by Mike Benson

A little seven-year-old boy prayed one night before bed for God to give him a baby sister. When he awakened the next morning, the little boy found that there was no baby. Undaunted, he prayed a second time for the same thing. Still no baby.

Some months later, the boy and his father made a trip to the local hospital. When the two of them arrived, they stepped into a room in the maternity section and found the boy's mother holding a precious little baby sister in her right arm, and yet another baby sister in her left! The proud father looked down into the eyes of his young son and said, "Now, aren't you glad you prayed?" To which the little boy replied, "Yes, and aren't you glad I stopped when I did?!"

Oh, if only we could learn to pray with the confident expectation and faith of a seven-year-old. The Bible says, "Ask, and it will be given to you ..." (Matthew 7:7; cf. Luke 18:18; James 1:5,6). Dear Christian, what blessings have you forfeited because you failed to ask in faith?

Think about it.

by Don Ruhl

Read the Bible in a Year Today Read Matthew Chapter 17

Not your typical hike!

One of my favorite activities is hiking. Do you like hiking or at least going for a walk? Jesus hiked and He walked. Look at this time when He went on a hike,

1 Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves; 2 and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light (Mat. 17:1, 2).

Now, that was some hike! You will not have an experience like the apostles, but if you get out of your house and take a walk, you will be refreshed. Jesus was everywhere, in people's homes, in the synagogues, in the mountains, in the deserts and so on. Get out and experience life as He did. The more natural the environment you can be in, the better. You will be in God's creation rather than man's creation. Does it do any good when you are surrounded by God's creation? I say yes. Go find out yourself.

Don Ruhl Church of Christ 220 NE Savage Street Grants Pass, Oregon 97526-1310 541-476-310

by Don Ruhl

Read the Bible in a Year Today Read Exodus 14 and 15

What Do You Do When an Army Is Marching Toward You?

Israel has escaped from the Egyptians. Israel is right at the border of Egypt, but the border is a sea. They look behind them, and amazingly, after suffering from the hand of God during the ten plagues, the Egyptians will not give up and they are pursuing the Israelites. Exodus 14:10 says,

10 And when Pharaoh drew near, the children of Israel lifted their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians marched after them. So they were very afraid, and the children of Israel cried out to the LORD (Exo. 14:10).

Let us put ourselves in Israel's sandals. The Egyptians are our enemies. We witness God pound the Egyptians with the miraculous plagues. Yet, the Egyptians will not give up! Here they are coming after us and they intend on recapturing us or killing us. We have no weapons, at least not enough to fight the mighty army that is marching after us! What do we do? Pray to the same God who brought on the plagues! No doubt, He can do something to save us from the Egyptians.

That is just what Israel does. They have no plan. They cry out to God. If you read the chapters listed at the top, you will find out what happens. If you have a problem that is marching after you, cry out to God!

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

by Don Ruhl

Read the Bible in a Year Today Read Matthew Chapter 16

What Is the Opinion Today of Jesus?

Jesus asks His disciples what the people are saying about His identity. Here is their answer,

14 So they said, Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets (Mat. 16:14).

For someone to say that I am one of these men is a compliment, but for Jesus it is not a compliment. The people are not trying to degrade Jesus, but the truth is, He made the prophets. Who do people today say Jesus is? Listen carefully. Who do you say that Jesus is? What does He mean to you?

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

by Don Ruhl

Read the Bible in a Year Today Read Matthew 15:21--39

Still Marvel At the Things That Are Done!

Jesus heals people miraculously, and Matthew reports,

31 So the multitude marveled when they saw the mute speaking, the maimed made whole, the lame walking, and the blind seeing; and they glorified the God of Israel (Mat. 15:31).

The same thing does not happen miraculously today, but some of the same things are being done today. God gave men and women unimaginable power to heal people through medical procedures. We are slowly learning to do the very things medically that Matthew mentions. It is still the power of God, as the medical profession taps their own inherent God-given ability and as they harness the wonders of creation. Therefore, we should still respond as the people did in the days of Jesus and glorify God.

You are going to hear of marvelous medical advancements today. Check your thinking to see if your first response is to glorify God. If not, change your thinking. If so, continue to glorify Him.

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