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Daily Prayer - Saturday
- Give thanks to God that we have good news of salvation to tell that the repentant sinner might have everlasting life through Jesus Christ. (John 3.16.) - Pray the Lord would bless the Gospel outreach by the church in Westminster. Both on Saturday mornings and at services. - Pray the Lord would work in the contacts we have made both on Saturday mornings and at services; through personal conversations and online contacts. Church Services 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 16) - Preface - Job reproveth his friends of inhumanity toward him; he pathetically describeth his unhappy case; still protecting his innocence, for which he maketh appeal to God. 17) - Preface - Job again appealeth to God from the harsh censures of his friends: whose unmerciful dealing may astonish, but not discourage the righteous. His hope is no longer in life, but in death. Job 16-17 Preface - Paul sheweth in what account such as he should be held, of whose fidelity it should be left to God to judge. He dissuadeth the Corinthians from valuing themselves in one teacher above another, since all had their respective distinctions from God. To their self-sufficient vanity he opposeth his own despised and afflicted state; warning them, as their only father in Christ, and urging them to follow him. For the same cause he sent Timotheus, and meant soon to follow in person, when he would enquire into the authority of such as opposed him. 1 Corinthians 4 Daily Light - Morning The whole bullock shall he carry forth without the camp unto a clean place, where the ashes ae poured out, and burn him on the wood with fire. They took Jesus, and led him away. And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha: where they crucified him. - The bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned wihtout the camp. Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate. Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach. - The fellowship of his sufferings. Rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. - Our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. Lev. 4.12; Jn. 19.16-18; He. 13.11-13; Phil. 3.10 1 Pe. 4.13; 2 Co. 4.17 Daily Light - Evening God created man in his own image. Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device. God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ... We are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. - For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. We know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. - I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. - If children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ. Ge. 1.27; Ac. 17.29 Eph. 2.4-5.10; Ro. 8.29 1 Jn. 3.2; Ps. 17.15 Rev. 21.7; Ro. 8.17 A Puritans Catechism Q67 - What does every sin deserve? A - Every sin deserves God's wrath and curse, both in this life, and that which is to come. BAPTIST CONFESSION OF FAITH Of Religious Worship and The Sabbath Day Chapter 22 PARAGRAPH 2 Prayer, with thanksgiving, being one part of natural worship, is by God required of all men.8 But that it may be accepted, it is to be made in the name of the Son,9 by the help of the Spirit,10 according to his will;11 with understanding, reverence, humility, fervency, faith, love, and perseverance; and when with others, in a known tongue.12 8 Ps. 95:1–7, 65:2 9 John 14:13–14 10 Rom. 8:26 11 1 John 5:14 12 1 Cor. 14:16–17 Robert Murray M'Cheyne - God Makes A Path - Daily Devotional Readings A day's march nearer home But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. - Proverbs 4 v 18 When Israel was travelling the wilderness they came nearer to the good land every step they took. They had a long wilderness to pass through, still every day's journey brough them nearer to the end. So it is with all that are in Christ Jesus. Every step is bringing them nearer to heaven. Every day they are coming nearer and nearer to glory. 'Now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed'. 'The night is far spent, the day is at hand.' Every soul that is carried on the wings of the eagle is flying towards the rest that remaineth. The hours fly fast; but as fast flies that divine eagle. In running a race, every step brings you nearer to the end of it, nearer to the prized, to the crown.
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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 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 - Eliphaz reproveth Job of impiety in justifying himself: he proveth from tradition the disquietude of wicked men. Job 15 Preface - Paul sheweth that he could not instruct the Corinthians in the higher doctrine of Christianity because of their carnal mind; this state of mind revealed itself in their factions. The most eminent preachers of the gospel are but instruments employed by God in building his church. Paul hath laid the only true foundation, Christ Jesus; and others must take heed what they build thereon. Christians are God's temple, not to be defiled. Worldly wisdom is foolishness with God. They that are Christ's must not glory in men. 1 Corinthians 3 Daily Light - Morning Thy name is as ointment poured forth. Christ...hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour. - Unto you therefore which believe he is precious. - 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. - In him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. If ye love me, keep my commandments. - The love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. - The house was filled with the odour of the ointment. - They took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus. O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens. - Emmanuel...God with us. - His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The might God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. - The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe. Song 1.3; Eph. 5.2; 1 Pe. 2.7; Phil. 2.9-10; Col. 2.9 Jn. 14.15; Ro. 5.5; Jn. 12.3; Ac. 4.13 Ps. 8.1; Mt. 1.23; Isa. 9.6; Pro. 18.10 Daily Light - Evening We that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened. Mine iniquities are gone over mine head: as an heavy burden they are too heavy for me...Lord, all my desire is before thee; and my groaning is not his from thee. - O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? The whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves...which have the firstfruits of the Spirit...groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. - Now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations. Shortly I must put off this my tabernacle. - For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 2 Co. 5.4; Ps. 38.4,9; Ro. 7.24 Ro. 8.22-23; 1 Pe. 1.6 2 Pe. 1.14; 1 Co. 15.53-54 A Puritans Catechism Q 66 - Are all transgressions of the law equally heinous? A - Some sins in themselves, and by reason of various aggravations, are more heinous in the sight of God than others. BAPTIST CONFESSION OF FAITH Of Religious Worship and The Sabbath Day Chapter 22 PARAGRAPH 2 Religious worship is to be given to God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and to him alone;4 not to angels, saints, or any other creatures;5 and since the fall, not without a mediator,6 nor in the mediation of any other but Christ alone.7 4 Matt. 4:9–10; John 6:23; Matt. 28:19 5 Rom. 1:25; Col. 2:18; Rev. 19:10 6 John 14:6 7 1 Tim. 2:5 Robert Murray M'Cheyne - God Makes A Path - Daily Devotional Readings Radiant saints Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. - Matthew 5 v 14 If the sun were to grow weary of running his daily journey, and were to give over shining, would you not say it should be taken down, for did not God hang it in the sky to give light upon the earth? Just, so dear Christians, if you grow weary in well-doing, in shining with Christ's beauty, in walking by Christ's Spirit, you, too, should be taken down and cast away - for did not Christ arise upon you for this very end, that you might be a light in the world? Ah! think of this, dark, useless Christians, who are putting your candle under a bushel. I tremble for some who will not lay themselves out for Christ. Ah! you are wronging yourselves and dishonouring Christ. Your truest happiness is in shining; the mroe you shine for Christ, the happier you will be. 'To me to live is Christ; and to die, gain.' 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 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) (Thursday afternoon) Scripture reading - Ephesians 2 v 7 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 - Job entreateth God's forbearance in respect of the shortness and troubles of life, and of the certainty of death, which cutteth short man's hope: he wisheth for some place of shelter, where to wait his appointed change. All created beings are subject to corruption. Job 14 Preface - Being built on the testimony of the spirit, and on miracles, might be solely ascribed to God. The gospel doth contain God's wise, but secret, counsel, for bringing men to glory; which no natural abilities could discover, but the spirit of God only, by which it was revealed to the apostles. Upon this account both the doctrine and its teachers are held in disesteem by the mere natural man, who is not daily qualified to judge of and discern them. 1 Corinthians 2 Daily Light - Morning Who can say, I have made my heart clean? The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God. They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one. - They that are in the flesh cannot please God. To will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. - We are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a lear; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. The scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by ffaith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. - God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Pr. 20.9; Ps. 14.2-3; Ro. 8.8 Ro. 7.18-19; Isa. 64.6 Ga. 3.22; 2 Co. 5.19 1 Jn. 1.8-9 Daily Light - Evening The floods lift up their waves. The LORD on high is mightier than the noise of many waters, yea, than the mighty waves of the sea. - O LORD God of hosts, who is a strong LORD like unto thee? or to thy faithfulness round about thee? thou rulest the raging of the sea: when the waves thereof arise, thou stillest them. Fear ye not me? saith the LORD: will ye not tremble at my presence, which have placed the sand for the bound of the sea by a perpetual decree, that it cannot pass it? When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee. Peter...walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. Ps. 93.3; Ps. 93.4; Ps. 89.8-9 Jer. 5.22 Isa. 43.2 Mt. 14.29-31 Ps. 56.3 A Puritans Catechism Q65 - Is any man able perfectly to keep the commandments of God? A - No mere man, since the fall, is able in this life perfectly to keep the commandments of God, but doth daily break them in thought, word, and deed. BAPTIST CONFESSION OF FAITH Of Religious Worship and The Sabbath Day Chapter 22 PARAGRAPH 1 The light of nature shows that there is a God, who has lordship and sovereignty over all; is just, good and does good to all; and is therefore to be feared, loved, praised, called upon, trusted in, and served, with all the heart and all the soul, and with all the might.1 But the acceptable way of worshipping the true God, is instituted by himself,2 and so limited by his own revealed will, that he may not be worshipped according to the imagination and devices of men, nor the suggestions of Satan, under any visible representations, or any other way not prescribed in the Holy Scriptures.3 1 Jer. 10:7; Mark 12:33 2 Deut. 12:32 3 Exod. 20:4–6 Robert Murray M'Cheyne - God Makes A Path Do not doubt Now Jesus loved...Lazarus. - John 2 v 5 Christ loved Lazarus peculiarly, and yet he afflicted him very sore. A surgeon never bends his eye so tenderly upon his patient, as when he is putting in the lancet, or probing the wound to the very bottom. And so with Christ; He bends His eye most tenderly over His own at the time He is afflicting them. Do not doubt the Holy love of Jesus to your soul when he is laying a heavy hadn upon you. Jesus did not love Lazarus less when he afflicted him, but rather more - even as a father correcteth a son in whom he delighteth (Proverbs 3 v 12). A goldsmith when he casts gold into the furnace looks after it. Daily 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 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 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 - Job longeth to appear before God, in confidence of being heard with mercy, and acquitted. God, though invisible, observeth our ways. Job asserteth his own integrity; but the immutable counsel of God troubleth him. Job 23 Preface - After saluting the church at Corinth, and thanking God for his grace toward them, Paul exhorteth them to unity, and reproveth their dissensions. The plain doctrine of the gospel, however foolish in the eyes of the world, is the power and wisdom of God to the salvation of believers. God, to take away human boasting, hath not called the wise, the mighty, the noble; but the foolish, the weak, the despised among men. Christ is our wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. 1 Corinthians 1 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 desroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. - The LORD is well pleased 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 heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. - The LORD 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 Q64 - What is forbidden in the tenth commandment? A - The tenth commandment forbids all discontentment with our own estate, envying or grieving at the good of our neighbour, and all inordinate motions and affections to anything that is his. BAPTIST CONFESSION OF FAITH Of Christian Liberty and Liberty of Conscience Chapter 21 PARAGRAPH 3 They who upon pretence of Christian liberty do practice any sin, or cherish any sinful lust, as they do thereby pervert the main design of the grace of the gospel to their own destruction,16 so they wholly destroy the end of Christian liberty, which is, that being delivered out of the hands of all our enemies, we might serve the Lord without fear, in holiness and righteousness before Him, all the days of our lives.17 16 Rom. 6:1–2 17 Gal. 5:13; 2 Pet. 2:18,21 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 now in every thing that made him feel his weakness; for this drove him to Jesus for strength. Learn, 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.' Daily 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 - Job censureth the arrogant pretensions of his friends to superior knowledge: he sheweth that wicked men often prosper under the hand of God; he acknowledgeth the divine wisdom and omnipotency. Job 12 Preface - Paul commendeth Phebe to the Christians at Rome, and sendeth salutations to many by name. He warneth them to take heed of those who cause divisions and offences. After sundry salutations, he concludeth with praise to God. Romans 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 childen ae partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death. 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 Q63 - Which is the tenth commandment? A - The tenth commandment is, Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor anything that is thy neighbour's. BAPTIST CONFESSION OF FAITH Of Christian Liberty and Liberty of Conscience Chapter 21 PARAGRAPH 2 God alone is Lord of the conscience,12 and has left it free from the doctrines and commandments of men which are in any thing contrary to his word, or not contained in it.13 So that to believe such doctrines, or obey such commands out of conscience, is to betray true liberty of conscience;14 and the requiring of an implicit faith, an absolute and blind obedience, is to destroy liberty of conscience and reason also.15 12 James 4:12; Rom. 14:4 13 Acts 4:19,29; 1 Cor. 7:23; Matt. 15:9 14 Col. 2:20,22–23 15 1 Cor. 3:5; 2 Cor. 1:24 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 fo rhim 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; and planting of a tree that shall bloom with eternal beauty in the paradise of God. Daily 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 - Zophar sharply reproveth Job for justifying himself: he sheweth that God's counsels are unsearchable; and that repentance is the only sure way for him to recover lost happiness. Job 11 Preface - We ought, in condescension to the weak, to give up our own will for our neighbour's good, after the example of Christ. The intent of the scriptures. Paul prayeth for unanimity among Christians, exhorteth to receive one the other, as Christ did all, both Jews and Gentiles; and wisheth them all joy, peace, and hope. He apologiseth for his freedom in admonishing them, as he was the apostle of the Gentiles; and sheweth the success and extensiveness of his labours. He excuseth his not coming to them before, and promiseth them a visit on his return from Jerusalem. He requesteth their prayers. Romans 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 not 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. 6.23 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 Q62 - What is required in the ninth commandment? A - The ninth commandment requires the maintaining and promoting of truth between man and man, and of our own and our neighbour's good name, especially in witness-bearing. BAPTIST CONFESSION OF FAITH Of Christian Liberty and Liberty of Conscience Chapter 21 PARAGRAPH 1 The liberty which Christ has purchased for believers under the gospel, consists in their freedom from the guilt of sin, the condemning wrath of God, the severity and curse of the law,1 and in their being delivered from this present evil world,2 bondage to Satan,3 and dominion of sin,4 from the evil of afflictions,5 the fear and sting of death, the victory of the grave,6 and everlasting damnation:7 as also in their free access to God, and their yielding obedience unto Him, not out of slavish fear,8 but a child-like love and willing mind.9 All which were common also to believers under the law for the substance of them;10 but under the New Testament the liberty of Christians is further enlarged, in their freedom from the yoke of a ceremonial law, to which the Jewish church was subjected, and in greater boldness of access to the throne of grace, and in fuller communications of the free Spirit of God, than believers under the law did ordinarily partake of.11 1 Gal. 3:13 2 Gal. 1:4 3 Acts 26:18 4 Rom. 8:3 5 Rom. 8:28 6 1 Cor. 15:54–57 7 2 Thess. 1:10 8 Rom. 8:15 9 Luke 1:73–75; 1 John 4:18 10 Gal. 3;9,14 11 John 7:38–39; Heb. 10:19–21 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. 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 nd 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. 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 be a prayerful church and prayerful individuals, knowing that we have a prayer hearing and answering God. Pastor 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 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 - Embittered by his sufferings Job taketh more liberty in expostulating with God. He repineth at having been brought into being, and prayeth for a little respite from pain before his death. Job 10 Preface - Directions to treat a weak brother kindly, and not to despise or censure one another in matters of indifference. Christ's right to our best services, whether we live or die. We must all be answerable for our respective conduct at his judgment seat. We must be careful not to use our Christian liberty to the hurt or offence of tender consciences. Romans 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 cam 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 fellowlabourers, whose name 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 humans 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. 24.15; 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 teh house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bring forth fruit in older age; they shall be fat and flourishing. Ps. 104.16; Hos. 14.5-6; Jer. 17.7-8 Ezek. 17.24 Ps. 92.12-14 A Puritans Catechism Q61 - Which is the ninth commandment? A - The ninth commandment is, Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour. BAPTIST CONFESSION OF FAITH Of the Gospel and the Extent of Grace Thereof Chapter 20 PARAGRAPH 4 Although the gospel be the only outward means of revealing Christ and saving grace, and is, as such, abundantly sufficient thereunto; yet that men who are dead in trespasses may be born again, quickened or regenerated, there is moreover necessary an effectual insuperable work of the Holy Spirit upon the whole soul, for the producing in them a new spiritual life;8 without which no other means will effect their conversion unto God.9 8 Ps. 110:3; 1 Cor. 2:14; Eph. 1:19–20 9 John 6:44; 2 Cor. 4:4,6 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 were 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 should 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. Daily Prayer - Saturday
- Give thanks to God that we have good news of salvation to tell that the repentant sinner might have everlasting life through Jesus Christ. (John 3.16.) - Pray the Lord would bless the Gospel outreach by the church in Westminster. Both on Saturday mornings and at services. - Pray the Lord would work in the contacts we have made both on Saturday mornings and at services; through personal conversations and online contacts. Church Services 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 - Job acknowledgeth God's justice, wisdom, and power, against which there is no contending: he disclaimeth all thought of justifying himself; but insisteth that a man's innocency is not to be judged by the good or evil that befalls him in this world: he bringeth evidence of his own misfortunes, but will not presume to dispute with the author of them, who is so much above him. Job 9 Preface - Subjection to magistrates enforced. We must render to all their dues: only love is a debt we must always owe, and virtually containeth the whole law. Rioting, drunkenness, and other works of darkness, must be put away, as much out of season under the gospel. Romans 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 foollishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they ae 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 o fglory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and reverlation is 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 water 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 sea; 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 Q60 - What is forbidden in the eighth commandment? A - The eighth commandment forbids whatever does, or may unjustly hinder our own, or our neighbour's wealth or outward estate. BAPTIST CONFESSION OF FAITH Of the Gospel and the Extent of Grace Thereof Chapter 20 PARAGRAPH 3 The revelation of the gospel to sinners, made in divers times and by sundry parts, with the addition of promises and precepts for the obedience required therein, as to the nations and persons to whom it is granted, is merely of the sovereign will and good pleasure of God;6 not being annexed by virtue of any promise to the due improvement of men's natural abilities, by virtue of common light received without it, which none ever made, or can do so;7 and therefore in all ages, the preaching of the gospel has been granted unto persons and nations, as to the extent or straitening of it, in great variety, according to the counsel of the will of God 6 Ps. 147:20; Acts 16:7 7 Rom. 1:18–32 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. 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. Espcially 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- Bildad sheweth God's justice in dealing with men according to their works: he appealeth to antiquity to prove the certain destruction of the hypocrite: he applieth the argument of God's just dealing to the case of Job. Job 8 Preface - Paul exhorteth to holiness and conformity to God's will: and to think soberly of the gifts allotted every man respectively. We are all members of one body in Christ, and should diligently exercise our several gifts for the common benefit. Various practical duties recommended. Revenge is specially forbidden, and to do good for evil injoined. Romans 12 Daily Light - 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 they 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 Light - 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 Q59 - Which is the eighth commandment? A - The eighth commandment is, Thou shalt not steal. BAPTIST CONFESSION OF FAITH Of the Gospel and the Extent of Grace Thereof Chapter 20 PARAGRAPH 2 This promise of Christ, and salvation by him, is revealed only by the Word of God;3 neither do the works of creation or providence, with the light of nature, make discovery of Christ, or of grace by him, so much as in a general or obscure way;4 much less that men destitute of the revelation of Him by the promise or gospel, should be enabled thereby to attain saving faith or repentance.5 3 Rom. 1;17 4 Rom. 10:14–15,17 5 Prov. 29:18; Isa. 25:7; 60:2–3 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 one of 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. 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 ae 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 - Job excuseth his desire of death by representing the extreme restlessness of his condition: he expostulateth with God for so severely visiting him. Job 7 Preface - God hath not so far cast off all Israel, but that a remnant is saved by grace, not by works. The judical blindness of the rest is prophesied of in scripture. The consequence both of their fall and conversion with regard to the Gentile world. The Gentiles are cautioned not to insult the Jews, but to make a proper use of the example both of God's goodness and severity. The Jews may, and shall in time, believe and be saved. God's judgments and way are unsearchable. Romans 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 unto 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 cam 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 fellow citizens 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 tasted 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 Q58 - What is forbidden in the seventh commandment? A - The seventh commandment forbids all unchaste thoughts, words, and actions. BAPTIST CONFESSION OF FAITH Of the Gospel and the Extent of Grace Thereof Chapter 20 PARAGRAPH 1 This promise of Christ, and salvation by him, is revealed only by the Word of God;3 neither do the works of creation or providence, with the light of nature, make discovery of Christ, or of grace by him, so much as in a general or obscure way;4 much less that men destitute of the revelation of Him by the promise or gospel, should be enabled thereby to attain saving faith or repentance.5 3 Rom. 1;17 4 Rom. 10:14–15,17 5 Prov. 29:18; Isa. 25:7; 60:2–3 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 t 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.' |
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