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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25 Dec 11
Merry Christmas, dear ones!
It’s pretty calm around here. And all through our house, not a creature is stirring…except Becki putting some things away in the kitchen. After sending this, we will stir ourselves out of the house and do a little walk/jog.
May your Christmas be blessed with awe, marvel, and gratitude.
Love, Dad/Ray
25 December 2011
Proverbs 25
Focus: “Remove the dross from the silver, and out comes material for the silversmith; remove the wicked from the kings’ presence, and his throne will be established through righteousness.” Proverbs 25:4-5.
I don’t know about you, but I have no difficulty recognizing the acknowledging ORIGINAL SIN (an inherited sin nature). No—I have never murdered, raped, or robbed a bank—but I might have done so in my earlier years if it would have been convenient, or if I thought I could get away with it and still maintain my deceptive image of being “a good little Christian kid.” My memory these days is ailing, but it’s quite clear enough to dredge up a substantial amount of evidence that I was, in fact, a rotten kid. Lying, stealing, cheating, unkindly persecuting some that were “different”—just some of the ugly DROSS that I can recall. This is to say that I too am in desperate need of a SAVIOR FROM MY SINS.
I realize Solomon was stating this principle in regards to an earthly kingdom. But as I make this honest confession, suddenly these two verses I’ve selected light up with Christmas lights—a spectacular display—powered by AMAZING GRACE. Wow! Do you see what I see?
Please allow me to recount some of the background of the original Christmas story by quoting from Matthew. “This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins’” (Matthew 1:18-21).
Prayer: “O God—there is no way I could thank You enough for providing me with a SAVIOR from my self—from my own sins. Be free to purge all the rotten DROSS from the contaminated material of my life so that You can remake me into a piece for your pleasure—one You can use. Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, in this earthen vessel as it is in heaven. Amen.”
“If you can’t be thankful for what you receive, be thankful for what you escape.”