Prayer (Friday)
-Give thanks to God for many good things we enjoy and daily blessings. -Pray the Lord would supply the needs of those in the congregation at Westminster and guide us as we help those destitute and suffering. Especially those we have met in the pandemic. (Numbers 6.24-26.) Church Services Sermons Sunday morning at 11:00am in church (also available online via Facebook) Sunday evening at 6:30pm in church (also available online via Facebook) Bible study and prayer Wednesday evening at 7:00pm in church (also available online via Facebook) Lunch hour service Thursday afternoon between 1:00pm and 1:30pm in church (also available online via Facebook) Outreach/Witnessing Saturday morning at Victoria Street (outside the big Boots store) for 10:30am (across the road from Town Hall - No. 64). Afterwards we go back to church for prayer. Daily Reading Preface - David by example and exhortation causeth the princes and people to offer willingly for the service of the temple. David's thanksgiving and prayer. The people having blessed God, and sacrificed, make Solomon king the second time. The prosperity and majesty of Solomon's reign. David's reign and death. 1 Chronicles 29 Preface - The apostle declareth it to be the design of both his epistles to remind the brethren of Christ's coming to judgment, in opposition to scoffers. No argument can be drawn against it from the delay, which is designed to leave men room for repentance. He describeth the day of the Lord, and exhorteth to holiness of life in expectation of it. He sheweth that Paul had taught the same in his epistles: and condludeth with advice to beware of seduction, and to grow in Christian grace and knowledge. 2 Peter 3 Daily Light - Morning A man shall be as an hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest. Forasmuch...as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same. - The man that is my fellow, saith the LORD of hosts. - I and my Father are one. He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. - There shall be a tabernacle for a shadow in the daytime from the heat, and for a place of refuge, and for a covert from storm and from rain. - The LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand. The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. When my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. - Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble. - Thou hast been a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat, when the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm against the wall. Isa. 32.2; He. 2.14; Zech. 13.7; Jn. 10.30 Ps. 91.1; Isa. 4.6; Ps. 121.5-6 Ps. 61.2; Ps. 32.7; Isa. 25.4 Daily Light - Evening Behold, I create new heavens and a new earth. The new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me...so shall your seed and your name remain. We, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I john saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. Isa. 65.17; Isa. 66.22 2 Pe. 3.13 Rev. 21.1-5 A Puritans Catechism Q72 - How is the Word made effectual to salvation? A - The Spirit of God makes the reading, but especially the preaching of the Word, an effectual means of convicting and converting sinners, and of building them up in holiness and comfort through faith to salvation. BAPTIST CONFESSION OF FAITH Of Divine Providence Chapter 5 PARAGRAPH 6 As for those wicked and ungodly men whom God, as the righteous judge, for former sin does blind and harden;17 from them He not only withholds His grace, whereby they might have been enlightened in their understanding, and wrought upon their hearts;18 but sometimes also withdraws the gifts which they had,19 and exposes them to such objects as their corruption makes occasion of sin;20 and withal, gives them over to their own lusts, the temptations of the world, and the power of Satan,21 whereby it comes to pass that they harden themselves, under those means which God uses for the softening of others.22 17 Rom. 1;24–26,28, 11:7–8 18 Deut. 29:4 19 Matt. 13:12 20 Deut. 2:30; 2 Kings 8:12–13 21 Ps. 81:11,12; 2 Thess. 2:10–12 22 Exod. 8:15,32; Isa. 6:9–10; 1 Pet. 2:7–8 Robert Murray M'Cheyne - God Makes A Path - Daily Devotional Readings Christ manifested And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; - 1 John 3 v 5 O beloved, if Jesus had not been manifested, you had never been saved. It would have been quite righteous in God to have kept His Son in His own bosom - to have kept that jewel in His own place upon the throne of heaven. God would have been the same lovely God; but we would have lain down in a burning hell. If that Eternal Life which was with the Father - if He had remained in His glory as the Living One - then you and I would have borne our own curse. But he was manifested - 'God was manifest in the flesh - justified in the Spirit - seen of angels - believed on in the world - received up into glory.' John saw Him - he saw His lovely countenance, he beheld His glory, as the glory of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. He saw that better Sun veiled with flesh that could not keep the beams of His Godhead from shining through. He saw Him on the Mount, when His face shone like the sun. He saw Him in the garden, when He lay upon the ground. He saw Him on the cross, when He hung between earth and heaven. He looked upon Him - many a time he looked upon His heavenly countenance - his eye met His eye. He hear Him - heard the voice that said, 'Let there be light.' He heard all His gracious words - His words concerning God and the way of peace. He heard Him say to a sinner, 'Be of good cheer, thy sins are forgiven thee.' He handled Him - he put his hands in His hands, his arms around His arms, and his head upon His bosom. Perhaps he handled His body when it was taken from the cross - touched the cold day of Immanuel. O beloved, it is a manifested Christ we declare unto you. It is not the Son in the bosom of the Father - that would never have saved you. It is Jesus manifested in flesh. The Son of God living and dying as man in the stead of sinners; Him we declare unto you.
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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 ho have to meet in secret. Even those who are now in prison for their faith. Give thanks to God that we are part of a global church made up of true Christians across the world. Church Services Sermons Sunday morning at 11:00am in church (also available online via Facebook) Sunday evening at 6:30pm in church (also available online via Facebook) Bible study and prayer Wednesday evening at 7:00pm in church (also available online via Facebook) Lunch hour service Thursday afternoon between 1:00pm and 1:30pm in church (also available online via Facebook) Outreach/Witnessing Saturday morning at Victoria Street (outside the big Boots store) for 10:30am (across the road from Town Hall - No. 64). Afterwards we go back to church for prayer. Daily Reading Preface - David in a solemn assembly, having declared God's especial favour toward him, and the promises made to his son Solomon, exhorteth all in general to the fear of God. His particular charge to Solomon to serve the Lord, and to build the temple. He giveth him patterns for the form, and gold and silver for the materials. He encourageth him with assurances of divine and human assistance. 1 Chronicles 28 Preface - The apostle foretelleth the appearance of false teachers, the impiety of them and their followers, and the judgments that would overtake them. The godly shall be delivered, as Lot was out of Sodom. The wicked principles and manners of these seducers described. The mischief of relapsing into sin. 2 Peter 2 Daily Light - Morning The Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all. Peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come. - The peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. - Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. The Comforter...even the Spirit of truth. - The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace. - The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God. My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest. And he said unto him, If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence. For wherein shall it be known here that I and thy people have found grace in thy sight? Is it not in that thou goest with us? 2 Th. 3.16; Rev. 1.4; Phil. 4.7 Lu. 24.36; Jn. 14.27 Jn. 15.26; Ga. 5.22; Ro. 8.16 Ex. 33.14-16 Daily Light - Evening We glory in tribulations. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. - These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended. They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me. Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: but rejoice,, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. - Sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing. Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. - They departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. The God of hope fill you will all joy and peace in believing. Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. Ro. 5.3; 1 Co. 15.19; Jn. 16.1-3 1 Pe. 4.12-13; 2 Co. 6.10 Phil. 4.4; Ac. 5.41 Ro. 15.13 Hab. 3.17-18 A Puritans Catechism Q71 - What are the outward means whereby the Holy Spirit communicates to us the benefits of redemption? A - The outward and ordinary means whereby the Holy Spirit communicates to us the benefits of Christ's redemption, are the Word, by which souls are begotten to spiritual life; Baptism, the Lord's Supper, Prayer, and Meditation, by all which believers are further edified in their most holy faith. BAPTIST CONFESSION OF FAITH Of Divine Providence Chapter 5 PARAGRAPH 5 The most wise, righteous, and gracious God does often times leave for a season His own children to manifold temptations and the corruptions of their own hearts, to chastise them for their former sins, or to discover unto them the hidden strength of corruption and deceitfulness of their hearts, that they may be humbled; and to raise them to a more close and constant dependence for their support upon Himself; and to make them more watchful against all future occasions of sin, and for other just and holy ends.15 So that whatsoever befalls any of His elect is by His appointment, for His glory, and their good.16 15 2 Chron. 32:25–26,31; 2 Cor. 12:7-9 16 Rom. 8:28 Robert Murray M'Cheyne - God Makes A Path - Daily Devotional Readings A whole Saviour And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the comin gof our Lord Jesus Christ. - 1 Thessalonians 5 v 23 Learn the certainty of sanctification. Rutherford said, 'Blessed be God, Christ is a whole Saviour - He not only justifies, but He sanctifies too.' Oh, no, He will not lose the end for which He died - to make you not of this world, while you are in the world. He came to this miserable world, and took stones to polish for His Father's palace. Do you ever think He will leave you unholy? This is the will of the Father, even your sanctification. Jesus died, and the Spirit is sent as the sanctifier. There is much sin between you and God - many temptations - yet you shall be made holy. 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 Reading Preface 26) - The divisions of the porters. The gates assigned by lot. The Levites that had charge of the treasures. Those that were officers and judges. Preface 27) - The twelve captains for every several month. The princes of the twelve tribes. The numbering of the people is hindered. David's several officers. 1 Chronicles 26-27 Preface - The apostle, saluting the Christians, admonisheth them of the gifts and promises of the gospel, and their tendency to promote a godly life. He exhorteth them to add to their faith such virtues as would make it fruitful; and thereby to make their calling and election sure. He is careful to remind them hereof, knowing his dissolution to be near; and urgeth the evidence of what he had seen and heard in the holy mount in confirmation of Christ's second coming together with the word of prophecy, which he recommendeth to their regard. 2 Peter 1 Daily Light - Morning We shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house. One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. - He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away. He satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness. - I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings. They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures. For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light. - Thy lovingkindness is better than life. Ps. 65.4; Ps. 27.4 Mt. 5.6; Lu.1.53 Ps. 107.9; Jn. 6.35 Ps. 36.7-9; Ps. 63.3 Daily Light - Evening Do ye now believe? What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?...faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son...accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead. - Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?... Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. Whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. By their fruits ye shall know them. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. - If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them. Jn. 16.31; Jas. 2.14,17 He. 11.17,19; Jas, 2.21,24 Jas. 1.25 Mt.7.20-21; Jn. 13.17 A Puritans Catechism Q70 - How does the Spirit apply to us the redemption purchased by Christ? A - The Spirit applies to us the redemption purchased by Christ, by working faith in us, and thereby uniting us to Christ in our effectual calling. BAPTIST CONFESSION OF FAITH Of Divine Providence Chapter 5 PARAGRAPH 4 The almighty power, unsearchable wisdom, and infinite goodness of God, so far manifest themselves in His providence, that His determinate counsel extends itself even to the first fall, and all other sinful actions both of angels and men;11 and that not by a bare permission, which also He most wisely and powerfully binds, and otherwise orders and governs,12 in a manifold dispensation to His most holy ends;13 yet so, as the sinfulness of their acts proceeds only from the creatures, and not from God, who, being most holy and righteous, neither is nor can be the author or approver of sin.14 11 Rom. 11:32–34; 2 Sam. 24:1; 1 Chron. 21:1 12 2 Kings 19:28; Ps. 76:10 13 Gen. 1:20; Isa. 10:6–7,12 14 Ps. 1, Ps. 21; 1 John 2:16 Robert Murray M'Cheyne - God Makes A Path - Daily Devotional Readings A Dvine power So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also. - Romans 1 v 15 Men would laugh at the idea of a poor worm like Paul going to subdue mighty Rome with a few words of his lips, but Paul saw such a divine power in the gospel that he was not ashamed of it. He knew it could break the hardest heart, and bind up the most broken. The learned men of Rome would smile at the words of this babbler; but Paul saw such wisdom in the gospel, that all human wisdom appeared utter folly beside it. The wickedness of Rome reached up to heaven; it was a continual smoke in God's nostrils, a fire that burned all the day. But Paul knew that the righteousness of God could cover the sin of a thousand Romes. He saw it to be so vast, so immense, so free, so surpassing glorious, so divine, that it could flow over and cover the sins of the greatest sinner there. 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 12.1; 1 Thes 5.16.) Church Services Sermons Sunday morning at 11:00am in church (also available online via Facebook) Sunday evening at 6:30pm in church (also available online via Facebook) Bible study and prayer Wednesday evening at 7:00pm in church (also available online via Facebook) Lunch hour service Thursday afternoon between 1:00pm and 1:30pm in church (also available online via Facebook) Outreach/Witnessing Saturday morning at Victoria Street (outside the big Boots store) for 10:30am (across the road from Town Hall - No. 64). Afterwards we go back to church for prayer. Daily Reading Preface - 24) - The divisions of the sons of Aaron by lot into four and twenty orders. The remainder of the Kohathites, and the Merarites, divided by lot. Preface - 25) - The number and offices of the singers: their division by lot into four and twenty orders. 1 Chronicles 24-25 Preface - The elders are exhorted to feed the flock of Christ conscientiously, looking to the chief Shepherd for a reward. The younger are required to submit to the elder, and all to practise humility toward each other; with resignation to God; to be sober, watchful, and stedfast in the faith, resisting the devil. The epistle is concluded with a prayer and benediction. 1 Peter 5 Daily Light - Morning As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. Not every one that saith...Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. - Holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord. - Add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance, and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall. By grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast. Jas. 2.26; Mt. 7.21; He. 12.14; 2 Pe. 1.5-10 Eph. 2.8-9 Daily Light - Evening As the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might...deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?... Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. - For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. We know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens... Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord...and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. He. 2.14,15; 1 Co. 15.55,57; 2 Co. 4.16 2 Co. 5.1,6,8 Jn. 14.1-2 A Puritans Catechism Q69 - What is faith in Jesus Christ? A - Faith in Jesus Christ is a saving grace, whereby we receive and rest upon him alone for salvation, as he is set forth in the gospel BAPTIST CONFESSION OF FAITH Of Divine Providence Chapter 5 PARAGRAPH 3 God, in his ordinary providence makes use of means,7 yet is free to work without,8 above,9 and against them10 at His pleasure. 7 Acts 27:31,44; Isa. 55:10–11 8 Hosea 1:7 9 Rom. 4:19–21 10 Dan. 3:27 Robert Murray M'Cheyne - God Makes A Path - Daily Devotional Readings O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? - 1 Corinthians 15 v 55 There is nothing that we naturally shrink back from more than the grave. Ah! it is a fearful thing to leave the company of living men, and lie down in the narrow house, with a shroud for our only clothing, a coffin for our couch, and the worm for our companion. It is humbling, it is loathsome. But if you are one of Christ's here is the victory: 'In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? (1 Corinthians 15 vs 52-55.) 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 Reading Preface - David in his old age maketh Solomon king. The number and distribution of the Levits. The families of the Gershonites. The sons of Kohath. The sons of Merari. The office of the Levites. 1 Chronicles 23 Preface - The apostle exhorteth to cease from sin, in regard of Christ's having suffered for it, and of a future judgment. From the approaching end of all things he urgeth to sobriety, watchfulness, and prayer; to charity, hospitality, and a right use of spiritual gifts. Various motives of comfort under persecution. 1 Peter 4 Daily Light - Morning The glory which thou gavest me I have given them. I saw...the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. Above it stood the seraphims... And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory. - These things said Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spake of him. - Upon the likeness of the throne was the likeness...of a man above upon it... As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness round about. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. I beseech thee, shew me thy glory... And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live. - No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him. - 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. Jn. 17.22; Isa. 6.1-2,3; Jn. 12.41; Ezek. 1.26,28 Ex. 33.18,20; Jn. 1.18; 2 Co. 4.6 Daily Light - evening My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not. She took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. - Did not Achan the son of Zerah commit a trespass in the accursed thing, and wrath fell on all the congregation of Israel? and that man perished not alone in his iniquity. Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil. Wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat. None of us liveth to himself. - Brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. - Take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak...when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. Pro. 1.10; Ge. 3.6; Jos. 22.20 Ex. 23.2 Mt. 7.13 Ro. 14.7; Ga. 5.13; 1 Co. 8.9,12 Isa. 53.6 A Puritans Catechism Q68 - How may we escape his wrath and curse due to us for sin? A - To escape the wrath and curse of God due to us for sin, we must believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, trusting alone to his blood and righteousness. This faith is attended by repentance for the past and leads to holiness in the future. BAPTIST CONFESSION OF FAITH Of Divine Providence Chapter 5 PARAGRAPH 2 Although in relation to the foreknowledge and decree of God, the first cause, all things come to pass immutably and infallibly;4 so that there is not anything befalls any by chance, or without His providence;5 yet by the same providence He ordered them to fall out according to the nature of second causes, either necessarily, freely, or contingently.6 4 Acts 2:23 5 Prov. 16:33 6 Gen. 8:22 Robert Murray M'Cheyne - God Makes A Path - Daily Devotional Readings Delay in answered prayer For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not rarry. - Habakkuk 2 v 3 When the merchant sends his shops to distant shores, he does not expect them to come back richly laden in a single day. He has long patience. 'It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord.' Perhaps your prayers will come back like the ships of the merchant, all the more heavily laden with blessings, because of the delay. 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 in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication of 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 for Sunday -God thanks to God for His character, perfect, unchangeable, the same yesterday, today and forever. -Give thanks to God that we can meet in the church and have fellowship with one another. -Pray the Lord would grant the preaching of his word power and clarity, and there are ready ears to hear and believe it. (2 Thes. 3.1.) -Pray we would be granted faithful ministry and good spiritual food from God's Word. (1 Peter 2.2.) Church Services Sermons Sunday morning at 11:00am in church (also available online via Facebook) (Sunday morning) Scripture reading - Matthew 6: 19-34 Sunday evening at 6:30pm in church (also available online via Facebook) (Sunday evening) Scripture reading - Romans 7:24-29; Matthew 8:1-10 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 - David foreknowing the place of the temple, maketh large preparations for the building of it. He instructeth Solomon in the promises made to him by God, and chargeth him with his duty in building the house. He chargeth the princes of Israel to assist his son in the work. 1 Chronicles 22 Preface - The apostle teacheth the duty of wives and husbands; exhorting all men to unity and love, and to return good for evil: to suffer, boldly for righteousness' sake, and to give a reason of their hope with meekness and fear; taking especial care to suffer, as Christ did, for welldoing and not for evildoing. The preaching of Christ by his Spirit to the old world. After what manner Christian baptism saveth us. 1 Peter 3 Daily Light - Morning The LORD delighteth in thee. Thus saith the LORD that created thee... Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. - Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee. Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me. The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. - My delights were with the sons of men. - The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy. - They shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him. You. that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight. Is. 62.4; Isa. 43.1; Isa. 49.15-16 Ps. 37.23; Pro. 8.31; Ps. 147.11; Mal. 3.17 Col. 1.21-22 Daily Light - Evening The sorrow of the world worketh death. When Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddles his ass, and arose, and gat him home to his house, to his city and put his household in order, and hanged himself, and died. - A wounded spirit who can bear? Is there no balm in Gilead; is there no physician there? Why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered? - The LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted...to comfort all that mourn; to appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness. - Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my youke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Philip...preached unto him Jesus. - He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds. 2 Co. 7.10; 2 Sa. 17.23; Pro. 18.14 Jer. 8.22; Isa. 61.1,2-3; Mt. 11.28-30 Ac. 8.35; Ps. 147.3 A Puritans Catechism Q67 - What does every sin deserve? A - Every sin deserves God's wrath and curse, both in this life, and that which is to come. BAPTIST CONFESSION OF FAITH Of Divine Providence Chapter 5 PARAGRAPH 1 Although in relation to the foreknowledge and decree of God, the first cause, all things come to pass immutably and infallibly;4 so that there is not anything befalls any by chance, or without His providence;5 yet by the same providence He ordered them to fall out according to the nature of second causes, either necessarily, freely, or contingently. 4 Acts 2:23 5 Prov. 16:33 6 Gen. 8:22 Robert Murray M'Cheyne - God Makes A Path - Daily Devotional Readings He is mine My beloved is mine, and I am his: he feedeth among the lilies. - Song of Solomon 2 v 16 In the arms of my faith He is mine. I was once of the world - cold and careless about my soul. God awakened me, and made me feel I was lost. I tried to make myself good - to mend my life, but I found it in vain. I sat down more lost than before. I was then told to believe on the Lord Jesus. So I tried to make myself believe. - I read books on faith, and tried to bend my soul to believe, so that I might get to heaven; but still in vain. I found it written, 'Faith is the gift of God.' 'No man can call Jesus Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.' So I sat down more lost than ever. Whilst I was thus helpless, Jesus drew near - His garments dipped in blood. He had waited long at my door, though I knew it not. 'His head was filled with dew, and His locks with the drops of the night. 'He had five deep wounds; and He said, 'I died in the stead of sinners; and any sinner may have Me for a Saviour. You are a helpless sinner, will you have Me?' How can I resist Him? He is all I need! I held Him, and would not let Him go.' My beloved is mine.' In the arms of my love He is mine. Once I did not know what people meant by loving Jesus. I always wished to ask how they could love one whom they had never seen, but was answered, 'whom not having seen, we love.' But now that I have hidden in Him - now that I am cleaving to Him - now I feel that I cannot but love Him; and I long to see Him that I may love Him more. Many a time I fall into sin, and that takes away my feeling of safety in Christ. Darkness comes, all is clouded, Christ is away. Still even then I am sick of love. Christ is not light and peace to me; but I follow hard after Him amid the darkness - He is precious to me; and even, though I be in darkness, He is my bloved still. ' 'This is my beloved, and this is my friend.' 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 those 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 tempted by Satan forceth Joab to number Israel. God is displeased: David acknowledgeth his fault. Gad being sent from God to propose one out of three plagues to his choice, he chooseth three days' pestilence. Seventy thousand in Israel being already cut off, the destroying angel is stayed over Jerusalem: David on sight of the angel humbly intercedeth for the people. By Gad's direction having bought Ornan's threshing floor, he buildeth an altar, and sacrificeth: God signifieth his favour by fire from heaven, and stayeth the plague. 1 Chronicles 21 Preface - The apostle's address to the strangers elect in Christ, dispersed throughout the lesser Asia. He blesseth God for having raised them to the hope of a blessed immortality. He sheweth that their salvation in Christ had been foretold by the prophets of old: and exhorteth them to a vigilant and holy conversation. Suitable to their calling, and redemption by the blood of Christ; and to mutual love. 1 Peter 2 Daily Light - Morning Being...made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. - When ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour. - Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. O LORD our God, other lords beside thee have had dominion over us; but by thee only will we make mention of thy name. - I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart. Ro. 6.18; Mt. 6.24; Ro. 6.20-22 Ro. 10.4 Jn. 12.26; Mt. 11.29-30 Isa. 26.13; Ps. 119.32 Daily Light - Evening Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved. Manasseh...did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, after the abominations of the heathen...and he reared up altars for Baal...and he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the LORD. And he made his son pass through the fire, and observed times, and used enchantments, and dealt with familiar spirits and wizards: he wrought much wickedness in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger. - And when he was in affliction, he besought the LORD his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers, and prayed unto him: and he was intreated of him, and heard his supplication. Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. - The Lord...is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish. Ac.2.21; 2 Ki. 21.1,2,3,5-6; 2 Chr. 33.12-13 Isa. 1.18; 2 Pe. 3.9BAPTIST CONFESSION OF FAITH Of Divine Providence Chapter 5 PARAGRAPH 1 Although in relation to the foreknowledge and decree of God, the first cause, all things come to pass immutably and infallibly;4 so that there is not anything befalls any by chance, or without His providence;5 yet by the same providence He ordered them to fall out according to the nature of second causes, either necessarily, freely, or contingently.6 4 Acts 2:23 5 Prov. 16:33 6 Gen. 8:22 A Puritans Catechism Q66 - Are all transgressions of the law equally heinous? A - Some sins in themselves, and by reason of various aggravations, ae more heinous in the sight of God than others. Robert Murray M'Cheyne - God Makes A Path - Daily Devotioanl Readings Spiritual warfare Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul. - 1 Peter 2 v 11 There can never be peace in the bosom of a believer. There is a peace with God but there is always a constant war with sin. 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 19) - David's ambassadors, sent to comfort Hanun for his father's death, are disgracefully treated. The Ammonites strengthened by the Syrians ae overcome by Joab and Abishai. Hadarezer sendeth a new army of Syrians under Shobach, which is defeated by David, and their general slain; whereupon the kings who were subject to Syria become servants to Israel. Preface 20) - Rabbah is taken and spoiled, and the people thereof tortured. Three giants slain by David's servants in three several battles with the Philistines. 1 Chronicles 19-20 Preface - The apostle's address to the strangers elect in Christ, dispersed throughout the lesser Asia. He blesseth God for having raised them to the hope of a blessed immortality. He sheweth that their salvation in Christ had been foretold by the prophets of old; and exhorteth them to a vigilant and holy conversation, suitable to their calling, and redemption by the blood of Christ; and to mutual love. 1 Peter 1 Daily Light - Morning My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it. Both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren, saying, I will declae thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee. - In Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love. - Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. - Blessed are thy that hear the word of God, and keep it. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter in the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. - My meat is to do the sill of him that sent me. - If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth. - Whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. Lu. 8.21; He. 2.11-12; Ga. 5.6; Jn. 15.14; Lu. 11.28 Mt. 7.21; Jn. 4.34; 1 Jn. 1.6; 1 Jn. 2.5 Daily Light - Evening What doest thou here, Elijah? He knoweth the way that I take. - O LORD, thou has searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways... Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?... If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are. - The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe. - Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand. - A just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again. Let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. - The spirit indeed is willing but the flesh is weak. - Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him. 1 Ki. 19.9; Job 23.10; Ps. 139.1-3,7,9-10 Jas 5.17; Pro. 29.25; Ps. 37.24; Pro. 24.16 Ga. 6.9; Mt. 26.41; Ps. 103.12 A Puritans Catechism No. 65 - Is any man able perfectly to keep the commandments of God? A - No mere man, since the fall, is able in this life perfectly to keep the commandments of God, but doth daily break them in thought, word, and deed. BAPTIST CONFESSION OF FAITH Of Divine Providence Chapter 5 PARAGRAPH 1 God the good Creator of all things, in His infinite power and wisdom does uphold, direct, dispose, and govern all creatures and things,1 from the greatest even to the least,2 by His most wise and holy providence, to the end for the which they were created, according unto His infallible foreknowledge, and the free and immutable counsel of His own will; to the praise of the glory of His wisdom, power, justice, infinite goodness, and mercy.3 1 Heb. 1:3; Job 38:11; Isa. 46:10–11; Ps. 135:6 2 Matt. 10:29–31 3 Eph. 1; 11 Robert Murray M'Cheyne - God Makes A Path - Daily Devotional Readings One hour with God But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all thy works. - Psalm 73 v 28 You will get more knowledge in one hour with God than in all your life spent with man. You will get more holiness from immediate conversing with God than from all other means of grace put together. Indeed, all means are empty vanity, unless you come to God in them. 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 Reading Preface - David subdueth the Philistines, and maketh the Moabites tributary. He smiteth Hadarezer and the Syrians. Tou king of Hamath sendeth his son with presents to bless David; who dedicateth the presents and the spoil which he had taken, to God. He putteth garrisons in Edom. His good reign; a list of his principal officers. 1 Chronicles 18 Preface - Wicked rich men are warned of God's impending judgments. The brethren are exhorted to patience after the example of the prophets and of Job: to abstain from swearing; to pray in affliction and sickness, and sing psalms in prosperity: to acknowledge mutually their faults, and to pray for one another: and to endeavour to reclaim sinners. James 5 Daily Light - Morning Whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil. Lord, whou hast been our dwelling place in all generations. - He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. - His truth shall be thy shield under buckler. Your life is hid with Christ in God. - He that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye. - Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD... The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace. - God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear. - These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. - Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. - I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. Pr. 1.33; Ps. 90.1; Ps. 91.4 Col. 3.3; Zech. 2.8; Ex. 14.13-14; Ps. 46.1-2; Jn. 16.33 Mt. 14.27; Lu. 24.38-39; 2 Tim. 1.12 Daily Light - Evening My kingdom is not of this world. This man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; from henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. - Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. He must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. - He raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: and hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. - He shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords. Jn. 18.36; He. 10.12-13; Mt. 26.64 1 Co. 15.25 1 Co. 15.57; Eph. 1.20-23; 1 Tim. 6.15 A Puritans Catechism No. 64 - What is forbidden in the tenth commandment? A - The tenth commandment forbids all discontentment with our own estate, envying or grieving at the good of our neighbour, and all inordinate motions and affections to anything that is his. BAPTIST CONFESSION OF FAITH Of Creation Chapter 4 PARAGRAPH 3 Besides the law written in their hearts, they received a command not to eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil,9 which while they kept, they were happy in their communion with God, and had dominion over the creatures.10 9 Gen. 2:17 10 Gen. 1:26,28 Robert Murray M'Cheyne - God Makes A Path - Daily Devotional Readings The secret of victory And be not drunk wit wine, wherein is excess; but be ye filled with the Spirit; - Ephesians 5 v 18 Let the Holy Spirit fill every chamber of your heart; and so there will be no room for folly, or the world, or Satan or the flesh. 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 Reading Preface - Nathan, first approving David's purpose to build God an house, afterward by the word of the Lord forbiddeth it, but with assurance of favour, and a promise of especial blessings in his seed. David's prayer and thanksgiving. 1 Chronicles 17 Preface - Our evil lusts and passions tend to breed quarrels among ourselves, and to set us at enmity with God. The way to overcome them, and recover God's favour. Against slander and censoriousness. We must not presume on the future, but commit ourselves to God's providence. James 4 Daily Light - Morning Praying in the Holy Ghost. God is a spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. - We...have access by one Spirit unto the Father. O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. The Spirit...helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. - This is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us. - When he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth. Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication. Jude 20; Jn. 4:24; Eph. 2.18 Mt. 26.39 Ro. 8.26-27; 1 Jn. 5.14; Jn. 16.13 Eph. 6.18 Daily Light - Evening There is hope of a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that the tender branch thereof will not cease. A bruised reed shall he not break. - He restoreth my soul. Godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. - No chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word... It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes, - After all that is come upon us for our evil deeds, and for our great trespass, seeing that thou our God hast punished us less than our iniquities deserve, and hast given us such deliverance as this; should we again break thy commandments...? Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the LORD shall be a light unto me...he will bring me forth to the light, and I shall behold his righteousness. Job 14.7; Isa.42.3; Ps. 23.3 2 Co. 7.10; He. 12.11 Ps. 119.67,71; Ezr. 9.13-14 Mi. 7.8-9 A Puritans Catechism Q63 - Which is the tenth commandment? A - The tenth commandment is, Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor anything that is thy neighbour's. BAPTIST CONFESSION OF FAITH Of Creation Chapter 4 PARAGRAPH 2 After God had made all other creatures, He created man, male and female,4 with reasonable and immortal souls,5 rendering them fit unto that life to God for which they were created; being made after the image of God, in knowledge, righteousness, and true holiness;6 having the law of God written in their hearts,7 and power to fulfil it, and yet under a possibility of transgressing, being left to the liberty of their own will, which was subject to change.8 4 Gen. 1:27 5 Gen. 2:7 6 Eccles. 7:29; Gen. 1:26 7 Rom. 2:14–15 8 Gen. 3:6 Robert Murray M'Cheyne - God Makes A Path - Daily Devotional Readings The perfection of God poured forth And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father) full of grace and truth. - John 1 v 14 Christ did not get more glory by becoming man; but He manifested his glory in a new way. He did not gain one perfection more by becoming man; He had all the perfections of God before. But now these perfections were poured through a human heart. The Almightiness of God now moved in a human arm. The infinite love of God now beat in a human heart. The compassion of God to sinners now glistened in a human eye. God was love before, but Christ was love covered over with flesh. Just as you have seen the sun shining through a coloured window. It is the same sunlight still, and yet it shines with a mellwed lustre. So in Christ dwelt all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. The perfection of the Godhead shone through every pore through every action, word and look - the same perfections; - they were only shining with a mellowed brightness. The vail of the temple was a type of His flesh; because it covered the bright light of the holiest of all. But just as the bright light of the shecinah often shone through the vail, so did the Godhead of Christ force itself through the heart of the man Christ Jesus. |
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