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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28 Mar 11
Greetings, special people.
Big day today. Lots of determinations to be made regarding work and the future. More adventure.
Even since beginning this little add-on message, I’ve had several interruptions. Other urgencies are pulling on me…so be good…be blessed.
Love, Dad/Ray
28 March 2011
Proverbs 28
Focus: “Blessed is the man who always fears the LORD, but he who hardens his heart falls into trouble.” Proverbs 28:14.
Are you tired of this recurring theme—to FEAR THE LORD? I hope not. The word ALWAYS is an important one. And to become tired of something that is required ALWAYS is problematic—very dangerous.
Perhaps the person WHO HARDENS HIS HEART is one who allows the kind of contamination of heart and mind to creep in that makes him tired of doing the right thing the right way—weary of the narrow exclusive and disciplined path he must walk in order to achieve success and BLESSING according to the LORD’S clear requirements—making him vulnerable to the presentation of an alternative approach that offers more ease, more fun, with less confinement. “Hey! You can get what you want without FEARING THE LORD!” You don’t have to wonder WHO the real author is of such a presentation. Just reflect on the Genesis account of ORIGINAL SIN and the “wonderful” alternative that was presented to Eve in the garden.
As I give further thought to this, the essential First Commandment (by Jesus’rendering) looms very big with importance—TO LOVE THE LORD WITH ALL YOUR HEART. Doesn’t it make a lot of sense that if a person really ties into that requirement and truly LOVES LOVING THE LORD they could not possibly be dissuaded or bumped off that course. How can someone abandon what they LOVE? So it is appropriate to say BLESSED IS THE MAN WHO LOVES DOING WHAT IS REQUIRED—WHO LOVES LOVING GOD.
The person who adopts an alternative to God’s prescription and makes it his preferred lifestyle also makes himself resistant to the convicting influence of the Holy Spirit that God uses to direct His children into “paths of righteousness.” The first verse of the next chapter (29:1) gives a description and pronouncement for the outcome of this person—and it’s certainly not in the vein of BLESSING. “A man who remains stiff-necked (“hardens his heart”) after many rebukes will suddenly be destroyed—without remedy.”
“…falls into trouble.” To be sure, we are all given to falling, and quite capable of it even after conversion. But there is a difference. The guy who refuses to FEAR THE LORD falls with no hope whatsoever—O the devastation! But the one who FEARS THE LORD and falls is empowered to get up again and even make positive use of that falling. “The steps of a good man (THE MAN WHO ALWAYS FEARS THE LORD) are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand” (Psalm 37:23-24).
“Show me a thoroughly satisfied man And I will show you a failure.”