Insightful Musings on the Scriptures
by
Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67
Hi there, nice people.
Beautiful again out this window. Thano has already gone to work. I have lined out the little boys to pick summer apples from a tree, putting them in a bucket, with the idea of working with them to make up some applesauce. Maybe Becki could do up a crisp. Now there’s a great idea! I already did a jog…alone…I snuck off when no one was looking about 8:15am. And some guys from Teen Challenge have already come to pick up the van that I worked long on yesterday…creating and installing vinyl graphics.
Now…what to do today… The list is pretty big. I’ll get this off, then make selections.
Blessings on your day.
Love, Dad/Ray.
He will? Really? All harm? Everyone? This is another case where the Bible must be used to interpret the Bible. Without that careful exercise people can construe the Bible to say about anything they want it to say. And without taking in the whole of the Bible for ourselves we can be victims—easily duped by Bible teachers (or representatives) who manipulate and spin the Bible to say what they want it to say. A fundamental Biblical truth to always bear in mind is the fact of only TWO KINGDOMS. You can be sure that the top administration of the enemy kingdom knows and believes the Bible more thoroughly than you do—and will inspire every subtle deceptive fine-sounding trick they can to neutralize and pervert God’s truth (e.g., Matthew 4:1-11; James 2:19).
Ah—but it’s true! He will! All harm!—all, that is, that would harm our inheritance of eternal life. Everyone? No—not quite—only those who want to be kept and watched over—want to enough to seek, love, trust, and obey. Romans 8:28 helps to put the equation into perspective—“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose”...those who answer that call with a HEART AFTER GOD.
Is there any more important bottom-line principle to live by than the one that says I HAVE ABSOLUTELY NOTHING THAT WAS NOT GIVEN ME? Therefore, the exclamation of the psalmist in 121:1-2 is very appropriate—“I lift up my eyes to the hills—where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.” Let me attempt my own paraphrase—“Even the beautiful majestic strong enduring mountains offer no explanation or reliable resource for my success in life. I need to look higher. Without a doubt my true help comes from the One who not only made the mountains, and not only made the entire earth, but also made the infinite expanse of the heavens. That’s pretty big help!”
Here’s another bottom-line principle to live by: YOU AND I DESPERATELY NEED HELP.