“Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, the spirit that dwelleth in us lasteth to envy? But he giveth more grace. Whereforce he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts ye double-minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep; let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up. Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law; but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge. There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy; who art thou that judgest another go to now, ye that say, today or tomorrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain; whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say, if the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that. But now ye rejoice in your boasting all such rejoicing is evil, therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.” James 5:1-17

Thought for the week: ‘The Bible Stands’

“The Bible stands like a rock undaunted mid the raging storms of time;

Its pages burn with truth eternal and they glow with a light sublime.

The Bible stands like a towering mountain above the works of men;

Its truth by none can be refuted, and destroy it, they never can!

The Bible stands and it will forever when the world has passed away;

By inspiration it has been given, all its precepts I’ll obey.

The Bible stands every test we give it, for its author is divine.

By grace alone I hope to live it and prove it, and make it mine.”

Announcements

Worship service at Holly Grove Baptist Church in Jemison began with prayer, scripture and songs. The scripture was read by Perry Nunn with prayer by Pastor Dukes and Robert Callen.

Songs sung: “God’s Word is Like Fire,” “God Made Me Who I Am,” and “I Have Been Changed.”

The morning message was given by Pastor Dukes with his theme: “The Joy and Grief of Leadership.”

Good followers make good leaders. You are not a leader if there are no followers.

There are rules for leaders and followers. Which one are you?

Followers are not lesser when they are the team. There are no drills for leadership; it’s a mental thing. It is putting your best foot forward.

Do you propel people or do you hold people back? What about that Sunday School class you want to start? Everybody follows somebody. Everybody should follow Christ. The spiritual leader watch over your soul. He sounds the alarm. You are judged according to your works. You have to give in account for every idle word unless you asked forgiveness. It’s about being lost or saved. It is a blessing to have Jesus as our mentor; he is pleading our case. Benediction by Pastor Dukes.

Our sympathy goes out to the family of Dorothy Sims in their time of bereavement. Funeral services will be May 18 at 2 p.m. at Shiloh Baptist Church in Jemison. Agee Brother’s Funeral Home directing.

On our sick list this week, we ask you to remember in your prayers; James Singleterry, Martha Binion, Joe Varner, Nathan Shortridge, Gail Nix, Sam and Vivian Hicks, Lisa Wright and J.R. Booker. 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 week.