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.
| Sparre Home Page | Daily Reading Guide | 2011 Devotion Archives | 2010 Devotion Archives |
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7 Oct 11
Good afternoon, dear people.
It was only minutes ago that I changed from my jogging morning attire…and I didn’t even jog. It has been one thing after another to captivate and consume my time. I need to keep cruising to meet some other time-pressure deadlines…so, good bye for now.
Blessings on your day.
Love, Dad/Ray
7 October 2011
Psalm 136
Focus: “Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good. His love endures forever.” Psalm 136:1.
What a special psalm! It’s fun to read. I feel the pulse of the music—as though it is being performed by the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir with a full orchestra background. My foot taps. And I resonate with its pronouncements—expressions way beyond just poetic form—but TRUTH put to song. 26 verses in all—and 26 times this foundational theme is declared—HIS LOVE ENDURES FOREVER. What a theme! Infinite LOVE! I’ve heard and quoted John 3:16 thousands of times—but I still have difficulty comprehending it all.
If these expressions are TRUE—that the LORD is absolutely sovereign—that He made everything—that the basis for all He does is His infinite LOVE—the question of Hebrews 2:3 rings very loud in my ears—“How shall we escape if we ignore (neglect) such a great salvation?”
I have come to conclude that, if these truths are TRUE, there is no tragedy in the universe greater than to be given the gift of human life yet never make these TRUTH connections that establish relationship with the Author of life. I am also convinced that the cause for this terrible failure is not due to a lack of evidence that would lead one to these truths, but due to a rejection or indifference to the abounding evidence. Listen again to the introductory words to John’s Gospel: “Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life and that life was the light (evidence) of men. The light (evidence) shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it” (John 1:3-5).
“Faith hears the inaudible, sees the invisible, believes the incredible, and receives the impossible.”