By Emily Agee

“Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day. Remember, O Lord, thy tender mercies and thy loving kindnesses; for they have been ever of old. Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodness sake, O Lord. Good and upright is the Lord: therefore will he teach sinners in the way. The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way. All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies. For thy name’s sake, O Lord, pardon mine iniquity, for it is great. What man is he that feareth the Lord? him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose. His soul shall dwell at ease; and his seed shall inherit the earth. The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant” (Psalms 25:5-14).

Thought for the week: “The Master of My Fate”

“He is the Master of my fate — he knows what’s best for me. I stand at His command and wait to learn my destiny. Two roads He gave me in my life, two ways in which to go. One led to darkness and to strife and one to sunshine’s glow. I took the wrong road at the start, not giving it much thought, but soon I learned with heavy heart the pain that it had brought. But then, I saw just up ahead a sign in letters bold; a crossroad that I took instead and there, found joy untold. ‘Twas there I met my Savior; he helped me understand that life is sweet where’er we meet if you but hold His hand. He is the Master of my fate — he knows what’s best for me. No longer do I stand and wait … I found my destiny!”

Announcements
Worship services at Holly Grove Baptist Church in Jemison began with praise service led by the male chorus with songs, scripture and prayer. Songs sung were “Amazing Grace,” “Come and Go To That Land” and “What a Friend We Have In Jesus.” The scripture was read by Charles Arrington with prayer by Pastor Dukes and Assoc. Min. Kevin Nunn. The 11 o’clock message was given by Pastor Dukes with this theme: “When Life Is About God, the Church Works Together.” Do you confine yourself in the walls of your sanctuary? Come together and worship. Life is every day, not how you profess to be on Sunday morning. To obtain victory, stay together. The Church is designed to work together — oh how good and pleasant it is for brothers to work together. Learn to love the Lord; be in one accord with one mind. The Church is you and has one body.

How to keep the Church together: There are four marks of unity — great humility, heart, and soul. Blessing is not based on what you have. Humility is a sign of love. The Church shows great power. The early morning message was given by Assoc. Min. Kevin Nunn with the theme: “God Is Good, O Taste and See.”

Are you willing to wait on the Lord? We are a people of impatience. Patience is a virtue. Eighty percent of man’s time is wasted on stuff that doesn’t matter, leaving you with 20 percent that you don’t have energy for.

Wait for God’s promise. Are you willing to wait? You have a need for patience; you will receive it after you have done the will of God. Jesus told his disciples he had something for them but they could not receive it until he left. They had to wait for the Holy Ghost. Then you can witness the Holy Spirit, which gives you the ability to move and to speak. You can’t do anything effectively if you don’t have the Holy Ghost. In him I move, and in Him I have my being.

The benediction was led by Pastor Dukes, Min. Nunn, deacons and the congregation.

On our sick list this week we ask you to remember in your prayers: Jerry Wilson, Sam and Vivian Hicks, Eliza Stewart, Lee Anna Worthey, Delores Morrow, Jessie Childs Jr., Flora B. Franklin, Evelyn Austin and Robert Spence. 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.