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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20 June 11
Greetings, dear people…with only 6 minutes left to the morning.
I can’t believe how congested the morning became. A bunch of people want sawmill work right away. I hear the mill running right now with Kash out their sawing away. Interesting that his last name is Sawyer. He’s finally living up to his name.
I need to run to other things. May your day be blessed. I have to believe that’s possible—even if you may feel like a one-armed paper-hanger.
Love, Dad/Ray
20 June 2011
Psalm 49
Focus: “This is the fate of those who trust in themselves, and of their followers who approve their sayings. Selah.” Psalm 49:13.
I confess that I have never cruised through the Psalms quite like I am now—where I take time to take smaller bites and chew on it with intent to extract as much meaning as reasonably possible within the time allowed. And in keeping with that little proverb that says, “He who feeds others feeds himself,” I quite like the personal benefit that flows out of this discipline to daily extract something worth talking and writing about. Both Becki and I benefit as it is a shared project that prompts a lot of good dialogue and discussion. Sometimes we get so worked up with illumination and inspiration that tears flow. I guess I’d rather get worked up over things important than over nonsense (…which is about all you have left if you’re not pursuing things important!) The benefits are so beneficial, I hereby recommend it—at least something similar.
Ponder—ponder. I’m making the observation that we have marriage relationships falling apart all over the place—even within the ranks of the Christian faith. But there are also marriage enrichment seminars all over the place. What’s the deal? The more I think about this, the more I wonder—is it not possible that we have a simple straightforward standard for MARRIAGE ENRICHMENT right here under our noses? Is it even possible for a marriage to fail if both spouses are in dialogue and pursuit of THINGS IMPORTANT? I’m inclined to believe that most of that which erodes marriages is not conflict over THINGS IMPORTANT by Biblical standards—but quite the opposite! Normally it’s over stuff that boils down to stupid nonsense. And please note that stupid nonsense is not so much matter of stuff as it is an ailment—a disease that is highly contagious! Do we have an epidemic?
Speaking of nonsense, “The Sons of Korah” have composed another great psalm here that identifies the heart and core of fundamental nonsense. It’s the same kind of absurdity that Jesus addressed when he asked, “What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Mark 8:36-37).
Read this psalm carefully. In doing so I conclude that the content, both stated and implied, of verse 13 represents not just the pivot of this psalm, but the very pivot of eternal destiny. “This is the fate of those who trust in themselves, and of their followers who approve their sayings.” It cites one of only two options available to us. Let me state those two options this way: (1) TRUST SELF, or (2) TRUST CHRIST. That’s it in simple bottom-line terms. Selecting #1 renders the result of “much to do about nothing”—pursuit of wealth and happiness with hopelessness beyond the grave. Twice the following statement is repeated in this psalm: “He is like the beasts that perish” (vv. 12, 20)—in other words he dies like a dog, leaves all his wealth to others (v. 10), takes nothing with him (v. 17), and never gets THINGS IMPORTANT figured out—“A man who has riches without understanding is like the beasts that perish” (v. 20). But selecting #2—what a difference!—there is hope—there is eternal life. The expression of that wonderful hope is in verse 15: “But God will redeem my life from the grave; he will surely take me to himself.”
“When we die we leave behind all we have and take with us all we are.”