By Emily Agee

“Verily I say unto to you, whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall lose on earth shall be lost in heaven. Again I say unto you, that if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them. Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, until seven times: but, until seventy times seven. Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain a certain king, which would take account of his servants” (Matthew 18:18–23).

Thought for the week: I know that my redeemer liveth

They asked me how I know it’s true that the Savior lived and died, and if I believe the story that the Lord was crucified? And I have so many answers to prove his holy being, answers that are everywhere within the realm of seeing. The leaves that fell at autumn and were buried in the sod now budding on the tree boughs to lift their arms to God. The flowers that were covered and entombed beneath the snow pushing through the “darkness” to bid the spring “hello.” On every side great nature retells the Easter story – so who am I to question “The Resurrection Glory?”

Announcements

Union Baptist Church in Clanton will celebrate its annual Women’s Day Celebration on Sunday, Sept. 16. Sis. Melody Freeman Kelly of Augusta, Ga., will be the guest speaker for the 11 a.m. service. Minister Ann Nathan of Montevallo will bring the message at 2:30 p.m. Chairperson Linda Walker can be contacted at 755-9800, or Francine Lewis at 755-9955. Everyone is invited.

Worship service at the Holly Grove Baptist Church in Jemison began with prayer and songs of praise with the theme “Justice Promised: Hope in spite of darkness.” Read Isaiah 9:6. When there is a mountain in your life, you have the power of faith to move it, climb it or claim it. Step out of darkness into the light of hope. The scripture was read by Willie Nunn with prayer by Pastor Dukes, Bro. K. Nunn and Carl Singleterry. The morning message was given by Pastor Dukes with his theme “How God Deals with a Church that Doesn’t Do Anything,” or a church that made God sick. Don’t be lukewarm (not hot or cold). If you are not focused or not doing anything, God will spit you out if you only going through the motion or focus on how pretty the building is. The church is not a building; its people are your only concern. Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness. Don’t get lackluster with your relationship every day. Be consistent and take responsibility for your own actions. Stand for what is right. Let your behavior show you know God. Be doers of the word and not just hearers. Let God brag on you like he did Job. Do you attend church regularly? You can’t lead if you are not present. Jesus is standing at the door, knocking; let him in. If you know and love him, take care of his house. God’s house should be a house of love. Don’t neglect God’s word. Tell folks about Jesus. Tell what you know and how changed you were from where he brought you. Benediction by Pastor Dukes.

On our sick list this week, we ask you to remember in your prayers: Sam and Vivian Hicks, Robertha Lee, Loyde King, Harold Frazier, Lotora Allison, Rena Dickerson, Evelyn Austin and Lee Anna Worthey. 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.