Insightful Musings on the Scriptures
by
Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67
Well, how are you doing this morning?
If you can find any time at all in your frantic schedule, I’m kind of hungry for an answer.
I have a pretty big list before me again. But rather than force the items into time-frame bites, I’ll just start moving with top priorities…and see how far I get. If it’s a normal day, I won’t get very far. But at least I was able to get out of bed, take nourishment, and pursue fellowship with my Lord. In the course of such a lifestyle, I find that opportunities keep presenting themselves for sharing a message of encouragement…which plays out to be an effective antidote to discouragement.
Becki and I will take on a walk/jog about 7am…then get on with the day. May you be blessed as you get on with yours.
Love, Dad/Ray
When the rulers of the synagogue at Pisidian Antioch recognized Paul and Barnabas as visitors, it was no accident that they said to them, “Brothers, if you have a message of encouragement for the people, please speak.” If we can believe that these first missionaries were indeed sent by the Holy Spirit, there is no difficulty believing that this opportunity was a “God thing.” Even though he didn’t say it out loud, Paul had to say internally, “Yes indeed—do we ever have such a message!!!” He proceeded to give a concise presentation of the Gospel. Verse 39 stands out to me as a wonderful and profound MESSAGE OF ENCOURAGEMENT: “Through Him everyone who believes is justified from everything you could not be justified from by the law of Moses.” The same Spirit that sent these missionaries touched many hungry and responsive souls that day.
Many of us, by virtue of frequent exposure, have become so accustomed to the Word of God and the basic Gospel message that we lose a measure of our sense of marvel and appreciation for it. It is too easy for the commonly-heard Gospel to become commonplace. But let’s be reminded right here and now that we, as believers, are custodians of a tremendous MESSAGE OF ENCOURAGEMENT for all people everywhere. It is a MESSAGE of hope and help, of light and life, of peace and power, of trust and truth, of grace and guidance, of benefit and blessing—absolutely adequate to guarantee God’s presence and pleasure both now and forevermore. Is that ENCOURAGING or what?!
Please be a faithful receiver and transmitter of this Gospel MESSAGE OF ENCOURAGEMENT. To hide or silence it is to promote darkness and discouragement.