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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22 Feb 11
Hello, dear people.
I took the Wilsons to the Airport this morning, meeting at their place at 3:30am. It’s amazing how active the roadways were at that early hour.
I sure have a lot of challenge swirling around me. Included in the mix are two little grandsons…whom Becki picked up at 8am…both requiring constant attention. But there is work pressure that is urgent…and I’d better get on with it.
Have fun…and be blessed.
Love, Dad/Ray
22 February 2011
Proverbs 22
Focus: “He who loves a pure heart and whose speech is gracious will have the king for his friend.” Proverbs 22:11.
The obvious principle in this proverb is that the person who is able to develop and demonstrate exemplary values and personality will go places—he is likely to be successful in any endeavor. But, as is the case with so many of these nuggets of thought, there are deeper meanings with broader applications. This one inspires me that way—and if I let myself, I could really get carried away.
How likely is it that anyone, left to themselves, is going to come up with a PURE HEART?—and LOVE it? May I remind you that the default setting of the human heart makes people addicted to impurity?—at least to a heart that is less than pure. The movie industry demonstrates this popular heart condition. I mean, do you have any trouble, like I do, at finding a really CLEAN movie? Pretty slim pickings!
I would like to suggest that the most important KING to be concerned with is THE KING OF KINGS—Who, as you know, is also THE LORD OF LORDS. In fact, that needs to be your priority concern. But if we are to make this kind of application, we actually need to turn the proverb around and swap the order. That is, you have no hope of acquiring a PURE HEART without first establishing friendship with this KING—accepting what He has to offer. He is the only One with all the stuff available to make a PURE HEART possible. And once that relationship is set, it makes not for a “vicious circle,” but a VICTORY CIRCLE—that is, fellowship—where He speaks to you and equips you via His Spirit-Word, and you speak to Him in praise and prayer. You’ve got to LOVE this! It’s the best deal going on the planet!
Notice the close similarity of this proverb with the affirmation of Jesus in Matthew 5:8: “Blessed (A common translation for “blessed” is “happy”—and everyone LOVES happy!) are the pure in heart (those who have broken free of their sin addiction, set free by their acceptance of Christ’s atoning and transformational work), for they will (this is a promise, a firm Kingdom law) see God (The King).”
Also, be reminded that only a PURE GRACIOUS HEART can consistently yield GRACIOUS SPEECH.
It is certainly not vain repetition (it’s more like vital repetition) to repeat David’s prayer again from Psalm 19:14: “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.”
“It doesn’t take such a great man to be a Christian; it just takes all there is of him.” - Seth Wilson