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.
| Sparre Home Page | Daily Reading Guide | 2011 Devotion Archives | 2010 Devotion Archives |
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10 May 11
Hello, special people.
I just returned from a little run, but the day is running on ahead of me. It’s looking decent…like the clouds are thinning. I’ve already made a list…and when I send this I’ll go review it again and try to select the most urgent priorities. I tend to have such tunnel vision and get so caught up in this kind of focus that, sitting right here, I hardly remember what’s on it. I do know it’s big.
May your day go well. And may you choose your passions well.
Love, Dad/Ray
10 May 2011
Psalm 9
Focus: “I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonders. I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.” Psalm 9:1-2.
“With all my heart.” How much is ALL? Is it just a rhetorical expression? However you answer, doesn’t this phrase call to our remembrance the top most important command of Scripture? “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind (strength)” (Matthew 22:37-38; Deuteronomy 6:5). And, doesn’t that sound a lot like PASSION?
Within the context of our society at large, how “cool” is it to have, hold, and display this kind of PASSION? Not very. In fact, it is generally despised. And because it is generally despised, it is generally rejected and regarded as extremism, fanaticism, and to be avoided. Why? Because most people want to win the approval of the society at large that they see all around them than to appear irregular or out of step by seeking the approval of Someone they claim is large that they can’t see. This perspective allows for a little religion, but keep it superficial and make sure it doesn’t spill over into PASSION.
Now, just a minute—what’s going on here? The very attitude that God insists is MOST IMPORTANT is the same attitude society says is LEAST IMPORTANT! Hmmm—I wonder if man’s natural sin nature has anything to do with it? I wonder if there might be some subtle unseen spiritual influences in the works here? Of course there is. Anyway, let’s get this straight: How really IMPORTANT is this MOST IMPORTANT command? IMPORTANT OR NOT IMPORTANT—THAT IS THE QUESTION! The fact is, no one can truly answer that question for you—any more than someone else can eat a sandwich for you to feed your hunger—or take a nap for you to give you rest. You must answer that question for yourself.
I’ll go ahead and risk answering that question for me personally out loud. DEVELOPING AND MAINTAINING A PASSIONATE LOVE FOR GOD IS OF SUPREME IMPORTANCE! PERIOD! And you know what I think I’ve figured out? It’s the same thing David figured out a few thousand years ago. That is—GOD DOES NOT REQUIRE ME TO PASSIONATELY LOVE HIM ONLY FOR HIS GOOD, BUT ALSO FOR MY GOOD—IT IS THE ONLY MEANS WHEREBY HE CAN ADMINISTER THE ETERNAL LIFE AND PROTECTION FROM EVIL THAT I SO DESPERATELY NEED.
David calls our attention to the security and protection benefits of this PASSIONATE relationship with The Most High in verses 9 and 10 of this Psalm: “The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who (PASSIONATELY) seek you.”
“Be still when you have nothing to say; when genuine passion moves you, say what you’ve got to say, and say it hot.” - D. H. Lawrence