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 Nov 10
           
Good morning, dear ones.
            It’s a little too dark to see the creek…but I can hear it here inside…and know it is a torrent…since we’ve had torrential rains.  High winds also blew things apart around our place yesterday.  I’m sure I need to go re-cover lumber and firewood piles as well as some equipment. No rest for the wicked—or the righteous.
            Much to do.  I’m sure we’re in the same canoe.  Keep paddling.  And be blessed. 
                        Love, Dad/Ray
 
18 November 2010
Passage: John 13:1-30
Focus: “And it was night.” John 13:30.
           
I realize that this last statement of today’s reading is simply an indication as to what time of day it was.  But I wonder if it also serves to indicate the real spiritual battle that was raging behind the scenes—out of the view of human perception.  It would seem that the kingdom of DARKNESS was intensely active, and making quite an advance. Verse 2 says that “the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus.”  Verse 27 says, “As soon as Judas had taken the bread, Satan entered into him.”  And then verse 30: “As soon as Judas had taken the bread, he went out. AND IT WAS NIGHT.”
            Insofar as Judas was concerned, it was now very much NIGHT.  He had rejected the LIGHT and thereby allowed himself to become a puppet of DARKNESS. However, had you been able to meet Judas on that night and ask him, “Hey, Judas, are you sure you know what you are doing?” I’m quite sure he confidently would have said something like, “Of course I know what I’m doing!”  Well, there’s certainly nothing new about this DARK thinking.  The kingdom of DARKNESS has always been the kingdom of DECEPTION.  “And no wonder, for Satan himself (the king of DARKNESS) masquerades as an angel of LIGHT” (2 Corinthians 11:14).
            Let’s be reminded of what Jesus said in the last two chapters on the subject of LIGHT and DARKNESS.  John 11:9-10: “Are there not twelve hours of DAYLIGHT?  A man who walks by day will not stumble, for he sees by this world’s LIGHT.  It is when he walks by NIGHT that he stumbles, for he has no LIGHT.”  John 12:35-36: “You are going to have the LIGHT just a little while longer.  Walk while you have the LIGHT, before DARKNESS overtakes you.  The man who walks in the DARK does not know where he is going.  Put your trust in the LIGHT while you have it, so that you may become sons of LIGHT.”
            I’m thinking of the spiritual law expressed in James 4:17.  I think the shoe fits.  “Anyone, then who knows the good he ought to do (who receives LIGHT) and doesn’t do it (ignores or rejects LIGHT), sins (puts himself in DARKNESS).”  Let’s understand that to sin is a choice.  When a man chooses sin over known righteousness, he is virtually turning off the LIGHT.
            Paul follows in this perspective: “But you, brothers, are not in DARKNESS…You are all sons of the day (LIGHT).  We do not belong to the NIGHT or the DARKNESS.  So then, let us not be like those who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled.  For those who sleep, sleep at NIGHT, and those who get drunk, get drunk at NIGHT.  But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet” (1 Thessalonians 5:4-8).
 
“Life may be short, but it gives most people enough time to outlive their good intentions.”