{"id":2648,"date":"2022-10-09T15:06:29","date_gmt":"2022-10-09T15:06:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/?page_id=2648"},"modified":"2022-10-15T15:05:45","modified_gmt":"2022-10-15T15:05:45","slug":"9-october-2022-trials-in-life-attacks-of-the-devil-or-is-god-actually-in-control","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/?page_id=2648","title":{"rendered":"9 October 2022: Trials in life &#8211; attacks of the devil, or is God actually in control?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:27% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"510\" height=\"340\" src=\"https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/20210926.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1983 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/20210926.jpg 510w, https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/20210926-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/20210926-24x16.jpg 24w, https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/20210926-36x24.jpg 36w, https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/20210926-48x32.jpg 48w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 510px) 100vw, 510px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"block-090a7876-6b6f-475f-bd24-2fdf9d5343ad\"><strong>Bethel Baptist Church<br>Worship Service @ Home<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"block-090a7876-6b6f-475f-bd24-2fdf9d5343ad\"><strong>9 October 2022<\/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=2640\"><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=2652\"><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<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Welcome<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Worship<\/strong><strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Speak, Lord, in the stillness\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/3AseUS10DHw?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><figcaption><sup>Words by Emily May Crawford 1864-1927, Music by Harold Green 1871-1931, Played and sung by Esther Fox<\/sup><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Word<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p><strong>Jesus answered, \u201cIt is written: \u2018Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God\u201d<\/strong><\/p><cite>Matt. 4:4<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Matthew 4:1 makes it clear that God the Father is in control and working out His purposes, and by His Spirit leads His Son to be tested by Satan: <strong>\u201cThen Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tested by the devil.\u201d<\/strong> For sure, when we go through hard times, such brings out what is really in our hearts. Israel was led into the wilderness for this purpose:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the wilderness these 40 years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep His commands.<\/p><cite>Deut. 8:2<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>We learn some very valuable lessons in how to walk closely with our Heavenly Father and how to overcome the enemy both of which are vital for spiritual victory. It is clear that the Father has required His Son to fast for 40 days (cf. Israel\u2019s 40 years in the wilderness). Satan comes along and tempts Him with the thought of short-cutting this by turning stones into bread which must have seemed very appealing after nearly 40 days without food.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the Greek there are at least 2 words for \u201cword\u201d &#8211; <em>\u2018logos\u2019<\/em> being the whole of the Scriptures, and <em>\u2018rhema\u2019 <\/em>being that word the Spirit brings to us for a given situation, a specific, spoken word. W.E. Vine in his Expository Dictionary of NT words explains it like this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-background\" style=\"background-color:#f8e9c8\">\u201cThe significance of \u2018<em>rhema<\/em>\u2019 (as distinct from \u2018<em>logos<\/em>\u2019) is exemplified in the injunction in Ephesians 6:17 to take \u201cthe sword of the Spirit, which is the word (\u2018<em>rhema\u2019<\/em>) of God.\u201d Here the reference is not to the whole Bible as such, but to the individual Scripture which the Spirit brings to our remembrance for use in time of need. A prerequisite being the regular storing of the mind with Scripture.\u201d<br><br>W. E. Vine<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Interestingly the devil realises that Jesus is answering him with a Scripture during each test so he also starts quoting Scripture:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>Then the devil took Him to the holy city and set Him on the highest point of the temple. <em>\u201cIf you are the Son of God,\u201d<\/em> he said, <em>\u201cthrow yourself down. For it is written: \u2018He will command His angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.\u201d<\/em> [from Psalm 91:11-12].<\/p><cite>Matt. 4:5-7<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>But this isn\u2019t the word the Spirit is bringing into this situation. The Spirit exposes Satan\u2019s motive and brings a word from Deuteronomy<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>Jesus answered him, <em>&#8220;It is also written: &#8216;Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'&#8221;<\/em><\/p><cite>Deuteronomy 6:16<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Jesus doing it His Father\u2019s way ends up with so much more than anything the devil can offer Him; Compare:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>The devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendour. <em>\u201cAll this I will give you,\u201d<\/em> he said, <em>\u201cif you will bow down and worship me\u201d<\/em><\/p><cite>Matt 4:8-9<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>with<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>Then Jesus came to them and said,&nbsp;<em>\u201cAll authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.\u201d<\/em><\/p><cite>Matt. 28:18<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Let us also live by every word that comes from the mouth of God, Amen!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Quote of the week<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-background\" style=\"background-color:#f8e9c8\"><em>\u201cWe turn to God for help when our foundations are shaking, only to learn that it is God who is shaking them\u201d<\/em><br><br>Charles West<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Verse of the week<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>No test&nbsp;has overtaken you except what is common to humankind. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tested&nbsp;beyond what you can bear. But when you are tested He will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.<\/p><cite>1 Cor. 10:13<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Let\u2019s Pray<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Heavenly Father, Your ways are the only ways to live. But to do that we need to hear from You Lord. So Father, help us in our busy lives, to be still and know that You are God, and to spend quality time listening to You, that You by Your Spirit might speak too us in Jesus Christ, Amen!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Welcome Worship Word Jesus answered, \u201cIt is written: \u2018Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God\u201d Matt. 4:4 Matthew 4:1 makes it clear that God the Father is in control and working out His purposes, and by His Spirit leads His Son to be tested &#8230; <a title=\"9 October 2022: Trials in life &#8211; attacks of the devil, or is God actually in control?\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/?page_id=2648\" aria-label=\"Read more about 9 October 2022: Trials in life &#8211; attacks of the devil, or is God actually in control?\">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-2648","page","type-page","status-publish"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2648","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=2648"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2648\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2655,"href":"https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2648\/revisions\/2655"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2648"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}