by Don Ruhl

Read the Bible in a Year This morning read First Samuel 19--21

Secret Enemies

David fled for his life from Saul. In escaping, David came to the priest because David and his men were hungry, but the Bible adds this interesting note.

7 Now a certain man of the servants of Saul was there that day, detained before the LORD. And his name was Doeg, an Edomite, the chief of the herdsmen who belonged to Saul (1 Sam. 21:7).

Doeg will turn over the priest to Saul for helping David, although that day Doeg does nothing. He does not give any indication that he is an enemy of David or the priest. There are people like that. They will betray you. We think to ourselves that we thought that we knew them, but evil is in their hearts as they wait for an opportunity to advance themselves, and they will even hurt innocent people in the process, which is what happened later when Doeg is able to get Saul to authorize the killing of the priest.

We cannot be suspicious of everyone, but we can set our hearts to know that there are evil people outside the church, and unfortunately, inside the church. When it happens do not let your heart be destroyed, but just trust in the Lord even more than you did before.

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 reading Luke 11:1--28

Satan Is Smarter than That

Some said that Jesus cast out demons by the power of the devil. Now think about that. Would Satan really do something like that? Jesus said,

18 "If Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? Because you say I cast out demons by Beelzebub" (Luk. 11:18).

Satan is wicked, but he is also smart. He would not divide himself, for even he can see how that would destroy his kingdom, and the last thing that he wants is to hurt himself. Do not think that you can play with the devil and not engage in full-fledged sin. He is smart. He knows how to trap you. Be careful.

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 12:32--59

Where Is Your Heart?

Jesus taught that we must not fear. Therefore, do not be concerned with material things, such as building treasures on the earth, but He taught that we should grow our treasure in heaven. How can I tell if I am doing that? If I have material things, does that mean that I am materialistic? Listen to the Lord Jesus,

34 "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" (Luk. 12:34).

Where is your heart? Your answer reveals whether you are spiritual or materialistic. Ask yourself that question for the next 24 hours and see what kind of person you are.

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 10:25--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