By Emily Agee

“Behold, the Lord God will come with strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him. He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young. Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and meted out heaven with the span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance? Who hath directed the Spirit of the Lord, or being his counselor hath taught him? With whom took his counsel, and who instructed him, and taught him in the path of judgment, and taught him knowledge, and shewed to him the way of understanding? Behold, the nations are as a drop of a bucket, and are counted as the small dust of the balance: behold, he taketh up the isles as a very little thing. And Lebanon is not sufficient to burn, nor the beasts thereof sufficient for a burnt offering. All nations before him are as nothing: and they are counted to him less than nothing, and vanity. To whom then will ye liken God? Or what likeness will ye compare unto him? The workman melteth a graven image, and the goldsmith spreadeth it over with gold, and casteth silver chains. He that is so impoverished that he hath no oblation chooseth a tree that will not rot; he seeketh unto him a cunning workman to prepare a graven image, that shall not be moved. Have ye not known? Have ye not heard? Hath it not been told you from the beginning? Have ye not understood from the foundations of the earth? It is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are of grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in. That bringeth the princes to nothing: he maketh the judges of the earth as vanity. Yea, they shall not be planted; yea they shall not be sown? Yea, their stock shall not take root in the earth: and he shall also blow upon them, and they shall wither, and the whirlwind shall take them away as stubble. To whom then will ye liken me, or shall I be equal? saith the Holy one. Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by number: he calleth them all by names by the greatness of hi might, for that he is strong in power; not one faileth. Why sayest thou, O Jacob, and speakest, O Israel, my way is hid from the Lord, and my judgment is passed over from my God? Hast thou not known? Hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? There is no searching of his understanding. He giveth power to the faint: and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall. But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength: they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint” (Isaiah 40:10–31).

Thought for the week: ‘The Bible has the Answer!’

“The Bible has the answer,

It’s the word of life and light;

There’s no groping in the darkness

When your way is always bright.

The Bible has the answer,

It’s the compass and the chart;

You’ll have the right directions

When God’s word is in your heart.

The Bible has the answer,

You’ll have joy and vict’ry, too,

As you walk the pilgrim’s pathway

With the guide that’s always true.

The Bible has the answer,

It’s the book that shows the way,

It reveals the Christ of glory

Who can change your night to day.

The Bible has the answer,

Send the word o’er land and sea:

It’s the message of salvation,

It’s the power to make men free.”

Announcements

Worship service at Holly Grove Baptist Church in Jemison began with praise service by the praise team. The scripture was read by Perry Nunn with prayer by Pastor Dukes and Perry Nunn. Songs sung were “Glory to His Name,” “Something Inside of Me” and “Rock in a Weary Land.”

Pastor Dukes brought the message. His theme was “If you believe.” Pray for others to come, but Jesus said you must be drawn. You can’t save folks. You must pray for them. You may be burdened trying to save your family, but just pray.

Be ye fishers of men. You catch them; he will clean them. Focus on prayer, have concern for others, be concerned about their souls. Be specific and determined in your prayer. Pray about faith; don’t waiver.

Believe God will do it. Trust him according to his will. Activate your faith first; pray with passion (Romans 10:1). Be consistent. Pray without ceasing. Pray with friends – it encourages. Show concern. Don’t be afraid to call on him – hold hands and pray together. Pray always in the spirit. Open your mouth. Move forward and believe what God says. You can do all things through Christ which strengthens you. Fellowship was by Pastor Dukes, deacons and the congregation.

On our sick list this week, we ask you to remember in your prayers: James Singleterry, Lee Anna Worthey, Martha Binion, Sam and Vivian Hicks, Dorothy Sims, Mildred Archie, Larry Wilson, Lisa Wright, J.R. Booker and Nathan Shortridge. 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.