By Emily Agee

“Who hath believed our report? And to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed? For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth, he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? For he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.” (Isaiah 53: 1-8.)

Thought for the week: It’s not too late for today.

“It’s not too late for today; don’t put it off ‘til tomorrow. If you have made some mistakes, confess them now and grace will follow. Don’t gamble with life eternal, you must repent; this you know. Take a vow to make amends, and a new beginning shall follow. Humbly admit you did wrong, joy will return and you’ll find all of your sins are forgiven. Then you will have peace of mind. And forget all worldly gain; just embrace your sacred vow. It’s not too late for today, so talk to the Lord right now!”

Announcements

Revival Explosion 2012 will be held at “Through the Grace of God Ministries” located at 75 Eighth St. in Clanton. Bro. Ralph Bingham, pastor and evangelist Diana Pryor, revival coordinator.

Three nights only: Friday, April 13 at 7 p.m., Pastor Brenda Tyus of West Village Church of the Nazarenes of Selma; Saturday, April 14 at 6 p.m., Pastor Gwendolyn Foster of Gospel Truth International Church of Montgomery; and Sunday, April 15 at 5 p.m., Pastor Kenny Coburn of Way of the Cross Church in Verbena. Come! Let us fellowship together and be revised.

On our sick list this week we ask you to remember in your prayers: Jerry Wilson, Peggy Nell Mixon, Lee Anna Worthey, Danny Frazier, Harold Frazier, Rena Dickerson and Michelle Austin. 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.