by Phil Sanders

Commitment is the act of committing, pledging or engaging oneself. It is regarded as a pledge or a promise. When we became Christians, we committed ourselves to take up our cross and follow Christ daily. This commitment was for a lifetime. In Christianity there is no such thing as a temporary commitment or a partial commitment. When the pilot of a giant airliner is speeding down the runway, there is a certain point where he cannot decide to remain on the ground. When he crosses that line, he is committed to the air. If he doesn’t, the plane will crash disastrously. That pilot cannot change his mind when the plane is two-thirds of the way down the runway. He must make his decision from the beginning and stay with it to become airborne. Many members of the church have obeyed the gospel, leaving the old man of sin; but they seem to sit at the beginning of the runway revving the engines but never moving. They have been saved but have never gotten engaged in their faith. Christianity is not a spectator sport, everyone must compete against an enemy who is out to get their souls (Eph. 6:10-13; 1 Pet. 5:8). This is not a competition where winning or losing does not matter. It is a competition with eternal consequences. Jesus told the church at Smyrna, “Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Rev. 2:10, ESV). Our faith in Christ is a commitment with no end. Let’s not spend our time gunning the engine on the runway. Let’s get involved!

by Don Ruhl

Read the Bible in a Year This evening read Luke 7:1--30

Who Determines Our Worthiness?

A centurion's servant is terminally ill. Therefore, he sends elders of the Jews to Jesus that He might come and heal the servant. Here is partly what they explain to the Lord,

4 And when they came to Jesus, they begged Him earnestly, saying that the one for whom He should do this was worthy (Luk. 7:4).

Yet, interestingly, this is not what the Roman centurion says about himself. As Jesus approaches, the centurion sends out friends to meet Him and they speak for him, saying,

6 “Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof. 7 Therefore I did not even think myself worthy to come to You. But say the word, and my servant will be healed" (Luk. 7:6, 7).

This all falls in perfectly with Proverbs 27:2,

2 Let another man praise you, and not your own mouth; A stranger, and not your own lips. (Pro. 27:2).

Of course, the praise of men is not sufficient, but we seek the Lord's commendation.

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 16--18

An Army of One

I am not sure what the United States Army means when it advertises itself as an army of one, because there are hundreds of thousands of soldiers, but with Samson, it is true. The Bible never shows him gathering an army together to fight the Philistines, but he always fights solo, able to kill hundreds or even thousands each time! The Bible also shows him with three different women. Therefore, we are tempted to think that all he does is chase women and fight the Philistines. However, we see his largest role in the last verse of his story. After killing a large number of Philistines by pushing down their temple, which also killed him, the biblical record says,

31 And his brothers and all his father’s household came down and took him, and brought him up and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the tomb of his father Manoah. He had judged Israel twenty years (Jdg. 16:31).

Does Samson do some things that make us question his spirituality? Yes, he does. Yet, he also judges Israel for two decades, and he is righteous when he does so. The Judges were holy men of God, but they were also sinners, like you and me. This is no license for us to sin, but it does show that God can use you with your faults, if you submit to him as Samson does.

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 19--21

A Sad Day In Israel

One of the cities of Benjamin commits an unimaginable sin. The rest of the children of Israel are determined to stop the sin, and to rid themselves of the evil men who gang-raped a woman until she died. Israel gathers before Benjamin, requesting that the tribe deliver up the evil men. Benjamin refuses to do it. Judges 20:14 shows what happens next.

14 Instead, the children of Benjamin gathered together from their cities to Gibeah, to go to battle against the children of Israel (Jdg. 20:14).

This whole episode occurs shortly after Israel enters the Land of Canaan. How sad that Benjamin has so quickly fallen into sin. How sad that the tribe is actually willing to fight in war against their own brothers. Sadly, this happens among God's people from time to time, even in the church. Perhaps there is not blood shed, but former friends fight one another. When this happens, someone is not following the example of our Master and Teacher, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Are you convinced that you are following Him with all your might in every area of your life?

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 7:31--50

Three Marks of Hospitality

A woman, using her long hair, wipes her tears from the feet of Jesus. She then kisses His feet, anointing them with fragrant oil. A Pharisee criticizes Jesus for allowing such a sinful woman to do that. Jesus defends her, but criticizes the Pharisee for failing to show Jesus hospitality.

44 Then He turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has washed My feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head. 45 You gave Me no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to kiss My feet since the time I came in. 46 You did not anoint My head with oil, but this woman has anointed My feet with fragrant oil" (Luk. 7:44--46).

It was good of the Pharisee to invite Jesus into his home, but the Pharisee did not back it up with a proper welcome. Let us learn from this incident to do what we are able to show total hospitality.

1. Seek their comfort. The woman washed the feet of Jesus.
2. Give a proper greeting. The woman gave Jesus a kiss.
3. Present a gift. The woman gave Jesus fragrant oil.

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