By Emily Agee

“O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! Who hast set thy glory above the heavens. Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger. When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour. Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet: All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field; The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas. O Lord our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!” (Psalm 8:1-9).

Thought for the week: “God’s Groceries.”

As I was walking down life’s highway many years ago, I came upon a sign that read, “Heaven’s Grocery Store.” When I got a little closer, the doors swung wide open, and when I came to myself I was standing inside.

I saw a host of angels; they were standing everywhere. One handed me a basket and said, “My child, shop with care.”

Everything a human needed was in that grocery store, and what you could not carry, you could come back for more.

First I got some patience; love was in that same row. Further down was understanding; you need that everywhere you go. I got a box or two of wisdom—and faith a bag or two. And charity—of course I would need some of that, too. I couldn’t miss the Holy Ghost; it was all over the place. And then some strength and courage to help me run this race. My basket was getting full, but I remembered I needed grace and then I chose salvation, for salvation was for free. I tried to get enough of that to do for you and me.

Then I started to the counter to pay my grocery bill, for I thought I had everything to do the master’s will. As I went up the aisle, I saw prayer and put that in, for I knew that when I stepped outside I would run into sin. Peace and joy were plentiful, the last things on the shelf. Song and praise were hanging near so I just helped myself.

Then I said to the angel, “Now how much do I owe?” He smiled and said, “Just take them everywhere you go.” Again I asked, “Really, now, how much do I owe?”

“My child,” he said. “God paid your bill a long time ago.”

Announcements

Worship service at Holly Grove Baptist Church in Jemison began with praise service by the choir. The scripture was read by Perry Nunn. The songs sung were: “Walk in the Light,” “Keep the Lord on Your Side,” “Let the Church Say Amen” and “God Made Me Who I Am.” The morning message was given by Pastor Kenith Dukes. His theme: “Your Relationship With God Is More Important than Anything Else.” The loss that led to victory. There is victory in death through Christ. What have you lost for Christ? Paul gave up a lot to follow Christ. It’s not by works, it’s by the Spirit of God. You must let go of something to follow Christ. What will your final score say—lost or there is victory in Jesus? Paul was transformed after he lost his sight. He got it back after he trusted Christ. He lost his pride and high status. Don’t struggle worrying about what people say. Keep your eyes on Jesus. Don’t strive to make folks happy. He gained knowledge of Christ, a personal relationship through faith. Jesus loves you and never will leave you. Do you take advantage of your relationship with him? He gained the righteousness of Christ, which comes by faith. He received Christ’s righteousness because he died on the cross. You can handle suffering and trials of life; you can handle it like Jesus handled it.

Fellowship was shared by Pastor Dukes, deacons and congregation.

Our sympathy goes out to the family of Ms. Jeanette Lane in their time of bereavement. Arrangements were incomplete as of press time. Agee Brother’s Funeral Home directing.

On our sick list this week we ask you to remember in your prayers: Jerry Wilson, Harold Frazier, Sam and Vivian Hicks, Lee Anna Worthey, Danny Frazier, Roberta Lee and Latoya Allison. May God heal, strengthen and keep them in His care is our prayer.

Church calendar

The 13th Annual Praise and Worship Outreach Ministry Explosion will be held on Aug. 11 at Friendship Baptist Church, 205 Friendship Road, Clanton, at 10 a.m. The event is sponsored by Evangelist Diana Pryor and Bro. Eddie Pryor.The them is “Taking the Mask off in Humility: Tearing Down Generation’s Curses and Restoring the Soul.” Everyone is invited.

–Emily Agee is a religion columnist for The Clanton Advertiser. Her column appears each Thursday.