by Don Ruhl

Read the Bible in a Year This morning read First Samuel 17 and 18

The Classic Battle Between David and Goliath

Almost everyone knows of the battle between David and Goliath. It is a classic. Why is it a classic? A huge Philistine, standing a little less than ten feet tall, faces the younger and smaller David. David wins. How is David able to defeat this giant? First Samuel 17:45 shows the difference between the two men.

45 Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied" (1 Sam. 17:45).

David fights in the name of the God of Israel. Goliath fights in the name of his weaponry. Goliath attacks the name of God. David defends the name of God.

It is truly that simple. How then do you live your life?

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 10--12

Everything Else Is Empty and Profitless

I hope that you read the chapters listed above, because if you do, you will read Samuel's speech to Israel. He warns the nation in verse 20 not to turn aside from following the Lord, and here is why,

21 "And do not turn aside; for then you would go after empty things which cannot profit or deliver, for they are nothing" (1 Sam. 12:21).

Turn from the Lord, then anything else, regardless of what it is, does not profit. Period. It may seem fulfilling for a time, but eventually a person will see that the vanity of all vanities is that all is vanity. Never let anyone or anything turn you from the Lord. Be faithful to Him no matter what happens in your life, whether you become poor or prosperous.

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 4--6

The Enemy Gets the Point

Israel has the Ark of the Covenant and is ready to fight. The Philistines hear the shouting and are frightened. Listen to what they conclude.

8 Woe to us! Who will deliver us from the hand of these mighty gods? These are the gods who struck the Egyptians with all the plagues in the wilderness (1 Sam. 4:8).

The Philistines did not get it quite right, but they got the point. It is not gods, but God and He is mighty; nor did God strike the Egyptians in the wilderness, but God did strike the Egyptians with plagues. Okay, so, the Philistines were not very accurate in their assessment of Israel's God, or in Israel's history, but they knew enough to be afraid.

I cannot number the amount of times that I have heard someone who opposes me or the church make a statement that was not quite right, but he understood the power involved. That does not necessarily mean that people will back down, because the Philistines did not, but they fought harder, and I have seen the enemy fight harder, but we know the truth about God. Therefore, let us continue to live for the truth of 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 8:26--56

Faith, Wellness, and Peace

A woman has been bleeding for 12 years. She touches the border of the garment of Jesus. He tells her,

48 “Daughter, be of good cheer; your faith has made you well. Go in peace” (Luk. 8:48).

Likewise, in the spirit, approaching Jesus brings good cheer, provided we approach Him in faith. If we do so, He makes us well in the spirit, and we can live in peace. Does that sound simplistic? It is simple. Try it and see what happens in your life.

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 9:1--17

He Gave, They Gave

About five thousand men are following Jesus, but they have nothing to eat. Jesus tells the disciples to feed the multitude. They say that they only have five loaves of bread and two fish. Here is what Jesus does.

16 Then He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed and broke them, and gave them to the disciples to set before the multitude (Luk. 9:16).

Jesus takes the food, blesses it, breaks it, and gives it to His disciples. They in turn give to the five thousand men. That is precisely the order of things. God created this world, perfectly adapted for man's habitation. A few manage it for the billions who live on it. Likewise, God gives the church the blessing of food for the soul, and the church, though small in number compared to the billions on earth, gives it to them.

Somehow, twelve men feed five thousand. Somehow, the farmer feeds huge numbers. Somehow, the church can feed the world, but the church has to believe. Do you believe it is possible?

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