Cornerstone

Romans 15:1-6 (5)

Cleo could be so frustrating! He was saved from sins that were even considered socially disgusting. He and his family all came to God. It pumped new life into our church. We saw redemptive lift in action as a family was literally lifted from the gutter to a place of acceptance and respect. But then . . .

Cleo could be so frustrating! He got a job. But he squandered his money and was destitute most of the time. He quit his habits to the amazements of his friends. He returned to his habits repeatedly to the pleasure of his friends.

Cleo and Bobbie were in love with Jesus and were learning how to be Christians. When I and the church people felt at times like giving them an ultimatum . . . “shape up or ship out” we refrained. When we felt like withholding a helping hand we instead smiled in pain as we lifted them up once again. Raising children is sometimes a painful process. Paul reminded us in Romans 15:1 that the “strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.” As we are patient with those struggling to grow in Christ it will help us to remember “the God of patience and consolation” vs. 5 was considerate of us as well.

Dr. Gayle Woods

Col 2:1-12 (12)

If I ever saw redemptive lift it was in the life of Cleo. When I first found him he was poverty stricken, degraded, discouraged, and full of the devil. He drank, smoked, cussed, had pornography within easy reach of his chair… or his children. He had no job and didn’t care. He was lost and a loser.

Cleo, Bobbie and the kids started coming to church. Finally the day came when they prayed through at the altar. A radical change took place. No only was Cleo saved but he was changed! The cigarettes and the booze were thrown out. His language changed. His reading material changed. He got a job. He started to dress better. He had been risen with Christ. This meant that he was raised out of the depths of a sinful life to life in Christ. But this also meant that his lifestyle was altered which caused his thinking, his economy, his behavior, his demeanor and his appearance to be raised to another level as well.

Resurrection in Christ is truly a miraculous event in an individual’s life.

Dr. Gayle Woods