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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26 May 11
Hey there, dear people!
Another adventure is before us—TODAY. I had a little more adventure yesterday than I bargained for. I did a tree removal job last evening in a tight place around buildings. Things didn’t go as planned. But it was like the Lord intervened again…and there was no real damage. Whew!
Good deal!...I’m seeing a bit of sunshine through the trees. Earlier it was raining…again. Sure had a lot of it lately.
May your day be blessed…as you keep looking to “the King of glory.”
Love, Dad/Ray
26 May 2011
Psalm 24
Focus: “Who is he, this King of glory? The LORD Almighty—he is the King of glory.” Psalm 24:10.
Based on the fact that the WHO question is repeated several times in this Psalm, I’m coming up with a 3-point approach.
1. WHO REALLY IS THE OWNER/BOSS AROUND HERE? This WHO question is implied. I’m not suggesting that we change our verbiage. I understand what you mean when you use possessive phrases like “my car, my wife, my children, my house, my body, my money, etc.” But a proper Biblical worldview requires this overview: “The earth is the LORD’S, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it” (v.1). We have to get this straight and keep it straight: He is the Absolute Creator Owner of everything. Anyone who fails to install this like an operating system into his mental hard drive will invite all kinds of malfunctioning, viruses, and crashes.
2. WHO IS ABLE TO GAIN PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH THIS OWNER/BOSS? David puts the question this way: “Who may ascend the hill of the LORD? Who may stand in his holy place?” (v. 3). And he answers the question this way: “He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false” (v. 4).
3. WHO MAKES THIS GLORIOUS RELATIONSHIP POSSIBLE? The best answer in the overview of Scripture is JESUS CHRIST, THE PROMISED MESSIAH, THE SON OF GOD. You and I are absolutely incapable of achieving the requirements in question two above. Our contaminated and wimpy DNA doesn’t allow it. Without a SAVIOR Who is “strong and mighty” and “mighty in battle” (v. 8), capable of remodeling and reprogramming our DNA (new birth), our hopes are reduced to zero. So don’t just sit there—open your heart doors—understand your wealth and blessing in Christ—celebrate, sing, rejoice! “Lift up your heads, O you gates; lift them up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory my come in” (v. 9).
Wow! I can hardly stay on my chair.
“I was twenty years old before I ever heard a sermon on regeneration. I was always told to be good, but you might as well tell a midget to be a giant as to tell him to be good without telling him how.” - Dwight L. Moody