Pastor Bob DuPar
April 16, 2008

Journal Entry


Scripture

Joshua 13:1-14:15; Luke 18:1-17; Psalm 85:1-13; Proverbs 13:7-8.

Observation

Sunday there will be a quiz on which tribes got which pieces of land! For any of you that could keep all that detail straight and come away from your reading today with even 10% comprehension – you are a better scholar than the average person!

I like the introduction to the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector: “To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable…” (Luke 18:9) An attitude before God of “have mercy on me, a sinner” is what leads to justification rather than self-declared righteousness which sees no need for Christ’s sacrifice.

Application

I’m striving for a balance in my life between spiritual extremes: over confidence in my spiritual condition and a defeated spirit which is never able to notice God’s transforming power and rejoice in it.

Prayer

“God, thank You for grace. Thank You for forgiveness. Thank You for Your patience with those of us who sometimes get swollen heads, over-valuing our importance; and, your patience with those of us who never lifts our heads above the miry clay to see the beauty of transforming grace.”