2007 picture of Ray Sparre

Insightful Musings on the Scriptures

by

Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67



December 27, 2015

Hello, dear people.

‘We just returned from Pheasant Pointe where we did the Gospel Sing…and after went into their television room where I was able to find the right channel on their TV. So we were able to watch the end of the game with the Rams beating the Seahawks—23-17. Phooey! Oh well. The heavenly win as presented in today’s reading sure prompts a lot more rejoicing. Our team wins!

Now, I think we’re going to run off to Costco before they close. Blessings on your evening.

Love, Dad/Ray.


27 December
Revelation 19:1-10
Focus: "Praise our God, all you his servants, you who fear him, both small and great!” Revelation 19:5.

Wow! Things are heating up in heaven as the “wedding supper of the Lamb” approaches. This is no small party! Lots of noise. Lots of excitement. Lots of praise.

Try to imagine as a loud voice booms from the Throne’s gigantic PA system: “Praise our God, all you his servants, you who fear him, both small and great!”

Let’s take time to give special attention to that special order. I trust it is not boastful to state my belief that I qualify (by means of grace) to participate in this praise. How so?

  1. I choose to believe, based upon the standards of the Word, that I have been created and designed to be His servant. I’ve learned enough about life to know that things can go real wacky if I get that turned around so that I regard God as my Genie-like servant to meet my wants and needs. (IMPORTANT QUESTION THAT YOU MUST ANSWER—INDEED, YOU ARE ANSWERING RIGHT NOW: DOES GOD EXIST FOR YOU, OR DO YOU EXIST FOR GOD?)

  2. I choose to fear Him—in fact, I’m afraid NOT to fear Him. If I really believe the description the scriptures give of The Most High, how could I deliberately conform to any other posture? There is no way I can avoid the conclusion that IT’S ALL ABOUT HIM! Nor can I avoid the conclusion that people resist that foundational fact to their own hurt.

There are two more classifications of those who are ordered to do this praising—small and great.” So which are you? Which am I? Well, I think it doesn’t really matter much. And since I know that questing for greatness is such a dangerous option, I’m quite happy with the rating of small—about the size of a grain of sand on the shore of time.

“Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory!” (Revelation 19:6-7) If this is the inspired concert song of the redeemed then, don’t you agree that it could be a good thing to be practicing your lines now

“Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
Worship the LORD with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.”
~Psalm 100:1-2 ~