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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 30 July 10
                Dear special people.
                Wow! It’s already 9:57pm.  No wonder my eyes are crossing and closing without me even knowing.
                We just learned today that Joe Horn, our son-in-law in Missouri, is in the hospital with a pretty serious internal infection.  Your prayers are requested and appreciated.
                I better go lay down before I fall down.  Good night.  Blessings.
                                Love, Dad/Ray
 
30 July 2010
Passage: 2 Corinthians 6:3-7:1
Focus: “Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way:  in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses…” 2 Corinthians 6:4
                What do you think of this kind of appeal?  “Come to Jesus!  He will solve all your problems, give you comfort and success, cause everyone to like you, and make your life easy.”  It may sound good up front. And some folk may respond on that basis.  But in the long run it back-fires because it is not true—it is not compatible with real life or with God’s plans and purposes.  Furthermore, it fails to nurture true discipleship.
                The Apostle Paul was definitely a real disciple of Christ.  Let’s allow his role modeling as set forth in today’s reading to be a profound reality check—a standard to self-examination:  “We put no stumbling block in anyone’s path, so that our ministry will not be discredited. Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way:  in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; sorrowful, yet always rejoicing, poor, yet making any rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything” (2 Cor. 6:3-10).
 
                “It is ours to obey his commands, not to direct his counsels.”