Pastor Bob DuPar
August 7, 2008

Journal Entry



Scripture

Ezra 5:1-6:22; 1 Corinthians 3:5-23; Psalm 29:1-11; Proverbs 20:26-27

Observation

When Tattenai, governor of Trans-Euphrates, and Shethar-Bozenai approached the elders of the Jews and asked them their names so they could report back to their leaders, I love the response they got:

“We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth, and we are rebuilding the temple…” Ezra 5:11

I was struck by a number of verses in 1 Corinthians today:

“Neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who makes things grow.” (3:7)

“For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.” (3:11)

“Do not deceive yourselves. If any one of you thinks he is wise by the standards of this age, he should become a ‘fool’ so that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight.” (3:18)

Finally, I liked Proverbs 20:27,

“The lamp of the Lord searches the spirit of a man; it searches out his inmost being.”


Application
I would like to follow the example of the Jewish elders and refer to myself as a “servant of the God of heaven and earth,” rather than seeking name recognition.

My job is to plant and water. God’s job is to bring about growth.

People lay foundations all the time, other than Jesus, but they don’t last. May we not attempt to build anything except that which is built upon the foundation of Christ.

Prayer

“Lord, search my heart, my inmost being, and fix what is broken and displeasing to You.”