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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12 July 11
Good morning, dear ones.
Whew! Two little boys are here again for the week. Lots going on. I actually ran to the privacy of the bedroom…a wonderful option now that I have a notebook computer.
We had long-time friends, Darrell and Sherri Beebe here for lunch yesterday. Good time.
Yesterday I talked about being in hurries. I confess that I often am. Occasionally a hurry has affected the brushing of my teeth. Have you ever done anything like this?...where you’re going so fast and coordination falters so that the toothbrush actually escapes your mouth on a powerful out-in stroke, and you scrub a path of tooth paste across your cheek back to your ear? I’ve done that several times. Well, yesterday I had a new experience. In a similar hurried tooth brushing episode, the escaping tooth brush had more of an upward angle and I actually rammed the brush right into my eye. Ouch! Am I getting old? Live and learn.
Well, have a great day, keep seeking the One Who matters, and be careful brushing your teeth—it can be dangerous—you need your eyes more than your teeth.
Love, Dad/Ray.
12 July 2011
Psalm 71
Focus: “My mouth will tell of your righteousness of your salvation all day long, though I know not its measure.” Psalm 71:15.
I’m going to express one idea impacting me in this psalm this way: VICTORIOUS AND PERSEVERING FAITH IS NOT PART-TIME—IT’S 24-7. A “Sunday-go-to-meeting” kind of faith will not likely endure through Monday—it doesn’t hold up well after the benediction of the meeting.
Did you catch the phrase in the FOCUS VERSE?—“all day long.” The phrase is repeated in verse 24: “My tongue will tell of your righteous acts all day long.” Let’s take note how this principle of constancy plays out in David’s life experience. Notice verse 5: “For you have been my hope, O Sovereign LORD, my confidence since my youth.” (I trust we all understand the importance of training children in the way they should go—in matters of faith.) Again in verse 17 he mentions his youth: “Since my youth, O God, you have taught me, and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds.” Obviously, no one remains a youth—if you live long enough you’ll get old. So David addresses that sector of life as well. “Do not cast me away when I am old; do not forsake me when my strength is gone” (v. 9). Of course, God will not abandon His aged children, but a lot of people do. We see neglected and lonely seniors frequently in assisted living facilities. Maybe it’s nothing new, because David says something similar in verse 18: “Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your might to all who are to come.” This request captures some of my own motivation for doing up these devotionals—an investment in posterity—an attempt to pass on principles of successful faith.
Now let’s assemble these ideas to form a practical imperative—a formula for living. It’s really simple math. IF A PERSON WILL GIVE ATTENTION TO THEIR FAITH (RELATIONSHIP WITH THEIR LORD) ALL DAY LONG (24-7), EVERY DAY, FROM YOUTH TO OLD AGE—THAT IS A ROLE-MODEL FAITH, A VICTORIOUS OVER-COMING FAITH—FAITH THAT IS AND WILL BE RICHLY REWARDED.
So what kind of faith are you developing? To be sure, faith is not an event—it’s a process.
“Old age is like everything else—to be a success at it you’ve got to start young.”