by Don Ruhl

Read the Bible in a Year This evening read Mark 11:1--19

The Jewish Leaders Fear Jesus

In last evening's devotional, we observed Jesus heading boldly to Jerusalem, not fearing suffering, death, or the people who are going to do these things. Not only is Jesus fearless, but also the opposition fears Him,

18 And the scribes and chief priests heard it and sought how they might destroy Him; for they feared Him, because all the people were astonished at His teaching (Mar. 10:18).

Jesus turns things around. Those in authority had domination over the people for years, but now Jesus has their favor and the people are following Him rather the scribes and the chief priests. They fear everything about Jesus, leading them to oppose Him more strenuously until they kill Him.

This is precisely why the secularists in all nations are fighting the church. Secularists know that the majority of the people believe in God, and if this trend continues and if the church continues, then secularists shall lose their power. Therefore, fully expect them to oppose us more and more vehemently as the days pass. Be strong, be loyal to Jesus, and be passionate for the word of God in the days to come.

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 5--7

You Are God's Treasure

Moses reminds Israel,

6 For you are a holy people to the LORD your God; the LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth (Deu. 7:6).

Now, those words have been transferred to the people of the church, according to First Peter 2:9. God's treasure on the earth is not the United States, modern Israel, the Rocky Mountains, white sand tropical beaches, but we who are members of the church of His Son. Think on that throughout the day. See what it does to 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 Deuteronomy 3 and 4

Our Wisdom

Listen to why Moses tells Israel to be careful to obey the commandments of God,

6 Therefore be careful to observe them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples who will hear all these statutes, and say, 'Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people' (Deu. 4:6).

Following God's word imparts wisdom and understanding. Moreover, Moses reveals to them, that other peoples will hear the Law, and they will observe Israel in action. When they see Israel doing what the Law says, then even those peoples will be able to see that Israel is a wise and understanding people.

According to Hebrews chapter 8, the New Covenant is better than the Old Covenant. How much more so is it true that if we follow the teachings of the New Covenant, the world will conclude that we are a wise and understanding people? Do you honestly believe that you are giving that care to observe the teachings of Christ that Moses said Israel should give to observe the commands that he delivered to them?

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 10:1--31

Jesus and Children

Parents bring their children to Jesus that He might touch them. Yet, His disciples rebuke the adults bringing the children, thinking, I suppose, that Jesus is far too important of a man to be bothered by children. This displeased Him greatly, and He even told the disciples that the kingdom of God is composed of people like children, and that we adults must receive the kingdom of God as little children.

Finally, Mark writes,

16 And He took them up in His arms, put His hands on them, and blessed them (Mar. 10:16).

Jesus loves the little children. He wants to hold them. He wants to touch them. He wants to bless them.

Jesus is our Master, Teacher and Example.

Therefore, let us love the little children. Let us hold them. Let us touch them. Let us bless them.

Try it. See how the children react to 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 1 and 2

God Blesses Esau to Bless Israel

As Israel journeys through the wilderness, they pass through the territory of Esau. While passing through Esau, God says to Israel,

6 You shall buy food from them with money, that you may eat; and you shall also buy water from them with money that you may drink (Deu. 2:6).

A conservative count of Israel during the wandering is 3 million! How much food and water will they buy from Esau in one day? What shall this sudden sale do to the resources of Esau? It must be that God had already blessed Esau with abundance or is about to, that Esau not lack, but that Esau has enough for itself and for Israel.

Why does God bless us with abundance?

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