By Emily Agee

“Jesus answered and said unto him, verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, how can a man be born when he is old? Can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? Jesus answered, verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, ye must be born again. The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but cannot tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth; so is every one that is born of the spirit.

Nicodemus answered and said unto him, how can these things be? Jesus answered and said unto him, art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?

Verily, verily, I say unto thee we speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness. If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things And no man hath ascendeth up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the son of man which is in heaven. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the son of man be lifted up: that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so love the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

(John 3:3-16)

Thought for the week: ‘Let’s not complain’

“There never was a day so long

But what the Lord was there;

There to fill our hearts with song,

And take away our care;

There for us to lean upon-

His mighty arm so dear,

Let’s not complain if days are long,

It brings the Lord so near.

There never was a night so dark

But what the Lord can see;

He’s there to guide our little lark

Across the raging sea.

The cloudy here and there trials may come,

And skies be all but fair-

Let’s not forget-God understands,

And he is always there.

Let’s not forget-he knows the way,

Because the path he made

And if we are faithful we shall find,

We need not be afraid;

For God is there, yes God is there,

He hears and knows our call,

Let’s trust him then, he’ll answer prayer

And lead us, lest we fall.

Let days be long and nights be dark;

We know they cannot last,

For every one we know of yet,

Has long ago been passed.

And now another day is here,

Let it be short or long;

Let’s not complain, for God is there

To fill our hearts with song.”

Announcements

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

Songs sung: “Let It Be Real,” “Thank You Jesus” and “Will You Be Ready.”

Prayer was by Pastor Dukes and Robert Callen.

The morning message was given by Pastor Dukes with his theme: “There is a purpose for everything.”

The rules of a follower include Peter, who was rebuked for having good intentions. He could not tell Christ what to do (Matthew 17:4). We are all candidates to follow Christ. Do you know the rules to follow Christ?

You can’t tell anyone he can’t be saved. Who ever will let him come to Christ, we are all his children.

God is seeking anybody; be committed from your heart to follow. Make a vow to uphold and follow him by faith. He paid it all on Calvary so come serve him. Start now and be prepared he is coming back for his church, not the building.

With no commitment you will never stay true to Christ.

Deny self and pick up your cross and follow. Deny self-self is an enemy when you are a follower. A table is prepared for you, don’t be satisfied with just getting by, God has everything you need, follow him. You must do it God’s way. You must go through Jesus to get to God. Fellowship was by Pastor Dukes, deacons and congregation.

Our sympathy goes out to the family of Mrs. Izora Henderson in their time of bereavement.

Funeral services will be held Dec. 7 at 11 a.m. at Agee Brother’s Funeral Home Chapel.

Agee Brother’s Funeral Home directing.

On our sick list this week we ask you to remember in your prayers: James Singleterry, Harold Frazier, Sam and Vivian Hicks, Dorothy Sims, Ruby Dukes, Versa Davis, James Nixon, Martha Binion, Janice Floyd, Robertha Lee 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.