by Don Ruhl

Read the Bible in a Year This evening read John 4:30--54

The disciples went into a town to buy food while Jesus remained out of the town. There He engaged a woman in conversation. When the disciples returned, here is what happened,

31 In the meantime His disciples urged Him, saying, "Rabbi, eat." 32 But He said to them, "I have food to eat of which you do not know" (Joh. 4:31, 32).

As you read the Gospel According to John, watch to see how He so easily turns a matter of the body into a matter of the spirit. Jesus was always doing this. The Gospel According to John shows the Lord doing this more so than the other gospel accounts. Keeping watching how often He does this. Then learn to think as He did.

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 Kings 22 and 23

Having a Tender Heart

When Josiah heard the word of God for the first time, he tore his clothes, knowing of the wrath that was upon Jerusalem for the idolatry of his forefathers. Therefore, he sent messengers to a prophetess to inquire of the Lord. He did have a message for Josiah. God said through the prophetess,

19 "...because your heart was tender, and you humbled yourself before the LORD when you heard what I spoke against this place and against its inhabitants, that they would become a desolation and a curse, and you tore your clothes and wept before Me, I also have heard you," says the LORD (2 Kin. 22:19).

Josiah touched the heart of God, because God touched the heart of Josiah. How was God able to touch the heart of the king? The king had a tender heart. When you listen to preaching today, watch and see if your heart is tender toward the word 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 John 4:1--30

Do You Treat People As Jesus Treated People?

Jesus asked a Samaritan woman for a drink of water.

9 Then the woman of Samaria said to Him, "How is it that You, being a Jew, ask a drink from me, a Samaritan woman?" For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans (Joh. 4:9).

Is there a class of people with whom you have no dealings? If so, why do you avoid them? Are you acting like Jesus?

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 Kings 19--21

What Shall We Conclude About the Word of God?

Isaiah the prophet spoke a word from God to King Hezekiah. The king concluded,

19 "The word of the LORD which you have spoken is good!" (2 Kin. 20:19).

That sounds like an easy thing to do, but when we have already done something that is contrary to God's word, and someone shows us what it says, that is a different matter. Sometimes people get angry with the messenger, but if that is the case, the anger is truly directed at the Lord. Watch yourself. See how you respond when someone tells you the word 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 John 3:22--36

The Theme of a Follower of Christ

Jesus said that John the Baptist was the greatest man ever. To give you an idea why Jesus said that about John, be sure to read the passage for this evening's reading. Think carefully on what John said in response to those who appear to be jealous for his sake because Jesus was now baptizing more disciples than John. His response is in verses 27--36. Consider the heart of his response, which is verse 30,

30 He must increase, but I must decrease (Joh. 3:30).

There it is. What more can we say than what John said? As servants of the Lord Jesus Christ, this is exactly what we want to see. When people meet us, we want them to see eventually that Someone greater than ourselves lives in us. Do people see that in you?

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