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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5 Nov 10
           
Good morning, special ones.
            I sure would like to get a lot done today before more rains hits.  It’s definitely coming.  The sky to the east was all lit up with red when I glanced that direction in the early light.  “Red in the morning—sailors warning.”  But what about “landlubbers?”  Whatever. I guess we’ll have to take what comes.  Now there’s an original thought!
            Whatever color your sky is, you still have the option of being blessed.  May that be so today.
                        Love, Dad/Ray
           
5 November 2010
Passage: John 6:60-71
Focus: “Lord, to whom shall we go?  You have the words of eternal life.” John 6:68.
           
Before I respond to Peter’s very good exclamation, I want to call your attention to verse 66.  “From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.”  Notice this is the 6th chapter.  So the address is 6:66.  666?  While this may be entirely coincidental, I think the shoe fits.  (Read Matthew 12:30.) So before you let yourself get all preoccupied with the “anti-Christ” mystery number of 666 in the Revelation disclosure, make sure you pay careful attention to the “spirit of anti-Christ” that works like a default setting when we fail to seek Christ and His Lordship.
            Now—to Peter’s response to Jesus’ question put to His inner circle of disciples—“You do not want to leave too, do you?” (v. 67).  Peter seems to be the “speaker of the house”—“Lord, to whom shall we go?  You have the words of eternal life.  We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God” (vv. 68-69). 
There really are a lot of options before us insofar as where we can go with our life goals and objectives.  All kind of religious ideologies would welcome wandering sheep into their fold.  There is Baha’i, Buddhism, New Age, Islam, Hinduism, atheism, Satanism, Mormonism, Unity, and humanism, just to name a few—like booths set up in the marketplace that would open wide their arms to anyone yielding to their embrace.
            I’m thinking right now that there are some important safeguards and valid questions to ask in trying to sort out the myriad of options.  Maybe we could call it a checklist for screening the alternatives as to one’s life course:

1.      Is this package of truth claims substantiated by respectable human experience?  Are there credible role models that demonstrate its values?

2.     Does it hold value only after death, or are there practical benefits in the present?

3.     Is it verifiable and compatible with sound reasoning?

4.     Is there convincing evidence of divine origins and approval?

5.     Is it reasonably available and attainable by everyone?

6.     Does it satisfy?

7.     Does it provide one with a passion, a purpose, and a cause to live and die for?

8.     Are there consequences to rejection besides fear?  What are they?

I don’t really know what Peter used as a screening checklist when Jesus asked his question, but I believe he answered well.  His response sounds like an echo to what Jesus just said in verse 63:  “The Spirit give life; the flesh counts for nothing.  The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.” And in John 8:31-32 Jesus stated, “If you hold to my teaching (My Words), you are really my disciples.  Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
 
Man says, “Seeing is believing.”
God says, “Believing is seeing.”