{"id":1882,"date":"2021-08-17T19:10:48","date_gmt":"2021-08-17T19:10:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/?page_id=1882"},"modified":"2021-08-25T19:13:41","modified_gmt":"2021-08-25T19:13:41","slug":"22-august-2021-down-time","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/?page_id=1882","title":{"rendered":"22 August 2021: Down time"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-top\" style=\"grid-template-columns:28% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"523\" height=\"340\" src=\"https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/20210822.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1883 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/20210822.jpg 523w, https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/20210822-300x195.jpg 300w, https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/20210822-24x16.jpg 24w, https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/20210822-36x23.jpg 36w, https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/20210822-48x31.jpg 48w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 523px) 100vw, 523px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Bethel Baptist Church<br>Worship Service @ Home<br>22 August 2021<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-black-color has-pale-cyan-blue-background-color has-text-color has-background\" href=\"https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/?page_id=1857\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"15\" height=\"10\" class=\"wp-image-1006\" style=\"width: 15px;\" src=\"https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/leftarrow.png\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/leftarrow.png 120w, https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/leftarrow-24x16.png 24w, https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/leftarrow-36x24.png 36w, https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/leftarrow-48x32.png 48w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 15px) 100vw, 15px\" \/> <strong>Previous Service<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-black-color has-pale-cyan-blue-background-color has-text-color has-background\" href=\"https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/?page_id=1878\"><strong>Next Service<\/strong> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"15\" height=\"10\" class=\"wp-image-1007\" style=\"width: 15px;\" src=\"https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/rightarrow.png\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/rightarrow.png 120w, https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/rightarrow-24x16.png 24w, https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/rightarrow-36x24.png 36w, https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/rightarrow-48x32.png 48w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 15px) 100vw, 15px\" \/><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>There is no video for this service. An audio podcast should become available following the service in the building on 22 August.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Welcome<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>We were able to share communion last week for the first time since early last year. We\u2019ve been able to buy pre-packed bread and wine to minimise the risk of infection \u2013 but they were a bit tricky to open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8216;The rescheduled church weekend away has been confirmed for 3rd \u2013 5th June 2022. If you would like to go, please contact Andrea for an information letter and sign-up form.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Worship<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord o my soul ) - Matt Redman (with Lyrics)\" width=\"1200\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/vSxocnIaN0A?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><figcaption><sup>\u00a9 Matt Redman<\/sup><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Word<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>1 Kings 19:3-18<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p><em><sup>3&nbsp;<\/sup>Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, <sup>4&nbsp;<\/sup>while he himself went a day\u2019s journey into the desert. He came to a broom tree, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. \u201cI have had enough, Lord,\u201d he said. \u201cTake my life; I am no better than my ancestors.\u201d <sup>5&nbsp;<\/sup>Then he lay down under the tree and fell asleep.<\/em><\/p><p><em>All at once an angel touched him and said, \u201cGet up and eat.\u201d <sup>6&nbsp;<\/sup>He looked around, and there by his head was a cake of bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again.<\/em><\/p><p><em><sup>7&nbsp;<\/sup>The angel of the Lord came back a second time and touched him and said, \u201cGet up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.\u201d <sup>8&nbsp;<\/sup>So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he travelled for forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God. <sup>9&nbsp;<\/sup>There he went into a cave and spent the night. And the word of the Lord came to him: \u201cWhat are you doing here, Elijah?\u201d<\/em><\/p><p><em><sup>10&nbsp;<\/sup>He replied, \u201cI have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, broken down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.\u201d<\/em><\/p><p><em><sup>11&nbsp;<\/sup>The Lord said, \u201cGo out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.\u201d<\/em><\/p><p><em>Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. <sup>12&nbsp;<\/sup>After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. <sup>13&nbsp;<\/sup>When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.<\/em><\/p><p><em>Then a voice said to him, \u201cWhat are you doing here, Elijah?\u201d<\/em><\/p><p><em><sup>14&nbsp;<\/sup>He replied, \u201cI have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, broken down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.\u201d<\/em><\/p><p><em><sup>15&nbsp;<\/sup>The Lord said to him, \u201cGo back the way you came, and go to the Desert of Damascus. When you get there, anoint Hazael king over Aram. <sup>16&nbsp;<\/sup>Also, anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet. <sup>17&nbsp;<\/sup>Jehu will put to death any who escape the sword of Hazael, and Elisha will put to death any who escape the sword of Jehu. <sup>18&nbsp;<\/sup>Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel\u2014all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and all whose mouths have not kissed him.\u201d<\/em><\/p><cite>1 Kings 19:3-18<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Introduction<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>I\u2019ve been reading recently about Elijah the prophet \u2013 a great man of God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>God works through Elijah for the good of the people He has chosen \u2013 the people of Israel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In this passage, God is restoring Elijah from his exhaustion after a triumphant revelation of the power of God to the people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I got to thinking about how we manage in the \u201cdown times\u201d. Managing in the \u201cup times\u201d is easy \u2013 when we feel God\u2019s presence, when everything is going well and difficulties are being swept aside. Some of us have more \u201cdown time\u201d than \u201cup time\u201d. These last 18 months have been \u201cdown time\u201d for most people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This morning I\u2019m going to see what we can learn from Elijah and other people in the Bible about managing in the \u201cdown times\u201d. We\u2019re going to look at three people and three causes of \u201cdown times\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Exhaustion<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Elijah was exhausted after God used him to deal with the prophets of Baal. Elijah had been living a stressful life ever since he prophesied to King Ahab about the drought \u2013 Ahab\u2019s wife Jezebel was trying to kill him (1 Kings&nbsp;18:4).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Elijah doesn\u2019t see all that God is doing. Obadiah, the king\u2019s servant and still faithful, tells him that he has personally rescued 100 prophets from Jezebel\u2019s clutches (1&nbsp;Kings&nbsp;18:3-4). By the time of the confrontation with the prophets of Baal, he has forgotten this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p><sup>22&nbsp;<\/sup>Then Elijah said to them, <em>\u201cI am the only one of the Lord\u2019s prophets left, but Baal has four hundred and fifty prophets&#8221;.<\/em><\/p><cite>1&nbsp;Kings&nbsp;18:22<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Then comes the sacrifice competition \u2013 God consumes Elijah\u2019s sacrifice with fire, and the prophets of Baal are executed. When Jezebel hears of this, she redoubles her efforts to kill him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, <sup>4&nbsp;<\/sup>while he himself went a day\u2019s journey into the desert. He came to a broom tree, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. <em>\u201cI have had enough, Lord,\u201d<\/em> he said. <em>\u201cTake my life; I am no better than my ancestors.\u201d<\/em> <sup>5&nbsp;<\/sup>Then he lay down under the tree and fell asleep.<\/p><cite>2&nbsp;Kings&nbsp;19:3-5<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>God deals with Elijah by<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Encouraging him to rest, to eat and to regain his strength.<\/li><li>Giving him a new task that distracts him and keeps him out of Jezebel\u2019s way \u2013 travelling to Horeb.<\/li><li>Meeting with Him \u2013 after the wind, the earthquake and fire there is a gentle whisper, \u201cWhat are you doing here, Elijah?\u201d<\/li><li>Commissioning him for a new work<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>The Lord said to him, <em>\u201cGo back the way you came, and go to the Desert of Damascus. When you get there, anoint Hazael king over Aram. <sup>16&nbsp;<\/sup>Also, anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet. <sup>17&nbsp;<\/sup>Jehu will put to death any who escape the sword of Hazael, and Elisha will put to death any who escape the sword of Jehu. <sup>18&nbsp;<\/sup>Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel\u2014all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and all whose mouths have not kissed him.\u201d<\/em><\/p><cite>1&nbsp;Kings&nbsp;19:15<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>This is not just more things to do: this is to take the rest of his life. In fact, Elijah himself only anoints Elisha (1Kings&nbsp;19:19-21). It is Elisha who anoints Hazael (2&nbsp;Kings&nbsp;8:13) and who gives an unnamed prophet the task of anointing Jehu (2&nbsp;Kings&nbsp;9:1-10).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If we are exhausted after years of stress, why don\u2019t we bring this to God in the expectation that he will deal as graciously with us as he dealt with Elijah?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Sin<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Many of you will know of King David \u2013 the man after God\u2019s own heart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>\u2018I have found David son of Jesse a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.\u2019<\/p><cite>Acts&nbsp;13:22<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>David was a great king of Israel, a man of God, but sinned on one occasion. And this is one of the things we remember him by \u2013 as well as the historians.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>For David had done what was right in the eyes of the Lord and had not failed to keep any of the Lord\u2019s commands all the days of his life\u2014except in the case of Uriah the Hittite.<\/p><cite>1 Kings&nbsp;15:5<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>However, look at what God says:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>This is what the Lord says: <em>&#8220;Out of your own household I am going to bring calamity upon you. Before your very eyes I will take your wives and give them to one who is close to you, and he will lie with your wives in broad daylight. <sup>12&nbsp;<\/sup>You did it in secret, but I will do this thing in broad daylight before all Israel.\u201d<\/em><\/p><p><sup>13&nbsp;<\/sup>Then David said to Nathan, <em>\u201cI have sinned against the Lord.\u201d<\/em><\/p><p>Nathan replied, <em>\u201cThe Lord has taken away your sin. You are not going to die. <sup>14&nbsp;<\/sup>But because by doing this you have made the enemies of the Lord show utter contempt, the son born to you will die.\u201d<\/em><\/p><cite>2&nbsp;Samuel&nbsp;12:11-13<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>God has taken away David\u2019s sin \u2013 and David believes him. Look at the Psalm he wrote (also Psalm&nbsp;18):<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>The Lord has dealt with me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands he has rewarded me.<\/p><p><sup>22&nbsp;<\/sup>For I have kept the ways of the Lord; I have not done evil by turning from my God.<\/p><p><sup>23&nbsp;<\/sup>All his laws are before me; I have not turned away from his decrees.<\/p><p><sup>24&nbsp;<\/sup>I have been blameless before him and have kept myself from sin.<\/p><p><sup>25&nbsp;<\/sup>The Lord has rewarded me according to my righteousness, according to my cleanness in his sight.<\/p><cite>2&nbsp;Samuel&nbsp;22:21-25<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Both David and the Lord have turned away and forgotten about David\u2019s sin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If we are struggling because of past sins, do we believe what God says?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>Jesus knew what they were thinking and asked, <em>\u201cWhy are you thinking these things in your hearts? <sup>23&nbsp;<\/sup>Which is easier: to say, \u2018Your sins are forgiven,\u2019 or to say, \u2018Get up and walk\u2019? <sup>24&nbsp;<\/sup>But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.\u2026\u201d<\/em> He said to the paralysed man, <em>\u201cI tell you, get up, take your mat and go home&#8221;.<\/em><\/p><cite>Luke&nbsp;5:22-24<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Or do we think we know better \u2013 that God couldn\u2019t possibly forgive what we\u2019ve done. That the price that Jesus paid is not quite enough?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>You are not your own; <sup>20&nbsp;<\/sup>you were bought at a price.<\/p><cite>1&nbsp;Corinthians&nbsp;6:19-20<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.<\/p><cite>1&nbsp;John&nbsp;1:9<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>The world will end before the price paid by the Lord Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of our sins is all used up. And it\u2019s not just forgiveness that is promised, it is purification as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, David did still have to live out the consequences of his sin \u2013 the death of one son and the treachery of another \u2013 and this brings us to our third reason for \u201cdown time\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. Circumstances<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Job lived a long time ago.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>In the land of Uz there lived a man whose name was Job. This man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil. <sup>2&nbsp;<\/sup>\u2026 He was the greatest man among all the people of the East.<\/p><cite>Job&nbsp;1:1<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>The way the author of the book of Job tells it, God allows Satan to take a poke at Job:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>Then the Lord said to Satan, <em>\u201cHave you considered my servant Job? There is no-one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.\u201d<\/em><\/p><p><sup>9&nbsp;<\/sup><em>\u201cDoes Job fear God for nothing?\u201d<\/em> Satan replied. <sup>10&nbsp;<\/sup><em>\u201cHave you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. <sup>11&nbsp;<\/sup>But stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face.\u201d<\/em><\/p><p><sup>12&nbsp;<\/sup>The Lord said to Satan, <em>\u201cVery well, then, everything he has is in your hands, but on the man himself do not lay a finger.\u201d<\/em><\/p><cite>Job&nbsp;1:8-12<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>And everything that Job has \u2013 his wealth, his family, his health \u2013 is taken from him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship <sup>21&nbsp;<\/sup>and said: <em>\u201cNaked I came from my mother\u2019s womb, and naked I shall depart.<\/em> <em>The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.\u201d<\/em><\/p><cite>Job 1:20-21<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>At this point, Job has no idea why this is happening to him, but he is still giving praise to God. Things get even worse, and eventually three of his friends turn up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Over the days that follow, Job\u2019s \u201cfriends\u201d wear him down and provoke him into challenging God about what is happening to him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But note this: Job does not understand why his circumstances have become so bad; he does not believe that they are any kind of punishment from God and he will praise God regardless.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Saviour and <sup>6&nbsp;<\/sup>my God.<\/p><cite>Psalm&nbsp;42:5-6<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>This is excellent advice. We should spend time praising God every day. Praising God helps us to take our minds off our own gloomy situation and to turn them to God himself \u2013 a far better way of spending the time than agonising in prayer over our circumstances and how desperate they are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We still don\u2019t understand clearly why this happened to Job. However, Job is not the same man afterwards as before.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Before God answers him, Job says<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p><em>&#8220;Does he not see my ways and count my every step? <sup>5&nbsp;<\/sup>\u201cIf I have walked in falsehood or my foot has hurried after deceit \u2026 <sup>22&nbsp;<\/sup>then let my arm fall from the shoulder, let it be broken off at the joint. <sup>23&nbsp;<\/sup>For I dreaded destruction from God, and for fear of his splendour I could not do such things.&#8221;<\/em><\/p><cite>Job&nbsp;31:4-5, 22-23<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Afterwards, Job says<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p><em>\u201cYou said, \u2018Listen now, and I will speak; I will question you, and you shall answer me.\u2019 <sup>5&nbsp;<\/sup>My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you. <sup>6&nbsp;<\/sup>Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes.\u201d<\/em><\/p><cite>Job&nbsp;42:4-6<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Job has changed \u2013 he used to try to be righteous because he dreaded destruction from God, now he will try to be righteous because he has a better understanding of the holiness and righteousness of God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I hesitate to say that this was the reason that God brought such disaster on him, but God was able to change him for the better while these things happened. As with Job, so with us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5. Conclusion<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Whatever the cause of our \u201cdown time\u201d, whether it\u2019s one of the causes we\u2019ve looked or something else, whether it\u2019s simple or complicated, God is there with us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>If it\u2019s exhaustion \u2013 bring it to God, ask for His help and His rest, renewal and repurposing.<\/li><li>If it\u2019s sin \u2013 God has promised that if we confess to Him, He will forgive us and purify us. Whom do I believe? God or me? Who is more reliable?<\/li><li>If it\u2019s circumstances \u2013 endure patiently, praise God and look for His stealth blessing.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Prayer<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>Be joyful always; <sup>17&nbsp;<\/sup>pray continually; <sup>18&nbsp;<\/sup>give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God\u2019s will for you in Christ Jesus.<\/p><cite>1&nbsp;Thessalonians&nbsp;5:16-18<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Almighty God and our Father in heaven, thank you for the love and kindness that you show to us and that you long to show to all men and women. We thank you that you are always with us, even when we\u2019re distracted by exhaustion, sin or circumstances. Help us to take time to turn our faces to Jesus to praise and worship Him. Help us to learn to seek You in everything, and to bring everything to You in prayer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Please remember the people affected by Covid 19 at home and abroad, by the horrific events in Plymouth, by the situation in Afghanistan, by the earthquake in Haiti, and by famine and civil war in parts of Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Help us to be the effective body of Christ, reaching out with His hands and love to the people around us so that they get so see Jesus in us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Amen.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>There is no video for this service. An audio podcast should become available following the service in the building on 22 August. Welcome We were able to share communion last week for the first time since early last year. We\u2019ve been able to buy pre-packed bread and wine to minimise the risk of infection \u2013 &#8230; <a title=\"22 August 2021: Down time\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/?page_id=1882\" aria-label=\"Read more about 22 August 2021: Down time\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1882","page","type-page","status-publish"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1882","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1882"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1882\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1913,"href":"https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1882\/revisions\/1913"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1882"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}