by Don Ruhl

Read First Corinthians Chapter Eight

There are scholars sitting on ice in their ivory towers, who shall feel the heat of eternal fire, and there are common folk working in the heat of the day, showing love, who shall feel the comfort of eternal joy in the halls of heaven. What is the difference? Think today on the following sentence from First Corinthians 8:1,

"Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up" (1 Corinthians 8:1, NIV).

To see the difference between knowledge without love and love that comes from knowledge, picture Paul's metaphors. Do you want someone to puff your house up or to build it up? Do you want a friend who puffs himself up or builds you up? Therefore, knowledge is good, but only as a means to an end, and the end is love. Knowledge by itself only makes me arrogant, but knowledge with a view to growing in love that I might help others with what I have learned, makes others better. God is very impressed with someone who does the latter, but is turned off by the former.

by Don Ruhl

Read First Corinthians 10:1-18

What does God think about murmuring, grumbling and complaining? Paul warns,

"... nor murmur, as some of [Israel] also murmured, and were destroyed by the destroyer" (1 Corinthians 10:10, NKJV).

Murmuring is the end of a list of sins Israel committed in the wilderness. Paul says they lusted after evil things, were idolaters, committed sexual immorality, tempted the Lord and murmured. God killed Israelites for each of these sins!

Do you have a murmuring spirit? Listen to yourself. It is probably easier to hear it in others first by noticing how often they say, "I like..." and "I don't like..." Then observe how often those words come out of your own mouth. Those words do not necessarily mean you are complaining, but often they do. Be discerning with your words.

Murmuring arises because we think of ourselves first rather than the Lord's will first, because we live by our personal tastes more than the Lord's personal tastes. Let us die to ourselves, but live for the Lord.

by Don Ruhl

Read First Corinthians Chapter Three

The Only Foundation

 I may have mentioned this in a past e-mail devotional, but the truth is important enough to write it again. Please give your full attention to this verse, 

 11 For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 3:11, NKJV). 

 Many things bring people to Christ, but if He is not laid quickly as the foundation in a person's life, something will arise that will drive that person away from Christ and the church. I knew a man, who witnessed a murder, and immediately he wanted to become a Christian, but as the memory of the murder faded, so did his devotion, until he fell away completely. Another man rededicated himself to Christ after discovering that he had a brain tumor. The surgery frightened him greatly. Before and after the surgery he was a faithful Christian, but as he recovered and did well, we saw him less and less, until he fell away. 

 Therefore, friends, please be sure that Jesus Christ is the foundation of your life. Any other foundation will fail you.

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

by Don Ruhl

Read Psalms 129-131.

The church is in a similar position as ancient Israel, when Psalm 129 was written.

1 "Many a time they have afflicted me from my youth," Let Israel now say-- 2 "Many a time they have afflicted me from my youth; Yet they have not prevailed against me." (Psalms 129:1,2, NKJV).

The Egyptians afflicted Israel after Joseph was gone. God delivered Israel, but several nations confronted her in the wilderness. Israel entered the land of Canaan, but there were wars for centuries during the times of the Judges and the Kings. Israel was oppressed in captivity. Yet, by the first century, those other nations were either gone or humbled greatly, and Israel gave to the world the Savior of the world!

From the first century until now, various nations and groups have attempted to silence the church. Rome tried, but Rome is no more and the church is alive and well. Secularists in the "modern" nations are attempting to silence the church through various legislative actions, but, as in the past, so will it be now, the secularists will disappear and the church will prevail.

Do not grow discouraged, but keep pressing on, knowing that the Lord is fighting for us.

by Don Ruhl

Read First Corinthians 11:17-34.

The one that rejects what Paul teaches rejects the Lord, because Paul merely passes on what he received from the Lord. Likewise, he who rejects what you teach rejects the Lord, because you are merely passing on what you have received from the Lord, or at least we hope that is what you are doing. Hear Paul in First Corinthians 11:23.

23 For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you ... (1 Corinthians 11:23a, NKJV).

This is the reason that we observe the Lord's Supper in the manner that we do, because we read Paul's instructions in First Corinthians 11:17-34 and we seek to follow it. However, he received those instructions from Jesus Christ. So, ultimately we observe the Lord's Supper because that is what Jesus wants us to do, not what Paul wants us to do.

You read the Scriptures and God teaches you. Then you speak to others, not giving them your word, but the very thoughts of heaven. Keep it up.