Insightful Musings on the New Testament
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 is following, and an archive of all his daily devotional writings for 2010.

|  Daily Reading Guide  |  2010 Devotion Archives  |
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 2 Aug. 10
            Warm greetings on this chilly morning.
            I don’t know how accurate it is, but our thermometer on the back deck reads about 49 degrees.
            Things are looking up.  I’m getting this devotional done and launched before my jog.  I really do favor rising about 4am so I can walk through this routine with a fairly alert functional brain.  Trying to do thoughtful writing at 10pm for me is almost like trying to push a rope. Pure difficulty.
            I need to line out some sign work, set up the sawmill, troubleshoot some problems, and mill out a small order of cedar fencing.  Then tonight we have guests coming.  No time for boredom for sure.
            May you be blessed in the Lord.
                        Love, Dad/Ray
 
2 August 2010
Passage: 2 Corinthians 10
Focus: “…and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”  2 Corinthians 10:5.
            Contained in Paul’s defense of his apostolic ministry is an essential principle for all believers toward Christian success.  It is a principle that calls for constant psychological discipline.  We might call it BIBLICAL MIND CONTROL.  But it’s not JUST psychological.  It is also spiritual, because it employs the most dynamic resource of spiritual power available to man—the proper use and application of THE WORD OF GOD—which is “the sword of the Spirit” (Eph. 6:17). “For THE WORD OF GOD is living and active.  Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart” (Heb. 4:12). 
            Let me say it again with exclamation: This is an ESSENTIAL principle for ALL believers toward CHRISTIAN SUCCESS!  Why?  Because to overlook, neglect, or reject it is to guarantee CHRISTIAN FAILURE.
            Have you noticed that virtually everything you do in life is a result of your thought processes?  Thoughts are definitely linked to your behavior and quality of life.  Please do not buy into the notion that thoughts are just thoughts—that they just come and go as they please and you hardly have any control over them.  That’s a recipe for becoming a psychological and emotional basket case.  Here’s how it works in simple form: THINK RIGHT—LIVE RIGHT.  THINK WRONG—LIVE WRONG.  And remember—there are only 2 kingdoms—God’s and Satan’s.  God wants you to think right and has provided a standard and resource for doing so.  Satan wants you to think wrong and will employ every subtle and deceptive trick he can to neutralize or destroy your faith.  It boils down to a matter of choice.  Which do you choose?  Please understand that the right choice is a 24/7 choice.
 
            “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you” (Ps. 119:11).