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 - Joseph presenteth five of his brethren and his father before Pharaoh. He giveth them habitation and maintenance. He getteth all the money, cattle, and lands of the Egyptians, the land of the priests only excepted, for Pharaoh. He letteth them the land again for the fifth of the increase. Israel multiplieth in Goshen. Jacob's age: he sweareth Joseph to bury him with his fathers. Genesis 47 Preface - Luke's preface. An angel appeareth to Zacharias, and promiseth him a son in his old age: Zacharias doubting is struck dumb for a sign: his wife Elisabeth conceiveth. The angel's visit to Mary. Elisabeth saluted by Mary prophesieth. Mary's song of thanksgiving. The birth and circumcision of John the Baptist: Zacharias' mouth is opened: his prophecy. Luke 1:1-38 Daily Light - Morning Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart. Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one little shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. - The LORD is well please for his righteousness' sake; he will magnify the law, and make it honourable. - Except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. 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: that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. - Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. Mt. 3.15; Ps. 40.8 Mt. 5.17-18; Isa. 42.21; Mt. 5.20 Ro. 8.3-4; Ro. 10.4 Daily Light - Evening I am thy part and thine inheritance. Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. My flesh and my hearth faileth: but God is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot. The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage. The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart. O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is.... Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice. My beloved is mine, and I am his. Nu. 18.20; Ps. 73.25-26; Ps. 16.5-6 Lam. 3.24 Ps. 119.111 Ps. 63.1,7 Song 2.16 A Puritans Catechism Q 14 - What is sin? A - Sin is any want of conformity to, or transgression of the law of God. The 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith Of the Church Chapter 27 PARAGRAPH 2 Saints by profession are bound to maintain a holy fellowship and communion in the worship of God, and in performing such other spiritual services as tend to their mutual edification: (4) as also in relieving each other in outward things according to their several abilities, and necessities; (5) which communion, according to the rule of the gospel, though especially to be exercised by them, in th erelation wherein they stand, whether in families, (6) or churches, (7) yet, as God offers opportunity, is to be extend to all the household of faith, even all those who in every place call upon the name of the Lord Jesus; nevertheless their communion one with another as saints, does not take away or infringe the title or propriety which each man has in his goods and possessions. (8) (4) Heb. 10.24-25, 3.12-13 (5) Acts 11.29-30 (6) Eph. 6.4 (7) 1 Cor. 12.14-27 (8) Acts 5.4; Eph. 4.28 Robert Murray M'Cheyne - God Makes A Path - Daily Devotional Readings Grace sufficient And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Corinthians 12 v 9 When Paul was caught up into paradise he thought he would never again feel his body of sin; but when he was humbled and made to know himself better, and to know the grace that is in Christ, then his glory ever after was, that he had a weak body of sin and death, and that there was power enough in Christ to keep him from falling. From that day he gloried not that he had no sin in him, but that he had an almighty Saviour dwelling in him and upholding him. He took pleasure no in every thing that made him feel his weakness; for this drove him to Jesus for strength. Lear, dear brethren, the true glory of a Christian in this world. The world knows nothing of it. A true Christian has a body of sin. He has every lust and corruption that is in the heart of man or devil. He wants no tendency to sin. If the Lord has given you light, you know and feel this. What is the difference, then, between you and the world? Infinite! You are in the hand of Christ. His Spirit is within you. He is able to keep you from falling; 'Rejoice in the Lord, ye righteous, and shout for joy all ye that are upright in heart.'
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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 - Jacob is comforted by God at Beer-sheba. He goeth thence with his family into Egypt. The number of those that went with him. Joseph meeteth Jacob. He instructeth his brethren how to answer Pharaoh. Genesis 46 Preface - Christ's resurrection is declared by angels to the two Marys and Salome. Christ himself appeareth to Mary Magdalene; to two of his disciples going into the country: and to the eleven; whom he commissioneth to preach the gospel to all the world: his accension into heaven; the gospel is preached every where, the Lord confirming the word with signs. Mark 16 Daily Light - Morning Upon the likeness of the throne was the likeness as the appearance of a man above upon it. The man Christ Jesus. - Made in the likeness of men....found in fashion as a man. - Forasmuch....as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that throught death he might destroy him that had the power of death. I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore. - Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. - What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before? - He raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places. - In him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. Though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God. Ezek. 1.26; 1 Tim. 2.5; Phil. 2.7,8; He. 2.14 Rev. 1.18; Ro. 6.9-10; Jn. 6.62; Eph. 1.20; Col. 2.9 2 Co. 13.4 Daily Light - Evening Thy word hath quickened me. The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. As the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself. - I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. In him was life; and the life was the light of men....As many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. - The word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Ps. 119.50; 1 Co. 15.45 Jn. 5.26; Jn. 11.25-26 Jn. 1.4,12-13 Jn. 6.63; He. 4.12 A Puritans Catechism Q 13 - Did our first parents continue in the estate wherein they were created? A - Our first parents, being left to the freedom of their own will, fell from that initial state wherein they were created, by sinning against God, by eating the forbidden fruit. The 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith Of the Communion of Saints Chapter 27 PARAGRAPH 1 All saints that are united to Jesus Christ, their head, by his Spirit, and faith, although they are not made thereby one person with him, have fellowship in his graces, sufferings, death, resurrection, and glory; (1) and, being united to one another in love, they have communion in each others gifts and graces, (2) and are obliged to the performance of such duties, public and private, in an orderly way, as do conduce to their mutual good, both in the inward and outward man. (3) (1) 1 John 1.3; John 1.16; Phil. 3.10; Rom. 6.5-6; (2) Eph. 4.15-16; 1 Cor. 12.7, 3.21-23 (3) 1 Thess. 5.11-14; Rom. 1.12; 1 John 3.17-18; Gal. 6.10 Robert Murray M'Cheyne - God Makes A Path - Daily Devotional Readings The spring of the soul And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him as one that is in bitterness for his first-born....In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, for sin and for uncleanness. Zechariah 12 v 10, 13 v 1 In these words you have a description of the conversion of the Jews, which is yet to come - an event that will give life to this dead world. But God's method is the same in the conversion of any soul. Conversion is the most glorious work of God. The creation of the sun is a very glorious work - when God first rolled him flaming along the sky, scattering out golden blessings on every shore. The change in spring is very wonderful - when God makes the faded grass revive, the dead trees put out green leaves, and the flowers appear on the earth. But far more glorious and wonderful is the conversion of a soul! It is the creation of a sun that is to shine for eternity; it is the spring of the soul that shall know no winter; the planting of a tree that shall bloom with eternal beauty in the paradise of God. Daily 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 - Joseph maketh himself known to his brethren; comforteth them in ascribing all that had past to God's providence; sendeth for his father by them; and cordially embraceth them. Pharoah confirmeth Joseph's invitation. Joseph furnisheth his brethren for their journey, and exhorteth them to harmony. Jacob at first hardly believeth, but is at length revived with the news. Genesis 45 Preface - Jesus is brought bound and accused before Pilate: his silence before the governor. Pilate, prevailed upon by the clamours of the people, releaseth Barabbas, and giveth up Jesus to be crucified. Christ is mocked of the soldiers, crowned with thorns, and led to the place of crucifixion: he is crucified between two thieves, reviled, and calling upon God expireth. The veil of the temple rent. The centurion's confession. Joseph of Arimathaea beggeth the body, and burieth it. Mark 15 Daily Light - Morning They shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels. I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word.... I pray for them: I pray fot for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine. And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them.... Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world. I will come again, and receive you unto myself. - He shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe....in that day. - We which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. - Thou shalt also be a crown of glory in the hand of the LORD, and a royal diadem in the hand of thy God. Mal. 3.17; Jn. 17.6,9-10,24 Jn. 14.3; 2 Th. 1.10; 1 Th. 4.17; Isa. 62.3 Daily Light - Evening I beseech thee, shew me thy glory. God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. - The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us. (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.... No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God? - When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek. 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. - Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world. Ex. 33.18; 2 Co. 4.6; Jn. 1.14,18 Ps. 42.2; Ps. 27.8 2 Co. 3.18; Jn. 17.24 A Puritans Catechism Q 12 - What special act of providence did God exercise towards man in the state wherein he was created? A - When God had created man, he entered into a covenant of life with him, upon condition of perfect obedience, forbidding him to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, upon pain of death. The 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith Of the Church Chapter 26 PARAGRAPH 15 In cases of difficulties or differences, either in point of doctrine or administration, wherein either the churches in general are concerned, or any one church, in their peace, union, and edification; or any member or members of any church are injured, in or by any proceedings in censures not agreeable to truth and order: it is according to the mind of Christ, that many churches holding communion together, do, by their messengers, meet to consider, and give their advice in or about that matter in difference, to be reported to all the churches concerned; (29) howbeit these messengers assembled, are not entrusted with any church-power properly so called; or with any jurisdiction over the churches themselves, to exercise any censure either over any churches or persons; or to impose their determination on the churches or officers. (30) (29) Acts 15:2,4,6,22. (30) 2 Cor. 1:24; 1 John 4:1 Robert Murray M'Cheyne - God Makes A Path - Daily Devotional Readings Follow the Lord fully Hebron, therefore became the inheritance of Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite unto this day, because that he wholly followed the Lord God of Israel. Joshua 14 v 14 Pray to be made like Caleb, who had another spirit, and followed the Lord fully. Follow Christ all the day. He is the continual burnt offering in whom you may have peace. He is the rock that follows you, from whom you may have constant and infinite supplies. Give yourself wholly away to Him. You are safe in no other keeping but in the everlasting arms of Jehovah Jesus. 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 - Joseph's policy to stay his brethren. His cup is found in Benjamin's sack. They are brought before Joseph. Judah's humble supplication to him. Genesis 44 Preface - The chief priests and scribes conspire against Christ. A woman poureth precious ointment on his head. Judas covenanteth to betray him. Christ eateth the passover, and sheweth that one of his disciples should betray him: he instituteth his last supper: foretelleth the desertion of all his disciples, and Peter's denial of him: his agony and prayer in the garden. He is betrayed by Judas, and seized: his disciples flee: he is carried before the council, falsely accused, examined, pronounced guilty, and treated with indignity. Peter's denial, and repentance. Mark 14 Daily Light - Morning They that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name. It came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them. - Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. - My fellow labourers, whose names are in the book of life. 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. - Exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. Every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned. - Behold, it is written before me. Mal. 3.16; Lu.24.25; Mt. 18.20; Phil. 4.3 Col. 3.16; He. 3.13 Mt. 12.36-37; Isa. 65.6 Daily Light - Evening The trees of the LORD are full of sap I will be as the dew unto Israel: he shall grow as the lily, and cast forth his roots as Lebanon. His branches shall spread, and his beauty shall be as the olive tree, and his smell as Lebanon. - Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit. I the LORD have brought down the high tree, have exalted the low tree, have dried up the green tree, and have made the dry tree to flourish. The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Those that be planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing. Ps. 104.16; Hos. 14.5-6; Jer. 7-8 Ezek. 17.24 Ps. 92.12-14 A Puritans Catechism Q 11 - What are God's works of providence? A - God's works of providence are, his most holy, wise, and powerful preserving and governing all his creatures, and all their actions. The 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith Of the Church Chapter 26 PARAGRAPH 14 As such each church, and all the members of it, are bound to pray continually for the good and prosperity of all the churches of Christ, (27) in all places, and upon all occasions to further every one within the bounds f their places and callings, in the exercise of their gifts and graces, so the churches, when planted by the providence of God, so as they my enjoy opportunity and advantage for it, ought to hold communion among themselves, for their peace, increase of love, and mutual edification. (28) (27) Eph. 6.18; Ps. 122.6 (28) Rom. 16:1-2, 3 John 8-10 Robert Murray M'Cheyne - God Makes A Path - Daily Devotional Readings Give liberally .... He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. 2 Corinthians 9 v 6 I am going to say now what the world will scoff at. But all that I ask of you is, to be like the Bereans. Search the Scriptures, and see if these things be not so. The whole Bible shows, then, that the best way to have plenty in this world is to give liberally. 'Cast thy bread upon the waters, and thou shalt find it after many days.' This refers to the sowing of rice. The rice in the East is always sown when the fields are flooded with water. The bread-corn is actually cast upon the water. After many days the waters dry up, and a rich crop of waving rice covers the plain. So it is in giving liberally to the poor out of love to Jesus. It is like throwing away your money - it is like casting seed upon the waters. Yet fear not, you shall find a crop after many days - you shall have a return for your money in this world. 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 - Jacob is hardly persuaded to send Benjamin. Joseph's brethren are brought into Joseph's house. They discover their fears to the steward, who pacifieth them. Joseph maketh them a feast. Genesis 43 Preface - Christ foretelleth the destruction of the temple; sheweth what signs and calamities should go before, and what should happen at the time of his coming: no man knoweth the day or hour; we must therefore watch and pray, that we may not be found unprepared. Mark 13 Daily Light - Morning The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light. The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. - Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law. I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. - We all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image....even as by the Spirit of the Lord, - God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him....that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints. Lu. 11.34; 1 Co. 2.14; Ps. 119.18 Jn. 8.12; 2 Co. 3.18; 2 Co. 4.6 Eph. 1.17,18 Daily Light - Evening He smote the rock, that the waters gushed out, and the streams overflowed. All our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; and were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the seas; and did all eat the same spiritual meat; and did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. - One of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water. - He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. Ye will not come to me, that ye might have life. - My people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water. If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. - Whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. Ps. 78.20; 1 Co. 10.1-4; Jn. 19.34; Isa. 53.5 Jn. 5.40; Jer. 2.13 Jn. 7.37; Rev. 22.17 A Puritans Catechism Q 10 - How did God create man? A - God created man, male and female, after his own image, in knowledge, righteousness, and holiness, with domination over the creatures The 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith Of the Church Chapter 26 PARAGRAPH 13 No church members, upon any offence taken by them, having performed their duty required of them towards the person they are offended at, ought to disturb any church-order, or absent themselves from the assemblies of the church, or administration of any ordinances, upon the account of such offence at any of their fellow members, ut to wait upon Christ, in the further proceeding of the church. (28) (28) Matt. 18.15-17; Eph. 4:2-3 Robert Murray M'Cheyne - God Makes A Path - Daily Devotional Readings He's preparing a place In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. John 14 v 2 When a family are going to emigrate to a foreign shore, often the elder brother goes before to prepare a place for his younger brethren. This is what Christ has done. He does not intend that we should live here always - He has gone a far journey in order to prepare a place for us: 'I go to prepare a place for you; and if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.' Oh, Christians! believe in Christ preparing a place for you. It will greatly take away the fear of dying. It is an awful thing to die, even for a forgiven and sanctified soul to enter on a world unknown, unseen, untried. One thing takes away fear: Christ is preparing a place quite suitable for my soul. He knows all the wants and weaknesses of my frame. I know He will make it a pleasant home to me. 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 - Jacob sendeth ten of his sons to buy corn in Egypt. They are imprisoned by Joseph for spies, but set at liberty on condition to bring Benjamin. Their remorse for Joseph, who commandeth his tenderness, and detaineth Simeon for a pledge. They return with corn and their money. Their relation to Jacob. He is afraid, and refuseth to send Benjamin. Genesis 42 Preface - In the parable of the vineyard let out to wicked husbandmen Christ foretelleth the reprobation of the Jews, and the calling of the Gentiles: his reply to the insidious question concerning paying tribute to Caesar: he refuteth conclusively the Sadducees who questioned him concerning the resurrection: he sheweth which are the two great commandments of the law: he proposeth a difficulty to the scribes concerning the character of Christ: he cautioneth the people against their ambition and hypocrisy; and valueth the poor widow's two mites above all the gifts of the rich. Mark 12 Daily Reading - Morning Now he is comforted. Thy sun shall no more go down; neither shall thy moon withdraw itself: for the Lord shall be thine everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended. - He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth. - These are thy which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple; and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters. - God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. Lu. 16.25; Isa. 60.20; Isa. 25.8; Rev. 7.14-17; Rev. 21.4 Daily Reading - Evening The night cometh, when no man can work. Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord....they....rest from their labours; and their works do follow them. - THere the wicked cease from troubling; and there the weary be at rest. - Samuel said to Saul, Why hast thou disquieted me, to bring me up? Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest. - The dead praise not the LORD, neither any that go down into silence. I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand, I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day. There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. Jn. 9.4; Rev. 14.13; Job 3:17; 1 Sa. 28.15 Ec. 9.10; Ps. 115.17 2 Tim. 4.6-8 He. 4.9-10 A Puritans Catechism Q 9 - What is the work of creation? A - The work of creation is God's making all things of nothing, by the word of his power, in the space of six days, and all very good. The 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith Of Marriage Chapter 26 PARAGRAPH 12 As all believers are bound to join themselves to particular churches, when and where they have opportunity so to do; so all that are admitted unto the privileges of a church, are also under the censures and government thereof, according to the rule of Christ. (25) (25) 1 Thess. 5:14; 2 Thess. 3:6.14-15 Robert Murray M'Cheyne - God Makes A Path - Daily Devotional Readings Where you are .... and to every man his work .... Mark 13 v 34 Learn, my dear friends, to keep to your own work. When the Lord has hung up a lamp in one corner, is there no presumption in removing it to another? Is not the Lord wiser than man? Every on eof you have your work to do for Christ where you are. Are you on a sick-bed? Still you have your work to do for Christ there as much as the highest servant of Christ in the world. The smallest twinkling star is as much a servant of God as the mid-day sun. Only live for Christ where you are. 11Daily 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 -Pharaoh's two dreams. His butler telleth him of Joseph. Pharoah sendeth for and consulteth him. He interpreteth the dreams, and giveth Pharaoh counsel. Joseph is advanced, and marrieth an Egyptian wife. His wise provision in the years of plenty. Ephraim and Manasseh are born, to him. The famine beginneth. Genesis 41 Preface - Christ rideth into Jerusalem in triumph: curseth a barren fig tree: driveth the buyers and sellers out of the temple. The cursed fig tree is dried up: Christ exhorteth to faith in prayer, and to forgiveness of enemies: and silenceth the priests and others, who called in question his authority. Mark 11 Daily Light - Morning Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends. The LORD said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do? - It is given uto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven. - God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. - Even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory. Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy holy temple. - The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant. - I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Jn. 15.15; Ge. 18.17; Mt. 13.11; 1 Co. 2.10; 1 Co. 2.7 Ps. 65.4; Ps. 25.14; Jn. 17.8 Jn. 15.14 Daily Light - Evening Thou shalt call thy walls Salvation, and thy gates Praise. The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the LAMB. Ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; in whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: in whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. - If so be ye have lasted that the Lord is gracious. To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. Praise waiteth for thee, O God, in Sion. Isa. 60.18; Rev. 21.14 Eph. 2.19-22; 1 Pe. 2.3-5 Ps. 65.1 A Puritans Catechism Q 8 - How doth God execute his decrees? A - God executes his decrees in the works of creation and providence. The 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith Of the Church Chapter 26 PARAGRAPH 11 Although it be incumbent on the bishops or pastors of the churches, to be instant in preaching the word, by way of office, yet the work of preaching the word is not so peculiarly confined to them but that others also gifted and fitted by the Holy Spirit fo rit, and approved and called by the church, may and ought to perform it. (24) (24) Acts 11:19-21; 1 Pet. 4:10-11 Robert Murray M'Cheyne - God Makes A Path - Daily Devotional Readings More blessed to give ... it is more blessed to give than to receive. Acts 20 v 35 These words from part of a most touching address which Paul made to the elders of Ephesus, when he parted with them for the last time. He took them all to witness that He was pure from the blood of all men: 'For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.' It is deeply interesting to notice that the duty of giving to the poor is marked by Him as one part of the counsel of God; so much so, that He makes it His last word to them: 'I have showed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how He said, it is more blessed to give than to receive.' These words, which he quotes from the mouth of the Saviour, are nowhere to be found in the Gospels. It is the only traditional saying of our Lord that has been preserved. It seems to have been one of his household words, a common-place, uttered by Him again and again: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.' 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 - Pharaoh's butler and baker in prison ae committed to Joeseph's charge. He interpreteth their dreams, which come to pass according to Joseph's interpretation. The ingratitude of the butler. Genesis 40 Preface - Christ teacheth in Judaea: answereth the Pharisees' question concerning divorce: blesseth the children that were brought unto him: sheweth how hard it is for the rich to enter into the kingdom of God: promiseth rewards to all who have forsaken ought for his gospel's sake; foretelleth his own death and resurrection: putteth aside the ambitious suit of the sons of Zebedee; and checketh the indignation of the other disciples thereat: giveth sight to blind Bartimaeus. Mark 10 Daily Light - Morning When thou has eaten and are full.... thou shalt bless the LORD thy God for the good land which he hath given thee. Beware that hou forget not the LORD thy God. - One of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, and fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. Every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. - He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks. - The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it. Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul....who forgiveth all thine iniquities....who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies. Deu. 8.10; Deu. 8.11; Lu. 17.15-18 1 Tim. 4.4-5; Ro. 14.6; Pro. 10.22 Ps. 103.1-2,3,4 Daily Light - Evening Jesus....was moved with compassion toward them. Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. - We have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. - Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way. - He cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour? Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak. Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him. For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust. Thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth. O turn unto me, and have mercy upon me; give thy strength unto thy servant, and save the son of thine handmaid. Mt. 14.14; He. 13.8; He. 4.15; He. 5.2; Mk. 14.37-38 Ps. 103.13-14 Ps. 86.15-16 A Puritans Catechism Q 7 - What are the decrees of God? A - The decrees of God are his eternal purpose according to the counsel of his own will, whereby for his own glory he has foreordained whatsoever comes to pass. The 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith Of the Church Chapter 26 PARAGRAPH 10 The work of pastors being constantly to attend the service of Christ, in his churches, in the ministry of the word and prayer, with watching for their souls, as they that must give an account to Him; (19) and it is incumbent on the churches to whom they minister, not only to give them all due respect, but also to communicate to them of all their good things according to their ability, (20) so as they may have a comfortable supply, without being themselves entangled in secular affairs; (21) and may also be capable of exercising hospitality towards others; (22) in and this is required by the law of nature, and by the express order of our Lord Jesus, who has ordained that they that preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel. (23) (19) Acts 6:4; Heb. 13:17 (20) 1 Tim. 5:17-18; Gal. 6.6-7. (21) 2 Tim. 2:4. (22) 1 Tim. 3:2 (23) 1 Cor. 9:6-14 Robert Murray M'Cheyne - God Makes A Path - Daily Devotional Readings Soul thirst As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. Psalm 42 v 1 These are supposed to be the words of David when he fled from his son Absalom. He seems to have been wandering in some solitary wild on the side of Mount Hermon, the stream of Jordan flowing at his feet. David seems to have been full of pensive meditation: for his enemies reproached him daily, saying: 'Where is thy God?' nay, even God seemed to forget him, all his waves and billows were going over him; when suddenly a deer bounded past him. It had been sore wounded by the archers, or pursued by some wild beast on the mountains of the leopards. Faint and weary, he saw it rushing towards the flowing stream, and quenching its thirst in the water brook. His soul was quickened by the sight. Is not his just a picture of what I should be? Is not my God all to me that the flowing stream is to that wounded deer? 'As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.' 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 - Joseph is advanced in Potiphar's house. He resisteth his mistress's temptation, is falsely accused by her, and cast in prison. God is with him there. Genesis 39 Preface - The transfiguration of Christ: he instructeth his disciples concerning the coming of Elias: he casteth out a dumb and deaf spirit: he foretelleth his own death and resurrection; checketh the ambition of his disciples; biding them to hinder no one from working miracles in his name, and warning them to avoid offences. Mark 9 Daily Light - Morning The grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. Ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich. - Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound. That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast. - knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. - According to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour. 1 Tim. 1.14; 2 Co. 8.9; Ro. 5.20 Eph. 2.7-9; Ga. 2.16; Titus 3.5-6 Daily Light - Evening I am....the bright and morning star. There shall come a Star out of Jacob. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. - Until the day break, and the shadows flee away, turn, my beloved, and be thou like a roe or a young hart upon the mountains of Bether. Watchman, what of the night? The watchman said, The morning cometh, and also the night: if ye will enquire, enquire ye: return come. I am the light of the world. - I will give him the morning star. Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is. For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. Watch ye therefore....lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch. Rev. 22.16; Nu. 24.17 Ro. 13.12; Song 2.17 Isa. 21.11-12 Jn. 8.12; Rev. 2.28 Mk. 13.33-37 A Puritans Catechism Q 6 - How many persons are there in the Godhead? A - There are three persons in the Godhead: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost; and these three are one God, the same in substance, equal in power and glory. The 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith Of the Church Chapter 26 PARAGRAPH 9 The way appointed by Christ for the calling of any persons, fitted and gifted by the Holy Spirit, unto the office of bishop or elder in a church, is, that he be chosen thereunto by the common suffrage of the church itself; (16) and solemnly set apart by fasting and prayer, with imposition of hands of the eldership of the church, if there be any before constituted therein; (17) and of a deacon that he be chosen by the like suffrage, and set apart by prayer, and the like imposition of hands. (18) (16) Acts 14-23 (17) 1 Tim. 4.14 (18) Acts 6:3,5-6 Robert Murray M'Cheyne - God Makes A Path - Daily Devotional Readings Growing days If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, no speaking thine own words: Then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord. Isaiah 58 v 13 & 14 There was a time when Sabbath days were growing days. Hungry souls came to the Word, and went away filled with good things. They came like Martha, and went away like Mary. They came like Samson, when his locks were shorn, and went away like Samson when his locks were grown. Daily 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 - Judah begetteth Er, Onan, and Shelah. Er marrieth Tamar, and dieth. Onan's trespass and death. Tamar waiteth for Shelah. She deceiveth Judah; to whom she beareth twins, Pharez and Zarah. Genesis 38 Preface - Christ miraculously feedeth four thousand persons: he refuseth the Pharisees a sign: he warneth his disciples against the leaven of the Pharisees and of Herod, and explaineth his meaning: he giveth a blind man sight. The people's opinions, and Peter's confession, of him: he foresheweth his own death, and rebuketh Peter for dissuading him from it: he sheweth his followers that they must deny themselves, and not be ashamed of him and his gospel. Mark 8 Daily Light - Morning I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. In the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. - She took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husbands with her; and he did eat. The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. - If by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ. - Since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. - Our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. - For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. Jn. 10.10; Ge. 2.17; Ge. 3.6 Ro. 6.23; Ro. 5.17; 1 Co. 15.21-22; 2 Tim. 1.10 1 Jn. 5.11-12; Jn. 3.17 Daily Light - Evening The judgment seat. We are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth. - When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: and before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. - Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. 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. - There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus. We are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world. 2 Co. 5.10; Ro. 2.2; Mt. 25.31-32 Mt. 13.43; Ro. 8.33-34; Ro. 8.1 1 Co. 11.32 A Puritans Catechism Q 5 - Are there more Gods than one? A - There is but one only, the living and true God. The 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith Of the Church Chapter 26 PARAGRAPH 8 A particular church, gathered and completely organized according to the mind of Christ, consists of officers and members; and the officers appointed by Christ to be chosen and set apart by the church (so called and gathered), for the peculiar administration of ordinances, and execution of power or duty, which he entrusts them with, or calls them to, to be continued to the end of the world, are bishops or elders, and deacons. (15) (15) Acts 20:17,28; Phil. 1:1 Robert Murray M'Cheyne - God Makes A Path - Daily Devotional Readings A constant appetite This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. Joshua 1 v 8 When a soul is first brought to Christ, he delights in the Word of God. He has an appetite for it 'as a new-born babe.' Just as an infant has a constant, steadily-recurring appetite for its mother's milk, so has the soul for the Word. He has spiritual understanding of the Word. It seems all sweet and easy. It all testifies of Jesus. The soul grasps the meaning or earnestly inquires from ministers and others the meaning of difficult passages. He has growth: 'That ye may grow thereby.' It is felt to be the daily nourishment of the soul, the sword to ward off temptation. How different when the Christian is in decay! No relish for the Word. It may be read as a duty, or as a burdensome task but it is not delighted in. Other books are preferred to the Bible. There is no growing in the knowledge of the Word, no self-application, no receiving it with meekness, no frequent recurrence of the mind during the day to the chapter real in the morning, no answering Satan by 'Thus it is written' and 'Thus saith the Lord.' Ah! my friends, how is the gold become dim! '....yea gray hairs are here and there upon him, yet he knoweth not.' (Hosea 7 v 9) |
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