by Don Ruhl

Read the Bible in a Year This evening read Luke 20:1--26

Pretending to be Righteous

It may seem impossible, but it really does happen, and that is, some people pretend to be righteous that they might catch you in some error, giving them a reason to judge you.

20 So they watched Him, and sent spies who pretended to be righteous, that they might seize on His words, in order to deliver Him to the power and the authority of the governor (Luk. 20:20).

It happened to Jesus; it will happen to you. When you discover who these people are, you will be shocked. However, be prepared, knowing that they are out there. When they show themselves, do not be devastated, but remember that it happened to Jesus, and so, the Bible is right.

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 Kings 3--5

Solomon's Estimation of Himself

God approached Solomon and asked him what he wanted, and God said that He would give it. With that wide-open opportunity, Solomon requested wisdom to be able to run the kingdom. He asked for wisdom, believing that he was inadequate for the huge job before him.

7 "Now, O LORD my God, You have made Your servant king instead of my father David, but I am a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in" (1 Kin. 3:7).

In experience and in skill for running a kingdom, Solomon was as a little child. In the previous chapter, he appeared to know what to do. He had some men executed, but that was at the request of his father. David had called Solomon "a wise man" in 2:9. Yet, he who is wise is never satisfied with his level of wisdom. He can see that he always needs more. Running a kingdom surely requires the wisdom of God. Therefore, Solomon humbled himself before the God of heaven, asking for wisdom, and God gave it.

Are you adequate for the task before you? Do you know what to say to 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 19:28--48

The Stones Cry Out!

The people praised Jesus, but the Pharisees demanded of Jesus that He silence His disciples.

40 But He answered and said to them, "I tell you that if these should keep silent, the stones would immediately cry out" (Luk. 19:40).

I can make the argument that Jesus merely spoke metaphorically, that is, He did not mean literally that if He silenced His disciples, the stones would pick up their praise and continue to magnify Jesus. On the other hand, I can make the argument that He spoke literally. Jesus is the Creator, and creation, even inanimate creation, will become animate and praise Him, if we do not praise Him.

The question is what about me; am I like the disciples and the stones, or am I like the Pharisees?

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 Kings 1 and 2

The King Bowed to His Mother

Bathsheba approached her son Solomon, the new king of Israel. Watch what Solomon did,

19 Bathsheba therefore went to King Solomon, to speak to him for Adonijah. And the king rose up to meet her and bowed down to her, and sat down on his throne and had a throne set for the king’s mother; so she sat at his right hand (1 Kin. 2:19).

Magnificent! Before whom does a king bow? None, other than his mother! If he is the king with the power of life and death, who then is his mother that the king bows before her?

Think about your mother today. Why should you honor her? How should you honor her?

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