By Emily Agee

“And Abraham was old, and well stricken in age; and the Lord had blessed Abraham in all things.  And Abraham said unto his eldest servant of his house, that ruled over all that he had, put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh.  And I will make thee swear by the Lord, the God of heaven and the God of the earth, that thou shalt not take a wife unto my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell:  But thou shalt go unto my country, and to my kindred, and take a wife unto my son Isaac.  And the servant said unto him, peradventure the woman will not be willing to follow me unto this land must I needs bring my son again unto the land from whence thou camest?” (Genesis 24:1-5).

Thought for the week: “God’s Love”

“We do not see the wind, we only hear it sigh; it makes the grasses bend whenever it goes by.  We do not see God’s love, but in our hearts we know he watches over us wherever we may go.  We do not have to see to know the wind is here; we do not have to see to know God’s love is near.”

Worship service at Holly Grove Baptist Church in Jemison began with praise service by the male chorus of prayer, scripture, songs and testimony.

Songs sung during the service included, “Turn It Over To Jesus,”  “Can’t Be Contended”  and “Oh How I Love Jesus.”  The scripture was read by Perry Nunn with prayer by Pastor Dukes, Perry Nunn and Minister Kevin Nunn.

The morning message was given by Pastor Dukes.  His theme was “Success Lies Within,” encouraging you to use your access to God.  Paul’s letter from a dragon cell still encourages others and specifies Timothy.  If you feel forgotten and life does not treat you well, encourage yourself – Timothy had a genuine faith.  If you come from a Christian home, make sure you have Jesus.  Jesus wants you to focus on how you live, not how you look.  God doesn’t give you the spirit of fear. The Holy Ghost is the stirrer; stir up the gift of power.  Accomplish what his will is.  He gave us power over scorpions and devils. We can do God’s will.

If you want to hear God, you have to spend time with him.  He gave the gift of love; love without reason or purpose.  Love because others are children of God.  He did it for all. Are you utilizing what you have? God gives you the spirit of a sound mind.  A sound mind is focus; it is discipline.

Remind yourself I can do all things through Christ. Focus on the fact that nothing will separate you from Christ. “I have fought a good fight; I have kept the faith.”

On our sick list this week, we ask you to remember in your prayers: Joseph McCall, Robert Spence, Annaretta Fells, Lee Anna Worthey, Queen Worthey, Nathaniel Shortridge, Joe Ann Gill, Sam and Vivian Hicks, Earl Davis and Stanley Frazier.  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.