Insightful Musings on the Scriptures
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 has followed, and an archive of all his daily devotional writings for 2010 and 2011.

| Sparre Home Page |  Daily Reading Guide  |  2011 Devotion Archives  |  2010 Devotion Archives  |
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4 Oct 11
            Good morning, dear fellow pilgrims.
            The idea of pilgrims comes to mind since I’m aware that none of us have been before where we precisely are now.  It’s both an adventure…and a learning experience.  Sometimes we may be tempted to wish we could call a time out due to what seems to be overload.  But do you remember that chorus that goes, “The Lord knows the way through the wilderness—all I have to do is to follow?”  There is a certain amount of uncharted wilderness in TODAY.  So…”Put your hand in the hand of the Man who stilled the waters…”
            Time to move on to other things.  Have a great day.
                        Love, Dad/Ray
 
4 October 2011
Psalm 133
Focus: “How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!” Psalm 133:1.
            I’ve heard people express how much they enjoy a hot oil massage.  Apparently it can be quite soothing to stressed and sore muscles—relaxation for body and mind.  I suppose that could be a parallel to the metaphor the psalmist uses to describe the beautiful benefit of real heart-level unity in human relationships.  “It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down upon the collar of his robes” (v. 2).  I doubt that the ladies can identify very well with the enjoyable sensation of oil on their beards, but it is easy to agree that unity of values, goals, and plans act like valuable lubricant to any fellowship—without which mutual living becomes abrasive and requires much more effort.  Evidence abounds all around us to demonstrate the ugly consequences of disunity in families, marriages, churches, businesses, and governments.
            You probably remember the question posed by the Prophet Amos—“Can two walk together except they be agreed?” (Amos 3:3).  If two people are going to walk hand-in-hand, it is impossible to be heading in different directions.
            It could be of benefit for us all to review Jesus’ prayer in John 17. It is an expression of God’s highest desire among those who represent Him.  It is not necessarily a prayer for UNIFORMITY, but for general UNITY—an important distinction—where all are loving God passionately and seeking first His Kingdom rule.  After all, God is the One who made us uniquely different—different in appearance, gifting, aptitude, personality, etc.  So the great standard really is, and always will be, UNITY AMIDST DIVERSITY.
            Take note of the last verse of this mini-psalm—“For there (in UNITY) the LORD bestows his blessing, even life forevermore” (v. 3).
 
“We must hang together or assuredly we shall hang separately.”  - Benjamin Franklin