Insightful Musings on the New Testamentby
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 has followed, and an archive of all his daily devotional writings for 2010 and 2011.
| Daily Reading Guide | 2011 Devotion Archives | 2010 Devotion Archives |
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6 Jan 11
Dear special people.
It’s still dark out there. While a wait for some increase in daylight before I do a jog, I think I’ll do some more self-training in the use of a very valuable piece of software—valuable in design and modeling of virtually anything—like a CAD program.
Once again, this is a reminder that I plan to purge my address list on Jan 9…meaning that I need to hear from you if you wish to remain on this recipient list. Thanks.
Lots more on the list for the day. May the LORD help us to do what we can on our lists WITH A RIGHT ATTITUDE before Him. Otherwise it’s more like not getting anything done at all.
Blessings. Love—Dad/Ray
6 January 2011
Proverbs 6
Focus: “There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to him.” Proverbs 6:16.
We have here a clear disclosure: GOD HATES YOUR ANATOMY—IF—YOU USE IT AGAINST WHAT HE LOVES. Nor would I be very happy if I gave you a nice hammer for Christmas that I hand-crafted in my blacksmith shop—and you used it to break out all the windows on my house. That shouldn’t be hard to understand.
Let’s count these seven things that are detestable to God: (1) “HAUGHTY EYES.” God-given eyes that communicate self-centered pride. (2) “A LYING TONGUE.” Using one’s God-given gift of speech to communicate deception and dishonesty. (3) “HANDS THAT SHED INNOCENT BLOOD.” Using one’s God-given hands to inflict injustice—depreciating someone else in order to advance oneself. (4) “A HEART THAT DEVISES WICKED SCHEMES.” Using one’s God-given gift of creative thinking to think up bad stuff that violate God’s moral laws. (5) “FEET THAT ARE QUICK TO RUSH INTO EVIL.” Using one’s God-given gift of mobility and action to thoughtlessly engage in sin (debauchery) just because it’s fun or popular. (6) “A FALSE WITNESS WHO POURS OUT LIES.” Using one’s God-given composition of all parts as tools for communicating distortion and corruption of the truth. (Notice the repetition of this theme—meaning that lying and dishonesty are really bad commodities!—I mean really REALLY bad!) (7) “A MAN WHO STIRS UP DISSENSION AMONG BROTHERS.” Using one’s overall God-given range of communication gifts to tear down what God wants to build up—namely love, peace, and unity.
I can’t think of anything more perverse and dangerous than to hate what God loves, and love what God hates—especially when we are told what they are.
“Good ideas need landing gear as well as wings.” -- C. D. Jackson