The Big If

Levi Hazelton and Tyrel Lett were celebrating birthdays as we gathered to worship Sunday morning at Mill Creek Baptist Church. We were greeted by Doug Cory, who opened our service with prayer. Special prayers were requested for Kenneth Crowder, Wayne Johnson, Diane Cope, Candice and travel prayers.

Linda Abercrombie gave the devotional, "Prayerful Waiting," and read Mark 3:9 and Isaiah 40:31. "But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary. They shall walk and not faint." Followers of Christ should watch for Him, wait for Him, search for Him and have hope in Him. We need to stay honest, faithful and true in prayer and in our waiting. In God, there is great strength and we should never leave the place of prayer.

Congregational hymns were led by Becky Johnson and Karen Gardner, with special music from Jerry Abercrombie who sang, "God on the Mountain," and Karen who sang, "He Was There All the Time." Tyrel Lett asked for God's blessing upon the offertory and he and Rick Lett served as ushers.

We had a wonderful Vacation Bible School Saturday and, before beginning the message, Brother Mark thanked everyone for helping with "Gone Fishin." It was a great day.

"The Big If" was the title of God's message for us as Brother Mark read the 17th Chapter of 1 Samuel, the story of David and Goliath. Brother Mark told us, "Goliath was huge and mean. He was a giant. David had courage. We replace our courage with 'ifs.' We are full of ifs and what ifs. David was just a farm boy. He didn't look at the advantages he didn't have, he looked at the advantages he had. It wasn't about how big the army was, but how big God is."

Brother Mark asked, "What did David have that the others didn't? First, he had a righteous indignation. He was zealous for the glory of God, not his own. Second, he had a righteous testimony. David didn't toot his own horn, he just gave his testimony. Never underestimate the power of your testimony. Third, David came in a righteous name. Goliath was a talker. David showed there was a God so everyone knew the battle was the Lord's, not the sword."

Brother Mark asked, "What makes a giant? Giants are big. (I Samuel 17:4) They are all you can see and appear bigger than they really are. They want you to serve them, not God. (I Samuel 17:9) They are scary. (I Samuel 17:11) And finally, giants don't go away on their own. They have to be faced or they will consume you." (I Samuel 17:16, 25-26).

In closing, Brother Mark told us that, "Giants are everywhere, but the Lord is on your side. The battle is the Lord's. The giant is all about how you approach it. When you have God beside you, you don't have to fear the giant, but if you go along on your own, look out for the giant. David walked with God in righteousness. That is the key to your courage. Giants shrink with the right attitude. Let the battle be the Lord's."

Our hymn of invitation was "Wherever He Leads I'll Go," and Wayne Holly gave the benediction.

Saturday we will travel to Branson to see "Samson," and Aug. 19 will be homecoming with Springstreet bringing us special music.

We invite you to worship with us on Sunday mornings at Mill Creek Baptist Church. Sunday school begins at 10 a.m. and worship service at 11 a.m. Everyone is welcome.

Mill Creek Baptist Church is located three and one-half miles east of Noel, just off Highway 90. If you need a ride, the church van will pick you up at the Arvest Bank lot on Main Street at 8:15 a.m. and return to the drop-off point at 2:15 p.m.

For information, call 417-475-7633 and leave a message.