precious....are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee. - How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth! - Thy love is better than wine. Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. - Thou art fairer than the children of men. As the apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among the sons. I sat down under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste. He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love. - His countenance is as Lebanon, excellent as the cedars. His mouth is most sweet: yea, he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, and this is my friend. Ps. 63.5-6; Ps. 139.17-18; Ps. 119.103; Song 1.2 Ps. 73.25; Ps. 45.2 Song 2.3-4; Song 5.15-16 Daily Light - Evening Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation. I have seen his ways, and will heal him: I will lead him also, and restore comforts unto him and to his mourners. Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. - Return, ye backsliding children, and I will heal your backslidings. Behold, we come unto thee; for thou art the LORD our God. - I will hear what God the LORD will speak: for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints: but let them not turn again to folly. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases. - He restoreth my soul. - O LORD, I will praise thee: though thou was angry with me, thine anger is turned away, and thou comfortedst me. Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe. I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins. Ps. 51.12; Isa. 57.18 Isa. 1.18; Jer. 3.22; Ps. 85.8 Ps. 103.2-3; Ps. 23.3; Isa. 12.1 Ps. 119.117 Isa. 43.25 A Puritans Catechism Q 73 - How is the Word to be read and heard that it may become effectual to salvation? A - That the Word may become effectual to salvation, we must attend to it with diligence, preparation, and prayer, receive it with faith and love, lay it up into our hearts, and practice it in our lives. The 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith Of Christ the Mediator Chapter 8 PARAGRAPH 2 The Son of God, the second person in the Holy Trinity, being very and eternal God, the brightness of the Father's glory, of one substance and equal with Him who made the world, who upholds and governs all things He has made, did, when the fullness of time was complete, take upon Him man's nature, with all the essential properties and common infirmities of it, (9) yet without sin; (10) being conceived by the Holy Spirit in the womb of the Virgin Mary, the Holy Spirit coming down upon her: and the power of the Most High overshadowing her; and so was made of a woman of the tribe of Judah, of the seed of Abraham and David according to the Scriptures; (11) so that two whole, perfect, and distinct natures were inseparably joined together in one person, without conversion, composition, or confusion; which person is very God and very man, yet one Christ, the only mediator between God and Man. (12) (9)-John 1.14; Gal. 4.4 (10) Rom. 8.3; Heb. 2.14,16-17, 4.15 (11) Matt. 1.22-23 (12) Luke 1.27,31,35; Rom. 9.5; 1 Tim. 2.5 Robert Murray M'Cheyne - God Makes A Path - Daily Devotional Readings Why bread? For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. 1 Corinthians 11 vs 23-24 This day, my friends, I set before you the plainest and simplest picture of the silent sufferings of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God. In that night in which He was betrayed, he took bread. Why bread? Firstly, because of its plainness and commonness. He did not come in His original glory, with His Father's angels. He took not on Him the nature of angels, he became man. Secondly, he chose bread to show you that He was dumb, and opened not His mouth. When I break the bread it resists not, it complains not, it yields to my hand. So it is with Christ. He resisted not, complained not, He yielded to the hand of infinite justice. 'He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he opened not his mouth. Dear Congregation,
I want to thank all of you who have prayed and supported the work of the Gospel through the church in 2023 and this first month of 2024. It is a great joy to minister at Westminster Baptist and I love the church here greatly. Through this past year, there have been heart-wrenching tragedies alongside blessings too. This is often the case in Christian life and yet we are called to keep trusting and believing. We often bear the battle scars of past experience and circumstance, as we live in this sinful world and anticipate heaven. We see Mordecai, mocked and scorned for years in Esther and on the brink of execution, yet he latterly knew blessing from God. The most important thing was he was faithful in serving the Lord. Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful - 1 Corinthians 4.2. This verse especially applies to ministers, church workers, but to all Christians. We are stewards of the oracles of God and to us has the light of the gospel been revealed. We should therefore be striving to be faithful, not popular, faithful. May that be our aim by the grace of God. In the beginning month in recent years we have spent a week praying together on each day for certain things. As a reminder that with continuing faith that prayer is essential. Key to our hope and joy and endurance and love, and with new resolve to make time to pray regularly alone and with your family and with some group of fellow believers. Alongside reading the Scriptures these should be our daily routine. There are various encouragements in the Scriptures to pray: - Pray without ceasing (1 Th. 5:17). - Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; (Ep. 6:18). - Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving; (Col. 4:2). These are a few verses of the many that encourage us to pray and undoubtedly set before us a biblical mandate that we should be concerned to pray. Maybe you have fallen out of the 'habit' or relegated prayer to a part time practice; or you only pray when trouble or danger comes. To that end I would ask the church to pray, if led, the suggested topics below so we might pray for the same things (roughly speaking) on the same day to encourage us. Let us be prayerful people and realise we too need prayer. To say we are praying for someone should be an expression of concern but an indication of our own action to bring the matter before God, before the throne of Grace through the believers mediator and High Priest. Jesus Christ, Paul even requests prayer for himself and those labouring for the Gospel with him twice in 1 and 2 Thessalonians saying 'brethren pray for us'. May we be a prayerful church and prayerful individuals, knowing that we have a prayer hearing and answering God. Pastor Jonathan Arnold Daily Prayer - Sunday - God thanks to God for His character, perfect, unchangeable, the same yesterday today and forever. - Give thanks to God that we can meet in the church and have fellowship with one another. - Pray the Lord would grant the preaching of his word power and clarity, and there are ready ears to hear and believe it. (2 Thes. 3.1.) - Pray we would be granted faithful ministry and good spiritual food from God's Word. (1 Peter 2.2.) Daily Reading Plan - First Year Preface - The blood of all slain beasts must be offered to the Lord at the door of the tabernacle, and no sacrifices made to devils. All eating of blood is forbidden, and of that which dieth of itself, or is torn. Leviticus 17 Psalms 20 Preface - The church prayeth for the king's good success in the day of trouble, and expresseth a confidence in God's succour. Psalms 21 Preface - A thanksgiving for victory, with confidence of further success. Daily Reading - Morning Honour the LORD with thy substance. and with the firstfruits of all thine increase. He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. - Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him. God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. I beseech you....brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. - The love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: and that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. - Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. Pro. 3.9; 2 Co. 9.6; 1 Co. 16.2 He. 6.10 Ro. 12.1; 2 Co. 5.14-15; 1 Co. 10.31 Daily Reading - Evening There shall be no night there. The LORD shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory. The city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. - They need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light. Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light. - Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son. - Ye were sometimes darkness but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light. We are not of the night, nor of darkness. The path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. Rev. 21.25; Isa. 60.19 Rev. 21.23; Rev. 22.5 1 Pe. 2.9; Col. 1.12-13; Eph. 5.8 1 Th. 5.5 Pro. 4.18 A Puritans Catechism Q 72 - How is the Word made effectual to salvation? A - The Spirit of God makes the reading, but especially the preaching of the Word, an effectual means of convicting and converting sinners, and of building them up in holiness and comfort through faith to salvation. The 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith Of Christ the Mediator Chapter 8 PARAGRAPH 1 It pleased God, in His eternal purpose, to choose and ordain the Lord Jesus, His only begotten Son, according to the covenant made between them both, to be the mediator between God and man; (1) the prophet, (2) priest, (3) and king; (4) head and savior of the church, (5) the heir of all things, (6) and judge of the world; (7) unto whom He did from all eternity give a people to be His seed and to be by Him in time redeemed, called, justified, sanctified, and glorified. (8) (1)-Isa. 42.1; 1 Pet. 1.19-20 (2)-Acts 3.22 (3)-Heb. 5.5-6 (4)-Ps. 2.6; Luke 1.33 (5)-Eph. 1.22-23 (6)-Heb. 1.2 (7)-Acts 17.31 (8) Isa. 53.10, John 17.6; Rom. 8.30 Robert Murray M'Cheyne - God Makes A Path - Daily Devotional Readings It was good When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was. John 11 v 6 Had Christ come at the first and healed their brother, we never would have known the love that showed itself at the grave of Lazarus, we never would have known the power of the great Redeemer in raising from the grave. These bright forth-shinings of the glory of Christ would have been lost to the Church and to the world. Therefore it was good that He stayed away for two days. Thus the honour of His name was spread far and wide. The Son of God was glorified. 'This people have I formed for myself; they shall show forth my praise.' This is God's great end in all His dealings with His people - that He may be seen. For this reason He destroyed the Egyptians: 'That the Egyptians may know that I am the Lord.' Daily Prayer - Saturday
- Give thanks to God that we have good news of salvation to tell that the repentant sinner might have everlasting life through Jesus Christ. (John 3.16.) - Pray the Lord would bless the Gospel outreach by the church in Westminster. Both on Saturday mornings and at services. - Pray the Lord would work in the contacts we have made both on Saturday mornings and at services; through personal conversations and online contacts. Church Services Sunday morning at 11:00am in church (and also available online via Facebook) Doctrine Class - in church (after lunch) (and also available online via Facebook) Sunday evening at 6:30pm in church (and also available online via Facebook) Bible Study and Prayer Wednesday evening at 7:00pm in church (and also available online via Facebook) Lunch Hour Service Thursday afternoon between 1:00pm and 1:30pm in church (and also available online via Facebook) Outreach/Witnessing Saturday morning at Victoria Street (outside the big Boots store) for 10:30am (across the road from Town Hall - No. 64). Afterwards we go back to church for prayer. Daily Reading Plan - First Year Preface - How the high priest must enter into the holy place. The sin offering for himself. The sin offering for the people. The scapegoat. The yearly feast of the expiations. Leviticus 16 Preface - The works of God in the heavens proclaim their Maker's glory. The excellency of the divine law. David prayeth for God's grace and acceptance. Psalms 19 Daily Light - Morning What the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh. The law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. For then would they not have ceased to be offered? - By him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses. Forasmuch....as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; and deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren. Ro. 8.3; He. 10.1-2; Ac. 13.39 He. 2.14-17 Daily Light - Evening All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. There is none righteous, no, not one....there is none that doeth good, no, not one. - There is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not. - How can he be clean that is born of a woman? Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.... Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. The LORD....hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die. - Whom he justified them he also glorified. - We all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. - If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel. Walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory. Ro. 3.23; Ro. 3.10,12; Ec. 7.20; Job 25.4 He. 4.1 Ps. 51.3,5 2 Sa. 12.13; Ro. 8.30; 2 Co. 3.18; Col. 1.23 1 Th. 2.12 A Puritans Catechism Q 71 - What are the outward means whereby the Holy Spirit communicates to us the benefits of redemption? A - The outward and ordinary means whereby the Holy Spirit communicates to us the benefits of Christ's redemption, are the Word, by which souls are begotten to spiritual life; Baptism, the Lord's Supper, Prayer, and Meditation, by all which believers are further edified in their most holy faith. The 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith Of God's Covenant Chapter 7 PARAGRAPH 3 This covenant is revealed in the gospel; first of all to Adam in the promise of salvation by the seed of the woman, (5) and afterward by farther steps, until the full discovery thereof was completed in the New Testament; (6) and it is founded in that eternal covenant transaction that was between the Father and the Son about the redemption of the elect; (7) and it is alone by the grace of this covenant that all the posterity of fallen Adam that ever were saved did obtain life and blessed immortality, man being now utterly incapable of acceptance with God upon those terms on which Adam stood in his state of innocency. (8) (1)-Gen 3.15 (6) Heb. 1.1 (7)-2 Tim. 1.9; Titus 1.2 (8)-Heb. 11.6,13; Rom. 4.1-2; Acts 4.12; John 8.56 Robert Murray M'Cheyne - God Makes A Path - Daily Devotional Readings Avoiding sin Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. Matthew 25 v 1 The truest mark of children of God is their avoiding sin. They flee from their old companions and old ways, they walk with God. And yet even this is imitated by the foolish virgins. They go out to meet their Lord. They flee old sins for a time, they hasten from their work to the house of God, they seek the company of God's children, perhaps they try to save others, and become very zealous in this. O how sad that many who now cling to the godly will soon be torn from them, and bound up with devils and wicked men! Daily Prayer - Friday
- Give thanks to God for many good things we enjoy and daily blessings. - Pray the Lord would supply the needs of those in the congregation at Westminster and guide us as we help those destitute and suffering. Especially those we have met in the pandemic. (Numbers 6.24-26.) - Pray for the ministry among the children and that they would know Christ from a young age. A rich blessing in this troubled world. - Pray for the evangelistic work, that people would know the greatest blessing of all salvation by the grace of God through Christ. Church Services Sunday morning at 11:00am in church (and also available online via Facebook) Doctrine Class - in church (after lunch) (and also available online via Facebook) Sunday evening at 6:30pm in church (and also available online via Facebook) Bible Study and Prayer Wednesday evening at 7:00pm in church (and also available online via Facebook) Lunch Hour Service Thursday afternoon between 1:00pm and 1:30pm in church (and also available online via Facebook) Outreach/Witnessing Saturday morning at Victoria Street (outside the big Boots store) for 10:30am (across the road from Town Hall - No. 64). Afterwards we go back to church for prayer. Daily Reading Plan - First Year Preface - The uncleanness of men in their issues, and their cleansing. The uncleanness of women in their issues, and their cleansing. Leviticus 15 Preface - David's psalm of thanksgiving for God's mighty deliverances and manifold blessings. Psalms 18 Daily Light - Morning In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise. My beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath. - He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city. - If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. - By thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned. - Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips. Christ....suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously. - Consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. In their mouth was found no guile: for thy are without fault before the throne of God. Pro. 10.19; Jas. 1.19; Pro. 16.32; Jas. 3.2; Mt. 12.37; Ps. 141.3 1 Pe. 2.21-23; He. 12.3 Rev. 14.5 Daily Light - Evening Teach me thy way, O LORD. I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye. - Good and upright is the LORD: therefore will he teach sinners in the way. The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way. I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. - Having....boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; and having an high priest over the house of God; let us draw near with a ture heart in full assurance of faith. Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD. - All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies. Ps. 27.11; Ps. 32.8; Ps. 25.9-9 Jn. 10.9 Jn. 14.6; He. 10.19-22 Hos. 6.3; Ps. 25.10 A Puritans Catechism Q 70 - What is repentance unto life? A - Repentance unto life is a saving grace, whereby a sinner, out of a true sense of his sin, and apprehension of the mercy of God in Christ, does with grief and hatred of his sin, turn from it unto God, with full purpose to strive after new obedience. The 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith Of God's Covenant Chapter 7 PARAGRAPH 2 Moreover, man having brought himself under the curse of the law by his fall, it pleased the Lord to make a covenant of grace, (2) wherein He freely offers unto sinners life and salvation by Jesus Christ, requiring of them faith in Him, that they may be saved; (3) and promising to give unto all those that are ordained unto eternal life, His Holy Spirit, to make them willing and able to believe. (4) (2)-Gen. 2.17; Gal. 3.10; Rom. 3.20-21 (3)-Rom. 8.3; Mark 16.15-16; John 3.16 (4)-Ezek. 36.26-27; John 6.44-45; Ps. 110.3 Robert Murray M'Cheyne - God Makes A Path - Daily Devotional Readings Send up this cry Wilt thou not revive us again: that hty people may rejoice in thee? Psalm 85 v 6 The soul of a believer needs grace every moment. "By the grace of God I am what I am." But there are times when he needs more grace than at other times. Just as the body continually needs food; but there are times when it needs more food than at others - times of great bodily exertion, when all the powers are to be put forth. Sometimes the soul of a believer is exposed to hot persecution. Reproach breaks the heart; or it beats like a scorching sun upon the head. "For my love they are my adversaries." Sometimes they are God's children who reproach us, and this is still harder to bear. The soul is ready to fret or sink under it. Sometimes it is flattery that tempts the soul. The world speaks well of us, and we are tempted to pride and vanity. This is still worse to bear. Sometimes Satan strives within us, by stirring up fearful corruptions, till there is a tempest within. Oh, is there a tempted soul that reads these words? Jesus prays for thee. Pray for thyself. You need more peace. NOthing but the oil of the Spirit will feed the fire of grace when Satan is casting water on it. Send up this cry, "wilt thou not revive us again?" |
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