Susan Cory and Alesia Parish were celebrating birthdays as we gathered to worship Sunday morning at Mill Creek Baptist Church. Doug Cory greeted the congregation and special prayers were requested for Skip, Larry Davis, Harry Gann, the Jim Roberts family, Darlene Evans, the Goodwin family and Jerry.
Terry Lett taught the adult Sunday school lesson, "Finding Honor," with scripture study from Proverbs 31:10-16, 23-31 about the virtuous woman who is wise in her work, sure in her reputation and honored through fearing God. In the context, believers are to "honor their marriage commitments, wisely provide for the needs of their families, to use their influence for the kingdom and to honor God in their lives."
Linda Abercrombie shared the devotional, "Look Up," and read Psalm 121:1-2, "I will lift up my eyes to the hills from whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth." God comes to his people in times of need. His love includes all people. Psalm 46:7 says, "The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge."
Wayne Holly and Karen Gardner led the congregation in singing "I'll Be List'ning," with Susan Cory at the piano. We enjoyed special praise music from Jerry Abercrombie, who sang "Through It All," and Karen, who sang "How Great Thou Art."
God's message for us was "What test? Where's the Manna?" with scripture from Matthew 7:1-2, where Jesus tells us, "Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you."
Brother Mark Hall began by telling us that we are always taking tests. Do we pass? He referred to Deuteronomy (15:7ff.) where it talks of giving and how to treat the poor and said, "It is a condition of the heart to give right. We cannot give grudgingly or with grief. We should give back something that we have already been given. That is how we give with a pure heart." In Luke 6:37-38, Jesus tells us "Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you."
Brother Mark talked about three things that God gives us explicitly to share and that is our time, talent and treasure (money). He told us that the biggest turnoff is judgment and that whatever we give, we get back. "If you give kindness, sympathy and compassion, that is what you get back. If you judge, you get judged and if you are mean, that's what you get back. When we give to people, we also give to the Lord and that is what we get back from the Lord. God will test us in our willingness to share those three things of time, talent and treasure. His giving is to us and through us. If we sow and reap and give grudgingly, we won't get anything out of it. We are born selfish people, but we get over it when we are born again. When we have that "mine" attitude is when we grieve, when we give grudgingly. Instead, give from a cheerful heart. What they do with what you give them is on them, but your reward for giving is still there. Don't give to get, give to give. There is no greater feeling than giving with a cheerful heart. God will test us on our willingness to share our time, talent and treasure."
Brother Mark read 2 Corinthians 9:6-9, "But this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. As it is written: 'He has dispersed abroad, He has given to the poor; His righteousness endures forever.'"
In closing, Brother Mark said, "When you pray, don't expect manna to start falling from heaven if you haven't started a little manna farm in the clouds above. That's where the manna is. On the road to giving, the first thing to give is your heart to Jesus. You must have Jesus."
Our hymn of invitation was "Lord, I'm Coming Home." Steve Mason gave the benediction.
We invite you to join us in worship Sunday mornings at 11 a.m. at Mill Creek Baptist Church, located 3 1/2 miles east of Noel just off Highway 90. Sunday school begins at 10 a.m. Everyone is welcome.
Opinions expressed are those of the author.