And It Was So
As one views the grandeur of God's creative hand, one is immediately drawn to the remarkable shown above. In fact, upon closer examination, we can see that this phrase is used some six times in the beginning of God's revelation to man (Gen. 1:7, 9. 11, 15, 24, 30). Whether He was bidding the earth to bring forth grass (Gen. 1:11) or was ordaining the sun and moon for lights in the firmament (Gen. 1:15) all ended with "and it was so." Whatever it was that He willed, all he did was speak "and it was so." Not one case do we find failure. Neither was there any hint of hesitation, a pause or even a demand for a more powerful agency. In each instance, God spoke "and it was so.
And yet, this week of creation is not the only instance of such a response. Throughout the ages, man has witnessed the authority of God's Word and seen that it was so. It would not take long as one strolls down the corridors of time to see this principle at work. Just consider the day when the God of Heaven declared to Adam "of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it, for in the day that thou eatest there of thou shalt surely die"(Gen 2:16-17); and at that very moment when they partook of the forbidden fruit they surely did die (Rom 5:12; I Cor. 15:21-22).
This principle is further confirmed when we find the angel of the Lord appearing to Abraham and informing him that the wickedness of Sodom had been so great that their cry had gone up before the throne on high. And that the Lord would go down and see whether they had done altogether according to their cry and if so, Sodom would be destroyed (Gen. 18:20-22). Even though Abraham pleaded on behalf of the people, his intercession was to no avail; for the cry of people of Sodom was waxen great before the face of the Lord (Gen 19:13) and now He would destroy it "and it was so"(Gen 19:24-25).
We would be amiss if we did not include in our survey of this eternal truth the promise that was given to God's people as they wept by the rivers of Babylon. They found themselves in captivity all because they had rejected the will of God. Yet, God offered them a promise, a promise that foretold that after seventy years of captivity they would once again return to the promised land of their forefathers (Jer. 25:11-12; 29:10). And just as the Lord had said, "it was so.
This principle is not unique to the Old Testament; one can also see it in New Testament times. For after preaching to the multitudes, Jesus entered one of the ships and requested Peter to launch out into the deep and let their nets down (Luke 5:4). Upon hearing His appeal, Peter said, "We have toiled all night and have taken nothing"(Luke 5:5-6). Yet, Peter nonetheless fulfilled the Lord's request and lowered his nets which resulted in catching a great multitude of fish. Once again we see how the Lord would speak "and it was so.
With all that has been witnessed through the course of time does man still need more evidence to solidify this principle? Are we that bullheaded or stubborn to the startling fact that when the Lord speaks, that it will come to pass? My friends please heed the evidence thus laid before you since our God is immutable (meaning that He does not change) why does man continue to disregard His wishes for man to worship Him in spirit and in truth (John 4:24)? Why does man continue to discard God's will for man to be baptised in order to be saved (Acts 2:38; 22:16; I Pet. 3:21)? And why does man carry on and act as if he will never be judged for the unrighteousness in his life (Rom 2:1-11; II Cor. 5:10-11)? If there was ever a time in the history of man to heed this truth it is now! For if the Lord speaks it, it will be so!
Allen Weakland
Sympathy
We wish to express our sympathy to the family of Junior Machuca. Junior passed from this life on Thursday, January 24th. Funeral services were held on Saturday, January 26th here at Eisenhower.
Current Concerns
Barbie Robinson, friend of Holly Wesson, is recovering at Odessa Regional Medical Center Hospital after undergoing surgery.
Dolores Sanchez will be going to San Antonio for tests on the week of February 11th. She has a bump on the top of her head and needs to have it checked.
Robert Edward Orta, newborn great nephew of Rachel Galvan, was born three weeks early. He has to have tests done on his brain, liver, and is being given oxygen. He is at Odessa Regional Medical Center Hospital.
Prayer List
Avenell Holloway; LeeRoy Bell; Mildred Bell; Mark Brewer; James Drake; Mary Fuentes; Harry Montgomery; Russell Montgomery; Cathy Scott; James Smith (Nick's dad) and family; DeLora Wood.
Shut-ins
Mary Dunn; Fay Gann; Cecil and Mildred Hext; Virgie Price; Charles and Pearl Tucker.
Events
Watch In Search of the Lord's Way with Mack Lyon every Sunday morning at 7:30 am on CBS, channel 7. This week's topic will be entitled, "The Thousand Year Reign of Revelation.
FYI
The Wednesday morning Bible Class subject will be the book of Revelation.
We are busy planning our upcoming Ladies' Day to be held on March 1st. We need your help with this. We are still in need of coffee cups that you could part with for us to use for our special project. We need these as soon as possible.
We will be having a meeting for all the ladies immediately following morning services on Sunday, February 3rd. Please make plans to be here.
The New Mexico Christian Children's Home will be conducting their needs drive'. Their truck should be here on Monday, March 3rd. They have suggested sugar, Ritz crackers, and foil. Monetary donations are also accepted.
Youth
We are needing hosts for the monthly youth devotionals. Please sign up to host one or more on the sign up sheet on the bulletin board in the east foyer.
It's almost graduation time again. We have three graduates this year that we are aware of. These three graduates are Allison Easlon, Alyssa Lane, and Cameron May.
We need to get some hosts and/or hostesses to make a graduation shower for them. If you would like to host one of these please call the office and let us know. You can speak to Barbie Martinez or Steve Horton.
We are needing hosts for the monthly youth devotionals. Please sign up to host one or more on the sign up sheet on the bulletin board in the east foyer.
Birth Announcement
Congratulations to Manny and Victoria Orta on the birth of their brand new baby boy Robert Edward Orta. He weighed 5 lbs. and 7 oz. and was 19 inches long. Proud aunt is Rachel Galvan.
Thank You
There are no words to express our appreciation for all the cards, telephone calls, visits, and especially the prayers. A special thank you to Allen for the prayers at the hospital. I especially want to thank Susan Simmons for teaching the two's on Sunday morning and Wednesday night for the two weeks LeeRoy was in the hospital. LeeRoy still has a long way to go before he is well, but is looking forward to the day he can attend services again.
LeeRoy Bell and Sharon Bell
Office News
Our food coordinators for the month of February are Robbie Butler 362-7486 and Nancy Easlon 363-0350.
Our pantry is running low. Every two weeks we will have new suggested items. This week's suggestions are sugar, flour or tortilla mix, cooking oil, and milk products. Thank you!
| February 3, 2008 | Morning | Evening |
|---|---|---|
Announcements | Bill Brown | Bill Brown |
Song Leader | Steve Horton | Rudy Ochoa |
Sermon | Allen Weakland | Allen Weakland |
Opening Prayer | Bill Brown | Bill Brown |
Scripture | Bill Bayless | John Bethune |
Second Prayer | John Carroll | Bill Butler |
Closing Prayer | Billy Carson | Don Easlon |
|
||
West |
Ben Ellison |
Trini Wood |
East |
Harmon Rex |
Bradley Martell |
Other Responsibilities: Elder: Bill Brown ~ Deacon: Juan Morolez
Pulpit: Juan Morolez ~ Table: Richard Siler ~ Song Leaders: Ronnie Lane
Sunday AM
"Why Did My Savior Come to Earth"
(Luke 4:16-21)
Sunday PM
"A Plea to Brethren"
(Jeremiah 6:10-20)
Our Records
Bible Class... 93
Morning Worship... 165
Evening Worship... 102
Wednesday... 115
Contribution $4,429.00