Compassionate God, your help comes in many ways and forms. The Antioch Christians helped the Judean saints by sending donations. Apollos helped the Achaians in his preaching. Phoebe helped Paul in ministering to him. He also hoped the Corinthians would help him on his journey, and asked the Romans to help him on a projected mission to Spain. He thanked the former for the help they gave him by their prayers, as well as the Philippians.

How often our help comes through others, Lord, help you provide, support you put before us for our growth, strength, and ministry.

So when we approach your throne to receive mercy and grace to help us in our time of need, let us not miss those people you put around us to provide it. Let us seek them out and not think we must go it alone.

In him who faced the cross alone, so that we might have you. Amen.

by Don Ruhl

Read Matthew 5:27--48

Yes, It Can Be Done

After stating that it has been said that you shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy, the Lord Jesus then says,

44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you (Mat. 5:44).

Can we truly love our enemies? Yes, we can do it that is why Jesus says to do it. Moreover, He never asked us to do anything that He was not willing to do. He loves His enemies, which is how all of us became children of God!

Try the following and see if it helps you to love your enemies. When someone does evil to us, our natural inclination is to punish that person. That is what he deserves, so we are ready to dish out the punishment. However, what he needs is the love of God. Therefore, when someone cuts you off today while driving, do not take action against him, but love him. How can you love someone when he is in another car? Look at the words of Jesus above. One of the items that He mentions is prayer. Say a quick prayer for that person that he see the love of God, and be convinced that is what that person needs.

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

by Don Ruhl

Read Genesis 16 and 17

Walking Before God

It makes sense to walk behind God because we follow Him, and it makes sense to walk beside Him because we are His children. Yet, like Abram of old, we walk before God also.

1 When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to Abram and said to him, I am Almighty God; walk before Me and be blameless (Gen. 17:1).

We walk before Him in the sense that we are in full view of our loving heavenly Father. If we walk before Him, we shall be blameless. If you read the whole story of Abram (Abraham), you will see this in his life. When he walked before God, the man was blameless.

I do not know about you, but I get frustrated when I do not live blamelessly, because I know I can do better and my heavenly Father has done so much for me that I want to please Him. The solution is to walk before Him. He has shown us the way. Stay with Him at all costs. Life will be better.

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

by Don Ruhl

Read Matthew 5:1--26

Reading the Beatitudes

Do the reading indicated at the top, then come back and read slowly the introduction to The World's Greatest Sermon. Read the Beatitudes carefully and thoughtfully. Read each one like this:

Blessed are [pause] [now, with emphasis] the poor in spirit, [pause] For theirs [pause] [again, with emphasis] is the kingdom of heaven.

See if the introduction to this sermon immediately fills you with hope.

Preachers, how do you start out your sermons?

Congregations, what do you expect from the preacher for the introduction to his messages?

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

"But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus." 2 Timothy 3:14-15

In this encouragement from the Apostle Paul to the young evangelist three points can help us as we consider our work in the church.

First, notice the importance of childhood training. Timothy’s spiritual instruction began with childhood. We cannot emphasize enough the importance of training children in the faith from the earliest years. The teaching which occurs in our Bible classes, at special events such as church camp or Vacation Bible School, and - most importantly - in our homes is a vital aspect of the Lord’s work.

Second, not only did Timothy receive instruction from his youth, but Paul tells us the content of this instruction. Timothy had been trained in Scripture. We must be careful never to dilute our message with other things. The Bible must remain central in our work as God’s people.

Third, the result which came from this training was salvation. As we teach children, teenagers and adults the ultimate goal of our instruction is the salvation of their souls.

Keeping these things in mind provides a perspective on the work of the church which can keep us in balance. While there are many good things we can do in the Lord’s service, we must not neglect our central mission of teaching the gospel.