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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30 Sept 11
Greetings, dear special people.
I feel like I’m running in circles, multi-tasking, and forgetting what I had started to do a few minutes ago when I was interrupted. For example this document has been standing idle for a good half hour while I answer the phone and deal with a guy who came to inspect and pick up some wood. I even ordered a new computer component for my sawmill. And I’m trying to get out the door to Silverton where Kash has already begun the final leg of a portable mill job there. We should finish it up before noon.
I was able to get in a morning of fishing with my brother-in-law, Ray Wilson on Wednesday.
We went with the right guy—as both of us limited out on Salmon, while, to our knowledge, no one else in that area even got a bite.
Have a great day—a blessed day—which can only be achieved by staying in close fellowship with the author of blessing.
Love, Dad/Ray
30 September 2011
Psalm 129
Focus: “But the LORD is righteous; he has cut me free from the cords of the wicked.” Psalm 129:4.
This short psalm encompasses the phenomenon of Israel’s history of persecution. While receiving persecution is the ongoing lot of Israel as the special people of God, it is also the lot of all who choose integrity over conformity—who seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. Understanding and accepting this reality is all part of counting the cost of Kingdom citizenship—for it comes with a very real social price tag. In this regard, I have to appreciate the forthright honesty Jesus puts forth in calling us to His side. He doesn’t use the flashy over-statement claims commonly used by commercial advertisers who will say almost anything to get you to buy their products. Jesus lays it clearly on the table and says, “All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved” (Matthew 10:22). He even pronounces a blessing for those who are so treated: “Blessed are you when men hate you and insult you and reject your name as evil because of the Son of Man” (Luke 6:22).
As a balance to this negative feature of our faith, there is a huge amount of positive encouragement contained in my New Testament reading today in Hebrews 4. Let me quote verses 14 through 16. “Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Is our time of need occasional, or constant? If this were a multiple-choice question on a test, I would have to mark CONSTANT. That’s why it is appropriate to learn how to live according to the advice Paul gives in 2 Thessalonians 5:17: “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
“Outside of God’s will there is no such thing as success; in His will there can be no failure.”