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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30 Dec 11
Good morning, special people.
I wish you could see the creek right now. It is once again a raging river—brown, foamy, and fast. There has to be some flooding in the area. And it only stands to reason with all the rain and warm temperatures to melt the snowpack.
44 years today…that’s how long Becki has toughed it out living with me. She has to be a special lady.
May the Lord be your shield and refuge again today.
Love, Dad/Ray
30 December 2011
Proverbs 30
Focus: “Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.” Proverbs 30:5.
Our problem is not so much deciding whether or not words from God are true (flawless), but determining which words are truly words from God. Of course, not everyone is willing to believe that The Word of God (The Bible) is truly a collection of words from God. But my own study and experience convinces me that the Bible is basically that—THE INSPIRED WORD OF GOD. But it only becomes a dynamic “gold mine” of instruction, guidance, and revelation for just one kind of people—those with A HEART AFTER GOD. And that’s the promise and principle borne out in 2 Timothy 3:16-17—“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God (no one else) may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” Thankfully, there is a huge amount of literature available with credible and compelling scholarship that supports this view.
Here is an honest question I would like to ask of those who dislike, disbelieve, or discredit Biblical authenticity: IF there is a God who chooses to focus special attention upon His human creation and grant to them the freedom of choice that flows out of His gifting them with intelligence (objective reasoning) in order that they would seek Him and worship Him by acting on their own free will as opposed to being programmed with instinctive automation—HOW WOULD YOU LIKE OR EXPECT THIS GOD TO SPEAK? WHAT FORM DO YOU THINK HIS WORDS SHOULD TAKE?
David’s applause of God’s wonderful modes of communication with receptive humans is worthy of review: “The law (Word) of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes. The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the Lord are sure and altogether righteous. They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb. By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward” (Psalm 19:7-11).
If this claim to Biblical authority is TRUE—that the Bible serves as a vital link for humans to establish and repair relationship with their Maker—it only stands to reason that the Sovereign Author would serve as “a shield to those who take refuge in him.”
“If we abide by the principles taught in the Bible, our country will go on prospering and to prosper; but if we and our posterity neglect its instructions and authority, no man can tell how sudden a catastrophe may overwhelm us and bury our glory in profound obscurity.” - Daniel Webster