By Emily Agee

“And he said unto his disciples; therefore I say unto you, take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on. The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment. Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them; how much more are ye better than the fowls? And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit? If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest?

Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I saw unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. If then God so clothe the grass, which is today in the field, and tomorrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, o ye of little faith? And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. For all these things do the nations of the world seek after; and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. But rather seek ye the Kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Luke 12:22-31)

Thought for the week: ‘Excuses’

“In summertime it is too hot, in winter it’s too cold; in spring and fall when the weather’s nice there’s some place to go, either to the mountains or to the beach, or visit some old friend; or stay at home and hope that some of the relatives will drop in. A headache every Sunday morn, and a backache Sunday night; But by the time on Monday you’re feeling quite all right. But maybe some of the children had a cold, pneumonia you suppose, so all the family had to stay home-and blow the poor child’s nose! The preacher is too young. Or some say he’s too old, His sermons are not plain enough, or either they’re too bold. His voice is too quiet like or else he’s too loud. He needs to have more dignity, or else he’s too proud. His sermons are too long and some say they’re too short. The church seats are uncomfortable, and the choir sings too loud, besides you get so nervous when you get in a big crowd. The doctor told you, you must take care for big crowds set you back. But of course you go to the ball game, you claim it helps you relax. Excuses, excuses; you’ll hear them every day. The devil will supply you, if from church you’ll stay away. When people come to know the Lord, the devil always loses. And so to keep them from the church, he offers them excuses.”

Announcements

Pastor and sister Lenard Rogers will celebrate his second ministry celebration as pastor of the Great Commission Christian Center on Sunday Oct. 20. At 3 p.m. located at 907 Samaria Road in Clanton.

Bishop Keith Moore, pastor of Impact Christian Church in Montgomery will be the guest speaker all ministers and their congregations are invited.

Morning Star Baptist Church in Clanton will celebrate its annual church anniversary Oct. 20 at 2:30 p.m.

The Rev. Roman Cecil Nix Jr. pastor, the Rev. R.W. Davis, pastor of the Mount Olive Baptist Church in Alabaster will be the guest speaker. Everyone is invited.

Revival services will be held at the Morning Star Baptist Church in Clanton beginning Oct. 22-24. Services begin nightly at 7 p.m.

The Rev. Walter Ellis pastor of the Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church in Montgomery will be the guest evangelist. All ministers and churches are invited. The Rev. Roman Cecil Nix Jr. is pastor.

Church services in Jemison began with praise service by the choir their theme: Choice and Consequences, based on Genesis 3:22-23. Songs sung, “A Seat in the Kingdom,” “When I see Jesus” and “Every Praise to our God.” The scripture was read by Steven Nunn with prayer by Pastor Dukes and Robert Callen.

Pastor Dukes brought the message: “Today is My Day” (Luke 19:5). Today is your day, everything changes except God. You must adjust to God, not him to you. He is calling to give you another opportunity; come celebrate victory in Christ; today is your day.

Zacchaeus wanted to see Jesus even thou he stole from his own people. He padded his own pockets. His lifestyle made it hard for him to see Jesus, he had heard about him. Please don’t block folks’ view of Christ; trust Jesus; today he will abide in your house. Come because he commands you to do so.

He sees the desire to be saved and Jesus sees your pain. He sees your isolation due to being greedy. Come down to show what side you are on, come for baptism, rededication or prayer.

People murmured and talked about Jesus because he visited Zacchaeus’ house. The church should not talk of others and drive others away. Today is your day, make your way to him. Benediction by Pastor Dukes.

On our sick list this week we ask you to remember in your prayers: James Singleterry, Von Harris, Janice Floyd, Martha Binion, Ella Fay Nunn, Sam and Vivian Hicks, Dorothy Sims, Ruby Dukes, Vera Davis, Georgia Swindle, Mildred Archie, Harold Frazier, Mildred Atchison, Ethel Smith, Dora Archie, Roberta Lee and Donnie Martin. 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.