by Don Ruhl

Read the Bible in a Year This morning read First Kings 16--18

The Prophet Who Outran a Chariot

There was a three-and-a-half-year drought in Israel. Elijah the prophet told the wicked King Ahab of Israel that rain was finally on the way, and it was a heavy rain. Therefore, the prophet told the king to get going to Jezreel before the heavy rain prevented travel, because the king would be traveling by chariot (1 Kin. 18:44, 45). Then the Bible says this,

46 Then the hand of the LORD came upon Elijah; and he girded up his loins and ran ahead of Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel (1 Kin. 18:46).

Have you ever heard of the prophet who outran a chariot? It is not often that we hear about this story, but it did happen. How could a man outrun a chariot? Horses are more than twice as fast as the fastest man is, but the man can only sustain that speed for a very short distance. The only way that Elijah was able to do this is that "the hand of the LORD came upon Elijah." With the hand of the Lord present, anything can be done. In fact, if Ahab and Elijah had lived today, the Lord could have made the prophet outrun a car. Laugh if you wish, but nothing is impossible with Him who created all things.

Can the Lord help you through your struggles? Can He help you overcome? Do you laugh or believe?

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

by Don Ruhl

Read the Bible in a Year This morning read First Kings 12 and 13

He Revised History

Revisionists have been rewriting history for a long time. First Kings chapter 12 shows an incident when King Jeroboam did it. Shortly after Israel divided from Judah, King Jeroboam feared that his people might go back to King Rehoboam and Judah. Therefore, Jeroboam devised a plan to keep the people under his rule. He created his own religion, based partly on the true religion and on Israel's history.

28 Therefore the king asked advice, made two calves of gold, and said to the people, "It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem. Here are your gods, O Israel, which brought you up from the land of Egypt!" (1 Kin. 12:28).

Jeroboam knew that:

1. Jerusalem was a special city for worship
2. God had delivered Israel
3. Israel had been enslaved in Egypt

However, he changed things slightly, providing golden calves to represent the gods, not merely God, who had delivered Israel. Jeroboam provided enough accurate information that his revisionism seemed believable. Sadly, most of Israel believed him.

The only way to avoid deception is to know your Bible. You are doing the right thing by meditating in the Scriptures day and night. It is also a good idea to be aware of the true history of your nation. Beware of revisionism.

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

by Don Ruhl

Read the Bible in a Year This evening read Luke 21:20--38

His Word Is That Secure

Meditate on this the rest of the day,

33 "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away" (Luk. 21:33).

Jesus promises that heaven and earth will pass away. Therefore, some time in the future, all that you see will pass away. The same word of God that brought all things into existence, just as positively said that all things shall pass away. Again, the same word of God promises that the words of Jesus Christ shall not pass away.

Therefore, you can count on whatever He has promised. Let us take one example. Has He promised to forgive us of our sins when we turn to Him? Yes, He has. Therefore, you are free from your past sin. Live joyfully in that forgiveness.

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

by Don Ruhl

Read the Bible in a Year This morning read First Kings 10 and 11

There Was No More Spirit in Her

Solomon answered all the hard questions that the Queen of Sheba asked him. That was impressive enough. However, there was more.

4 And when the queen of Sheba had seen all the wisdom of Solomon, the house that he had built, 5 the food on his table, the seating of his servants, the service of his waiters and their apparel, his cupbearers, and his entryway by which he went up to the house of the LORD, there was no more spirit in her (1 Kin. 10:4, 5).

The spiritual and material prosperity of the Kingdom of Solomon took away the breath of the Queen of Sheba. She saw that Solomon had his cake and could it eat it too! Yet, what was Solomon's kingdom in comparison to the Kingdom of Christ, especially in its glorified state in heaven? The sheer beauty of it will take our breath away. Look at everything good and beautiful around you. Now, magnify it more than you can imagine, and realize that you still have not the creative powers to do what God has done for those who love Him and wait to join Him in heaven.

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

by Don Ruhl

Read the Bible in a Year This evening read Luke 21:1--19

Jesus Watches What You Give

Perhaps I should add, if you give. He sees that also.

1 And He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury, 2 and He saw also a certain poor widow putting in two mites (Luk. 21:1, 2).

What does He see when you contribute on the first day of the week?

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