by Don Ruhl

Read the Bible in a Year Today Read Matthew 20:17-34

The mother of James and John approaches Jesus with a request. He asks what she wants. She wants her two sons to sit at either side of Jesus in His kingdom. Here is what Matthew 20:22 says,

22 But Jesus answered and said, You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They said to Him, We are able. (Matthew 20:22).

The typical Christian does not experience suffering to the extent that the apostles did, but all Christians will suffer for their faith. Jesus never promises a life free of persecution, but He is open and blunt that hard times will happen. He says that they do not know what they are asking. Then He asks the two men if they are able to endure what He is about to endure. They say that they are able.

My friends, Jesus wants us to know that there is a rough road ahead, but He also wants us to know that He is with us all the way. Therefore, do not let any kind of suffering surprise you, thinking that Christians should not suffer, because as Jesus indicates to the two brothers, even He is to suffer. If He is not exempt, why should we think that we are exempt?

by Don Ruhl

Read the Bible in a Year Today Read Exodus 25 and 26

Starting with Exodus chapter 25, the Lord gives the details of the tabernacle that Moses and Israel will make. When I read it, I see a tent that I have never seen before. In fact, calling it a tabernacle or tent does not seem to do it justice. Why did the children of Israel go through all the effort to make this beautiful tabernacle? God tells them why in Exodus 25:8,

8 And let them make Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them (Exodus 25:8).

Wow! The great God of heaven is going to dwell in this tent. How could He dwell in something so lowly? The key is taking in the thought at the very end of the verse that God wants to dwell among them. God loves His people. He just wants to be with them and wants them to be with Him. Imagine being a 12-year-old boy or girl at that time, and seeing this magnificent tabernacle, knowing that the God who parted the Red Sea and poured out His plagues upon the Egyptians, is now in that structure that your people have made!

Listen, friends! God now dwells in you!

by Don Ruhl

Read the Bible in a Year Today Read Matthew 21:23-46

The leaders of the Jews had some good questions for Jesus, although their motives and doubt are questionable,

23 Now when He came into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people confronted Him as He was teaching, and said, By what authority are You doing these things? And who gave You this authority? (Matthew 21:23).

We should ask people the same questions, and be ready to consider the answers that people give us. Hey, let us ask those questions of ourselves. The things that I do and teach, do they have biblical authority?

by Don Ruhl

Read the Bible in a Year Today Read Matthew 20:1-16

Where do I place myself among other people? Now, let us think on what Jesus says,

16a So the last will be first, and the first last. (Matthew 20:16a).

Now, let us ask the question again, but with a different twist: Where should I place myself among other people? Do you see the difference in the question this time? The first time, it was asking where in fact do I have a habit of placing myself among other people. Now, the question is, after hearing the teaching of Jesus, where should I be placing myself.

Watch what you do today. Then see whether you need to make adjustments in how you handle yourself among others.

by Don Ruhl

Read the Bible in a Year Today Read Exodus 19 and 20

God reminds the children of Israel,

4 "You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles' wings and brought you to Myself" (Exo. 19:4).

God was in Egypt with Israel, but He had a special place where He dwelt on the earth, and it was Mt. Sinai. What was special about Mt. Sinai that the God who created the earth would want to dwell there? I have seen pictures of what they say is the mountain, and it did not seem to be anything out of the ordinary. I have never heard any reports of an unusual mountain or one that was extra beautiful in the Sinai Peninsula. Why then did God choose that mountain? Does the Bible give any reason? Not that I can remember. All we can say is we do not know why He chose that mountain. Do we need to know? Do we always need to know the reason for everything that God does? Why can we not just trust Him? He did a good job creating the earth; let us believe that He does a good thing in all that He chooses, even if we do not understand it.