2016 picture of Ray Sparre

Insightful Musings on theScriptures

by

Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67



These devotional messages are personalized as messages to Ray's granddaughter, Samara.

3 January 2017

Hi, Mara.

In a few minutes, Mama Becki and I will be heading out into the cold to knock out our little walk/jog routine. It’s been several days since we’ve done that.

I did indeed drop those 3 big cottonwood trees yesterday—but it didn’t stop there. Before it was all over, I had 7 trees on the ground—two belonging to the neighbor. The property owner helped with his huge excavator machine.

You mentioned moving the piano into your room. It would be terrific if you not only enjoyed learning to play, but developed that skill in the direction of sharing that enjoyment with others—even ministry.

So, are you returning to school today? Have a good one.

Love, Tua.


Proverbs 3
Focus: "Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.” Proverbs 3:3-4.

Think of it this way: Everyone lives in the sight of God—and almost everyone lives in the sight of man. To be sure, the sight of God is most important. So what are the qualities He most desires to see in you and me?—those most favorable to Him? Are they not LOVE of Him and FAITHFULNESS to Him? Therefore, let me spin these two verses this way: “Make sure that LOVING GOD and FAITHFULNESS TO HIM are maintained at the very core of your being—so that they never slip from your grip; fasten them around your neck like a hangman’s noose so as to comply with being DEAD TO SIN and ALIVE TO GOD (Romans 6:11). Imprint them in big letters on the walls of your heart. Only then will you be truly GOOD TO GO—ready to fulfill God’s good and perfect will. Absolutely NOTHING is more favorable to Him than that (Romans 12:1-2).”

I’ve never heard anyone lace that kind of meaning into this passage, but I think the shoe fits. And speaking of shoes, see if you can spot the implicit metaphor of shoes in this instruction by the Apostle Paul: “Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace” (Ephesians 6:13-16).

“Then you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble…
for the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared.”

~ Proverbs 3:23-26 ~