by Don Ruhl

Read the Bible in a Year This morning read Leviticus 1--3

Leviticus?

The Book of Leviticus begins,

2 Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: 'When any one of you brings an offering to the LORD, you shall bring your offering of the livestock--of the herd and of the flock' (Lev. 1:2).

What follows is a detailed book of the Bible that seems to have application only for ancient Israel. Leviticus is a tedious read for sure. A man asked me, Don, do I have to read Leviticus? To which I responded, Yes, brother, you have to read Leviticus. The basis for my answer is that it is the word of God, and He wanted it in the Bible for Christians to read. Therefore, start reading Leviticus, asking, why does God want me to read this. See what you discover.

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 23:23--39

Tombs Are Deceiving

Jesus illustrates the hypocrisy of the scribes and Pharisees, when He rebukes them, saying,

27 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men's bones and all uncleanness (Mat. 23:27).

When I was growing up in Southern California, the only cemetery that I knew was Rose Hills in Whittier. At one time, it was said that it is the world's largest cemetery. It is a beautiful place. People go there just to see the magnificent rose gardens. However, why does this place exist? It is full of dead men's bones and all uncleanness. Dig up the beautiful grounds, and what is underneath? It is not a pretty sight.

Jesus reveals that some people are the same way. Outwardly, we believe that they are beautiful people, but inside, it is not a pretty sight. If people could see inside of me, what would they see? God can see inside of me. What does He see?

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 Exodus 39 and 40

Moses Blessed Them!

When the children of Israel completed the tabernacle, the Bible says,

43 Then Moses looked over all the work, and indeed they had done it; as the LORD had commanded, just so they had done it. And Moses blessed them (Exo. 39:43).

Let us learn from that last sentence in the verse, that there is a time to bless, and there is a time to compliment. Some people will only speak when it is time to criticize. They are zealous to let us know when we have failed, but they lack zeal to tell us when we have done the right thing. Let us not be like them, but let us be like Moses.

What kind of person are you? Are you afraid to bless or to compliment people? Are you quick to criticize, but slow to compliment? Why are you that way? Starting today, make the necessary changes to be like Moses. Listen to your thoughts and your words when someone says something or comes up with an idea, and find out if you are like the critics of Moses or if you are like Moses.

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 25:1-30

To the one who proves to be a faithful servant, Jesus will say to him on the last great day,

21 Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord (Mat. 25:21).

What kind, what degree, and what magnitude of joy does Jesus experience? Think on that today, and then think about someday experiencing it yourself with Him!