by Mike Benson

Yesterday I stood at the bedside of a dear brother in Christ. His doctor recently diagnosed him with brain cancer and has given him only a few weeks to live.

I watched as he wept in sadness as he thought about leaving his family. I noticed streams of tears pour down his cheeks as he considered the end of his earthly existence. I listened as he asked a fellow gospel preacher if he would hold his funeral. I fought back my own tears as my preacher friend petitioned the Almighty for faith and strength on behalf of this godly brother.

Then as I left the residence, I couldn't help but wonder, "How do people face eternity without the Lord?" "How do they leave this world without the security found only in Jesus Christ" (cf. Ephesians 1:3)? Fortunately, this gentleman has been a Christian for many years, and he'll step into the next world with the calm assurance that Jesus is and has been Lord of his life.

Come to think of it, we're all terminal, aren't we (cf. Job 14:1)? The end will just come sooner for some of us than others. Dear reader, what preparations have you made for your step into eternity (cf. 2 Timothy 4:6-8; Matthew 25:46)?

Think about it.

by Don Ruhl

Read the Bible in a Year This morning read First Samuel 25 and 26

Who Values Life More: Man or God?

David had the opportunity to kill Saul, who was trying to kill David, but David refuses to take the life of Saul, because David says that Saul is the Lord's anointed. Therefore, David valued the life of Saul, and David wants similar treatment, but listen carefully to what David says,

24 "And indeed, as your life was valued much this day in my eyes, so let my life be valued much in the eyes of the LORD, and let Him deliver me out of all tribulation" (1 Sam. 26:24).

We expected David to say,

"As your life was valued much this day in my eyes, so let my life be valued much in your eyes."

Yet, that is not how he presents the latter part of his request. He said,

"As your life was valued much this day in my eyes, so let my life be valued much in the eyes of the LORD."

Truly, we are not surprised to see David take this to the higher level, that of committing his life before the eyes of Saul to the eyes of the Lord. As we continue to read the life of David, you will see one of the main ingredients in his life, probably the greatest ingredient, that sets him apart from other men, that is, to David, everything is before the eyes of the Lord.

Do the same thing in your life, starting today, to understand that everything is in the eyes of the Lord, and state that is the way that you want it. See what it does to your personality.

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 12:1--31

Is God Going to Forget You?

Or perhaps you think that He already has. What makes you think that He will or has? Do you have a preconceived idea about God that He is not meeting and that is leading you into your faulty thinking? Quickly, get rid of that thought, and get this one into your mind,

6 “Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins? And not one of them is forgotten before God. 7 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows" (Luk. 12:6, 7).

God values you more than the sparrows! They do not seem to worry or fret or be fearful. Life is not always easy for them, but if God takes care of them, surely He will take care of us. He is watching you. He knows what is going on in 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 morning read First Samuel 22--24

The Kind of Men Who Gathered to David

As David tried to get away from his enemy Saul, others had good reason to flee Saul and join David.

2 And everyone who was in distress, everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was discontented gathered to him. So he became captain over them. And there were about four hundred men with him (1 Sam. 22:2).

Look at those depressing Ds who sided with David:

Those in Distress Those in Debt Those in Discontentment

Yet, following David their lives turn around. He was a good example for them. They had great victories together. Find someone who has a heart like David's heart. You will learn much about life, and your life will turn around.

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 11:29--54

What Do You Let into Your Life?

What do you let into your life, into your heart, into your thinking, and into your feeling by your eyes? Jesus said,

34 "The lamp of the body is the eye. Therefore, when your eye is good, your whole body also is full of light. But when your eye is bad, your body also is full of darkness" (Luk. 11:34).

What do we put before our eyes? Think about that today, and see if what you have been putting before your eyes has an affect on your manner of living.

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