By Emily Agee

“Let not your heart be troubled:  ye believe in God, believe also in me.  In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you.  I go to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.  And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.  Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life:  no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.  If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also:  and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.  Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us.  Jesus saith unto him, Have I seen so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip?  He that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?  Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me?  The works that I speak unto you I speak not of myself:  but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.  Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works’ sake” (John 14:1-11).

Thought for the week: “Never Be
Discouraged”

“There is really nothing we need know or even try to understand if we refuse to be discouraged and trust God’s Guiding Hand… so take heart and meet each minute with Faith in God’s Great Love, aware that every day of life is controlled by God above… and never dread tomorrow or what the future brings, just pray for strength and courage and trust God in all things… and never grow discouraged; be patient and just wait, for “God never comes too early and He never comes too late!”

Announcements
Worship service at Holly Grove Baptist Church in Jemison began with praise service of songs, scripture and prayer.  Songs sung were “I am A Solider In The Army,” I Love The Lord” and “I Give Myself Away So God Can Use Me.” The scripture was read by Perry Nunn with prayer by Pastor Dukes, K. Nix and Shawn Bailey.

The morning message was given by Pastor Dukes with his theme, “Learn By Making Mistakes: Experience Is The Best Teacher.”  You can tell people how to do something, but experience is still the best teacher.

Do you learn from mistakes? Paul made mistakes but he changed from fighting the Church to building churches.  You win folks by sharing what you used to do, not by being a goody two shoes.  So change should include sharing.  Learn to appreciate what God does for you, whatever state you are in.  Learn from others’ mistakes and don’t go down that road.  Ask God to guide you; he will be a light unto your feet and pathway. Don’t trail; without him there is no place. Only what you do for Christ will last.  Remember you must always be in Christ; he is our power source.  Step out on your faith in Christ Jesus.  Be like the Hebrew boys — they did not bow, did not bend and did not burn.

The service concluded with fellowship by Pastor Dukes, Nix, Bailey, deacons and the congregation.

Our sympathy goes out to the families of Mrs. Annie Dennis, Mr. Joe Frank Allison and Mrs. Hattie Powell.  Funeral services for Mrs. Dennis is Saturday, April 16 at 2 p.m. at Union Baptist Church in Clanton.  Mr. Allison’s funeral is Sunday, April 17 at 2 p.m. at New Bethel Baptist Church in Lomax.  Mrs. Powell’s arrangements are incomplete at this time. Agee Brothers Funeral Home directing.

On our sick list this week we ask you to remember in your prayers:  Margie Hardnett, Sam and Vivian Hicks, Flora Franklin, Joseph Hicks, Robert Spence, Evelyn Austin, Lee Anna Worthey and Jerry Wilson.  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.