By Emily Agee

Thought for today:

“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; they shall walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31)

“O sing unto the Lord a new song: sing unto the Lord, all the earth. Sing unto the Lord, bless his name; shew forth his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people. For the Lord is great, and greatly to be praised: he is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the nations are idols: but the Lord made the heavens. Honour and majesty are before him: strength and beauty are in his sanctuary. Give unto the Lord, O ye kindreds of the people, give unto the Lord glory and strength. Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come into his courts. O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth. Say among the heathen that the Lord reigneth: the world also shall be established that it shall not be moved: he shall judge the people righteously. Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea roar, and the fullness thereof. Let the field be joyful, and all that is therein: then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice before the Lord: for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth.” (Psalm 96:1-13, KJV)

Thought for the week: ‘The Land of Beginning Again’

“I wish for the land of beginning again where I could start life all anew; where confusion and strife that filled this poor life could not dampen my way like the dew.

If I could forget how I’ve stumbled along, how I’ve fumbled and faltered and failed, how I’ve veered each day from the service way, and from duties have halted and quailed.

My ear has been dull to the call of the world with its sorrows and heartaches and needs; so taken up with self I’ve had time for naught else, no time to cheer others with helpful deeds.

If I could erase all the dark things of life, if I could make right all the wrongs—every unkind word spoken, every good intention broken, it would turn all my sighs into songs.

Oh God, to that land of beginning again, let me come thru these penitent tears; let me start life anew, let thy rich grace endue me for service through life’s golden years.”

Announcements

Worship services at Holly Grove Baptist church in Jemison began with praise service led by the choir. The scripture was read by Perry Nunn, with prayer by Pastor Dukes and Robert Callen. Songs sung were “I’ll Fly Away,” A New Day,” “I’m Free” and “We Came This Far By Faith.”

The morning message was given by Pastor Dukes with his theme, “The Invitation: Lord, You Deserve the Highest Praise.”

Do you believe that God can heal, that he has everything you need? Don’t put off accepting Christ.

Everything is coming out of the closet except the Christians. Do you take a stand for righteousness? Do you let the enemy who is Satan and is corrupt take over? The enemy wants the Church to look bad.

You may be saved, but what are you doing for Christ?

Work makes you stronger. Seek him. Time is not on your side. Trust God and he will direct your path.

You can still have joy (2 Timothy 2:3). Invest in the Lord and endure in the Lord. Salvation does not mean that you are not going to go through something. Why do we reject God’s invitation? (We say, “I can’t because I just bought land” or “I just got married.”) What is your excuse?

Many were invited to come. We fail because we don’t know his voice, but his sheep know his voice? Do you know what kind of supper you are invited to? The marriage of the Lamb, the greatest banquet. Christ will be at the head of the table.

Come as you are, an honored guest of Christ. Be willing to walk with him when others will not. Come to Jesus; your soul is at risk.

If you do not accept his invitation, you will not go to heaven. There is no excuse. Give God time.

Fellowship was by Pastor Dukes, the deacons and the congregation.

Our sympathy goes out to the family of Mrs. Gladys “Fran” Austin in their time of bereavement. Funeral services will be held at Hopewell Baptist Church in Clanton on Saturday, April 12 at 1 p.m. Agee Brothers Funeral Home will direct the funeral.

We ask you to remember in your prayers these on our sick list this week: James Singleterry, Labelle Kine, Martha Binion, Robertha Lee, Sam and Vivian Hicks, Harold Frazier, Dorothy Sims, Minnie Avery, Larry Wilson, Joe Varner, Lisa Wright, Nathan Shortridge and J.R. Booker.

May God heal, strengthen and keep then in his care in our prayers.

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