{"id":2948,"date":"2023-07-20T19:05:45","date_gmt":"2023-07-20T19:05:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/?page_id=2948"},"modified":"2023-07-27T19:16:54","modified_gmt":"2023-07-27T19:16:54","slug":"23-july-2023-rejoice-always-yes-give-thanks-in-all-circumstances","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/?page_id=2948","title":{"rendered":"23 July 2023: Rejoice always &#8230; yes, give thanks in ALL circumstances"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:36% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"417\" height=\"340\" src=\"https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/20230723.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2949 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/20230723.jpg 417w, https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/20230723-300x245.jpg 300w, https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/20230723-24x20.jpg 24w, https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/20230723-36x29.jpg 36w, https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/20230723-48x39.jpg 48w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 417px) 100vw, 417px\" \/><\/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>23 July 2023<\/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 wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/?page_id=2943\"><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 wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/?page_id=2955\"><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 class=\"has-background wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"background-color:#f8e9c8\"><em>\u201cPraises, thankfulness, and obedience; these are vital for a believer to grow into His likeness.\u201d<\/em><br><br>Stella<\/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=\"Refiner&#039;s Fire (worship video w\/ lyrics)\" width=\"1200\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/9Y8zP34AhuU?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/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\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks on all circumstances; for this is God\u2019s will for you in Christ Jesus.<\/strong><\/p>\n<cite>1 Thessalonians 5:16-18<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Last Sunday whilst I was preaching at Bethel words came out that I had not planned to say and I take it that it was of the Holy Spirit. Jesus told the disciples words would be given them by the Holy Spirit, e.g.,<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.<\/p>\n<cite>Mark 13:11<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Paul asked the Church at Ephesus to pray for him so that whenever he preached words may be given him [by the Holy Spirit]. So I believe the Lord wanted them said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God\u2019s will for you in Christ Jesus. <\/p>\n<cite>1 Thess 5:16-18<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This doesn\u2019t allow for much of anything else \u2013 <em>\u201calways; continually; all circumstances\u201d<\/em> and if we have any doubts about such a high standard he emphasises that this is God\u2019s will for you in Christ Jesus. He further emphasises it by telling them: <em>\u201cDo not quench the Spirit\u201d<\/em> (1 Thess 5:19).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I believe this is the life that Jesus lived, continually in communion with His Father in heaven through the Holy Spirit, rejoicing always, praying continually, giving thanks in all circumstances. His mind was filled with heavenly matters, with the will of His Father in heaven. Our minds are remarkable gifts from God. They are precious and beautiful, holy and pure as they have been sanctified by the blood of Jesus Christ. We need to keep them like this. Paul states:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But among you there must not be even <strong>a hint<\/strong> of sexual immorality \u2026<\/p>\n<cite>Ephesians 5:3<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">the literal translation \u201cthey should not be even <strong>named<\/strong> among you.\u201d Don\u2019t even talk about them; don\u2019t even think about them \u2013 such are God\u2019s high and holy standards!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Which brings us back to the mind. We are told <em>\u201cwe have the mind of Christ\u201d<\/em> (1 Cor. 2:16). What do we allow to go through our minds each day? 2005 National Science Foundation research found the average person has about 12,000 to 60,000 thoughts per day. How many of these glorify God? Look at how the apostle finishes his letter:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">May God Himself \u2026 sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The One who calls you is faithful and He will do it. <\/p>\n<cite>1 Thess. 5:23-24<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Look at the holy standard in heaven,<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb\u2019s book of life.<\/p>\n<cite>Rev. 21:27<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We get a few more clues as to how this is possible in a similar exhortation in Philippians:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!&nbsp;Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything,&nbsp;but <strong>in every situation<\/strong>, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.&nbsp;And the peace of God,&nbsp;which transcends all understanding,&nbsp;<strong>will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus<\/strong>. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is <strong>true<\/strong>, whatever is <strong>noble<\/strong>, whatever is <strong>right<\/strong>, whatever is <strong>pure<\/strong>, whatever is <strong>lovely<\/strong>, whatever is <strong>admirable<\/strong>\u2014if anything is <strong>excellent<\/strong> or <strong>praiseworthy<\/strong>\u2014<strong>think about such things<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<cite>Philippians 4:4-8<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So help us Lord we pray in Jesus\u2019 Name, Amen!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Quote<\/strong><strong> of the week<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-background wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"background-color:#f8e9c8\"><em>\u201cWhat happens in revival is this, the gospel captures our minds with such clarity that God is exalted again in our deepest thoughts and feelings.\u201d<\/em><br><br>Ray Ortlund<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Verse<\/strong><strong> of the week<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Take captive every thought to make it obedient&nbsp;to Christ. <\/p>\n<cite>2 Corinthians 10:5<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Let\u2019s Pray<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Our Father in heaven, You lay before us such high and holy standards that humanly speaking we cannot attain them. So, continually help us by Your Holy Spirit, to exalt Your Son in our every thought, word and deed, both individually, and corporately, as Your Church, the body of<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Christ here on earth, for Your everlasting Glory, &nbsp;in Jesus Christ\u2019s Name, Amen!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Welcome \u201cPraises, thankfulness, and obedience; these are vital for a believer to grow into His likeness.\u201d Stella Worship Word Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks on all circumstances; for this is God\u2019s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Last Sunday whilst I was preaching at Bethel words came out that I had &#8230; <a title=\"23 July 2023: Rejoice always &#8230; yes, give thanks in ALL circumstances\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/?page_id=2948\" aria-label=\"Read more about 23 July 2023: Rejoice always &#8230; yes, give thanks in ALL circumstances\">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-2948","page","type-page","status-publish"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2948","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=2948"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2948\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2959,"href":"https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2948\/revisions\/2959"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2948"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}