Special prayers were requested for Wayne Johnson, David Collingsworth, Virgil Winchester, Hunter Bartley, Renae Sherman and those traveling this week as Gene Gardner opened our Sunday morning worship service with prayer.
We joined voices in singing hymns of praise led by Karen Gardner with Becky Johnson at the piano. Mitchell Lett asked the blessing upon our offertory and he and Tyrel Lett served as ushers. We were blessed with beautiful special music from Steve Morgan who sang "What A Savior" and Bob Obenshain who sang "Farther Along."
Bro. Mark Hall's message, "A Lifetime Thing," was taken from Genesis 27:1-29 and Genesis 3:22-32, the story of Jacob. He began by saying, "Meeting with God is not just a once in a lifetime thing. It doesn't just happen only at salvation. Meeting with God is a lifetime thing. Jacob's spiritual life was one thing and his business life was another. He spent a lot of time running when no one was chasing him. In spite of Jacob, God blessed him anyway to use him. Jacob needed an extreme God makeover. Jacob never really surrendered to God. It was just more about what Jacob wanted than what God wanted. Going to church is great, but it is more important to spend time alone with God with no distraction that can mess up your communication and talk with God. Jacob stayed up all night and wrestled with God in prayer. Because of that, several things changed for Jacob. First, his name changed to Israel. His walk changed. He walked through the world differently and did business differently. His attitude changed. He was not so proud anymore. He gave praise and glory to God instead of bragging on himself. Jacob's compassion changed and his priorities changed. Instead of Jacob building his own empire, the new Israel built altars."
Bro. Mark continued by telling us that meeting God is not a one-time thing. It is a lifetime thing. "When is the last time you met with God on His terms, not yours? Has God blessed you this year? Would you let God use you and change the way you walk in this world? The easiest thing to do is to get complacent. What if God wanted to change your direction and you didn't take time to find out. Ask God what it is that He wants you to do and then meet with Him in prayer and find out. God used Jacob. Why wouldn't He want to use you? The biggest change in Jacob's life came when he built that altar. When was the last time you asked God what He wants you to do? Our first visit to the altar is for salvation, but it shouldn't be a one-time thing. Meeting with God in prayer should be a life-time thing."
Our hymn of invitation was "Trust and Obey" and Wayne Holly gave the benediction. We invite you to sense God's spirit in His house as we worship at Mill Creek Baptist Church on Sunday mornings at 11 a.m. Sunday school begins at 10 a.m. Everyone is always welcome. You'll be glad you came.
Religion on 08/28/2014