by Don Ruhl

Why Are You Angry?

After God respected Abel's offering and did not respect Cain's offering, Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell (Gen. 4:5).

6 So the LORD said to Cain, Why are you angry? 
And why has your countenance fallen? (Gen. 4:6).

Those are good questions (Of course, they are, God asked them!). Why do we get angry? Why do we let our countenances fall?

There is a time for anger, but if we do not know why we are angry, and if the reason is not good, it will lead to bad things. Cain killed his own brother! How many other horrible acts have been committed in history when people did not know fully why they were angry and whether it was right to be angry? Only God knows the answer to that question.

Prepare and train your heart now while you are not angry to question yourself when the moment of anger does comes that you might know why you are angry. Then you shall be able to deal with the anger in a godly way.

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

by Don Ruhl

Trusting an Enemy

In Isaiah 10, God assured Israel that after He punished Assyria,

20 And it shall come to pass in that day That the remnant of Israel, And such as have escaped of the house of Jacob, Will never again depend on him who defeated them, But will depend on the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, in truth.

Now this could have two meanings and I believe that both of them happened with Israel at various times.

First, it could mean that Israel had been depending upon an enemy because that enemy defeated Israel, making it necessary for them to depend on Assyria for everything.

Second, it could mean that Israel was foolish to put its faith in Assyria rather than the Lord.

Either way, regardless of circumstances, we are to depend on the Lord. Take a close look at your life and see upon whom you depend.

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

by Don Ruhl

Anything More?

God asked Israel:

4 What more could have been done to My vineyard That I have not done in it? Why then, when I expected it to bring forth good grapes, Did it bring forth wild grapes? (Isaiah 5:4).

Can you think of anything that God did not do, but should have for Israel?

Can you think of anything that God does not do, but should for the world?

Can you think of anything that God does not do, but should for you?

Count your many blessings, name them one by one, And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Why did God bless ancient Israel and why does He bless the world and you? He is expecting good grapes. What does He find instead? Think about it today.

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

by Don Ruhl

Something When Nothing

Paul wrote:

3 For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.
(Galatians 6:3).

Therefore, wisdom says that it is better for someone to think of himself as nothing that God and men may think that he is something. Truly someone is deceived if he thinks that he is something when in the eyes of God and men he is nothing.

It is best to avoid this problem by focusing upon God and others.

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

by Don Ruhl

The Holy Spirit says:

6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision 
avails anything, but faith working through love. (Galatians 5:6). 

I know that the Scripture is addressing religious issues, but is it not also true that nothing else in life, whether of a religious nature or secular nature avails anything unless we have faith in Christ that leads us to work through love?

Therefore, for what do you labor in life?