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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23 Feb 11
Greetings on this cold, blustery morning.
I just returned from a little jog with Kaden and Max. Wow! It’s already 9am. I need to get on with stuff. Little Nicholas is sleeping…tho I don’t know how with noise from Kaden.
Our day is supposed to include snow. They are predicting about 4” by tomorrow morning. We’ll see. May your adventure for the day go well.
Blessings. Love. Dad/Ray
23 February 2011
Proverbs 23
Focus: “My son, if your heart is wise, then my heart will be glad…” Proverbs 23:15.
I have no problem resonating with this statement. Nothing makes my own father’s heart rejoice more than beholding evidence of mature wisdom on the part of my children—at least evidence of their seeking it. But one thing is for sure: To reach that point and behold that condition is not easy—and it’s no accident! In fact, I’m inclined to believe that it is hardly possible without implementing the two verses just prior to this one: “Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you punish him with the rod, he will not die. Punish him with the rod and save his soul from death” (Proverbs 23:13-14).
Sadly, I have just slipped over into “political incorrectness.” In these days people can be arrested and put in jail for applying this Biblical standard—even doing so in a loving and careful manner. It all has the potential of negatively impacting our society in general, and our own family in particular. We have a huge related challenge in our own home, even as I punch on this keyboard—two little grandkids, children of our youngest son, who has suffered a marital breakdown—which, of course, causes his children to suffer too—whom we now care for two days per week and one weekend per month. We are all participating in their raising—without the option of “applying the board of education to the seat of learning”—if you know what I mean. So what are the chances for developing WISE HEARTS in these little lives—leading them to be WISE-HEARTED ADULTS? I judge that the chances are reduced—but, by God’s grace, not impossible.
What do we do? How do we approach this challenge? Can we throw up our hands and say, “Whatever?” No way! I cannot avoid the conclusion that the most vital starting point for me personally is to make sure that I myself, as an influential father/grandfather, am engaged in the pursuit of Godly heart-level wisdom. I can’t give away something I don’t have. And IF that objective is my priority, I have reason to believe that my Heavenly Father’s heart will not only be pleased (glad) with me, but He will intervene by offering His grace in sufficient measure to permit success. After all, He clearly wants my children and grandchildren to be His children too.
Notice that I highlighted the word “IF” above. I think it’s implicitly highlighted in our FOCUS VERSE as well. It’s a little word—only two letters—but it’s a very BIG word. I mean, I don’t have to have a WISE HEART if I don’t want one. My children aren’t forced to have a WISE HEART if they don’t want one. And so on with my grandchildren. I just know on which side of the IF factor I choose to live. I’m encouraged to remember the abundance of Biblical support for the idea that IF I will do what I can (in response to His guidance), God will do what I can’t.
“One thing about children—they never go around showing snapshots of their grandparents.”