by Don Ruhl

Read Second Corinthians Chapter One

Soak in the words of Paul,

3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God (2 Corinthians 1:3,4, NKJV).

God through Jesus comforts us in all our troubles; therefore, He is the God of all comfort. When trouble immerses us, we are convinced that we shall never come out of it, even leading some to take their own lives. Yet, whether we come out of the trouble or not, our God is waiting to comfort us during those times. He does not promise to remove all trouble from our lives, but He does promise to comfort us through all our troubles.

Look back through the years, recalling the troubles you have experienced, and you will see that God was comforting you. It may not have been apparent at the time, but eventually you saw it or perhaps thinking of that trouble, you can now see that God was comforting you.

Having seen those things, then do what Paul says he did and that is comfort others. Use your troublesome times to comfort those who are struggling.

by Don Ruhl

Read Second Corinthians Chapter Two

In First Corinthians chapter five, Paul commanded the Corinthian Church to put away a certain man who was sinning and not repenting. The church did it, leading the brother to repent. However, the church continued not to have anything to do with the brother. Therefore, in Second Corinthians, Paul writes back to the church, showing them what to do next.

6 This punishment which was inflicted by the majority is sufficient for such a man, 7 so that, on the contrary, you ought rather to forgive and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one be swallowed up with too much sorrow (2 Corinthians 2:6,7, NKJV).

Excessive sorrow will destroy him, and that was not the purpose of the punishment, but rather the purpose was to save his soul. They were to continue to work to save his soul by now forgiving and comforting him when those actions were finally necessary.

Sometimes it is not easy to do these latter things, nevertheless, our Lord Jesus Christ, through His ambassador Paul, tells us what He wants done and it is up to us, as His disciples, to learn from Him and fulfill His will.

by Don Ruhl

Read Proverbs 8 and 9

Solomon personifies wisdom as a woman in Proverbs chapter eight. She cries out to us, pleading with us to possess her. In verse 14, she shows what she possesses, which she obviously wants to give away.

14 Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom; I am understanding, I have strength. (Proverbs 8:14, NKJV).

Are you like me in that you need all those tools for daily living? Let us listen to her that we may -- now get this -- acquire those same tools of wisdom that God used in creating the world! (Verses 22-31).

by Don Ruhl

Read Proverbs 6 and 7

Solomon explains in Proverbs 6:23 that the command is light. Why do we use light? We want to see so as not to stumble. Spiritually this is true also. Even as a light helps us to see in the darkness that we may avoid obstacles, so the commandment helps us to see in the darkness that we may avoid obstacles. Solomon has in mind a particular obstacle. Speaking of the seductress, he says,

25 Do not lust after her beauty in your heart, Nor let her allure you with her eyelids. (Proverbs 6:25, NKJV).

I am glad to see that the Bible acknowledges the beauty of a woman and the power of her glance, and that the Bible acknowledges that some women use that beauty and power for evil. Therefore, the Holy Spirit uses Solomon to deliver to the world Proverbs chapters five through seven, speaking of adultery, warning us of the dangers and consequences. Look at the verse quoted above. It is direct. The thought is easy to understand. Give it all your attention.

Surely there are some women saying that a man can also lead women astray. Therefore, ladies, you also hear the persuasions of the Holy Spirit in these chapters and do not earnestly desire a man who belongs to another woman.

by Don Ruhl

Read Proverbs 3--5 The Happiness of Wisdom

The Scripture says,

13 Happy is the man who finds wisdom, And the man who gains understanding; 14 For her proceeds are better than the profits of silver, And her gain than fine gold. (Pro. 3:13, 14, NKJV).

We have seen the fool and seen his losses. Solomon shows us the wise and his gains. Why not then, make our chief pursuit in life the acquisition of wisdom? The profits of silver and the gain from gold are great, but what are they compared to the proceeds from wisdom?

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