Insightful Musings on the Scripturesby
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 has followed, and an archive of all his daily devotional writings for 2010 and 2011.
| Daily Reading Guide | 2011 Devotion Archives | 2010 Devotion Archives |
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
12 April 11
Good evening, dear people.
The time now is 8:45pm. Whew! I’ve got sawdust in every crook and cranny of my anatomy. I’m looking forward to a shower and bed. I thought I was only going to be engaged today for that sawmilling job…but they want me back in the morning. So, if they have the money, I guess I better have the time. I’m juggling schedule some to do that…but you can get away with things like that when you’re self-employed.
Have a good night. Blessings.
Oh, hey…Becki just brought little Nicholas to me. He’s been sleeping since I came home about 6pm. I suppose he’ll have his evening food and go back to bed. Hope he sleeps well.
Love, Dad/Ray
12 April 2011
Proverbs 12
Focus: “No harm befalls the righteous, but the wicked have their fill of trouble.” Proverbs 12:21.
We hear the phrase “ultimate sacrifice” as describing soldiers who die in the course of doing their duty and fighting in the cause of defending their country. For good reason we ascribe nobility to this kind of death as these people put themselves “in harm’s way” by their own choosing, for a noble cause. But while dying is definitely harmful to one’s physical health, it is not necessarily ULTIMATE HARM. And it is that idea that must be incorporated into this pronouncement in order to render the correct meaning. So, “No ULTIMATE harm befalls the righteous.”
Don’t you agree this is an important truth to maintain front and center? If not, we open ourselves to all kinds of fears—the biggest one being death. But this is where our Biblical faith equips us like no other—in life we win—in death we win—how could anyone find a better deal than that?!
David certainly shines as a role model in this regard. “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me” (Psalm 23:4). And listen to his affirmation of trust and confidence at the outset of Psalm 27. “The LORD is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1).
I’m inclined to believe that the awesome TRUTH Jesus presented to Martha is one he wants to impart to you and me. “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26). Please say, YES! A little later, Jesus encourages His disciples with these words: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27).
We’re dealing here with simple Bible math. It all adds up to the wonderful sum total that “No ULTIMATE harm befalls the righteous.”
“The man who fears suffering is already suffering from what he fears.”