Overcoming Life’s Circumstances
As we gathered to worship Sunday morning at Mill Creek Baptist Church, we recognized our pastor, Brother Mark Hall, and Shelley for the last Sunday of Pastor Appreciation Month. We are so blessed to have them at Mill Creek. Doug Cory greeted the congregation and special prayers were requested for Jimmy Easter, Don Chaney, Hope, Wayne’s brother- in- law, Louis Moore, the Madison family, the Parson’s family, the Bonebrake family, Gerald Schlessman, Skip, Hope and the LaRue Tiffany family.
In announcements, we will be participating in Trunk-or-Treat at Southwest City on Halloween. With regret, we have canceled our Community Thanksgiving dinner this year because of the pandemic.
“God Renews” was the adult Sunday school lesson taught by Shelley as we studied Isaiah 4:18-31. The text of the lesson told us that all idols are human creations and fall short in comparison the one true God. God alone is the Creator of the universe, directing the affairs of His creation and God strengthens those who place their trust in Him.
Linda Abercrombie shared the devotional, “Grace for the Mess,” read Romans 5:17, and talked about falling from grace. Do we really understand grace? Do we believe in grace that can change and shape, strengthen and humble us? God’s grace is the voice that calls us to change and pull it off. With His grace, we can go from insecure to God secure.
Hymns of praise included “It Took A Miracle” and “Love Lifted Me,” led by Karen Gardner with Susan Cory at the piano.
Brother Mark continued the sermon series “Getting Over It” with Sunday’s message “Getting Over the Circumstances of Life” when life throws us circumstances out of the blue. Scripture was from Philippians 3:1214, “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through Him who gives me strength. Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles.”
Brother Mark also referred to verses 10-13 which talks of Paul’s imprisonment and told us that the Bible tells us God shall supply our needs and said, “You may live with negative circumstances, but you don’t have to live under them. A lot of people do and they don’t really live. Some say life is 10 percent what happens and 90 percent how you respond to what happens. You just have to learn how to get over it.
We judge others negatively to our standards instead of the positive. One gets over it and another doesn’t. Circumstances of life can get you down and make you bitter or you can get over it. Think of things, experiences and relationships you have had that you wouldn’t trade for anything. God blesses us with little things every day.
Just look up at the stars. Some people have to live with terrible circumstances. We pray and we think God doesn’t hear. He does. He has a purpose for us on earth. But we can’t let our circumstances dictate our lives or they will distract us from fulfilling God’s purpose for us in our lives. He does have a purpose for us. Don’t ignore that purpose and miss living.”
Brother Mark continued by saying, “Sometimes we spend all our time climbing a ladder and then reach the top and find out we had it leaning against the wrong wall. Getting beaten down by life’s circumstances can make us bitter and we think God doesn’t hear us, but God knows and He cares. Life is sometimes not fair, but we have to get over it.”
Brother Mark referred to the story of Esther and read Esther 4:12-14. “Esther went from rags to riches to death. You are here for a purpose. When your time comes for your purpose, will you be ready? It is a privilege to get to fulfill the purpose God has for us. Are you gonna get over the circumstances of life and fulfill your purpose in life? We should have many. God will set you in a place and time that might not be convenient for you to fulfill that purpose.”
Brother Mark talked about Esther and her purpose and told us she had to get over circumstances to fulfill her purpose. “That is the importance of getting over it. Just like the song says, ‘this world is not my home, I’m just traveling through.’ Heaven is our home. God can use the bad for good and we should use every experience for a purpose to help someone else. When your feet are on the ground, be looking for God’s purpose for you.”
Our hymn of invitation was “Leave It There,” and Steve Mason gave the benediction.
We invite you to worship with us Sunday mornings at 11 a.m. at Mill Creek Baptist Church. 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.