By Emily Agee

“Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. This is my commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.” John 15:8–15.

Thought for today

“Prayers are the stairs that lead to God, and there’s joy every step of the way, when we make our pilgrimage to Him, with love in our hearts each day.”

Thought for the week: We must grow in faith together

“We must never take for granted the blessings we receive, as we share the faith within us with others who believe. We must grow in faith together and lift each other up, as we gather at His table to share the bread and cup. We are free to assemble, to serve and praise the Lord, and bear witness to all nations in love and one accord. We must never be complacent or we’ll surely drift away from the fellowship that binds us when we worship and obey. We must grow in faith together, each one in his own way, as we gather with God’s children to worship Him and pray.”

Announcements

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

The scripture was from Matthew 6:24–34. Prayer by Pastor Dukes, Bro. Tillis and Carl Singleterry.

Songs sung: “Running For Jesus,” “Salvation Is Here” and “Lord You Have Been So Good.”

The morning message was given by Bro. Johnnie Tillis. His theme: The spirit of a man is the candle of the Lord.

It searches everything including the inward parts. Do you have the spirit of God living in you? The spirit searches a man for an answer from God; you must worship in spirit and truth.

God talks to your spirit, not your mind. You contact God through his spirit.

The spirit searches the deep things, so protect your ears and eyes from things that are wrong; it could go down in your spirit.

Your spirit should stay in contact with God. When you do, you will see the promises coming to you. (By his stripes I am healed).

Ask God to fill you with his Holy Spirit. The spirit intercedes with ours. Contact is made with God.

How do you get the spirit? God has given us a measure of faith. Faith comes by hearing God’s word.

Is your spirit operating with God? It teaches all things. When Jesus left, he left a comforter.

The Holy Spirit invites the Holy Spirit into you. The spirit is the power of God. Let your light shine; you are a candle of the Lord.

Benediction and remarks by Pastor Dukes.

On our sick list this week, we ask you to remember in your prayers: Doris Ware-Henderson, Sam and Vivian Hicks, Dorothy Sims, Harold Frazier, Roberta Lee, Rena Dickerson, Evelyn Austin and Henry Stoudemire. 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.