Fight The Depression Monster

Thursday, October 5, 2017

Wayne Johnson welcomed the congregation and visitors, as we gathered to worship Sunday morning at Mill Creek Baptist Church. Prayers were requested for Debbie Taylor. Linda Jarvis shared a praise for her three grandchildren getting baptized. Our Community Dinner will be on Saturday, Nov. 4, in the fellowship hall from 5:30 -7 p.m., we will be participating in the SWC Trunk or Treat on Oct. 31, and we had a cookout and fall fellowship at the Collingsworth's Sunday evening.

Linda Abercrombie gave the devotional on "Depression" and read Psalm 139:9-12. God's help and support will keep us moving as we battle depression. Even in the darkness, God doesn't leave us. He will be with us as the depression passes.

Congregational hymns of praise included "At The Cross" and "Leaning on the Everlasting Arms" led by Karen Gardner with Becky Johnson at the piano. We were blessed with special music from Jerry Abercrombie who sang, "Thanks to Calvary." Tyrel Lett asked God's blessing upon the offertory and he and Wayne served as ushers.

Our pastor, Brother Mark Hall shared God's message for us on facing depression as we get older. He read Psalms 37:25, "I have been young, and now am old; yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his descendants begging bread." Brother Mark used Wayne, Tyrel and Jake Allison as examples to talk about the stages of a man's life when you reach your physical peak and ability and then it declines with age.

"The stages of life catch up with us. It is not our physical abilities that make us special or what we know. It is not that we went through the stages and now are on the decline. What makes us special is the people that love us. Depression is the devil's greatest enemy against us. Take care of yourself, shed the depression and get back in the game for the people who love you. Getting old is just life. Life is not all about the things we ever were, what we accumulated or what we look like. All that is important and all we need is God and people to love us and heaven to look forward to."

Brother Mark continued by telling us that when you meet Jesus, the first thing you get is a heart change. "The more you trust Him, the more He gives you. He gives us the desires of our heart after He gives us a new heart." He read the 37th chapter of Psalms which talks about the wicked who do not fear God and delighting ourself in the Lord.

"Fight the depression monster. When problems arise during the week or people talk about you, talk to God about it and let it go. If you want to make your days go easier, talk to God about it for His divine intervention. We spend too much time tensed up and beaten up when God is there to share it with. 'His yoke is easy, His burden light.' Give God some of the burden. He will take it and carry it for you. You will never be able to commit that stuff to God if you don't trust Him enough to carry it for you."

Brother Mark asked, "Have you ever seen a time when so many people carry so much anger and wrath? It is hard on your heart, your body and your mind. All of this evil that we see today, the Lord will take care of it one of these days." Psalms 37:20 says "But the wicked shall perish; and the enemies of the Lord, like the splendor of the meadows, shall vanish into smoke, they shall vanish away."

Psalm 37:11-13 says, "But the meek shall inherit the earth, and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace. The wicked plots against the just, and gnashes at him with his teeth. The Lord laughs at him, for He sees that his day is coming." Brother Mark said, "What matters is having peace in family, home and church. The wicked people will be taken care of by God. Having less is better than the riches of the wicked."

In closing, Brother Mark said, "We can stay young in mind, but our body will grow old. Don't let your mind grow old for depression will set in. Though we enjoy the here and now, it is about the hereafter, the everlasting. Enjoy this life, but look forward to what God has promised us and beat the depression. Trust in God. He will take care of what you are carrying around. Just give the burden to Him." Our memory verse for the week is Psalms 37:5 which says, "Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass."

Our hymn of invitation was "Leave It There" and Doug Cory gave the benediction.

We invite you to worship with us on Sunday mornings at 11 a.m. Mill Creek is located 3 1/2 miles east of Noel just off Highway 90. Everyone is welcome.

Religion on 10/05/2017