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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14 Oct 10
            Greetings, dear people.
            8:13am at present.  There is another spectacular display of sunlight and color unfolding before my eyes out this window.
            Lots to do.  I’d better move.  May your day be profitable and blessed.
                        Love, Dad/Ray
 
14 October 2010
Passage: Titus 3
Focus: “And I want you to stress these things…”  Titus 3:8.
            I appreciate the practical nature of Paul’s training program for young pastors like Titus.  His instructions are good for all church workers—indeed for all believers, for that matter.  He not only establishes qualifications for WHO should be involved in leadership, but WHAT they are to teach, and HOW to put into action what is taught.
            Let’s look again at the whole of verse 8: “This is a trustworthy saying.  And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good.  These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.”
            Stress what things?  In the verses just preceding, Paul presents a brief sketch of our Salvation.  We all used to be messed up and hopeless.  Then God graciously offered a solution that could never be purchased by any “righteous things we have done” (3:5).  So NO, our enlistment for Salvation is not determined by good works, but God forbid that we overlook the fact that we are to carry on from there with good works—doing what is GOOD by the standards of God’s Word.  THIS is the main goal and theme that Christian ministry should stress.  THIS is the very means by which the Gospel is demonstrated and communicated. There is a whole world out there looking on to see if what we have represents any discernable value for them.  THIS theme appears three times in this chapter alone.  I’ve already cited one in verse 8. Let’s also quote verses 1 and 14: “Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good.”  “Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order that they may provide for daily necessities and not live unproductive lives.”
            Let’s also take note of the same theme as reflected in verses 11 and 12 of the preceding chapter (even though this is repetitious): “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.  It teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age.”
            Finally, let us have nothing to do with the hypocritical style that Paul describes earlier in the first chapter: “They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him” (1:16)—their actions and behavior are not in line with their claims.
            Main lesson to be stressed: YOUR BEHAVIOR AND LIFESTYLE ARE VERY IMPORTANT COMPONENTS OF FAITH THAT DIRECTLY AFFECT YOUR COMMUNICATION OF THE GOSPEL.
 
            “There are really 5 Gospels for men to read: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John—and YOU.”