Problems Can Define Or Refine You
Wayne Johnson greeted the congregation and opened our Sunday morning worship service with prayer. Special prayers were requested for Brooklyn, Jerry Abercrombie, Braylen, Mildred Sharp, Cassandra Cartwright and Doug Cory.
We will have a float in the Old Timer’s Day Parade in SWC on May 6, and next Sunday we will observe the Lord’s Supper. We will have Vacation Bible School on Saturday, July 8.
Dot announced the Noel Women’s Club Bake Sale in Noel next Saturday.
Jeanette Easter gave the devotional “Come to Me and Rest in My Loving Presence” and read scripture from Matthew 11:28 and Joshua 1:5-9. When you try to think your way through trials, let God help and relax in His peace. Becky Johnson and Karen Gardner led the congregational hymns as we sang “He Set Me Free” and “Down On My Knees” and we were blessed with special music from Kim Lee-Masters who sang about God knowing the tree He grew would be the one Jesus was nailed to so that we might be free and Karen who sang “How Great Thou Art.” Tyrel Lett asked the blessing on the offertory and he and Rick Lett served as ushers.
Our Pastor, Brother Mark Hall, began God’s message for us by asking us to fill in the blank, “My life could be so much better right now if it wasn’t for ?” He told us everyone has problems even though everyone thinks theirs is the biggest. Brother Mark’s sermon focused on how to turn obstacles into opportunities and problems into possibilities. He referred to I Corinthians 16:5-9 and talked about seeing opportunities or obstacles. “When you have problems in your life, they seem huge because they are all you can see. They consume you and you become obsessed with them. Your problems can define or refine you. Some let their problems define them. Some like to be known as the person with problems as that is all they think and talk about.”
Brother Mark referred to Nehemiah 1:1-11 as he talked about the Jewish exile. Nehemiah who met up with old friends who described a sad picture of how things were where he came from. The ‘old home place’ had become broken down. He had big problems but still became a big man of faith. Brother Mark told us it is okay to weep and agonize over a problem when you encounter it, but then you need to pray. He talked about how Nehemiah prayed about his problem.
First, he prayed a prayer of contrition. He humbled himself before God.
Second, he said a prayer of confession for personal and the nation’s sins. Sometimes we have a whole list of people we blame for our problems. Do we include ourself?
Third, Nehemiah said a prayer of confidence. He stood on the word of God.
And fourth, he said a prayer of commitment.
Brother Mark said, “Don’t stand back and let God do all of the work. We must let God use us to help solve it, too.”
Brother Mark told us, “Nehemiah visualized the problem, agonized the problem and then got organized.” He then read Nehemiah 2:2-4. As he talked about the story of Nehemiah, he told us Nehemiah needed three things. “First, he needed the King’s permission. Before we do anything in the name of Jesus, we need to get His permission. Second, Nehemiah needed the King’s protection. We need the Lord’s protection everyday to turn problems into possibilities. Third, Nehemiah needed the King’s provision. The Lord will give us the building materials and necessary tools. Regardless of what people think, Christianity is not the subtraction of problems. It is the power to overcome problems. Many hands make light work especially when you are in God’s hands. Your problems can define you or refine you. Nothing overwhelms God. He is the overwhelmer. Don’t wait too long to get God involved in your problems.”
In closing, Brother Mark talked about the significance of the wall of Jesus being broken down. “How are the spiritual walls around your home and community? It is easy to pretend they aren’t there and do nothing. Have you stopped lately to visualize the problem, agonize in prayer and then take time to organize? It takes a willingness to work to get some wall building done - a spiritual wall. Church is where you organize. The work is on the outside of the church. That’s where the spiritual wall needs to be built. Can you commit to work on the spiritual wall for God? Don’t take a commitment to God lightly. Pray for God’s permission, protection, and provision. Can you make that commitment today?”
Our hymn of invitation was “Leave It There” and Tom Sharp gave the benediction. We invite you to worship with us on Sunday mornings at 11 a.m. and hear God’s word. Sunday school begins at 10 a.m.
Mill Creek Baptist Church is located 3½ miles east of Noel just off Highway 90.
Everyone is welcome.