As we gathered to worship Sunday morning at Mill Creek Baptist Church, Jon Parish was celebrating a birthday and, last week, Ruth Briggs celebrated her 99th birthday as we drove by after church with birthday greetings from our vehicles. We also waved and offered greetings to Bobby Bryan on our way by.
Doug Cory opened our service with prayer and greeted our many visitors. Special prayers were requested for Jim Roberts, Mildred Easter, Janet Chaney, Mrs. Layman, Vernie and Mildred Cook, Gene Hall and Louise Moore. Thank you notes were read from Ruth Briggs and Raye Deen Boyle.
Rick Lett taught the adult Sunday school lesson, "Following God's Design." Scripture was from Proverbs 5:3-11, 15-18 as Solomon addressed the traps awaiting those who ignore God's design and the blessings awaiting those who follow God's design. Considering the consequences of unwise choices can help a person make a wise choice.
Linda Abercrombie shared the devotional, "Straight to the Top," and read Matthew 20:29-30, the story about two blind men healed and 1 Thessalonians 5:23. God's goal for us is wholeness.
As we celebrate the 244th birthday of our nation and the freedoms we have, we joined voices in singing "The Star-Spangled Banner" and "My Country 'Tis of Thee" led by Karen Gardner with Susan Cory at the piano. We were blessed with special music from Jerry Abercrombie, who sang "Family Bible," and Susan's daughter and grandchildren, who sang a couple of special praise songs.
Our pastor, Brother Mark Hall, brought us God's message, "The Little Things, Which Way Do I Go," part one this Sunday and part two next Sunday. Scripture was from Isaiah 41:10 where the Lord tells us, "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." Brother Mark told us we live in times of fear and uncertainty. "The Lord tells us to fear not. He is with us and will uphold us if we will hold on. Those little decisions we have to make every day get a little clearer with help from God. Sometimes we make decisions where there is necessarily no right or wrong, only pros and cons."
Brother Mark also read Psalm 37:23: "The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way," and Jeremiah 29:11, "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope."
Brother Mark told us that the Lord wants to be involved in our average, everyday life. "We run to God in crisis and with troubles, but we need to involve Him in everyday decisions that we make. Routine maintenance prevents big breakdowns. Just like taking care of your automobile, we need regular maintenance spiritually, too. Following God and making Him part of our daily living can minimize the time we spend running to Him in crisis and we can live without regrets. Hope is good, but hope runs to God in an emergency. Faith is already there.
There are two kinds of Christians -- those who hope and pray and then those who have faith and have been in touch with God all along. A Christian living on hope carries worry, a Christian living on faith doesn't. Don't underestimate the little things. Look at the stories of Sampson and of the fish that fed thousands. Everyone wants God's blessing in the big things, but God wants to see our faithfulness and trust in the everyday little things, too. We look for happiness in big things, but real happiness is in the little things every day as we trust God. Everyday little things make life worth living as we walk with and trust God. Little everyday things secure our happiness. Little choices sometimes don't seem to matter much but, with God, decisions in everyday life can make us the happiest and can shape our entire life if we allow God to be a part of our daily life. If you miss the small things, they could turn into something huge later in life."
Next week's message will be how to follow God's lead and know which way to turn. Brother Mark will talk about how do we know God's voice and leading with so much noise in the world today.
Our hymn of invitation was "The Savior is Waiting," and Wayne Holly gave the benediction. After our worship service, we gathered at the creek and witnessed the baptisms of Tim McCaine and Kaleerah. May God bless both of them. We also welcomed Tim as the newest member of Mill Creek Baptist Church.
We invite you to worship with us Sunday mornings at 11 a.m. Sunday school begins at 10 a.m. Everyone is welcome. Mill Creek is located 3 1/2 miles east of Noel just off Highway 90.
Opinions expressed are those of the author.