by Don Ruhl

Read the Bible in a Year This morning read First Samuel 30 and 31

The People Who Will Oppose You

Everyone in Israel who was in distress, in debt, and discontented joined David as he fled from Saul. Later, here is what the Bible says about those same men,

6 Now David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and his daughters. But David strengthened himself in the LORD his God (1 Sam. 30:6).

One of the hard realities of life is that when you decide to take on a good work, or to lead an organization, or do some other noble task, the people who should be your biggest supporters sometimes can be your greatest detractors. When this happens, remember David.

1. Remember that even a great man as he had this problem.
2. He did not give up and quit.
3. He did not turn his back on those who turned their backs on him.
4. He went out and did a good work for those opposing him.
5. He strengthened himself in 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 evening read Luke 13: 23--35

Why Do People Want to Know the Numbers Saved?

Someone asked Jesus a question that I have had asked of me many times.

23 Then one said to Him, “Lord, are there few who are saved?” (Luk. 13:23).

Why was this a concern to this person? What difference does the number make, as long as I am saved? The first part of the answer of Jesus was to tell the person to do everything he can to be saved. Once we are saved, we naturally want others to be saved, but whether many or few are saved cannot deter from our quest for salvation.

I have known many people over the years, who when they found out that the Scriptures exclude certain people, decided that they did not want to have anything to do with Christ. The only thing that does is to insure that person will be lost. We can protest the Lord's decisions all we want, but that will not change what He has determined is needed for salvation.

Therefore, the pressing question of the day is this: Are you saved?

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 13:1--22

Jesus Was a Teacher

Do not despise teachers or teaching in the church, for he who does, despises Jesus and His work. Luke wrote,

22 And He went through the cities and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem (Luk. 13:22).

Jesus used miracles as opportunities to teach. Therefore, remove teaching from His ministry and what is left? There is nothing left. If we were to remove teaching from the church, the church dies.

Are you a teacher in the church? Do you honor or dishonor our Teacher by your teaching?

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 27--29

Why Did David Go to the Philistines?

First Samuel 27:1 says,

1 And David said in his heart, "Now I shall perish someday by the hand of Saul. There is nothing better for me than that I should speedily escape to the land of the Philistines; and Saul will despair of me, to seek me anymore in any part of Israel. So I shall escape out of his hand" (1 Sam. 27:1).

It was a sad day in Israel when David had to flee. Here was a man who loved God supremely, but for his own safety, he believed that he had to leave his nation. Saul's wickedness was out of control. However, why did David flee to the land of the Philistines, the number one enemy of Israel in those days? Why did he not flee to Egypt? Why did he not go to the Syrians?

We discover the answer in David's decision. It was precisely because the Philistines were at war with Israel that Saul could not go there to look for David. The Philistines would never allow it. This makes the day that David left even worse, the fact that he left Israel, but that he also joined himself to the Philistines.

Yet, this is what mean-spirited people do to good-hearted people like David. Do not let Saul-like people ruin your congregation, but stand up to them as David did, and support those who do. Pray for the peace of the church.

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