Pastor Bob DuPar
January 18, 2008

Journal Entry


Scripture

Genesis 37:1-38:30; Matthew 12:22-45; Psalm 16:1-11; Proverbs 3:27-32.

Observation

What a sad commentary that a man of God sleeps with a prostitute and then has no shame in asking the whole town where she went! At least he gets a reality check in the end: “She (Tamar) is more righteous than I,..”

I loved the Psalms today (Psalm 16): “You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing. …The sorrows of those will increase who run after other gods. …I have set the Lord always before me. Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. …You have made know to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” Good stuff!

Proverbs 3:27, “Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act.”

Application

May I live a life that reflects and acknowledges that God is the source of everything good in my life. You, Lord, are the One who fills me (Jeremiah 2) with joy (in Your presence!) and eternal pleasures! What a concept: “eternal pleasures.” We talk about the fleeting, temporary pleasures of this life, but God offers us lasting pleasure. This reminds me of Moses in Hebrews 11:25-26: he valued the reward which he was looking forward to more than the “passing pleasures of sin.”

Finally, what a tie-in with Psalm 16 & Proverbs 3! God is my one “Good Thing” and I am not to withhold “good” from those in need! And, it is always in my power to act! So, I need to be thoughtful, intentional and proactive!

Prayer

“God, may I be a channel of Your blessing, Your “good things,” to others. May I never forget that I have not only been called to inherit a blessing but also to be a blessing (1Peter 3:9).”