Happy New Year 2013!!

Robert Murray M’Cheyne’s Bible Reading Calendar
This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.
Family					Secret
Book	Chapter	Book	Chapter	Date	Book	Chapter	Book	Chapter
Genesis	1	Matthew	1	1	Ezra	1	Acts	1
Genesis	2	Matthew	2	2	Ezra	2	Acts	2
Genesis	3	Matthew	3	3	Ezra	3	Acts	3
Genesis	4	Matthew	4	4	Ezra	4	Acts	4
Genesis	5	Matthew	5	5	Ezra	5	Acts	5
Genesis	6	Matthew	6	6	Ezra	6	Acts	6
Genesis	7	Matthew	7	7	Ezra	7	Acts	7
Genesis	8	Matthew	8	8	Ezra	8	Acts	8
Genesis	9, 10	Matthew	9	9	Ezra	9	Acts	9
Genesis	11	Matthew	10	10	Ezra	10	Acts	10
Genesis	12	Matthew	11	11	Nehemiah	1	Acts	11
Genesis	13	Matthew	12	12	Nehemiah	2	Acts	12
Genesis	14	Matthew	13	13	Nehemiah	3	Acts	13
Genesis	15	Matthew	14	14	Nehemiah	4	Acts	14
Genesis	16	Matthew	15	15	Nehemiah	5	Acts	15
Genesis	17	Matthew	16	16	Nehemiah	6	Acts	16
Genesis	18	Matthew	17	17	Nehemiah	7	Acts	17
Genesis	19	Matthew	18	18	Nehemiah	8	Acts	18
Genesis	20	Matthew	19	19	Nehemiah	9	Acts	19
Genesis	21	Matthew	20	20	Nehemiah	10	Acts	20
Genesis	22	Matthew	21	21	Nehemiah	11	Acts	21
Genesis	23	Matthew	22	22	Nehemiah	12	Acts	22
Genesis	24	Matthew	23	23	Nehemiah	13	Acts	23
Genesis	25	Matthew	24	24	Esther	1	Acts	24
Genesis	26	Matthew	25	25	Esther	2	Acts	25
Genesis	27	Matthew	26	26	Esther	3	Acts	26
Genesis	28	Matthew	27	27	Esther	4	Acts	27
Genesis	29	Matthew	28	28	Esther	5	Acts	28
Genesis	30	Mark	1	29	Esther	6	Romans	1
Genesis	31	Mark	2	30	Esther	7	Romans	2
Genesis	32	Mark	3	31	Esther	8	Romans	3

HAPPY CHRISTMAS

I saw this and rather liked it.

In previous years, I haven't followed any set Bible reading plan, but I have found a rather interesting one which I'm thinking of attempting. It is Robert Murray M'Cheyne's Bible Reading Calendar. Some of the phraseology is rather out of date!! (as it was written in 1842, I suppose that is to be expected!!) but there are some really good parts in it.


"Thy Word is very pure; therefore Thy servant loveth it."
MY DEAR FLOCK, -- The approach of another year stirs up within me new desires for your
salvation, and for the growth of those of you who are saved. "God is my record how
greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ." What the coming year is to
bring forth who can tell? There is plainly a weight lying on the spirits of all good men,
and a looking for some strange work of judgment upon this land. There is a need now
to ask that solemn question -- "If in the land of peace wherein thou trustedst, they
wearied thee, then how wilt thou do in the swelling of Jordan?"
Those believers will stand firmest who have no dependence upon self or upon
creatures, but upon Jehovah our Righteousness. We must be driven more to our
Bibles, and to the mercy-seat, if we are to stand in the evil day. Then we shall be able
to say, like David – “The proud have had me greatly in derision, yet have I not declined
from Thy law.” “Princes have persecuted me without a cause, but my heart standeth in
awe of Thy word.”
It has long been in my mind to prepare a scheme of Scripture reading, in which as
many as were made willing by God might agree, so that the whole Bible might be read
once by you in the year, and all might be feeding in the same portion of the green
pasture at the same time.
I am quite aware that such a plan is accompanied with many
DANGERS.
(1.) Formality. – We are such weak creatures that any regularly returning duty is apt to
degenerate into a lifeless form. The tendency of reading the Word by a fixed rule
may, in some minds, be to create this skeleton religion. This is to be the peculiar sin
of the last days – “Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof.”
Guard against this. Let the calendar perish rather than this rust eat up your souls.
(2.) Self-righteousness. – Some, when they have devoted their set time to reading of
the Word, and accomplished their prescribed portion, may be tempted to look at
themselves with self-complacency. Many, I am persuaded, are living without any
Divine work on their soul – unpardoned and unsanctified, and ready to perish – who
spend their appointed times in secret and family devotion. This is going to hell with a
lie in their right hand.
(3.) Careless reading. – Few tremble at the Word of God. Few, in reading it, hear the
voice of Jehovah, which is full of majesty. Some, by having so large a portion, may
be tempted to weary of it, as Israel did of the daily manna, saying – “Our soul
loatheth this light bread;” and to read it in a slight and careless manner. This would
be fearfully provoking to God. Take heed lest that word be true of you – “Ye said,
also, Behold what a weariness is it! and ye have snuffed at it, saith the Lord of
Hosts.”Page 3
(4.) A yoke to heavy to bear. Some may engage in reading with alacrity for a time, and
afterwards feel it a burden, grievous to be borne. They may find conscience
dragging them through the appointed task without any relish of the heavenly food. If
this be the case with any, throw aside the fetter, and feed at liberty in the sweet
garden of God. My desire is not to cast a snare upon you, but to be a helper of your
joy.
If there be so many dangers, why propose such a scheme at all? To this I answer, that
the best things are accompanied with danger, as the fairest flowers are often gathered
in the clefts of some dangerous precipice. Let us weigh
THE ADVANTAGES.
(1.) The whole Bible will be read through in an orderly manner in the course of a year. – The
Old Testament once, the New Testament and Psalms twice. I fear many of you never read the
whole Bible; and yet it is all equally Divine, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and
is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, and instruction in righteousness, that the
man of God may be perfect.” If we pass over some parts of Scripture, we shall be incomplete
Christians.
(2.) Time will not be wasted in choosing what portions to read. Often believers are at a loss to
determine towards which part of the mountains of spices they should bend their steps. Here
the question will be solved at once in a very simple manner.
(3.) Parents will have a regular subject upon which to examine their children and servants. – It
is much to be desired that family worship were made more instructive than it generally is.
The mere reading of the chapter is often too like water spilt on the ground. Let it be read by
every member of the family before-hand, and then the meaning and application drawn out by
simple question and answer. The calendar will be helpful in this. Friends, also, when they
meet, will have a subject for profitable conversation in the portions read that day. The
meaning of difficult passages may be inquired from the more judicious and ripe Christians,
and the fragrance of simpler Scriptures spread abroad.
(4.) The pastor will know in what part of the pasture the flock are feeding. – He will thus be
enabled to speak more suitably to them on the Sabbath; and both pastor and elders will be able
to drop a word of light and comfort in visiting from house to house, which will be more
readily responded to.
(5.) The sweet bond of Christian love and unity will be strengthened. – We shall be often led to
think of those dear brothers and sisters in the Lord, here and elsewhere, who agree to join with
us in reading those portions. We shall oftener be led to agree on earth, touching something we
shall ask of God. We shall pray over the same promises, mourn over the same confessions,
praise God in the same songs, and be nourished by the same words of eternal life.
Robert Murray M‘Cheyne. December 1842

I will post the calendar to my blog each month, and if you would like to join me in following this plan, please feel free.
Meanwhile, I hope you all have a very Happy Christmas!

Pr + Pr + v.a.d + Happy Hanukkah!

December 1st	One thing…will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.  Psalm 27:4	Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out.  Revelation 3:12
2nd	Save now, I beseech Thee, O Lord.  Psalm 118:25	Though I walk in the midst of trouble, Thou wilt revive me: and Thy right hand shall save me.  Psalm 138:7
3rd	Leave me not to mine oppressors.  Psalm 119:121	He shall judge the poor of the people, and shall break in pieces the oppressor.  Psalm 72:4
4th	Will God in very deed dwell with men on the earth? 2 Chronicles 6:18	God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. 2 Corinthians 6:16
5th	Make Thy face to shine upon Thy servant. Psalm 119:135	His servants shall see His face; and His name shall be in their foreheads.  Revelation 22:4
6th	Be not far from me; for trouble is near.  Psalm 22:11	Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Matthew 28:20
7th	Deliver me, O my God, out of the hand of the wicked. Psalm 71:4	The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations. 2 Peter 2:9
8th	O Lord God, let it please Thee to bless the house of Thy servant. 2 Samuel 7:29	He will love thee, and bless thee, and multiply thee. Deuteronomy 7:13
9th	Establish Thou the work of our hands upon us. Psalm 90:17	Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established.  Proverbs 16:3
10th	Make Thy face to shine upon Thy servant. Psalm 31:16	The Lord make His face to shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee. Numbers 6:25
11th	Attend unto my cry, for I am brought very low. Psalm 142:6	The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. Deuteronomy 33:27
12th	O Lord, forsake not the works of Thine own hands. Psalm 138:8	The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me. Psalm 138:8
13th	Be Thou our salvation in the time of trouble. Isaiah 33:2	The salvation of the righteous is of the Lord; He is their strength in the time of trouble. Psalm 37:39
14th	Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. Acts 7:59	I will come again, and receive you unto Myself. John 14:3
15th	The Lord is my portion, saith my soul. Lamentations 3:24	I am their inheritance; I am their possession. Ezekiel 44:28
16th	I beseech Thee, O Lord, take away the iniquity of Thy servant. 2 Samuel 24:10	Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee. Zechariah 3:4
17th	O God, command deliverances for Jacob. Psalm 44:4	Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all. Psalm 34:19
18th	Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise Thy name. Psalm 142:7	He bringeth out those which are bound with chains. Psalm 68:6
19th	Uphold me according unto Thy word, that I may live. Psalm 119:116	Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with His hand. Psalm 37:24
20th	O turn unto me, and have mercy upon me. Psalm 86:16	He will turn again, He will have compassion upon us. Micah 7:19
21st	Keep me from the snares which they have laid for me. Psalm 141:9	I will hold thine hand, and will keep thee. Isaiah 42:6
22nd	O my God, take me not away in the midst of my days. Psalm 102:24	By Me thy days shall be multiplied and the years of thy life shall be increased. Proverbs 9:11
23rd	Lord, be Thou my helper. Psalm 30:10	I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee. Isaiah 41:13
24th	Give me understanding, and I shall keep Thy law. Psalm 119:34	They that erred in spirit shall come to understanding. Isaiah 29:24
25th	O Lord my God, save me. Psalm 7:1	He shall send them a Saviour, and a great one, and He shall deliver them. Isaiah 19:20
26th	Keep me, O Lord, from the hands of the wicked. Psalm 140:4	In an acceptable time have I heard thee, and I will preserve thee. Isaiah 49:8
27th	Forsake me not, O Lord: O my God, be not far from me. Psalm 38:21	The Lord forsaketh not His saints; they are preserved for ever. Psalm 37:28
28th	Redeem me, and be merciful unto me. Psalm 26:11	The Lord redeemeth the soul of His servants. Psalm 34:22
29th	Abide with us. Luke 24:29	The Father shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever. John 14:16
30th	Have respect unto the covenant; for the dark places of the earth are full of the habitations of cruelty. Psalm 74:20	The earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea. Isaiah 11:9
31st	Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace. Luke 2:29	The righteous is taken away from the evil to come: he shall enter into peace. Isaiah 57:1,2

Verse a Day
Dec
1
The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, Romans 8:16
2
and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. Romans 8:17
3
He maketh my feet like hinds' feet, and setteth me upon my high places. Psalm 18:33
4
There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. Romans 8:1
5
For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Romans 8:6
6
Now may our God and Father Himself, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way to you. And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you, so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints. 1 Thessalonians 3:13
7
Being confident of this thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:6
8
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28
9
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31
10
He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Romans 8:32
11
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Romans 8:35
12
Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. Romans 8:37
13
For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, Romans 8:38
14
nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:39
15
Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
          Romans 5:1
16
through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Romans 5:2
17
And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance;
       Romans 5:3
18
and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Romans 5:4
19
Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Romans 5:5
20
For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. Romans 5:6
21
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8
22
For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. Romans 5:10
23
And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation. Romans 5:11
24
But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. 1 Corinthians 2:10
25
Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? 1 Corinthians 6:9
26
For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Romans 14:17
27
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. Romans 12:1
28
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12:2
29
In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.
        Psalm 56:4
30
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.
       Hebrews 10:23
31
And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:24+25


and here's a Matisyahu song to say Happy Hanukkah to anyone celebrating it! (obviously not my usual style, but I rather like it.)

Forgiveness of sin etc.

The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy. Psalm 145:8

Spurgeon's Evening by Evening devotional for November 27th.

 "The forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace."—Ephesians 1:7.
OULD there be a sweeter word in any language than that word "forgiveness," when it sounds in a guilty sinner's ear, like the silver notes of jubilee to the captive Israelite? Blessed, for ever blessed be that dear star of pardon which shines into the condemned cell, and gives the perishing a gleam of hope amid the midnight of despair! Can it be possible that sin, such sin as mine, can be forgiven, forgiven altogether, and for ever? Hell is my portion as a sinner—there is no possibility of my escaping from it while sin remains upon me—can the load of guilt be uplifted, the crimson stain removed? Can the adamantine stones of my prison-house ever be loosed from their mortices, or the doors be lifted from their hinges? Jesus tells me that I may yet be clear. For ever blessed be the revelation of atoning love which not only tells me that pardon is possible, but that it is secured to all who rest in Jesus. I have believed in the appointed propitiation, even Jesus crucified, and therefore my sins are at this moment, and for ever, forgiven by virtue of His substitutionary pains and death. What joy is this! What bliss to be a perfectly pardoned soul! My soul dedicates all her powers to Him who of His own unpurchased love became my surety, and wrought out for me redemption through His blood. What riches of grace does free forgiveness exhibit! To forgive at all, to forgive fully, to forgive freely, to forgive for ever! Here is a constellation of wonders; and when I think of how great my sins were, how dear were the precious drops which cleansed me from them, and how gracious was the method by which pardon was sealed home to me, I am in a maze of wondering worshipping affection. I bow before the throne which absolves me, I clasp the cross which delivers me, I serve henceforth all my days the Incarnate God, through whom I am this night a pardoned soul.

Jesus Christ lifted up upon the Cross has such mighty power that if a man had all the sins of mankind resting upon him, yet, if he did but look to Christ by faith, his sins would be all gone in a moment!

 ~  Charles Spurgeon

Oswald Chambers My Utmost for His Highest Calendar for November 28th.

"... being justified freely by His grace..." Romans 3:24

"We have to realize that we cannot earn or win anything from God through our own efforts. Until we get there, our Lord is powerless. He can do nothing for us as long as we think we are sufficient in and of ourselves. We must enter into His kingdom through the door of destitution."

These themes tie in very well with the messages at Barn Camp, so I thought I'd share them with you all.

Barn Camp and my new favourite song:)

Well, I had a great weekend away, and since I came home, this song has been going round in my head a lot! It's a really good one. Power in the blood by Travis Cottrell. I hope you are as blessed by it as I am being!

Keith Green song-a-thon?

Well, Keith wrote some really great songs! This one has also been on my mp3 player for a while, and I thought it must be time to share some of them with you!
I hope you enjoy them as much as I am doing.

Another Keith Green song :)

I've had this on my mp3 for a while, and I think its really great and quite powerful!
What do you think of it?

a poem by Miss J. H. Hunt

"I look not back - God knows the fruitless effort,
The wasted hours, the sinning and regrets;
I leave them all with Him that blots the record
And graciously forgives and then forgets.

I look not forward, God sees all the future,
The road that short or long, will lead me home,
And He will face with me its every trial,
And bear for me the burden that may come.

I look not around me - then would fears assail me,
So wild the tumult of life's restless sea;
So dark the world, so filled with war and evil,
So vain the hope of comfort and of ease.

I look not inward, that would make me wretched,
For I have naught on which to stay my trust;
Nothing I see but failures and shortcomings,
And weak endeavours crumbling into dust.

But I look up - up into the face of Jesus!
For there my heart can rest, my fears are stilled;
And there is joy, and love and light for darkness,
And perfect peace, and every hope fulfilled."

by Miss J. H. Hunt.

(I saw this in the Traveling Toward Sunrise devotional book, and thought, yes, that's definitely one to share on here! I particularly love the last verse. How about you?

John Mackay at Bamber Bridge part 2

The second night was also really great! John and Randall had taken some people on a field trip yesterday morning and afternoon. They found some fossil coral on top of a hill, surrounded by glaciation scratches, which indicated that it had been warm at one time, then had become really cold! and had since warmed up again, (but it was rather cold up there yesterday!) Everyone seemed to have enjoyed it and learnt a lot!! I think a few more people came to listen last night. John told us some very important information, as well as some really funny stories!! Many people try to blame God for all the bad things that happen. John reminded us that everything God made was very good! so we shouldn't dare blame God for anything bad. It was man's fault. We sinned and rebelled against God. A potted summary: The perfect God became the perfect Man: Jesus- who chose to die for other's sin. He dealt with sin's curse and promises a new Heaven and a new Earth to His disciples where they will live forever in incredibly sweet communion with God.

This is Creation Research's latest DVD and it makes very interesting watching!!!!

]
I highly recommend it!! Currently only available in the UK. Details at this site: http://amen.org.uk/cr/

John Mackay at Bamber Bridge

Well, I've just come home from Bamber Bridge where I've been listening to John Mackay again.
This time, his topic was Dinosaurs: the Monsters God made. It was really excellent and so informative!!!

            
These are pictures of  reconstructions of giant fossil turtles. They're huge. Some grew up to 5 metres across.
In a really good environment, things lived a lot longer and some of them carried on growing until they died.


Tomorrow night, he's there again talking about Giant Fossils. I guess the above is a sneak preview!
To me, that sounds really exciting, so I definitely hope to be going along then too. 
I also got some more of his teachings on cd and dvd, so I'm looking forward to hearing those!!  :)

John Mackay's visit

So, the last two evenings at Brookhouse were well attended, fascinating, informative and a great blessing. I think most people came away having learnt a lot!!! It was very enjoyable too. John requested prayer as it will probably be tough on the Isle of Man this weekend. He is at Bamber Bridge next Tuesday and Wednesday, so hopefully, we'll see him again then. I'm really looking forward to that too!!

Don't forget to check out his websites:

Main one:  www.creationresearch.net

Q & A site: askjohnmackay.com

UK based site: www.amen.org.uk/cr

John Mackay's visit to Brookhouse

It starts tomorrow night, folks, and I'm really looking forward to it!!!!!!!!! If you can make it, do try to come along. Learn more about God's amazing Creativity, the Bible, fossils and much more!!!!

  

Tuesday 23 Oct	7.45pm		Nr Lancaster
Wednesday 24 Oct	7.45pm
Brookhouse Methodist		Brookhouse Road, Brookhouse LA2 9PA
Contact: Ed Huddleston
Phone:  01524-770299

Well, the first night is over and it was really great, including some fascinating facts about koalas, eyes and optics, giraffes, Richard Dawkins, and lots of other things. Join us again tomorrow.

Today's Traveling Toward Sunrise Devotional.

"Do not fret therefore in view of tomorrow for tomorrow will have its own anxieties." (Matthew 6:34, Berkeley Version.)

You and I are to take our trials, our black Fridays, our lone and long nights, and we are to come to Him and say, "Manage these, Thou Wondrous Friend, Who canst turn the very night into the morning; manage these for me!"

"I heard a voice at evening softly say,
Bear not thy yesterday into tomorrow;
Nor load this week with last week's load of sorrow.
Lift all thy burdens as they come, nor try
To weight the present with the by and by.
One step and then another, take thy ways-
Live by the day!

Though autumn leaves are withering round thy way,
Walk in the sunshine. It is all for thee.
Push straight ahead, as long as thou canst see.
Dread not the winter whither thou mayst go,
But when it comes, be thankful for the snow.
Onward and upward, look and smile and pray-
Live by the day!"
-J. H. May

Today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday.

I thought the above was a really lovely poem, and its so good to know we have such a Wondrous Friend, Who can manage all things very well!!