Cornerstone

1 Cor 10:19-23 (22)

It seemed like I was constantly getting into fights. As a ten or eleven-year-old boy I was not aggressive, abrasive or argumentative. I thought I was a nice guy. Older students at my elementary school, however, continued to pick on me. It didn’t help that I had not lost a fight. It seemed to be a challenge to them.

This time was different. A boy I knew and his older sister were on their way home from school. Without any provocation he insulted me and challenge me to fight. After some unpleasant conversation his older sister stepped forward and said, “If you hurt my little brother I will give you a licken’.” My parents taught me to never touch a girl and to act respectfully toward women. Besides that the girl was about a foot taller and quite a lot heavier than I was. It was time to retreat.

There are times when we may feel that we are right and want to push our Christian liberty in the presence of a brother who is restricted by rules and regulations. Paul indicated that this may “provoke the Lord to jealousy” so that He will take up the defense of our brother against us. That is a situation we want to avoid. In our desire to please God at all times and in all ways we will do our best to not damage the conscience of our brother by our freedom in Christ.

Dr. Gayle Woods

Philippians 4:1-5 (3) … “And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those…which labored with me in the gospel…”

Some people might call him a workaholic. Maybe so, but I do know one thing: his love for God and the work of God take him far beyond the call of duty. His never ending dedication to God’s work and his determination to do just a little extra for God are a challenge to those who observe his good works.

While others sleep, he works. When others tire or give up he continues on. When others don’t show up for their assignment, he is there…dependable as always. While others are wasting time, avoiding work or spending valuable time with senseless conversation he is busy. His good works are a challenge to those who know him well.

Harold Carpenter is not a superhuman. He gets tired. He gets sick. He is disappointed in people who do not perform well. But Harold does stretch the capacity of his humanity to unbelievable limits as he endeavors to do His best for God. His good works will stand as a monument to his desire to serve God many years after he has gone to heaven. Yes, his works do challenge others.

Dr. Gayle Woods