Insightful Musings on the Scriptures

by

Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67

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December 1, 2014

Hello, nice people.

Our time this morning became too congested and I didn’t knock out an original. But Becki so liked the one below from the past that she had me print out 10 copies to take to her senior Bible Study in Woodburn. I managed a jog alone. Dandy was glad I did.

I just got off the phone with a logger friend. That conversation sure adds pressure to my juggling act of lining out my work load. The owner of a large property that he logged wants me to move in with my mill to process a huge pile of logs. I’m trying to figure out how I can fit that in before Spring.

Without knowing the details, I’ll bet you have a juggling act of your own. May the Lord assist us with our juggling as we live to please Him.

Love, Dad/Ray.

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01 December
1 John 1-2:14
Focus: "…we have fellowship one with another…” 1 John 1:7.

Allow me to draw your attention again to John 21—our reading from yesterday. Remember where Jesus asked the question of Peter, “Do you love me?” The Greek scholars tell us that two distinct concepts are used by Jesus, both of which are translated “love” in English. The first is AGAPE (agapao) which I think can well be paraphrased as intelligent commitment love. It has roots in the will—choice driven. The second word translated “love” in Jesus’ question to Peter is PHILEO (phileos). It is more of an emotionally based friendship or fellowship love. I think it is clear to us that both are required in our relationship with our Lord. For our purposes here, I want to highlight the latter. Jesus was asking Peter—and asking us today, “Have you yet found what I have come to establish…personal enjoyment in your relationship with me? Are we bonded by friendship?”

Think of it. You and I have the privilege of friendship and fellowship with God. He is not just an austere and Almighty heavenly God up there somewhere. He is EMANUEL. “And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ” (1:3). He is a wonderful ever-present PERSONAL Savior. And “if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin” (1:7). What a deal!

If you have your hymnal nearby, let’s turn to page 237 and sing together, FRIENDSHIP WITH JESUS. Well, here—I’ll just print it out:

1. A friend of Jesus, oh, what bliss that one so weak as I
   Should ever have a friend like this to lead me to the sky.
   
   Cho: Friendship with Jesus, Fellowship divine;
   Oh what blessed sweet communion, Jesus is a friend of mine.


2. A friend when other friendships cease, a friend when others fail;
   A friend who gives me joy and peace, a friend who will prevail.


3. A friend to lead me in the dark, a friend who knows the way;
   A friend to steer my weak, frail bark, a friend my debts to pay.


4. A friend when sickness lays me low, a friend when death draws near;
   A friend as through the vale I go, a friend to help and cheer.


5. A friend when life’s rough voyage is o’er, a friend when death is past;A friend to greet on Heaven’s shore, a friend when home at last.