Posts Tagged ‘Dr. Gayle Woods’
Acts 2:41-47
“Now and Long Ago” by Glen Lough, recounts the history of Marion County, West Virginia. In that account the reader is told of Frederick Ice who was an early settler on the South Branch of the Potomac River in Frederick County, Virginia. In 1752 Indians raided his cabin. They killed Frederick’s wife Mary and kidnapped three of his children.
Frederick’s son William lived with the Indians for several years before he finally escaped. He was reunited with his father. Frederick’s daughters, Christina and Marguerite were never to return. Some Indian traders tried to rescue them but that they refused the offer. They both later married Indians and became willing members of the Indian community.
This account parallels the human predicament. We have been kidnapped and enslaved in sin. A rescue has been offered. It is up to each person, however, whether or not the offer will be accepted. We can easily escape the clutches of sin by humbling ourselves and asking for God’s forgiveness. On the other hand, if we insist we can be married to the life of sin and refuse the grace of God.
Dr. Gayle Woods
Matt 13:18-23 (18)
The underlying truth is that even though we are faithful to present the gospel to the world all people will not be ready to receive it at the same time. In addition to our varying receptivity to the Word, however, is the fact that various things militate against our reception. In the first case, the devil is hindering by removing it from their attention while they still do not understand. In the second instance, the individual does not correctly understand that he will have opposing circumstances in the Christian life and quickly gives up his faith. Others are so entangled with the every day activities of life that they don’t have time to take care of their spiritual life and soon shrivel up and die. Finally, some see how precious the gift of salvation really is. They guard it carefully and continually work to develop their relationship with Jesus Christ.
High in the Alps is a monument raised in honor of a faithful guide who perished while ascending a peak to rescue a stranded tourist. Inscribed on that memorial stone are these words: HE DIED CLIMBING. Because of this same type of determination it is the one who is receptive to the gospel that will succeed in the Christian faith.
Dr. Gayle Woods
