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  |
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

24 Sept 10
            Hello, dear people.
            At 8:08am, I see some sunshine shining through the trees out my window facing the creek.  Pretty.
            Becki left me.  If I left that statement alone, I guess it could raise lots of questions.  She left early this morning to attend a conference in Portland that addresses a growing area of concern in the medical field—TBI—Traumatic Brain Injury.  So she’ll be back this evening.
            I trust your day will go well.
                        Love, Dad/Ray
           
 
24 September 2010
Passage: Colossians 4:2-18
Focus: “Be wise in the way to act toward outsiders.” Colossians 4:5.
            Let’s briefly take apart verses 5 and 6: “Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.  Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”
            BE WISE.  First of all, notice what the text does not say.  It does not say, “Be spiritual,” or “Be evangelistic,” or “Be a witness.”  I think those qualities are assumed and expected.  It does say, “Be wise.”  In other words, be careful and thoughtful in calculating the effect of your words and behavior on those who do not share your faith.  In practical terms, what does it really mean to “glorify God?”  It means to “make Him look good.”  Be assured that all OUTSIDERS really have an internal hunger to be INSIDERS insofar as true joy, peace, love, and deliverance from sin are concerned.  If people could catch even a small glimpse of the “mystery of Christ” (4:3) in its true and balanced perspective, they would want to come aboard.  I think the bottom line is that we are not to allow our speech, behavior, or lifestyle to provide outsiders with even the slightest notion that this Gospel has no value.  Oh, but alas!—the behavior of some insiders would seem to cause outsiders to say, “Phooey!  I sure don’t need that faith!  I have enough trouble of my own!”
            MAKE THE MOST OF EVERY OPPORTUNITY.  A valid point to make is that you don’t necessarily need to strive to BE a witness; you ARE a witness.  You only need to determine and control the quality of your witness.  So, make the most of every opportunity to demonstrate a superior way of life.  Let your light shine by the way you live.
            LET YOUR CONVERSATION BE ALWAYS FULL OF GRACE.  It is only natural that a person tends to talk about what is most prominent in his mind and thoughts—what he most delights in—what he is most full of. “For out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks” (Matthew 12:34).  A man spaced out with fishing will talk fishing.  A person obsessed with football will talk football.  A person captivated by the grace of God will talk about the grace of God.  Along this line I feel kind of inspired to ask you to join me in singing that great song WONDERFUL GRACE OF JESUS.  (You don’t have to stand…unless you want to.)
 
1.      Wonderful grace of Jesus, Greater than all my sin;

How shall my tongue describe it, Where shall my praise begin?
Taking away my burden, Setting my spirit free,
For the wonderful grace of Jesus reaches me.
 
(Chorus)  Wonderful the matchless grace of Jesus,
Deeper than the mighty rolling sea;
Higher than the mountain, sparkling like a fountain,
All sufficient grace for even me;
Broader than the scope of my transgressions,
Greater far than all my sin and shame;
O magnify the precious name of Jesus,
Praise His Name!
 
2.      Wonderful grace of Jesus, Reaching to all the lost,

By it I have been pardoned, Saved to the uttermost;
Chains have been torn asunder, Giving me liberty,
For the wonderful grace of Jesus reaches me.
 
3.      Wonderful grace of Jesus, Reaching the most defiled,

By its transforming power Making me God’s dear child,
Purchasing peace and heaven For all eternity—
And the wonderful grace of Jesus reaches me.
 
            KNOW HOW TO ANSWER EVERYONE.  This line sounds a lot like what Peter said in 1 Peter 3:15: “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord.  Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.”  Good advice.
 
            “There is not enough darkness in the world to put out a single candle.”