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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17 August 2010
Passage: Romans 8:1-17
Focus: “The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace.”  Romans 8:6.
            It is critically important to understand that BIBLICAL MIND CONTROL is actually foundational to successful BIBLICAL LIVING.  If our minds are not controlled by the “law of the Spirit of life” in Christ, then by default it will be controlled by “the law of sin and death” (Romans 8:2).  Let’s take a few moments to walk through a few other scriptures that underscore this essential truth.
            Firstly, I want to review what I believe is a kind of key scripture—John 6:63, where Jesus states, “The WORDS I have spoken to you are SPIRIT and they are LIFE.”  I’m going to take the liberty to create a special phrase—SPIRIT WORD OF LIFE, and incorporate it into these following verses in exchange for the words “word” and “Spirit.”
            “I have hidden your SPIRIT WORD OF LIFE in my heart that I might not sin against you” (Psalm 119:11).
            “Your SPIRIT WORD OF LIFE is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path” (Psalm 119:105).
            “Man does not live on bread alone, but on every SPIRIT WORD OF LIFE that comes from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4).
            “So I say, live by the SPIRIT WORD OF LIFE, and you will not gratify the desires of the SINFUL NATURE” (Galatians 5:16).
            “Those who live according to the SINFUL NATURE have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the SPIRIT WORD OF LIFE have their minds set on what the SPIRIT WORD OF LIFE desires” (Romans 8:5).
            I sure hope you’re paying attention.  Please be careful to answer this question: What or who is controlling your mind?
 
            “God’s answers are always wiser than our prayers.”