Cornerstone

I Kings 3:5‑15 (11)

An online survey asked the question, “If a genie would grant you three wishes, what would you ask?”  Some of the responses were:  One respondent requested 1) Enough money to live comfortably for the rest of my life 2) For me and my family to live happy, healthy long lives 3) For me to be successful in everything I try.  Another asked for 1) $10,000,000.00 2) A tenure-track job when I finish my degree. 3) A car with an automatic transmission.  Probably the most intelligent response in the survey was 1) Nothing…I don’t trust genies.

Solomon had a similar experience.  He was given a blank check by God.  If he wrote in the right amount God would sign the check.  Solomon was granted his wish because he selflessly asked for wisdom that would help him successfully accomplish the ministry God had given him.  At that time in his life, his priorities were right.  How about you?  Your choices concerning what you buy, what you do in your spare time, and your lifestyle are the priorities that are guiding God’s participation in your work of ministry.  How are you doing?

by Dr. Gayle Woods

Luke 10:25-37

Sometimes I wonder if God shakes His head in dismay.  As He observes our attempts to be good Christians there have to be times of divine discouragement.  We seem to learn rules and ritual more rapidly than right behavior.  As I read the following account shared by one of my online students I actually felt sorry for God.  A divine tear must have fallen on His royal robes as he watched this man in his attempt to be a responsible Christian leader.  Read and weep with God.

“When I first came to Christ, I was a real legalist.  Things had to be done a certain way or you were going to hell.  I did not give anybody any slack.  I not really interested in help serve people.  I just want to tell the truth of the Gospel and not really move to much farther beyond that.  That was until I had a unique experience happen to me in college.  When I was in college, I accepted Christ and got involved in the local Student Union.  After I was there for a few months, I volunteered to lead a Bible Study on Campus.  One day I was running late, so I grabbed my materials and ran up the hill to the building where the Bible Study was being held.  As I approached the top of the hill, A homeless man started toward me.  When I saw him, I moved to the other side of the street.  So he moved to the other side of the street.  I switched sides a few time, but he always followed me.  In my mind I said, “I do not have time for this.  I am late.  Maybe I can give him a few bucks and he will leave me alone.  So as I approached him, I pulled a few dollars out and handed it to him.  As he took the money, he grabbed my hand.  He would not let it go.  He said’ “Before you go, I have a quick question to ask you”.  I thought, “Ok here comes this guy’s sob story.”  He asked me “Do you know Christ?”  My heart sank.  He said’ “I see college kids go by all the time and I wonder if they know Jesus.”  At that moment I felt 2 inches tall.  Here I was going to teach a Bible Study about Christ and missed an opportunity to minister to someone else.  As we talked, he told me that it was hard to share with people because he did not have a bible.  I had some with me so I gave him one.  I walked away changed that day. “

Now it is time for us to pray.  Can we be changed like this young man?  Can we understand and order our priorities so that they follow God’s plan rather than our preconceived notion of what it means to please God?

by Dr. Gayle Woods