As the seasons change, fall is in the air as church members gathered Sunday morning in God's house at Mill Creek Baptist Church. Doug Cory offered greetings; and special prayers were requested for Debra and Skip, Easton, Mildred Nelson, Norman Beaver, Bobby Shelton, Kathy Gardner, Gene Hall, Doris Lambeth, Wade Graham and Susan's mother.
Linda Abercrombie read Psalm 143:1 and shared the devotional, "God Grant Me." She began by reading the "Serenity Prayer." "God grant me the serenity" expresses the starting point of faith. It is not about giving up but about letting go for God to help with peace and hope that finishes the rest of the "Serenity Prayer."
Congregational hymns included, "The Old Rugged Cross" led by Karen Gardner, with piano accompaniment from Susan Cory. Mitchell Lett asked for God's blessing upon the offertory, and he and Tyrel Lett served as ushers.
"The Days of Our Lives" was the title of Brother Mark Hall's message, with scripture from Genesis 12:1-8, about the Lord's promise to Abram. Brother Mark said that everyone should give to others not because they are good but because they are and Jesus is.
"Everyone should be happy because they are where they want to be with God. Everyone can still smile and wave at people when building a fence, it is hot and the sweat is rolling. Those days of accomplishing what we set out to do may be rare. Other days it seems it's a fight to get things done. There will be days like that, but life doesn't have to be that way." In John 10:10, Jesus says, "The thief does not come to except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly."
Brother Mark continued, "Everyone can have a life or they can have THE life that Jesus wants for them. Life is not a straight line. People start out following God because He has something for his children, but then find people wander off for other things. God has a life for everyone, not momentary things. His children follow Him because He shows THE life if his children will follow Him. Be blessed with THE life. It is a decision along the way. It will determine whether it clicks or if everyone has to fight for it. A lot of saved Christians are not living THE life, just fighting through a life. Everyone can have THE life by following Jesus. It doesn't mean there won't be rough times. There will still be those days, but to get to the promised land, his children have to follow God. When God receives what He wants, things go good when building altars. But then someone makes a bad decision like Abram and gets away from following God and gets in a jam."
Brother Mark continued by saying that people shouldn't run others down for their poor decisions, because everyone makes enough of their own. "Poor decisions stick like glue. God is perfect, but He still sympathizes when there is a mess up and poor decisions are made. God knew Abram's heart, saw his altar, heard his prayers and said let's get you out of the mess you got yourself into by making a poor decision. If people want THE life but are afraid of messing it up, there is a promised land if people follow God." Psalm 37:23-24 says, "The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and he delights in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; for the Lord upholds him with His hand."
In closing, Brother Mark said, "Everyone will stumble. If they think they won't, then they better be holding on to something when they do. But if people are the Lord's children, He will be by their side. Don't be so afraid of messing up and not getting in the game. If people are God's children, He catches them when they fall. Get THE life, not a life. It is time to lay down the pride and call God for His divine help."
Hymn of invitation was "Where He Leads Me," and Bobby Bryant gave the benediction.
Everyone is welcome to come worship at Mill Creek Baptist Church. Sunday school begins at 10 a.m. and morning service at 11 a.m. Mill Creek Baptist Church is located 3½ miles east of Noel or 8½ miles west of I49, just off Highway 90, on Upper Mill Creek Road.
Religion on 09/26/2019