by Don Ruhl

Read the Bible in a Year This morning read Judges 13--15

Ask God to Revive Your Spirit

Samson single-handedly, with the jawbone of a donkey, kills one thousand Philistines. Then the text says,

18 Then he became very thirsty; so he cried out to the LORD and said, “You have given this great deliverance by the hand of Your servant; and now shall I die of thirst and fall into the hand of the uncircumcised?” (Jdg. 15:18).

Therefore, God gives Samson some water, and his spirit returns and he is revived. He asked. He received. Have you labored diligently for the Lord? Are you tired now? Have you asked the Lord to give you water for your soul? Ask. You shall receive.

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 6:1--26

The Value of Reading

Often in the midst of controversy, Jesus solved problems easily, as He did in the following incident. On a Sabbath, the disciples of Jesus plucked heads of grain and ate them. The Pharisees confront the disciples, asking them why they are doing what is not lawful on the Sabbath, or at least what they believe is not lawful. Jesus steps in and begins His reply with these words,

3 “Have you not even read this..." (Luk. 6:3).

Just reading the Scriptures would show them that they are wrong in their criticism of His disciples. Of course, a one time reading of Scripture is not enough, because we just cannot remember everything that we read. Therefore, a daily reading of Scripture is what Jesus expects from us. If you are reading Scripture daily, you will be delighted to see how the word of God gives you insight into controversy. Therefore, keep reading. Be patient with yourself. It will pay off.

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 Judges 11 and 12

He Judged Israel

God has much to say about some of the judges, but others of the judges, He does not say that much at all. Here is all that He says about Elon.

11 After him, Elon the Zebulunite judged Israel. He judged Israel ten years. 12 And Elon the Zebulunite died and was buried at Aijalon in the country of Zebulun (Jdg. 12:11, 12).

That is not much in comparison to Deborah, Gideon, Samson, or Jephthah. Yet, it is more than what is said about you and me! What is the reason for Elon's rising? From what enemy did he deliver Israel? We cannot answer those questions and many others, but we do know that God knows, and that is all that matters.

I do not know the circumstances of your life and the good that you have done, and vice versa, but God knows, and when we stand before Him at the Judgment that is all that will matter.

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 5:17--39

For Whom Is Religion?

Is religion for those who are already perfect? Is it for those who are imperfect?

The scribes and Pharisees murmur against Jesus and His disciples, questioning why He eats with tax collectors and sinners. He explains,

31 “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 32 I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance” (Luk. 5:31, 32).

Religion is binding people back to God. Tax collectors and sinners (and by the way, scribes and Pharisees) need to be brought back to God. Therefore, it is wrong to criticize someone for bringing people with sin problems into the church, but that person needs to be praised and helped in his efforts.

How do I treat the less than perfect?

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 Judges 9 and 10

God's Compassion

How compassionate is our God? If you read the Book of Judges, you will discover that God's compassion is measureless. After the judge Jair dies, Israel goes back into the sin of idolatry, and God says that He will no longer deliver them from the hands of oppressors, whom He sends to punish Israel. However, Israel confesses their sin, requesting of the Lord to do to them whatever He desires, but only deliver them from the hands of their enemy. Then Judges 10:16 shows what happens next.

16 So they put away the foreign gods from among them and served the LORD. And His soul could no longer endure the misery of Israel (Jdg. 10:16).

God does not provide a judge in the manner that He has in the past, but Israel finds a judge and God goes with the judge when he pleads for God's blessing.

This is not a lesson in encouragement to continue in sin, but it show us that our God loves us deeply, and is willing to forgive us, if we truly repent. So then, is their sin in your life for which you have not made full confession and for which you have not fully repented?

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