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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13 Nov 11
Hi, dear people.
Only 15 minutes away from our appointment for the Gospel Sing session at Pheasant Pointe. So we need to rush off. Not sure how to handle everything with 4 grandkids here.
Blessings on your remaining day.
Love—Dad/Ray.
13 November 2011
Job 23
Focus: “But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.” Job 23:10.
I’m reminded of a quote by Karl Marx following the spread of his lousy ideology as he observed the phenomenon of his disciples being called “Marxists.” He apparently became irritated at noting the corruption of his views by those claiming to be his followers by adding or subtracting stuff he didn’t authorize or intend. At that he exclaimed, “If there is anything I am NOT, it is a ‘Marxist!’” I have reason to believe that there are certain displays of Christianity that are so distorted by standards of the original that Christ Himself could exclaim in those cases, “If there is anything I am NOT, it is a ‘Christian!’”
By standards of genuine Biblical Christianity, did you notice an essential ingredient conspicuous by its absence within Eliphaz’s preceding speech?—even though he presumes his presentation represents God’s truth? What is it? Give up? How about COMPASSION? As I process this whole big idea, I am forced to conclude that compassionless Christianity is little more than just another form of religious heathenism. It does not represent the goals and purposes of God who so loved the world that He gave COMPASSION that leads men to redemption.
Job is irritated. He KNOWS that these guys who are claiming to represent God are NOT representing God. He expresses his longing to bypass the reps and go to the top. “If only I knew where to find him; if only I could go to his dwelling!...I would find out what he would answer me, and consider what he would say…he would not press charges against me. There an upright man could present his case before him, and I would be delivered forever from my judge” (vv. 3-7).
I know this may be somewhat repetitious of me, but here is the core reason why the Good News of the New Testament Gospel is so GOOD—THROUGH CHRIST YOU CAN GO TO THE TOP! Can there be anything more unfortunate than to be given this Gospel opportunity and not accept it? How wise is it to be consumed with only haggling and hassling with the reps? How unfortunate that so many of the reps are more concerned with their rep clubs and associations than with the heart of the Top.
In the course of our missionary ministry, I had frequent reason to affirm something like, “You don’t really NEED missionaries! They are NOT the GOAL, although they can be an important and helpful means to a more important end. But what you really-really-really NEED is to be transformed by the renewing of your minds by means of the living and enduring Word of God!” (Romans 12:2; 1 Peter 1:23). After all, what good are missionaries, pastors, teachers, counselors, and churches if that is not the goal and the effect? And to be sure, that goal requires a vital personal connection and relationship with the TOP! A nice relationship with the reps is not adequate.
Job comes through with another one of his golden nugget declarations—“When he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.” Wow! Where did Job glean this level of faith—if not by personal revelation? Even through his suffering, and even though he didn’t understand, he believed the Almighty was up to something good. He knew that the One at the Top had top plans. He didn’t even have access to the First Epistle of Peter. Let’s review some of that letter. “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade — kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith — of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire — may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls” (1 Peter 1:3-9). And later in the letter he repeats the same urgency—“Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed” (1 Peter 4:12-14).
“Faith is like radar that sees through the fog the reality of things at a distance that the human eye cannot see.” - Corrie ten Boom