Dear Congregation,
Thank you all for your prayers and support for the work of the church throughout 2023. I know we all have been through varying difficulties and some through particular hardships. Once again we can thank the Lord that we have been brought through trusting in the Lord as our refuge and strength. As I encouraged the congregation at the start of last year it is vitally important to pray to keep close to God and continue faithfully in our Christian life. Alongside reading the Scriptures these should be our daily routine. There are various encouragements in the Scriptures to pray. -Pray without ceasing (1Th. 5.17). -Praying always with all prayer 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 this be a prayerful church and prayerful individuals, knowing that we have a prayer hearing and answering God. Pastor Jonathan Arnold Prayer -God thanks to God for His character, perfect, unchangeable, the same yesterday today and forever. -Give thanks to God that we can meet in the church and have fellowship with one another. -Pray the Lord would grant the preaching of his word power and clarity, and there are ready ears to hear and believe it. (2 Thes. 3.1.) -Pray we would be granted faithful ministry and good spiritual food from God's Word. (1 Peter 2.2.) Church Services Sermons Sunday morning at 11:00am in church (also available online via Facebook) (Sunday morning) scripture reading; Matthew 13 v 31-33 Sunday evening at 6:30pm in church (also available online via Facebook) (Sunday evening) scripture reading; Matthew 13 v 24-30; 36-43 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 Readings Preface - Solomon marrieth Pharaoh's daughter. High places being in use, he sacrificeth at Gibeon. God appeareth to him in a dream there, and leaveth to his choice what to ask; he asketh wisdom, and obtaineth with it riches and honour. His judgement between the two harlots maketh his wisdom renowned. 1 Kings 3 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 A Puritans Catechism Q11 - 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. Robert Murray M'Cheyne - God Makes A Path - Daily Devotional Readings No thorn, no throne And I said unto him, sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. - Revelation 7 v 14 Every one that gets to the throne must put their foot upon the thorn. The way to the crown is by the cross. We must taste the gall if we are to taste the glory. When justified by faith, God led them into tribulations also. When God brought Israel through the Red Sea, He led them into the wilderness; so, when God saves a soul, He tries it. He never gives faith without trying it. The way to Zion is through the valley of Baca. You must go through the wilderness of Jordan if you are to come to the Land of Promise. Some believers are much surprised when they are called to suffer. They thought they would do some great thing for God; but all that God permits them to do is to suffer. Go round every one in glory, - every one have a different story, yet every one has a tale of suffering. One was persecuted in his family, - by his friends and companions; another was visited by sore pains and humbling disease. - neglected by the world; another was bereaved of children; another had all these afflictions meeting in one, - deep called unto deep. Mark! all are brought out of them. It was a dark cloud, but it passed away; the water was deep, but they have reached the other side. Not one of them blames God for the road He led them: 'Salvation' is their only cry. Is there any of you, dear children, murmuring at your lot? Do not sin against God. This is the way God leads all His redeemed ones. You must have a palm as well as a white robe. No pain, no palm; no cross, no crown; no thorn, no throne; no gall, no glory. Learn to glory in tribulations also. 'I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed in us.'
0 Comments
Prayer
-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 Readings Preface - David chargeth Solomon to serve God, and directeth him how to deal with Joab, the sons of Barzillai, and Shimei. David's death; the years of his reign. Solomon succeedeth him. Adonijah, having persuaded Bathsheba to ask for him Abishag to wife, is put to death by Solomon's command. Abiathar hath his life spared, but is removed from the priesthood. Joab, having fled to the horns of the altar, is there slain. Benaiah is put in Joab's place, and Zadok in Abiathar's. Shimei is confined to Jerusalem; but going to Gath in defiance of the king's orders is put to death. 1 Kings 2 Preface - Paul adviseth them to reform the faulty with gentleness, and to bear one another's burdens. A caution against vanity. He exhorteth to be liveral toward spiritual instructors: and not to be eary 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 A Puritans Catechism Q10-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. Robert Murray M'Cheyne - God Makes A Path - Daily Devotional Readings A vent for His love Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. - John 10 v 17 Therefore doth my Father love me because I lay down my life. I do not know any word in the Bible that is more sweet to meditate on than the love of the Father to the Son. There are many things that induce the Father to love the Son. He loved Him for His Godhead. But here is another reason why the Father loves the son - He loves Him for His holy manhood. 'He was holy, harmless, undefiled, and separate from sinners.' God never saw anything so like Himself. When God made Adam, He said, 'It is very good'; but oh! when He saw Jesus, he saw a loveliness in Him such as He never saw in any created thing. But here is another reason why the Father loves Him - 'Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life.' We are told that He grew in favour both with God and man. He was every day fulfilling a part of His holy obedience, until He came to the last, and then the Father saw obedience as He had never seen before. Oh, brethren! it was love that was never seen before, that He should die for the lowest - for the vilest. And that appears to be another reason why Jesus died; it is, that the Father got a vent for his love to flow out to sinners - 'Therefore doth my father love me, because I lay down my life.' Prayer
-Give thanks to God for many good things we enjoy and daily blessings. -Pray the Lord would supply the needs of those in the congregation at Westminster and guide us as we help those destitute and suffering. Especially those we have met in the pandemic. (Numbers 6.24-26.) Church Services Sermons Sunday morning at 11:00am in church (also available online via Facebook Sunday evening at 6:30pm in church (also available online via Facebook) Bible study and prayer Wednesday evening at 7:00pm in church (also available online via Facebook) Lunch hour service Thursday afternoon between 1:00pm and 1:30pm in church (also available online via Facebook) Outreach/Witnessing Saturday morning at Victoria Street (outside the big Boots store) for 10:30am (across the road from Town Hall - No. 64). Afterwards we go back to church for prayer. Daily Readings Preface - Abishag cherisheth David in his extreme old age. Adonijah, having gained over Joab and Abiathar, inviteth his friends to a feast in order to make himself king. Nathan's advice to Bathsheba thereupon; who moveth the king on the behalf of Solomon. She is seconded by Nathan. David sweareth to Bathshieba to make Solomon king that same day; and issueth out orders accordingly. Solomon is anointed and proclaimed king, the people rejoicing. Adonijah and his guests hearing the news betake themselves to fight. Adonijah, laying hold on the horns of the altar, is dismissed by Solomon in peace, on condition of his good behaviour. 1 Kings 1 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 condemeneth it in other. 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 A Puritans Catechism Q9 - What is the work of creation? A - The work of creation is God's making all things of nothing, by the word of his power, in the space of six days, and all very good. Robert Murray M'Cheyne - God Makes A Path - Daily Devotional Readings A holy carefulness But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. - Ephesians 5 v 13 Remember you must have a holy carefulness - 'Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.' Dear brethren, some of you will say, How is it possible? Do not I live in an ungodly family? Do I not live in Sodom? But, dear brethren, here is the secret. If you will not be like the world, be transformed to it. God is able to keep you from falling and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceweding joy. God is able to enlarge your heart so that you will run and not weary in God's ways. Then be of good courage, for there is enough in Christ to satisfy you. Do you want to be holy? Then God wishes to make you holy. Then God's will and yours are one. Say, then, 'Make me holy, I want to be holy.' Holiness is the brightest attribute of Jehovah. Ah! I fear we are not living up to what is in Christ, or we would not live as we do. How much useless talk and coversation is there? Oh! the time of our life is more than sufficient to have wrought the will of the flesh. Let us now live to Him. Let us give ourselves away to Christ - solemnly to Him; give your wills and affections to Him for time and for eternity. The grace of the Lord Jesus be with your spirit. Aman. Prayer
-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 6 v 10-17 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 - David forceth Joab to number the people. The captains after nine months and twenty days deliver in the number to the king. David repenteth, and, being obliged to choose one plague out of three named to him, fixeth on three days' pestilence. After the death of seventy thousand in Israel, at David's humble suit the angel is stayed from destroying Jerusalem. By God's direction David purchaseth Araunah's threshingfloor; and having sacrificed there, the plague ceaseth. 2 Samuel 24 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 A Puritans Catechism Q8 - How doth God execute his decrees? A - God executes his decrees in the works of creation and providence. Robert Murray M'Cheyne - God Makes A Path - Daily Devotional Readings Love for the Lord's day Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come. - 1 Corinthians 16 v 2 All days of the year are Christ's, but He hath marked out one in seven as peculiarly His own. 'He hath made it,' or marked it out. Just as He planted a garden in Eden, so He hath fenced about this day and made it His own. This is the reason why we love it, and would keep it entire. We love everything that is Christ's. We love His word. It is better to us than thousands of gold and silver. 'O how we love His law! it is our study all the day.' We love His house. It is our trysting-place which Christ, where He meets with us and communes with us from off the mercy-seat. We love His table. it is His banqueting house, where His banner over us is love - where He looses our bonds, and anoints our eyes, and makes our hearts burn with holy joy. We love His people, because they are His, members of His body, washed in His blood, filled with His Spirit, our brothers and sisters for eternity. And we love the Lord's day, because it is His. Every hour of it is dear to us - sweeter than honey, more precious than gold. It is the day He rose for our justification. It reminds us of His love, and His finished work, and His rest. And we may boldly say that man does not love the Lord Jesus Christ who does not love the entire Lord's day. Prayer
-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 Readings Preface - David's last words, setting forth the happiness and confidence of the just man, and the different state of the wicked. A catalogue of David's mighty men. 2 Samuel 23 Preface - Paul asketh what had moved the Galatians to depend on the law, having already received the Spirit throug 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 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 distiction become children of God, and heirs of the promise. Galatians 3 A Puritans Catechism Q7 - What are the decrees of God? A - The decrees of God are his eternal purpose according to the counsel of his own will, whereby for his own glory he has foreordained whatsoever comes to pass. Robert Murray M'Cheyne - God Makes A Path - Daily Devotional Readings Look to the cross Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father. - Galatians 1 v 4 Some are saying, Oh that the world were crucified to me, and I to the world! Oh that my heart were dead as a stone to the world, and alive to Jesus! Do you truly wish it? Look, then, to the cross. Behold the amazing gift of love. Salvation is promised to a look. Sit down, like Mary, and gaze upon a crucified Jesus. So will the world become a dim and dying thing. When you gaze upon the sun, it makes everything else dar; when you taste honey, it makes everything else tasteless: so when your soul feeds on Jesus it takes away the sweetness of all earthly things, - praise, pleasure, fleshly lusts, all lose their sweetness. Keep a continued gaze. Run, looking unto Jesus. Look, till the way of salvation by Jesus fills up the whole horizon, so glorious and peace-speaking. So will the world be crucified to you, and you unto the world. Prayer
-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 12.2; 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 Readings Preface - David's psalm of thanksgiving for God's mighty deliverances and manifold blessings. 2 Samuel 22 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 A Puritans Catechism Q6 - How many persons are there in the Godhead? A - There are three persons in the Godhead: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost; and these three are one God, the same in substance, equal in power and glory. Robert Murray M'Cheyne - God Makes A Path - Daily Devotional Readings The wonder of it all Hearken unto me, O house of Jacob, and all the remnant of the house of Israel, which are borne by me from the belly, which are carried from the womb: And even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear: even I will carry and will deliver you. - Isaiah 46 vs 3-4 There are times in the life of a believer when he is like a traveller who has arrived at some high eminence; he can look back on the way he has gone and the way he has yet to go. So this is a passage where God tells us what He has done and what He will yet do. The history of a believer is wonderful, whether we look backward or forward. If we look back, there is election in a past eternity; and if we look forward there is deliverance and final victory. As Christ's name is 'Wonderful,' so all the members of His body are wonderful, for they are 'men wondered at.' Prayer
-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 Readings Preface - The three years' famine on account of the Gibeonites ceaseth upon hanging seven of Saul's sons. Rizpah's care for their dead bodies. David burieth their bones with those of Saul and Jonathan in the seplchre of Kish. In four battles against the Philistines four of David's mighty men slay four giants. 2 Samuel 21 Preface - After saluting the churches of Galatia, Paul testifieth his surprise 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 A Puritans Catechism Q5 - Are there more Gods than one? A - There is but one only, the living and true God. Robert Murray M'Cheyne - God Makes A Path - Daily Devotional Readings The voice of the shepherd And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers. - John 10 v 4-5 You know, brethren, this is the characteristic of the sheep of the east, they know the shephers voice. There was once a traveller in the east who denied that they knew the voice of the shepherd, and contended that it was the person they knew; and to prove it, they changed clothes. The person called the sheep, and they moved not; but when the shepherd called them, they instantly followed him. Now, this is just the way with Christ and His sheep. Christ may be disguised, but faith hears His voice. The first time they hear His voice is the time of conversion. You remember Zaccheus, he was up in the sycamore tree, and he might think, 'Christ's word will not reach me'; but Christ said to him. 'Come down, Zeccheus, for today I must abide at thy house.' The voice of the Shepherd reached him. This was the first day that Zaccheus heard the Shepherd's voice. You remember Lydia, she sat among the Grecian matrons by the riverside, and heard Paul preach. Someone opened her heart and said, 'Come away'; it was the voice of the Shepherd. 'The Lord opened the heart of Lydia to attend unto the things that were spoken.' It was the outward voice of Paul, but it was the inward voice of Christ. Prayer
-God thanks to God for His character, perfect, unchangeable, the same yesterday today and forever. -Give thanks to God that we can meet in the church and have fellowship with one another. -Pray the Lord would grant the preaching of his word power and clarity, and there are ready ears to hear and believe it. (2 Thes. 3.1.) -Pray we would be granted faithful ministry and good spiritual food from God's Word. (1 Peter 2.2.) Church Services Sermons Sunday morning at 11:00am in church (also available online via Facebook) (Sunday morning) scripture reading Matthew 6 v 11-13 Sunday evening at 6:30pm in church (also available online via Facebook) (Sunday evening) scripture reading Romans 6 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 - Sheba revolteth with the men of Israel. David on his return to Jerusalem shutteth up his ten concubines for life. Amasa, made captain of the host, is slain by Joab. Joab pursueth Sheba to Abel. By the persuasions of a wise woman Sheba's head is thrown over the wall, and the city saved. David's great officers. 2 Samuel 20 Preface - Paul threateneth to vindicate his authorityy 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 Q4 - What is God? A - God is a Spirit, infinite, eternal, and unchangeable, in his being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth. Robert Murray M'Cheyne - God Makes A Path - Daily Devotional Readings Take away the stone Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days. John 11 v 39 Christ's ways are not as our ways, nor His thoughts like our thoughts. One would have thought that He would have commanded the stone to fly back by His own word. When he rose from the dead Himself, 'the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door and sat upon it'; but He did not do so now. He said to the men, 'Take ye away the stone' for two reasons. First, He wanted to bring, out Martha's unbelief, that it might be made manifest. Unbelief in the heart is like evil humour in a wound - it festers; and therefore Jesus wanted to draw it out of Martha's heart. Second, to teach us to use the means. The men around the grave could not give life to dead Lazarus, but they could roll back the stone. Now Jesus was about to use His divine power in awaking the dead, but He would not take away the stone. Have any of you an unconverted friend for whom you pray? You know it is only Christ that can give him life, it is only Christ that can call him forth. Yet you can roll away the stone - you can use the means, you can bring your friend under the faithful preaching of the gospel. Speak to him, write to him. 'Take away the stone.' Prayer
-God 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 Readings Preface - Joab by threats forceth David to cease mourning. The Israelites are earnest to bring the king back. David sendeth to the priests to incite the men of Judah. Shimei making submission is pardoned. Mephibosheth cometh to meet David, and complaineth of his servant's treachery; half his land is restored to him. Barzillai attendeth the king over Jordan, and is gratefully dismissed; Chimham is received into the king's family. The men of Israel expostulate with the men of Judah for not calling them to take part in bringing back the king. 2 Samuel 19 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 exortion 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 A Puritans Catechism Q3 - What do the Scriptures principally teach? A - The Scriptures principally teach what man is to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of man. Robert Murray M'Cheyne - God Makes A Path - Daily Davotional Readings Faith's view of Christ And when he had so said, he showed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad when they saw the Lord. - John 20 v 20. When the Lord of glory left His Father's bosom, and came into this world, we are sure it was for a purpose suited to His divine nature. Christ came to make men glad. It was said of Him, 'The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord hath appointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek.' (Isaiah 61 v 1.) Ah! sure, He mus be a good Saviour that was to bind up broken hearts, and to make all men glad. Therefore, when He came, He said, 'That their joy might be full.' And you see in the verse before our text, His first words to His disciples were, 'Peace be unto you.' But the devil want you to believe that we want to take away your mirth and joy. He is a liar, and he was a liar from the beginning. Jesus came not to destroy men's lives, but to save them; so do we. We come to break your false joy - to awaken you from your dream - before you be dashed into the burning lake. Ah! we come to give you fullness of joy that cannot wither - joy that cannot die. True, believers have sorrow; they have a poor frail body, and they may have false friends. They may have ungodly children; they have temptations and persecutions. The world knows nothing of these sorrows. But they have a joy that the world cannot give or take away. They have a joy to balance all their sorrows; they have joy unspeakable and full of glory'. It is a joy that will never die. It will be brighter and brighter throughout an endless eternity. Prayer
-Give thanks to God for many good things we enjoy and daily blessings. -Pray the Lord would supply the needs of those in the congregation at Westminster and guide us as we help those destitute and suffering. Especially those we have met in the pandemic. (Numbers 6.24-26.) Church Services Sermons Sunday morning at 11:00am in church (also available online via Facebook) Sunday evening at 6:30pm in church (also available online via Facebook) Bible study and prayer Wednesday evening at 7:00pm in church (also available online via Facebook) Lunch hour service Thursday afternoon between 1:00pm and 1:30pm in church (also available online via Facebook) Outreach/Witnessing Saturday morning at Victoria Street (outside the big Boots store) for 10:30am (across the road from Town Hall - No. 64). Afterwards we go back to church for prayer. Daily Readings Preface - David, having mustered his troops under three principal leaders, giveth them a strict charge not to hurt Absalom hanging by the hair of his head in an oak is slain by Joab, and cast into a pit. Absalom's place. Ahimaaz and Cushi carry tidings to David, who mourneth for Absalom. 2 Samuel 18 Preface - Paul unwillingly entereth upon a commendation of himself, out of jealousy lest the Corinthians should be perverted by false apostles from the pure doctrine of Christ. He sheweth that he was in all respects equal to the chiefest apostles; that he declined being chargeable to them not for want of love toward them, but to cut off occasion from those deceitful workers of taking shelter under his example: that he was not inferior to those, whom they so patiently submitted to, in any of their boasted prerogatives, but as a minister of Christ, in labours and sufferings for the gospel's sake, was abundantly their superior. 2 Corinthians 11 A Puritans Catechism Q2 - What rule has God given to direct us how we may glorify him? A - The Word of God, which is contained in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, is the only rule to direct us how we may glorify God and enjoy him. Robert Murray M'Cheyne - God Makes A Path - Daily Devotional Readings Fullness of joy Your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you. - John 16 v 22. For my own part, I never knew what joy was till I felt that Jesus had died for me - that he lived for me and reigned for me. The world can give you little joy; but here is fullness of joy. |
Paragraph. Cliquez ici pour modifier.