{"id":807,"date":"2021-01-13T21:13:07","date_gmt":"2021-01-13T21:13:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/?page_id=807"},"modified":"2021-01-25T20:35:08","modified_gmt":"2021-01-25T20:35:08","slug":"17-january-2021-tbd","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/?page_id=807","title":{"rendered":"17 January 2021: &#8220;Draw near to God&#8221;"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-top\" style=\"grid-template-columns:15% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"314\" height=\"340\" src=\"https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20211017.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-811 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20211017.png 314w, https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20211017-277x300.png 277w, https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20211017-22x24.png 22w, https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20211017-33x36.png 33w, https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/20211017-44x48.png 44w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 314px) 100vw, 314px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"block-148ac617-e5ed-4f1f-8c51-b69ccbe8cddc\"><strong>Bethel Baptist Church<\/strong><br><strong>Worship Service @ Home<\/strong><br><strong>17 January 2021<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\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=775\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"20\" height=\"13\" class=\"wp-image-1006\" style=\"width: 20px;\" 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: 20px) 100vw, 20px\" \/> <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=933\"><strong>Next Service <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"20\" height=\"13\" class=\"wp-image-1007\" style=\"width: 20px;\" 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: 20px) 100vw, 20px\" \/><\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Service available on Youtube, or as text (below), or for audio see the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/?page_id=72\">Podcasts<\/a>&nbsp;page.<\/p>\n\n\n<span class=\"collapseomatic \" id=\"id6a1b6c36d32c1\"  tabindex=\"0\" title=\"Having difficulty hearing the video?\"    >Having difficulty hearing the video?<\/span><div id=\"target-id6a1b6c36d32c1\" class=\"collapseomatic_content \">\n<\/div>\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=\"17 January 2021: Draw near to God\" width=\"1200\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/hCt7lNiQ4UI?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Welcome<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Testimony<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-background wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"background-color:#e2f9f0\"><em>\u201cI trust you are all well and my prayers continue for you all. I\u2019m doing okay in what\u2019s been a difficult year for everyone and having to deal with all that\u2019s been happening generally and personally. My only testimony in dealing with it all is to: \u201cLet go and let God \u2013 pray and trust, and leave it with the Lord. His grace and love are more than sufficient, but I appreciate that it is not always easy &#8211; Every blessing\u201d<br><\/em><br>David<\/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-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Praise, My Soul, The King Of Heaven (Acoustic Song Leading Video) \/\/ Emu Music\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/6-W74SzQZe0?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><figcaption><em>Henry Francis Lyte (1793-1847) (adapted) Based on Psalm 103\u201d<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Word<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Please read James 4:1-10.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.<\/p><cite>James 4:8<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Introduction<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">James covers such subjects as: \u2018Persevering when persecuted\u2019; \u2018Poverty, and wealth\u2019; \u2018Controlling the tongue\u2019; \u2018Caring for orphans and widows\u2019; \u2018Cursing\u2019; \u2018Boasting\u2019; \u2018Oaths\u2019; \u2018Prayer\u2019; \u2018Faith to be evidenced by good works\u2019; and includes the only NT reference to \u2018Anointing the sick with oil\u2019 (James 5:14). <em>\u201cDraw near to God and He will draw near to you\u201d<\/em> are lovely words but the context of them are far from lovely, e.g. <em>\u201cWhat causes fights and quarrels among you?\u201d<\/em> (James 4:1); <em>\u201cYou adulterous people\u201d<\/em> (James 4:4); <em>\u201cResist the devil\u201d<\/em> \u2013 However, looking into the context helps us gain further understanding of what is involved in drawing near to God and having Him draw near to us. Having God near was one of the distinguishing marks of being the true people of God from the earliest of days: <\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>What other nation is so great as to have their gods near them the way the&nbsp;Lord&nbsp;our God is near us whenever we pray to him?<\/p><cite>Deut. 4:7<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">How much more so now \u2018Immanuel\u2019, \u2018God with us,\u2019 has come! What does this passage tell us about drawing near to God?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>(1) Obedience<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It is held that James, (\u2018James the Just\u2019 \u2013 Jesus\u2019 half-brother) is writing to Jewish Christians: <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-background wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"background-color:#e2f9f0\"><em>\u201cThe letter betrays a strong Jewish orientation and was probably written to Jewish churches in Palestine or Syria\u201d<br><\/em><br>Douglas Moo<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It is obvious James loves and cares for these <em>\u201cdear brothers and sisters\u201d<\/em> (James 1:19; 2:5) in the Lord as he puts forward the practical and ethical demands of God upon His people and warns them against disobedience, unfaithfulness and lack of discipline if they are to draw near to God. He tells it as it is! Trust and obey \u2013 no other way!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>(2) We are in the world but not of the world<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There is a reality about this letter, so much so that over the history of the church, many have struggled with it. But there is an authenticity about James, life is like as depicted in his epistle. We draw near to God amidst a broken, sinful, sometimes\/often hostile world and, in the light of this passage, amidst a broken, sinful. sometimes hostile, church. We live in an imperfect world which can enhance the beauty of drawing near to God. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Jesus took Peter, James (the \u2018son of thunder\u2019), and John (the other \u2018son of thunder\u2019), up to what has become known as the Mount of Transfiguration. Oh, how wonderful, how glorious this time must have been for: <\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>As He was praying, the appearance of His face changed, and His clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning. Two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared in glorious splendour, talking with Jesus. They spoke about his departure, which He was about to bring to fulfilment at Jerusalem. Peter and his companions were very sleepy, but when they became fully awake, they saw His glory and the two men standing with Him. As the men were leaving Jesus, Peter said to him, <em>&#8220;Master, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters \u2013 one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.&#8221;<\/em> (He did not know what he was saying).While he was speaking, a cloud appeared and covered them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. A voice came from the cloud, saying, <em>&#8220;This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him&#8221;<\/em>.<\/p><cite>Luke 9:29-35<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Talk about drawing near to God! Like Peter, we might want to spend the rest of our lives there with Jesus on that mountain! But they had to go back to the world below!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>(3) We have to minister to the pain of the world<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Drawing near to God is not an end in itself. Jesus then led them down the mountain and from that wonderful place of solitary confinement, alone with Jesus Himself, and the transfigured Jesus at that, back into the real world. A large crowd, with all it\u2019s demands, came to meet them and life got more and more difficult, but Jesus is able: <\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>\u2026 when they came down from the mountain, a large crowd met Him. A man in the crowd called out, <em>&#8220;Teacher, I beg you to look at my son, for he is my only child. A spirit seizes him and he suddenly screams; it throws him into convulsions so that he foams at the mouth. It scarcely ever leaves him and is destroying him. I begged your disciples to drive it out, but they could not.&#8221;<\/em> <br><br><em>&#8220;You unbelieving and perverse generation,&#8221;<\/em> Jesus replied, <em>&#8220;how long shall I stay with you and put up with you? Bring your son here.&#8221;<\/em> Even while the boy was coming, the demon threw him to the ground in a convulsion. But Jesus rebuked the impure spirit, healed the boy and gave him back to his father. And they were all amazed at the greatness of God. <\/p><cite>Luke 9:37-43<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>(4) We have to face up to our shortcomings<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Jesus rebukes His disciples: <em>\u2018You unbelieving and perverse generation\u2019<\/em> and it gives us an indication of the standard He expects of them. This is what we find in James also, and it becomes clear from the contents of James epistle that he has been greatly influenced by Jesus (haven\u2019t we all!) in the things he writes about, the way he writes, and the way he expresses himself: <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-background wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"background-color:#e2f9f0\"><em>\u201cThis epistle contains more verbal reminiscences of Jesus than all of the other apostolic writings\u201d<\/em><br><br>Allen Ross<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-background\" style=\"background-color:#f7dae1\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For those who like to do a bit of extra study check these Scriptures out! <\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>James 1:22 with Matt. 7:20, 24<\/li><li>James 3:12 with Matt. 7:16<\/li><li>James 2:5 with Matt. 5:3<\/li><li>James 4:11, 12 with Matt. 7:1<\/li><li>James 5:2 with Matt. 6:19 <\/li><li>James 5:12 with Matt. 5:34-37 <\/li><\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To draw near to God is no light matter and we must allow the Spirit to use the Scriptures to search our hearts to see if there is any wrong thinking, fear, unbelief (Luke 9:33-35, 41); any wrong motives or selfish pleasures (James 4:3); to check we are submitting to God in all humility and with a pure heart (James 4:6-10).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>(5) God looks at our hearts<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Frequently, in the OT, even the priests got it wrong thinking the outward act was the all-important matter e.g. the ritual of washing their hands: <\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>Whenever they enter the tent of meeting, they shall wash with water so that they will not die. Also, when they approach the altar to minister by presenting a food offering to the Lord.<\/p><cite>Exodus 30:20<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But God is not interested in <strong>merely<\/strong> an outward show, it must come from the heart, e.g. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>The Lord says: \u2018These people come near to me with their mouth and honour me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is based on merely human rules they have been taught. <\/p><cite>Isaiah 29:13<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In Jesus\u2019 time, things hadn\u2019t improved in this respect, as He rebuked the teachers of the law and Pharisees who had complained to Him that His disciples hadn\u2019t washed their hands. Jesus reply: <\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>\u2018Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written: \u2018<em>\u201cThese people honour me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.\u201d<\/em> You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions\u2019 &#8230; \u2018You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions! <\/p><cite>Mark 7:6-9<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As we draw near to God, we must allow the Scriptures and the Spirit, the <strong>Holy<\/strong> Spirit, to search our hearts. David a man after God\u2019s own heart prayed: <\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.<\/p><cite>Psalm 139:23-24<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>(6) Repentance<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">God is not in the business of condemning us, His dear children, but convicts us of our shortcomings, so that He may lead us in the way everlasting as we repent and move forward with Him! James gives an important illustration early on in his letter: <\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives <strong>freedom<\/strong> and continues in it \u2013 not forgetting what they have heard but doing it \u2013 they will be <strong>blessed<\/strong> in what they do.<\/p><cite>James 1:22-25<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sometimes I cut myself shaving and its messy with blood oozing out. What if after seeing this in the mirror I go off to work forgetting that I have blood all over my chin. James likens such to believers who having been convicted of something in the word continue in the same old ways, without repenting. This new life in Jesus, and in His kingdom, begins with repentance (see Matt. 3:2; 4:17), a change of mind, not doing it my way any longer but living His way. Such brings freedom and blessing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>(7) Freedom<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Reading the book of James again, with it\u2019s many imperatives (54 in 108 verses), brought back to memory how the Lord used the book ,<em><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gutenberg.org\/ebooks\/1653\" target=\"_blank\">\u201cImitation of Christ\u201d<\/a><\/em> by Thomas a Kempis, during my conversion. Here is one of many many excerpts from the book:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-background wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"background-color:#e2f9f0\">If you wish to learn and appreciate something worth while, then love to be unknown and considered as nothing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">(cf. James emphasis on humility \u2013 James 4:6, 10). I found that as I started to obey these imperatives, I was filled with more light, more power, more of the Spirit\u2019s presence within, more freedom in Jesus. I felt stronger as a Christian. I had initially been convicted of my weakness in the many ways I was not imitating Christ, but as I, by His grace sought to put these things into practice, His presence increased within. This is part of drawing near to God and Him drawing near to us!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>(8) Resist the devil<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Why put this point last? <\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>We don\u2019t want to give too much prominence to him <\/li><li>As in Ephesians we need to get our relationship with God sorted before we battle the enemy.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"> After giving some wonderful teaching (Eph 1-3) and then urging them to put it into practice (Eph 4:1-6:9) the apostle then tells them to <\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armour of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil\u2019s schemes.<\/p><cite>Eph. 6:10-11<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It was after Jesus was anointed by the Spirit and His heavenly Father confirmed His Sonship, (Matt. 3:16-17) that the devil sought to tempt and test Him (Matt. 4:1-11). Note Jesus resisted him and he fled (Matt. 4:11) and it will be the same with us. So God draws near and the devil flees!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Conclusion<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In putting into practice these commands we will find that His light will shine more brightly within; that we are drawing near to God and He is drawing near to us in our daily walk with Him and that more of our prayers are being answered. &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Quote for Week<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-background wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"background-color:#e2f9f0\"><em>\u201cMy child, he who attempts to escape obeying withdraws himself from grace \u2026 I became the most humble and the lowest of all men that you might overcome your pride with My humility\u201d <br><\/em><br>\u201dVoice of Christ\u201d &#8211; Imitation of Christ &#8211; Thomas a Kempis<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Verse of Week<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>\u2026 clothe yourselves with humility towards one another &#8230;<\/p><cite>1 Peter 5:5<\/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\">Lord, You became nothing that we could become something &#8211; Your children, Your sons and daughters. Lord, You became poor so that we could become rich in our relationship with You. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Lord, give us, Your Church, a hunger for Your word, and then let us go and do what it says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Keep us humble in Your sight that You might exalt us and that You might continue to bless the nations of the world through Your people according to Your promises of long ago. Help us to show\/demonstrate the fruit of Your Spirit, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness and self-control, to a world lost without You. Help us not to gossip; help us not to boast about tomorrow; help us to obey you continually, and strengthen us to be patient and persevering in the trials and difficulties of life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Finally, let us be those who pray the prayer of faith which is powerful and effective in Jesus Christ Name, Amen!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Service available on Youtube, or as text (below), or for audio see the&nbsp;Podcasts&nbsp;page. Welcome Testimony \u201cI trust you are all well and my prayers continue for you all. I\u2019m doing okay in what\u2019s been a difficult year for everyone and having to deal with all that\u2019s been happening generally and personally. My only testimony in &#8230; <a title=\"17 January 2021: &#8220;Draw near to God&#8221;\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/?page_id=807\" aria-label=\"Read more about 17 January 2021: &#8220;Draw near to God&#8221;\">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-807","page","type-page","status-publish"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/807","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=807"}],"version-history":[{"count":13,"href":"https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/807\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1036,"href":"https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/807\/revisions\/1036"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bethelmacclesfield.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=807"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}