From A Foothold To A Fortress

We were greeted by Gene Gardner as we gathered to worship Sunday morning at Mill Creek Baptist Church. Weston Allison and Rick Lett were celebrating birthdays and special prayers were requested for Ruth Robinson, Lavonne Johnson, Allen, Debbie and prayers of safe travel for several. Mitchell Lett thanked everyone for their cards and prayers. Karen Gardner led the congregation in singing hymns of praise with Becky Johnson at the piano. We enjoyed special music from Jerry Abercrombie who sang "Anchor Holds" and Bob Obenshain who sang "What A Friend We Have In Jesus." Tyrel Lett and Mitchell served as ushers and collected our tithes and offerings.

"From a Foothold to a Fortress" was the title of Sunday's sermon as Pastor Mark Hall brought us God's word. Text for the message was taken from Ephesians 4:25-29. He talked about how the devil gains a foothold and builds a fortress and how to keep the devil out. "The devil will always torment you and infest your life like pests that spread from one corner of a house. Like pests in a house, you can live with them or exterminate them. You can exterminate the devil by the word of God. Attitude can be the one roadblock." As the Bible says in Psalm 24:1, God owns the world. "God created us, we don't create God. People try to create God to suit them. We belong to God. He doesn't belong to us. The scripture talks about not just a hot temper, but an anger you hold on to and bank it like money and draw interest on it. Resentment and anger set in and a root of bitterness begins to grow. If the feud continues everyone gets defiled. When someone does something against you, you bank it instead of taking it to God. The devil then gets a foothold. (Hebrews 12:15) If you have experienced God's love, love exterminates the devil. Just trust in God's love."

Brother Mark told us that "If someone does something to hurt you, they have to answer to God. You don't have to have a root of bitterness spring up and build a fortress. God is our refuge, our fortress. The devil can't chase you if God is your refuge and your fortress. Have you allowed Satan to get a foothold? Do you need to exterminate the devil out of your life?" We then observed the Lord's Supper as Jerry and Rick prayed over the bread and cup with scripture reading from Brother Mark from I Corinthians. "I Need Thee Ev'ry Hour" was our hymn of invitation and Bob gave the benediction. We then gathered on the creek bank for the baptism of Ashton Cory. May God bless her.

We invite you to worship with us Sunday mornings at 11. Sunday school begins at 10. Everyone is always welcome. Mill Creek is located 3 1/2 miles east of Noel just off Hwy. 90.