Insightful 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  |
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31 May 10
    Good morning, dear special ones.
    More rain on the roof at 7:30am.  I'm sure a lot of people are pretty disappointed with the weather in view of it being one of the biggest out-of-doors holidays of the year.  Once again, I think I'll take on a jog down our road along the creek toward Colton.  Incidentally, we noticed a roadblock yesterday down that way when we pulled out to go to church.  It was still there when we returned...so I drove down to inquire of the guy manning the block.  He said that a pickup truck ran off the road just beyond and into the creek...and at least one person was killed.  Very sad.  I'm sure I'll see evidence of the mishap when I jog by.  That's a sad way to see a life end...but it really is important to bear in mind that we're all terminal.
    Be careful, wise, and blessed today.
        Love, Dad/Ray
 
31 May 2010
Passage: Luke 9:18-36
Focus: “He did not know what he was saying.”  Luke 9:33.
            It is very possible that this condition afflicting Peter on this occasion is more commonplace with all of us than we would like to believe.  We do a lot of talking and hear a lot of talking.  To what degree is it compatible with accurate understanding and balanced truth?  I suppose the best antidote to the condition is caution and care in critiquing and drawing conclusions, adding the exhortations of verses 23 and 24 to the mix.  “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily (Note: This was stated before Jesus went to the cross.) and follow me.  For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it.”
            While Peter beheld the spectacular display of supernatural glory on that mountain top, he made some wrong assumptions and blurted out his impulsive ideas.  It was in the vein of “Listen, for your servant is speaking” rather than “Speak, for your servant is listening.”
            There are a lot of voices out there—lots of ideas—many of which God hasn’t had anything to do with…even though many will claim He has.  God knows that.  But He sure sets the record straight by stating His high priority for men before Peter is even finished expounding on his great ideas.  “A voice came from the cloud, saying, ‘This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him’” (8:35).
            It seems to me that we are again facing the essential need of HEARING EARS.  (See 27 May.)  Once again, are you listening?
 
            “Be a good listener, but be careful who you listen to.”
            “Before engaging mouth, make sure mind is in gear.”