by Don Ruhl

I am persuaded that you do, which is why you read these e-mail devotionals and follow the Lord. In Second Peter chapter one, the apostle gave us a list of what are commonly called The Christian Graces: faith, virtue, knowledge, self-control, steadfastness, godliness, brotherly affection and love. Then he said this, as translated in the English Standard Version,

8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Pet. 1:8).

Most of you have been reading the Scriptures, attending Bible classes and worship services and praying for years, adding to your knowledge of Jesus Christ. Do not cease. Be sure to put all that you know into practice, for by so doing you will not find Christianity frustrating, but a blessed experience as you see your own effectiveness in the Lord.

by Don Ruhl

As the Lord prophesied of His treatment of Israel, He made a significant confession found at the end of Ezekiel 36:36.

36 “I, the LORD, have spoken it, and I will do it” (Eze. 36:36).

Many people believe that in the end, God will not stick to His word. For example, they believe that He will let everyone into heaven, except for the extremely wicked, such as Hitler, Saddam Hussein and others like them. However, let us hope that God does keep His word. Let me give you another example.

Has He spoken forgiveness? Yes, He has. When He says that He has forgiven our sins that is just what He means. Some people struggle with whether God could forgive them, but as He said through Ezekiel, when the Lord speaks something, He will do it. Would He send His Son Jesus Christ to suffer the cross and then decide that you are too wicked to be forgiven? God forgave the people who repented of killing His Son and now you think you have done something worse than that so He just cannot forgive you? What have you done that is worse than killing Jesus Christ?

If you have repented of your sin and been baptized, God has forgiven you. Celebrate your forgiveness. Accept it and live joyfully, because God says what He means and means what He says.

by Don Ruhl

Here is the spirit of Christianity,

7 For we have great joy and consolation in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed by you, brother (Philemon 7, NKJV).

Philemon refreshed the hearts of the saints, which seems to be typical of how Christians operated then. When you have been with other disciples of Christ, whether visiting in their homes, seeing them in public, or seeing them at worship services, check to see how they responded to you personally. Do they appear to have been refreshed?

Find out how your brother or sister is exhausted and seek to refresh him inwardly by words of exhortation and encouragement. Granted there are times when rebuking is necessary, but there are also plenty of times when others need to be recharged.

Moreover, the affect will be that others observing this (as Paul was), will have great joy and consolation in our love for one another.

God bless you in all that you do for your fellow-saints.

by Don Ruhl

Over the years I have been in many situations where I did not know what to say to someone. Moreover, there have been many times when someone called me, or came by, presenting a difficult situation, perhaps a conflict that he was in with another person, or a difficulty at work, and he wanted either my help or just someone with whom he could talk.

What do you do or say? I have found that James 1:5 has been an incaluable help.

5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him (James 1:5, NKJV).

Additionally, James teaches in verses 6--8 that when you call on God to fulfill His promise of verse 5, you must have a heart that is full of belief, for if you doubt when asking God for wisdom, do not expect to receive anything from God.

Pray to God, therefore, for wisdom, and if you know ahead of time that you are going to be in a difficult situation, then make this prayer. Even if a situation has come upon you suddenly, try to utter a quick prayer. May you be blessed.

by Don Ruhl

Timothy 1:16-18, says,

16 The Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain; 17 but when he arrived in Rome, he sought me out very zealously and found me. 18 The Lord grant to him that he may find mercy from the Lord in that Day--and you know very well how many ways he ministered to me at Ephesus (2 Tim. 1:16-18, NKJV).

I think that I know exactly what Paul experienced, and may be you have too. Therefore, let us not forget to refresh one another by cheerful greetings when we see each other, by telling one another that we are praying for each other and what it is that we are praying, and by spending time together, and by reminding one another of scriptural truths.

May God bless you and have mercy on you, even as Paul desired it for Onesiphorus, so now I desire it for you.