By Willie Ann Johnson

First I want to thank Sis. Adrienne Terrell for writing such a beautiful article last week. Not knowing that is what you had asked God to bless you with God has showed you the presence of his glory. Thank you Lord.
The weather has been great but the pollen is still bad for me to go out during the day, early mornings are good for me.
Some of our college students have made it home for the summer looking and hoping to be blessed with jobs for next semester. We pray that God will show favor for them. We welcome visitors to the Springs where strangers meet friends and sinners meet Christ.
Sunday we had six to be baptized and we thank God for the souls that continue to be saved.
Our morning worship service began with our senior deacons who led the devotion and our Praise team came forward with a beautiful song, “Holy Spirit fall fresh down on me.” Our pastor came forward with his message, “In His presence is the fullest of His joy.” Exodus 33: 15.
Pastor T. let us know that the presence of God brought us thus far by faith; in His presence is joy and love. David said I want to dwell in the house of the Lord. He wanted to feel the Lord’s presence. We should take the Lord’s presence wherever we go. If I can just get to church where God’s presence will be I won’t complain as long as the Lord keeps the Holy Spirit within us. If you are faithful to God He will show His glory. For instance if you had a positive doctor’s report and after you went back and the test was negative God has shown His glory. Nothing no better than to keep His presence and in the fullest of His joy. Thank you Lord.
We had an awesome Sunday school lesson, “Setting Priorities,” from the book of Haggai 1: 10, 12 and 15. We spend most of our time on those things we consider most important or most urgent or most demanding. If you say, “I don’t have time to go to church,” but you really mean I think something else is more important than going to church so I am spending my time on that. People have gotten too busy to be a servant for the Lord.
Haggai called them to action; Haggai was a good motivator and encourager. He had a way of cutting right to the point. Is it time to live in your paneled house while the house of God remains in ruins, he asked? Some of us will keep making our homes and yards beautiful but what about God’s house? You say God is most important to you but you don’t act like it. Get your priorities in order. Haggai’s challenge is for us today. If God is first in our lives it’s time to praise it. Put God’s work at the top and stop making excuses about not having time. Spending time in eternal investment pays priceless dividends. Praise the Lord.
Keep all the sick, shut-ins and bereaved in your thoughts and prayers.
Thought for the Week – “The way of obedience is the way of blessing.”