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Daily Prayer - Wednesday
- Give thank 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 Sunday morning at 11:00am in church (and also available online via Facebook) Doctrine Class - in church (after lunch) (and also available online via Facebook) Sunday evening at 6:30pm in church (and also available online via Facebook) Bible Study and Prayer Wednesday evening at 7:00pm in church (and also available online via Facebook) Lunch Hour Service Thursday afternoon between 1:00pm and 1:30pm in church (and also available online via Facebook) Outreach/Witnessing Saturday morning at Victoria Street (outside the big Boots store) for 10:30am (across the road from Town Hall - No. 64). Afterwards we go back to church for prayer. Daily Reading Plan - First Year Preface - The altar of incense. The ransom of souls. The brasen laver. The holy anointing oil. The composition of the perfume. Exodus 30 Preface - A man that was born blind receiveth sight: he relateth to his neighbours the means of his cure: he is brought to the Pharisees, who examine strictly into the fact, and are offended with his acknowledgement of the divine mission of the author: they excommunicate him: he is received of Jesus, and confesseth him: Christ taxeth the Pharisees with spiritual blindness. John 9 Daily Light - Morning God having raised up his Son Jesus; sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. - Saved by his life. Our Saviour Jesus Christ; who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. - As he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ....hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ. - In him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him. - Of his fulness have all we received and grace for grace. He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Ac. 3.26; 1 Pe. 1.3; Ro. 5.10 Titus 2.13-14; 1 Pe. 1.15-16 Eph. 1.3; Col. 2.9-10; Jn. 1.16 Ro. 8.32 Daily Light - Evening Strengthen thou me according unto thy word. Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope. - O LORD, I am oppressed; undertake for me. Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. - Ye know in all your hearts and in all your souls, that not one thing hath failed of all the good things which the LORD your God spake concerning you; all are come to pass unto you, and not one thing hath failed thereof. Fear not: peace be unto thee, be strong, yea, be strong. And when he had spoken unto me, I was strengthened, and said, Let my lord speak; for thou hast strengthened me. - Be strong....and work: for I am with you, saith the LORD of hosts. - Not by might, nor by power, buty by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts. Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Ps. 119.28; Ps. 119.49; Isa. 38.14 Lu. 21.33; Jos. 23.14 Dan. 10.19; Hag. 2.4; Zech. 4.6 Eph. 6.10 A Puritans Catechism Q 47 - Which is the third commandment? A - The third commandment is, Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain: for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. The 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith Of Gods Decree 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) yet so as thereby is God neither the author of sin nor hath fellowship withy any therein; (2) 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) in which appears Him 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 Devoting yourself for thou art my servant.... Isaiah 44 v 21 When a man consents that Christ shall be his Surety, he feels that he is not his own, but bought with a price. So David felt: 'Truly I am thy servant; I am thy servant, and the son of thine handmaid: thou hast loosed my bonds.' So Paul felt, when he lay gasping on the ground: 'Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?' Before conversion, the unconverted thinks that he is his own: may I not do what I will with mine own? He was the willing slave of the devil. But when he sees the price laid down for him, he feels that the Lord has redeemed hi out of the house of bondage. Now he says: 'I am the Lord's.' Now he is more the servant of the Lord than ever he was of the devil. Oh! dear Christians, would that I could see more of this among you, a devoting of yourselves unto the Lord: 'For thou art my servant.'
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Prayer - Tuesday
- Give thanks to God for those who have recently recovered from sickness. - Pray for those who are sick or receiving treatment in our congregation. - Pray that we each would walk close to God, putting off sins that easily beset us and that we would daily give thanks for our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. (1. John 1.3; Hebrews 12.1; 1 Thes. 5.16.) Church Services Sunday morning at 11:00am in church (and also available online via Facebook) Doctrine Class - in church (after lunch) (and also available online via Facebook) Sunday evening at 6:30pm in church (and also available online via Facebook) Bible Study and Prayer Wednesday evening at 7:00pm in church (and also available online via Facebook) Lunch Hour Service Thursday afternoon between 1:00pm and 1:30pm in church (and also available online via Facebook) Outreach/Witnessing Saturday morning at Victoria Street (outside the big Boots store) for 10:30am (across the road from Town Hall - No. 64). Afterwards we go back to church for prayer. Daily Reading Plan - First Year Preface - The sacrifice and ceremonies of consecrating the priests. The continual burnt offering. God's promise to sanctify and dwell among the children of Israel. Exodus 29 Preface - Christ letteth the woman taken in adultery go uncondemned: he declareth himself to be the light of the world, and justifieth his doctrine against the Pharisees: he promiseth freedom through knowledge of the truth to those Jews who believed on him: confuteth their vain boast of being Abraham's seed, and the children of God: answereth their reviling by shewing his authority and dignity; and by miracle rescueth himself from their attempts to stone him. John 8 Daily Light - Morning Mine eyes fail with looking upward. Have mercy upon me, O LORD; for I am weak: O LORD, heal me; for my bones are vexed. My soul is also sore vexed: but thou, O LORD, how long? Return, O LORD, deliver my soul: oh save me for thy mercies' sake. - My heart is sore pained within me: and the terror of death are fallen upon me. Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and horror hath overwhelmed me. And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest. Ye have need of patience. While they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. - Our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ. - That blessed hope....the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. Isa. 38.14; Ps. 6.2-4; Ps. 55.4-6 He. 10.36 Ac. 1.10-11; Phil. 3.20; Titus 2.13 Daily Light - Evening His name shall be in their foreheads. I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep. - The foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him. - Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. After that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance. - Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God: who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts. I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name. - This is the name wherewith she shall be called, The LORD our righteousness. Rev. 22.4; Jn. 10.14; 2 Tim. 2.19 Na. 1.7; Rev. 7.3 Eph. 1.13-14; 2 Co. 1.21-22 Rev. 3.12; Jer. 33.16 A Puritans Catechism Q 46 - What is forbidden in the second commandment? A - The second commandment forbids the worshiping of God by images, or any other way not appointed in his Word. The 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith Of God and of the Holy Trinity 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 Tinity 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 I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts. Psalm 119 v 63 In choosing connections or friends, O choose with regard to this will they help or hinder your prayers? Will they go with you, and help you on your journey? Or will they be a drag upon your wheels? In going into companies, in reading books, choose with regard to this - will they fill your sails for heaven? If not, go not near them. In yielding to your affections, especially if you find them hindering your journey, drop them instantly. Never mind the consequences. 'If thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee. It is better to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to be cast into hell-fire'. 'Wherefore let us lay aside every weight, and the sin that doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus.' Prayer - Monday
- Give thanks to God for salvation and the redemption that is found alone through Jesus Christ. - Give thanks to God for granting us particular skills and abilities that we might fulfil our vocations (jobs, studies, family responsibilities and time we spend alone). (Ecclesiastes 9.10, Ephesians 6.6) - Pray for the Lord's blessing on the working week for us and all in the congregation. - Pray the Lord would grant us grace to be good ambassadors for Christ (2 Corinthians 5.20) Church Services Sunday morning at 11:00am in church (and also available online via Facebook) Doctrine Class - in church (after lunch) (and also available online via Facebook) Sunday evening at 6:30pm in church (and also available online via Facebook) Bible Study and Prayer Wednesday evening at 7:00pm in church (and also available online via Facebook) Lunch Hour Service Thursday afternoon between 1:00pm and 1:30pm in church (and also available online via Facebook) Outreach/Witnessing Saturday morning at Victoria Street (outside the big Boots store) for 10:30am (across the road from Town Hall - No. 64). Afterwards we go back to church for prayer. Daily Reading Plan - First Year Preface - Aaron and his sons are set apart for the priest's office. Holy garments are appointed. The ephod. The breastplate with twelve precious stones. The Urim and Thummim. The robe of the ephod, with pomegranates and bells. The plate of the mitre. The embroidered coat. The garments for Aaron's sons. Exodus 28 Preface - Christ's resurrection is declared by two angels to the women that came to the sepulchre, who report it to others, but are not believed. Peter visiteth the sepulchre. Christ appeareth to two disciples going to Emmaus; and to the apostles, eating before them, and explaining the scriptures concerning himself: he promiseth them the Holy Ghost, and ascendeth into heaven. John 7 Jesus, exhorted by his unbelieving kinsmen to shew himself at Jerusalem at the feast of tabernacles, refuseth, but afterward goeth up in secret. The Jews seek him, and differ in their sentiments of him. He teacheth in the temple; some are ready to lay hands on him, others believe; the rulers send officers to seize him. Christ foretelleth his departure to the Father, and promiseth the Holy Spirit to believers. Various opinions concerning him. The officers struck with his discourse return without him, and are rebuked by the Pharisees, who chide with Nicodemus for taking his part. Daily Light - Morning He shall put his hand upon the head of the burn offering; and it shall be accepted for him to make atonement for him. Ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. - Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree. He hath made us accepted in the beloved. - As lively stones....built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. - I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Lev. 1.4; 1 Pe. 1.18-19; 1 Pe. 2.24 Eph. 1.6; 1 Pe. 2.5; Ro. 12.1 Jude 24-25 Daily Light - Evening In all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. When the tempter came to him, he said, if thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. But he answered.... It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by everyword that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.... The devil....sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them.... Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. In that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted. Blessed is the man that endureth temptation. He. 4.15; Ge. 3.6 Mt. 4.3-4,8,10 1 Jn. 2.16 He. 2.18 Jas. 1.12 A Puritans Catechism Q 45 - What is required in the second commandment? A - The second commandment requires the receiving, observing, and keeping pure and entire, all such religious worship and ordinances as God hath appointed in his Word. The 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith Of God and of the Holy Trinity 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 are all things, (21) and He hath most soverign 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 Reaching forth For I will pour water on him that is thirsty .... Isaiah 44 v 3 Some persons are contented when they come to Christ. They sink back, as it were, into an easy chair, they ask no more, they wish no more. This must not be. If you are thirsty believers, you will seek salvation as much after conversion as before it. 'Forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Dear Congregation,
I want to thank all of you who have prayed and supported the work of the Gospel through the church in 2023 and this first month of 2024. It is a great joy to minister at Westminster Baptist and I love the church here greatly. Through this past year, there have been heart-wrenching tragedies alongside blessings too. This is often the case in Christian life and yet we are called to keep trusting and believing. We often bear the battle scars of past experience and circumstance, as we live in this sinful world and anticipate heaven. We see Mordecai, mocked and scorned for years in Esther and on the brink of execution, yet he latterly knew blessing from God. The most important thing was he was faithful in serving the Lord. Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful - 1 Corinthians 4.2. This verse especially applies to ministers, church workers, but to all Christians. We are stewards of the oracles of God and to us has the light of the gospel been revealed. We should therefore be striving to be faithful, not popular, faithful. May that be our aim by the grace of God. In the beginning month in recent years we have spent a week praying together on each day for certain things. As a reminder that with continuing faith that prayer is essential. Key to our hope and joy and endurance and love, and with new resolve to make time to pray regularly alone and with your family and with some group of fellow believers. Alongside reading the Scriptures these should be our daily routine. There are various encouragements in the Scriptures to pray: - Pray without ceasing (1 Th. 5:17). - Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; (Ep. 6:18). - Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving; (Col. 4:2). These are a few verses of the many that encourage us to pray and undoubtedly set before us a biblical mandate that we should be concerned to pray. Maybe you have fallen out of the 'habit' or relegated prayer to a part time practice; or you only pray when trouble or danger comes. To that end I would ask the church to pray, if led, the suggested topics below so we might pray for the same things (roughly speaking) on the same day to encourage us. Let us be prayerful people and realise we too need prayer. To say we are praying for someone should be an expression of concern but an indication of our own action to bring the matter before God, before the throne of Grace through the believers mediator and High Priest. Jesus Christ, Paul even requests prayer for himself and those labouring for the Gospel with him twice in 1 and 2 Thessalonians saying 'brethren pray for us'. May we be a prayerful church and prayerful individuals, knowing that we have a prayer hearing and answering God. Pastor Jonathan Arnold Daily Prayer - Sunday - God thanks to God for His character, perfect, unchangeable, the same yesterday today and forever. - Give thanks to God that we can meet in the church and have fellowship with one another. - Pray the Lord would grant the preaching of his word power and clarity, and there are ready ears to hear and believe it. (2 Thes. 3.1.) - Pray we would be granted faithful ministry and good spiritual food from God's Word. (1 Peter 2.2.) Daily Reading Plan - First Year Preface - The altar of burnt offering with the vessels thereof. The court of the tabernacle inclosed with hangings and pillars. The measure of the court, and the furniture of brass. The oil for the lamp. Exodus 27 Preface - Christ feedeth five thousand men with five loaves and two fishes: he withdraweth himself from the people, who would have made him a king, and walketh on the sea: the multitude flocking to him, he reproveth their carnal views, and requireth their faith in him whom God had sent. They ask a sign like that of the manna in the wilderness; he declareth himself to be the bread of life from heaven, and that none can live but by eating his flesh and drinking his blood. Many of his disciples taking offence at this, he sheweth his meaning to be spiritual. Many leaving him, Peter in the name of the twelve professeth stedfast faith in him; Jesus pronounceth one of them to be a devil. John 6 Daily Reading - Morning What is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. My days are swifter than a post: they flee away, they see no good. They are passed away as the swift ships: as the eagle that hasteth to the prey. - Thou carriest them away as with a flood; they are as a sleep: in the morning they are like grass which groweth up. In the morning it flourisheth, and groweth up; in the evening it is cut down, and withereth. - Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble. He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down. The world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. - They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end. - Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. Jas. 4.14; Job 9.25-26; Ps. 90.5-6; Job 14.1-2 1 Jn. 2.17; Ps. 102.26-27; He. 13.8 Daily Reading - Evening I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also. Be filled with the Spirit; speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord. - Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. My mouth shall speak the praise of the LORD: and let all flesh bless his holy name for ever and ever. Praise ye the LORD: for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely.... Sing unto the LORD with thanksgiving; sing praise upon the harp unto our God. I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps. 1 Co. 14.15; Eph. 5.18-19; Col. 3.16 Ps. 145.21 Ps. 147.1,7 Rev. 14.2 A Puritans Catechism Q 44 - Which is the second commandment? A - The second commandment is, Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them but hate me; and showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments. The 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith Of God and of the Holy Trinity Chapter 2 PARAGRAPH 1 The Lord our God is but one only living and true God; (1) whose subsistence is in and of Himself, (2) infinite in being and perfection; whose essence cannot be comprehended by any but Himself; (3) a most pure spirit, (4) invisible, without body, parts, or passions, who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; (5) who is immutable, (6) immense, (7) eternal, (8) incomprehensible, almighty, (9) every way infinite, most holy, (10) most wise, most free, most absolute; working all things according to the counsel of His own immutable and most righteous will, (11) for His own glory; (12) most loving, gracious, merciful, long-suffering, abundant in goodness and truth, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin; the rewarder of them that diligently seek Him, (13) and withal most just and terrible in His judgments, (14) hating all sin, (15) and who will by no means clear the guilty. (16) (1) Cor. 8.4-6, Deut. 6.4 (2) Jer. 10.10, Isa. 48.12 (3) Exod. 3.14 (4) John 4.24 (5) 1 Tim. 1.17; Deut. 4.15-16 (6) Mal. 3.6 (7) 1 Kings 8.27; Jer. 23.23 (8) Ps. 90.2 (9) Gen. 17.1 (10) Isa. 6.3 (11) Ps. 115.3, Isa. 46.10 (12) Prov. 16.4; Rom. 11.36 (13) Exod. 34.6-7; Heb. 11.6 (14) Neh. 9.32-33 (15) Ps. 5.5-6 (16) Exod. 34.7; Nahum 1.2-3 Robert Murray M'Cheyne - God Makes A Path - Daily Devotional Readings Like the planets .... I have finished my course. 2 Timothy 4 v 7 The moment a soul is brought to Christ, he has a course to run: And as John fulfilled his course, he said, 'Whom think ye that I am? I am not he. But behold, there cometh one after me, whose shoes of his feet I am not worthy to loose' (Acts 13 v 25). Paul says: 'But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God' (Acts 20 v 24.) 'Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us' (Hebrews 12 v 1). Every one has a different course. Like the planets, all do not shine in the same part of the sky. So every believer has his course - a work to do. One has the course of a minister, another the course of a master, another that of a servant. Each of us has a work to do for Christ; let us do it diligently. 'My meat is to do the will of him that sent me.' Daily Prayer - Saturday
- Give thanks to God that we have good news of salvation to tell that the repentant sinner might have everlasting life through Jesus Christ. (John 3.16.) - Pray the Lord would bless the Gospel outreach by the church in Westminster. Both on Saturday mornings and at services. - Pray the Lord would work in the contacts we have made both on Saturday mornings and at services; through personal conversations and online contacts. Church Services Sunday morning at 11:00am in church (and also available online via Facebook) Doctrine Class - in church (after lunch) (and also available online via Facebook) Sunday evening at 6:30pm in church (and also available online via Facebook) Bible Study and Prayer Wednesday evening at 7:00pm in church (and also available online via Facebook) Lunch Hour Service Thursday afternoon between 1:00pm and 1:30pm in church (and also available online via Facebook) Outreach/Witnessing Saturday morning at Victoria Street (outside the big Boots store) for 10:30am (across the road from Town Hall - No. 64). Afterwards we go back to church for prayer. Daily Reading Plan - First Year Preface - The ten curtains of the tabernacle. The eleven curtains of goats' hair. The covering of ram's skins. The boards of the tabernacle with their sockets and bars. The vail for the ark. The hanging for the door. Exodus 26 Preface - Christ cureth an impotent man at the pool of Bethesda on the sabbath day: the Jews raise petty objections, and persecute him for it; he justifieth himself by the example of God his Father: and asserteth the power and judgment committed unto him by the Father: he appealeth to the testimony of John, of the Father, and of the scriptures: he sheweth that his humility caused their rejection of him; but that in disbelieving him they disbelieved Moses also. John 5 Daily Light - Morning Perfect through sufferings. My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. - And being in an agony he prayed mroe earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground. The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow. - Reproach hath broken my heart; and I am full of heaviness: and I looked for some to take pity, but there was none; and for comforters, but I found none. - I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul. He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. He. 2.10; Mt. 26.38-39; Lu. 22.44 Ps. 116.3; Ps. 69.20; Ps. 142.4 Isa. 53.3 Daily Light - Evening The LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is. The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. - By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.... FOr he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast. - Behold, the nations are as a drop of a bucket, and are counted as the small dust of the balance: behold, he taketh up the isles as a very little thing. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; what is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? Ex. 20.11; Ps. 19.1; Ps. 33.6,9; Isa. 40.15 He. 11.3 Ps. 8.3-4 A Puritans Catechism Q 43 - What is required in the first commandment? A - The first commandment requires us to know and acknowledge God to be the only true God, and our God; and to worship and glorify him accordingly. The 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith Of the State of Man after Death and of the Resurrection of the Dead Chapter 1 PARAGRAPH 10 The supreme judge, by which all controversies of faith and practice are to be determined, and all decrees of councils, opinions of ancient writers, doctrines of men, and private spirits, are to be examined, and in whose sentence we are to rest, can be no other but the Holy Scripture delivered by the Spirit, into which Scripture so delivered, our faith is finally resolved. (21) Robert Murray M'Cheyne - God Makes A Path - Daily Devotional Readings A triumphant deathbed I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 2 Timothy 4 v 7 I think the dying thief could say: I believe, and enter with joy into Paradise; but he could not say: 'I have kept the faith.' This makes the difference between a peaceful and triumphant death-bed. Paul 'bought the truth, and sold it not.' That good thing committed to him he kept, by the Holy Ghost given unto him. He held the beginning o fhis confidence steadfast unto the end. Learn that perseverance in the faith is needful to a triumphant deathbed. It is Christ, and Christ alone, that is our peace in dying; yet the hand that has longest held him has the firmest hold. It is not our perseverance that is our righteousness before God, but the doing and dying of the Lord Jesus; and yet without perseverance in the faith ye cannot be saved. Alas! you that turn aside to folly, you are preparing clouds for your dying bed. Can you say you have kept the faith, poor backslider? Daily Prayer - Friday
- Give thanks to God for many good things we enjoy and daily blessings. - Pray the Lord would supply the needs of those in the congregation at Westminster and guide us as we help those destitute and suffering. Especially those we have met in the pandemic. (Numbers 6.24-26.) - Pray for the ministry among the children and that they would know Christ from a young age. A rich blessing in this troubled world. - Pray for the evangelistic work, that people would know the greatest blessing of all salvation by the grace of God through Christ. Church Services Sunday morning at 11:00am in church (and also available online via Facebook) Doctrine Class - in church (after lunch) (and also available online via Facebook) Sunday evening at 6:30pm in church (and also available online via Facebook) Bible Study and Prayer Wednesday evening at 7:00pm in church (and also available online via Facebook) Lunch Hour Service Thursday afternoon between 1:00pm and 1:30pm in church (and also available online via Facebook) Outreach/Witnessing Saturday morning at Victoria Street (outside the big Boots store) for 10:30am (across the road from Town Hall - No. 64). Afterwards we go back to church for prayer. Daily Reading Plan - First Year Preface - Directions what the Israelites are to offer for the making of the tabernacle. The form of the ark. The mercy seat with the cherubims. The table with its furniture and shewbread. The candlestick with the instruments thereof. Exodus 25 Preface - Christ talketh with a woman of Samaria, and revealeth himself unto her: his disciples marvel; the woman calleth the men of her city to see him: Christ sheweth his own zeal to do God's work, and the blessedness of his disciples, who were to reap the fruit of his labours. Many Samaritans believe on him. He goeth into Galilee, and healeth a nobleman's son who lay sick at Capernaum. John 4 Daily Light - Morning Adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things. Let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ. - Abstain from all appearance of evil. - If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye.... But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters. - Be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world. - Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart: so shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man. - Brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Titus 2.10; Phil. 1.27; 1 Th. 5.22; 1 Pe. 4.14,15; Phil. 2.15; Mt. 5.16 Pro. 3.3-4; Phil. 4.8 Daily Light - Evening The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. Or his own will begat he us with the sword of truth. - The letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. Christ....loved the church, and gave himself for it; that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. - Thy word hath quickened me. - Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against hee.... I will not forget thy word.... I trust in thy word.... The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver.... I will never forget thy precepts: for with them thou hast quickened me.... How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way. Jn. 6.63; Jas. 1.18; 2 Co. 3.6 Eph. 5.25-27 Ps. 119.9; Ps. 119.50; Ps. 119.11,16,42,72,93,103-104 A Puritans Catechism Q 42 - Which is the first commandment? A - The first commandment is, Thou shalt have no other gods before me. The 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith Of the Holy Scriptures Chapter 1 PARAGRAPH 9 The infallible rule of interpretation of Scripture is the Scripture itself; and therefore when there is a question about the true and full sense of my Scripture (which are not many, but one), it must be searched by other places that speak more clearly. (20) (20) 2 Pet 1.20-21; Acts 15.15-16 Robert Murray M'Cheyne - God Makes A Path - Daily Devotional Readings No condemnation Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Romans 8 v 34 Paul looks round all the judges of the world - all who are skilled in law and equity; he looks upward to the holy angels, whose superhuman sight pierces deep and far into the righteous government of God; he looks up to God, the judge of all, who must do right - whose ways are equal and perfect righteousness - and he asked, 'Who shall condemn? It is Christ that died.' Christ has paid the uttermost farthing: so that every judge must cry out, 'There is therefore now no condemnation.' Daily Prayer - Thursday
- Give thanks to God that we are part of a global church made up of true Christians across the world. - Give thanks to God for the freedoms we have to share the Gospel in England and pray that it may continue. - Pray for missionaries across the world who are seeking to preach the Gospel and establish a faithful church. - Pray for those in persecuted countries who have to meet in secret. Even those who are now in prison for their faith. Give thanks to God that we are part of a global church made up of true Christians across the world. Church Services Sunday morning at 11:00am in church (and also available online via Facebook) Doctrine Class - in church (after lunch) (and also available online via Facebook) Sunday evening at 6:30pm in church (and also available online via Facebook) Bible Study and Prayer Wednesday evening at 7:00pm in church (and also available online via Facebook) Lunch Hour Service Thursday afternoon between 1:00pm and 1:30pm in church (and also available online via Facebook) Outreach/Witnessing Saturday morning at Victoria Street (outside the big Boots store) for 10:30am (across the road from Town Hall - No. 64). Afterwards we go back to church for prayer. Daily Reading Plan - First Year Preface - Moses is called up into the mountain. The people promise obedience. Moses buildeth an altar and twelve pillars; and sprinkleth the blood of the covenant. The glory of God appeareth to Moses, Aaron, and the elders of Israel. Moses being called up into the mount leaveth Aaron and Hur in charge of the people. Moses goeth into the mount, and continueth there forty days and forty nights. Exodus 24 Preface - Christ in a conference with Nicodemus teacheth him the necessity of regeneration; the efficacy of faith in his death; God's great love to mankind in sending his Son for their salvation; and the condemnation for unbelief. Jesus baptizeth in Judaea, as doth John in Aenon. John's doctrine concerning Christ. John 3 Daily Light - Morning There is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. Forasmuch....as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same. Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else. We have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. - In Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace. - By his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.... And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. - He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. 1 Tim. 2.5; He. 2.14 Isa. 45.22 1 Jn. 2.1; Eph. 2.13-14; He. 9.12,15; He. 7.25 Daily Light - Evening O my God, my soul is cast down within me. Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength. Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee. - He hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted: neither hath he hid his face from him; but when he cried unto him, he heard. - Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. - Take no thought fo ryour life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on.... Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? - Be not faithless, but believing. - Lo, I am with you alway. Ps. 42.6; Isa. 26.3,4 Ps. 55.22; Ps. 22.24; Jas. 5.13 Jn. 14.27; Mt. 6.25,26; Jn. 20.27; Mt. 28.20 A Puritans Catechism Q 41 - What is the sum of the ten commandments? A - The sum of the ten commandments is to love the Lord our God with all our heart, with all our soul, with all our strength, and with all our mind; and our neighbour as ourselves. The 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith Of the Holy Scriptures Chapter 1 PARAGRAPH 8 The Old Testament in Hebrew (which was the native language of the people of God of old), (14) and the New Testament in Greek (which at the time of the writing of it was most generally known to the nations), being immediately inspired by God, and by His singular care and providence kept pure in all ages, are therefore authentic; so as in all controversies of religion, the church is finally to appeal to them. (15) But because these original languages are not known to all the people of God, who have a right unto, and interest in the Scriptures, and are commanded in the fear of God to read, (16) and search them, (17) therefore they are to be translated into the common language of every nation unto which they come, (18) that the Word of God dwelling richly in all, they may worship Him in an acceptable manner, and through patience and comfort of the Scriptures may have hope. (19) (14) Rom. 3.2 (15) Isa. 8.20 (16) Acts 15.15 (17) John 5.39 (18) 1 Cor. 14.6,9,11-12,24,28 (19) Col. 3.16 Robert Murray M'Cheyne - God Makes A Path - Daily Devotional Readings Joy Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. Habakkuk 3 v 18 The purest joy in the world is joy in Christ Jesus. When the Spirit is poured down, His people get very near and clear views of the Lord Jesus. They eat His flesh and drink His blood. They come to a personal cleaving to the Lord. They taste that the Lord is gracious. His blood and righteousness appear infinitely perfect, full and free to their soul. They sit under His shadow with great delight. They rest in the clefts of the rock. Their defence is the munitions of rocks. They lean on the Beloved. They find infinite strength in Him for the use of their soul - grace for grace - all they can need in any hour of trial and suffering to the very end. They go by Him to the Father. 'We joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ' We find a portion there - a shield, and exceeding freat reward. This gives joy unspeakable and full of glory. Daily Prayer - Wednesday
- Give thank 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 Sunday morning at 11:00am in church (and also available online via Facebook) Doctrine Class - in church (after lunch) (and also available online via Facebook) Sunday evening at 6:30pm in church (and also available online via Facebook) Bible Study and Prayer Wednesday evening at 7:00pm in church (and also available online via Facebook) Lunch Hour Service Thursday afternoon between 1:00pm and 1:30pm in church (and also available online via Facebook) Outreach/Witnessing Saturday morning at Victoria Street (outside the big Boots store) for 10:30am (across the road from Town Hall - No. 64). Afterwards we go back to church for prayer. Daily Reading Plan - First Year Preface - Laws concerning slander, false witness, and partial favouring of the poor; charitableness; justice in judgment; taking bribes; oppressing a stranger; the year of rest; the sabbath. A caution against idolatry. Laws concerning the three set feasts; the blood and fat of the sacrifice; and the firstfruits: An Angel is promised for a guide, with a blessing, if they obey him. Exodus 23 Preface - Christ turneth water into wine in Cana of Galilee: he goeth to Capernaum; thence to Jerusalem, where he driveth the buyers and sellers out of the temple: he giveth his own death and resurrection for a sign: many believe in him because of his miracles, but he would not trust himself unto them. John 2 Daily Light - Morning The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: the LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him. - The brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person. - The god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. Make thy face to shine upon thy servant: save me for thy mercies sake. Let me not be ashamed, O LORD; for I have called upon thee. - LORD, by thy favour thou hast made my mountain to stand strong: thou didst hide thy face, and I was troubled. - Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O LORD, in the light of thy countenance. The LORD will give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace. Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. Nu. 6.25,26; Jn. 1.18; He. 1.3; 2 Co. 4.4 Ps. 31.16-17; Ps. 30.7; Ps. 89.15 Ps. 29.11 Mt. 14.27 Daily Light - Evening Things that are pleasing in his sight. Without faith it is impossible to please him. - So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. - The LORD taketh pleasure in his people. This is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.... If, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. - The ornament of a meek and quiet spirit....is in the sight of God of great price. Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the salvation of God. - I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving. This also shall please the LORD better than an ox or bullock that hath horns and hoofs. I beseech you....brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 1 Jn. 3.22; He. 11.6; Ro. 8.8; Ps. 149.4 1 Pe. 2.19,20; 1 Pe. 3.4 Ps. 50.23; Ps. 69.30-31 Ro. 12.1 A Puritans Catechism Q 40 - What did God reveal to man for the rule of his disobedience? A - The rule which God first revealed to man for his obedience is the moral law, which is summarized in the ten commandments. The 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith Of the Holy Scriptures Chapter 1 PARAGRAPH 7 All things in Scripture are not alike plain in themselves, nor alike clear unto all; (12) yet those things which are necessary to be known, believed and observed for salvation, are so clearly propounded and opened in some place of Scripture or other, that not only the learned, but the unlearned in a due use of ordinary means, may attain to a sufficient understanding of them. (13) (12) 2 Pet. 3.16 (13) Ps. 19.7; Psalm 119.130 Robert Murray M'Cheyne - God Makes A Path - Daily Devotional Readings Light for eternity But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; Hebrews 10 v 12 This is a great work of Christ as our High Priest. For this it were needful that He should become man and die. Had he remained God alone in the bosom of His Father, He might have pitied us, but He could not have died for us, nor took our sins away. We must have perished. Every priest in the Old Testament was a type of Jesus in this; every Lamb that was slain typified Jesus offering up His own body a sacrifice for our sins. Let your eye rest there if you would be happy. Those few hours on Calvary, when the general High Priest was offering up the amazing sacrifice, give light for eternity to the believing soul. This only will cheer you in dying. Not your graces, not your love to Christ, not anything in you, but only this - Christ hath died. He loved me and gave Himself for me. Christ hath appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. Prayer - Tuesday
- Give thanks to God for those who have recently recovered from sickness. - Pray for those who are sick or receiving treatment in our congregation. - Pray that we each would walk close to God, putting off sins that easily beset us and that we would daily give thanks for our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. (1. John 1.3; Hebrews 12.1; 1 Thes. 5.16.) Church Services Sunday morning at 11:00am in church (and also available online via Facebook) Doctrine Class - in church (after lunch) (and also available online via Facebook) Sunday evening at 6:30pm in church (and also available online via Facebook) Bible Study and Prayer Wednesday evening at 7:00pm in church (and also available online via Facebook) Lunch Hour Service Thursday afternoon between 1:00pm and 1:30pm in church (and also available online via Facebook) Outreach/Witnessing Saturday morning at Victoria Street (outside the big Boots store) for 10:30am (across the road from Town Hall - No. 64). Afterwards we go back to church for prayer. Daily Reading Plan - First Year Preface - Laws concerning theft; damage; trusts, and trespasses in cases of trust; borrowing; fornication; witchcraft; bestiality; idolatry; oppressing of strangers, the widow, or fatherless; usury and pledges; reverence to magistrates; firstfruits; eating torn fish. Exodus 22 Preface - The divinity of Christ. The mission of John, and end of Christ's coming. The incarnation of the Word. Christ's superior dignity witnessed by John, and made evident by his gracious dispensation. John's record of himself to the messengers of the Jews: his public testimony to the person of Christ: two of his disciples hearing it follow Jesus: Simon is brought to Christ, and surnamed Cephas. Philip is called, who bringeth Nathanael to Jesus. John 1 Daily Light - Morning The LORD bless thee, and keep thee. The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it. - Thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. Behold he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand.... The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore. - I the LORD do keep it; I will water it every moment: lest any hurt it, I will keep it night and day. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me. While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept. The Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. Nu. 6.24; Pro. 10.22; Ps. 5.12 Ps. 121.3-5,7-8; Isa. 27.3 Jn. 17.11,12 2 Tim. 4.18 Daily Light - Evening Jesus wept. A man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief. - We have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities. - It became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. - Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered. I was not rebellious, neither turned away back. I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair; I hid not my face from shame and spitting. Behold how he loved him! - He took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. Jn. 11.35; Isa. 53.3; He. 4.15; He. 2.10; He. 5.8 Isa. 50.5-6 Jn. 11.36; He. 2.16-17 A Puritans Catechism Q 39 - What shall be done to the wicked at the day of judgment? A - At the day of judgment the bodies of the wicked being raised out of their graves, shall be sentenced, together with their souls, to unspeakable torments with the devil and his angels for ever. The 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith Of the Holy Scriptures Chapter 1 PARAGRAPH 6 The whole counsel of God concerning all things necessary for His own glory, man's salvation, faith and life, is either expressly set down or necessarily contained in the Holy Scripture: unto which nothing at any time is to be added, whether by new revelation of the Spirit, or traditions of men. (9) Nevertheless, we acknowledge the inward illumination of the Spirit of God to be necessary for the saving understanding of such things as are revealed in the Word, (10) and that there are some circumstances concerning the worship of God, and government of the church, common to human actions and societies, which are to be ordered by the light of nature and Christian prudence, according to the general rules of the Word, which are always to be observed. (11) (9) 2 Tim. 3.15-17; Gal. 1.8,9 (10) John 6.45; 1 Cor. 2.9-12 (11) 1 Cor. 11.13,14; 1 Cor. 14.26,40 Robert Murray M'Cheyne - God Makes A Path - Daily Devotional Readings Below His feet It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes. Psalm 119 v 71 There are many of the graces of God's people that can only grow in time of affliction. There is a plant in the garden which the gardener tramples below his feet to make it grow better. So it is with many of the graces of God's children - they grow better by being tried. Prayer - Monday
- Give thanks to God for salvation and the redemption that is found alone through Jesus Christ. - Give thanks to God for granting us particular skills and abilities that we might fulfil our vocations (jobs, studies, family responsibilities and time we spend alone). (Ecclesiastes 9.10, Ephesians 6.6) - Pray for the Lord's blessing on the working week for us and all in the congregation. - Pray the Lord would grant us grace to be good ambassadors for Christ (2 Corinthians 5.20) Church Services Sunday morning at 11:00am in church (and also available online via Facebook) Doctrine Class - in church (after lunch) (and also available online via Facebook) Sunday evening at 6:30pm in church (and also available online via Facebook) Bible Study and Prayer Wednesday evening at 7:00pm in church (and also available online via Facebook) Lunch Hour Service Thursday afternoon between 1:00pm and 1:30pm in church (and also available online via Facebook) Outreach/Witnessing Saturday morning at Victoria Street (outside the big Boots store) for 10:30am (across the road from Town Hall - No. 64). Afterwards we go back to church for prayer. Daily Reading Plan - First Year Preface - Laws concerning the release of menservants, and concerning the servant whose ear is bored; concerning womenservants; murder and manslaughter; smiters of parents; stealers of men; curses of parents; smiting without loss of life; smiting of servants to death; a hurt by chance to a woman with child; the loss of a servant's eye or both; an ox that goreth a man or woman; harm occasioned by leaving a pit uncovered; or by one man's ox hurting the ox of another man. Exodus 21 Preface - Christ's resurrection is declared by two angels to the women that came to the sepulchre, who report it to others, but are not believed. Peter visiteth the sepulchre. Christ appeareth to two disciples going to Emmaus; and to the apostles, eating before them, and explaining the scriptures concerning himself: he promiseth them the Holy Ghost, and ascendeth into heaven. Luke 24 Daily Light - Morning Jehovah-Jireh. [marg. The Lord will provide] God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering. Behold, the LORD'S hand is not shortened. That it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear. - There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob. Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God. - Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy; to deliver their soul from death. My God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. - He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me. - The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and ith my song will I praise him. Ge. 22.14; Ge. 22.8 Isa. 59.1; Ro. 11.26 Ps. 146.5; Ps. 33.18-19 Phil. 4.19; He. 13.5-6; Ps. 28.7 Daily Light - Evening He feedeth among the lilies. Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. - If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. Let my beloved come into his garden, and eat his pleasant fruits, - I am come into my garden, my sister, my spouse; Ihave gathered my myrrh with my spice; I have eaten my honeycomb with my honey. - The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. - Every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. - Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God. Song 2.16; Mt. 18.20; Jn. 14.23 Jn. 15.10 Song 4.16; Song 5.1; Ga. 5.22-23 Jn. 15.8; Jn. 15.2; Phil. 1.11 A Puritans Catechism Q 38 - What shall be done to the wicked at their death? A - The souls of the wicked shall at their death be cast into the torments of hell, and their bodies lie in their graves till the resurrection and the judgment of the great day. The 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith Of the Holy Scriptures Chapter 1 PARAGRAPH 5 We may be moved and induced by the testimony of the church of God to a high and reverent esteem of the Holy Scriptures; and the heavenliness of the matter, the efficacy of the doctrine, and the majesty of the style, the consent of all the parts, the scope of the whole (which is to give all glory to God), the full discovery it makes of the only way of man's salvation, and many other incomparable excellencies, and entire perfections thereof, are arguments whereby it does abundantly evidence itself to be the Word of God; yet notwithstanding, our full persuasion and assurance of the infallible truth, and divine authority thereof, is from the inward work of the Holy Spirit bearing witness by and with the Word in our Hearts. (8) (8) John 16.13-14; 1 Cor. 2.10-12; 1 John 2.20,27 Robert Murray M'Cheyne - God Makes A Path - Daily Devotional Readings Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. 2 Timothy 4 v 8 How sweet it will be when Christ puts on the crown on a sinner's brow! The just God and Saviour! Angels will shout for joy when they see the righteous Jesus crowning the sinners for whom He died. He will finish our redemption. He was crowned with thorns; He has been an advocate crowned with glory and majesty; but another step - He is to put on the crown of righteousness. All heaven and earth and hell own Him faithful and true, and righteous in all His ways. Oh! how sweet to be crowned by Jesus. |
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