By Emily Agee

“Trust God”:

There’s never a teardrop that God doesn’t see.  He knows when a sparrow falls from a tree.  There’s never a moment when God doesn’t care; never a time when He won’t hear our prayer.
“The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, are from the Lord.  All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the Lord weigheth the spirits.  Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established.  The Lord hath made all things for himself:  yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.  Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord:  though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.  By mercy and truth iniquity is purged:  and by the fear of the Lord men depart of the Lord men depart from evil.  When a man’s ways please the Lord, he maketh even the enemies to be at peace with him.  Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right.  A man’s heart deviseth his way:  but the Lord directeth his steps” (Proverbs 16:1-9).

Thought for the week: “Within His Hands”

“Whenever I grow weary, and miles seem much too long, and troubles think I am the one to whom they all belong.  When things don’t always work out, according to my plan, it’s hard to drag my cross along, when I can barely stand.  And yet it’s times like these that test the metal of the soul, how commonplace the daffodil, if everything were gold.  We would have naught to hope for, if skies were always blue, and it is true the sweetest smile must hide a tear or two.  And so in spite of everything, I know I’m not alone, God never will forget me, though all the world be gone.  With age there comes a wisdom, youth never understands, when each of us can see ourselves, … carved in the Savior’s Hands.”

Announcements

Cross Road Baptist Church in Verbena will celebrate its Choir Anniversary on Sunday, March 20 at 2 p.m.  All groups, choirs and soloists are invited.  For more information, call 755-2683.

Big Spring Baptist Church in Verbena will celebrate its Fourth Annual Youth Gospel Explosion on Sunday, March 27 at 2:30 p.m.  The Rev. Willie Washington is pastor.  All groups, choirs and soloists are invited.

Worship service at Holly Grove Baptist Church in Jemison began with songs by the senior choir directed by Jennifer Peoples.  Songs sung included, “Down at the Cross,”  “Come Unto Me and Rest,” “His Mercy Endures Forever” and “Give Myself So He Can Use Me.”

The scripture was read by Willie Nunn with prayer by Rev. Dukes and Charles Arrington.  The morning message was given by Pastor Kenneth Dukes and followed the theme, “Change: What Can I Do So He Can Use Me.”

Give yourself away so God can use you (Mark 2:1-5).  What are you doing to help?  Change does not come easy.  Talk can’t do it, action does it.  A community can bring change.

If someone needs to change and to come to Jesus, teach them how to love in our home, church and community. Find a way to bring people to Jesus. Make your church flourish.

Jesus changed the leper’s condition; he changed Simon’s condition. When Jesus is in the house, there is healing there.

Four men brought a man to Jesus with useless legs for a change. Don’t be discouraged when you are doing something to help.  These four men figured out a way for Jesus to see this man.  They went up on the roof and made a way to see Jesus.

Jesus is looking at you to see how you help people.  What are you doing to help?

The benediction was led by Pastor Dukes.

Our sympathy goes out to the families of Ms. Johnnie Mae Slaughter and Mr. Billie Dennis in their time of bereavement.  Ms. Slaughter’s funeral is Saturday, March 19 at 11 a.m. at Agee Brothers Funeral Home Chapel.  Mr. Dennis’ is also on Saturday at 2 p.m. at Agee’s Chapel. Agee Brothers Funeral Home directing.

On our sick list this week we ask you to remember in your prayers: Margie Hardnett, Joseph McCall, Sam and Vivian Hicks, Flora Franklin, Jerry Wilson, Joe Frank Allison, Evelyn Austin and Dorothy Campbell.

May God heal, strengthen and keep them in His care is our prayer.

Emily Agee is a religion columnist for The Clanton Advertiser. Her column appears each Thursday.