Insightful Musings on the Scripturesby
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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27 Jan 11
Good morning, special people.
How is this for a short greeting?
Love, Dad/Ray
27 January 2011
Proverbs 27
Focus: “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth.” Proverbs 27:1.
Consider the three basic dimensions of time—PAST, PRESENT, and FUTURE. Consider that there was a time when your PAST was your FUTURE—and your FUTURE, being consumed by your PRESENT, is transformed into your PAST. I see three glaring facts of life within time: (1) YOU ABSOLUTELY CANNOT EDIT YOUR PAST. (2) YOU CANNOT ABSOLUTELY CONTROL YOUR FUTURE. (3) YOU CANNOT LIVE YOUR LIFE ANYWHERE BUT IN YOUR PRESENT.
Ouch! This is a big philosophical challenge for my little bald head. These are simple facts—but they can play out to generate lots of confusion and complication if we don’t get it right. One idea that comes through to me with crystal clarity is this: IF I WILL GIVE MY PRESENT TO THE ONE WHO TRANSCENDS TIME (ETERNAL), MY PAST AND MY FUTURE ARE WELL CARED FOR. Notice that Matthew 6:33 is a command that applies to your PRESENT: “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you as well.” It is not possible to “seek first” in your PAST, and not adequate to say you will in your FUTURE. It’s a PRESENT TENSE REQUIREMENT that effects everything else.
Without quoting all these cross-reference passages, I suggest that you look up and read: Psalm 37:5; Proverbs 16:3; James 4:13-17; 1 Peter 4:19.
Let me conclude by quoting Isaiah 55:6-7: “Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon.” Think carefully. I hope you see your PAST, PRESENT, and FUTURE indicated in this exhortation.
On a church sign board: “Visit us on your way to eternity.”