by Don Ruhl

There are many discussions in the church on why people turn their backs on the Lord. Among the items discussed should be this one. The Book of Hosea addresses the apostasy of Israel. In chapter four the prophet explains what Israel was doing instead of following the Lord. Then in verses 10 and 11, Hosea explains why Israel was not to prosper.

10 They will eat but not have enough; they will engage in prostitution but not increase, because they have deserted the LORD to give themselves 11 to prostitution, to old wine and new, which take away the understanding… (Hos. 4:10, 11, NIV).

Most versions either give the sense of the NIV or state it the same way, that is, Israel was not to experience satisfaction from eating, and they were not to increase in children because they deserted the Lord. No one turns his back on the Lord without also turning to something else. In this case it was fornication and alcohol.

In one case someone turns from the Lord and finds something else to fill the void. In another case someone finds something else that they want to do and staying with the Lord makes them feel guilty so they turn from Him to enjoy their new sin.

Either way, it is never worth it. To give up the Lord for any sin, regardless of how it makes us feel at the moment will never satisfy. We will eat but not have enough; we will do things to increase ourselves but it will not happen.

by Don Ruhl

Knowing God is no small matter. Do you understand the effect of knowing God in your life? As a heavenly being revealed to Daniel the prophet world events during the Intertestamental period (the time between the ending of the writing of the Old Testament and the beginning of the writing of the New Testament) it was said,

32 Those who do wickedly against the covenant he shall corrupt with flattery; but the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits (Dan. 11:32).

How is it that the great men and women in the Bible were able:

• to live in a totally violent world such as Noah's? • to forgive their families like Joseph did? • to lead millions of grumbling people out of a nation and live in a wilderness for 40 years like Moses did? • to lead an army of 300 in victory against an enemy of 135,000 like Gideon did? • to defeat a giant experienced warrior, who stood close to 10 feet tall like the teenager David did? • to stand face to face with hungry lions and survive like Daniel did? • to offer salvation to the world like Jesus did?

The key was that last part of Daniel 11:32. He who knows God is stronger than the world combined. He who knows God carries out feats that no man ever dreamed.

So whom are you going to try to get to know better?

by Don Ruhl

Christians love and accept others, but Christians are also wise people. That is why the apostle of love in a Book on love, said,

1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. (1 Joh. 4:1).

If we were only to love, we would be vulnerable to danger. Therefore, we are to be, wise as serpents and harmless as doves (Mat. 10:16). Do you see both the love and the discernment? To be discerning does not mean to be overly suspicious, but it does mean to protect your spirit from danger. The truth is there are many false prophets in the world. While there are dangers for the Christian in the secular realm, there are also dangers in the spiritual realm, which is why John labeled these dangerous people as prophets.

Use your heart, but also use your head.

by Don Ruhl

What a man was Daniel! To serve as a wise man of Babylon he had to be,

3 …of the king’s descendants [or] of the nobles, 4 young men in whom there was no blemish, but good-looking, gifted in all wisdom, possessing knowledge and quick to understand, who had ability to serve in the king’s palace, and whom they might teach the language and literature of the Chaldeans (Dan. 1:3, 4).

There was another trait that he had that is not listed in the qualifications in the above verses, but which the rest of the Book of Daniel demonstrates. It was conviction. Think about this. Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonians attacked Judah and Jerusalem. To get a feel for that picture in your mind and to feel the horror in your heart, think of the terrorist attacks of September 11th happening all over our country. Do you remember how you felt that day? Multiply that terror a thousand times.

Daniel witnessed a war. Do not race over that thought, but hold on to the imagery. Now imagine further that the Babylonians, those bloodthirsty soldiers, capturing him and taking him back to their capital. He is now living in the capital of his nation's enemy. Everyone around him was a potential enemy who may have been glad to have him dead.

However, for a moment he finds favor in the sight of the king himself and is asked to be part of a council that will advise the king. Part of the training for this new job involves eating and drinking what the king ate and drank, but it was food that was unclean according to the religious law by which Daniel lived. Picture further what he does next.

8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself (Dan. 1:8).

As the story goes on to say, this could mean death for the one training and providing for Daniel, as well as death for Daniel. Nevertheless, this man of God in a land of hostility maintains his conviction. For it God blesses him mightily.

If you live by the teachings of Jesus Christ, hostility will surround you, but stick to your principles. You will be blessed after you have suffered for them also.

by Don Ruhl

I am persuaded that you do, which is why you read these e-mail devotionals and follow the Lord. In Second Peter chapter one, the apostle gave us a list of what are commonly called The Christian Graces: faith, virtue, knowledge, self-control, steadfastness, godliness, brotherly affection and love. Then he said this, as translated in the English Standard Version,

8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Pet. 1:8).

Most of you have been reading the Scriptures, attending Bible classes and worship services and praying for years, adding to your knowledge of Jesus Christ. Do not cease. Be sure to put all that you know into practice, for by so doing you will not find Christianity frustrating, but a blessed experience as you see your own effectiveness in the Lord.