By Emily Agee

“What manner of saying is this that he said, ‘Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me. And where I am, thither ye cannot come?’ In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, ‘If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.’ (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive. For the Holy Ghost was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.)

Many of the people, therefore, when they heard this saying, said of a truth this is the Prophet. Others said, this is the Christ. But some said, shall Christ come out of Galilee? Hath not the scripture said that Christ cometh of the seed of David and out of the town of Bethlehem where David was?

So there was a division among the people because of him. And some of them would have taken him, but no man laid hands on him. Then came the officers to the chief priests and Pharisees, and they said unto them, ‘Why have ye not brought him?’ The officers answered, ‘Never man spake like this man.’ Then answered them the Pharisees, ‘Are ye also deceived? Have any of the rulers of the Pharisees believed on him? But this people who knoweth not the law are cursed.’ Nicodemus saith unto them, (he that came to Jesus by night, being one of them) ‘Doth our law judge any man, before it hear him, and know what he doeth?’ They answered and said unto him, ‘Art thou also of Galilee? Search, and look, for out of Galilee ariseth no prophet.’ And every man went unto his own house.” (John 7:36-53)

Thought for the week: The touch of the master’s hand

“Twas battered and scarred, and the auctioneer thought it scarcely worth his while to waste much time on the old violin, but he held it up with a smile. ‘What am I bidden, good folk,’ he cried. ‘Who’ll start the bidding for me?

A dollar, a dollar then two, only two. ‘Going for three,’ but no, from the room far back, a gray-haired man came forward and picked up the bow, wiping the dust from the old violin and tightening the loosened strings. He played a melody pure and sweet as a caroling angel sings.

The music ceased, and the auctioneer, with a voice that was quiet and low, said, ‘Now what am I bid for the old violin?’ And he held it up with the bow. ‘A thousand dollars, and who’ll make it two? Two thousand, and who’ll make it three? Three thousand once, three thousand twice, and going, and gone,’ cried he.

The people cheered, but some of them cried, ‘We do not understand. What changed the worth?’ Quick came the reply, ‘the touch of the master’s hand.’ And many a man with life out of tune, and battered and scared with sin, is auctioned cheap, to a thoughtless crowd, much like the old violin. A ‘mess of pottage,’ ageless of wine, a game, and he travels on. He is going once and going twice, he’s going and almost gone! But the master comes, and the foolish crowd never can quite understand the worth of a soul and the change that’s wrought! By the touch of the master’s hand.”

Announcements

Worship service at Holly Grove Baptist Church in Jemison began with praise service of songs, scripture and prayer. Songs sung: “Glory Hallelujah,” “God Made Me Who I Am” and “Lay Your Burden Down.”

The scripture was read by Earl Lucas with prayer by Pastor Dukes and Carl Singleterry. The morning message was given by Pastor Dukes with his theme: “The Power of Words, How do they Affect Others, Words are Powerful.” Managing your mouth, the power of words and what comes out of a man that define him. We try to convince people to be on our side by talking; we should learn when to say it and how to say it. Your mouth gets you in trouble; if you can control your mouth, you can be mature or healthy. Learn to manage your mouth; you determine who you are not. What comes out of your mouth defines you. Negative people look for wrong. How do you allow words to affect you; every careless word will be accounted for. Words determine your destiny. Learn how to talk right. The tongue causes problems: It destroys marriages and relationships. Words can destroy what you have; a slip of the tongue can destroy a relationship. Be quick to forgive. My words display who I am. Your words determine who you are by opening your mouth. Learn how to say the right thing at the right time. Remarks by Pastor Dukes.

On our sick list this week we ask you to remember in your prayers: Lee Anna Worthey, Inell Mitchell, Anita Nunn, Willie B. Tinsley, Sam and Vivian Hicks, Harold Frazier, Rena Dickerson, Willie McGee, Mary Ann and Joe Sexton, Dorothy Sims and Evelyn Austin. 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.