Insightful Musings on the Scriptures
by
Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67
Hello, dear people.
Becki and I just finished a little walk/jog on our own property. It’s a little frustrating as the dogs tend to be so bound to their own ideas about how the ball tossing should go. Right now is pretty sunshine out there. Hope it sticks as I have a lot of stuff to do outside.
I have more work coming my way simply by opening my inbox. A guy is seeking my assistance with my boom truck. That comes to add even more pressure to what I already have. But I’ll check it out and probably offer the guy a solution. Three other sign jobs are in the works, plus milling…etc. If the pressure were a little less, I would be tempted to hang it all up for the day and head to Mt. Hood. I’ve not had my skis out all winter, and today looks to offer great conditions with fresh snow.
Have a great day.
Love, Dad/Ray.
This is the concise message proclaimed by Jesus following the preparatory ministry of John the Baptist.
THE TIME HAS COME. How do we define this special time of which Jesus speaks? Romans 5:6-8 offers an answer: “You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly…God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Consider also Hebrews 1:1-2: “In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.”
THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS NEAR. Ephesians 2:12-13 can give us some clarification as to the nearness of the Kingdom of God, especially for those of us who are of Gentile status: “…remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.”
Yesterday while returning home from picking up some business supplies, I came onto a horrible accident. The congestion caused an impasse and I had to turn around and go another way. I confess that while driving away I burst into tears and intercessory prayer for whomever might be hanging over eternity at that critical point. There had to be serious injury and probable death involved. I can’t, nor do I want to, shake off my Bible-based belief that human life on this earth is very frail, relatively brief, and yet becomes a critical determiner of eternal destiny. Membership in the KINGDOM OF GOD, therefore, is not automatic but is presented as a gracious option—a marvelous opportunity.
REPENT AND BELIEVE THE GOOD NEWS. So this is the basic requirement for getting in on all the benefits of this marvelous opportunity—think of it—just REPENT AND BELIEVE THE GOOD NEWS. Could there even be any news better than what is afforded by this opportunity?—the opportunity to be freed from sin and guilt, to live pleasing in relationship with one’s Maker, and to be awarded heaven with Him as an eternal residence? I’m convinced that these requirements of repenting and believing come relatively easy for anyone willing to sincerely seek God with a desire to participate in His Kingdom (Matthew 6:33).