by Don Ruhl

Read First Corinthians 11:1--16

Remembering Our Teachers

 There are Christians who never let you know when you are doing what is right or doing well, but they let you know when you are wrong or not doing so well. These Christians generally have a sour disposition and it is unpleasant to be around them. However, let us follow Paul's example and praise people when they are doing well. 

 2 I praise you for remembering me in everything and for holding to the teachings, just as I passed them on to you (1 Cor. 11:2, NIV). 

 Do not be afraid to praise people. If you praise them, even when they are less than perfect, you will not encourage mediocrity in them, but you will endear yourself to them and them to you and they will try harder to please you and to do a better job next time. Paul praised the Corinthian congregation, although they had some serious problems that he discusses earlier in the letter. 

 They did well to remember him, for, after all, he is the one who started the congregation, and they did well to hold on to the teachings that he, as an inspired apostle of Jesus Christ, delivered to them. 

 Who taught you? Did he or she teach you the truth? You can honor that disciple of Christ by adhering to the teachings of Scripture that he passed on to you.

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

by Don Ruhl

Read First Corinthians 10:19--33

Do Not Put Down Any Part of God's Earth

 Where is God's country? It is not just your favorite place, but it is the entire earth, and everything on it belongs to Him. Therefore, Paul wrote these words,

 25 Eat whatever is sold in the meat market, asking no questions for conscience' sake; 26 for "The earth is the LORD'S, and all its fullness" (1 Cor. 10:25, 26, NKJV).

 Pork is the Lord's creation. Therefore, Christians are allowed to eat it. Meat that came from a sacrifice to an idol is also the Lord's creation; therefore, we are free to eat that meat. Do not speak against what the Lord has created. 

 If that is true in regard to meat, it is certainly true in regard to all places on the earth. Often we are heard to say that we do not like a certain place, or someone will tell us that he is from such and such a place, and we immediately say what we do not like about that place. Would Jesus speak that way? He created it. Why would He say it is ugly? Moreover, He labored to get us to quit thinking about earthly things and to put our minds on heavenly things.

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

Read Psalms 123--125

The Power of Leadership

 Is leadership powerful? Listen to this confession from the Scriptures. 

3 For the scepter of wickedness shall not rest On the land allotted to the righteous, Lest the righteous reach out their hands to iniquity. (Psa. 125:3, NKJV).

 If the wicked lead, some of the righteous will follow the leader's wickedness. The righteous should not follow, but the truth of human nature is that leadership, even wicked leadership, holds great sway over the masses. 

 Therefore, pray for every entity that has leadership, your nation, your congregation, your family, your place of employment, your school and so on, that righteous leadership may exist. 

 Moreover, do your part to be a leader. Not everyone can be in a position of authority, but we all lead in little ways. Do it righteously and you will have influence.

Don Ruhl 441 Damont Street Klamath Falls, Oregon 97601-2311

by Don Ruhl

Read Psalms 137-139

 Here is a reassuring thought.

  The LORD will perfect that which concerns me;
      Your mercy, O LORD, endures forever;
      Do not forsake the works of Your hands.
      (Psa. 138:8, NKJV).

 We are certainly works in process! Amen? Therefore, do not despair, the Lord is not finished with us. For some of us, there is still a lot of work to do! Often we resist His working, but let us be pliable, and He shall mold us into the image of Jesus Christ. 

 Therefore, the psalmist utters his confidence that the Lord will perfect that which concerns him, but he also prays to God that He not forsake the works of His hands, that is, that God not forsake us. Do you think the same way? If so, pray to God the very thoughts of the psalmist.

by Don Ruhl

Read First Corinthians Chapter Four

Think on Paul's three questions in First Corinthians 4:7,

"For who makes you differ from another? And what do you have that you did not receive? Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you glory as if you had not received it?" (1 Corinthians 4:7, NKJV).

1. First question: "For who makes you differ from another?" Answer: God. Every person is unique from the moment of conception because God has created us individually.

2. Second question: "And what do you have that you did not receive?" Answer: Nothing. Every good gift and every perfect act of giving is from the Father of lights.

3. Third question: "Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you glory as if you had not received it?" If I have received everything from God, then I should glorify God and not myself. Why should I glory as if I had not received it, but got it all on my own?

Therefore, whatever we do, let us do it to the glory of God.