by Don Ruhl

Read the Bible in a Year This evening read Luke chapter 3

Taxes and the Children of God

Many people attempt to use the Scriptures to maintain that we do not have to pay taxes. They say they are using the Bible, but the Bible clearly supports paying taxes. Watch what John the Baptizer says to a group of tax collectors. Now John is a fiery preacher who does not flinch when it comes to speaking the truth.

12 Then tax collectors also came to be baptized, and said to him, “Teacher, what shall we do?” 13 And he said to them, “Collect no more than what is appointed for you” (Luk. 3:12, 13).

John does not tell them to cease collecting taxes; just do not collect anymore than what the government authorizes. Even as we do not want to pay anymore than we have to pay, so they are not to collect anymore than they are suppose to collect. God wants us to pay taxes. What John says is even in a context of the oppressive Roman government. Rome is wrong in some things, but Rome is right in other things. Therefore, God wants the Jews to pay taxes.

The same reasoning applies for Christians today, living anywhere in the world.

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 Joshua 22--24

They Kept Their Word

The tribes of Reuben and Gad, and half of the tribe of Manasseh requested that they settle on the east side of the Jordan. God grants the request, but there is a condition. They must fight with the rest of their brethren against the Canaanites, and help their brethren conquer the land of Canaan. Toward the end of his life, Joshua calls for these tribes, saying to them,

3 You have not left your brethren these many days, up to this day, but have kept the charge of the commandment of the LORD your God (Jos. 22:3).

They could have settled into a life of ease, but they were willing to do anything to help their brethren. They made a promise and they kept it. Therefore, they received what they wanted from the Lord.

Have you made a promise that you have broken or not fulfilled yet? If so, do everything you can, right now, to fulfill it.

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 Luke 2:25--52

He Would See the Christ!

There is a man in Jerusalem who knows that he will not die until he sees something.

26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ (Luk. 2:26).

Simeon is a just and devout man, he knows the Scriptures, and that therein revealed is the Christ. Does this man know that there are over three hundred predictions of the Christ? Simeon must know many of them. He knows that for hundreds of years, the prophets have been foreseeing One who would come from heaven itself and be a blessing for Israel, a blessing that far exceeds Abraham, Moses, and David. Now, it is about to happen. The Holy Spirit reveals to Simeon that he will not die until he lays his eyes upon the Great One for whom the nation of Israel waits. Every moment this man is watching and expecting to see the Christ.

Then it happens, Joseph and Mary bring the baby Jesus to the temple, and Simeon sees him. What is happening in this man's heart as he finally sees and holds the Christ?

Yet, what we know of Jesus far surpasses what Simeon at that time knew. We know Jesus the Christ in ways that Simeon never had a chance to know. What is in your heart as you think about the Lord's Christ?

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 Joshua 19--21

Our City of Refuge

I used to live in Klamath Falls, Oregon where there are several huge wildlife refuges. In those places, animals have a safe place to live, except for some limited hunting. Now, they are not necessarily safe from one another. The Lower Klamath Lake Refuge has incredible numbers of waterfowl, but hundreds of migrating bald eagles from Alaska and Canada love those waterfowl. No man and no law prevents the bald eagle from his predatory ways.

Likewise, God gave the children of Israel cities of refuge.

1 The LORD also spoke to Joshua, saying, 2 “Speak to the children of Israel, saying: ‘Appoint for yourselves cities of refuge, of which I spoke to you through Moses, 3 that the slayer who kills a person accidentally or unintentionally may flee there; and they shall be your refuge from the avenger of blood (Jos. 20:1--3).

The cities are conveniently located. There are three cities on each side of the Jordan River. There is one in the north on each side of the Jordan River, one in the south, and one in the middle.

God has given to us the church as the city of refuge, located conveniently throughout the world. Run to the church and be living and active members of your local congregation. That is the place of safety. Oh yes, there are some predators, but when this passing world is done, the city of refuge shall go before the Lord Jesus Christ and He shall save it, but all who are outside shall be lost.

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 Luke 2:1--24

Born in a Manger

Picture the place where Jesus is born.

7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn (Luk. 2:7).

I was preaching at a retirement home, and mentioned that Mary placed Jesus in a manger after His birth. Then, I asked if they all knew what a manger is. I told them that it is a feeding trough. A feeding trough is a thing into which you place the food for your animals. One lady was deeply offended, saying that her Lord was not placed in a feeding trough. Others insisted that it is a feeding trough. This lady's apprehension, even revulsion, at the thought that the Lord of heaven and earth was laid in an animal feeding trough is understandable. Yet, that is the very point of the entire story of Jesus. He who inhabits heaven, humbles Himself, leaving heaven to live on this earth, starting with a feeding trough. That is amazing. Why did my Savior heaven leave? Because He loves me so.

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