Cornerstone

Luke 22:24-27

Joseph Petro repeatedly reminisces on the greatness of president Ronald Reagan in his book “Standing Next to History”. As the Secret Service agent in charge of Reagan’s protective detail, he mentions numerous incidents where the President took time to speak to children, was gracious to a fault and genuinely loved and desired to serve people of less estate. While Governor of California, his large entourage came upon an elementary school class, returning from recess. The children stood at attention as the Governor, soon to become President, passed. With no cameras nor press to record the incident, Reagan stopped his limousine, stepped to the curb, tussled the hair and shook the hands of each of the children. By his gracious act he gained no benefit. He simply responding out of the kindness of his heart to a group of children.

Greed and corrupt ambition have driven the world to a trivial understanding of greatness. In a world where many claim greatness, true greatness is missing. Daniel Webster understood the true foundation for greatness when he said, A solemn and religious regard to spiritual and eternal things is an indispensable element of all true greatness.( C.N. Douglas, comp. Forty Thousand Quotations: Prose and Poetical. 1917.) We must look to the Scriptures and consider how Jesus exhibited greatness. Then we must live in such a way that we will be considered great, by Him.

Dr. Gayle Woods

II Kings 2:1‑12 (9)

Elijah the senior prophet made such a profound impression upon the junior prophet Elisha that when he died Elisha’s last request was that he could have a “double portion of his spirit.”  To want to be like someone is impressive.  To want to have their spirit doubled tells of the awesome influence Elijah wielded.

Quite often you can assume what people have made an impression on people by who they quote.  Sometimes this is even seen in physical mannerisms that are unknowingly assumed.  During my college days at Kansas City College and Bible School I was privileged to sit under the teaching of some men of great spiritual prowess.  I have noticed since those days that students who attended the college with me were marked by these men as well.  A pithy quote from Dr. Omar Lee is often tossed into a conversations by one of his former students.  Many are the stories that are shared in and out of the pulpit by Dr. Robert E. Carroll’s preacher boys.  The classes that began on our knees and continued on through the next period are memories that glow brightly.

To know people of spiritual stature is noteworthy.  To emulate them desiring to attain spiritual vistas that they were unable to reach is desirable.  “Lord, could we have a double portion of their spirit?”

by Dr. Gayle Woods

1 Cor 12:12-14 (13)

I really enjoyed working for Joe. Why? Joe, his foreman and I had established such a close relationship that it seemed as if we all thought alike. We “clicked” when we worked. When one needed a tool he didn’t have to ask for it because the other had already anticipated his need and was in the process of handing the tool to him. We worked together like a well oiled machine.

Isn’t it amazing that the human body works so well. Bones, organs, muscles, nerves, fluids, solids, cells all working together as if they had a college degree in cooperation. When I type these words on my computer I don’t even think about the process. The words just flow through my mind as a thought and my fingers automatically start punching the appropriate keys. My eyes don’t even have to leave the computer screen because my fingers know what they are supposed to do. Each part of the body takes care of its own responsibility. The blood flows, the stomach digests, the nose breathes, the eyes see, the ears hear, the back hurts. All work together in harmony.

The Church is not one local church, one denomination, or one philosophical viewpoint. It is all those who have been born again. It functions across church lines. It operates in spite of denomination barriers. It is one with Christ.

Dr. Gayle Woods

Heb 11:24-27 (27)

My parents faithfully took me to see Dr. Martin, the family dentist. Even as a five-year-old, the sound of the drill, the smell of the silver and paste, and the atmosphere of the office were familiar.

Dr. Martin was more than the family dentist. He was our friend. He treated me like someone special. This probably is why I developed an interest in being a dentist. Dr. Martin found out about this. He was enthusiastic in his encouragement. “Gayle,” he said, “I have another complete equipped room. If you go to school and become a dentist you can come back here and I will have a place for your in my business.” That cinched it.

I had every intention of becoming a dentist. That was to change. God spoke to me in my senior year of high school. At that time I knew that I had a choice to make. I could obey Him and preach the gospel or I could reject Him and do what I wanted.

When you love God, it really isnt much of a choice. You simple do what is pleasing to him. Some may think that Moses decision was a tragedy. They may think that his sacrifice was great. In reality, nothing is a sacrifice when you are giving it up to obey the Lord.

Dr. Gayle Woods

Col. 3:5-11 (5).

Fascinated, I watched the little caterpillar crawling slowly, laboriously along. It seemed that it would take it forever to get to its destination. It didn’t even know it was crawling through the dirt! Neither did it realize it was very vulnerable to the hungry birds. The little creature just continued to do what it thought it needed to do to keep alive.

I knew something about its life that it did not even know. A transformation was necessary. It needed to die to its old life and come alive as a new creature. I marveled at that miracle in nature.

In much the same way I crawled along through the slime and sludge of sin. I thought I was doing what was important. People seemed to be in favor of my activity. I didnt know my existence was in danger.

Then Holy Spirit arrested my attention. I saw that my life needed to come an end. I crawled into the cocoon of God’s mercy and died to myself. I cried out in repentance. He heard my prayer and changed me into someone new. Now I was holy! I was innocent as I had been before I had first learned to crawl through the dredge of sin. Now I was free! Now I was clean!

Dr. Gayle Woods