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  |
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

20 Dec 10
            Dear ones…
            There are a bunch of variables to face in processing this day…a lot of IF-THEN.  So it’s just another typical day of adventure.  And already the list has expanded—as I opened my email platform just now I picked up a message from a fellow that wants me to apply graphics to his big rig truck right away.  I can handle that!
            May your own round of adventure be blessed.
                        Love, Dad/Ray
 
20 December 2010
Passage: Revelation 12
Focus: “They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb…” Revelation 12:11.
            Have you ever wondered why world history reveals so much intense hatred for Jews?  Have you ever wondered how it is that the Jewish Nation has even survived over time to remain a distinct people group in the wake of all that hatred?  I am convinced that explanations for these historical phenomena cannot be done in purely objective and reasonable terms—it can only be explained spiritually.  Based on the Biblical premise that there are only two spiritual powers (kingdoms) in the universe, I have to draw these two fundamental conclusions: (1) Satan hates the Jewish people and wants to destroy them (as well as those who embrace the promised Jewish Messiah).  (2) God loves the Jewish people and has promised to preserve them (as well as those who embrace the promised Jewish Messiah).
            This chapter presents a dramatized symbolic overview of this reality.  God seems to love theater and puts on a real show for John!  But without attempting to unravel and interpret all the data and details, I want to focus on the bottom line that is contained in verse 11.  “They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so as to shrink back from death.”
            The reason I refer to this as “the bottom line” is because I believe the same recipe for overcoming that characterizes this group of Jewish believers from the tribulation period, is the same recipe for our own victory.  Let me summarize this way: (1) Personal salvation—“by the blood of the Lamb.”  (2) Evangelistic testimony—“by the word of their testimony.”  (3) Fearless faith—"they did not love their lives so as to shrink from death.”
            I hope you’re paying attention.
 
“Don’t fear tomorrow; God is already there.”