By EMILY AGEE / Columnist

“The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord saying, thus speaketh the Lord God of Israel, saying, write thee all the words that I have spoken unto thee in a book. For, lo, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will bring again the captivity of my people Israel and Judah, saith the Lord: and I will cause them to return to the land that I gave to their fathers, and they shall possess it. And these are the words that the Lord spake concerning Israel and concerning Judah. For thus saith the Lord, we have heard a voice of trembling, of fear, and not of peace. Ask ye now, and see whether a man, doth travail with child? Wherefore do I see every man with his hands on his loins, as a woman in travail, and as faces are turned into paleness? Alas! For that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob’s trouble; but he shall be saved out of it. For it shall come to pass in that day, saith the Lord of hosts, that I will break his yoke from off thy neck, and will burst thy bonds, and strangers shall no more serve themselves of him: But they shall serve the Lord their God, and David their king, whom I will raise up unto them. Therefore fear thou not, O my servant Jacob, saith the Lord, neither be dismayed, O Israel: for, lo, I will save thee from afar, and thy seed from the land of their captivity; and Jacob shall return, and shall be in rest, and be quiet, and none shall make him afraid. (Jeremiah 30: 1-10)

Thought for the week: “In Moments of Prayer.”

“May we walk the path of life in our Redeemer’s care, daily glorifying Him with praise in our moments of prayer, asking Him for guidance as we journey through our days, to have Him walk beside us and beckon when we stray. May He then help us to follow his path of light once more until we reach His gateway, His kingdom and His door.”

Announcements

Worship service at the Holly Grove Baptist Church in Jemison began with praise service by the men’s chorus. The scripture was read by Jamie McKenzie with prayer by Pastor Dukes and Shaun Bailey. Songs sung: “I’ll Fly Away,” “Where Would I Be” and “Let the Church Say Amen.” The morning message was by Pastor Dukes with his theme:  “Don’t follow unbelievers; know when to get off the elevator of life.” How many chances are you going to give the devil to take you down? God doesn’t want doubters. Don’t doubt him. Don’t be captive to what you see. Go by what you know.  God gave you the right to choose. Following doubters will make you lose your blessings. Are you a fan or a follower of God? Do you support His church? A follower sticks until the end. Follow Jesus, not folk. Don’t be with opportunities to follow negative folk. You just got to the promised land and still have doubt; when you doubt yourself, you doubt God because he works through you. Don’t make your enemy too big. They are no better than you are. See yourself as strong and big. You will never overcome if you doubt. Don’t struggle and make the enemy bigger than God. The enemy is not. At the door of a blessing and won’t go in, are you afraid of success? The biggest giant is yourself; you do more to yourself than anybody. Benediction by Pastor Dukes.

On our sick list this week, we ask you to remember in your prayers: Jerry Wilson, Lee Anna Worthey, Danny Frazier, Harold Frazier, Eliza Stewart and Robert Cunningham. May God heal, strengthen and keep them in His care is our prayer.

—Emily Agee is a religion columnist for The Clanton Advertiser.