Insightful Musings on the Scriptures

by

Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67

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23 April 10

    Good morning, special people.

    It's actually 5:20am at present.  So I'm hitting you a little earlier than normal.  I hope to make some good use of my time between now and my jog...some urgent writing...dealing with some urgent matters.

    I let Daisy in the house each morning lately.  I mainly want to give some drying out time to the cast that's still on her leg.  I think she's doing pretty good with it.  I've fit the end of her cast with a little human infant's boot.  It looks funny...but works well.  Maybe I'll take a picture of her so you can see.

    When the roll is called up yonder, where are you going to be?  To be present in His presence there, we need to be present in His presence here.  Practice His Presence...and be blessed.

    Love, Dad/Ray

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23 April 2010
Passage: Mark 13
Focus: “Watch out that no one deceives you.”  Mark 13:5.

            The lead question presented by the disciples in verse 4 was, “Tell us, WHEN will these things happen?”  Why would Jesus respond the way He did by saying, “Watch out that no one deceives you”?  The reasonable reason as I see it is something like this: IF YOU ARE DECEIVED then WHEN WILL THESE THINGS HAPPEN doesn’t really matter.  It’s not till verse 32 that Jesus begins to address the question of WHEN.  And even there, the answer is not specific.  Besides stating that He can’t tell exactly WHEN, He also implies that it doesn’t really matter—that to be high-centered on the WHEN is to be high-centered on the unimportant.

            So what is important?  Listen up!  If you have ever been given good, practical, and all-encompassing advice on how to successfully live your life in a way that is pleasing to God, and free from failure, I think you have it here in this chapter.  This advice comes in the form of WARNINGS.  And they come from Someone who KNOWS.  Let’s quickly review those warning at face value: “Watch out that no one deceives you” (v. 5).  “Be on your guard” (v. 9).  “Do not worry” (v. 11).  “Do not believe it” (v. 21).  “Be on your guard” (v. 23).  “Be on your guard” (v. 33).  “Be alert” (v. 33).  “Keep watch” (v. 35).  “What I say to you, I say to everyone: Watch!” (v. 37).  (Quick question: How many people is “everyone?”)

            Whew!  Do we get the picture?  Are we paying attention?  Are we truly aware of what we are engaged in?  Do we really see the battle lines drawn?  Do we comprehend the prize of victory and the consequence of defeat?

            Let’s give attention to one more statement of warning given at the end of this discourse: “If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping” (v. 36).  Zzzzzzz.  Think about it.