by Don Ruhl

Read the Bible in a Year This morning read Second Kings 17 and 18

Does It Work to Incorporate Other Religions into God's Religion?

The answer is, no. As the historian wrote of the sad demise of the northern kingdom of Israel, he spoke of the people whom the Assyrians brought in to replace the Israelites, most of whom were now in captivity. Speaking of the foreigners, he wrote,

33 They feared the LORD, yet served their own gods--according to the rituals of the nations from among whom they were carried away (2 Kin. 17:33).

However, as you continue to read the text, you will discover that the "gods" win. Is that because Yahweh God is weak and cannot compete with idols? No, that is not the case at all. Here is what the deal is. The God of the Bible operates solo. He does not tolerate divided loyalty from His people. The gods, actually Satan, will do it anyway that people want it done. They are willing to compromise. Yahweh God is not willing to compromise. Therefore, the gods win when people try to have the one true God and idols.

This is true of anything that we bring into the affection of our hearts. God is either number one or He is not in our hearts at all. Who reigns in your heart?

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 3:1--21

Are You Afraid of the Light?

Does it bother you when someone turns on the light after you have been sitting in the dark? Likewise, does it anger you when someone sheds the light of Christ on your life? Jesus said,

20 "For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed" (Joh. 3:20).

How do you react to the truth of the Scriptures? If your reaction is revulsion, does that mean you are living in the darkness?

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 15 and 16

It Is Hard to Remove Sin From a Nation

Once a leader introduces or allows sin to reign freely in a nation, it is hard to remove it. As we continue to read in Second Kings, you will observe that the northern kingdom had this problem especially. Of practically every king, you will read something like this,

18 And he did evil in the sight of the LORD; he did not depart all his days from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who had made Israel sin (2 Kin. 15:18).

Jeroboam introduced Egyptian golden calf worship into Israel, and it remained until God sent the Assyrians against Israel to carry the nation into captivity. What happens nationally also happens individually. Let sin get in and it will dominant your life. See sin as a voracious predator sitting outside your door. His eyes are glued on your door. He is hunkered down just waiting for you to crack open the door, and if you let him, he will spring in there quickly. Then how do we get him out? It can be done, but how much easier it is to keep the door closed and him out, then to open the door and let him in.

Today think on not only the passage above, but think on this one from Paul,

14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts (Rom. 13:14).

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 2

Jesus Really Turned Water into Wine

As you read John 2, watch carefully what happened when Jesus turned water into wine. Truly, a miracle happened.

Jesus, His mother, and His disciples attended a wedding. When the wine ran out, Mary approached Jesus with the problem. It becomes obvious that the miracle was not pre-planned. She told the servants that whatever Jesus said that they should do it. He tells them to fill waterpots, used for purification, with water. Since these were used for purification, they contained no wine. The waterpots were large, holding 20 or 30 gallons, and there were six of them, making it difficult to add enough dye or something else to give the impression of a miracle. Jesus ordered the servants to do this, not the disciples, showing that no conspiracy was involved. The servants filled the pots to the brim, thus preventing anything else from being added. This whole thing was observable, because He had them pour the water instead of just changing the source. The servants took the wine to the ruler, and in this way, the disciples could not intervene. Therefore, the servants were oblivious to what was going on, showing that they did not "help" the miracle.

Jesus came with no predetermined plan, no equipment, no stage show, or assistants. He never touched the pots before or after. The ruler of the feast confessed that this wine was the best, but he did not know its source. Tablets or other instrumentality added to the water would not make good wine. The large quantity hindered sneaking the wine in earlier. He did the miracle when requested, and He operated by voice only.

He is the Creator. Therefore, it is not surprising to us that He bypassed the normal and natural process of grape vines soaking up water through the roots, processing it, and making grapes. He bypassed the winemaking process of man. He is the Son 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 1:29--51

Praise God! He Sent a Lamb!

Treasure the words of John 1:29.

29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, "Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!" (Joh. 1:29).

We look at our sin and are disgusted. What shall we do? Is there any hope for us? Yes, praise God, there is hope, because He sent His own special Lamb to the earth to take away our sin. Meditate on that sacrifice today. Picture a lamb being sacrificed by a Levitical priest. It is not a pretty sight. Now, picture a man, the man Jesus, being sacrificed. Why is He being sacrificed? It is for my sin. Thank you God for this awesome sacrifice that I might be free from my sin. I am free! I am free!

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