by Don Ruhl

Read Psalms 126-128

Listen to the joy of the psalmist,

The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy (Psalm 126:3, NIV).

Are you a Christian who is not filled with joy? There are times to mourn, so it is difficult to have joy during those times. However, if it is not the time for sadness, but joy still does not fill your heart, I encourage you to think on what the psalmist says here. Notice joy does not overwhelm us automatically, but we have to be aware of the things the Lord has done for us, indeed the great things He has done for us.

Here is one way to do this. Often our prayers are filled with requests and petitions. Why not devote prayers from time to time to nothing but thanksgiving? Some time today, have a prayer in which you devote every part of the prayer to thanking God for everything that comes into your mind. Do not restrict yourself to matters pertaining to the body, but put an emphasis on the things of the spirit. Start first with the blessings for the body, but then move into the greater blessings that are for the spirit.

When you are done, you may be exhausted, but you will be enriched. And watch to see if joy now fills your heart!

by Don Ruhl

Read First Corinthians 10:19-33.

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 Corinthians 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.

Read Psalms 120--122 Seek Your Nation's Prosperity

By Don Ruhl

 If my nation does well, will the house of God, which is the church of God, do well? This is what David indicates in Psalm 122:9, 

9 For the sake of the house of the LORD our God, I will seek your prosperity. (Psa. 122:9, NIV).

 In the context, David speaks to Jerusalem and the fact that the house of God was in that city. As king, David would do everything possible to bring peace to Jerusalem so that there might be peace for God's house. Carry that same reasoning over into the New Testament. The house of God is in every nation on earth, or at least it has that capability. If every member of the church in every nation seeks the peace and prosperity of his nation, what shall be the outcome for the church? Begin today by being the best citizen you can and  pray without ceasing for your nation.

by Don Ruhl

Read Psalms 107-109

Watch the people around you in the world, and you will see most of them experiencing verses 10 and 12 of Psalm 107, because they are guilty of what verse 11 reveals.

10Those who sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, Bound in affliction and irons-- 11 Because they rebelled against the words of God, And despised the counsel of the Most High, 12 Therefore He brought down their heart with labor; They fell down, and there was none to help. (Psalm 107:10-12, NKJV).

Do not picture these things as necessarily literal, but as matters of the soul. Their souls are in darkness, bound in affliction and irons, which brings down their hearts with heavy burdens. Therefore, they feel the darkness and shadow of death enclosing them. Why do they experience these things? Verse 11 is explicit. They have rebelled against the words of God, despising the counsel that He gives.

If we reject what the Great Counselor says, who is also the Giver of life and light; of course, we are going to be miserable. God's word is life. Therefore, without his word guiding us, we are living in death. However, you are seeking to live the words of God with all your might. Continue to do so, because these other people are watching you to see how you deal with the difficulties of life. Show compassion to them rather than disdain, remembering that we also once were living as they are, but someone showed us the grace of God and we turned to Jesus Christ.

by Don Ruhl

Read First Corinthians Chapter Nine The Rights of Preachers

 This is in no way a self-serving devotional for me, but what I address here, Scripture also addresses. I believe the Scripture, so I must speak. As an apostle and a preacher, Paul asked the Corinthians, 

 4 Do we have no right to eat and drink? 5 Do we have no right to take along a believing wife, as do also the other apostles, the brothers of the Lord, and Cephas? (1 Corinthians 9:4,5, NKJV).

 Paul compares himself to the other apostles, but he could have compared himself to other preachers or other members of the church. Eating, drinking and having a spouse are things that all Christians expect to be able to have or to do, and other things can be added to the list, such as, owning a home, taking a vacation, building a retirement and so on. A Christian man once told me that all the money I needed was for food. That is so ridiculous that it is funny, but he was dead serious. You might be surprised, if you knew how many others thought this way, but may be not to that degree. 

 Here is my point. Treat your preacher the way you want to be treated. Hey, that sounds like the Golden Rule.