No Prayer, No Peace

Wayne Johnson opened our service with prayer and greeted our visitors as we gathered to worship Sunday morning at Mill Creek Baptist Church. Bro. Mark Hall was celebrating a birthday. We wish him many more. Special prayers were requested for Paul, Connie, the Hall family, Mary Ann, Keith Testerman and Dot Harner. We also pray for the safety of our children who are out of school for the summer. Janice Mason shared a praise.

Linda Abercrombie shared the devotional, "No Prayer, No Peace." "Peace comes from being in communion with God. You can't make coffee without water, and a car can't run without a motor. You can't have peace without prayer and time with God. There are so many obstacles to interfere with our prayer, but God waits patiently for us. We need to get motivated and make it a priority. Our prayers should not be just about us. Give praise and thanksgiving to God first. We need to praise, listen, confess and thank Him. Listen with your ears cupped and your head tilted toward His voice."

Congregational hymns were led by Karen Gardner and Becky Johnson, and Theo Mason and Karen Gardner sang special hymns of praise. Rick Lett and Tyrel Lett served as ushers and collected the tithes and offerings.

Bro. Mark read the fourth chapter of Proverbs as he preached on "Wisdom." He told us wisdom comes from God's word and it is the ability to use the knowledge we have successfully. The first chapter of James tells us that God gives that wisdom to us freely. Proverbs 8:5 says to "understand prudence," which means to use good judgement, discretion and good sense. We are not born with wisdom. Proverbs 4:5 says, "Get wisdom! Get understanding! Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth."

Bro. Mark read the first chapter of Proverbs and told us, "Where you get wisdom matters." Proverbs 1:22-32 tells us the danger of ignoring wisdom and verse 33 tells us, "But whoever listens to me will dwell safely and will be secure, without fear of evil." Bro. Mark told us that wisdom depends on who we listen to -- our counsel. "You can no more learn anything from someone who doesn't know anything than you can come back from somewhere you have never been. The company you keep can be your ruination. Wisdom says your foot can slip and you can get your balance, but if your tongue slips, you can never get those words back."

Simply, you can go in the wrong direction a million ways, but the right way is only one direction. God gives us wisdom to get in the right direction if we will use it and will be successful."

Bro. Mark told the story of a good man who was smart and a hard worker, but he never had wisdom because he didn't know the Lord. "Do you want to get to the end of your life and say to yourself that you should have known better? Wisdom is never having to say, 'I should have know better.' Are you using what knowledge you have successfully in your life?"

Our hymn of invitation was: "Wherever He Leads, I'll Go." Wayne Holly gave the benediction. We dismissed to the fellowship hall for a luncheon in honor of our MCHS graduate, Cody Latty. Bro. Mark recognized Cody for his accomplishments, wished him all the best and God's blessings and told him, "The most important people in life are the ones who love you. In life, the most honorable thing a man can do is to take care of and love his family." Congratulations and best wishes to Cody as he begins college.

We invite you to worship with us at Mill Creek Baptist Church.

Sunday school begins at 10 a.m. and Bro. Mark Hall brings us God's word at 11 a.m. Mill Creek is located 3.5 miles east of Noel, just off Highway 90. Come see what you are missing. Everyone is welcome.

Religion on 05/26/2016