2007 picture of Ray SparreInsightful Musings on the New Testament
by
Ray Sparre, NU class of '67

Ray has a wealth of experience as a Husband, Father, Pastor, Missionary, and student of the Word. He believes and practices his faith where the rubber meets the road. You'll find his writings to be practical, insightful, and grounded in a truly Christ-centered world view.

Below are links to a printable daily Bible reading guide which Ray is following, and an archive of all his daily devotional writings for 2010.

|  Daily Reading Guide  |  2010 Devotion Archives  |
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

28 May 2010
    Greetings, dear people.
    Today brings some terrible memories to mind for us.  It was 9 years again today that Thano and Andy biffed it on that motorbike in the mountains of Colorado...Thano becoming a "TBI survivor" (Traumatic Brain Injury).  God has been gracious...even through the storm.
    Speaking of storms, I'm also reminded of another song we sang in a college group.  Here's one verse and chorus: "So many times Satan whispers, 'Oh, there's no need to try.  For there's no end of sorrow.  There's no hope by and by.'  But I know Thou art with me and tomorrow I'll rise where the storms never darken the skies. (Cho.) Till the storm passes over; till the thunder sounds no more; till the clouds roll forever from the sky--Precious Lord, let me stand in the hollow of Your hand.  Keep me safe till the storm passes by."  I suppose that if I scratched my brain a little harder, I could recall another verse.
    Anyway, I hope that have learned (or are learning) the great value of songs in your personal discipleship.  They can indeed be valuable goldmines of inspiration and encouragement.  Don't just whistle while you work, do some singing too.  Isn't that what David did.  What an amazing songwriter.  Maybe I'll go ahead and quote a few verses from Colossians 3:15-17: "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."
    Have a great day.
        Love and prayers.  Dad/Ray
 
 
28 May 2010
Passage: Luke 8:22-39
Focus: “Let’s go over to the other side of the lake.”   Luke 8:22
            I’m reminded of that Sunday School song that goes, “With Christ in my vessel I can smile at the storm.”  It’s not just a nice song for children.  It’s also a vital truth for all serious disciples.  For we will never be able to escape the storms of life.  They are a stubborn fact of life.  Therefore it is of great importance to make sure that we remain in the presence of the only power available that transcends storms.  If we are with Jesus and Jesus is with us we can actually smile at the storms that come our way knowing that if we control what we can (in obedience to Him) He will control what we can’t.
            I suppose it would have been possible for any one of the disciples to have jumped out of the boat during that storm.  They probably would have perished in so doing.  But by remaining in the boat with Jesus, they were safe.  Why?  Because Jesus clearly said “Let us go over to the other side of the lake.”  All they needed to do was to cooperate with Jesus’ plan that it be an “us” arrangement.  It was not to be “me” or “you” but “us.”  That means the disciples with Jesus.  And that adds up to safety and security.  When Jesus said they were going to GO OVER to the other side, they could rest assured they would get there with Him.
            Please don’t jump out of your canoe just because you meet some rough seas.  Just make sure Jesus is aboard and you will make the destination He desires every time.  That really is an important lesson for us to learn.  If we don’t, we will most assuredly find ourselves spending a whole lot of nervous and fearful energy unnecessarily.
 
            “The fear of God can deliver us from the fear of men and things.”