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
Matthew 9:32-38
“You did what?” I exclaimed. “I took my hammer and beat the windshield out of my car.” “Why did you do that!” I asked. “I can’t seem to help it, Bro. Woods. Something just seems to come over me when I get mad.”
Cleo could not afford any more misfortune. He drank. He smoked. He couldn’t hold down a job because he couldn’t seem to control his temper. He had led his family one step at a time deeper into the bondage of poverty. At one time he had to sell the chain saw he used to cut wood for their wood stove to pay the electric bill. His house was little more than a shack. Their rent at one time was $25 per month. Sometimes they didn’t have enough money to make this small payment.
I guess that was what brought such a thrill to me when I saw their tears puddle on the altar. This is what caused me to be so excited when I listened to them testifying to the grace of God who had delivered them from that life. On their own they just dug the rut of sin for their life deeper and deeper. But when they called upon God and sought His forgiveness, a dramatic change was effected which dramatically altered the direction of their lives.
Dr. Gayle Woods
