OMNIPOTENCE AND MY DAILY LIFE

Our grandson, one year old Samuel living a life of "peace, joy and security."

Perhaps you think of "omnipotence" as a theological word that relates to God, but has little to do with your daily life.  Sadly, this way of thinking tends to dominate most people.  Why are we fearful, worrisome, angry, anxious and depressed?  The more our society promotes the autonomous self, the worse our lives have become because we are actually extremely needy people who can never fully live until we recognize God is all powerful (omnipotent) and He lovingly cares for every detail of our lives.  A very limited illustration of this situation would be a one year old child worried about food, clothing, and shelter when he has a loving parent caring for all of those things.  We find this ridiculous, but even more absurd are lives lived supposedly in human strength alone.

Is it because we have an inflated view of ourselves, or because we have a small view of the omnipotent God that we live fretful and discouraged lives?  God's omnipotence should have a marked impact on our daily lives bringing peace, joy and security.  To God be the glory!

This Thursday we will be studying Chapter 4 in our books concerning God's omnipotence.  Let's encourage one another to be conscious of God's great power in our daily lives.

WINTER DAYS AND JOYFUL HEARTS

Please note:  there will be no Ladies Bible Study this week because of the Mid-Winter Break for the schools in our area.  Next week we will resume with Chapter 4 on God's omnipotence.

The cold, dark and rainy months of January and February bring a dreariness for many women. Perhaps you have experienced that.  I have long maintained that vigor of soul ignites vibrant life into our daily routine.  So our greatest need isn't to have warmer, brighter days, but, to experience vigor of soul. Just how does that come about?  Only God produces such strength within us.  We all need daily, meaningful time in His word and prayer and thoughtfulness concerning Him. Without these basics for the soul our inner strength dwindles and very quickly this weakness becomes evident even in our physical demeanor.  Don't let a day go by without spending quality time with God; the results will be evident for time and eternity.

Psalm 16:11  "You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore."

Psalm 103:2-5  "Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,  who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's."

TIME VS. ETERNITY

This past Sunday afternoon our family gathered at our daughter Hannah's home for a final get together before Caleb's family returns to Ukraine.  Only fourteen of us were missing--Ezra's and Rachel's families, Naomi and Jorge.  As I studied this wonderful photo, I thought about how deeply TIME affects our lives.  Mark and I met when we were just 16 years old; married when we were 21.  Now nearly 50 years later we have experienced the birth, growth and maturity of our children and grandchildren.  Everything about our lives can be placed on a TIMEline full of a mix of intensity, relaxation, sadness, and joy.  However, TIME will end for all of us and then ETERNITY will be our reality.

I've tried to get a grasp of what ETERNITY truly is, but, TIME keeps making the parameters in my thoughts.  TIMElines, growth, and change keep appearing in a realm where they don't exist. Is it even possible to understand ETERNITY until we are there?  God clearly tells us in the Bible that He is eternal and that we are all headed to dying that never ends, or life that never ends.  Psalm 90:2  "Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God." Matthew 25:46  "And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."

Let's put forth some effort to widen our understanding of eternity and our awesome eternal God this Thursday morning during our Bible Study time.  I will be going to the airport to see Caleb's family off during the morning, so, Jo Cudney will be doing a wonderful job of teaching for me.