by Don Ruhl

Read the Bible in a Year This evening read Luke 15:11--32

It Is Against Heaven First

After the son in the story of the Prodigal Son realized his sin, he determined to return home to his father, and the son even worked out his confession ahead of time. Here is part of what he determined to say,

18 "I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you'" (Luk. 15:18).

This young man knew that his sin was first against heaven, because all sin is against heaven. When we sin against others, we cannot leave out of our confession our sin against heaven, and when we confess to heaven, we cannot leave out confessing to those against whom we have sinned.

Have you recognized your sin against God? Have you acknowledged your sin against those whom you have sinned? Have you taken care of everything properly?

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 Second Samuel 6--8

The Lord Had Not Spoken

David loved God. Proof of it is found in the incident when David desired to build God a house. David lived in a nice house of cedar, had rest from all his enemies, but the ark of God was inside a tent. Nathan the prophet picked up on David's desire.

3 Then Nathan said to the king, "Go, do all that is in your heart, for the LORD is with you" (2 Sam. 7:3).

The implication from David was that he wanted to build God a nice house in which to live. The implication from Nathan was, do whatever you want in this regard, because it is obvious that God is with you as you do everything for His glory. Later that night, God spoke to Nathan to tell David that he was not to build a house for God, but that God would build a house, that is, a spiritual one, for David, and his son would build God a house.

Personally, I would have been right with Nathan, agreeing with him that David should do all that is in his heart. Yet, it would have been a better idea to speak to God first! When we get good ideas for honoring God, that is wonderful, but it might be that God wants some thing else done instead. Therefore, regardless of the good ideas that we have, let us always seek the will of God first. Also, learn from David, not to be offended if God or the church does not take up your idea. It is nothing personal.

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 15:1--10

Who Do We Want in the Church?

Tax collectors and sinners went to Jesus to hear Him. Praise God! They are the very people who need to hear Him! Well, not everyone likes this idea.

2 And the Pharisees and scribes complained, saying, "This Man receives sinners and eats with them" (Luk. 15:2).

They complained because the physician received patients. I guess they liked the decorating of the doctor's waiting room, and liked going there for discussions, and did not want sick people hanging around.

Friends, what is religion? The religion of Jesus Christ is to bring spiritually sick men and women to Him. If that is the case, then what kind of people shall we see gather with Jesus? Are you prepared to see some wild people come into your congregation?

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 14:25--35

The Cost of Discipleship

What does it take to be a disciple of Jesus? Following Him requires everything that we are and everything that we can give. Jesus said,

26 “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple" (Luk. 14:26).

If we hate something, we avoid it. Therefore, if someone, even someone in my own family, forces me to make a decision between following Christ and following that loved one, I must treat the loved one as though I hate him, that is, avoid him and follow Christ. Of course, we still love all people, including our family, but following Christ requires such devotion that no one can keep us from following Him.

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 Second Samuel 3--5

Harsh Men

Two of David's men killed a man who had made peace with David and Judah. Therefore, David said,

39 "And I am weak today, though anointed king; and these men, the sons of Zeruiah, are too harsh for me. The LORD shall repay the evildoer according to his wickedness" (2 Sam. 3:39).

You probably know just what David meant. Some people are unreasonable. What shall we do about it? David put it into the Lord's hands. Do the same. Pray to God about those harsh people in your life. If you are in the right and they are in the wrong, God shall deal with them according to His justice.

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