Eisenhower Edifier                    January 14, 2007

Can God Do Anything?

One's initial answer to the above question might not be correct. Many times in conversation people are heard to affirm that God can do anything and everything. But do such statements accurately reflect Bible teaching? It is true that the Bible speaks of God's power, and even says that nothing is impossible for him. God is almighty (Gen. 17:1). He can do all things (Job 42:2). Nothing is too hard for him (Jer. 32:17).With God all things are possible (Matt. 19:26). But, these statements are qualified by other passages and are made with the understanding that God can only do all things that are possible to do and that are consistent with his nature and purpose.

In other words, because of the nature of God there are some things that he simply cannot do. Titus 1:2 and Hebrews 6:18 state that it is impossible for God to lie. That is something that God cannot do. It is against his nature. God cannot be tempted with evil (James 1:13). God cannot be unjust (Gen. 18:25), fickle (Mal. 3:6), or unloving (1John 4:8).

In addition, God cannot do things that are logically impossible. Atheists have tried to stump Christians with the question, "Can God make a stone so large that he can't lift it?" Or, "Can God make a building that is larger on the inside than it is on the outside?" These are nonsensical questions. They are impossible on the grounds of their being illogical, not because of a lack of power on God's part.

Can God save a man who is not submissive to his will? If you are talking about ability alone, I guess you could say "yes." Some brethren have been known to reason along this line regarding those who die without having obeyed the gospel. They will say such things as, "Well, I know that John was not baptized, but he was a good man and possessed all the characteristics of a follower of Jesus Christ. Therefore, I can't say whether or not he was saved or lost. We just don't know how God will handle such situations. He certainly has the power to save people in their ignorance." But is it not the case that God has devised a plan by which man is to be saved, with the stipulation that any man who does not abide by that plan will be lost? Certainly (2 Thess. 1:7-9). Can you imagine God announcing to everyone on the day of judgment, "I know I said in the Bible that in the New Testament age, a person must believe in Jesus and be baptized for the remission of sins in order to be saved, but I really didn't mean it. A person didn't really have to be baptized in order to be saved." It is true that God has never been under obligation to tell us everything about his activity in the world (Deut. 29:29), but whatever things God has done and will do that we don't know about will not (cannot) contradict the things he has told us about his plan for man. Because God has limited salvation to the plan revealed in the New Testament, then to save someone who has not obeyed it would make God out to be a liar-- something that he cannot do. So will God save anyone who is not obedient to the gospel? No. He cannot do that and be consistent with His nature.

Can God do anything and everything? Not in the strictest sense of that question. There are some things God cannot do. Can God do anything that is not against His nature and that is logically possible to accomplish? Yes.

--Eddie Parrish

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Current Concerns
Bessie Peevy had surgery on Monday, January 8. She had several lymph nodes removed and the doctors are positive about the results of the tests that are to be done on those lymph nodes. Bessie will remain in MD Anderson the rest of the week. She is doing fine.
June Turnbow will be undergoing hip surgery along with two knee surgeries at different times in the near future.
Kevin Simmons is out of the hospital and recovering at home after having an emergency appendectomy.
Nell O Beth Willoughby has been diagnosed with Atelectasis.
Karla Warren had surgery on Wednesday, January 10th at Odessa Regional Hospital.
Devin Tate, grandson of Linda Tate, was in a car accident in which he sustained serious injury to his foot. He had surgery on January 10th and it went well. They are still concerned with a possible infection. He will remain at Medical Center Hospital for five days.
Epimenia Armendariz, grandmother of Sonia Wood, fell and broke her bone right below her hip. She had surgery on January 12th, at Medical Center Hospital.
Marie Riggs, sister-in-law of C.M. Riggs, was placed in Hospice house.
Glenda Crutchfield, cousin of Devida Montgomery, had surgery for colon cancer in Dayton, OH.

Prayer List
Mark Brewer; Darwin Carroll; Ireba Chaffin; Ruth Davis; RuLonna Edwards; Harvey Garvin; Marion Lee; Kayli Martell; Justine McCollum; Wilma Mitchell; Ruth Norman; Jim Reyna; Janelle Shirley; Delora Wood.

Shut-ins
Mildred Bell; Ruby Brown; Mary Dunn; Sharon Fisher; Fay Gann; Cecil and Mildred Hext; Lela Jo McElroy; Virgie Price; Charles and Pearl Tucker

Events
Gospel Meeting ~ January 14th-16th ~ Speaker- Mike Hisaw
Mike Hisaw was born in Parsons, Kansas and grew up in Dexter, Missouri. He attended Freed-Hardeman University and graduated from the Memphis School of Preaching. He is married to Charity, and they have three children; Jacob (7 yrs), Mary-Kate (5 yrs) and John Parker (8 months). He is currently working with the Carriage Oaks congregation in Bossier City La. Please join is in welcoming Mike and his family
Don't forget about the pot-luck luncheon immediately following the morning worship on January 14th.

Watch In Search of the Lord's Way with Mack Lyon every Sunday morning at 7:30 am on CBS, channel 7. On Sunday, January 14, the lesson will be titled "Keep Your Heart"
The Somebody Loves You Banquet and the Progressive Dinner will be combined along with a talent show this year on February 16th at the Slater Park Community Building. It will begin at 6:30 p.m. If you have any questions regarding this upcoming event please contact Lana Howard or Sonia Wood. They are asking that if you are planning on attending that you respond by Friday, February 9th. We will post new information for this event as it comes available.

FYI
Odessa Christian School is taking applications for both degreed and non-degreed substitute teachers. The hours are 8:00-3:30 and will pay $60.00 a day.

Youth
There will be a devotional on January 21st immediately following the evening worship at Lon and Lana Howard's home. Their address is 2908 E. 17th Street. Girls bring desserts and boys bring cokes.

Office News
Our food coordinators for the month of January are Betty Gerig and Maxine Newton .
We are having a sale on lectureship books as well as other books. There are some great deals and you won't want to miss out on your opportunity to purchase one of these wonderful study aids at such a great price! Look out for them in the foyers. Also take advantage of last years already recorded tapes, a bargain at .75 cents each.
There are several tapes that have been ordered that have not been picked up yet. Please be sure to check the table to see if you have ordered tapes that you might have forgotten to pick up.

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Opportunities to Serve

January 14, 2007	Morning	Evening
Announcements	Charles Wood	Charles Wood
Song Leader	John Carroll	Ronnie Lane
Sermon	Mike Hisaw	Mike Hisaw
Opening Prayer	Charles Wood	Charles Wood
Scripture	Juan Morolez	Scot Straw
Second Prayer	D J Ray	Jimmy Nunley
Closing Prayer	Rudy Ochoa	George Warren
Lord's Supper
West	Bill Ryan Roelf Ruffner Ruben Chacon Mike Arbuckle	Jeff Wesson Cody Wesson
East	Ronnie Lane Steve Horton Victor Martinez Jr. Munoz	Craig Wesson

Other Responsibilities: Elder: Charles Wood ~ Deacon: Johnny Warren

Pulpit - Bill Brown ~ Table - Bill Butler ~ Song Leaders - Ronnie Lane

Sunday AM ~ The Message Of The Kingdom ~ 1 Timothy 3:16
Sunday PM ~ SpreadingTthe Kingdom Through Right Attitudes

Our Records

Bible Class...107
Morning Worship...165
Evening Worship...115
Wednesday...110
Contribution...$5,588.85