Cornerstone

Acts 19:8-20

I stood looking at the large colorful poster on the store front. My emotions were mixed. My thoughts struggled with what I saw and read. On the poster was a picture of heavily muscled men. They wore little clothing. Their pose displayed confidence and strength. Around them were the various implements of weight lifting. My eyes dropped to the bottom of the poster and I read about this “Power Team.” They were going to be leading a service in a neighboring church. In this evangelistic service they promised to tear huge telephone books in half with their hands. They would strike a stack of cement blocks with their forearms and bust them in two. They would lift more weight than would seem humanly possible. They would give their testimony. I turned away from the poster musing. Why do we settle for what man can do? Why are we so amazed at the display of human strength when we can have so much more? Jesus promised that if we only obey Him that we could be the recipients of spiritual power that would dazzle the strongest he-man alive. So much rests upon our desire and our reaction. Why are our churches dry and spiritually weak? Why do we quake when the devil causes a stir in our community? We either do not believe God’s promise of power or we desire to continue to flirt with the world so much that we can never receive what God wishes to give to His people.

Dr. Gayle Woods

Ex 32:30-35 (32)

Great Christian leaders are people who know the power of prayer. Those who have been able to motivate intercessors are doubly blessed. Charles G. Finney, one of the most effective evangelists of the last century, met Daniel Nash early in his ministry. Father Nash, as he was called, became Finney’s personal intercessor and would frequently travel with him and pray while Finney preached.

John Hyde, missionary, and known as praying John Hyde had a dual ministry. He interceded for the lost but also had the gift of personal evangelism. What a combination! He would pray for a certain number of people to be saved. That day he would go out to lead them to the Lord.

One of Billy Graham’s prayer partners is Pearl Goode. Graham attributes much of the evangelistic power of his ministry to this faithful intercessor. Face it, Graham is not a very good preacher. Is he an effective preacher? Do many people respond to his invitations? Why are the simple sermons that Billy Graham preaches so powerful? He has an intercessor behind the scenes.

Oh that God would give every pastor, missionary, Christian leader, Bible school administrator and teacher their own personal intercessor! No question exists in the minds of those who have experienced it; committed, faithful intercession brings increased spiritual power to Christian ministries.

Dr. Gayle Woods