By Emily Agee

“Praise ye the Lord. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power. Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness. Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp. Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs. Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals. Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord” (Psalm 150:1-6).

Thought for the week: “Do Not Judge Too Hard”

“Pray don’t find fault with the man who limps, or stumbles along the road, unless you have worn the shoes he wears or struggled beneath his load. There may be tacks in his shoes that hurt, though hidden away from view, or the burdens he bears placed on your back might cause you to stumble too. Don’t sneer at the man who’s down today, unless you have felt the blow that caused his fall, or felt the same that only the fallen know. You may be strong, but still the blows that were his, if dealt to you in the self-same way at the self-same time, might cause you to stagger too. Don’t be too harsh with the man who sins, or pelt him with words of stones, unless you are sure, yea, doubly sure, that you have not sins of your own: For that you have not sins of your own: For you now perhaps, if the tempter should whisper as softly to you as it did to him when he went astray, it would cause you to falter too.”

Announcements

The youth ministry of Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church in Jemison will hold its seventh annual military program on Saturday, Feb. 26 at 5 p.m. The Rev. Elvira B. Thompson of Augusta, Ga., 1st Sgt. U.S. Army retired will be the guest speaker. All military persons, veterans and their families are invited. For more information, contact 205-299-7128 or 857-2319 or 688-4031.

Worship service at Holly Grove Baptist Church in Jemison began with praise service led by the men’s chorus with Perry Nunn as song leader. The scripture was read by Perry Nunn with prayer by Pastor Dukes, Carl Singleterry, Shaun Bailey and Kevin Nunn.

Pastor Dukes brought the message, which posed the question, “How many feel like your journey is unfair?” Part of the message’s title was “The Mission is Greater Than the Journey.”

We may ask ourselves, “Why me? What have I done so wrong?” Do you worry about the things in life when there are bumps in the road? They make you want to walk away. Life’s mission is a cause for struggle; Jesus had struggles, so why not you? Satan wants you to question God about your problems; he wants you to think that God has forgotten you.

Remember, God loves you (read John 3:16). Satan messes with people who are saved because he already has the unsaved. Believe by faith, not emotion or tradition.

Know that God is love; he is near and he is true. He is the Light of the World, he is just and he loves you.
The journey is rough, but I am going to get there. If God told you to go to the other side, you will get there. Keep your eyes focused on Jesus, for if you don’t you will sink. You are just about to get out of the storm. Stay focused; you have already won. Don’t worry about your journey. God has given you a mission.

Remarks were given by Pastor Dukes.

On our sick list this week we ask you to remember in your prayers: Jerry Wilson, Joseph McCall, Margie Hardnett, Lee Anna Worthey, Flora B. Franklin, Annie D. Gill, Robert Spence 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.