by Don Ruhl

Read the Bible in a Year This evening read Luke 10:25--42

Testing the Lord

Think today on what this man did to the Lord,

25 And behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested Him, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” (Luk. 10:25).

Some people become lawyers because they like to argue, but it is not a good idea to argue with the Lord. It is not a good idea to test the Lord. Can you imagine doing such? Picture yourself standing before the Lord Jesus when He is on His judgment throne, and testing Him. No, thank you. Do you argue with Him? Watch your reaction when you read the Scriptures and come to parts that you do not want to believe or do not want to obey.

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 First Samuel 15 and 16

Your Outward Appearance and Your Acceptance Before the Lord

God sent Samuel to the household of Jesse to anoint a new king over Israel, since the Lord had rejected Saul. As Samuel meets the first few sons of Jesse, the prophet says to himself that such and such a son must be the new king, because each son was either tall or just looked like a king. However, God tells Samuel not to look at the outward appearance, for that is not what God uses to judge a man. When God reveals that David is the one, the Bible says this about the outward appearance of David,

12 So he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, with bright eyes, and good-looking. And the LORD said, “Arise, anoint him; for this is the one!” (1 Sam. 16:12).

The fact that David was good-looking did not disqualify him. You see, the Lord is not looking for the ugliest person, that is not what He meant when He told Samuel not to look at the outward appearance, for if God was looking for the ugliest, and then He would be looking on the outward appearance. Beautify yourself on the inside, and that beauty shall come out in the way that you live, and it will even have an affect on your looks. Beautify yourself on the inside and the greatest thing that shall happen is that the Lord God Himself shall use you!

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 10:1--24

Approach God as a Babe

The way to be sure that your name is recorded in heaven is to approach God as a babe. After telling the 70 that their names were written in heaven, Jesus offered a prayer to the Father, which revealed the child-like nature of the 70.

21 In that hour Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit and said, “I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and revealed them to babes. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight" (Luk. 10:21).

If I approach God as though I have all the answers, and that I have already determined how I want Him to answer my prayers, and that I think He should do everything that I want, why should He hear and receive me? No, a child approaches God, believing that He has all the answers and that He will do what is best and right. So, then, how do you handle your relationship with God?

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 First Samuel 13 and 14

Do Not Be Hasty

It never seems to work to be hasty. There are measureless virtues in patience. For example, Samuel gave Saul explicit instructions on waiting for Samuel. Saul became impatient, and believed that he had good reason for being so. A battle with the Philistines was about to be fought, and Samuel was late so that the sacrifice to seek God's blessing was delayed. Therefore, Saul did the work of a priest. Then guess what happened.

10 Now it happened, as soon as he had finished presenting the burnt offering, that Samuel came; and Saul went out to meet him, that he might greet him (1 Sam. 13:10).

Is that not the way that it always seems to go? If so, that is a good reason not to be hasty, but to be patient. Look over your life and see if it pays to be hasty. Think about the way you operate. Are you a hasty person or a patient person?

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 9:37--62

Peter Did Not Speak Up

Jesus reveals to the apostles that He is about to be delivered into the hands of men. Luke shows the apostles remaining silent,

45 But they did not understand this saying, and it was hidden from them so that they did not perceive it; and they were afraid to ask Him about this saying (Luk. 9:45).

Peter is always speaking up. Why did he remain silent this time? Should he have asked the Lord what He meant by this prediction? When do you ask a question and when do you remain silent? There is a time to question, and a time to ponder. Pray to God that you may know when each is appropriate.

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