Cornerstone

Proverbs 19:1-8, 17; 22:16-23

Proverbs 19:3 has a number of choice words which give a graphic picture of what often happens in the lives of people who ruin their own lives but yet are too blind to see what is taking place. Again and again they reject the way of the Lord while planning a life of pleasure and self-indulgence. When their waywardness takes its toll they are left with the shell of a life and point their trembling feeble finger toward God in accusation. Consider the meaning of these words in order to get a better grasp of this sentence.

`iwwelet – folly, foolishness – Twelve times this word is associated with kesil which we studied in the last lesson. The foolish person makes a choice. It is a choice of moral insolence. He determines his own way. He draws his own map for life. Although he does not want to take the responsibility, this kind of way is his own fault, not Gods. He perverts his own way.

salap – distort, twist, pervert, ruin. The foolish determination to live a life of sin distorts that which could have been beautiful into that which is undesirable and distasteful. Evil so twists the sinful and foolish man that his way becomes perverted. The life which could have been profitable now lies in ruin.

za’ap – The root of the verb, means to storm or rage aginst. It suggests one who is bitter and dejected. This is a person who is enraged within himself. Inside a storm rages while on the outside people see a sad and troubled countenance. The same word is used to describe Asa when he was rebuked by the prophet Hanani. His inner rage led him to commit terrible atrocities. He was hardened in heart and when four years later he was diseased he still refused to call upon God.

The modern versions of this verse bring out thought of this verse. God often gets blamed for what we bring on ourselves. The wise man is saying that it is mans own foolishness that causes the problem. His folly destroys his lifes course. Even though he has fabricated his own ruin, he rages against God with spiteful accusations saying that it is Gods fault that his life did not turn out differently. (Keil and Delitzsch) (Tyndale Commentary – Proverbs) (Theological Wordbook of the OT)

Dr. Gayle Woods

Acts 19:30-41

Horatio Seymour, was twice the Democratic governor of New York (1853-54, 1863-64). The Democrats even nominated Seymour as their presidential candidate in 1868, but he lost to Ulysses S. Grant. He is best known for his assertion that the Emancipation Proclamation was illegal. He also opposed military draft by the federal government saying it was an unwarranted violation of states’ rights and claimed that the draft law discriminated against New York City. In July 1863, during the Draft Riots in the city, Seymour made a conciliatory speech that led Horace Greeley to denounce him as a Copperhead (a Southern sympathizer), a charge that contributed greatly to his defeat for reelection. The things he opposed are accepted as necessary and true today. We may wonder about people that seem to always be on the opposing side to the stream of society truth and yet we see the same evidenced as people continually take a stance against God’s Word. Today as I traveled I was horrified to hear a radio advertisement paid for by an “Adult” bookstore describing their smutty videos and DVDs. Later I heard a radio announcer sneering as she told how a Jewish radio talk host had protested against certain magazines in a sporting goods store. People strike out at truth daily and yet it will continue to prevail.

Dr. Gayle Woods

Acts 9:36-42 (36)… “… this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did.” As the old story goes, a wood cutter became very angry because his wife failed to put salt in his morning porridge. After a heated argument he went to work in a foul mood. Still infuriated he lashed out at a tree with such force that his axe head flew off. At just that time his employer’s favorite horse was being led to the blacksmith’s shop. The axe head struck and injured the horse. This was doubly tragic for his employer was an important nobleman and was planning to ride this horse to a meeting of the lords to discuss their differences with the King. The nobleman upon finding out about his injured horse angrily went to the meeting where he successfully argued for an uprising against the King. The rebellion developed quickly, many were killed and the land suffered from poverty and famine.

Why did all of this take place? Because a wood cutter’s wife failed to salt her husband’s porridge. Although this story could be used to illustrate various things it does emphasize that little things can have a widespread effect. The effect can be good or bad, positive or negative. Have you ever thrown rocks into a pond? Did you notice the ripple effect? Your good works have an effect on someone, somewhere.

You are God’s hands and feet. What are you doing for Him?

Dr. Gayle Woods

Luke 10:25-37

Sometimes I wonder if God shakes His head in dismay.  As He observes our attempts to be good Christians there have to be times of divine discouragement.  We seem to learn rules and ritual more rapidly than right behavior.  As I read the following account shared by one of my online students I actually felt sorry for God.  A divine tear must have fallen on His royal robes as he watched this man in his attempt to be a responsible Christian leader.  Read and weep with God.

“When I first came to Christ, I was a real legalist.  Things had to be done a certain way or you were going to hell.  I did not give anybody any slack.  I not really interested in help serve people.  I just want to tell the truth of the Gospel and not really move to much farther beyond that.  That was until I had a unique experience happen to me in college.  When I was in college, I accepted Christ and got involved in the local Student Union.  After I was there for a few months, I volunteered to lead a Bible Study on Campus.  One day I was running late, so I grabbed my materials and ran up the hill to the building where the Bible Study was being held.  As I approached the top of the hill, A homeless man started toward me.  When I saw him, I moved to the other side of the street.  So he moved to the other side of the street.  I switched sides a few time, but he always followed me.  In my mind I said, “I do not have time for this.  I am late.  Maybe I can give him a few bucks and he will leave me alone.  So as I approached him, I pulled a few dollars out and handed it to him.  As he took the money, he grabbed my hand.  He would not let it go.  He said’ “Before you go, I have a quick question to ask you”.  I thought, “Ok here comes this guy’s sob story.”  He asked me “Do you know Christ?”  My heart sank.  He said’ “I see college kids go by all the time and I wonder if they know Jesus.”  At that moment I felt 2 inches tall.  Here I was going to teach a Bible Study about Christ and missed an opportunity to minister to someone else.  As we talked, he told me that it was hard to share with people because he did not have a bible.  I had some with me so I gave him one.  I walked away changed that day. “

Now it is time for us to pray.  Can we be changed like this young man?  Can we understand and order our priorities so that they follow God’s plan rather than our preconceived notion of what it means to please God?

by Dr. Gayle Woods

Rev. 10:1-6 (4)

Eleven-year-old prince Arthur was amazed! This had to be the highest mountain in the world. The entourage stopped their horses long enough to look at the magnificent sight.

Immediately Arthur wanted to know. “Has anyone climbed it?” No one had. It wasn’t possible. That was all that was needed to make up Arthur’s mind. As Arthur rode off toward the mountain Cai begged permission to follow his friend. Ectorius was immediately against the idea because his son had one lame leg. Merlin saw the hope in Cai’s eyes and took up the argument. A short time later Cai was permitted to ride after his friend Arthur.

Ectorius and Merlin sat up camp. They waited through that day and the next. Ectorius was beside himself with worry. He griped and grumbled. He was certain that his boy had fallen and was on the side of the mountain bleeding to death. Merlin soothed him again and again.

It wasn’t until after dark that evening that they heard the jubilant call. The boys staggered into camp, bone-weary, but with victory lighting up their countenance. They were heroes.

Cai looked at Arthur and said, “We reached the top. But I never would have made it without him. He carried me most of the time.” Arthur responded, “No don’t say that. We climbed it together – you and I together.”

The bond of friendship that was born that day was to glue the hearts of these two men together so that they fought for the kingdom together – and yes, in a sense reigned together.

The life we face looks hard. It looks impossible. But we have King Jesus as our companion. That makes the difference. When we can’t go any farther He carries us. He takes us to the peak and shows us the glory of a holy life. Because of our love for Him we too will be His right arm. We will serve Him with all loyalty and love.

Dr. Gayle Woods