Read Genesis 20-22

Hagar and her young son must leave the household of Abraham and Sarah. Hagar and Ishmael wander in the wilderness until finally their provisions run out, even the water. She reaches the depths of despair, believing that the death of her son is close at hand.

16 Then she went and sat down across from him at a distance of about a bowshot; for she said to herself, Let me not see the death of the boy. So she sat opposite him, and lifted her voice and wept (Gen. 21:16).

Can you get any lower than Hagar was? Yet, it is at this time, that God lifts her up, promising to make of her son a great nation (v. 18). Starting with some water (v. 19), her son is on the way to greatness. That is precisely what happened.

What is your desperate situation? Cry out to God. See what He does.

by Don Ruhl

Read Matthew 6:1-18

Jesus says that we must not use vain repetitions in prayer, explaining,

8 Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him (Mat. 6:8).

There are times that we know what someone is going to need before he even knows it, but that is only sometimes. The Father always knows what we need before we ask Him.

Dwell on that thought the rest of the day, understanding how intimate our Father is with us.

by Don Ruhl

Read Genesis 18 and 19

Genesis 18:2 shows Abraham running. Verse 7 says he ran again! Now, this man was 99 years old! Granted 99 then was not the same as it is now, because people were able to live much longer than today. In fact, Abraham lived about 100 years longer than the average man does today. Still, 99 is old, so much so that when he begets a child the next year, it is a remarkable thing.

Why was Abraham running? Genesis 18:1 says, Then the LORD appeared to him... Seeing the LORD, Abraham runs to meet Him. Then he runs to prepare food for the LORD.

What would you do, if the LORD came to visit you? What will we do when His people come to visit us?

by Don Ruhl

Read Matthew 5:27--48

Yes, It Can Be Done

After stating that it has been said that you shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy, the Lord Jesus then says,

44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you (Mat. 5:44).

Can we truly love our enemies? Yes, we can do it that is why Jesus says to do it. Moreover, He never asked us to do anything that He was not willing to do. He loves His enemies, which is how all of us became children of God!

Try the following and see if it helps you to love your enemies. When someone does evil to us, our natural inclination is to punish that person. That is what he deserves, so we are ready to dish out the punishment. However, what he needs is the love of God. Therefore, when someone cuts you off today while driving, do not take action against him, but love him. How can you love someone when he is in another car? Look at the words of Jesus above. One of the items that He mentions is prayer. Say a quick prayer for that person that he see the love of God, and be convinced that is what that person needs.

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

by Don Ruhl

Read Genesis 16 and 17

Walking Before God

It makes sense to walk behind God because we follow Him, and it makes sense to walk beside Him because we are His children. Yet, like Abram of old, we walk before God also.

1 When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to Abram and said to him, I am Almighty God; walk before Me and be blameless (Gen. 17:1).

We walk before Him in the sense that we are in full view of our loving heavenly Father. If we walk before Him, we shall be blameless. If you read the whole story of Abram (Abraham), you will see this in his life. When he walked before God, the man was blameless.

I do not know about you, but I get frustrated when I do not live blamelessly, because I know I can do better and my heavenly Father has done so much for me that I want to please Him. The solution is to walk before Him. He has shown us the way. Stay with Him at all costs. Life will be better.

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