By Emily Agee

“He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his trust shall be thy shield and buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand, but it shall not come nigh thee. Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked. Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; there shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. Thou shalt trend upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet. Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. With long life will I satisfy him, and show him my salvation” (Psalm 91: 1–16).

Thought for the week: The rose

“It is only a tiny rosebud, a flower of God’s design; but I cannot unfold the petals with these clumsy hands of mine. The secret of unfolding flowers is not known to such as I, the flower God opens so gently in my hands would fade and die. If I cannot unfold a rosebud, this flower of God’s design, how can I have wisdom to unfold this life of mine? So I’ll trust in Him for His leading each moment of every day, and I’ll look to Him for His guidance each step of the pilgrim way. For the pathway that lies before me my heavenly Father knows I’ll trust Him to unfold the moments just as he unfolds the rose.”

Announcements

Morning Star Baptist Church in Clanton will celebrate its annual Family and Friends Day on Sunday, June 10, at 3 p.m. The Rev. Harold Jones, pastor of the New Mount Moriah Baptist Church in Calera, will be the guest speaker. Everyone is invited.

Worship service at the Holly Grove Baptist Church in Jemison began with prayer, scripture and songs. Songs sung: “Glory Hallelujah,” “There Is a Man Coming,” “Are You Ready?” and “My God Is Awesome.” The scripture was read by Perry Nunn with prayer by Pastor Dukes and Willie Nunn. The morning message was given by Pastor Dukes with his theme “Make Away for a Mind for Christ.” Walk in it and live in it, don’t have a negative mind, don’t go around finding negative about people. Following Christ will make you overcome negativity. If Satan can attack your mind, he has you. So let your mind be in Christ Jesus, he is awesome. There are three requirements to obtain this mind. Read verses 1–5 of Philippians. 1 – A concern for others, if you don’t have it you can’t have the mind of Christ. Don’t dress like a sheep, be a wolf inside. We should be concerned about the saved and unsaved, consider others better than yourself. Do nothing out of strife and vain glory. Only what you do for Christ will last. Give generously, press down and over flowing have the mind of Christ. He died while we were yet sinners. 2 – Have humility. Jesus was obedient even to the death on the cross. Put on your spiritual apron and gloves and serve Christ and fellow man. Humility will bring unity in church and home. 3 – A commitment to being obedient; Jesus was obedient to God – He said not my will but thy will be done. He could have said something different. Obedience unleashes God’s promises to you. Serve God out of love and for what he did for you. Be faithful, come just as you are. Fellowship by Pastor Dukes, deacons and congregation.

On our sick list this week, we ask you to remember in your prayers: Jerry Wilson, Rena Dickerson, Roberta Lee, Danny Frazier, Sam and Vivian Hicks, Harold Frazier, Gussie Saxon and Lee Anna Worthey. 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.