by Don Ruhl

Read First Thessalonians Chapter 5

Let the church hear what the Holy Spirit says about our treatment of church leaders, that is, if we want to live in peace.

12 And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, 13 and to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. Be at peace among yourselves (1 The. 5:12, 13, NKJV).

It is God's will that there be men who are over us in the Lord. Therefore, if we wish to please God, we will listen to what He says in this passage, even if the men over us are imperfect. If we do so, we will be pursuing the path that leads to peace among ourselves.

by Don Ruhl

Read Isaiah 50-52

A perpetual problem of Israel's in the Old Testament is failing to believe that God can help. Therefore, Israel often runs to other nations or other gods for help. This is what He says in response,

2b Is My hand shortened at all that it cannot redeem? Or have I no power to deliver? Indeed with My rebuke I dry up the sea, I make the rivers a wilderness; Their fish stink because there is no water, And die of thirst. (Isa. 50:2b, NKJV).

God creates the earth in the beginning, and covers it completely with water. By His word, the dry land appears, making that soil, which was under the sea, suddenly dry. Later, He floods the entire globe, then He issues the command, and dry land appears again. He brings Israel to the Red Sea, and guess what He does? Yes, He makes a dry path for the nation to walk across. Forty years later, Israel comes to the Jordan River and do you know what the Great God of Heaven does? He stops the water upstream, allowing Israel to walk across on dry ground. Elijah and Elisha centuries later come to the Jordan River, and again, the Magnificent Lord parts the waters, allowing those two prophets to walk across on dry ground. After God takes Elijah up into heaven, Elisha comes to the Jordan River again, and still another time, Yahweh God makes it possible for this man to walk on dry ground.

Oh, but all of a sudden, you and I have situations with which the Lord of all creation cannot help! Think about it today.

by Don Ruhl

Read Isaiah 53-55

Your relationship with God will get frustrating real quick, if you expect Him to think as you do. Here is why.

8 For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways, says the LORD. (Isa. 55:8, NKJV).

Therefore, we abandon our thinking and expectations, and take on His thinking and expectations. It makes life easier. Initially, this seems to be a bad thing, but if you do it, you will see that most of life becomes understandable in a way that you never imagined before. Life, and your life, makes sense when you turn your thinking over to Him and take on His thinking.

When you have expectations today, check to see if they are in harmony with God's expectations. If you find yourself out of harmony with His ways, change and see what happens.

by Don Ruhl

Read Isaiah 45 and 46

A Great Irony

God names a future leader of the Medo-Persian Empire, decades before he is born. His name shall be Cyrus, and sure enough, that is what happened. God brings up this leader, though Cyrus does not acknowledge God, at least not at first.

4 For Jacob My servant's sake, And Israel My elect, I have even called you by your name; I have named you, though you have not known Me. 5 I am the LORD, and there is no other; There is no God besides Me. I will gird you, though you have not known Me. (Isa. 45:4, 5, NKJV).

We know that God does these things for those who know Him, but here He shows us that He uses people who do not even know Him! He does so, because,

1 The earth is the LORD'S, and all its fullness, The world and those who dwell therein. (Psa. 24:1, NKJV).

Even those who hate Him, He owns and uses to fulfill His purposes on the earth. Is our God not magnificent? Praise Him today as you contemplate His use of the people of the world.

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

Read First Thessalonians Chapter 3

What the Lord Wants to See in His People

Talk to any Christian, and ask him or her what the Lord wants to see in His people. Ask yourself the question. Now hear the Spirit of God through Paul in the following reading,

12 And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you (1 The. 3:12, NKJV).

Compare what Paul says with your answer to the question above. Can you find a teaching or a commandment in the New Testament that is spoken about your answer in the manner that Paul does about love? In other words, that love increases and abounds among His people is what the Lord wants to see more than anything. Is that also my goal?

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