By Emily Agee

“My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commitments; for length and days, and long life and peace, shall they add to thee. Let not mercy and truth forsake thee; bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart; so shalt thou find good understanding in the sight of God and man. Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes; fear the Lord and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel and marrow to thy bones. Honour the Lord with thy substance, and with the first fruits of all thine increase; so shall thy barns be filled with plenty and they presses shall burst out with new wine. My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord; neither he weary of his correction; for whom the Lord loveth he correcteth; even as a father, the son is whom he delighteth. Happy is the man that findeth wisdom and the man that getteth understanding. For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. She is more precious that rubies; and all the things that canst desire are not to be compared unto her. Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand, riches and honour.” Proverbs 3:1-16.

Thought for the week: ‘Lord teach us to pray.’ The Lord looketh on the heart. 1 Samuel 16:7

We often say our prayers, but do we ever pray? Or do the wishes of our heart go with the words we say? We may as well kneel down, and worship gods of stone, as offer to the living God a prayer of wonders alone. For words, without the heart, the Lord will never hear. Then will He, to the one impart whose prayers are not sincere; Lord show us what we want and teach us as we seek thy face to feel the words we say.

Announcements

Worship service at Holly Grove Baptist Church in Jemison began praise service based on Matthew 4:4 “Just say no. Say no to disobedience, say no to doubt.” (Matthew 4:4-7) “and no to deception” (Matthew 4:8-11) The scripture was read by Charles Arrington with prayer by Pastor Dukes and Willie Nunn. Songs sung: “Glory Hallelujah,” “Where Would I Be,” and “God is my Everything.”

The morning message was given by Pastor Dukes. His theme was “A Problem That Won’t Get Away.” Some seem to linger longer. Christians have them; that is when the devil comes after you to rob you of your joy. The devil destroys relationships, finances, but you must trust Jesus. God is always there, and he is the difference maker. The devil always wants you to feel defeated. He wants you to see your problems only. Paul had a problem, a thorn in his side. He went to God three times. God said his grace was sufficient for him. Paul’s problem was physical, but robbing him of spiritual joy. The thorn was irritating him. We deal with problems to prevent spiritual pride. If you don’t have pride, then you don’t exhault yourself. The devil will slip in. He wants you to pray in and out of season. Pray when things are well and through a storm. Prayer is at its best at our weakness. Be satisfied with God’s grace when you do. You can handle the storm, whatever the problem. Prayer produces spiritual praise. Praise should always be on your mind. Never forget to praise God. There was fellowship by Pastor Dukes, deacon, and congregation.

On our sick list week, we ask that you remember the following people in your prayers: James Singleterry, Martha Binion, Bertha Gates, Sam and Vinian Hicks, Barbara Nix, Harold Frazier, Sue Braswell, Lee Ann Worthey, Larry Wilson, Pete Wilson, Minnie Avery, LaBell Kine, Annie Faye Cooper, Lisa Wright and J.R. Booker. May God heal, strengthen and keep them in his care.

—Emily Agee is a religion columnist for The Clanton Advertiser. Her column appears each week.