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 - Pharaoh's butler and baker in prison ae committed to Joeseph's charge. He interpreteth their dreams, which come to pass according to Joseph's interpretation. The ingratitude of the butler. Genesis 40 Preface - Christ teacheth in Judaea: answereth the Pharisees' question concerning divorce: blesseth the children that were brought unto him: sheweth how hard it is for the rich to enter into the kingdom of God: promiseth rewards to all who have forsaken ought for his gospel's sake; foretelleth his own death and resurrection: putteth aside the ambitious suit of the sons of Zebedee; and checketh the indignation of the other disciples thereat: giveth sight to blind Bartimaeus. Mark 10 Daily Light - Morning When thou has eaten and are full.... thou shalt bless the LORD thy God for the good land which he hath given thee. Beware that hou forget not the LORD thy God. - One of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, and fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. Every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. - He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks. - The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it. Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul....who forgiveth all thine iniquities....who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies. Deu. 8.10; Deu. 8.11; Lu. 17.15-18 1 Tim. 4.4-5; Ro. 14.6; Pro. 10.22 Ps. 103.1-2,3,4 Daily Light - Evening Jesus....was moved with compassion toward them. Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. - We have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. - Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way. - He cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour? Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak. Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him. For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust. Thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth. O turn unto me, and have mercy upon me; give thy strength unto thy servant, and save the son of thine handmaid. Mt. 14.14; He. 13.8; He. 4.15; He. 5.2; Mk. 14.37-38 Ps. 103.13-14 Ps. 86.15-16 A Puritans Catechism Q 7 - What are the decrees of God? A - The decrees of God are his eternal purpose according to the counsel of his own will, whereby for his own glory he has foreordained whatsoever comes to pass. The 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith Of the Church Chapter 26 PARAGRAPH 10 The work of pastors being constantly to attend the service of Christ, in his churches, in the ministry of the word and prayer, with watching for their souls, as they that must give an account to Him; (19) and it is incumbent on the churches to whom they minister, not only to give them all due respect, but also to communicate to them of all their good things according to their ability, (20) so as they may have a comfortable supply, without being themselves entangled in secular affairs; (21) and may also be capable of exercising hospitality towards others; (22) in and this is required by the law of nature, and by the express order of our Lord Jesus, who has ordained that they that preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel. (23) (19) Acts 6:4; Heb. 13:17 (20) 1 Tim. 5:17-18; Gal. 6.6-7. (21) 2 Tim. 2:4. (22) 1 Tim. 3:2 (23) 1 Cor. 9:6-14 Robert Murray M'Cheyne - God Makes A Path - Daily Devotional Readings Soul thirst As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. Psalm 42 v 1 These are supposed to be the words of David when he fled from his son Absalom. He seems to have been wandering in some solitary wild on the side of Mount Hermon, the stream of Jordan flowing at his feet. David seems to have been full of pensive meditation: for his enemies reproached him daily, saying: 'Where is thy God?' nay, even God seemed to forget him, all his waves and billows were going over him; when suddenly a deer bounded past him. It had been sore wounded by the archers, or pursued by some wild beast on the mountains of the leopards. Faint and weary, he saw it rushing towards the flowing stream, and quenching its thirst in the water brook. His soul was quickened by the sight. Is not his just a picture of what I should be? Is not my God all to me that the flowing stream is to that wounded deer? 'As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.'
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Daily Prayer - Thursday
- Give thanks to God that we are part of a global church made up of true Christians across the world. - Give thanks to God for the freedoms we have to share the Gospel in England and pray that it may continue. - Pray for missionaries across the world who are seeking to preach the Gospel and establish a faithful church. - Pray for those in persecuted countries who have to meet in secret. Even those who are now in prison for their faith. Give thanks to God that we are part of a global church made up of true Christians across the world. Church Services Sunday morning at 11:00am in church (and also available online via Facebook) 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 - Joseph is advanced in Potiphar's house. He resisteth his mistress's temptation, is falsely accused by her, and cast in prison. God is with him there. Genesis 39 Preface - The transfiguration of Christ: he instructeth his disciples concerning the coming of Elias: he casteth out a dumb and deaf spirit: he foretelleth his own death and resurrection; checketh the ambition of his disciples; biding them to hinder no one from working miracles in his name, and warning them to avoid offences. Mark 9 Daily Light - Morning The grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. Ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich. - Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound. That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast. - knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. - According to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour. 1 Tim. 1.14; 2 Co. 8.9; Ro. 5.20 Eph. 2.7-9; Ga. 2.16; Titus 3.5-6 Daily Light - Evening I am....the bright and morning star. There shall come a Star out of Jacob. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. - Until the day break, and the shadows flee away, turn, my beloved, and be thou like a roe or a young hart upon the mountains of Bether. Watchman, what of the night? The watchman said, The morning cometh, and also the night: if ye will enquire, enquire ye: return come. I am the light of the world. - I will give him the morning star. Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is. For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. Watch ye therefore....lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch. Rev. 22.16; Nu. 24.17 Ro. 13.12; Song 2.17 Isa. 21.11-12 Jn. 8.12; Rev. 2.28 Mk. 13.33-37 A Puritans Catechism Q 6 - How many persons are there in the Godhead? A - There are three persons in the Godhead: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost; and these three are one God, the same in substance, equal in power and glory. The 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith Of the Church Chapter 26 PARAGRAPH 9 The way appointed by Christ for the calling of any persons, fitted and gifted by the Holy Spirit, unto the office of bishop or elder in a church, is, that he be chosen thereunto by the common suffrage of the church itself; (16) and solemnly set apart by fasting and prayer, with imposition of hands of the eldership of the church, if there be any before constituted therein; (17) and of a deacon that he be chosen by the like suffrage, and set apart by prayer, and the like imposition of hands. (18) (16) Acts 14-23 (17) 1 Tim. 4.14 (18) Acts 6:3,5-6 Robert Murray M'Cheyne - God Makes A Path - Daily Devotional Readings Growing days If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, no speaking thine own words: Then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord. Isaiah 58 v 13 & 14 There was a time when Sabbath days were growing days. Hungry souls came to the Word, and went away filled with good things. They came like Martha, and went away like Mary. They came like Samson, when his locks were shorn, and went away like Samson when his locks were grown. 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 - Judah begetteth Er, Onan, and Shelah. Er marrieth Tamar, and dieth. Onan's trespass and death. Tamar waiteth for Shelah. She deceiveth Judah; to whom she beareth twins, Pharez and Zarah. Genesis 38 Preface - Christ miraculously feedeth four thousand persons: he refuseth the Pharisees a sign: he warneth his disciples against the leaven of the Pharisees and of Herod, and explaineth his meaning: he giveth a blind man sight. The people's opinions, and Peter's confession, of him: he foresheweth his own death, and rebuketh Peter for dissuading him from it: he sheweth his followers that they must deny themselves, and not be ashamed of him and his gospel. Mark 8 Daily Light - Morning I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. In the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. - She took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husbands with her; and he did eat. The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. - If by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ. - Since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. - Our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. - For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. Jn. 10.10; Ge. 2.17; Ge. 3.6 Ro. 6.23; Ro. 5.17; 1 Co. 15.21-22; 2 Tim. 1.10 1 Jn. 5.11-12; Jn. 3.17 Daily Light - Evening The judgment seat. We are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth. - When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: and before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. - Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. 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. - There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus. We are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world. 2 Co. 5.10; Ro. 2.2; Mt. 25.31-32 Mt. 13.43; Ro. 8.33-34; Ro. 8.1 1 Co. 11.32 A Puritans Catechism Q 5 - Are there more Gods than one? A - There is but one only, the living and true God. The 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith Of the Church Chapter 26 PARAGRAPH 8 A particular church, gathered and completely organized according to the mind of Christ, consists of officers and members; and the officers appointed by Christ to be chosen and set apart by the church (so called and gathered), for the peculiar administration of ordinances, and execution of power or duty, which he entrusts them with, or calls them to, to be continued to the end of the world, are bishops or elders, and deacons. (15) (15) Acts 20:17,28; Phil. 1:1 Robert Murray M'Cheyne - God Makes A Path - Daily Devotional Readings A constant appetite This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. Joshua 1 v 8 When a soul is first brought to Christ, he delights in the Word of God. He has an appetite for it 'as a new-born babe.' Just as an infant has a constant, steadily-recurring appetite for its mother's milk, so has the soul for the Word. He has spiritual understanding of the Word. It seems all sweet and easy. It all testifies of Jesus. The soul grasps the meaning or earnestly inquires from ministers and others the meaning of difficult passages. He has growth: 'That ye may grow thereby.' It is felt to be the daily nourishment of the soul, the sword to ward off temptation. How different when the Christian is in decay! No relish for the Word. It may be read as a duty, or as a burdensome task but it is not delighted in. Other books are preferred to the Bible. There is no growing in the knowledge of the Word, no self-application, no receiving it with meekness, no frequent recurrence of the mind during the day to the chapter real in the morning, no answering Satan by 'Thus it is written' and 'Thus saith the Lord.' Ah! my friends, how is the gold become dim! '....yea gray hairs are here and there upon him, yet he knoweth not.' (Hosea 7 v 9) 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 history of Joseph, who is hated of his brethren. His first dream. His second dream. Jacob sendeth him to visit his brethren. They conspire his death, but Reuben saveth him. He is cast into a pit, and afterwards taken out, and sold to the Ishmeelites. Reuben, not finding him in the pit, is sorely grieved. Jacob deceived by the bloody coat mourneth for him. He is sold to Potiphar in Egypt. Genesis 37 Preface - The Pharisees finding fault with his disciples for eating with unwashed hands, Christ reproveth them of hypocrisy, and of making void the commandments of God by the traditions of men: he teacheth that a man is defiled, not by that which entereth in, but by that which cometh out of him: he healeth the daughter of a Syrophenician woman; and a man that was deaf and had a speech impediment. Mark 7 Daily Light - Morning The LORD hath said unto you, Ye shall henceforth return no more that way. Truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly. - Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt. - The just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul. - No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God. 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. - Come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing, and I will receive you. He which hath begun a good work in you, will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ. Deu. 17.16; He. 11.15-16; He. 11.25-26; He. 10.38-39; Lu. 9.62 Ga. 6.14; 2 Co. 6.17 Phil. 1.6 Daily Light - Evening They talk to the grief of those whom thou hast wounded. I was but a little displeased, and they helped forward the affliction. Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. He which coverteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins. - Comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. Let us not....judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way. - We....that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Charity....rejoiceth not in iniquity. - Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. Ps. 69.26; Zech. 1.15 Ga. 6.1 Jas. 5.20; 1 Th. 5.14 Ro. 14.13; Ro. 15.1 1 Co. 13.4,6; 1 Co. 10.12 A Puritans Catechism Q 4 - What is God? A - God is a Spirit, infinite, eternal, and unchangeable, in his being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth. The 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith Of the Church Chapter 26 PARAGRAPH 7 To each of these churches therefore gathered, according to his mind declared in his word, he has given all that power and authority, which is in any way needful for their carrying on that order in worship and discipline, which he has instituted for them to observe; with commands and rules for the due and right exerting, and executing of that power. (14) (14) Matt. 18:17-18; 1 Cor. 5:4-5,13, 2 Cor. 2:6-8 Robert Murray M'Cheyne - God Makes A Path - Daily Devotional Readings A peculiar people Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord .... 2 Corinthians 6 v 17 Ephraim, he hath mixed himself among the people (Hosea 7 v 8). This was the peculiar character of the Jews: 'The people shall dwell alone, and shall not be reckoned among the nations.' But when they mixed themselves among the nations, then grey hairs began to appear. So it is with Christians, they are a peculiar people. Jesus said of them: 'They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.' We are as completely separated from the world as Christ was; we have got his blood upon us, and the Holy Spirit in us; we have peculiar joys and peculiar sorrows; we are a praying people, a praising people. But the moment we begin to mix with the ungodly, grey hairs begin to appear our souls wither. 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 Genesis 35) Preface - God commandeth Jacob to go to Beth-el: he purgeth his house of idols; and buildeth an altar at Beth-el. Deborah Rebekkah's nurse dieth, and is buried under an oak. God again blesseth Jacob, and confirmeth to him the name of Israel, and the promise of the land of Canaan. Jacob setteth up a pillar at Beth-el. Rachel travailing of Benjamin dieth near Bethlehem, and is buried there. Rueben lieth with Bilhah. The twelve sons of Jacob. Jacob cometh to Isaac at Hebron. Isaac's age, death, and burial. Genesis 36) Preface - Esau's family in Canaan. His removal to mount Seir. His generations in mount Seir. The dukes which descended of his sons. The sons and dukes of Seir. The kings of Edom. The dukes that came of Esau, according to their habitations. Genesis 35-36 Preface - Christ is slighted by his own countrymen: he sendeth out the twelve with power over unclean spirits. The opinions of Herod and others concerning him. John the Baptist imprisoned and beheaded by Herod at the instigation of Herodias. The apostles return from their mission. The miracle of five thousand fed with five loaves and two fishes. Christ walketh on the sea to his disciples; he landeth at Gennesaret, and healeth the sick who touched only the hem of his garment. Mark 6 Daily Light - Morning Be strong....and work: for I am with you, saith the LORD of hosts. I am the vine, ye are the branches: he that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. - I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. - Strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. - The joy of the LORD is your strength. Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Let your hands be strong, ye that hear in these days these words by the mouth of the prophets. - Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees. Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not. - The LORD looked upon him, and said, Go in this thy might. If God be for us, who can be against us? - Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not. Let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. - THanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Hag. 2.4; Jn. 15.5; Phil. 4.13; Eph. 6.10; Ne. 8.10 Xech. 8.9; Isa. 35.3-4; Judg. 6.14 Ro. 8.31; 2 Co. 4.1 Ga. 6.9; 1 Co. 15.57 Daily Light - Evening The darkness hideth not from thee. His eyes are upon the ways of man, and he seeth all his goings. There is no darkness, nor shadow of death, where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves. - Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him?.... Do not I fill heaven adn earth? saith the LORD. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night....nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness.... Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; there shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. - He that keepeth thee will not slumber.... The LORD is thy keeper: the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand. The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me. Ps. 139.12; Job 34.21-22; Jer. 23.24 Ps. 91.5,6,9-10; Ps. 121.3,5-7 Ps. 23.4 A Puritans Catechism Q 3 - What do the Scriptures principally teach? A - The Scriptures principally teach what man is to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of man. The 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith Of the Church Chapter 26 PARAGRAPH 6 The members of these churches are saints by calling, visibly manifesting and evidencing (in and by their profession and walking) their obedience unto that call of Christ; (12) and do willingly consent to walk together, according to the appointment of Christ; giving up themselves to the Lord, and one to another, by the will of God, in professed subjection to the ordinances of the Gospel. (13) (12) Rom. 1:7; 1 Cor. 1:2 (13) Acts 2:41-42, 5:13-14; 2 Cor. 9:13 Robert Murray M'Cheyne - God Makes A Path - Daily Devotional Readings O happy believer ... and whoso trusteth in the Lord, happy is he. Proverbs 16 v 20 Become one with Christ, and even this moment you are lovely in the sight of God - comely, through His comeliness put upon you. You are as much accepted in the sight of God as is the Son of Man, the Beloved that sits on His right hand. The Spirit shall be given you, as surely as He is given to Christ. He is given to Christ as the oil of gladness, wherewith he is anointed above his fellows. You are as sure to sit upon Christ's throne, as that Christ is now sitting on His Father's throne. O weep for joy, happy believer! O sing for gladness of heart: 'For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.' 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 - Dinah is ravished by Shechem. He demandeth to marry her. The sons of Jacob offer the condition of circumcision to the Shechemites. Hamor and Shechem persuade them to accept it. The sons of Jacob taking advantage thereof slay them, and spoil their city. Jacob reproveth Simeon and Levi. Genesis 34 Preface - Christ casteth out the legion of devils, and suffereth them to enter into the herd of swine: he is entreated by Jairus to go and heal his daughter: by the way he healeth a woman of an inveterate issue of blood: he raiseth Jairus' daughter to life. Mark 5 Daily Reading - Morning Oh....that thou wouldest keep me from evil. Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. - The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. Two things have I required of thee; deny me them not before I die: remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: lest I be full and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain. The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. - I will deliver thee out of the hand of the wicked, and I will redeem thee out of the hand of the terrible. - He that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not. Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I will also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. - The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations. 1 Chr. 4.10; Lu. 22.46; Mt. 26.41 Pro. 30.7-9 Ps. 121.7; Jer. 15.21; 1 Jn. 5.18 Rev. 3.10; 2 Pe. 2.9 Daily Reading - Evening One star differeth from another star in glory. By the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest. And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, if any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all. - Be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, thatt he may exalt you in due time. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: who....made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men.... Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow. They that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament;a nd they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever. 1 Co. 15.41; Mk. 9.34-35; 1 Pe. 5.5-6 Phil. 2.5-6,7,9-10 Dan. 12.3 A Puritans Catechism Q 2 - What rule has God given to direct us how we may glorify him? A - The Word of God, which is contained in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, is the only rule to direct us how we may glorify God and enjoy him. The 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith Of Marriage Chapter 26 PARAGRAPH 5 In the execution of this power wherewith he is so entrusted, the Lord Jesus calls out of the world unto himself, through the ministry of his word, by his Spirit, those that are given unto him by his Father, (9) that they may walk before him in all the ways of obedience, which he prescribes to them in his word. (10) Those thus called, he commands to walk together in particular societies, or churches, for their mutual edification, and the due performance of that public worship, which he requires of them in the world. (11) (9) John 10:16; John 12:32 (10) Matt. 28:20 (11) Matt. 18:15-20 Robert Murray M'Cheyne - God Makes A Path - Daily Devotional Readings Face to Face And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. Revelation 22 v 4 Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright; for the end of that man is peace. God calls upon you to mark the death-bed of His children. Sometimes it is triumphant, like Stephen: 'Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hands of God. Lord Jesus, receiving my spirit.' Almost always peaceful - or, if it be that the sun goes down in a cloud, O how sweet the surprise, when the believer finds himself on the other side of Jordan, at the pearly; gate of the New Jerusalem, in the arms of the angels, in the smile of Jesus! 'There is a rest remaining for the people of God.' 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 kindness of Jacob and Esau at their meeting. Jacob cometh to Succoth. At Shalem he buyeth a field, and buildeth an altar called EI-eloche-Israel. Genesis 33 Preface - The parable of the sower. Why Christ taught in parables. The exposition of the parable. The light of knowledge is given to be communicated to others. The kingdom of God likened to the seed which groweth imperceptibly: and to a grain of mustard seed. Christ stilleth a tempest by his word. Mark 4 Daily Light - Morning Whom having not seen, ye love. We walk by faith, not by sight. - We love him, because he first loved us. - And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. - In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise. - God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. - Blessed are they that put their trust in him. 1 Pe. 1.8; 2 Co. 5.7; 1 Jn. 4.19; 1 Jn. 4.16; Eph. 1.13; Col. 1.27 1 Jn. 4.20 Jn. 20.29; Ps. 2.12 Daily Light - Evening THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. We are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousness are as filthy rags. I will go in the strength of the Lord GOD: I will make mention of thy righteousness, even of thine only. - I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God: for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels. Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him. - To her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord....that I may win Christ, and be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith. Jer. 23.6; Isa. 64.6 Ps. 71.16; Isa. 61.10 Lu. 15.22; Rev. 19.8 Phil. 3.8-9 A Puritans Catechism Q 1 - What is the chief end of man? A - Man's chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever. The 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith Of the Church Chapter 26 PARAGRAPH 4 The Lord Jesus Christ is the Head of the church, in whom, by the appointment of the Father, all power for the calling, institution, order or government of the church, is invested in a supreme and sovereign manner; (7) the neither can the Pope of Rome in any sense be head thereof, but is that antichrist, that man of sin, and son of perdition, that exalts himself in the church against Christ, and all that is called God; whom the Lord shall destroy with the brightness of his coming. (8) (7) Col. 1.18; Matt. 28.18-20; Eph. 4:11-12 (8) 2 Thess. 2:2-9 Robert Murray M'Cheyne - God Makes A Path - Daily Devotional Readings The love of Christ And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. Ephesians 3 v 19 Paul says: 'The love of Christ passeth knowledge.' It is like the blue sky, into which you may see clearly, but the real vastness of which you cannot measure. It is like the deep, deep sea, into whose bosom you can look a little way, but its depths are unfathomable. It has a breadth without a bound, length without end, height without top, and depth without bottom. If holy Paul said this, who was so deeply taught in divine things, who had been in the third heaven and seen the glorified face of Jesus, how much more may we, poor and weak believers, look into that love and say: It passeth knowledge! 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 - Jacob's vision at Mahanaim. His message to Esau. He is afraid of Esau's coming, and prayeth for deliverance. He sendeth a present to Esau; wrestleth with an angel at Peniel, and is called Israel. He halteth. Genesis 32 Preface - Christ appealing to reason healeth the withered hand on the sabbath day. The Pharisees conspire his death: he retireth to the sea side, and healeth many: he chooseth his twelve apostles: his friends look upon him as beside himself: he refuteth conclusively the blasphemous absurdity of the Pharisees in ascribing his casting out of devils to the power of Beelzebub. Those who do the will of God he regardeth as his nearest relations. Mark 3 Daily Light - Morning If ye will not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you....those which ye let remain of them shall be pricks in your eyes, and thorns in your sides, and shall vex you in the land wherein ye dwell. Fight the good fight of faith. - For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, buty mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds;) casting down imaginations....and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. Brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die; but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. The flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. - I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. - We are more than conquerors through him that loved us. Nu. 33.55; 1 Tim. 6.12; 2 Co. 10.3-5 Ro. 8.12-13 Ga. 5.17; Ro. 7.23; Ro. 8.37 Daily Light - Evening If a man sin against the LORD, who shall intreat for him? If any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: and he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. - Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; to declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. He is gracious unto him, and saith, Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom. What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?.... It is God that justifieth. 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. 1 Sa. 2.25; 1 Jn. 2.1-2; Ro. 3.25-26 Job 33.24 Ro. 8.31,33-34 A Puritans Catechism Q 82 - What is meant by the words, "till he come," which are used by the apostle Paul in reference to the Lord's Supper? A - They plainly teach us that our Lord Jesus Christ will come a second time; which is the joy and hope of all believers. The 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith Of the Church Chapter 26 PARAGRAPH 3 The purest churches under heaven are subject to mixture and error; (4) and some have so degenerated as to become no churches of Christ, but synagogues of Satan; (5) nevertheless Christ always has had, and ever shall have a kingdom in this world, to the end thereof, of such as believe in him, and make profession of his name. (6) (4) 1 Cor. 5; Rev. 2-3 (5) Rev. 18.2; 2 Thess. 2:11012 (6) Matt. 16:18; Ps. 72:17, 102:28; Rev. 12:17 Robert Murray M'Cheyne - God Makes A Path - Daily Devotional Readings The work of Christ The Lord is well pleased for his righteousness' sake; he will magnify the law, and make it honourable. Isaiah 42 v 21 This is in some respects the most wonderful description of the work of Christ given in the whole Bible. He is often said to have fulfilled the law. Thus, Matthew 3 v 15: 'Thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness.' And again, Matthew 5 v 17: 'Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.' But here it is said, He will 'magnify the law, and make it honourable; He came to give new lustre and glory to the holy law of God, that all worlds might see and understand that the law is holy, and just, and good. When God wrote the law upon the heart of Adam in His creation, that was magnifying the law. He showed it to be a great and holy and happy law, when he wrote it in the bosom of so holy and happy a creature as man then was. When God spoke the law from Mount Sinai, that magnified the law, and made it glorious. When He spoke it with His own voice in so dreadful a manner, when He wrote it twice with His own finger, this was magnifying it - enough, one would think, to make our modern Sabbath breakers tremble to erase it. But most of all when Christ died, did He give lustre, and greatness, and glory, and majesty, to the law of God in the sight of all worlds. 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 - Jacob is regarded with an evil eye by Laban and his sons; is commanded by God to return to his own land, and proposeth his departure to his wives. He removeth secretly with his family and substance; Rachel stealeth her father's images. Laban pursueth after him; is warned of God, and overtaking Jacob complaineth of the wrong. Jacob, ignorant of the theft, permitteth Laban to search for the images; Rachel's policy to hid them. Jacob's complaint of Laban. The covenant of Jacob and Laban: Laban returneth home. Genesis 31 Preface - Christ, followed by multitudes, healeth one sick of the palsy: calleth Matthew from the receipt of custom: justifieth himself for eating with publicans and sinners: excuseth his disciples for not fasting: and vindicateth them for plucking the ears of corn on the sabbath day. Mark 2 Daily Light - Morning Let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith. If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. - Whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple. - Let us therefore cast off the works of darkness. Every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: but I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. - Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. - Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD. He. 12.1-2; Lu. 9.23; Lu. 14.33; Ro. 13.12 1 Co. 9.25-27; Phil. 3.13-14; Hos. 6.3 Daily Light - Evening It is good for man that he bear the yoke in his youth. Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. We have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word... It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes. I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. - Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time. Lam. 3.27; Pro. 22.6 He. 12.9-10 Ps. 119.67,71 Jer. 29.11; 1 Pe. 5.6 A Puritans Catechism Q 81 - What is required for the worthy receiving of the Lord's Supper? A - It is required of them who would worthily partake of the Lord's Supper, that they examine themselves of their knowledge to discern the Lord's body, of their faith to feed upon him, of their repentance, love, and new obedience, last, coming unworthily, they eat and drink judgment to themselves. The 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith Of the Church Chapter 26 PARAGRAPH 2 All persons throughout the world, professing the faith of the gospel, and obedience unto God by Christ according unto it, not destroying their own profession by any errors eventing the foundation, or unholiness of conversation, are any may be called visible saints; (2) and of such ought all particular congregations to be constituted. (3) (2) 1 Cor. 1:2; Acts 11:26 (3) Rom. 1:7 Eph. 1:20-22 Robert Murray M'Cheyne - God Makes A Path - Daily Devotional Readings Rivers of water And Moses lifted up his hand, and with his rod he smote the rock twice and the water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their beast also. Numbers 20 v 11 Christ is the smitten rock because his blood has been poured out for sin. 1) The rock was smitten before it gave out the stream. So is it with Christ. He was smitten of God and afflicted. He bore the wrath of God; and therefore his blood gushed forth, and cleanses from all sin. Oh! you that fear to be smitten of God, wash in this blood, - it flows from a smitten rock. 2) The water gushed forth abundantly when Moses smote the rock. It was no scanty stream - it was enough for all the thousands of Israel. So is it with the blood of the Saviour. It is no scanty stream. There are no sins it cannot wash out, there is no sinner beyond its reach, there is enough here for all the thousands of Israel. 3) It was a constant supply: 'They drank of the spiritual rock which followed them, and that rock was Christ.' We are not expressly told in the Old Testament that the waters of the smitten rock did actually follow the camp of Israel, but some learned divines are of the opinion that it was so - that the water continued to flow wherever Israel went; so that it might be said the smitten rock followed them. So it is with Christ. He is a rock that follows us. He is like rivers of water in a dry place. You may wash, a 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 - Rachel in grief for her barrenness giveth her maid Bilhah unto Jacob. Bilhah beareth Dan and Naphtali, Lea giveth Zilpah her maid, who beareth Gad and Asher. Reuben findeth mandrakes, for which Rachel yieldeth her husband to Leah. Leah beareth Issachar, Zebulun, and Dinah. Rachel beareth Joseph. Jacob desireth to depart, but is retained by Laban on a new agreement. Jacob's policy, whereby he becometh rich. Genesis 30 Preface - The gospel beginneth with the preaching of John the Baptist. Jesus is baptized, witnessed to from heaven: and tempted of the devil: preacheth in Galilee; calleth Peter, Andrew, James, and John: healeth one possessed of an unclean spirit. Simon's mother in law, and various other diseased persons: prayeth alone, and goeth on to preach: cleanseth a leper. Mark 1 Daily Light - Morning Thou God seest me. O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether.... Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it. The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good. - The ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, and he pondereth all his goings. - God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God. - The eyes of the LORD run to and from throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Jesus....knew all men, and needed not that any should testify of man; for he knew what was in man. - Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Ge. 16.13; Ps. 139.1-4,6 Pro. 15.3; Pro. 5.21; Lu. 16.15; 2 Chr. 16.9 Jn. 2.24-25; Jn. 21.17 Daily Light - Evening I will praise thee, O LORD my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore. Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me. - It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High: to shew forth thy lovingkindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night. Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. 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. - Jesus....that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.... By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. - Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. Ps. 86.12; Ps. 50.23; Ps. 92.1-2 Ps. 150.6 Ro. 12.1; He. 13.12,15; Eph. 5.20 Rev. 5.12 A Puritans Catechism Q 80 - What is the Lord's Supper? A - The Lord's Supper is an ordinance of the New Testament, instituted by Jesus Christ; wherein, by giving and receiving bread and wine, according to his appointment, his death is shows forth; and the worthy receivers are, not after a corporeal and carnal manner, but by faith, made partakers of his body and blood, with all his benefits, to their spiritual nourishment, and growth in grace. The 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith Of the Church Chapter 26 PARAGRAPH 1 The catholic or universal church, which (with respect to the internal work of the Spirit and truth of grace) may be called invisible, consists of the whole number of the elect, that have been, are, or shall be gathered into one, under Christ, the head thereof; and is the spouse, the body, the fulness of him that fills all in all. (1) (1) Heb. 12.23; Col. 1.18; Eph. 1:10,22-23, 5:23,27,32 Robert Murray M'Cheyne - God Makes A Path - Daily Devotional Readings To be like Jesus For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the first born among many brethren. Romans 8 v 29 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. (2 Corinthians 3 v 18). Our foolish hearts think it better to retain some part of Satan's image, but, ah! this is our happiness, to reflect every feature of Jesus, and that for ever: To have no inconsistency, to be like Him in every part; to love like Him, to weep like Him, to pray like Him, to be changed into His likeness: 'I shall be satisfied when I awake with Thy likeness.' |
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