Dot Harner was celebrating a birthday as we gathered to worship Sunday morning at Mill Creek Baptist Church. Special prayers were requested for Cleo Crosby, Kenneth White, Debbie Taylor and Janet Chaney. Doug Cory thanked everyone for their prayers and Shelley Hall thanked everyone for their work on Vacation Bible School.

Our annual homecoming will be Aug. 20. Spring Street will sing during our morning song service and again after lunch. We will also be participating in the back-to-school block party in Noel on Aug. 12.

Linda Abercrombie gave the devotional "Peace Takes Time" and read Matthew 5:8. She told the story about a new watch purchase and getting what you want when you want it. Peace takes time, but most want it now. Our journey to peace works better with God and time in our hearts.

Mitchell Lett and Tyrel Lett served as ushers and collected the offertory. Becky Johnson and Karen Gardner led the congregational hymns including "A New Name In Glory."

Brother Mark Hall brought us God's message "Resisting Temptation" with scripture from I Corinthians 10:12-13, "Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it."

Brother Mark told us that everyone, no matter how spiritual, can fall. "This message is for all because we all have to resist temptation. God permits testing, not temptation, to build strength, character and faith in us. Satan entices us to evil for the purpose of destruction."

Brother Mark read James 1:12-16. Verse 12 tells us "Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him." Brother Mark told us temptation is something that seduces us or has the ability to create a desire to do or have something we shouldn't and then we try to justify our actions. We are all tempted by different things and Satan knows what tempts each of us."

Brother Mark talked about things we need to know about temptation.

We need to know that the ultimate enemy in our battle with temptation is Satan. The devil knows the weaknesses and hidden desires of man.

Matthew 4:5-7 talks about Jesus being tempted by the devil. Job 2:4-5 tells us that the devil says if you take away man's things, he will curse God and if you take away his health, you will take away his faith. Sometimes we are easy 'pickins' for Satan. Brother Mark referred to Genesis chapter 3 as he talked about the sin of Adam and Eve.

"Sin can't be hidden, only forgiven. We can't work our way out of sin. Temptation always comes disguised. We can't hide any act, thought, or motive from God. We can't win the battle of temptation by ourselves. We need the Holy Spirit."

As Brother Mark talked about the sin of Adam and Eve, he focused on the similarities in temptations. "Satan and temptation appeal to our physical appetite, our personal gain and power and glory for ourselves. Jesus was victorious in his battle with Satan. Satan will always belittle your faith, add to the prohibition of God and weaken the penalty of giving in to temptation. Eve saw it, took it, ate it, gave it and Adam ate it. Eve involved Adam to share the guilt. The result was that they were no longer at ease with themselves or God. They created mistrust and alienated themselves from God. When we give in to temptation, we never get anything from it that lasts. To win against temptation we must get real with people and ourselves. The only way to win against temptation is through the counsel of the Holy Spirit. Remember I Corinthians 10:13. You can't hide sin or disguise it, you can only be forgiven for it."

Our hymn of invitation was "I Need Thee" and Doug Cory gave the benediction. We invite you to worship with us at Mill Creek Baptist Church. The little white church that sits on the creek is located 3 1/2 miles east of Noel just off Highway 90. Sunday school begins at 10 a.m. and worship service at 11 a.m.. Everyone is welcome.