By Mike Benson

When was the last time...

. You went to visit someone in the community who lives alone?

. You wrote a letter to say "thank you" to a person who has helped you along life's way?

. You dropped by the local nursing home and just listened to someone who needed a sympathetic ear?

. You showed a special interest in a child who comes from a broken home?

. You encouraged a neighbor who recently lost a loved one?

. You told a teenager how proud you are of his or her efforts?

. You invited a friend to study the Bible with you?

. You tried to encourage a child of God who is struggling with temptation?

. You told your family how much you loved and appreciate them?

The Bible reminds us, "Therefore, as we have opportunity, LET US DO GOOD..." (Galatians 6:10a). When was the last time?

by Don Ruhl

Read the Bible in a Year This morning read Leviticus 6 and 7

Praise God for the Universal!

Here is something that the high priests had to do everyday,

20 This is the offering of Aaron and his sons, which they shall offer to the LORD, beginning on the day when he is anointed: one-tenth of an ephah of fine flour as a daily grain offering, half of it in the morning and half of it at night (Lev. 6:20).

Moreover, this was done only in the tabernacle and later only in the temple at Jerusalem. There were many other such things that the priests and the children of Israel had to do. The Old Law was for a specific people at a specific place at a specific time. Now, the religion of Jesus Christ does not have such restrictions, but it is universal in its application. Everything that Jesus wants us to do can be done by anyone at any place at any time!

Praise God for the universality of Christianity!

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 This evening read Matthew 24:29--51

Always Be Prepared

When is Jesus returning? We have no idea. That is why He says,

44 Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not expect Him (Mat. 24:44).

If we can know when He is returning, then He is coming when we expect Him, and what He says above makes no sense. However, the truth is we have no idea of the timing of His return, only that He is returning. What then shall we do about it? He said what we are to do, and that is being ready, the implication being that we are to be ready always. What are you doing to be prepared for His coming?

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 This morning read Leviticus 4 and 5

Praise God for Simplicity!

Something that I gain from the Book of Leviticus is that seeking God's favor after sinning is complicated, whereas in the New Testament seeking God's favor after sinning is simple. Consider the following,

3 If the anointed priest sins, bringing guilt on the people, then let him offer to the LORD for his sin which he has sinned a young bull without blemish as a sin offering (Lev. 4:3).

That is just the beginning of the instructions, but it is enough to make the point. If the priest sinned, he had to take the time to get a perfect young bull, and then bring it as a sin offering. He is going to have to kill it. There are more instructions that follow, but already we can tell that it is far more than when we sin now. We simply go to God in confession and, of course, we must repent of the sin.

The Book of Leviticus makes us praise God for the simplicity of the New Testament.

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 This evening read Matthew 24:1--28

On Some Matters, Have a Closed Mind

To be open-minded is a virtue, at least on some matters. On other matters, it is not a virtue. For example, Jesus warns in Matthew 24:23, 24 of the arrival of false christs. In verse 27, He explains that when He returns, it will be a visible event for all living on the earth, that is, He will not be hidden somewhere. When He returns, you will know it. No one will have to tell you. Therefore, He says in verse 26,

26 Therefore if they say to you, 'Look, He is in the desert!' do not go out; or 'Look, He is in the inner rooms!' do not believe it (Mat. 24:26).

We know beforehand what His return shall be like. If someone says that he has found the Christ, then right away we know that something is wrong. Do not say that you want to have an open mind, so you will go to see if it is Jesus. You are wasting your time. It is not the Christ.

Do I know when to have an open mind and when to have a closed mind?

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