by Don Ruhl

Read the Bible in a Year This evening read Mark 13:21--37

Do You Know the Warnings?

Jesus warns,

22 For false christs and false prophets will rise and show signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 23 But take heed; see, I have told you all things beforehand (Mar. 13:22, 23).

Therefore, no one should ever be successful in deceiving us. However, for that to be true I have to know the warnings; I have to know the word of God. No doubt, you are reading the Scriptures daily, meditating on the rich truths of the God of heaven. Never stop, for if you do, deception will be looking for you, and it will hunt you, and take you down. If you continue, you shall never be led astray.

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 20--22

Remember Who Is with You!

Moses reminds Israel of future battles, and the seemingly insurmountable odds that they will face, saying that they should still not fear.

1 When you go out to battle against your enemies, and see horses and chariots and people more numerous than you, do not be afraid of them; for the LORD your God is with you, who brought you up from the land of Egypt (Deu. 20:1).

If God could redeem Israel from Egypt, He can certainly help them against any foe that opposes them. Is that not right? Has that changed? Is God able to help you in the face of the insurmountable odds that are before you?

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 17--19

Why Did God Speak to Israel in the Form of Jesus?

In Deuteronomy 18:16, Moses reminds Israel that when they were before God in Horeb, they requested that God no longer speak to them from the mountain. When God was on that mountain, there were thundering, flashes of lightning, and the awesome sound of God's voice. It frightened Israel. They thought that they were going to die. Therefore, they did not want to hear the voice anymore, nor did they want to see the fire. God agreed with this request. However, He still desired to speak to His people. Therefore, He promises to speak to them in a less intimidating way.

18 I will raise up for them a Prophet like you from among their brethren, and will put My words in His mouth, and He shall speak to them all that I command Him (Deu. 18:18).

He will be human, just like the children of Israel. Yet, He will still speak the word of God, although not with thundering and lightning. The effect is still the same. Did the children of Israel like it when God spoke through Jesus? No, instead it was probably worse, because they killed Him! Now, those words of the Prophet Jesus and of all of God's other messengers are preserved in an even less intimidating Book. Is the reaction is any less volcanic? No, people still hate God. How do you respond to the words 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 Mark 13:1--20

Look At These Buildings!

We like to impress people with the sights! The disciples of Jesus were the same way,

1 Then as He went out of the temple, one of His disciples said to Him, Teacher, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here! (Mar. 13:1).

Man is able to build some very impressive things. I have seen and been up inside the Arch in Saint Louis. How does that thing stand up? I have seen Hoover Dam. How did they build that? I have seen one of the world's tallest structures in Moscow, Russia, a television tower whose top looks like it is going to pierce the sun.

Yet, these are nothing in comparison to God's creations. I have flown over the Grand Canyon. It is so large; it is hard to imagine that you are 35,000 feet above it. I have stood on mountain peaks in the Colorado Rockies, breathless, not with the altitude, but with the sight of the ocean of mountains surrounding me.

The disciples want Jesus to see and be impressed with the temple and its associated structures. His response is that the time is coming, and has already happened, in which the temple will be torn down. The time is also coming in which the Arch, Hoover Dam, and the Moscow television tower, and all other human creations shall be dissolved with fervent heat, so much so, that even God's creations on the earth, and the earth itself, and all of the universe shall pass away with that heat.

What shall remain is the church and heaven. Wow! Am I in the church and am I headed for heaven?

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 12:28--44

The Lord Sees Our Contribution

After condemning the scribes for devouring widow's houses, Jesus then points out a poor widow who put into the treasury two mites. My Bible says that is equal to 25 cents. Your Bible may give a different figure, but the point is the same, it is hardly anything. Here is what the Lord says about her contribution,

43 Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury (Mar. 12:43).

He explains further that the others put into the treasury out of their abundance, whereas the widow only had 25 cents and she put it all into the treasury. Therefore, she actually put in more than the rich did.

What the scribes were doing to widows and what this widow did to herself in the end is the same. The difference is that the scribes took it from people, that is, against their will, but she did this because she loves God and trusts Him to take care of her. Are the scribes going to take care of those whom they devour?

The scribes are takers. The widow is a giver. Which are you?

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