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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28 June 11
Dear special people.
Well, it’s true…I finally had to face some reality and accept that I couldn’t carry the work load that has been mounted upon me and still carry on with the production of these devotionals. Tuesday the 21st was a huge day of preparation for the next several days…where I committed to do a sawmill job up near South Bend, Washington. That was a pretty intense 4 days. I just received a message from the guy I worked for and learned that I pumped out over 11,000 board feet of lumber in those 32 hours of hard work. Whew. I think that’s my record. Of course, it could not have been achieved without this guy and his son working as vigorous off-bearers so mostly all I did was keep the mill singing. While a lot of work, it was kind of fun. And, of course, I ended up with a happy customer and a healthy check…to feed our sick bank account.
I guess I will continue to hold the pursuit of these devotional essays with a loose grip. I like doing them. There are benefits to me personally and, as I’ve said before, the project makes for great dialogue between Becki and me. But I foresee a lot more intense work and tight scheduling throughout this summer…so I’ll just do what I reasonably can and take it as it comes. Among other things, there are tuna out there in the ocean needing to come aboard my boat!...and maybe a few ling cod and rock fish waiting to be speared and put in our freezer.
May you be STEADFAST as you do your day.
Love, Dad/Ray
28 June 2011
Psalm 57
Focus: “My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and make music.” Psalm 57:7.
In what way is David’s heart STEADFAST? The answer is stated in verse 1: “For in you my soul takes refuge.” If David’s primary refuge was anywhere else, he could not measure up to STEADFAST status. Verse 2 states the answer another way: “I cry out to God Most High, to God, who fulfills his purpose for me.” The answer is also stated twice in the previous psalm (56:4, 11): “In God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?” (Question: Does our American currency still bear the inscription, “IN GOD WE TRUST?” Is America STEADFAST in that position?) In my estimation, it all adds up to the same essential answer we have suggested many times before—A HEART AFTER GOD. It’s like David makes a firm decision, cost what may, come what may—“You guys can do what you want—go ahead and get all spaced out with your futile pursuits and empty distractions—it’s your choice—but I’ve settled the matter—I’m taking my stand—as for me, I’m going to continue to seek, trust, worship, and believe the God of the Bible—no matter what!” That does sound rather STEADFAST to me. Do you think a truly successful faith can be any less STEADFAST?
That STEADFASTNESS of heart has the great benefit of winning God’s special attention—enlightenment and illumination. While others are spaced out with lots of other stuff, blind to the things of God, not sure He even exists, David’s heart and perspective is exploding with praise and exultation at the magnificence of his LORD—“Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth” (vv. 5 & 11). Why does my own heart favor and resonate with that perspective over all the alternatives available?
I’m reminded that the word STEADFAST was central to a verse my mother had me memorize when I was a kid—1 Corinthians 15:58. I’ll try to quote it from memory here from the KJV: “Be ye STEADFAST, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” I hope you agree—that’s good advice.
“Life is like a well—the deeper you go in God, the more living you will find.”