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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7 Nov 11
Good evening, dear people.
Interesting day. Becki joined me on a walk/jog early. We did more work over at Camp Adams. Most of it was not progress as much as it was repairing a mistake. It called for the crane truck, the skid steer, and the sawmill…taking glue-lam beams down, re-sawing them, and replacing them. Then I loaded and delivered a cord of firewood just before dark.
I’m shooting for another 8pm bedtime. I’m tired, getting old, and need to get this next devotional thing done early so that I don’t have to finish it up in the evening with such a weary foggy head…like I have now. We’ll have some little boys all over the place tomorrow too.
Be blessed. Have a good night.
Love, Dad/Ray
7 November 2011
Job 17
Focus: “My spirit is broken, my days are cut short, the grave awaits me.” Job 17:1.
We must not pass over the dramatic contrasts presented at this point in Job’s story. Here is Job—feeling failure, foul, frazzled, forlorn, forsaken, frustrated, and fainting. But not the on-looking LORD. He is feeling pride and pleasure—that His predicted priority planning and purpose is prevailing. What Job sees as an absolute bummer—what God sees is an opportunity for blessing. Job doesn’t want to be where he is, but, in fact, he is exactly where God wants him to be. So whose perspective is the right one? Duh!
At first glance you may be inclined to think the word “blessing” to describe Job’s reality is a bit of a theoretical stretch—just some idealistic over-statement. But I can’t escape the fact that Job’s words—“My spirit is broken”—are precisely part of the required recipe for winning God’s blessing according to Jesus in His famous “Sermon on the Mount.” "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven”(Matthew 5:3). Listen also to the confidence of David: “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise” (Psalm 51:17).
This could be a good time and place to review some more of Jesus’ “Sermon on the Mount.” I’m impressed with how much of it relates to Job and his circumstances. Let’s consider a fresh spin on these familiar words by reading Matthew 5, verses 3 through 12 from THE MESSAGE (The Bible in Contemporary Language).
"You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.
You're blessed when you feel you've lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.
You're blessed when you're content with just who you are — no more, no less. That's the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can't be bought.
You're blessed when you've worked up a good appetite for God. He's food and drink in the best meal you'll ever eat.
You're blessed when you care. At the moment of being 'carefull,' you find yourselves cared for. You're blessed when you get your inside world — your mind and heart — put right. Then you can see God in the outside world. You're blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That's when you discover who you really are, and your place in God's family.
You're blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God's kingdom.
Not only that — count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens — give a cheer, even! — for though they don't like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble.”
“I thank God for my handicaps, for through them, I have found myself, my work, and my God.” - Helen Keller