by Phil Sanders

No doubt you will see on the grocery store checkout counters tabloids that will predict the events of the coming year.

I keep thinking I'll buy one and save it till December to see how much came true. It's not so much that I am fascinated by the predictions of the so-called seers and prophets. Rather, I know they have no ability at all.

Solomon said, "I again saw under the sun that the race is not to the swift and the battle is not to the warriors, and neither is bread to the wise nor wealth to the discerning nor favor to men of ability; for time and chance overtake them all. Moreover, man does not know his time: like fish caught in a treacherous net and birds trapped in a snare, so the sons of men are ensnared at an evil time when it suddenly falls on them" (Ecclesiastes 8:11,12).

Things don't always turn out the way they were planned or prophesied, when men do the prophesying.

Jean Dixon was a famous prognosticator in the 50s and 60s. She predicted who would be nominated and who would be elected President in the 1952, 1956 and 1960 elections. She missed every guess.

Jean Dixon is very unlike God, who never misses a prophecy. Isaiah wrote by inspiration in 46:8-10:

"Remember this, and be assured; Recall it to mind, you transgressors. Remember the former things long past, For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is no one like Me, Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things which have not been done, Saying, 'My purpose will be established, And I will accomplish all My good pleasure.'"

Unlike the tabloids, the predictions of the Lord come to be true. We can have confidence in God because we know that he tells us the truth every time.

This is reassuring, for we know that his promises will also come true. I wouldn't want it any other way.

by Don Ruhl

Read Matthew Chapter 1

He Did Not Humiliate Her

When divorces happen, both parties always believe that they are in the right. Okay, if that is the case, let us see how you treat your spouse in the divorce. Compare that with what Joseph does with Mary.

19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. 20 But while he thought about these things... (Mat. 1:19, 20a, NKJV).

Joseph does not humiliate Mary, nor does he intend to do so. He does not speak evil of her to others. He does not get family and friends on his side. He takes no ugly actions against her. She is the same. Both parties in this case were right, of course, which is why they act in the manner that they do.

If you find yourself in a divorce, remember the example of these two godly people. If you are truly in the right, give it time. Others will see the right. However, if you resort to ugly actions, others will question whether you were in the right and that perhaps you contributed to the break down of your marriage.

Don Ruhl Church of Christ 220 NE Savage Street Grants Pass, Oregon 97526-1310 541-476-3100

By Don Ruhl

Read Genesis 1--3

Awesome Power!

Do you have a favorite passage of Scripture? I have several that leave me breathless. Genesis 1:3 is one of them.

3 Then God said, Let there be light; and there was light (Gen. 1:3, NKJV).

Do not read the last two-thirds of that verse at normal speed. Read the first three words at normal speed, then read the rest of it like this:

Let [pause] there [pause] be [pause] light [double pause]

and [pause] there [pause] was [pause] light.

Read it again, now put emphasis on the words and and was.

In our English translation, God speaks four simple words. Then Moses speaks four simple words. What did God do with those four simple words? How much time do you think transpired between God's command and its fulfillment? There is every reason to believe that it was instantaneous! God says for it to be; and it is.

Dwell on the words of this passage today, thinking of the unimaginable power of our God. See what happens to your spirit.

Don Ruhl Church of Christ 220 NE Savage Street Grants Pass, Oregon 97526-1310 541-476-3100

by Don Ruhl

Why Are You Angry?

After God respected Abel's offering and did not respect Cain's offering, Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell (Gen. 4:5).

6 So the LORD said to Cain, Why are you angry? 
And why has your countenance fallen? (Gen. 4:6).

Those are good questions (Of course, they are, God asked them!). Why do we get angry? Why do we let our countenances fall?

There is a time for anger, but if we do not know why we are angry, and if the reason is not good, it will lead to bad things. Cain killed his own brother! How many other horrible acts have been committed in history when people did not know fully why they were angry and whether it was right to be angry? Only God knows the answer to that question.

Prepare and train your heart now while you are not angry to question yourself when the moment of anger does comes that you might know why you are angry. Then you shall be able to deal with the anger in a godly way.

Don Ruhl Church of Christ 220 NE Savage Street Grants Pass, Oregon 97526-1310 541-476-3100

by Don Ruhl

Trusting an Enemy

In Isaiah 10, God assured Israel that after He punished Assyria,

20 And it shall come to pass in that day That the remnant of Israel, And such as have escaped of the house of Jacob, Will never again depend on him who defeated them, But will depend on the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, in truth.

Now this could have two meanings and I believe that both of them happened with Israel at various times.

First, it could mean that Israel had been depending upon an enemy because that enemy defeated Israel, making it necessary for them to depend on Assyria for everything.

Second, it could mean that Israel was foolish to put its faith in Assyria rather than the Lord.

Either way, regardless of circumstances, we are to depend on the Lord. Take a close look at your life and see upon whom you depend.

Don Ruhl Church of Christ 220 NE Savage Street Grants Pass, Oregon 97526-1310 541-476-3100