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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8 Nov 10
            Dear ones…
            Having been hammered with a kind of sinus cold the last few days, I haven’t been doing my jog routine.  I did one this morning.  Felt reasonably OK. My amusement was coming upon what appears to be a freshly killed cougar (mountain lion) that someone skinned and butchered and dumped alongside the road.  I tried to report the find to the authorities, but so far all I could do is leave a recorded message.  Whatever.
            I have Thano servicing the track hoe with plans to use it to put a big cedar log on the mill bed and get it zipped up for a Camp Adams project.  I need to run off to do some errands—pick up mill blades, pick up some roofing, etc.  Why am I telling you all this?  Are you bored yet?
            Have a great day.
                        Love, Dad/Ray
 
8 November 2010
Passage: John 8:12-30
Focus: “…he has not left me alone…”  John 8:29.
            The full statement of Jesus in John 8:29 goes like this: “The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him.” Jesus made it clear that He was secure in His relationship with the Father.  He was not a lonely human being—governed by public sentiment or circumstance.
            I think it is quite appropriate for us to take this confidence expressed by Jesus and make it our own.  If we fill the bill as being one of Jesus’ disciples, then we are indeed sent and commissioned by Him to do His will.  (Impulse poetry: Fill the bill to do His Will—He’ll keep you safe and strong and still.)  Jesus said, “Peace be with you!  As the Father has sent me, I am sending you” (John 20:21).  If we recognize that our primary purpose as born-again, transformed, forgiven, and sanctified believers is to “always do what pleases him,” we have a divine guarantee of His presence accompanying us.  How good it that?!  Our Lord says, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5).  Let’s take time to be reminded of our great job description and the benefits that go with it.  “Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.  And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age’” (Matthew 28:18-20).
            Here’s the ultimate bottom line as I see it.  Dedicate yourself to do His will, and you’ve got the support of Almighty God.  Neglect or reject His will, and you’re on your own, baby!  Taking it all into account, I really hope that scares the hell out of you—if you know what I mean.
 
“In this chaotic world, only some have peace— While others go to pieces.”