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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 - David's festival sacrifice, and liberality to the people. He appointeth a band of singers and music to praise the Lord. The psalm of thanksgiving. He appointeth ministers, porters, priests, and musicians, to attend continually on the ark. 1 Chronicles 16 Preface - Christ is shewed to be more worthy than Moses: we must be careful therefore not to follow the example of the obstinate and unbelieving Israelites in the wilderness. James 3 Daily Light - Morning Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. It shall come to pass, when he crieth unto me, that I will hear; for I am gracious. - I will not cast them away, neither will I abhor them, to destroy them utterly, and to break my covenant with them: for I am the LORD their God. - I will remember my covenant with thee in the days of thy youth, and I will establish unto thee an everlasting covenant. 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. - Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. - Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise. A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench. Jn. 6.37; Ex. 22.27; Lev. 26.44; Ezek. 16.60 Isa. 1.18; Isa. 55.7; Lu. 23.42-43 Isa. 42.3 Daily Light - Evening His dear Son. Lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. - Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth. - The only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins... And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love. The glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. - Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God. Col. 1.13; Mt. 3.17; Isa. 42.1; Jn. 1.18 1 Jn. 4.9-10,16 Jn. 17.22-24; 1 Jn. 3.1 A Puritans Catechism Q62 - What is required in the ninth commandment? A - The ninth commandment requires the maintaining and promoting of truth between man and man, and of our own and our neighbour's good name, especially in witness-bearing. The 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith Of The Holy Scriptures Chapter 4 - Paragraph 1 In the beginning it pleased God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, 1) for the manifestation of the glory of His eternal power, 2) wisdom, and goodness, to create or make the world, and all things therein, whether visible or invisible, in the space of six days, and all very good. 3) 1) John 1:2-3, Heb. 1:2; Job 26:13 (2) Rom. 1:20 (3) Col. 1:16; Gen 1:31 Robert Murray M'Cheyne - God Makes A Path - Daily Devotional Readings The eye of faith Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus. - Hebrews 3 v 1 When Christ ascended from the Mount of Olives, and passed through these heavens, carrying His bloody wounds into the presence of God, and when His disciples had gazed after Him, till a cloud received Him out of their sight - we are told that they returned to Jerusalem with great joy. What! are thy joyful at parting with their blessed Master? When he told them He was to leave them, sorrow filled their hearts, and He had to argue with them and comfort them, saying, Let not your be troubled; it is expedient for you that I go away. How, then, are thy changed! Jesus has left them, and they are filled with joy. Oh! here is the secret - they knew that Christ was now going into the presence of God for them, that their great High Priest was now entering within the vail to make intercession for them. Now believer, would you share in the great joy of the disciples? Consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus. He is above yon clouds, and above yon sky. O that you would stand gazing up into heaven, not with the bodily eye, but with the eye of faith. Oh! what a wonderful thing the eye of faith is: it sees beyond the stars, it pierces to the throne of God, and there it looks on the face of Jesus making intercession for us, whom having not seen we love, in whom, though now we see Him not, yet believing we rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory.
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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, having prepared a place for the ark, ordereth the priests and Levites to bring it from the house of Obed-edom. The solemnity is attended by David and all Israel with great demonstrations of joy. Michal despiseth David for dancing before the ark. 1 Chronicles 15 Preface - It is not agreeable to the Christian profession to regard the rich, and despise the poor. The guilt of any one breach of the law. The obligation to mercy. Faith without work is dead. We are justified, as Abraham and Rahab were, by works, and not by faith only. James 2 Daily Light - Morning When I sit in darkness, the LORD shall e a light unto me. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour. - I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. - What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me. - The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? Mi. 7.8; Isa. 43.2-3; Isa. 42.16 Ps. 23.4; Ps. 56.3-4; Ps. 27.1 Daily Light - Evening One God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD. - A mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one LORD. - A mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one. We have sinned with our fathers, we have committed iniquity, we have done wickedly. Our fathers understood not thy wonders in Egypt; they remembered not the multitude of thy mercies... Therefore he said that he would destroy them, had not Moses his chosen stood before him in the breach, to turn away his wrath, lest he should destroy them. Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house. He is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises... I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more. 1 Tim. 2.5; Deu. 6.4; Ga. 3.20 Ps. 106.6-7,23 He. 3.1-2 He. 8.6,12 A Puritans Catechism Q61 - Which is the ninth commandment? A - The ninth commandment is, Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour. The 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith Of The Holy Scriptures Chapter 3 - Paragraph 7 The doctrine of the high mystery of predestination is to be handled with special prudence and care, that men attending the will of God revealed in His Word, and yielding obedience thereunto, may, from the certainty of their effectual vocation, be assured of their eternal election; 18) God so shall this doctrine afford matter of praise, 19) God reverence, and admiration of God, and of humility, 20) God diligence, and abundant consolation to all that sincerely obey the gospel. 21) 18) 1 Thess. 1:4-5; 2 Pet. 1:10 (19) Eph. 1:6; Rom. 11:33 (20) Rom. 11:5-6, 20 (21) Luke 10:20 Robert Murray M'Cheyne - God Makes A Path - Daily Devotional Readings Servants But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. - Matthew 23 v 11 Jesus expressly says, 'He that is greatest among you shall be your servant.' The angels that see the face of God, stoop to serve the meanest servants of God. Dear Christians, you often pray, 'Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.' If you mean anything, you mean that you may serve God as the angels do. If you would be like them, become a ministering spirit. Dear Congregation,
Thank you all for your prayers and support for the work of the church throughout 2023. I know we all have been through varying difficulties and some through particular hardships. Once again we can thank the Lord that we have been brought through trusting in the Lord as our refuge and strength. As I encouraged the congregation at the start of last year it is vitally important to pray to keep close to God and continue faithfully in our Christian life. Alongside reading the Scriptures these should be our daily routine. There are various encouragements in the Scriptures to pray. - Pray without ceasing (1 Th. 5.17). -Praying always with all prayer and supplication 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. 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 - 1 Corinthians 15 v 1-10 - read and preached by a visiting pastor; Dr. Bill Patterson Sunday evening at 6:30pm in church (also available online via Facebook) (Sunday evening) scripture reading - 1 Thessalonians 1 v 1-10 - read and preached by a visiting pastor; Dr. Bill Patterson 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 13) - David fetcheth the ark with great solemnity from Kirjath-jearim. Uzza being smitten, the ark is left at the house of Obed-edom. Preface 14) - Hiram sendeth timber and builders to David. The prosperity of David's kingdom. His additional wives and children after his accession to the kingdom. His two signal victories over the Philistines. 1 Chronicles 13-14 Preface - The apostle's address to the dispersed Jews. He recommendeth patience and joy in afflictions, and pray with faith. He giveth advice to the poor and to the rich. The reward of those that are firmly resistant under trial. Our own lusts, and not God, tempt us to sin. God is the unchangeable author of all good to his creatures. We must receive the word with purity and meekness, and not only hear, but do it. The necessity of governing he tongue. The essential duties of true religion. James 1 Daily Light - Morning By their fruits ye shall know them. Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. - Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh. Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. - Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit... A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. What could have been done more to my vineyard, that I have not done in it? Mt. 7.20; 1 Jn. 3.7; Jas. 3.11-13; 1 Pe. 2.12 Mt. 12.33,35 Isa. 5.4 Daily Light - Evening I will make the place of my feet glorious. Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. Will god in very deed dwell with men on the earth? behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house which I have built! Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land; and I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the LORD of hosts... The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the LORD of hosts. 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 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. Isa. 60.12; Isa. 66.1 2 Chr. 6.18 Hag. 2.6-7,9 Rev. 21.1,3 A Puritans Catechism Q60 - What is forbidden in the eighth commandment? A - The eighth commandment forbids whatever does, or may unjustly hinder our own, or our neighbour's wealth or outward estate. The 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith Of The Holy Scriptures Chapter 3 - Paragraph 6 As God hath appointed the elect unto glory, so He hath, by the eternal and most free purpose of His will, foreordained all the means thereunto; 13) God wherefore they who are elected, being fallen in Adam, are redeemed by Christ, 14) God are effectually called unto faith in Christ, by His Spirit working in due season, are justified, adopted, sanctified, 15) God and kept by His power through faith unto salvation; 16) God neither are any other redeemed by Christ, or effectually called, justified, adopted, sanctified, and saved, but the elect only. 17) 13) 1 Pet. 1:2; 2 Thess. 2:13 14) 1 Thess. 5:9-10 15) Rom. 8:30; 2 Thess. 2:13 16) 1 Pet. 1:5 17) John 10:26, 17:9, 6:64 Robert Murray M'Cheyne - God Makes A Path - Daily Devotional Readings Infinitely better These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. - Revelation 14 v 4 Acquaint nw thyself with Him. Come to Him; do not rest short of Him. You think it a great thing to know a lively Christian: Oh! how infinitely better to know God. 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 Reading Preface 11) - David by general consent is made king over Israel at Hebron. He winneth the castle of Zion from the Jebusites: Joab for his valour is made chief: David's prosperity through God's blessing. A catalogue of David's mighty men, with their principal achievements. Preface 12) - The companies that came to David at Ziklag. The armed troops that came to his at Hebron. 1 Chronicles 11-12 Preface - Exhortations to charity, hospitality, pity for the afflicted, chastity, contentment; to regard the preachers of God's word; to avoid strange doctrines; to confess Christ; to offer up our praises to God by him; to do good and to communicate; to obey spiritual rulers; and to pray for the apostle. The epistle endeth with a prayer and salutations. Hebrews 13 Daily Light - Morning He stayeth his rough wind in the day of the east wind. Let us fall now into the hand of the LORD; for his mercies are great. - I am with thee, saith the LORD, to save thee...I will correct thee in measure, and will not leave thee altogether unpunished. - He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever. He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities... For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust. - I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him. God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escepe, that ye may be able to bear it. - Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: but I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not. Thou hast been a strength to the poor, 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. 27.8; 2 Sa. 24.14; Jer. 30.11; Ps. 103.0-10,14; Mal. 3.17 1 Co. 10.12; Lu. 22.31-32 Isa. 25.4 Daily Light - Evening I believed not the words, until I cam, and mine eyes had seen it: and, behold, the half was not told me. The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here. - 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. My speech and my preaching was...in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God... But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. Thine eyes shall see the king in his beauty. - We shall see him as he is. - In my flesh shall I see God. - I shall be satisfied. 1 Ki. 10.7; Mt. 12.42; Jn. 1.14 1 Co. 2.4-5,9-10 Isa. 33.17; 1 Jn. 3.2; Job 19.26; Ps. 17.15 A Puritans Catechism Q59 - Which is the eighth commandment? A - The eighth commandment is, Thou shalt not steal. The 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith Of The Holy Scriptures Chapter 3 - Paragraph 5 Those of mankind that are predestinated to life, God, before the foundation of the world was laid, according to His eternal and immutable purpose, and the secret counsel and good pleasure of His will, hath chosen in Christ unto everlasting glory, out of His mere free grace and love, 11) God without any other thing in the creature as a condition or cause moving Him thereunto. 12) 11) Eph. 1:4, 9, 11; Rom. 8:30; 2 Tim. 1:9; 1 Thes. 5:9 12) Rom. 9:13,16; Eph. 2:5.12 Robert Murray M'Cheyne - God Makes A Path - Daily Devotional Readings The heart of the Father And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of teh Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. - Revelation 13 v 8 O brethren, could I lift you away to the eternity that is past: - could I bring you into the council of the Eternal Three; and as it was once said 'Let us make man,' could I let you hear the word, 'Let us save man;' - could I show you how God from all eternity designed His Son to undertake for poor sinners; how it was the very plan and the bottommost desire of the heart of the Father that Jesus should come into the world and do and die in the stead of sinners; how the Holy Spirit breathed sweetest incense, and dropped like holiest oil upon the head of the descending Saviour; - could I show you the intense interest with which the eye of God followed Jesus through His whole course of sorrow, and suffering, and death; - could I show you the anxious haste with which God rolled away the stone from the sepulchre while it was yet dark, for He would not leave His soul in hell, neither suffer His Holy One to see corruption; - could I show you the ecstasies of love and joy that beat in the bosom of the infinite God when Jesus ascended to His Father and our Father; how He welcomed Him with a fullness of kindness and grace which God alone could give and God alone could receive, saying, 'Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee; Thou art indeed worthy to be called my Son; never till this day wast Thou so worthy to be called mine; Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever; Sit thou on my right hand until I make thine enemies thy footstool.' - O sinner, will you ever doubt any more whether God the Father be seeking Thy salvation - whether the heart of Christ and of His Father be the same in this one grand controversy O believer, consider this Apostle of God - meditate on these things - look and look again, until your peace be like a river, and your righteousness like the waves of the sea - till the breathing of your soul be, Abba, Father! 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 Reading Preface 9) - Concerning the original registers of the genealogies of Israel and Judah. The distribution of those who returned to their possessions after the captivity. The Israelites who inhabited Jerusalem on their return; and the priests, and Levites who resided there, attending upon their several charges. The stock of Saul and Jonathan. Preface 10) - Saul's overthrow and death. The Philistines triumph. The kindness shewn by the men of Jabesh-gilead toward Saul and his sons. Saul's sin; for which the kingdom was translated from him to David. 1 Chronicles 9-10 Preface - An exhortation to patience and constancy enforced by the example of Christ. The benefit of God's chastisements. Exhortation to peace and holiness. The dispensation of the law compared with the privileges of the gospel. The danger of refusing the word from heaven. Hebrews 12 Daily Light - Morning Thy thoughts are very deep. We...do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding. - That ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! - My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. - Many, O LORD my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered. Ps. 92.5; Col. 1.9; Eph. 3.17-19 Ro. 11.33; Isa. 55.8-9; Ps. 40.5 Daily Light - Evening Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. They that plow iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same. - They have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind. - He that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption. To him that soweth righteousness shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that witholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty. The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself. - He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Ga. 6.7; Job 4.8; Hos. 8.7; Ga. 6.8 Pro. 11.18; Ga. 6.8-10 Pro. 11.24-25; 2 Co. 9.6 A Puritans Catechism Q58 - What is forbidden in the seventh commandment? A - The seventh commandment forbids all unchaste thoughts, words, and actions. The 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith Of The Holy Scriptures Chapter 3 - Paragraph 4 These angels and men thus predestinated and foreordained, are particularly and unchangeably designed, and their number so certain and definite, that it cannot be either increased or diminished. 10) 10) 2 Tim. 2:19; John 13:18 Robert Murray M'Cheyne - God Makes A Path - Daily Devotional Readings The believer's self watch Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee. - 1 Timothy 4 v 16 You own soul is your first and greatest care. You know a sound body alone can work with power; much more a healthy soul. Keep a clear conscience, through the blood of the Lamb. Keep up close communion with God. Study likeness to Him in all things. 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 ae 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) (Thursday afternoon) scripture reading - John 14:27 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 7) - The sons of Issachar. The sons of Benjamin; of Naphtali; of Manasseh. The sons of Ephraim, who were slain by the men of Gath. The subsequent posterity of Ephraim by Beriah. Their habitations. The sons of Asher. Preface 8) - The sons and chief men of Benjamin, and Jonathan. 1 Chronicles 7-8 Preface - The nature of faith, and its acceptableness with God, set forth in the examples of many excellent persons of old time. Hebrews 11 Daily Light - Morning Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. - Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. When wisdom entereth into thin heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul; discrection shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee. My foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined. Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food. - I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation. - If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. Jn. 17.17; Jn. 15.3; Col. 3.16 Ps. 119.9-10 Pro. 2.10-11 Job 23.11-12; Ps. 119.99; Jn. 8.31-32 Daily Light - Evening Fellowcitizens with the saints. Ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect. These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. - Our conversation (Greek citizenship) is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ; who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. - The Father...hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son. As strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul. Eph. 2.19; He. 12.22-23 He. 11.13; Phil. 3.20-21; Col. 1.12,13 1 Pe. 2.11 A Puritans Catechism Q57 - Which is the seventh commandment? A - The seventh commandment is, thou shalt not commit adultery. The 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith Of The Holy Scriptures Chapter 3 - Paragraph 3 By the decree of God, for the manifestation of His glory, some men and angels are predestinated, or foreordained to eternal life through Jesus Christ, 7) God to the praise of His glorious grace, 8) God others being left to act in their sin to their just condemnation, to the praise of His glorious justice. 9) 7) 1 Tim. 5.21; Matt. 25:34 8) Eph. 1:5-6 9) Rom. 9:22-23; Jude 4 Robert Murray M'Cheyne - God Makes A Path - Daily Devotional Readings The world crucified to the believer But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. - Galatians 6 v 14 The world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. - 'If any man be in Christ Jesus, he is a new creature.' When the blind beggar of Jericho got his eyes opened by the Lord, this world was all changed to him, and he to the world. So it was with Paul. No sooner did he rise from his knees, with the peace of Jesus in his heart, than the world got its death blow in his eyes. As he hurried over the smooth stones of the streets of Damascus, or looked down from the flat roof of his house upon the lovely gardens on the banks of the Abana, the world and all its dazzling show seemed to his eye a poor, shrivelled, crucified thing. Once it was his all. Once its soft and slippery flatteries were pleasant as music to his ear. Riches, beauty, pleasure, all that the natural eye admires, his heart was once set upon; but the moment he believed on Jesus all these began to die. True, they were not dead, but they were nailed to a cross. They no more had that living attraction for him they once had; and now every day they began to lose their power. As a dying man on the cross grows weaker and weaker every moment, while his heart's blood trickles from the deep gashes in his hands and feet, so the world, that was once his all, began to lose every moment its attractive power. He tasted so much sweetness in Christ, in pardon, access to God, the smile of God, the indwelling Spirit, that the world became every day a more tasteless world to him. 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 5) - The line of Reuben (who lost his birthright) unto the captivity; and their conquest of the Hagarites. The chief men of God, and their habitations. The number of the men of war of the sons of Reuben, Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh; their conquests. The habitations and chief men of that half tribe. Their captivity because of their sins. Preface 6) - The sons of Levi; Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. And the sons of Kohath; Amram, Izhar, and Hebron, and Uzziel. 1 Chronicles 5-6 Preface - The sacrifices of the law; being often repeated, could not take away sins. The abolition of them, and substitution of Christ's body in their stead, foretold by the Psalmist: by the offering of which body once for all we obtain perfect remission. An exhortation to stedfastness in the faith, and to love and good works. The danger of a wilful relapse after having received the knowledge of the truth; and of forfeiting the reward of a good beginning for want of perseverance. Hebrews 10 Daily Light - Morning God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised). - God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. - Truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. - 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. That ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. - And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. 1 Co. 1.9; He. 10.23; 2 Co. 6.16; 1 Jn. 1.3; 1 Pe. 4.13 Eph. 3.17-19 1 Jn. 4.15; 1 Jn. 3.24 Daily Light - Evening We are his workmanship. They brought great stones, costly stones, and hewed stones, to lay the foundation of the house. - The house, when it was in building, was built of stone made ready before it was brought thither: so that there was neither hammer nor axe nor any tool of iron heard in the house, while it was in building. Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house. - Built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; in whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: in whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God. Ye are God's building. - Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. - Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit. Eph. 2.10; 1 Ki. 5.17; 1 Ki. 6.7 1 Pe. 2.5; Eph. 2.20-22; 1 Pe. 2.10 1 Co. 3.9; 2 Co. 5.17; 2 Co. 5.5 A Puritans Catechism Q56 - What is forbidden in the sixth commandment? A - The sixth commandment forbids the taking away of our own life, or the life of our neighbour unjustly, or whatever tends to it. The 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith Of The Holy Scriptures Chapter 3 - Paragraph 2 Although God knoweth whatsoever may or can come to pass, upon all supposed conditions, 5) yet hath He not decreed anything, because He forsaw it as future, or as that which would come to pass upon such conditions. 6) 5) Acts 15:18 6) Rom. 9:11,13,16,18 Robert Murray M'Cheyne - God Makes A Path - Daily Devotional Readings The cure for a cold heart We love him, because he first loved us. - 1 John 4 v 19. When a poor sinner cleaves to Jesus, and finds the forgiving love of God, he cannot but love God back again. When the prodigal returned home, and felt his Father's arms around his neck, then did he feel the gushings of affection toward his father. When the summer sun shines full down upon the sea, it draws the vapours upward to the sky. So when, the sunbeams of the Sun of Righteousness fall upon the soul, they draw forth the constant rising of love to Him in return. Some of you are longing to be able to love God. Come into His love, then. Consent to be loved by Him, though worthless in yourself. It is better to be loved by Him than to love, and it is the only way to learn to love Him. When the light of the sun falls upon the moon, it finds the moon dark and unlovely; but the moon reflects the light, and cats it back again. So let the love of God shine into your breast, and you will cast it back again. The love of Christ constraineth us. 'We love Him, because he first loved us.' The only cure for a cold heart is to look at the heart of Jesus. 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 3) - The sons of David: his line to Zedikiah. The successors of Jeconiah. Preface 4) - The posterity of Judah derived from Hur the firstborn of Caleb by Ephratah. Concerning Jabez and his prayer. Other families descended from the same stock. The sons of Shelah. The posterity and cities of Simeon. Their conquest of Gedor, and of the Amalekites in mount Seir. 1 Chronicles 3-4 Preface - The service and sacrifices of the first tabernacle were far less perfect and efficacious to purge the conscience than the blood of Christ. The necessity of Christ's death for the confirmation of the new covenant: and of better sacrifices than those legal ones to purify the heavenly things. Christ was offered once for all. Hebrews 9 Daily Light - Morning Thou art my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God. The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand. - In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge. - Who art thou, that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die, and of the son of man which shall be made as grass; and forgettest the LORD thy maker? I am with thee to deliver thee. - Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. I will sing of thy power; yea, I will sing aloud of thy mercy in the morning: for thou hast been my defence and refuge in the day of my trouble. - Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Ps. 40.17; Ps. 37.23-24; Pro. 14.26; Isa. 51.12-13 Jer. 1.8; Deu. 31.6 Ps. 59.16; Ps. 32.7 Daily Light - Evening How wilt thou do in the swelling of Jordan? For Jordan overfloweth all his banks all the time of harvest. The priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the midst of Jordan, and all the Israelites passed over on dry ground, until all the people were passed clean over Jordan. We see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. - When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers,, they shall not overflow thee. Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore. Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. Jer. 12.5; Jos. 3.15 Jos. 3.17 He. 2.9 Ps. 23.4; Isa. 43.2 Rev. 1.17-18 A Puritans Catechism Q55 - Which is the sixth commandment? A - The sixth commandment is, Thou shalt not kill. The 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith Of The Holy Scriptures Chapter 3 - Paragraph 1 God hath decreed in himself, from all eternity, by the most wise and holy counsel of His own will, freely and unchangeably, all things, whatsoever comes to pass; 1) God yet so as thereby is God neither the author of sin nor hath fellowship with any therein; 2) God nor is violence offered to the will of the creature, nor yet is the liberty or contingency of second causes taken away, but rather established; 3) God in which appears His wisdom in disposing all things, and power and faithfulness in accomplishing His decree. 4) 1) Isa. 46:10; Eph. 1:11; Heb. 6:17, Rom. 9:15,18 2) James 1:13; 1 John 1:5 3) Acts 4:27-28; John 19;11 4) Num. 23:19: Eph. 1:3-5 Robert Murray M'Cheyne - God Makes A Path - Daily Devotional Readings O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin - Romans 7 vs 24-25 There is nobody in this world so happy as a believer. He has come to Jesus, and found rest. He has the pardon of all his sins in Christ. He has near approach to God as a child. He has the Holy Spirit dwelling in Him. He has the hope of glory. In the most awful times he can be calm, for he feels that God is with him. Still there are times when he cries, O wretched man! When he feels the plague of his own heart - when he feels the thorn in the flesh - when his wicked heart is discovered in all its fearful malignity. Ah, then he lies down, crying, O wretched man that I am! One reason of this wretchedness is, that sin, discovered in the heart, takes away the sense of forgiveness. Guilt comes upon the conscience, and a dark cloud covers the soul. How can I ever go back to Christ? he cries. Alas! I have sinned away my Saviour. Another reason is, the loathsomeness of sin. It is felt like a viper in the heart. A natural man is often miserable from his sin, but he never feels its loathsomeness; but to the new creature it is vile indeed. Ah! brethren, do you know anything of a believer's wretchedness? If you do not, you will never know his joy. If you know not a believer's tears and groans, you will never know his song of victory. 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 1) - Adam's line to Noah and his sons. The sons of Japheth. The sons of Ham. The sons of Shem. Shem's line to Abraham and his sons. Ishmael's sons. The sons of Keturah. The posterity of Abraham by Esau. The sons of Seir. The kings of Edom. The dukes of Edom. Preface 2) - The sons of Israel. The sons of Judah. The children of Jesse. The posterity of Caleb the son of Hezron. The posterity of Hezron by the daughter of Machir. Jerahmeel's posterity. Sheshan's posterity. Another branch of Caleb's posterity. The posterity of Caleb the son of Hur. 1 Chronicles 1-2 Preface - Christ, our great high priest in the heavens, hath a more excellent ministry than the priests on earth: as he is also the mediator of a better covenant than that which was given to Moses. Hebrews 8 Daily Light - Morning Christ... Loved the church, and gave himself for it; that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word. Walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling saviour. Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. - Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. - Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. - Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost. - Thy word hath quickened me. The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. Eph. 5.25-26; Eph. 5.2 1 Pe. 1.23; Jn. 17.17; Jn. 3.5; Titus. 3.5; Ps. 119.50 Ps. 19.7-8 Daily Light - Evening Through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father In them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one. Whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it... And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye now him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. - There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. - When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven. Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way...let us draw near. Eph. 2.18; Jn. 17.23 Jn. 14.13-14,16-17; Eph. 4.4-6; Lu. 11.2 He. 10.19-20,22 A Puritans Catechism No. 54 - What is the reason annexed to the fifth commandment? A - The reason annexed to the fifth commandment is, a promise of long life and prosperity - as far as it shall serve for God's glory and their own good - to all such as keep this commandment. The 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith Of The Holy Scriptures Chapter 2 - Paragraph 3 In this divine and infinite Being there are three subsistences, the Father, the Word or Son, and Holy Spirit, 27) of one substance, power, and eternity, each having the whole divine essence, yet the essence undivided: 28) the Father is of none, neither begotten nor proceeding; the Son is eternally begotten of the Father; 29) the Holy Spirit proceeding from the Father and the Son; 30) all infinite, without beginning, therefore but one God, who is not to be divided in nature and being, but distinguished by several peculiar relative properties and personal relations; which doctrine of the Trinity is the foundation of all our communion with God and comfortable dependence on Him. 27) 1 John 5:7, Matt. 28:19; 2 Cor. 13:14 28) Exod. 3:14. John 14:11; 1 Cor. 8:6 29) John 1:14,18 30) John 15:26; Gal. 4:6 Robert Murray M'Cheyne - God Makes A Path - Daily Devotional Readings The best argument of all Who is this that cometh out of the wilderness like pillars of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, with all powders of the merchant? - Song of Solomon 3 v 6 The holiness of the believer is like the most precious perfume. When a holy believer goes through the world, filled with the Spirit, made more than conqueror, the fragrance fills the room," 'tis as if an angel shook his wings.". If the world were full of believers it would be like a bed of spices; but, oh! how few believers carry much of the odour of heaven along with them? How many you might be the means of saving, if you lived a holy, consistent life - if you were evidently a sacrifice bound upon God's altar? Wives might thus, without the word, win their husbands, when they see your chaste conversation coupled with fear; parents might in this way save their children, when they saw you holy and happy; children have often thus saved their parents. Servants, adore men. The poorest can do this as well as the richest, the youngest as well as the oldest. Oh, their is no argument like a holy life. Dear Congregation,
Thank you all for your prayers and support for the work at the church throughout 2023. I know we all have been through varying difficulties and some through particular hardships. Once again we can thank the Lord that we have been brought through trusting in the Lord as our refuge and strength. As I encouraged the congregation at the start of last year it is vitally important to pray to keep close to God and continue faithfully in our Christian life. Alongside reading the Scriptures these should be our daily routine. There are various encouragements in the Scriptures to pray: -Pray without ceasing (1 Th. 5.17). -Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; Ep. 6:18). -Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving; (Col. 4:2). These are 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 sam eday 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. Prayer -God thanks to God for His character, perfect, unchangeable, the same yesterday today and forever. -Give thanks ot 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 verse - Matthew 6 v 5-15 Sunday evening at 6:30pm in church (also available online via Facebook) (Sunday evening) scripture verse - Romans 7 v 1-25; Romans 8 v 1-4 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 - Jehoiakim first submitteth to , and afterward rebelleth against Nebuchadnezzar: God hasteneth the ruin of Judah, as foretold by the prophets. Jehoiakim dieth: Jehoiachin succeedeth him. The king of Egypt is vanquished by the king of Babylon. Jehoiachin's wicked reign. Jerusalem is besieged and taken; Jehoiachin with his family and the chief persons of Judah are carried captive to Babylon. Zedekiah is made king, and reigneth wickedly: he rebelleth to the utter destruction of Judah. 2 Kings 24 Preface - The higher doctrines of Christianity are proposed to be treated of. The guilt and danger of apostasy. Charitable deeds will not be forgotten of God. An exhortation diligently to imitate the faith and patience of those who inherit it the promises. The promise of God to Abraham a sure ground of hope. Hebrews 6 Daily Light - Morning Godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of. Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly. - If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. - The blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. Mine iniquities have taken hold upon me, to that I am not able to look up; they are more than the hairs of my head: therefore my heart faileth me. Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me; O LORD, make haste to help me. Turn thou to thy God; keep mercy and judgment, and wait on thy God continually. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. - He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds. - He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? 2 Co. 7.10; Mt. 26.75; 1 Jn. 1.9; 1 Jn. 1.7 Ps. 40.12-13 Hos. 12.6 Ps. 51.17; Ps. 147.3; Mi 6.8 Daily Light - Evening Is it well with thee?... And she answered, it is well. We having the same spirit of faith. As chastened, and not killed; as sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things. We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body... For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. 2 Ki. 4.26; 2 Co. 4.13 2 Co. 6.9-10 2 Co. 4.8-10,16-18 3 Jn. 2 A Puritans Catechism Q53 - What is required in the fifth commandment? A - The fifth commandment requires the preserving the honour, and performing the duties, belonging to everyone in their several places and relations, as superiors, interiors, or equals. The 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith Of The Holy Scriptures Chapter 2 - Paragraph 2 God, having all life, 17) glory, 18) goodness, 19) blessedness, in and of Himself, is alone in and unto Himself all-sufficient, not standing in need of any creature which He hath made, nor deriving any glory from them, 20) but only manifesting His own glory in, by unto, and upon them; He is the alone fountain of all being, of whom, through whom, and to whom ae all things, 21) and He hath most sovereign dominion over all creatures, to do by them, for them, or upon them, whatsoever Himself pleases; 22) in His sight all things are open and manifest, 23) His knowledge is infinite, infallible, and independent upon the creature, so as nothing is to Him contingent or uncertain; 24) He is most holy in all His counsels, in all His works, 25) and in all His commands; to Him is due from angels and men, whatsoever worship, 26) service, or obedience, as creatures they owe unto the Creator, and whatever He is further pleased to require of them. 17) John 5.26 18) Ps. 148:13 19) Ps. 119.68 20) Job 22:2-3 21) Rom. 11:34-36 22) Dan. 4:25.34-35 23) Heb. 4:13 24) Ezek. 11:5; Acts 15:18 25) Ps. 145:17 26) Rev. 5:12-14 Robert Murray M'Cheyne - God Makes A Path - Daily Devotional Readings All love's excelling There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. - 1 John 4 v 18 The love here spoken is not our love to God, but His love to us; for it is called perfect love. All that is ours is imperfect. When we have done all, we must say, 'We are unprofitable servants.' Sin mingles with all we think and do. It were no comfort to tell us, that if we would love God perfectly, it would cast out fear; for how can we work that love into our souls? It is the Father's love to us that casteth out fear. He is the Perfect One. All His works are perfect. He can do nothing but what is perfect. His knowledge is perfect knowledge; His wrath is perfect wrath; His love is perfect love. It is this perfect love which casteth out fear. Just as the sunbeams cast out darkness wherever they fall, so does this love cast our fear. |
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