2007 picture of Ray SparreInsightful 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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18 Sept 10
           
Good morning, dear ones.
            We have another memorial service to attend today…another fine man of God…promoted to Glory.  We became close to Arlan Berglund in 1967 when we first came to Oregon…and rented a little house from him right after Becki and I were married.  When I visited him a few times in the assisted living home where he resided for that last several years, it was typical to find him in his room with his Bible in his lap…still pursuing God…into his late 90s.  Another role-model.
            Hey, some sunshine is appearing through the trees.  Earlier I was hearing rain on the roof.  I think I’ll go out for a jog after sending this and see what it’s really like out there.
            Be blessed.
                        Love, Dad/Ray
 
18 September 2010
Passage: Philippians 3:12-4:3
Focus: “…I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.”  Philippians 3:12.
           
If I could reduce Paul’s main concern for his readers to one basic message, I think it would be something like this: THE VICTOIOUS CHRISTIAN LIFE IS NOT A LEISURELY, CASUAL, RELAXING, “WHATEVER,” “WALK-IN-THE-PARK” COURSE—BUT ONE OF LOVING GOD, COMMITMENT, DILIGENCE, FOCUS, GROWTH (development), AND SELF-DISCIPLINE (thus “discipleship”)—AND NOT JUST SOME OF THE TIME, BUT ALL OF THE TIME!  Quite honestly, I can’t seem to come up with any healthy reason for taking exception with this view.  In fact, as I attempt to regard Paul’s example as one that is worthy of following, I see this approach to life and faith paying valuable dividends for me personally—as well as in the lives of others who are like-minded.  This seems reminiscent of the comparison Jesus spoke of regarding the broad and easy way that leads to destruction, versus the narrow disciplined way that leads to LIFE (Matthew 7:13-14).  Be reminded again that it all boils down to a matter of CHOICE.
            Let me quote verse 12: “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.”  You’ll notice that I underlined the last phrase.  I think it’s worth raising the question as to why “Christ Jesus took hold of me?”  Without any doubt, God has gone to great lengths and vested big-time in my salvation. The CROSS proves that!  But why?  Does He love me because I’m so loveable?  No.  Because I am of such sterling character? Certainly not.  The best answer I can come up with is that He loves me NOT for what I am, but for what I may become IN CHRIST—for the potential I hold in embracing the above-mentioned approach to living—I’ll say it again—a life of LOVING GOD, COMMITMENT, DILIGENCE, FOCUS, GROWTH (development), AND SELF-DISCIPLINE (thus “discipleship”)—AND NOT JUST SOME OF THE TIME, BUT ALL OF THE TIME!
            Let me follow through by quoting verses 13 through 15: “Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it.  But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.  All of us should take such a view of things.  And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you.”
 
            “Nothing worth keeping is lost in loving and serving God.”