Insightful Musings on the Scriptures

by

Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67

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15 May 10
    Greetings in the morning, dear ones.
    Sure wish I could get my boat groomed and ready to drop in the ocean and go spear some fish.  This is one of the best times of the year to connect with big ling cod.  But alas...more binding work.  Oh well.  This may sound a bit like "sour grapes," but I still would prefer to be overwhelmed with work and still have PEACE than be a high-roller playboy without it.
    May you be blessed today in all you have to do.
        Love, Dad/Ray

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15 May 2010
Passage: Luke 1:57-80
Focus: “…to rescue us from the hand of our enemies…”  Luke 1:74.

            I want us to hone in on the theme of Zechariah’s prophetic song: “Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come and has redeemed his people.  He has raised up a horn of salvation for us…to rescue us from the hand of our enemies, and to enable us to serve him without fear in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.”
            While it is easy to recognize that this inspired burst of praise views the primary benefactors of God’s plan as being Jews—the descendants of Abraham—it announces a profound benefit to all believers.  It applies to you…and me.  It is still God’s high priority to enable us through the dynamic influence of His Spirit and Word to rescue us from the enemies of SIN, SELF, and SATAN and serve Him without fear (insecurity), in holiness (dedication) and righteousness (right relationship) all our days (as long as we live).  All we need to do is to continue to review our own priorities to make sure they are in harmony with His.  And if in that process there is any discernment whatsoever of conflict, please understand who needs to adjust.  It’s sure not God!