by Don Ruhl

Read the Bible in a Year This evening read Luke 10:1--24

Approach God as a Babe

The way to be sure that your name is recorded in heaven is to approach God as a babe. After telling the 70 that their names were written in heaven, Jesus offered a prayer to the Father, which revealed the child-like nature of the 70.

21 In that hour Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit and said, “I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and revealed them to babes. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight" (Luk. 10:21).

If I approach God as though I have all the answers, and that I have already determined how I want Him to answer my prayers, and that I think He should do everything that I want, why should He hear and receive me? No, a child approaches God, believing that He has all the answers and that He will do what is best and right. So, then, how do you handle your relationship with 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 morning read First Samuel 13 and 14

Do Not Be Hasty

It never seems to work to be hasty. There are measureless virtues in patience. For example, Samuel gave Saul explicit instructions on waiting for Samuel. Saul became impatient, and believed that he had good reason for being so. A battle with the Philistines was about to be fought, and Samuel was late so that the sacrifice to seek God's blessing was delayed. Therefore, Saul did the work of a priest. Then guess what happened.

10 Now it happened, as soon as he had finished presenting the burnt offering, that Samuel came; and Saul went out to meet him, that he might greet him (1 Sam. 13:10).

Is that not the way that it always seems to go? If so, that is a good reason not to be hasty, but to be patient. Look over your life and see if it pays to be hasty. Think about the way you operate. Are you a hasty person or a patient person?

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 9:37--62

Peter Did Not Speak Up

Jesus reveals to the apostles that He is about to be delivered into the hands of men. Luke shows the apostles remaining silent,

45 But they did not understand this saying, and it was hidden from them so that they did not perceive it; and they were afraid to ask Him about this saying (Luk. 9:45).

Peter is always speaking up. Why did he remain silent this time? Should he have asked the Lord what He meant by this prediction? When do you ask a question and when do you remain silent? There is a time to question, and a time to ponder. Pray to God that you may know when each is appropriate.

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 9:18--36

Who Is Jesus?

Think about a question that Jesus asks His disciples, and see how people are answering the question in the world today.

18 And it happened, as He was alone praying, that His disciples joined Him, and He asked them, saying, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” (Luk. 9:18).

Who do the crowds say that Jesus is? Who do you say that He is? Is He the Lord? If so, are you obeying 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 First Samuel 7--9

Show the Lord That You Are Returning

Samuel speaks the truth when he says,

3 Then Samuel spoke to all the house of Israel, saying, “If you return to the LORD with all your hearts, then put away the foreign gods and the Ashtoreths from among you, and prepare your hearts for the LORD, and serve Him only; and He will deliver you from the hand of the Philistines” (1 Sam. 7:3).

How can I claim that I have turned to the Lord with all my heart when I give my heart to a competitor? God is not impressed if we give Him 90% of our hearts. That sounds impressive to us, but to Him who gives us 100%, that does not sound impressive at all. Is there something competing in your heart that keeps you from 100% devotion to the Lord? Your eternal destiny depends upon your answer. Take care of the matter immediately.

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