by Don Ruhl

Read the Bible in a Year Today Read Matthew 18:1--20

Watch Out For Offenses!

Jesus says bluntly,

7 Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes! (Mat. 18:7).

It is unavoidable. Things are going to happen to offend you. People are going to offend you. Just be sure that you are not the offending party. Enough said.

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 Exodus 16--18

A Shocking Verse

God uses Moses and Aaron to pour out the awesome ten plagues upon Egypt, and He uses these two men to save Israel from the oppressive Egyptians. A short time after they escape through the Red Sea, Exodus 16:2 records this shocking development,

2 Then the whole congregation of the children of Israel complained against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness (Exo. 16:2).

You have to be kidding! If the Bible did not say that it happened, I would not believe it. Yet, I recently read a book on the leadership of the founding fathers of America, and of course, George Washington was a major focus of the author, and you know something, the same thing happened to George Washington. Congress, his own men, generals and many others complained about him!

Later Israel honors Moses and America honors George Washington. If you are a leader, people are going to complain, yes, even in the most loving organization in the world, the church. If you are a leader, remember Moses and all other leaders, and be strong. You shall prevail. If you are a follower, truly be a follower, and be sure you are not like one of the complaining Israelites or colonial Americans who are now forgotten!

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

by Tim Hall

An officer once visited the hospital where soldiers lay wounded from battle. He offered sympathy to one young man for the loss of his leg. "Sir," the soldier replied, "I did not lose my leg. I consider it an honor to have given it for my country."

There is a decided difference between those two viewpoints. What one considers a tragic loss, another looks upon as a gift for a noble ideal. One must choose the vantage point from which they will view life's trials.

Some might consider Paul's losses as significant. When he decided to abandon his alliance with the rabbis and Pharisees, a door to a promising future was shut. But consider the view of those "sacrifices" Paul chose: "But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him ..." (Philippians 3:7-9, NKJV).

Some focus on what has been given up and look back longingly on the past. At a moment of weakness, they may choose to reclaim what was once theirs. But those who look upon their sacrifices as gifts to their Lord feel no desire to go back. Their faces are set toward the prize of heaven. They are happy to give up whatever must be given.

Here is the key to becoming what God wants us to be –- cheerful givers. "So let each of you give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver" (2 Corinthians 9:7). As the check is dropped into the collection plate, do we think of what those dollars might have purchased? Do we consider the act a net loss financially? From a purely financial perspective it is a loss. But when properly motivated –- when the cause of God's kingdom is the choice we make -– the money in the tray has not been lost. It has been given.

All gifts to God must begin in the heart: "as he purposes in his heart." Otherwise the world's attitude will prevail and we will only grudgingly release our grip on whatever we give.