Insightful Musings on the Scriptures
by
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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28 December 2011
Proverbs 28
Focus: “He who works his land will have abundant food, but the one who chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty.”  Proverbs 28:19.
            Very few raw materials are of much value without the investment of time, effort, and development that transforms that resource into a form of usefulness.  An orange hanging on a tree is of little value till one harvests and processes it.  A big fir log on the ground isn’t good for much until one bucks it up into desired lengths for firewood or sawing into lumber (which is what I do a lot).  And a piece of potentially productive land is only that—potentially productive—until someone invests enough work to tap that potential.  Even a Bible on a shelf is virtually worthless until it is harvested and implemented into one’s life.
            It is important to recognize that we are all like parcels of land, containing lots of natural resources and special features.  To live dissatisfied with one’s parcel, not putting forth the time and effort to develop its potential, and yield instead to coveting some other parcel, is to live on a par with chasing fantasies.
            A fantasy is not part of tangible reality.  It is a mental concept of fanciful pleasure produced by a creative imagination.  Fantasies don’t get work done, can consume valuable time, and don’t pay the bills.  Thus, they very easily lead to poverty.  They are virtually worthless.  But what if a fantasy could be transformed into reality?—with a practical bridge between the idea and its reality? If so, suddenly that fantasy is clothed in value.
            What do you think of quoting Colossians 1:27 with this new spin?—“Christ in you—your bridge to REAL FANTASY.”
 
“Some people who think they are dreamers are just sleepers.”