by Don Ruhl

Read the Bible in a Year This morning read Deuteronomy 28 and 29

The Reason to Obey God

Deuteronomy chapter 28 is quite a chapter. Moses speaks plainly, picturing the ways in which God shall bless Israel for their obedience and the ways in which God shall curse Israel for their disobedience. After stating many of the curses, he warns Israel that God shall curse them,

58 If you do not carefully observe all the words of this law that are written in this book, that you may fear this glorious and awesome name, THE LORD YOUR GOD (Deu. 28:58).

The end of obedience is not only that Israel may do well, but also that they may fear the great name of God, glorifying that name through their holy lives. This is also the purpose of spiritual Israel, the church. Heaven glorifies the awesome God of heaven, and His children on earth must do the same. When the people of the world watch me, do they end up glorifying 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 Mark 15:26--47

An Interesting Accusation

For any other man, it is a crime, but not for Jesus Christ.

26 And the inscription of His accusation was written above:

THE KING OF THE JEWS

(Mar. 15:26).

In this case, it is not a crime that He is the King of the Jews, but it is a crime that they, the Jews and the Romans, do not believe it. They stated the truth without knowing it. They stated the truth without passion. They stated the truth and now it is to their condemnation.

What do I believe about Jesus of Nazareth? What do I think about what I say about Him? Am I condemning myself in an attempt to condemn 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 evening read Mark 15:1--25

Whatever You Say

What can you do when someone's mind is made up? What can you do when someone is unreasonable? Jesus uses sarcasm to agree with His enemies.

2 Then Pilate asked Him, Are You the King of the Jews? And He answered and said to Him, It is as you say (Mar. 15:2).

What else can Jesus say? Any attempt to explain, any attempt to defend himself, will not be accepted. Therefore, this form of sarcasm is a subtle rebuke of Pilate's closed mind. Then Jesus remains silent.

There comes a point at which continued arguing does no good, but only stirs up more strife.

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 Deuteronomy 30 and 31

Circumcise the Heart

Once the children of Israel are in captivity for their refusal to obey the Lord God, and they finally turn their whole hearts to back to Him, one of the things that He promises to do is found in Deuteronomy 30:6.

6 And the LORD your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants, to love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live (Deu. 30:6).

All this finally happened, when Israel became stubborn in heart and the loving Lord of heaven had to remove them from the land of Canaan, even as He removed the Canaanites. Then in captivity, they did turn their hearts back to their heavenly Father, and He did as He promised.

Friends, let us look at our hearts. There are things that we attach to our hearts that keep us from loving God and His blessed Son, as we should. Oh God, in the name of Jesus Christ, please circumcise our hearts; cut away all the evil with which we have encircled our hearts so that we may love you and your Son Jesus with all our hearts and all our souls.

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 Mark 14:54--72

Comfortable Religion

I am slow to criticize Peter, because he is so much like me, or rather I am so much like him. Peter made some colossal mistakes, but he also learned from them, repented, and died a brave soldier of Jesus Christ. There is something that he did after the arrest of Jesus that looks too much like many disciples of Christ. Does this picture me?

54 But Peter followed Him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. And he sat with the servants and warmed himself at the fire (Mar. 14:54).

Now that is nice and cozy. Peter is close enough to the action, but not close enough to be in the action. He is close enough to condemn the rest of the world, for after all, where are they? He can see and hear the religion of Christ, but only as a spectator, and it is warm by the fire. Oh, it feels so good to be near Jesus, the One who is suffering for me, but I do not have to get close enough to suffer with Him. That would be fanatical. Come on! God cannot expect me to give up all that I have gained! No, I am doing just fine, right here by the fire, close to Jesus, lending Him support with my quiet presence, and separating myself from the world, but not associating with those wicked hypocrites who are condemning Him. Yes, Jesus, you can count on me to be here, sitting by this nice warm fire while you do all the work. Thank you for thinking of me, and this is all that you can expect from me.

Honestly, friends, is that what Jesus wants? Is that what I give?

Peter realized his mistake and turned around, following Jesus, suffering immensely, living the life of Jesus, and finally dying by crucifixion, just like the Lord. What about me; am I watching the action or am I observing from a comfortable distance?

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