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Dear Congregation,
Thank you all for your prayers and support for the work of the church throughout 2023. I know we all have been through varying difficulties and some through particular hardships. Once again we can thank the Lord that we have been brought through trusting in the Lord as our refuge and strength. As I encouraged the congregation at the start of last year it is vitally important to pray to keep close to God and continue faithfully in our Christian life. 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 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. May these verses challenge us all at the start of this new year to be a people of prayer. 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 this be a prayerful church and prayerful individuals. knowing that we have a prayer hearing and answering God. Jonathan Arnold 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.) Church Services Sermons Sunday morning at 11:00am in church (also available online via Facebook) (Sunday morning) Scripture reading - Psalm 31; Acts 8 v 26-40 Sunday evening at 6:30pm in church (also available online via Facebook) Bible study and prayer Wednesday evening at 7:00pm in church (also available online via Facebook) Lunch hour service Thursday afternoon between 1:00pm and 1:30pm in church (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 Preface - The rulers, together with every tenth man taken by lot, and those that offered voluntarily, dwell at Jerusalem. A catalogue of their names. The residue of the people dwell in other cities. Nehemiah 11 Preface - Paul journeying to Jerusalem calleth at the house of Philip the evangelist, whose four daughters prophesied. Agabus foretelling what should befall him at Jerusalem, he will not be dissuaded from going thither. Arriving at Jerusalem, he is persuaded to purify himself in the temple, where he is set upon by the Jews of Asia, and in danger of losing his life in an uproar, but is rescued by the chief captain, and carried to the castle in chains; he requesteth, and is permitted, to speak to the people. Acts 21 Daily Light - Morning Every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it. He is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap: and he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness. We glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope: and hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. - If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the Father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons... now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees. Jn. 15.2; Mal. 3.2-3 Ro. 5.3-5; He. 12.7-8,11-12 Daily Light - Evening Now we call the proud happy. Thus saith the hight and lofty One that inhabit the eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud. - Blessed are the poor inspirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: a proud look - every one that is proud in heart is an abomination unto him: a proud look - Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD. Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God upon every remembrance of you. - Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Mal. 3.15; Isa. 57.15 Pro. 16.19; Mt. 5.3 Pro. 6.16-17; Pro. 16.5 Ps. 139.23-24 Phil. 1.2-3; Mt. 5.5 A Puritans Catechism Q41 - What is the sum of the ten commandments? A - The sum of the ten commandments is to love the Lord our God with all our heart, with all our soul, with all our strength, and with all our mind; and our neighbour as ourselves. BAPTIST CONFESSION OF FAITH Of Good Works Chapter 16 PARAGRAPH 5 We cannot by our best works merit pardon of sin or eternal life at the hand of God, by reason of the great disproportion that is between them and the glory to come, and the infinite distance that is between us and God, whom by them we can neither profit nor satisfy for the debt of our former sins;14 but when we have done all we can, we have done but our duty, and are unprofitable servants; and because they are good they proceed from his Spirit,15 and as they are wrought by us they are defiled and mixed with so much weekness and imperfection, that they cannot endure the severity of God’s punishment.16 14 Rom. 3:20; Eph. 2:8–9; Rom. 4:6 15 Gal. 5:22–23 16 Isa. 64:6; Ps. 43:2 Robert Murray M'Cheyne - God Makes A Path - Daily Devotional Readings A threefold grace For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for you sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich. - 2 Corinthians 8 v 9 When Jesus washed the disciples' feet, when he came to Peter, Peter said, 'Lord, dost thou wash my feet?' Three things amazed him: 1) The glorious being that knelt down before him: Thou'. 2) The lowly action he was going to perform: 'Dost thou wash?' 3) The vile wretch whose feet were to be washed: 'My feet'. He was amazed at the grace of the Lord Jesus. So in this amazing work you may see a threefold grace: 1) The glorious being that undertook for sinners: 'He who was rich'> 2) The depth to which he stooped: He became poor.' 3)The wretches whose souls were to be washed: 'For your sakes'. Ah! Well may you be amazed thisday, and cry out: 'Dost thou wash my soul?
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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 Sermons Sunday morning at 11:00am in church (also available online via Facebook) Sunday evening at 6:30pm in church (also available online via Facebook) Bible study and prayer Wednesday evening at 7:00pm in church (also available online via Facebook) Lunch hour service Thursday afternoon between 1:00pm and 1:30pm in church (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 Preface - The names of those that sealed the covenant, which the rest of the people bound themselves to observe according to the several particulars enumerated. Nehemiah 10 Preface - Paul goeth to Macedonia and having passed over various countries cometh to Troas; where, as he preached long, Eutychus falleth out of a window, and is taken up dead: Paul restoreth him to life. He continueth his travels; at Miletus he calleth to him the elders of the church of Ephesus, and maketh a solemn and affectionate leave of them, exhorting them to look well to their charge, and commending them to God's grace: he prayeth with them, and departeth. Acts 20 Daily Light - Morning His name shall be called Wonderful. 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. -Thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name. They shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. - JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. All men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. - God...hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name. - Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: and hath put all things under his feet. - He had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself...KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. Touching the Almighty, we cannot find him out. - What is his name, and what is his son's name, if thou canst tell? Isa. 9.6; Jn. 1.14; Ps. 138.2 Mt. 1.23; Mt. 1.21 Jn. 5.23; Phil. 2.9; Eph. 1.21-22; Rev. 19.12,16 Job 37.23; Pro. 30.4 Daily Light - Evening The LORD'S portion is his people. Ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's. - I am my beloved's, and his desire is toward me. - I am his. - The Son of God...loved me, and gave himself for me. Know ye not that...ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in you body, and in your spirit, which are God's - The LORD hath taken you, and brought you forth out of the iron furnace, even out of Egypt, to be unto him a people of inheritance, as ye are this day. Ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building. - 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. - A spiritual house, an holy priesthood. They shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels. - All mine are thine, and thine are mine: and I am glorified in them. - The glory of his inheritance in the saints. Deu. 32.9; 1 Co. 3.23; Song 7.10; Song 2.16; Ga. 2.20 1 Co. 6.19-20; Deu, 4.20 1 Co. 3.9; He. 3.6; 1 Pe. 2.5 Mal. 3.17; Jn. 17.10; Eph. 1.18 A Puritans Catechism Q40 - What did God reveal to man for the rule of his disobedience? A - The rule which God first revealed to man for his obedience is the moral law, which is summarized in the ten commandments. BAPTIST CONFESSION OF FAITH Of Good Works Chapter 16 PARAGRAPH 4 They who in their obedience attain to the greatest height which is possible in this life, are so far from being able to supererogate, and to do more than God requires, as that they fall short of much which in duty they are bound to do.13 13 Job 9:2–3; Gal. 5:17; Luke 17:10 Robert Murray M'Cheyne - God Makes A Path - Daily Devotional Readings The grand object That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. - Ephesians 5 v 27 Some are afraid they will never be holy: 'I shall fall under my sin' You shall be made holy. It was for this Christ died. This was the grand object he had in view. This was what was in his eye - to build a holy Church out of a world of lost sinners; to pluck brands out of the fire and make them trees of righteousness; to choose poor, black souls, and make them fair brothers and sisters round his throne. Christ will not lose this object. Look up, then - be not afraid. He redeemed you to make you holy. Thou you had a million of worlds opposing you, he will do it. 'He is faithful, who also will do it.' 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.) Church Services Sermons Sunday morning at 11:00am in church (also available online via Facebook) Sunday evening at 6:30pm in church (also available online via Facebook) Bible study and prayer Wednesday evening at 7:00pm in church (also available online via Facebook) Lunch hour service Thursday afternoon between 1:00pm and 1:30pm in church (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 Preface - A solemn general fast and humiliation. The Levites make a religious confession of God's manifold goodness, and of the national sins, which had occasioned the people's miseries. Nehemiah 9 Preface - The Holy Ghost is conferred by Paul on twelve of John's disciples. He preacheth at Ephesus, first in the synagogue, and afterward in a private school for two years; God confirming the word by special miracles. Certain Jewish exorcists, attempting to cast out a devil in the name of Jesus, are sent off naked and wounded: the gospel gaineth credit, and magical books are burned. Paul proposing to depart soon, Demetrius and the silversmiths raise an uproar against him, which is with some difficulty appeased. Acts - Acts 19 Daily Light - Morning Serving the Lord with all humility of mind. Whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; and whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. If a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. - I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man...not to think of himself more highly that he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. - When ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do. Our rejoicing is this...that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world.- We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. Ac. 20.19; Mt. 20.26-28 Ga. 6.3; Ro. 12.3; Lu. 17.10 2 Co. 1.12; 2 Co. 4.7 Daily Light - Evening We have turned every one to his own way. Noah...planted a vineyard: and he drank of the wine, and was drunken. - Abrahm...said unto Sarai his wife...Say, I pray thee, thou art my sister: that it may be well with me for thy sake. - Isaac said unto Jacob...Art thou my very son Esau? And he said, I am. - Moses...spake unadvisedly with his lips. - The men took of their victuals, and asked not counsel at the mouth of the LORD. And Joshua made peace with them. - David did that which was right in the eyes of the LORD, and turned not aside from any thing that he commanded him all the days of his life, save only in the matter of Uriah the Hittite. Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. - The LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. Not for your sakes do I this, saith the Lord GOD, be it known unto you: be ashamed and confounded for your own ways. Isa. 53.6; Ge. 9.20-21; Ge. 12.10,11,13; Ge. 27.21,24;Ps. 106.32,33; Jos. 9.14-15; 1 Ki. 15.5 Ro. 3.24; Isa. 53.6 Ezek. 36.32 A Puritans Catechism Q39 - What shall be done to the wicked at the day of judgement? A- At the day of judgment the bodies of the wicked being raised out of their graves, shall be sentenced, together with their souls, to unspeakable torments with the devil and his angels for ever. BAPTIST CONFESSION OF FAITH Of Good Works Chapter 16 PARAGRAPH 3 Their ability to do good works is not all of themselves, but wholly from the Spirit of Christ;10 and that they may be enabled thereunto, besides the graces they have already received, there is necessary an actual influence of the same Holy Spirit, to work in them and to will and to do of his good pleasure;11 yet they are not bound to perform any duty, unless upon a special motion of the Spirit, but they ought to be diligent in stirring up the grace of God that is in them.12 10 John 15:4–5 11 2 Cor. 3:5; Phil. 2:13 12 Phil. 2:12; Heb. 6:11–12; Isa. 64:7 Robert Murray M'Cheyne- God Makes A Path - Daily Devotional Readings Asked to a feast I am the living bread which cometh down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world. - John 6 v 51 Christians, learn to feed more on Christ: 'Eat, O friends! drink, yea drink abundantly, O beloved!' When you are asked to a feast, there is no greater affront you can put upon the entertainer than by being content with a crumb below the table. Yet this is the way the Christians of our day affront the Lord of glory. Oh, how few seem to feed much on Christ! How few seem to put on his white flowing raiment! How few seem to drink deep into his Spirit! Most are content with a glimpse now and then of pardon - a crumb from the table, and a drop of his Spirit. Awake, dear friends! 'These things have I spoken unto you, that your joy may be full.' 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 Sermons Sunday morning at 11:00am in church (also available online via Facebook) Sunday evening at 6:30pm in church (also available online via Facebook) Bible study and prayer Wednesday evening at 7:00pm in church (also available online via Facebook) Lunch hour service Thursday afternoon between 1:00pm and 1:30pm in church (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 Preface - The religious manner in which the law was read by Ezra and expounded to the people. Nehemiah, Ezra and the Levites, comfort them. They are instructed out of the law concerning the feast of tabernacles, which is kept in a solemn manner. Nehemiah 8 Preface - Paul worketh for his subsistence, and preacheth Christ at Corinth, first to the Jews, and upon their opposing and blaspheming, to the Gentiles with more success: he is encouraged by the Lord in a vision, and abideth there a long time. The Jews accuse him before Gallio the deputy, who will have nothing to do with them. Paul passeth from city to city, confirming the disciples. Apollos, instructed more perfectly in the Christian doctrine by Aquila and Priscilla, preacheth it at Ephesus, and afterward in Achaia, with great efficacy. Acts 18 Daily Light - Morning Him that was to com. Jesus...made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death...that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. - One died for all. - As by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. - That was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. - God said, let us make man in our image, after our likeness... So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him. - God...hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son...the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person. - Thou hast given him power over all flesh. The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven. As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. Ro. 5.14; He. 2.9; 2 Co. 5.14; Ro. 5.19 1 Co. 15.45; 1 Co. 15.46; Ge. 1.26,27; He. 1.1-3; Jn. 17.2 1 Co. 15.47-48 Daily Light - Evening Things which shall be hereafter. As it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit. - The Spirit of truth...will shew you things to come. Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen. I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with im... For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then 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. Rev. 1.19; 1 Co. 2.9-10; Jn. 16.13 Rev. 1.7 1 Th. 4.13-14,16-17 A Puritans Catechism Q38 - What shall be done to the wicked at their death? A - The souls of the wicked shall at their death be cast into the torments of hell, and their bodies lie in their graves till the resurrection and the judgment of the great day. BAPTIST CONFESSION OF FAITH Of Good Works Chapter 16 PARAGRAPH 2 These good works, done in obedience to God’s commandments, are the fruits and evidences of a true and lively faith;3 and by them believers manifest their thankfulness,4 strengthen their assurance,5 edify their brethren, adorn the profession of the gospel,6 stop the mouths of the adversaries, and glorify God,7 whose workmanship they are, created in Christ Jesus thereunto,8 that having their fruit unto holiness they may have the end eternal life.9 3 James 2:18,22 4 Ps. 116:12–13 5 1 John 2:3,5; 2 Pet. 1:5–11 6 Matt. 5:16 7 1 Tim. 6:1; 1 Pet. 2:15; Phil. 1:11 8 Eph. 2:10 9 Rom 6:22 Robert Murray M'Cheyne - God Makes A Path - Daily Devotional Readings When heaven came down So that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud: for the glory of the Lord had filled the house of God. - 2 Chronicles 5 v 14 Before the cloud came down, no doubt the priests were all busily engaged burning incense and offering sacrifices; but when the cloud came down, they could only wonder and adore. So it ever will be when the Lord gives much of his Spirit; He will make it evident that it is not the work of man. If He were to give only a little then ministers would begin to think they had some hand in it; but when He fills the house, then He makes it plain that man has nothing to do with it. David Brainerd said, that when God awakened his whole congregation of Indians, he stood by amazed, and felt that he was as nothing - that God alone was working. Oh, it is this, dear friends, that we desire and pray for - that the Lord the Spirit would himself descend, and with His almighty power tear away the veil from your hearts, convincing you of sin, of righteousness, and of judgement; that Jesus Himself would take His sceptre and break your hard hearts, and take all the glory, that we may cry out: 'Not unto us. Lord, not unto us, but unto Thy name give glory.' Prayer - Wednesday
-Give thanks 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 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 Sermons Sunday morning at 11:00am in church (also available online via Facebook) Sunday evening at 6:30pm in church (also available online via Facebook) Bible study and prayer Wednesday evening at 7:00pm in church (also available online via Facebook) Lunch hour service Thursday afternoon between 1:00pm and 1:30pm in church (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 Preface - Nehemiah committeth the charge of the city to Hanani and Hananiah. A register found of the genealogy of them which came first from Babylon, of the people, of the priests, of the Levites, of the Nethinims, of the children of Solomon's servants, of the priests which could not shew their pedigree. The whole number with their substance. Their oblations. Nehemiah 7 Preface - Paul preaching in the synagogue at Thessalonica, some believe, both Jews and Greeks. The unbelieving Jews raise an uproar. Paul and Silas are sent to Berea. At Athens Paul disputing is carried before the court of Areopagus: he preaching the living God, to the Athenians unknown; his general call to repentance; the resurrection of Christ; and his coming to judgement. Some mock, others believe. Acts 17 Daily Light - Morning Thou hast in love to my soul delivered it from the pit of corruption. God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy. He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins in the depths of the sea. - O LORD my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed me. O LORD, thou hast brought up my soul from the grave: thou hast kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit. - When my soul fainted within me I remembered the LORD: and my prayer came in unto thee, into thine holy temple. - I waited patiently for the LORD... He brought me up...out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock. Isa. 38.17; 1 Jn. 4.9-10 Mi. 7.18-19; Ps. 30.2-3; Jon. 2.7; Ps. 40.1,2 Daily Light - Evening The things which are. Now we see through a glass, darkly. - Now we see not yet all things put under him. We have...a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts. - Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; how that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. - The Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils. Little children, it is the last time. - 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. Rev. 1.19; 1 Co. 13.12; He. 2.8 2 Pe. 1.19; Ps. 119.105 Jude 17-18; 1 Tim. 4.1 1 Jn. 2.18; Ro. 13.12 A Puritans Catechism Q37 - What benefits do believers receive from Christ at the resurrection? A - At the resurrection, believers, being raised up in glory, shall be openly acknowledged and acquitted in the day of judgment, and made perfectly blessed both in soul and body in the full enjoying of God to all eternity. BAPTIST CONFESSION OF FAITH Of Good Works Chapter 16 PARAGRAPH 1 Good works are only such as God has commanded in his Holy Word,1 and not such as without the warrant thereof are devised by men out of blind zeal, or upon any pretense of good intentions.2 1 Mic. 6:8; Heb. 13:21 2 Matt. 15:9; Isa. 29:13 Robert Murray M'Cheyne - GOd Makes A Path - Daily Devotional Readings David's prayer Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law. - Psalm 119 v 18 Are there not some who read the Bible, but get little from it? You feel that it does not sink into your heart, it does not remain with you through the week, it is like the seed cast in the wayside, easily plucked away. Oh, it is just such an outpoured Spirit you require, to hide the Word in your heart. When you write with a dry pen, without any ink in it, no impression is made upon the paper. Now, ministers are the pends, and the Spirit of God is the ink. Pray that the pen may be filled with that living ink, that the Word may remain in your heart, known and read of all men, that you may be sanctified through the truth. 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 Sermons Sunday morning at 11:00am in church (also available online via Facebook) Sunday evening at 6:30pm in church (also available online via Facebook) Bible study and prayer Wednesday evening at 7:00pm in church (also available online via Facebook) Lunch hour service Thursday afternoon between 1:00pm and 1:30pm in church (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 Preface - Sanballat practiseth against Nehemiah by insidious attempts, false rumours, and hired prophecies. The wall is finished to the great dismay of the enemy. The nobles of Judah hold traitorous intelligence with Tobiah. Nehemiah 6 Preface - Paul having circumcised Timothy, and taken him for his companion, passeth through various countries, and is directed by a vision to go into Macedonia. He converteth Lydia, and casteth out a spirit of divination. He and Silas are whipped and imprisoned: the prison doors are thrown open by an earthquake at midnight; the jailor, prevented by Paul from killing himself, is converted: they are released by the magistrates. Acts 16 Daily Light - Morning It pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell. The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand. - God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. - Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come. - By him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him. Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living. - And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power. - Of his fulness have all we received. Col. 1.19; Jn. 3.35; Phil. 2.9-11; Eph. 1.21; Col. 1.16 Ro. 14.9; Col. 2.10; Jn. 1.16 Daily Light - Evening Write the things which thou has seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter. Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. - That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet. - He that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe. We have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. - That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. Rev. 1.19; 2 Pe. 1.21: 1 Jn. 1.3 Lu. 24.39-40; Jn. 19.35 2 Pe. 1.16; 1 Co. 2.5 A Puritans Catechism Q36 - What benefits do believers receive from Christ at death? A - The souls of believers are at their death made perfect in holiness, and do immediately pass into glory, and their bodies, being still united in Christ, do rest in their graves, till the resurrection. BAPTIST CONFESSION OF FAITH Of Repentance unto Life and Salvation Chapter 15 PARAGRAPH 5 Such is the provision which God has made through Christ in the covenant of grace for the preservation of believers unto salvation, that although there is no sin so small but it deserves damnation,8 yet there is no sin so great that it shall bring damnation to them that repent,9 which makes the constant preaching of repentance necessary. 8 Rom. 6:23 9 Isa. 1:16–18, 55:7 Robert Murray M'Cheyne - God Makes A Path - Daily Devotional Readings A lesson from the sun ...among whom ye shine as lights in the world; - Philippians 2 v 15 It is quite right to help the heathen at home, but it is just as right to help the heathen abroad. Oh that God would free you from a narrow mind, and give you his own divine Spirit. Learn a lesson from the sun. It shines both far and near; it does not pour its beams all into one sunny valley, or on one bright land. No, it journeys on from shore to shore, pours its rich beams upon the wide ocean, on the torrid sands of Africa, and the icy coasts of Greenland. Go you and do likewise. Shine as lights in the 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 Sermons Sunday morning at 11:00am in church (also available online via Facebook) Sunday evening at 6:30pm in church (also available online via Facebook) Bible study and prayer Wednesday evening at 7:00pm in church (also available online via Facebook) Lunch hour service Thursday afternoon between 1:00pm and 1:30pm in church (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 Preface - The unclean to be removed out of the camp. Restitution to be made in cases of trespass. All offerings and hallowed things belong to the priest. The trial of jealousy. Nehemiah 5 Preface - Great dissentiions arise about circumcising the Gentiles: Paul and Barnabas are sent to consult the apostles and elders at Jerusalem. The matter is debated in a council there; Peter declareth his opinion: Paul and Barnabas report the miracles they had wrought among the Gentiles. James pronounceth sentence in favour of the Gentiles, requiring of them abstinence only in a few particulars. Letters are sent with the determination by messengers to the churches, which are received with joy. Paul and Barnabas propose to visit together the churches they had planted, but disagree, and travel different ways. Acts 15 Daily Light - Morning My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy word. If ye...be risen with Christ, seekk those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For...your life is hid with Christ in God. - Our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. The flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. - Brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. - Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul. Ps. 119.25; Col. 3.1-3; Phil. 3.20-21 Ga. 5.17; Ro. 8.12-13; 1 Pe. 2.11 Daily Light - Evening The measure of faith. Him that is weak in the faith. - Strong in faith, giving glory to God. O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? - Great is thy faith: be it unto the even as thou wilt. Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord... According to your faith be it unto you. Increase our faith. - Building up yourselves on your most holy faith. - Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith. - He which stablisheth us with you in Christ...is God. - The God of all grace...after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. We...that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of te weak, and not to please ourselves. - Let us not... judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man out a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way. Ro. 12.3; Ro. 14.1; Ro. 4.20 Mt. 14.31; Mt. 15.28 Mt. 9.28,29 Lu. 17.5; Jude 20; Col. 2.7; 2 Co. 1.21; 1 Pe. 5.10 Ro. 15.1; Ro. 14.13 A Puritans Catechism Q35 - What are the benefits which in this life do either accompany or flow from justification, adoption, and sanctification? A - The benefits which in this life do accompany or flow from justification, adoption, and sanctification are assurance of God's love, peace of conscience, joy in the Holy Ghost, increase of grace, and perseverance therein to the end. BAPTIST CONFESSION OF FAITH Of Repentance unto Life and Salvation Chapter 15 PARAGRAPH 4 As repentance is to be continued through the whole course of our lives, upon the account of the body of death, and the motions thereof, so it is every man’s duty to repent of his particular known sins particularly.7 7 Luke 19:8; 1 Tim. 1:13,15 Robert Murray M'Cheyne - God Makes A Path - Daily Devotional Readings Be fervent in praise By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. - Hebrews 13 v 15 And, oh! be fervent in praise. Lift up your voices in it. Lift up your hearts in it. In heaven they wax louder and louder. John heard the sound of a great multitude; and then it was like many waters, and then it was like might thunderings, crying: 'Hallelujah! Hallelujah! I remember Edwards' remark, that it was in the singing of praises that his people felt themselves most enlarged, and that then God was worshipped somewhat in the beauty of holiness. Let it be so among yourselves. Learn, dearly beloved, to praise God heartily, to sing with all your heart and soul in the family and in the congregation. But, oh! remember that even your praises must be sprinkled with blook, and can be acceptable to God only by Jesus Christ. Dear Congregation,
Thank you all for your prayers and support for the work of the church throughout 2023. I know we all have been through varying difficulties and some through particular hardships. Once again we can thank the Lord that we have been brought through trusting in the Lord as our refuge and strength. As I encouraged the congregation at the start of last year it is vitally important to pray to keep close to God and continue faithfully in our Christian life. 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 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. May these verses challenge us all at the start of this new year to be a people of prayer. 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 this be a prayerful church and prayerful individuals. knowing that we have a prayer hearing and answering God. Jonathan Arnold 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.) Church Services Sermons Sunday morning at 11:00am in church (also available online via Facebook) (Sunday morning) Scripture reading; Psalm 106 v 1-22; Psalm 145 v 1-21 Sunday evening at 6:30pm in church (also available online via Facebook) Bible study and prayer Wednesday evening at 7:00pm in church (also available online via Facebook) Lunch hour service Thursday afternoon between 1:00pm and 1:30pm in church (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 Preface - While the enemies are angry, and scoff, Nehemiah prayeth to God, and buildeth the wall. Understanding their secret plottings, he setteth a watch. He armeth the labourers and giveth instructions how to proceed in case of an alarm. Nehemiah 4 Preface - Paul and Barnabus are persecuted from Iconium by the malice of the unbelieving Jews. At Lystra they heal an impotent man, and refuse divine honours with abhorrence. Paul is stoned at the instigation of the Jews, but escapeth alive with Barnabas to Derbe. Having passed through various places, and confirmed the churches in faith and patience, they return to Antioch, and give an account of their ministry. Acts 14 Daily Light - Morning My Father is greater than I. When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven. - I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God. - As the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. - The words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand. - Thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him. Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? - I and my Father are one. - As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. Jn. 14.28; Lu. 11.2; Jn. 20.17; Jn. 14.31; Jn. 14.10 Jn. 3.35; Jn. 17.2 Jn. 14.8-10; Jn. 10.30; Jn. 15.9-10 Daily Light - Evening I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. His visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men. - 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. This is you hour, and the power of darkness. - Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above. The Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. - He...cast out many devils; and suffered not the devils to speak, because they knew him. All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. - in my name shall they cast out devils. The God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. Ge. 3.15; Isa. 52.14; Isa. 53.5 Lu. 22.53; Jn. 19.11 1 Jn. 3.8; Mk. 1.34 Mt. 38.18; Mk. 16.17 Ro. 16.20 A Puritans Catechism Q34 - What is Sanctification? A - Sanctification is the work of God's free grace, whereby we are renewed in the whole man after the image of God, and are enabled more and more to die unto sin, and live unto righteousness. BAPTIST CONFESSION OF FAITH Of Repentance unto Life and Salvation Chapter 15 PARAGRAPH 3 This saving repentance is an evangelical grace,4 whereby a person, being by the Holy Spirit made sensible of the manifold evils of his sin, does, by faith in Christ, humble himself for it with godly sorrow, detestation of it, and self–abhorrancy,5 praying for pardon and strength of grace, with a purpose and endeavor, by supplies of the Spirit, to walk before God unto all well–pleasing in all things.6 4 Zech. 12:10; Acts 11:18 5 Ezek. 36:31; 2 Cor. 7:11 6 Ps. 119:6,128 Robert Murray M'Cheyne - God Makes A Path - Daily Devotional Readings Unchanging love ...Having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end. - John 13 v 1 A mother's love is, of all creature-love, the most unchangeable. A boy leaves his parent's roof, he crosses a thousand seas, he labours beneath a foreign sky; he comes back, he finds his aged mother changed, her head is grey, her venerable brow in furrowed with age; still he feels while she clasps him to her bosom, that her heart is the same. But ah! far more unchanging is the love of God to Christ, and to a soul in Christ: 'I am the Lord; I change not.' The Father that loves has no variableness. Jesus, who is loved, is the same yesterday, today, and for ever. How can that love change? It flowed before the world was; it will flow when the world has passed away. If you are in Christ, that love shines on you: 'I have loved thee with an everlasting love.' 'I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, not 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.' 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 Sermons Sunday morning at 11:00am in church (also available online via Facebook) Sunday evening at 6:30pm in church (also available online via Facebook) Bible study and prayer Wednesday evening at 7:00pm in church (also available online via Facebook) Lunch hour service Thursday afternoon between 1:00pm and 1:30pm in church (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 Preface - The names and order of them that builded the wall. Nehemiah 3 Preface - Barnabas and Saul, being set apart with fasting and prayer, are sent forth by the Holy Ghost to the work of their calling. At Paphos Elymas the sorcerer opposing the gospel is smitten with blindness, and the deputy Sergius Paulus converted to the faith. Paul and his company come to Antioch in Pisidia: Paul preacheth Christ, and the necessity of faith in him unto justification. The Gentiles desire to hear the word again: many are converted. The envious Jews gainsay and blaspheme: the apostles profess to turn to the Gentiles, of whom many believe. The Jews raise a persecuton, and expel Paul and Barnabas, who go to Iconium. Acts 13 Daily Light - Morning Preface - Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee. Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. - I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation. Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? - Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. - In quietness and in confidence shall be your strength. The work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever. - Peace I leave with you, my peace i Give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. - Peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come. Isa. 26.3; Ps. 55.22; Isa. 12.2 Mt. 8.26; Phil. 4.6-7; Isa. 30.15 Isa. 32.17; Jn. 14.27; Rev. 1.4 Daily Light - Evening Let not the sun go down upon your wrath. If thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother... Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven. - When ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. - Be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. The apostles said unto the Lord, increase our faith. Eph. 4.26; Mt. 18.15,21-22; Mk. 11.25 Col. 3.12-13; Eph. 4.32 Lu. 17.5 A Puritans Catechism Q33 - What is adoption? A - Adoption is an act of God's free grace, whereby we are received into the number, and have a right to all the privileges, of the sons of God. BAPTIST CONFESSION OF FAITH Of Repentance unto Life and Salvation Chapter 15 PARAGRAPH 2 Whereas there is none that does good and does not sin,2 and the best of men may, through the power and deceitfulness of their corruption dwelling in them, with the prevalency of temptation, fall in to great sins and provocations; God has, in the covenant of grace, mercifully provided that believers so sinning and falling be renewed through repentance unto salvation.3 2 Eccles. 7:20 3 Luke 22:31–32 Robert Murray M'Cheyne - God Makes A Path - Daily Devotional Readings Infinite love He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. - 1 John 4 v 8 A mother's love is the fullest love which we have on earth. She loves with all her heart. But there is no love more full than that of God toward his Son; God loves Jesus fully. The whole heart of the Father is, as it were, continually poured down in love upon the Lord Jesus. There is nothing in Christ that does not draw the infinite love of God. In Him God sees his own image perfectly, his own law acted out, his own will done. The Father loves the Son fully; but when a soul comes into Christ, the same love rests on that soul: 'That the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them' (John 17 v. 26). 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.) Church Services Sermons Sunday morning at 11:00am in church (also available online via Facebook) Sunday evening at 6:30pm in church (also available online via Facebook) Bible study and prayer Wednesday evening at 7:00pm in church (also available online via Facebook) Lunch hour service Thursday afternoon between 1:00pm and 1:30pm in church (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 Preface - Artaxerxes, understanding the cause of Nehemiah's sadness sendeth him with letters and a commission to build the wall of Jerusalem. Nehemiah delivereth the letters, and to the grief of the enemies of the Jews cometh to Jerusalem. He vieweth the state of the walls secretly by night. He encourageth the Jews to build in spite of the scorn of their enemies. Nehemiah 2 Preface - King Herod persecuteth the Christians killeth James, and imprisoneth Peter, who upon the prayers of the church is delivered by an angel. Herod, in his pride assuming the glory due to God, is smitten by an angel, and dieth miserably. After his death the word of God prospereth. Barnabas and Saul return to Antioch. Acts 12 Daily Light - Morning The only wise God our Saviour. Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption. - Canst thou by searching find out God? Canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection? It is as high as heaven; what canst thou do? deeper than hell; what canst thou know? We speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory. - The mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: to the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. - The wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. Jude 25; 1 Co. 1.30; Job 11.7-8 1 Co. 2.7; Eph. 3.9-10 Jas. 1.5; Jas. 3.17 Daily Light - Evening When shall I arise, and the night be gone? Watchman, what of the night? The watchman said, The morning cometh. Yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. He shall be as the light of the morning, when the sun riseth, even a morning without clouds. 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... Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. Let all thine enemies perish, O LORD: but let them that love him be as the sun when he goeth forth in his might. - Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. There shall be no night there. Job 7.4; Isa. 21.11-12 He. 10.37; 2 Sa. 23.4 Jn. 14.2-3,27-28 Judg. 5.31; 1 Th. 5.5 Rev. 21.25 A Puritans Catechism Q32 - What is justification? A - Justification is an act of God's free grace, wherein he pardons all our sins, and accepts us as righteous in his sight, only for the righteousness of Christ imputed to us, and received by faith alone. BAPTIST CONFESSION OF FAITH Of Repentance unto Life and Salvation Chapter 15 PARAGRAPH 1 Such of the elect that are converted at riper years, having sometime lived in the state of nature, and therein served divers pleasures, God in their effectual calling gives them repentance to life.1 1 Titus 3:2–5 Robert Murray Mc'Cheyne - God Makes A Path - Daily Devotional Readings When the soul faints And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. - Hebrews 12 vs 5 & 6 Ah! it is a sad thing when the soul faints under the rebukes of God. They wee intended to lead you deeper into Christ, into a fuller enjoyment of God. Faint not when thou art rebuked of Him. When a soul comes to Christ, he expects to be led to heaven in a green, soft pathway, without a thorn. On the contrary, he is led into darkness. Poverty stares him in the face, or bereavement writes him childless, or persecutions embitter his life; and now his soul remembers the wormwood and the gall. He forgets the love and wisdom that are dealing with him; he says: "I am the man that hath seen affliction. The Lord hath forsaken me, and my God hath forgotten me." |
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