It was a beautiful Sunday morning as we gathered to worship at Mill Creek Baptist Church. We were greeted by Doug Cory, and special prayers were requested for Don Chaney, Del Hawkins, Mertie Harmon, Roger Wormington and unspoken. Sherri White and Terry Lett shared praises. In announcements, we will meet after our morning worship service on June 23 to finalize plans for Vacation Bible School. The business meeting will also be held that evening at 7 p.m.
"Treasures out of Darkness" was the devotional that Linda Abercrombie shared with us. Scripture was from Isaiah 6:8-9. Linda shared her own personal story and then that of Isaiah and his vision of the Lord and how He works through our hard times. God gives us treasures out of the darkness. What suffering are you going through today? God gives us treasures of wisdom and faith. So, like the Israelites, we can attest to His faith and love. Romans 8:28 says, "For we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose."
Tyrel Lett asked for God's blessing upon the offertory and he and Rick Lett served as ushers. Congregational hymns included "Come and Dine" and "Glory to His Name" led by Karen Gardner with Susan Cory at the piano.
2 Corinthians 4:8-18 was the scripture for Brother Mark Hall's message on common failings, "Losing Heart," the last in the "Quality of Walk" sermon series. Brother Mark told us that as bad as things can get and on our darkest days, verse 16 tells us, "Therefore we do not lose heart, even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day." Verses 17-18 remind us of better things. "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen, for the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal."
Brother Mark talked about the devil wanting to semi-retire and have a yard sale. "On one table he had anger, hatred, bitterness and pride all priced to sell. On the other table, he had one worn out tool, "discouragement," but he decided to keep it to use against us. Ever go to church and hear someone talk about how everything went wrong and you are reminded of the song, "Gloom, despair and agony on me?" You can lose your keys, your wallet, your phone and your tools, but you can't lose heart. When your heart isn't in it, you lose your walk with God."
Brother Mark told us there are two verses to help sustain us in dark times. Psalm 27:13-14 says, "I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait on the Lord, be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the Lord!" Brother Mark told us to wait on the Lord. "Don't take care of it yourself. That's how we get in messes. The first rule is to avoid discouragement in your walk with God. Keep your trust, your faith and your hope in Him, not in man. Man will let you down every time and disappoint you. You can overlook a lot, but man is still only human. Even the sweetest people we know, all still regret some things they have said or done. That is why we can't put our faith, hope and trust in man. You can't put them on pedestals."
Brother Mark referred to Jeremiah 17:5-8 which talks about the nature of man's heart. We see a picture of people in a drought and then they run into green which reminds them of life. "Faith, prayer and trusting God keeps the devil at bay. Don't get discouraged. Live in the spiritual green, not the drought. Remember 2 Corinthians 4:16 and do not lose heart. Discouragement dims our light. It takes our light and the light of the church. When we get discouraged, our light gets dim or goes out and it affects others and the church." In Matthew 5:14-16 Jesus told his disciples, "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your God works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."
Brother Mark reminded us that earthly problems are temporary and, on the other side, what God has for us is eternal. Remember 2 Corinthians 4:16-18, "Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal." Brother Mark told us to pray, "Lord, help me not to lose heart. Help me to keep my hope, faith and trust in you."
Our hymn of invitation was "Lord, I'm Coming Home," and Bob Bryan gave the benediction. Next week's message will be about things we can do better and the antidotes for our shortcomings.
We invite you to worship with us next Sunday as we recognize all the fathers on Father's Day. Sunday school begins at 10 a.m. and worship service at 11 a.m. Everyone is welcome. Mill Creek Baptist Church is located 3 1/2 miles east of Noel or 8 1/2 miles west of I49, just off Highway 90, on Upper Mill Creek Road.
Religion on 06/13/2019