By Emily Agee

“Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me: for Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica, Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry. And Tychicus have I sent to Ephesus. The cloak that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments. Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works: of whom be thou ware also, for he hath greatly withstood our words. At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge. Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen” (1 Timothy 4:2-18).

Announcements

The Rev. and Mrs. Warren Tyus will celebrate his pastoral anniversary on Sunday, Oct. 13 at 2:45 p.m. at the Fellowship Church of God located on English St. in Clanton. All ministers, churches and congregations are invited.

Pastor and Mrs. Lenard Rogers will celebrate his second year of ministry on Sunday, Oct. 20 at 3 p.m. at The Great Commission Christian Cener located at 907 Samaria Road in Clanton. Bishop Keith Moore, pastor of Impact Christian Church in Montgomery will be the Guest speaker. Everyone is invited.

Our Bible lesson for today is “I Am the Creator of Heaven and Earth.” I am Lord of all that is and all that will ever be. Although I am unimaginably vast, I choose to dwell within you, permeating you with my presence. Only in the spirit realm could someone so infinitely great live within someone so very small.

When many things seem to be going wrong, trust God. When your life feels increasingly out of control, thank God. These are supernatural responses, and they can lift you above your circumstances.

If you do what comes naturally in the face of difficulties you may fall prey to negativism. Though the Holy Spirit is infinite, he deigns to be your helper. He is always ready to offer assistance; all you need to do is ask.

When the path before you looks easy and straightforward, you may be tempted to go it alone instead of relying on God. This is when you are in the greatest danger of stumbling. Ask my spirit to help you as you go each step of the way.

“And I will pray the Father, and he will give you another helper, that he may abide with you forever – the spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither see him nor knows him; but you know him; for he dwells with you and will be in you” (John 14:16–17).

Our sympathy goes out to the family of Arthur Agee Jr., in their time of bereavement. Funeral services will be held Thursday, Oct. 10 at 11 a.m. at Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church in Maplesville. Agee Brothers Funeral Home directing.

On our sick list this week, we ask you to remember in your prayers: James Singleterry, Martha Binion, Lee Anna Worthy, Dorothy Sims, Harold Frazier, Sam and Vivian Hicks, Von Harris, Janice Floyd, Robertha Lee and Tom Tinsley. May God heal, strengthen and keep them in his care is our prayer.

Thought for the week: ‘We must grow in faith together’

We must never take for granted the blessings we receive, as we share the faith within us with others who believe. We must grow in faith together and lift each other up, as we gather at his table to share the bread and cup. We are free to assemble, to serve and praise the Lord, and bear witness to all nations in love and one accord. We must never be complacent or we’ll surely drift away from the fellowship that binds us when we worship and obey. We must grow in faith together each one in his won way, as we gather with God’s children to worship him and pray.

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