2016 picture of Ray Sparre

Insightful Musings on the Scriptures

by

Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67



6 May 2019

Good evening, dear ones.

I didn’t do exploits today. I began by getting out of bed. Tazzy was out of sorts this morning and didn’t join my on my run. Strange. I stayed busy from then on—including a run into Portland to get some sign materials. Tomorrow morning I carry on with a sawmill job in Dallas.

Good night. Love and prayers. Ray.


6 May 2019
2 Peter 1
Focus:“For this reason, beloved ones, be eager to confirm and validate that God has invited you to salvation and claimed you as his own. If you do these things, you will never stumble. As a result, the kingdom’s gates will open wide to you as God choreographs your triumphant entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Messiah.”
2 Peter 1:10-11 (The Passion Translation).

The implicit warning I see here is, BEWARE OF MEDIOCRITY. In other words, beware of anything less than passionate devotion. Beware of that dangerous notion that says, “I don’t think I need to be a hot on-fire believer. I just want to be an average adequate Christian—luke warm enough to get by—to make it into that eternal gate without eviction—even if it’s by a slim margin.” Well—I have no confidence in a favorable future for that line of thought.

If Peter spoke truth at the beginning of this chapter, I am forced to conclude that there is no excuse or justification for mediocrity among those who have been activated and enlightened by the Holy Spirit and have access to God’s Word. “Everything we could ever need for life and complete devotion to God has already been deposited in us by his divine power. For all this was lavished upon us through the rich experience of knowing him who has called us by name and invited us to come to him through a glorious manifestation of his goodness. As a result of this, he has given you magnificent promises that are beyond all price, so that through the power of these tremendous promises you can experience partnership with the divine nature, by which you have escaped the corrupt desires that are of the world” (2 Peter 1:3-4. TPT).

As you probably already know, the manufacturing and marketing of vitamins and supplements in the USA is a multi-billion dollar industry. Many people are highly motivated to find resources that promise to achieve and sustain their physical health. Our nation could not contain the impact of revival if those same people were equally as eager to seek spiritual diets, exercises, vitamins, and supplements toward their spiritual health and well-being. That’s an idea that particularly resonates with this translation: “So devote yourselves to lavishly supplementing your faith… (v. 5ff, TPT)—and proceeds to list several supplements that we are wise to take on a regular basis for optimal health.


“God, your wrap-around presence is my protection and my defense.
You bring victory to all who reach out for you.”

Psalm 7:10 (The Passion Translation)