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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19 Nov 19
            Good evening, dear ones.
            It is now the end of the day.  Both my body and my hear are telling me that…loud and clear.  What a day!  Full day.  Interesting day.
            Maybe you will remember our dog, Daisy, and her broken leg of some months ago. She has obviously re-injured that joint and it is all swollen up.  Poor Daisy.  We have some meds for her…but we’re finding it difficult to justify ringing up big vet bills.
            I guess I’d better go lay down before I fall down…like, fall off this chair.  Need to get some rest before another big day tomorrow.  Good night.
                        Love, Dad/Ray
 
19 November 2010
Passage: John 13:31-14:14
Focus: “Now is the Son of Man glorified...”  John 13:31.
            What!? How in the world can Jesus be talking about GLORY at a time like this?! His betrayer has just been released to carry on with his dastardly deeds. Jesus has to know that He is about to pass through horrific suffering, unjust persecution, and death by crucifixion?!  “Now is the Son of Man glorified?”
            My Bible Dictionary offers some important insights that expand my comprehension.  Consider this definition: “To GLORIFY—the exercise and display of what constitutes the distinctive excellence of the subject of which it is spoken.  Thus in respect to God, His glory is the manifestation of His divine attributes and perfections…glory is the expression of holiness as beauty is the expression of health.”
            It is very clear to me that neither the angry Jewish leaders nor the betrayal of Judas nor the popular opinions of the crowds were in any way the authors of the drama here unfolding.  The entire scene is right on schedule and in perfect alignment with DIVINE AUTHORSHIP.  And because of that underlying and over-riding fact, God is being GLORIFIED—whether people know it or not—whether they like it or not.
            Let’s take time to get personal and practical.  How can you and I participate in GLORIFYING GOD?  The fundamental answer is two-fold and stated quite clearly in this passage.  (1) BELIEVE (TRUST).  The KJV puts John 14:1 this way: “Let not your heart be troubled.  Ye believe in God, believe also in me.”  The same verse in the NIV reads, “Do not let your hearts be troubled.  Trust in God; trust also in me.”  It does make sense that believing and trusting go together.  (2) LOVE ONE ANOTHER.  “A new command I give you: Love one another as I have loved you, so you must love one another.  By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:34-35).
            Like the song goes—“Trust (believe) and obey (obey the command to love), for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.”  And there is no other way for you to GLORIFY GOD.
 
“Obeying God is the best prescription for spiritual health.”