by Don Ruhl

Read Matthew 14:1-21

During the first Persian Gulf War, America and her allies dropped leaflets over the population of Iraq, letting them know that the dispute was not with them, but with their leader Saddam Hussein. At that time, I was preaching in Klamath Falls, Oregon, and in a sermon about evil rulers mentioned in the Bible, I made the point that evil men, even dictators, rule because their people allow him to rule. That may seem odd, but while many, perhaps even most people, in Iraq are glad Hussein is gone, as you know there are plenty of people who still want his type of dictatorship to exist. A man like Saddam Hussein cannot rule by himself.

Consider this same truth as revealed in the Bible. In Matthew chapter 14, Herod jails John the Baptist, since John with his preaching offended the king. For the most part, Herod liked John. Yet, Herod made a foolish oath to a girl who pleased him when she danced that he would give her whatever she wanted, and she requested the head of John the Baptist. Here is the way that Matthew presents Herod's situation,

9 And the king was sorry; nevertheless, because of the oaths and because of those who sat with him at the table, he commanded it to be given to her (Mat. 14:9).

Yes, Herod was angry enough to want to kill John earlier, but Herod did not do it. Now, he places himself in a situation where he promises to give a girl whatever she wants. She asks for John's head on a platter. Herod has the power to put her head on a platter for making such a request, but why does he not resist her and why does he fulfill her request? He, a king/dictator, wants to please his people. Saddam Hussein was in power because he gave the people what they wanted, and of course, some things that they did not want. Herod was the same way.

What shall we learn from this? First, learn to see everything in life through the lenses of the Bible. Help others to see things this way also. Watch what happens to those people.

by Don Ruhl

Read Exodus 1-3

The Israelites are multiplying quickly in Egypt, and a new Pharaoh fears what that might mean in wartime. Will the Israelites join the enemy? To prevent this, he orders the Israelite midwives to kill the male babies while the mother is on the birthstool. However, the midwives disobey the command of the king, and here is what moves them,

17 But the midwives feared God, and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the male children alive (Exo. 1:17).

How shall we stop the millions of abortions occurring around the world every year? The key is to teach people about God that they might fear Him. Listen to people today at work, on the news, in the store, and see what they know of God. Most people believe in God, but their knowledge of Him is either shallow or perverted. You are the person to teach them. Look for the opportunity, and as you were taught gently, so teach them.

By Don Ruhl

Read Matthew 14:22-36

Just before I started to read Matthew 14:22--36, my wife had the television on and on the news they were talking to a guy who has a master's degree in cheerleading. Interesting. I wonder if people tease him. Then I started to think of most of my work as a preacher and a teacher and it is trying to make people think and feel better, to be happy and to be filled with joy. Finally, I started reading the passage from Matthew and the disciples are caught in a storm while in a boat. Jesus appears to them, coming to them walking on the water. They are frightened, believing He is a ghost. Then this happens,

27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid (Mat. 14:27).

Jesus was in a certain sense a cheerleader. He led people in being cheerful. Certainly not in the sense that cheerleaders do at a college football game, but He labors to bring cheer into our lives.

Is that what I am doing with my life as a disciple of Christ?