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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9 Oct 11
Good evening, special ones.
I sure have been hit-and-miss lately with these devotional compositions. It’s mainly evidence of the work and domestic pressure upon me. I just can’t seem to pull off everything I want. I guess I’ll just do what I can and let things fall where they will.
We have two little boys here for the weekend…on till Tuesday. Kaden helped me do up another little batch of applesauce this afternoon. We actually picked the apples from our tree, used our neat corer/peeler tool to peel and slice, cooked it all up, and I (along with Kaden and Becki) am now eating a bowl of that good stuff with a topping of farm-fresh whipped cream. If little Nicholas were not asleep, he’d be scarfing it up too. If you want to try some, you’d better hurry.
Have a good night.
Love, Dad/Ray
9 October 2011
Psalm 138
Focus: “I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart; before the ‘gods’ I will sing your praise.” Psalm 138:1.
Is David implying that there really are a bunch of gods out there?—that it’s just a matter of picking and choosing one that suits you? I don’t think so. Scripture is full of exclamation and confirmation that the LORD (“Yahweh”)—the God of the Bible—is the ONE AND ONLY. Here is how I’m inclined to reason: IF I CAN BELIEVE THAT HE REALLY IS THE ONE AND ONLY, IS THERE ANY OTHER APPROPRIATE WAY TO WORSHIP AND SERVE HIM THAN WITH ALL MY HEART? There’s that passion factor again.
Let me attempt another one of my personal opinion paraphrases that I think states the essential idea: “Out of all the religious ideologies available that characterize God—all claiming to be true—I have made a selection—I choose Jehovah as the One and Only True God of the universe. Wonderful evidence abounds to support my choice. And I purpose to praise Him with every bit of my being!”
A few psalms back the writer presents a good descriptive of the nature and value of “the idols of the nations.” I would think they are the kinds of “gods” David is referring to here. Listen to that passage: “The idols of the nations are silver and gold, made by the hands of men. They have mouths, but cannot speak, eyes, but they cannot see; they have ears, but cannot hear, nor is there breath in their mouths. Those who make them will be like them, and so will all who trust in them” (Psalm 135:15-18). I would group all other empty, ineffective, lifeless, and non-life-changing religious ideologies along with these idol gods—including superficial Christianity.
David gives some objective evidence that supports his faith in the LORD. “When I called, you answered me; you made me bold and stouthearted” (v.3). He adds this: “Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes, with your right hand you save me” (v. 7).
Based on his belief and commitment to the LORD, David’s confidence is this: “The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me” (v. 8). Don’t you want that kind of confidence?
“When you relate to God as a person, you develop a personal relationship with Him.”