by Don Ruhl

Read the Bible in a Year This morning read Leviticus 19 and 20

Honor Older People

It is written,

32 You shall rise before the gray headed and honor the presence of an old man, and fear your God: I am the LORD (Lev. 19:32).

You know something; this is still a good way to treat older folks. If someone says, that this passage is Old Testament and therefore, does not apply to us, I would respond with two things.

1. Romans 13:7, a New Testament passage by the way, does say that we are to render honor to whom honor is due. True, it does not mention old people, but now consider this second point.

2. Try following Leviticus 19:32 and see what happens. Make a point of doing it today, and see how older people respond 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 evening read Matthew 27:27--50

Jesus Died

Following the story of Jesus convinces us that He can do anything. Such a Man as He can also prevent anything bad from happening to Him, so that we should never read of His death. Then we do. We read how the Jews and the Romans treated Jesus with treachery. Finally, Matthew 27:50 reads,

50 Jesus, when He had cried out again with a loud voice, yielded up His spirit (Mat. 27:50).

We are shocked that the One whom we are convinced is the Son of God, dies. Thinking these things, we are just like His apostles, who at first did not realize that these things were to happen. If Jesus can do anything, why or how did He die? In the end, were men finally able to over power Him? No. Look at our passage again. Jesus yielded up His spirit. He died because He made the decision to die. Men did not take His spirit from Him, but He yielded up His spirit.

Jesus did many wonderful things while on the earth, but the greatest thing He did was to obtain the forgiveness of our sins, which He did not do miraculously, but through the horrifying event of a Roman crucifixion. Jesus wants to forgive you, going to the greatest possible lengths to acquire forgiveness for you. Do you understand that Jesus loves 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 Leviticus 17 and 18

We Still Cannot Eat Blood

To Israel God said,

10 And whatever man of the house of Israel, or of the strangers who sojourn among you, who eats any blood, I will set My face against that person who eats blood, and will cut him off from among his people (Lev. 17:10).

In earlier devotionals, I pointed out that Christians do not have all the clean and unclean dietary restrictions of the children of Israel, but the restriction against eating blood is still with us. Acts 15:28, 29 says that Christians are to abstain from blood. Leviticus 17:11, 12 explains why Israel was forbidden from eating blood, because the life of the flesh is in the blood, and that is still true. Therefore, the reason for abstaining remains.

Christians are free to eat, but discernment also goes with freedom.

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 Matthew 27:1--26

Sad Words

Jesus has now endured six trials all in one night! He is standing before Pilate, who has the political authority and the military might to release Jesus and to protect Him, but that is not what the governor does. Listen to some of the saddest words of the Bible,

26 Then he released Barabbas to them; and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered Him to be crucified (Mat. 27:26).

Pilate makes the choice to save Barabbas, but to scourge and crucify Jesus. What a decision! Pilate knew what was right, but in his attempt to pacify an angry crowd, he compromises, and orders the torture of an innocent man. Pilate was not in an easy position, yet God had placed Pilate in that position, because he was capable of rendering justice.

In what position has God placed me? I have the ability to do what is right. Am I doing what is right?

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 Leviticus 15 and 16

Spiritual Laws Are Like Natural Laws

The Lord speaks to Moses, warning him,

2 Tell Aaron your brother not to come at simply any time into the Holy Place inside the veil, before the mercy seat which is on the ark, lest he die; for I will appear in the cloud above the mercy seat (Lev. 16:2).

Perhaps someone says, can God not make an exception for Aaron, after all, he is the high priest. If Aaron steps off a one hundred foot high cliff, the law of gravity will operate the same on him as it does on you. A law is a law. So, it is with spiritual laws. The Bible is clear on what God wants from us. Let us get busy and do it.

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