By Emily Agee

“My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring? O my God, I cry in the day time, but thou hearest not; and in the night season, and am not silent. But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel. Our fathers trusted in thee: they trusted, and thou didst deliver them. They cried unto thee, and were delivered: they trusted in thee, and were not confounded. But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of man; and despised of the people. All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, the shake the head, saying, he trusted on the Lord that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him. But thou art he that took me out of the womb: thou didst make me hope when I was upon my mother’s breasts and I was cast upon thee from the womb: thou art my God from my mother’s belly. Be not far from me; for trouble is near; for there is none to help. Many bulls have compassed me: strong bulls of Bashan have beset me round. They gaped upon me with their mouths, as a ravening and a roaring lion.” (Psalms 22:1–13)

Thought for the week: “God Will Not Fail You”

“When life seems empty and there’s no place to go, when your heart is troubled and your spirits are low, when friends seem few and nobody cares. There is always God to hear your prayers, and whatever you’re facing will seem much less when you go to God and confide and confess, for the burden that seems too heavy to bear God lifts away on the wings of prayer … and seen through God’s eyes earthly troubles diminish, and we’re given new strength to face and to finish life’s daily tasks as they come along, if we pray for strength to keep us strong … So go to our Father when troubles assail you, for his grace is sufficient and he’ll never fail you.”

Announcements

Fellowship Church of God in Clanton will celebrate their Family and Friends Day on Sunday, July 28 at 2:45 p.m. The church is located at 511 English St. in Clanton. The Rev. Warren Tyus is pastor. Everyone is invited.

Worship services at Holly Grove Baptist Church in Jemison began with praise devotion by the senior choir. The scripture was read by Perry Nunn with prayer by Pastor Dukes and Willie Nunn.

Songs sung were “Trouble in My Way,” “Satisfied with Jesus” and “Jesus Is A Rock in A Weary Land.”

Pastor Dukes brought the morning message. His theme was “Success; What Is Success?” How do you achieve it? What is it in God’s eyes?

Text was from Joshua 1:5–9.

If you do things God’s way, success is guaranteed. Not money, health or education, but God’s way.

It’s not about being better than others. We want all people blessed.

You are successful when you obey God, love God and love your neighbor. What does it take to make you love to serve God?

Joshua was not afraid to do it God’s way. It’s your time to step up and lead like Joshua.

A leader has to be careful with God’s people. There is a process to success. God has to care for you to do it. Get through all the human emotions and serve God.

Know God is with you. When he is for you, no man can be against you.

When you do things God’s way, he never loses a battle. Be productive for God. Benediction by Pastor Dukes.

On our sick list this week, we ask you to remember in your prayers: James Singleterry, Martha Binion, the Rev. Charles Brooks, Harold Frazier, Sam and Vivian Hicks, Mary Taylor, Dorothy Sims, Lee Anna Worthy and Robertha Lee. 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.