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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21 Oct 10
            Halo, olgetta fren blong mi (Greetings to you special people).
            I guess that’s kind of a strange-sounding greeting for some (certainly not my kids).  But we have some special friends (Ryan and Stacy Helbling and family) with us at present who worked with us in Vanuatu.  So that language (Bislama, pijin English) has been floating around our home since their arrival last night.
            One of my assignments for the day is to prepare for rain…following this long nice spell of clear weather.
            Have a blessed day.
                        Love, Dad/Ray
 
21 October 2010
Passage: 2 Timothy 1
Focus: “But join me in suffering for the gospel…”  2 Timothy 1:8.
            What? Suffering?...for the Gospel?  How can something that’s such good news (the Gospel) contain something so awful (suffering)?  Ahh…why don’t we just move on to another verse?  Well, no…since it’s right here in front of us, let’s pause here a few moments and try to consider the meaning of these words.  I guess it’s not very mature or honest to just pass over concepts or issues in the Word just because they are unattractive.  I don’t think that suffering is very attractive to any of us.
            So what does it mean to “suffer for the gospel?”  Maybe we’ll be able to ask Paul ourselves some day.  But for now, we can only exercise our own judgment along with all the other data being presented.  I wish I could dialogue with you personally and hear your thoughts on the matter.  For me, I don’t believe God is sadistic about the matter of suffering—and would wish us to be like the moron who intentionally smashes his finger with a hammer just to see if he can stand it.  I believe that a vital form of suffering is resident within every great and noble achievement.  You can be sure that every athlete who participates in the Olympic Games has intentionally subjected himself to the suffering required to compete at that level and win.  As they say, “No pain—no gain.”  Be reminded that all of us, as true believers, have the opportunity to achieve a far greater prize than an Olympic medal—and to stand on the podium of Glory to receive the crown of eternal life.  Furthermore, suffering, without doubt, is the most effective means by which character is developed—and the great lessons of life learned. God knows that.  We are wise to agree.
            I believe our getting this matter right boils down to our need for developing a solid belief that creates a sense of priority.  If I really believe that “there is a heaven to gain and a hell to shun,” if I really believe that Jesus is “the Way, the Truth, and the Life,” then I will be obligated and disciplined at bringing all the stuff of my life into conformity and submission to that highest priority.  The result? Suffering!  It’s inevitable.  It’s expected.  Jesus made that clear.  Paul made it clear.  Peter made it clear. James made it clear.  So, if this was clear to all these great role models of our faith, why would I resist making it clear to me?—to my own unstable heart?  The views, values, and objectives of the “narrow gate and straight way” are clearly diametrically opposed to those who walk the “wide gate and the broad way.”  “In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted (suffer)” (2 Timothy 3:12).
            In the event that you notice something in you that would make you insist on just hanging out, having a good time, and protecting your comfort zone, quite frankly, you may do well to examine whether or not you really are a participant in the Gospel—or just a spectator.
 
            “It is better to be pruned to grow than to be cut to burn.”