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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 Sunday morning at 11:00am in church (and also available online via FaceBook) Sunday evening at 6:30pm in church (and also available online via FaceBook) Bible Study and Prayer Wednesday evening at 7:00pm in church (and also available online via FaceBook) Lunch Hour Service Thursday afternoon between 1:00pm and 1:30pm in church (and also available online via FaceBook) Outreach/Witnessing Saturday morning at Victoria Street (outside the big Boots store) for 10:30am (across the road from Town Hall - No. 64). Afterwards we go back to church for prayer. Daily Reading Preface - The discipline and doctrine of wisdom. The sinful enticements of folly; their ruinous tendency. Proverbs 9 Preface - Paul setteth before the Ephesians their former corrupt heathen state, and God's rich mercy in their deliverance. We are saved by grace, not of works, yet so as to be created in Christ unto good works. They who were once strangers, and far from God, are now brought near by Christ's blood, who having abolished the ritual law, the ground of distinction between Jew and Gentile, hath united both in one body, and gained them equal access to the Father. So that the Gentiles are henceforth equally privileged with the Jews, and together with them constitute an holy temple for the habitation of God's Spirit. Ephesians 2 Daily Light - Morning Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where... even as the garden of the LORD... Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan...and pitched his tent toward Sodom. But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly. Just Lot...(that righteous man.) Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. - Remember Lot's wife. Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? Wherefore come out from among them and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing. - Be not ye...partakers with them. For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light...proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. Ge. 13.10-13; 2 Pe. 2.7,8 Ga. 6.7; Lu. 17.32 2 Co. 6.14,17; Eph. 5.7-8,10-11 Daily Light - Evening If so be the LORD will be with me. then I shall be able to drive them out, as the LORD said. He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me. - I will go in the strength of the Lord GOD: I will make mention of thy righteousness, even of thine only. The work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand...having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the brestplate of righteousness. - The LORD is with thee... Go in this thy might. Jos. 14.12; He. 13.5-6; Ps. 71.16 Isa. 32.17 Eph. 6.12-14; Judg. 6.12,14 A Puritans Catechism Q 18 - What is the misery of that state whereinto man fell? A - All mankind by their fall, lost communion with God, are under his wrath and curse, and so made liable to all the miseries in this life, to death itself, and to the pains of hell forever. The Church Chapter 26 PARAGRAPH 15 In cases of difficulties or differences, either in point of doctrine or administration, wherein either the churches in general are concerned, or any one church, in their peace, union, and edification; or any member or members of any church are injured, in or by any proceedings in censures not agreeable to truth and order: it is according to the mind of Christ, that many churches holding communion together, do, by their messengers, meet to consider, and give their advice in or about that matter in difference, to be reported to all the churches concerned;29 howbeit these messengers assembled, are not intrusted with any church-power properly so called; or with any jurisdiction over the churches themselves, to exercise any censures either over any churches or persons; or to impose their determination on the churches or officers.30 29 Acts 15:2,4,6,22–23,25 30 2 Cor. 1:24; 1 John 4:1 Robert Murray M'Cheyne - God Makes A Path - Daily Devotional Readings From the cross to the throne And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing in the right hand of God. - Acts 7 v 56 When believing souls seek for peace and joy in believing, they do very generally confine their view to Christ upon the earth. They remember Him as the good Shepherd seeking the lost sheep, they look to Him sitting by the well of Samaria, they remember Him saying to the sick of the palsy: 'Be of good cheer, thy sins are forgiven thee.' But they too seldom think of looking where Stephen looked - to where Jesus is now; at the right hand of God. Now, my friends, remember, if you would be whole Christians, you must look to a whole Christ. You must lift your eye from the cross to the throne, and you will find Him the same Saviour in all, 'the same yesterday, and today, and for ever'. I have already observed, that wherever Christ is mentioned as being at the right hand of God, He is spoken of as seated there upon His throne; here, and here only, are we told that he is standing. In other places He is described as enjoying His glory, and entered into His rest; but here He is described as risen from His throne, and standing at the right Hand of God. He rises to intercede: 'He rises to intercede: 'He is able to save to the uttermost all that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them.' How often would a believer be a castaway, if it were not for the great Intercessor! How often faith fails! - 'flesh and heart faint and fail'; but see here, Christ never fails. On the death-bed, often the mind is taken off the Saviour, by pains of body and distress of mind; but, oh! happy soul that has truly accepted Christ. See here, He rises from His throne to pray for you, when you cannot pray for yourself. Look up to Him with the eye of faith, and cry: 'Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.'
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Daily Prayer - Thursday
- Give thanks to God that we are part of a global church made up of true Christians across the world. - Give thanks to God for the freedoms we have to share the Gospel in England and pray that it may continue. - Pray for missionaries across the world who are seeking to preach the Gospel and establish a faithful church. - Pray for those in persecuted countries who have to meet in secret. Even those who are now in prison for their faith. Give thanks to God that we are part of a global church made up of true Christians across the world. Church Services Sunday morning at 11:00am in church (and also available online via FaceBook) Sunday evening at 6:30pm in church (and also available online via FaceBook) Bible Study and Prayer Wednesday evening at 7:00pm in church (and also available online via FaceBook) Lunch Hour Service Thursday afternoon between 1:00pm and 1:30pm in church (and also available online via FaceBook) Outreach/Witnessing Saturday morning at Victoria Street (outside the big Boots store) for 10:30am (across the road from Town Hall - No. 64). Afterwards we go back to church for prayer. Daily Reading Preface - The solemn call, sound teaching, inestimable worth, nature, benefits, and eternity of wisdom. Wisdom is to be attended to for the blessedness it bringeth. Proverbs 8 Preface - After saluting the Ephesians, Paul blesseth God for his spiritual blessings on those whom he had chosen in Christ, and predestinated to the adoption of children; for our redemption by his grace, according to his revealed purpose of gathering together all in one under Christ; for the inheritance already obtained by those who first trusted in Christ; and for the Spirit given to after-believers, as an earnest of the same. He declareth his continual thankfulness to God for their faith, and his prayers that God would perfect them in the knowledge of those things, which concerned their state in Christ, whom God had raised up, and exalted to be the supreme head of his body the church. Ephesians 1 Daily Light - Morning Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die. The end of all things is at hand: by ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. - Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour. - Take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life. - The just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul. What I say unto you I say unto all, Watch. Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee, yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness... I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand. Rev. 3.2; 1 Pe. 4.7; 1 Pe. 5.8; Deu. 4.9; He. 10.38-39 Mk. 13.37 Isa. 41.10,13 Daily Light - Evening Is his mercy clean gone for ever? His mercy endureth for ever. - The LORD is longsuffering, and of great mercy. - Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity...? 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 into the depths of the sea. - Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us. Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. A merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted. Ps. 77.8; Ps. 136.23; Nu. 14.18; Mi. 7.18-19; Titus 3.5 2 Co. 1.3,4 He. 2.17-18 A Puritans Catechism Q 17 - Wherein consists the sinfulness of that state whereinto man fell? A - The sinfulness of that state whereinto man fell consists in the guilt of Adam's first sin, the want of original righteousness, and the corruption of his whole nature, which is commonly called original sin, together with all actual transgressions which proceed from it. The Church Chapter 26 PARAGRAPH 14 As each church, and all the members of it, are bound to pray continually for the good and prosperity of all the churches of Christ,27 in all places, and upon all occasions to further every one within the bounds of their places and callings, in the exercise of their gifts and graces, so the churches, when planted by the providence of God, so as they may enjoy opportunity and advantage for it, ought to hold communion among themselves, for their peace, increase of love, and mutual edification.28 27 Eph. 6:18; Ps. 122:6 28 Rom. 16:1–2; 3 John 8–10 Robert Murray M'Cheyne - God Makes A Path - Daily Devotional Readings The Comforter abides forever Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. - Hebrews 13 v 5 You may take these words as those of the Spirit, and then they are like those words in fourteenth of John - 'I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever' - to abide with you for ever. It is the same as these words - 'I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.' When God the Holy Spirit comes to a soul, He will never leave it. Some may often be made to say 'I think the Spirit will go away from me. But observe, He says, 'I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.' David cried out in the bitterness of his soul. 'Take not thy Holy Spirit away from me.' Here is the answer - 'I will never leave thee, nor forake thee.' God will never forsake the temple in which He dwells. He forsook the tabernacle in the wilderness, and He forsook the temple at Jerusalem; but He will never forsake the living temple. 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 helpus 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. Daily Reading Preface - Solomon recommendeth obedience to his precepts, and such a familiarity with wisdom as may prove a guard to chastity. In a recital of what had passed under his own eye he sheweth the cunning and impudence of a lewd woman, and the desperate folly of a youth suaduced by her: he disuadeth from such dangerous courses. Proverbs 7 Preface - Paul adviseth them to reform the faulty with gentleness, and to bear one another's burdens. A caution against vanity. He exhortet to be liberal toward spiritual instructors: and not to be weary in doing good. He sheweth the carnal views of those who preached circumcision, and his own professed dependence on Christ only, regardless of the world. He concludeth with a prayer. Galatians 6 Daily Light - Morning The entrance of thy words giveth light. This...is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. - 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 God... In him was life; and the life was the light of men. - If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. - Ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light. - Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness in his marvellous light. Ps. 119.130; 1 Jn. 1.5; 2 Co. 4.6; Jn. 1.14; 1 Jn. 1.7 Ps. 119.11; Jn. 15.3; Eph. 5.8; 1 Pe. 2.9 Daily Light - Evening Noah was a just man. The just shall live by faith. - Noah builded an altar unto the LORD; and took of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl, and offered burnt offerings on the altar. And the LORD smelled a sweet savour. - The Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. Being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. By the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference. We...joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement. Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. - Whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified. Ge. 6.9; Ga. 3.11; Ge. 8.20-21; Rev. 13.8 Ro. 5.1 Ro. 3.20-22 Ro. 5.11 Ro. 8.33; Ro. 8.30 A Puritans Catechism Q 16 - Into what estate did the fall bring mankind? A - The fall brought mankind into a state of sin and misery. The Church Chapter 26 PARAGRAPH 13 No church members, upon any offence taken by them, having performed their duty required of them towards the person they are offended at, ought to disturb any church-order, or absent themselves from the assemblies of the church, or administration of any ordinances, upon the account of such offence at any of their fellow members, but to wait upon Christ, in the further proceeding of the church.26 26 Matt. 18:15–17; Eph. 4:2–3 Robert Murray M'Cheyne - God Makes A Path - Daily Devotional Readings The touch that heals And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand and touched him... - Mark 1 v 41 When the woman had spent her all upon physicians, and was nothing better, but rather worse, she heard of Jesus. Ah! said she, if I may but 'touch the hem of his garment I shall be made whole'. Jesus said to her: 'Dauther, be of good comfort, thy faith hath made thee whole.' Come, them, incurable, to Christ. Leprosy was always regarded as incurable. Accordingly, the leper came to Jesus, and worshipping, said, 'Lord if thou wilt thou canst make me clean.' Jesus said, 'I will, be thou clean.' And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. Some of you feel that your heart is desperately wicked; well, kneel to the Lord Jesus, and say: 'Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clarn.' You are a leper - incurable; Jesus is able - He is also willing to make you clean. 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 Sunday morning at 11:00am in church (and also available online via FaceBook) Sunday evening at 6:30pm in church (and also available online via FaceBook) Bible Study and Prayer Wednesday evening at 7:00pm in church (and also available online via FaceBook) Lunch Hour Service Thursday afternoon between 1:00pm and 1:30pm in church (and also available online via FaceBook) Outreach/Witnessing Saturday morning at Victoria Street (outside the big Boots store) for 10:30am (across the road from Town Hall - No. 64). Afterwards we go back to church for prayer. Daily Reading Preface - Against suretiship, idleness, and mischievousness. Seven things hateful to God. The blessings of obedience to parents. The michiefs of whoredom. Proverbs 6 Preface - Paul exhorteth the Galatians to maintain their Christian liberty; and sheweth that by being circumcised they would forfeit their hopes in Christ. He disclaimeth the preaching of circumcision himself, and condemneth it in others. He adviseth them not to abuse their liberty, but to serve one another in love, which comprehendeth the whole law. The opposition between the flesh and the Spirit: the works of the flesh: the fruits of the Spirit. Advice to walk in the Spirit, and not in vainglorious emulation. Galatians 5 Daily Light - Morning God having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. - Saved by his life. Our Saviour Jesus Christ; who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. - As he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ...hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ. - In him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him. - Of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Ac. 3.26; 1 Pe. 1.3; Ro. 5.10 Titus 2.13-14; 1 Pe. 1.15 Eph. 1.3; Col. 2.9-10; Jn. 1.16 Ro. 8.32 Daily Light - Evening Strengthen thou me according unto thy word. Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope. - O LORD, I am oppressed; undertake for me. Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. - Ye know in all your hearts and in all your souls, that not one thing hath failed of all the good things which the LORD your God spake concerning you; all are come to pass unto you, and not one thing hath failed thereof. Fear not: peace be unto thee, be strong, yea, be strong. And when he had spoken unto me, I was strengthened, and said, Let my lord speak; for thou hast strengthened me. - Be strong...and work: for I am with you, saith the LORD of hosts. - Not by might, nor by power, buy by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts. Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Ps. 119.28; Ps. 119.49; Isa. 38.14 Lu. 21.33; Jos. 23.14 Dan. 10.19; Hag. 2.4; Zech. 4.6 Eph. 6.10 A Puritans Catechism Q 15 - Did all mankind fall in Adam's first transgression? A - The covenant being made with Adam, not only for himself, but for his posterity; all mankind, descending from him by ordinary generation, sinned in him, and fell with him, in his first transgression. The Church Chapter 26 PARAGRAPH 12 As all believers are bound to join themselves to particular churches, when and where they have opportunity so to do; so all that are admitted unto the privileges of a church, are also under the censures and government thereof, according to the rule of Christ.25 25 1 Thess. 5:14; 2 Thess. 3:6,14–15 Robert Murray M'Cheyne - God Makes A Path - Daily Devotional Readings Devoting yourself for thou art my servant... - Isaiah 44 v 21 When a man consents that Christ shall be his Surety, he feels that he is not his own, but bouht with a price. So David felt: 'Truly I am thy servant; I am thy servant, and the son of thine handmaid: thou hast loosed my bonds.' So Paul felt, when he lay gasping on the ground: 'Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? Before conversion, the unconverted thinks that he is his own: may I not do what I will with mine own? He was the willing slave of the devil. But when he sees the price laid down for him, he feels that the Lord has redeemed him out of the house of bondage. Now he says: 'I am the Lord's.' Now he is more the servant of the Lord than ever he was of the devil. Oh! dear Christians, would that I could see more of this among you, a devoting of yourselves unto the Lord: 'For thou art my servant.' Daily Prayer - 18th March 2024
- Give thanks to God for salvation and the redemption that is found alone through Jesus Christ. - Give thanks to God for granting us particular skills and abilities that we might fulfil our vocations (jobs, studies, family responsibilities and time we spend alone). (Ecclesiastes 9.10, Ephesians 6.6) - Pray for the Lord's blessing on the working week for us and all in the congregation. - Pray the Lord would grant us grace to be good ambassadors for Christ (2 Corinthians 5.20) Church Services Sunday morning at 11:00am in church (and also available online via FaceBook) Sunday evening at 6:30pm in church (and also available online via FaceBook) Bible Study and Prayer Wednesday evening at 7:00pm in church (and also available online via FaceBook) Lunch Hour Service Thursday afternoon between 1:00pm and 1:30pm in church (and also available online via FaceBook) Outreach/Witnessing Saturday morning at Victoria Street (outside the big Boots store) for 10:30am (across the road from Town Hall - No. 64). Afterwards we go back to church for prayer. Daily Reading Preface - Solomon again exhorteth to attend to his wise counsels. The mischiefs of whoredom and riot. An exhortation to abide by the pleasures of chaste marriage. The wicked are overtaken with their own sins. Proverbs 5 Preface - The Jews were for a while held under the law, as an heir under his guardian till he be of age. But Christ came to redeem those that were under the law, and to give both to Jew and Gentile the adoption, and consequently the freedom, of sons. Paul therefore reproveth the Galatians, who from serving idols had been received of God, for falling back to the bondage of legal observances. He expresseth his fears and tender regard for them, and calleth to mind their former respect and good will to him, from which he admonisheth them not to be seduced in his absence. He allegorically describeth the Jewish and Christian churches under the types of Agar and Sara, and inferreth that we, being children of the freewoman, are free. Galatians 4 Daily Light - Morning Mine eyes fail with looking upward. Have mercy upon me, O LORD; for I am weak: O LORD, heal me; for my bones are vexed. My soul is also sore vexed: but thou, O LORD, how long? Return, O LORD, deliver my soul: oh save me for thy mercies' sake. - My heart is sore pained within me: and the terrors of death are fallen upon me. Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and horror hath overwhelmed me. And I Said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest. Ye have need of patience. While they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; which also said, ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. - Our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ. - That blessed hope...the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. Isa. 38.14; Ps. 6.2-4; Ps. 55.4-6 He. 10.36 Ac. 1.10-11; Phil. 3.20; Titus 2.13 Daily Light - Evening His name shall be in their foreheads. I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep. - The foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him. - Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. After that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance. - Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts. I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name. - This is the name wherewith she shall be called, The LORD our righteousness. Rev. 22.4; Jn. 10.14; 2 Tim. 2.19 Na. 1.7; Rev. 7.3 Eph. 1.13-14; 2 Co. 1.21-22 Rev. 3.12; Jer. 33.16 A Puritans Catechism Q 14 - What is sin? A - Sin is any want of conformity to, or transgression of the law of God. The Church Chapter 26 PARAGRAPH 11 Although it be incumbent on the bishops or pastors of the churches, to be instant in preaching the word, by way of office, yet the work of preaching the word is not so peculiarly confined to them but that others also gifted and fitted by the Holy Spirit for it, and approved and called by the church, may and ought to perform it.24 24 Acts 11:19–21; 1 Pet. 4:10–11 Robert Murray M'Cheyne - God Makes A Path - Daily Devotional Readings Companions I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts. - Psalm 119 v 63 In choosing connections or friends, O choose with regard to this - will they help or hinder your prayers? Will they go with you, and help you on your journey? Or will they be a drag upon your wheels? In going into companies, in reading books, choose with regard to this - will they fill your sails for heaven? If not, go not near them. In yielding to your affections, especially if you find them hindering your journey, drop them instantly. Never mind the consequences. 'If thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee. It is better to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to be cast into hell-fire.' 'Wherefore let us lay aside every weight, and the sin that doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto 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 greay joy to minister at Westminster Baptist and I love the church here greatly. Through this past year, there have been heart-wrenching tragedies alongside blessings too. This is often the case in Christian life and yet we are called to keep trusting and believing. We often bear the battle scars of past experience and circumstance, as we live in this sinful world and anticipate heaven. We see Mordecai, mocked and scorned for years in Esther and on the brink of execution, yet he latterly knew blessing from God. The most important thing was he was faithful in serving the Lord. Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful - 1 Corinthians 4.2. This verse especially applies to ministers, church workers, but to all Christians. We are stewards of the oracles of God and to us has the light of the gospel been revealed. We should therefore be striving to be faithful, not popular, faithful. May that be our aim by the grace of God. In the beginning month in recent years we have spent a week praying together on each day for certain things. As a reminder that with continuing faith that prayer is essential. Key to our hope and joy and endurance and love, and with new resolve to make time to pray regularly alone and with your family and with some group of fellow believers. Alongside reading the Scriptures these should be our daily rountine. 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 His 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 aprayer hearing and answering God. Pastor Jonathan Arnold. Daily Prayer - Sunday - God thanks to God for His character, perfect, unchangeable, the same yesterday, today and forever. - Give thanks to God that we can meet in the church and have fellowship with one another. - Pray the Lord would grant the preaching of his word power and clarity, and there are ready ears to hear and believe it. (2 Thes. 3.1.) - Pray we would be granted faithful ministry and good spiritual food from God's Word. (1 Peter 2.2.) Church Services Sunday morning at 11:00am in church (and also available online via FaceBook) Sunday evening at 6:30pm in church (and also available online via FaceBook) Bible Study and Prayer Wednesday evening at 7:00pm in church (and also available online via FaceBook) Lunch Hour Service Thursday afternoon between 1:00pm and 1:30pm in church (and also available online via FaceBook) Outreach/Witnessing Saturday morning at Victoria Street (outside the big Boots store) for 10:30am (across the road from Town Hall - No. 64). Afterwards we go back to church for prayer. Daily Reading Preface - Solomon to persuade obedience sheweth what instruction he had received from his parents, to study wisdom, and to shun the path of the wicked: he exhorteth to regards his admonitions, and to keep a guard upon the heart, and to be circumspect in all our ways. Proverbs 4 Preface - Paul asketh what had moved the Galatians to depend on the law, having already received the Spirit through faith. As abraham was justified by faith, so they who are of faith inherit his blessing. The law brought men under a curse, and could not justify. Christ hath freed us from the curse, and laid open the blessing to all believers. Supposing that the law justified, God's covenant with Abraham would be void. But the law was only a temporary provision against sin till Christ's coming, and in no wise contrary to God's promises: serving as a schoolmaster to prepare men for Christ. But faith being come, the law is at an end, and all believers are without distinction become children of God, and heirs of the promise. Galatians 3 Daily Light - Morning He shall put his hand upon the head of the burnt offering; and it shall be accepted for him to make atonement for him. Ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. - Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree. He hath made us accepted in the beloved. - As lively stones...built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. - I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faltless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Lev. 1.4; 1 Pe. 1.18-19; 1 Pe. 2.24 Eph. 1.6; 1 Pe. 2.5; Ro. 12.1 Jude 24.25 Daily Light - Evening In all points tempted like as we are, yet wihtout sin. When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. When the tempter cam e to him, he said, if thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. But he answered... It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God... The devil...sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, bnad the glory of them... Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the prise of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. In that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted. Blessed is the man that endureth temptation. He. 4.15; Ge. 3.6 Mt. 4.3-4,8,10 1 Jn. 2.16 He. 2.18 Jas. 1.12 A Puritans Catechism Q 13 - Did our first parents continue in the estate wherein they were created? A - Our first parents, being left to the freedom of their own will, fell from that initial state wherein they were created, by sinning against God, by eating the forbidden fruit. The Church Chapter 26 PARAGRAPH 10 The work of pastors being constantly to attend the service of Christ, in his churches, in the ministry of the word and prayer, with watching for their souls, as they that must give an account to Him;19 it is incumbent on the churches to whom they minister, not only to give them all due respect, but also to communicate to them of all their good things according to their ability,20 so as they may have a comfortable supply, without being themselves entangled in secular affairs;21 and may also be capable of exercising hospitality towards others;22 and this is required by the law of nature, and by the express order of our Lord Jesus, who has ordained that they that preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel.23 19 Acts 6:4; Heb. 13:17 20 1 Tim. 5:17–18; Gal. 6:6–7 21 2 Tim. 2:4 22 1 Tim. 3:2 23 1 Cor. 9:6–14 Robert Murray M'Cheyne - God Makes A Path - Daily Devotional Readings Companions I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts. - Psalm 119 v 63 In choosing connections or friends, O choose with regard to this - will they help or hinder your prayers? Will they go with you, and help you on your journey? Or will they be a drag upon your wheels? In going into companies, in reading books, choose with regard to this - will they fill your sails for heaven? If not, go not near them. In yielding to your affections, especially if you find them hindering your journey, drop them instantly. Never mind the consequences. 'If thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee. It is better to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to be cast into hell-fire.' 'Wherefore let us lay aside every weight, and the sin that doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jeus.' Daily Prayer - Saturday
- Give thanks to God that we have good news of salvation to tell that the repentant sinner might have everlasting life through Jesus Christ. (John 3.16.) - Pray the Lord would bless the Gospel outreach by the church in Westminster. Both on Saturday mornings and at services. - Pray the Lord would work in the contacts we have made both on Saturday mornings and at services; through personal conversations and online contacts. Church Services Sunday morning at 11:00am in church (and also available online via FaceBook) Sunday evening at 6:30pm in church (and also available online via FaceBook) Bible Study and Prayer Wednesday evening at 7:00pm in church (and also available online via FaceBook) Lunch Hour Service Thursday afternoon between 1:00pm and 1:30pm in church (and also available online via FaceBook) Outreach/Witnessing Saturday morning at Victoria Street (outside the big Boots store) for 10:30am (across the road from Town Hall - No. 64). Afterwards we go back to church for prayer. Daily Reading Preface - An exhortation to obedience; faith in God; humality and godly fear, religious oblations; patience under affliction. The excellency of wisdom; the benefits of it. An Exhortation to active goodness; peaceableness; against oppression. The curse of the wicked, and blessing of the upright. Proverbs 3 Preface - Paul sheweth for what purpose after many years he went to Jerusalem; that Titus, who went with him, was not circumcised, and that on purpose to assert the freedom of the Gentile converts from the bondage of the law; that no new knowledge was added to him in conference with the three chief apostles, but that he received from them a public acknowledgement of his divine mission to the Gentiles; that he openly withstood Peter for dissimulation with respect to Gentile communion, expostulating with him, why he, who believed that justification came by the faith of Christ, acted as though it came by the works of the law; which was in effect to frustrate the grace of God. Galatians 2 Daily Light - Morning What is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. My days are swifter than a post: they flee away, they see no good. They are passed away as the swift ships: as the eagle that hasteth to the prey. - Thou carriest them away as with a flood; they are as a sleep: in the morning they are like grass which groweth up. In the morning it flourisheth, and groweth up; in the evening it is cut down, and withereth. - Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble. He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down. The world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. - They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end. - Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. Jas. 4.14; Job 9.25-26; Ps. 90.5-6; Job 14.1-2 1 Jn. 2.17; Ps. 102.26-27; He. 13.8 Daily Light - Evening I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also. Be filled with the Spirit; speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord. - Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. My mouth shall speak the praise of the LORD: and let all flesh bless his holy name for ever and ever. Praise ye the LORD: for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely... Sing unto the LORD with thanksgiving; sing praise upon the harp unto our God. I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps. 1 Co. 14.15; Eph. 4.18-19; Col. 3.16 Ps. 145.21 Ps. 147.1,7 Rev. 14.2 A Puritans Catechism Q 12 - What special act of providence did God exercise towards man in the state wherein he was created? A - When God had created man, he entered into a covenant of life with him, upon condition of perfect obedience; forbidding him to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, upon pain of death. The Church Chapter 26 PARAGRAPH 9 The way appointed by Christ for the calling of any person, fitted and gifted by the Holy Spirit, unto the office of bishop or elder in a church, is, that he be chosen thereunto by the common suffrage of the church itself;16 and solemnly set apart by fasting and prayer, with imposition of hands of the eldership of the church, if there be any before constituted therein;17 and of a deacon that he be chosen by the like suffrage, and set apart by prayer, and the like imposition of hands.18 16 Acts 14:23 17 1 Tim. 4:14 18 Acts 6:3,5–6 Robert Murray M'Cheyne - God Makes A Path - Daily Devotional Readings Like the planets ... I have finished my course - 2 Timothy 4 v 7 The moment a soul is brought to Christ, he has a course to run: And as John fulfilled his course, he said, 'Whom think ye that I am? I am not he. But, behold, there cometh one after me, whose shoes of his feet I am not worthy to loose' (Acts 13 v 25). Paul says: 'But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God' (Acts 20 v 24). 'Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us' (Hebrews 12 v 1). Every one has a different course. Like the planets, all do not shine in the same part of the sky. So every believer has his course - a work to do. One has the course of a minister, another the course of a master, another that of a servant. Each of us has a work to do for Christ; let us do it diligently. 'My meat is to do the will of him that sent me.' 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 adn 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 hcildren and that they would know Christ from a young age. A rich blessing in this troubled world. - Pray for the evangelistic work, that people would know the greatest blessing of all; salvation by the grace of God through Christ. Church Services Sunday morning at 11:00am in church (and also available online via FaceBook) Sunday evening at 6:30pm in church (and also available online via FaceBook) Bible Study and Prayer Wednesday evening at 7:00pm in church (and also available online via FaceBook) Lunch Hour Service Thursday afternoon between 1:00pm and 1:30pm in church (and also available online via FaceBook) Outreach/Witnessing Saturday morning at Victoria Street (outside the big Boots store) for 10:30am (across the road from Town Hall - No. 64). Afterwards we go back to church for prayer. Daily Reading Preface - The study of wisdom tendeth to promote godliness; to guard against the seducing of sinners, and to direct men in good and salutary ways. Proverbs 2 Preface - After saluting the churches of Galatia, Paul testifieth his suprprise that they should so soon have forsaken the truth of the gospel which he had taught them; and pronounceth those accursed who preach any other gospel. He sheweth that his doctrine was not devised to please men, but came to him by immediate revelation from God. To confirm which he relateth his conversation before his calling, and what steps he had taken immediately thereupon. Galatians 1 Daily Light - Morning Perfect through sufferings. My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. - And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground. The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow. - Reproach hath broken my heart; and I am full of heaviness: and I looked for some to take pity, but there was none; and for comforters, but I found none. - I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul. He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. He. 2.10; Mt. 26.38-39; Lu. 22.44 Ps. 116.3; Ps. 69.20; Ps. 142.4 Isa. 53.3 Daily Light - Evening The LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is. The heavens dec lare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. - By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth... For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast. - Behold, the nations are as a drop of a bucket, and are counted as the small dust of the balance: behold, he taketh up the isles as a very little thing. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou ordained; what is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? Ex. 20.11; Ps. 19.1; Ps. 33.6.9; Isa. 40.15 He. 11.3 Ps. 8.3-4 A Puritans Catechism Q 11 - What are God's works of providence? A - God's works of providence are, his most holy, wise, and powerful preserving and governing all his creatures, and all their actions. The Church Chapter 26 PARAGRAPH 8 A particular church, gathered and completely organized according to the mind of Christ, consists of officers and members; and the officers appointed by Christ to be chosen and set apart by the church (so called and gathered), for the peculiar administration of ordinances, and execution of power or duty, which he intrusts them with, or calls them to, to be continued to the end of the world, are bishops or elders, and deacons.15 15 Acts 20:17,28; Phil. 1:1 Robert Murray M'Cheyne - God Makes A Path - Daily Devotional Readings A triumphant deathbed I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 2 Timothy 4 v 7 I think the dying thief could say: I believe, and enter with joy into Paradise; but he could not say: 'I have kept the faith.' This makes the difference between a peaceful and triumphant death-bed. Paul 'bought the truth, and sold it not.' That good thing committed to him he kept, by the Holy Ghost given unto him. He held the beginning of his confidence steadfast unto the end. Learn that perseverance in the faith is needful to a triumphat deathbed. It is Christ, and Christ alone, that is our peace in dying; yet the hand that has longest held him has the firmest hold. It is not our perseverance that is our righteousness before God, but the doing and dying of the Lord Jesus; and yet without perseverance in the faith ye cannot be saved. Alas! you that turn aside to folly, you are preparing clouds for your dying bed. Can you say you have kept the faith, poor backslider? 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 thank sto God that we are part of a global church made up of true Christians across the world. Church Services Sunday morning at 11:00am in church (and also available online via FaceBook) Sunday evening at 6:30pm in church (and also available online via FaceBook) Bible Study and Prayer Wednesday evening at 7:00pm in church (and also available online via FaceBook) Lunch Hour Service Thursday afternoon between 1:00pm and 1:30pm in church (and also available online via FaceBook) Outreach/Witnessing Saturday morning at Victoria Street (outside the big Boots store) for 10:30am (across the road from Town Hall - No. 64). Afterwards we go back to church for prayer. Daily Reading Preface - The use of the proverbs. An exhortation to fear God, and regard the advice of parents: and to avoid the enticings of sinners. Wisdom complaineth of the contempt of scorners: she threateneth them. Proverbs 1 Preface - Paul threateneth to vindicate his authority at his coming by punishing severely unreclaimed offenders. He adviseth the Corinthians to try if they had as good proofs of their faith, as he trusted to have of his mission. He wisheth that by a blameless conversation they might prevent him from using sharpness toward them, whatever became of his proofs. He concludeth with an exhortation, salutation, and prayer. 2 Corinthians 13 Daily Light - Morning Adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things. Let your conversation be as it becomethh the gospel of Christ. - Abstain from all appearance of evil. - If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye... But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters. - Be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world. - Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart: so shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man. - Brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Titus 2.10; Phil. 1.27; 1 Th. 5.22; 1 Pe. 4.14,15; Phil. 2.15; Mt. 5.16 Pro. 3.3-4; Phil. 4.8 Daily Light - Evening The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth. - The letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. Christ...loved the church, and gave himself for it; that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. - Thy word hath quickened me. - Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee... I will not forget thy word... I trust in thy word... The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver... I will never forget thy precepts: for with them thou hast quickened me... How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way. Jn. 6.63; Jas. 1.18; 2 Co. 3.6 Eph. 5.25-27 Ps. 119.9; Ps. 119.50 Ps. 119.11,16,42,72,93,103-104 A Puritans Catechism Q 10 - How did God create man? A - God created man, male and female, after his own image, in knowledge, righteousness, and holiness, with dominion over the creatures. The Church Chapter 26 PARAGRAPH 7 To each of these churches therefore gathered, according to his mind declared in his word, he has given all that power and authority, which is in any way needful for their carrying on that order in worship and discipline, which he has instituted for them to observe; with commands and rules for the due and right exerting, and executing of that power.14 14 Matt. 18:17–18; 1 Cor. 5:4–5,13, 2 Cor. 2:6–8 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 - 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 tongu. - 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 mroe from the offices nearby and Christians who commute are able to join us. Church Services Sunday morning at 11:00am in church (and also available online via FaceBook) Sunday evening at 6:30pm in church (and also available online via FaceBook) Bible Study and Prayer Wednesday evening at 7:00pm in church (and also available online via FaceBook) Lunch Hour Service Thursday afternoon between 1:00pm and 1:30pm in church (and also available online via FaceBook) Outreach/Witnessing Saturday morning at Victoria Street (outside the big Boots store) for 10:30am (across the road from Town Hall - No. 64). Afterwards we go back to church for prayer. Daily Reading Preface - Job submitteth himself unto God. God preferreth Job's cause, adn maketh his three friends submit themselves to him. He accepteth Job, and doubleth his blessings upon him. Job's children. His age and death. Job 42 Preface - Paul sheweth that, though he had been favoured with visions and revelations, yet for commendation of his apostleship he chose rather to glory in his infirmities: blaming the Corinthians, who had seen in him all the signs of an apostle, for forcing him to such vain boasting. He telleth them of his design of visiting them again with the same disinterestedness and fatherly affection as before. He justifieth himself from any crafty extortion by his messengers; and expresseth his fears, lest, both to his sorrow and theirs, he should find many notorious disorders still not repented of among them. 2 Corinthians 12 Daily Light - Morning There is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. Forasmuch...as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same. Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, adn there is none else. We have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. - In Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For her is our peace. - By his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us... And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under he first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. - He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. 1 Tim. 2.5; He. 2.14 Isa. 45.22 1 Jn. 2.1; Eph. 2.13-14; He. 9.12,15; He. 7.25 Daily Light - Evening O my God, my soul is cast down within me. Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength. Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee. - He hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; neither hath he hid his face from him; but when he cried unto him, he heard. - Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. - Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on... Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? - Be not faithless, but believing. - Lo, I am with you alway. Ps. 42.6; Isa. 26.3,4 Ps. 55.22; Ps. 22.24; Jas. 5.13 Jn. 14.27; Mt. 6.25,26; Jn. 20.27; Mt. 28.20 A Puritans Catechism Q 9 - What is the work of creation? A - The work of creation is God's making all things of nothing, by word of his power, in the space of six days, and all very good. The Church Chapter 26 PARAGRAPH 6 The members of these churches are saints by calling, visibly manifesting and evidencing (in and by their profession and walking) their obedience unto that call of Christ;12 and do willingly consent to walk together, according to the appointment of Christ; giving up themselves to the Lord, and one to another, by the will of God, in professed subjection to the ordinances of the Gospel.13 12 Rom. 1:7; 1 Cor. 1:2 13 Acts 2:41–42, 5:13–14; 2 Cor. 9:13 Robert Murray M'Cheyne - God Makes A Path - Daily Devotional Readings Joy Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. - Habakkuk 3 v 18 The purest joy in the world is joy in Christ Jesus. When the Spirit is poured down, His people get very near and clear views of the Lord Jesus. They eat His flesh and drink His blood. They come to a personal cleaving to the Lord. They taste that the Lord is gracious. His blood and righteousness appear infinitely perfect, full, and free to their soul. They sit under His shadow with great delight. They rest in the clefts of the rock. Their defence is the munitions of rocks. They lean on the Beloved. They find infinite strength in Him for the use of their soul - grace for grace - all they can need in any hour of trial and suffering to the very end. They go by Him to the Father. "We joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ." We find a portion there - a shield, and exceeding great reward. This give joy unspeakable and full of glory. |
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