By Emily Agee

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I say unto you, that except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: But I say unto you, that whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison. Verily I say unto thee, thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.” (Matthew 5:16-26, KJV)

Thought for the week: ‘If I Had Prayed’

“Perhaps the day would not have seemed so long, the skies would not have seemed so gray, if on my knees in humble prayer I had begun the day. Perhaps the fight would not have seemed so hard; prepared I might have faced the fray, if I had been alone with him, upon my knees to pray. Perhaps I might have cheered a broken heart or helped a wander on the way if I had asked to be a light in some dark soul today. I would remember just the pleasant things. The harsh words I meant to say I would forget if I had prayed when I began the day. I think I could have met life’s harder trials with hopeful heart and cheerful smile if I had spoken with my Lord for just a little while. And if I pray, I find that all goes well, all care at his dear feet is laid. My heart is glad, and the load is light because first I have prayed.”

Announcements

The youth of Holly grove Baptist Church in Jemison will visit the Birmingham Civil Rights Museum and Lynn Park on Saturday, Feb. 22 in observance of Black History Month.

Worship service at Holly Grove Baptist Church in Jemison began with praise service of scripture, praise and songs. Songs sung were “Come and Go to That Land,” “Lord, I Want You to Move” and “Precious Lord,” with a solo by Perry Nunn. Scripture was read by Charles Arrington with prayer by Pastor Dukes, Bro. Spencer Brown and Carl Singleterry.

The morning message was given by Pastor Dukes. His theme was “Being a Christian in the Presence of the Devil.” Learn to do God’s will in the presence of the enemy. The devil has no authority over you. It takes God to get rid of the devil, not you. When Jesus comes back, he will take care of him. Seek a closer walk with Jesus.

Can you walk in the midst of a devil? Yes you can. What can we do as Christians with the devil all around us? Know the devil is always there. He is in your house, your church, and everywhere. The devil will come in while you are sleeping on God. Keep your focus on God and how good he is to you.

The devil is disguised to look normal, like tears or wheat that looks the same until they are grown. The devil knows what you like. Be who you are, even if the devil is present. Realize that there is a harvest and God will get rid of the devil. The Holy Spirit warns us to keep the devil out. He has given you authority over him. Get closer to God. God will pluck up the devil and burn him. The wheat shall be gathered and put in his barn. Hold on; God will handle you situation.

Pastor Dukes gave the remarks and the benediction.

Our sympathy goes out to the family of Ms. Janice Floyd in their time of bereavement. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, Feb. 22 at 1 p.m. at West End Church of Christ in Clanton. Agee Brothers Funeral Home will direct the funeral.

We ask you to remember these in your prayers: James Singleterry, Martha Binion, Nathan Shortridge, Sam and Vivian Hicks, Harold Frazier, Mildred Archie, Lee Ann Worthey, Dorothy Sims, Robertha Lee, Lisa Wright and Versa Davis. 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.