Twice Blessed
Law and Freedom
By Don Ruhl (September 19, 2008)
We cannot get away from it. Anywhere we go, we are under laws. Not only is this true in the world, but it is also true in the spirit. When we unite ourselves with Jesus Christ, it is because we have separated ourselves from some other law under which we lived.
The Endless Need for Teaching
By Don Ruhl (September 19, 2008)
Asaph, the writer of Psalm 78 (Psalm 78:0), commanded the people of Israel to hear his words as he opened his mouth in a parable, things he had heard from his father's generation and he wanted to pass on to his children's generation (Psalm 78:1-4).
How You Can Know That God Is Near
By Don Ruhl (September 19, 2008)
Asaph wrote a song set to the tune of "Do Not Destroy" (Psalm 75:0). While we do not know the tune anymore, the name of it is interesting, for Psalm 75 speaks to the wicked that they not destroy, otherwise, God shall put them down!
When the Wicked Do Well
By Don Ruhl (September 19, 2008)
You do your best to do everything right, yet, you have a hard time getting ahead in this world. Those not Christians cheat and lie, but they seem to have no problem getting ahead. Is it time to give up and join the wicked?
Access to Grace
By Don Ruhl (September 19, 2008)
Who would turn down access to the greatest treasure ever? Sadly, most people do. However, you have chosen that access. Paul said that we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1).
Remember That God Is Your Helper!
By Don Ruhl (September 19, 2008)
Trouble comes and we forget the help that is on our side. David wrote a song to help us remember our Helper and that is the reason for Psalm 70 (Psalm 70:0).
David began pleading for God to hurry and help (Psalm 70:1), because someone sought to hurt David, but he knew that God could help (Psalm 70:2, 3).
Thank God for His Grace!
By Don Ruhl (September 19, 2008)
The mighty Abraham did not find justification before God because of works, otherwise, Abraham could have boasted before God of how magnificent a man he was (Romans 4:1, 2).
God Is Always True
By Don Ruhl (September 19, 2008)
God gave His oracles to the Jews first (Romans 3:2), yet, some Jews did not believe in Him. Does that nullify God's work in the Scriptures? No, for Paul argued, "For what if some did not believe? Will their unbelief make the faithfulness of God without effect? Certainly not! Indeed, let God be true but every man a liar. As it is written:
Judgment in Truth
By Don Ruhl (September 19, 2008)
Does my righteous judging of a person excuse my participation in the same sin? No, but many people think that way. Paul said, "Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things" (Romans 2:1).
The Wicked Melt, But the Righteous Rejoice
By Don Ruhl (September 18, 2008)
How shall the different peoples of the earth be before God? Our God is awesome and how people react in His presence depends upon how they have lived, and that is worth singing about (Psalm 68:0).
Praise God for Forgiveness
By Don Ruhl (September 18, 2008)
We thank God constantly for material things, such as our food and the country in which we live, but a greater gift than those things is forgiveness. Have you praised God for His forgiveness? The theme of forgiveness demands a song (Psalm 65:0).
A Magnificent Greeting
By Don Ruhl (September 18, 2008)
Paul showed the gravity with which he took his faith, writing to the Romans that he was a bondservant of Jesus Christ and an apostle for spreading the prophesied gospel concerning God's Son Jesus Christ (Romans 1:1-3).
Silently Wait for God
By Don Ruhl (September 18, 2008)
David had Jeduthun put Psalm 62 to music, for the poem truly speaks of something worth singing (Psalm 62:0). Someone attacked David, spreading lies about him, because this enemy blessed David with the mouth, but inwardly the enemy cursed David (Psalm 62:3, 4).
Be Guiltless and Someone Will Know
By Don Ruhl (September 18, 2008)
Even as Pilate and Herod could see that Jesus had not committed any wrongdoing, so the centurion transporting Paul could see that he was guiltless and harmless. Therefore, Luke wrote of the comfortableness of the centurion around Paul, even in Rome, "Now when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard; but Paul was permitted to dwell by himself with the soldier who guarded him" (Acts 28:16).
Awake, O God!
By Don Ruhl (September 18, 2008)
David knew that Saul had sent men to kill him (Psalm 59:0), but he turned his attention to God, crying out for deliverance (Psalm 59:1, 2). However, David knew that he had not done anything to bring on the persecution of Saul, and David could pray to God about that, believing that God knows all things,
People Watch You
By Don Ruhl (August 29, 2008)
After the ship wrecked on which Paul and his friends were traveling to Rome, the people of Malta, the island where they swam to, showed great kindness to the survivors (Acts 28:1, 2).
Do Not Hold Back Your Praise!
By Don Ruhl (August 29, 2008)
The sons of Korah wrote many psalms that God preserved in the Bible, and we wonder how many did God not preserve (Psalm 47:0). They began Psalm 47 with this mighty encouragement,
Be Happy to Defend Yourself
By Don Ruhl (August 29, 2008)
Do you walk in truth and with Jesus everyday? If so, you will have your enemies and they shall accuse you of evil falsely. Therefore, when you get the chance to defend yourself, do not dread it, but gladly give your defense and use it to show the life of Christ in you.
You Cannot See Your Strength
By Don Ruhl (August 29, 2008)
Are you a child of God? If so, listen to a contemplation of the sons of Korah, which they gave to the chief musician that he might make it into a song (Psalm 44:0). They began by addressing God and how they had heard that He worked in the days of their fathers (Psalm 44:1).
The Government Can Be Our Helper
By Don Ruhl (August 29, 2008)
Sometimes the government fights the church and sometimes the government helps the church, protecting her from her enemies. Acts 25 shows the Roman government doing the latter. Paul and his accusers stood before the Roman governor Festus (Acts 25:1–10).
Stop Being Tedious
By Don Ruhl (August 28, 2008)
The Jews got together along with a good speaker to bring accusations against Paul (Acts 24:1). When the speaker stood before Felix the governor, listen to the speaker admit his tediousness and you will notice it even before he confesses it, “And when he was called upon, Tertullus began his accusation, saying:
What Happens When You Remember the Poor
By Don Ruhl (August 28, 2008)
Considering the poor is such a mighty theme it is worth singing about. Therefore, David wrote a hymn of praise and gave it to the chief musician to put it to music (Psalm 41:0). The first thing David said was,
Blessed is he who considers the poor…
Religion and Government Conspiring to Silence the Church
By Don Ruhl (August 28, 2008)
More than forty Jews conspired to kill Paul (Acts 23:12, 13), but to carry out their plan, they needed government assistance. These men went to their leaders and wanted the leaders to go the government leaders for a conspiracy to kill Paul.
The Arrows of God
By Don Ruhl (August 28, 2008)
David wrote a psalm, designed to bring to remembrance (Psalm 38:0), for we often forget our sin and the consequences of it, but to remember our past sin cleanses us from future sin. David cried out to God,
Our Behavior Toward Leaders
By Don Ruhl (August 28, 2008)
Humanity glories in showing disrespect toward leaders and authority, especially if a leader has done something deserving of disrespect. However,
The Thoughts of a Criminal
By Don Ruhl (August 28, 2008)
How does a criminal think? In Psalm 36, David told us (Psalm 36:0). The root of the wickedness of a criminal, David revealed in verse 1,
An oracle within my heart concerning the transgression of the wicked:
There is no fear of God before his eyes.
Getting People's Attention
By Don Ruhl (August 27, 2008)
Paul became all things to all men, which meant that when he spoke to the Jews, he spoke as a Jew and it got their attention, "'Brethren and fathers, hear my defense before you now.' And when they heard that he spoke to them in the Hebrew language, they kept all the more silent (Acts 22:1, 2).
Bless the Lord on All Occasions
By Don Ruhl (August 27, 2008)
King Saul had driven David out of the Kingdom of Israel and he headed for the Philistines, but they questioned what he was doing there. Fearing for his life, David pretended to be insane and the king of the Philistines drove David away.
Others Willingly Suffered With Paul
By Don Ruhl (August 27, 2008)
The Holy Spirit warned Paul not to go to Jerusalem, because of the suffering awaiting him, but that did not deter him, nor did it deter others, for you will hear Luke using the plural pronoun and he was not the only one to accompany Paul to Jerusalem, "And after those days we packed and went up to Jerusalem.
In God We Put Our Trust
By Don Ruhl (August 27, 2008)
David wrote a hymn of praise and delivered it to the chief musician to put it to music (Psalm 31:0). While David had a huge problem and wanted God’s help, yet, listen to David’s emphasis. He began by telling the Lord that in Him David put his trust, therefore, he never wanted to be ashamed of that trust, but knew that God would deliver him in righteousness (Psalm 31:1).
On the Move
By Don Ruhl (August 27, 2008)
Paul and his friends found a ship that would take them to the land of Israel quickly. Just watch the ship travel, “Now it came to pass, that when we had departed from them and set sail, running a straight course we came to Cos, the following day to Rhodes, and from there to Patara.
Do You Want God to Hear You?
By Don Ruhl (August 26, 2008)
David wrote a psalm (Psalm 28:0), in which he desperately wanted God to hear the supplications of his heart.
Do People Know How You Live?
By Don Ruhl (August 26, 2008)
As Paul headed to Jerusalem, he wanted to talk to the Ephesian elders, but he did not want to spend too much time there that he would miss a feast of the Jews, and so he went to a city close by and called for the elders (Acts 20:16, 17).
Lift Up Your Soul to the Lord and You Shall Not Be Ashamed
By Don Ruhl (August 26, 2008)
David (Psalm 25:0) spoke of you when he wrote Psalm 25. He lifted his soul up to God and knew He would not let David be ashamed,
To You, O LORD, I lift up my soul.
When Did the Preacher Leave?
By Don Ruhl (August 26, 2008)
Some preachers leave a congregation right in the middle of controversy, because they do not like to deal with such things. They might have to pick sides and lose friends in the process. So, they may throw out some words that they think should solve the problem, and then quickly leave.
My God, My God Why Have I Forsaken You?
By Don Ruhl (August 26, 2008)
Psalm 22 prophesied of what Jesus would suffer for us. The preface (Psalm 22:0), says that David wrote this hymn of praise to be sung with the tune known then as, "The Deer of the Dawn."
Paul Traveled to Preach
By Don Ruhl (August 26, 2008)
Traveling is fun and exciting. Paul did plenty of traveling and he may have enjoyed the sites along the way, but the Holy Spirit did not record those things, because Paul had a different purpose in mind.
See the Glory of God
By Don Ruhl (August 26, 2008)
David wrote a poem as a psalm, which is a hymn of praise. He wrote the words and gave them to the chief musician, who put music to the words (Psalm 19:0). The Holy Spirit did not preserve the music, but he did preserve the words. And what magnificent words the Spirit delivered to us!
Why Were You Baptized?
By Don Ruhl (August 26, 2008)
Apollos went to Corinth and Paul went to Ephesus, where he found some disciples (Acts 19:1). He began a conversation with them, "He said to them, 'Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?' So they said to him, 'We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.' And he said to them, 'Into what then were you baptized?' So they said, 'Into John's baptism'" (Acts 19:2, 3).
Be Sure Your Cause Is Just
By Don Ruhl (August 25, 2008)
David wrote Psalm 17 (Psalm 17:0), because an enemy pursued him, but David believed his cause was just. Therefore, he prayed,
Hear a just cause, O LORD,
Attend to my cry;
Give ear to my prayer which is not from deceitful lips.
Improvising
By Don Ruhl (August 25, 2008)
Paul would preach, even if he did not have financial support from the church. This happened in Corinth. He left Athens, went to Corinth, and found a husband and wife team with whom he could stay and work (Acts 18:1, 2).
God's Counsel Supersedes Self Counsel
By Don Ruhl (August 25, 2008)
David wrote a poem, which he then delivered to the chief musician that he might put it to music (Psalm 13:0). David struggled with something greatly, so much so that he wrote about it and wanted it set to music, knowing that others, such as yourself, have the same struggle.
When God Seems to Hide
By Don Ruhl (August 25, 2008)
What do you do when it appears that God has hidden Himself at a time you desperately need Him? Do what the psalmist did, speaking to God of this very thing,
Why do You stand afar off, O LORD?
Reason From the Scriptures
By Don Ruhl (August 25, 2008)
Do not tell someone the truth and expect them to believe it just because you said it. Paul travelled to Thessalonica (Acts 17:1) and watch how he worked,
When Your Enemy Tears You Like a Lion
By Don Ruhl (August 25, 2008)
David wrote Psalm 7 as a meditation that was meant to be sung and the preface reveals the occasion for the writing of the Psalm, "A Meditation of David, which he sang to the LORD concerning the words of Cush, a Benjamite" (Psalm 7.0).
The Right Words Used in the Wrong Way
By Don Ruhl (August 25, 2008)
As Paul and his fellow-workers went about doing the work of the Lord, a girl followed them, speaking the truth about them, but she did it in an annoying way, "Now it happened, as we went to prayer, that a certain slave girl possessed with a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much profit by fortune-telling.
Sing to God a Prayer
By Don Ruhl (August 24, 2008)
The preface to Psalm 4 says, “To the Chief Musician. With stringed instruments. A Psalm of David” (Psalm 4:0). Therefore, what you read in Psalm 4, David intended to be sung. He began by pleading with God,
Use Spiritual Young People
By Don Ruhl (August 24, 2008)
If you see a youth in the church who is spiritual, do everything you can to encourage him, and if he or she desires to do some good work, use him, if you can. Paul did it, “Then he came to Derbe and Lystra.
On What Does Your Mind Dwell?
By Don Ruhl (August 24, 2008)
What you think on determines what kind of person you are. Therefore, listen to what David said about the source of your thinking. First, you have to make a decision about what you will not think on,
Church Leaders Working Together
By Don Ruhl (August 24, 2008)
A problem arose in the church and the elders and preachers got together to discuss resolving the issue. Luke wrote, “Then it pleased the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas, namely, Judas who was also named Barsabas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren” (Acts 15:22).
Do Not Become A Know-It-All
By Don Ruhl (August 24, 2008)
Know-it-alls not only think they know everything, but they generally believe they know more than anyone else and they believe that they cannot be wrong. Job found himself in just such a situation unintentionally.
A Time for Dissension
By Don Ruhl (August 24, 2008)
Barnabas and Paul taught successfully, converting many people. The devil did not like that. Sometimes he would use outsiders to try to stop the preaching, and sometimes he would use insiders, hoping that by controversy, he could divert the effort of the preachers from teaching unbelievers to debating with believers.
What If God Questioned You?
By Don Ruhl (August 24, 2008)
Do you have questions for God? What if He had questions for you? He had questions for Job. After the debate between Job and his friends ended and after a young man said things to Job, the Bible says, “Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said…” (Job 38:1). What did God say first to Job?
Keep Teaching in Spite of Opposition
By Don Ruhl (August 24, 2008)
Barnabas and Paul so spoke that they caused many people, both Jews and Greeks, in Iconium to believe (Acts 14:1). Unbelievers could not let that go unchallenged, “But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brethren.
God Watches Those Who Deny He Exists!
By Don Ruhl (August 23, 2008)
Here is something worth contemplating today, even as David contemplated (Psalm 53:0). He wrote,
The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.”
They are corrupt, and have done abominable iniquity;
There is none who does good.
The Influence of a Prisoner
By Don Ruhl (August 23, 2008)
Paul told the people of the ship that was carrying him to Rome, that an angel revealed that during the storm they were in, they would run aground on an island (Acts 27:26). Luke wrote of the danger during the horrible storm (Acts 27:27-29).
God Has Spoken
By Don Ruhl (August 23, 2008)
Another frequent writer of psalms was Asaph (Psalm 50:0). He declared,
The Mighty One, God the LORD,
Has spoken and called the earth
From the rising of the sun to its going down.
(Psalm 50:1)
A Guard Treated a Prisoner Kindly
By Don Ruhl (August 23, 2008)
Luke showed how the journey went with Paul to Rome (Acts 27:1–6). In the midst of saying that they landed in Sidon, Luke threw this in, “And Julius treated Paul kindly and gave him liberty to go to his friends and receive care” (Acts 27:3).
Does Our Behavior Change God?
By Don Ruhl (August 22, 2008)
Elihu had paused in speaking to Job (Job 35:1), but then the young man continued by quoting Job,
“Do you think this is right?
Do you say,
‘My righteousness is more than God’s’?
Salvation for You!
By Don Ruhl (August 22, 2008)
Paul had begun to preach in a synagogue and declared that Jesus was the fulfillment of promises to David. Then Paul announced, “Men and brethren, sons of the family of Abraham, and those among you who fear God, to you the word of this salvation has been sent” (Acts 13:26).
The Desire to Be Heard
By Don Ruhl (August 22, 2008)
As Job and his friends debated, a young man listened to them. When the four of them were done, he wanted to speak and said,
“But please, Job, hear my speech, And listen to all my words.
Sending Off Preachers
By Don Ruhl (August 22, 2008)
The church at Antioch had prophets and teachers (Acts 13:1), some of whom, while doing spiritual things, the Spirit called out for a special work, “As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, ............................
A Covenant with the Eyes
By Don Ruhl (August 22, 2008)
In chapter 31, Job began to list all the ways in which he had not sinned. The first thing he mentioned, most men will know as a difficult thing. He said,
“I have made a covenant with my eyes; ....................
Persecution Grows
By Don Ruhl (August 21, 2008)
There is a time when persecution against the church dies down and there is a time when it increases. Acts 12 shows the persecution increasing. The Jews had already killed Stephen. Later, Herod killed another member of the church, “Now about that time Herod the king stretched out his hand to harass some from the church.
The Days of Your Prime
By Don Ruhl (August 21, 2008)
Poor Job! Who can calculate the magnitude of his suffering? After speaking of the source of wisdom in chapter 28, he then reminsced on the days of his prime, which had been just a few months previous.
Be Prepared for Criticism
By Don Ruhl (August 21, 2008)
When you do good things, someone will either criticize it or you. Some people do it because they are jealous or envious that they did not do it. Some people will criticize because they criticize everything.
How Have You Helped People?
By Don Ruhl (August 21, 2008)
As Job’s friends debated him about the cause of his suffering, they gave no real insight into his problem, but Job believed they fogged up the mirror. Then he asked them a series of penetrating questions, ..................
Wanting Family and Friends to Hear the Word of God
By Don Ruhl (August 21, 2008)
Cornelius sent for Peter, knowing that he would come and speak God’s word. Cornelius was not content to hear it alone, but look at what he did, “And the following day they entered Caesarea. Now Cornelius was waiting for them, and had called together his relatives and close friends” (Acts 10:24).
God Is Reasonable
By Don Ruhl (July 26, 2008)
Job's friends would not reason with him, but only condemned him, whereas he knew that he could reason with God. Job wanted to know where God was (Job 23:1-3), for then Job would approach God, presenting his case before God (Job 23:4, 5).
Godly People Among the God-Haters
By Don Ruhl (July 26, 2008)
The Romans hated the Jews and later the Romans would hate the church. Was it possible that among those haters of God's people, there would be godly men and women? Yes, and Luke shows us one in Acts 10, "There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment, a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always" (Acts 10:1-2).
Look At Someone's Condition
By Don Ruhl (July 26, 2008)
Job's friends argued with him relentlessly, insisting that he had sinned to bring on his horrible suffering and so they showed him no mercy. Yet, he pled with them just to look at him and let compassion fill their souls,
Making a Difference in People's Lives
By Don Ruhl (July 26, 2008)
Most people in the church want to see many people become Christians. However, it often takes doing something radical to convince people to follow Christ and to become members of the church. It is not as hard as you might suspect. It all starts with loving people.
Have Pity
By Don Ruhl (July 26, 2008)
We know from the first two chapters of Job, that his suffering started with the loss of all his wealth and the workers tending that wealth. He also lost his ten children and then his health. In chapter 19, he listed all the relationships that he lost. Read especially verses 13-20.
Why Do People Persecute the Church?
By Don Ruhl (July 26, 2008)
Jesus asked Saul of Tarsus, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?" (Acts 9:4). How was Saul persecuting Jesus? Saul persecuted the Lord by persecuting His people. If you dishonor the disciples of Jesus, you dishonor Him. If you honor them, you honor Him.
Understand the Other Guy's Place in Life
By Don Ruhl (July 26, 2008)
Read the words of Job's friends slowly and you will hear sharp words against him. He shot back at them, saying,
"I also could speak as you do,
If your soul were in my soul's place.
Heaven Works Behind the Scenes
By Don Ruhl (July 26, 2008)
Luke revealed in the story of the conversion of the Ethiopian eunuch, that heaven worked to bring together the preacher and the student, "Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, 'Arise and go toward the south along the road which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.' This is desert" (Acts 8:26).