Insightful Musings on theScriptures

by

Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67

Good morning, dear ones.

The weather is looking encouraging. I want to see how close I can come to finishing up that project in SE Portland. I need to gather stuff and load up the roofing materials.

I know good and well that when I get to that point on my way to that work where I can see the tops of 3 major peaks, I will agonize—at least a little—Mt. St. Hellens, Mt. Adams, and Mt. Hood (On an extremely clear day we can even see north well enough to identify Mt. Rainier.) A little further down the road and I’ll be able to see Mt. Hood in full—probably in her full beauty—making me wish I could be up on her slopes carving S-marks in her fresh snow. Oh well.

Have a blessed day—doing and being right in His sight.

Love, Dad/Ray.

Think about it—what do you think God thinks about your thoughts? Is this not a critically worthy question?—for everyone?—everywhere in all time? After all, thoughts drive attitudes, viewpoints, and behaviors. Those manifestations don’t just pop up out of nowhere. Biblical insight also confirms that the LORD monitors it all. Early in this passage, for example, is the announcement that “The eyes of the LORD are everywhere (Is there any place, crook, cranny, or cranium that is beyond everywhere?), keeping watch on the wicked and the good” (v. 3).

I judge the words of Jesus to be true in describing the cause-and-effect relationship between thoughts and words. “…for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh” (Matthew 12:34, KJV). And it only makes additional sense that OUT OF THE ABUNDANCE OF THE HEART CHOICES ARE MADE AND BEHAVIORS ARE DETERMINED. That’s why the personal discipline of keeping a tight rein on our own thinking is so critically important if we are going to succeed in our primary purpose to PLEASE GOD. “The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:4-6).

Psalm 15 offers support to this principle. David begins by raising a rhetorical question, in so many words, “What kind of person gets to live in the pleasing presence of the LORD?” Verse 2 of his answer stands out: “He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from his heart.”

What could be some Biblical synonyms for the quality of PURE THINKING? How about PURE IN HEART? “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God” (Matthew 5:8). How about FAITH? “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him” (Hebrews 11:6). How about HOLINESS? “Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14-15).