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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22 September 2011
Psalm 121
Focus: “My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.” Psalm 121:2.
You have to admit—the psalmist is describing a very BIG HELPER—“the Maker of heaven and earth.” And He’s full time—“He who watches over you will not slumber” (v.2). Could there be any foundational belief more wonderful, motivational, and purposeful than this one—to be doing life in partnership with the One Who made life?! The word “awesome” is often used these days to describe things that are not really very awesome. But I am convinced that this concept and gospel opportunity is about as AWESOME as it gets!
My present New Testament reading is in Colossians. Please listen again to Paul expounding on the SIZE, SUPREMACY, and SIGNIFICANCE of Christ in Colossians 1:15-23. If this is not AWESOME—I don’t know what is! “He is the image of the invisible god, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
“Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight without blemish and free from accusation—if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.”
Whew! I think I need to rest a bit. This volume of AWESOME and mind-boggling inspiration is exhausting!
“The great mistake of my life has been that I tried to be moral without faith in Jesus; but I have learned that true morality can only keep pace with trust in Christ as my Saviour.” - Gerrit Smith