Eisenhower Edifier                    March 23, 2008

Praying for Those in Power

Paul instructed Timothy, and the saints with whom he was working, to pray "for kings" and for "all that are in authority" that they might "lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty" (1Tim. 2:1-8). Certainly, the same holds true for us today. Realizing the great power that government wields over our lives, we need to commit to praying daily for our national, state, and local leaders. In Paul’s inspired words to Timothy, we find four reasons to pray for those in power.

It is Prescribed We read, "I exhort therefore, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority" (1 Tim. 2:1-2). The word "exhort" means "to call for." By inspiration, Paul was calling Timothy and others to prayer for leaders. Paul knew that government was ordained of God to be a minister for good (Rom. 13). However, he knew that government was dependent upon the prayers of Christians (Ezra 6:10; 7:23).

It is Profitable Paul exhorted Timothy and us to pray for those in power so that "we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty" (1 Tim. 2:2). "Quiet" means "tranquil" (2263) and "peaceable" means "undisturbed." To the captives, Jeremiah wrote "And seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray unto the LORD for it: for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace" (Jer. 29:7). Those in positions of authority have a great effect upon the lives of God’s children. Some bless our lives, while others are a curse. Rulers like Cyrus and Artaxerxes were a blessing. They let captives return to their homeland and rebuild. Other leaders like Pharoah (Ex. 1), Nebuchadnezzar (Dan. 3), Darius (Dan. 6), Herod (Bt. 2), the Jewish authorities (Acts 4:18; 5:42) and Nero (2 Tim. 4:6-8) were a curse. They made the lives of God’s children extremely difficult. We need to pray for those in power so that we might have peace and prosperity.

It is Profitable We read, "For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth" (1Tim. 2:3-4). The word "acceptable" means "agreeable." Praying for those in authority is in agreement with God’s will. It is consistent with God’s desire for all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth (2 Pet. 3:9; John 3:16). As you know, some governments enact policies that aid the spread of the gospel while others enact policies that hinder its spread. God wants us to pray for rulers to make the right decisions.

It is Powerful Paul wrote, "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus" (1 Tim. 2:5). The prayers of saints are powerful because they are on speaking terms with the only mediator (Mt. 19:26; 1 John 5:14-15; Phil. 4:12). No one else in the nation has this privilege and source of power. Do you recall the situation in Babylon when Nebuchadnezzar had a dream and couldn’t remember it? If you do, then you recall that only Daniel and his three friends could give the dream and its interpretation because they were the only ones who knew the God who reveals secrets (Dan. 2:24-30). Today, Christians are the ones who have the connection to the God who rules the universe. The prayers of the righteous avail much (Jam. 5:16-18).

Each of us needs to commit to praying daily for those in positions of power. Religious freedom, marriage, and the lives of millions of unborn babies all hang in the balance.

Wade Webster

---

Sympathy
We want to express our sympathy to the family of Howard Williams. Howard passed away on Saturday, March 15th. Graveside services were held on Tuesday, March 18th at Sunset Memorial Gardens.

Current Concerns
Hattie Mae Gilmore has been feeling ill for quite a while. Please remember her in your prayers. Mable Riggs, wife of C.M. Riggs, was admitted to the hospital on Saturday, March 15th. She has pain patches and if they are effective she will be released soon.
Sharon Fisher was admitted to ICU at Medical Center Hospital on Tuesday, March 18th. She is not doing well. She is currently on a ventilator.
Davian Ramos, one year old nephew of Rosie Simmons, is in the hospital.
Larry Granat, friend of Susan Simmons, had a valve replacement on Tuesday, March 18th at Midland Memorial Hospital.

Prayer List
Bill Arbuckle; Patsy Carol; Bill Carson; Augustina Costenada; Mildred Heslip; Cecil Hext; LeeRoy Bell; Mildred Bell; Yvonne Howard; Rosie Simmons; James Smith; Nick Smith; Brooke Wilson; DeLora Wood; Geneva Ybarra.

Shut-ins
Mary Dunn; Fay Gann; Cecil and Mildred Hext; Virgie Price; Charles 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, "Buy the Truth."

FYI
The Wednesday morning Bible Class subject will be the book of Revelation.
The Tipton Home Truck will be here on the week of April 7th. They have asked for the following items: Tylenol, liquid laundry detergent, Kleenex, chicken broth, pre-sweetened Kool-aid, cereal, gallon-sized zip lock bags, aluminum foil, and spaghetti sauce.
There will be a meeting for all individuals currently teaching, who have taught in the past or desire to teach, after the evening service, Sunday, March 16th.
You may now pick up any dishes that you left behind on the table in the east foyer under the news and notes board.

Need
Bernadene Johnson is in need of a gas stove with an oven. If you have one you would like to donate or know of anyone that has one that they do not want, please let Bill Butler know.

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.
There will be a graduation shower for Allison Easlon on April 6th from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. in the annex. Holly Wesson will be hosting it. You may contact her if you have any questions.

Office News
Our food coordinators for the month of March are Maxine Newton and Patsy Mitchell .
We are trying to fill our pantry. Every two weeks we will have new suggested items. This week’s suggestions are rice, bagged pinto beans, and canned ravioli. Thank you!

---

Opportunities to Serve

March 23, 2008	Morning	Evening
Announcements	Mike Smith	Mike Smith
Song Leader	Ronnie Lane	John Carroll
Sermon	Allen Weakland	Allen Weakland
Opening Prayer	Mike Smith	Mike Smith
Scripture	Larry May	Kirk McFarland
Second Prayer	Rudy Ochoa	DJ Ray
Closing Prayer	John Bethune	Frank Vargas
	Lord’s Supper
West	Mark Ingram Tony Marrs Cameron May Juan Morolez	Ezekiel Martinez Cameron May
East	George Warren Alex Martinez Kirk McFarland Jr. Munoz	Craig Wesson

Other Responsibilities: Elder: Mike Smith ~ Deacon: Jimmy Nunley ~ Pulpit: Scot Straw
Table: Tom Sorenson ~ Song Leaders: Ronnie Lane

Sunday AM "The First Appearance of Our Risen Lord" (Luke 24:36-48)
Sunday PM "Finding the Way to Escape" (Psalms 141:1-10)

Our Records
Bible Class... 93
Morning Worship... 154
Evening Worship... 94
Wednesday... 112
Contribution $4,180.00