Pastor Bob DuPar
January 26, 2008

Journal Entry


Scripture

Exodus 2:11-3:22; Matthew 17:10-27; Psalm 22:1-18; Proverbs 5:7-14.

Observation

What an incredible experience to see the burning bush. And, to hear for the first time that God’s name is “I am.” From generation to generation that is how God is to be remembered.

I wonder how many times (like the disciples) I am unable to work miracles because I “have so little faith.”

I am most fascinated (out of all of today’s reading) by the fact that David records his own thoughts and experience and yet it is also prophetic in how it relates to Christ’s experience (Messianic). This is pretty amazing when you consider that verses 14-18 in particular, vividly describe the suffering of crucifixion: the pain, the extreme thirst, asphyxiation, and agony to the hands and feet. And, crucifixion was a means of execution not even known until Roman times!

Application

I want to be careful to never miss God – even in a chance encounter with an ordinary bush. I also want to be a man of faith. I want to live, expecting that God will do incredible things, not surprised and taken back when He does.

Prayer

“Lord, help me to look for you everyday, in people, circumstances and even inanimate objects! Help me to be a man of faith, a man you can use.”

Pastor Bob DuPar
January 25, 2008

Journal Entry


Scripture

Genesis 50:1-Exodus 2:10; Matthew 16:13-17:9; Psalm 21:1-13; Proverbs 5:1-6.

Observation

What a tender scene as Joseph mourns the loss of his father Jacob. And, what a period of embalming and mourning: 117 days in all! That’s like 1/3 of a year!

I love Joseph’s graciousness with his brothers. Once again he has a firm grasp of the sovereignty of God, and a truly forgiving heart:

“Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives!”

I think Moses had a wise mother. And, how cool that she got paid to nurse her own son.

Peter is a good example of how in one moment we can say something great, truly inspired by God. And, in the next moment say something fleshly, inspired by the devil! We need to quit while we’re ahead.

Jesus’ words in Matthew are powerful, “What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? For what can a man give in exchange for his soul?”
These words remind me of Jim Elliott’s words, “He is no fool who gives what he can’t keep to gain what he cannot lose.”

It’s interesting to note that John (the author of the Gospel of John) is one of the three who witnesses Jesus’ transfiguration.

Application

I want to work on being a consistently forgiving person. I need to also continually remember what is eternal and what is temporal – and adjust my priorities accordingly.

Prayer

“Lord, help me to see Your glory in my life and the lives of others. May I not miss out on the mighty things which You are doing.”

Pastor Bob DuPar
January 24, 2008

Journal Entry


Scripture

Genesis 48:1-49:33; Matthew 15:29-16:12; Psalm 20:1-9; Proverbs 4:20-27.

Observation

I was impressed by the Matthew passage today. Jesus goes up on a mountainside and people follow him – seems simple enough on the surface, until you realize that people brought their crippled, lame and blind friends to Jesus. That must have taken some real dedication, effort and patience!

It interesting that once again Jesus insists that His disciples get invested in the needs of the people. And, it’s sad later in the passage that the disciples really had not gained any insight from this second mass feeding/miracle.

I liked the following proverb: “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.”

Application

I would like to think that I would make the effort and have the heart to bring my friend to Jesus. Do I learn from the things God has done in my life? Do I get callous to God’s mighty acts? I need to guard my heart from mindless things as well.

Prayer

“God, please help me to trust you and to learn from the experiences and blessings which You allow to come my way.”

Pastor Bob DuPar
January 23, 2008

Journal Entry


Scripture

Genesis 46:1-47:31; Matthew 15:1-28; Psalm 19:1-14; Proverbs 4:14-19.

Observation

I find it very interesting that Jacob “blessed” Pharaoh. I’m going to have to look into that and do a word study to see what that entailed.

I’m challenged and convicted by Jesus when He quotes Isaiah,

“You hypocrites! You honor Me with your lips but your hearts are far from Me. You worship Me in vain; your teachings are but rules taught by men.”

I’m also fascinated that Jesus alludes to the parable of the sower and the seed which He has just taught (and which His disciples have already forgotten!) when talking about the Pharisees: “Every plant which My Heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by the roots.”

I love the faith of the Canaanite woman to even approach Jesus, much more to engage Him in theology!

I loved the following portions of the Psalms:

“The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul. …The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes. …By them is Your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward. …Forgive my hidden faults. Keep Your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me!”


Application

I need to always make sure that my walk matches my talk. I don’t want my worship, my service or anything else to be in vain. I desire to be revived by God’s Word – daily, to find joy in His Word & discover His great reward!

Prayer

“God, forgive my hidden faults. Keep me from willful sins. May they not rule over me. May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.”

Pastor Bob DuPar
January 22, 2008

Journal Entry


Scripture

Genesis 44:1-45:28; Matthew 14:13-36; Psalm 18:37-50; Proverbs 4:11-13.

Observation

Wow! Today’s reading was incredible! Where do I begin to comment?! I don’t know if I have too much estrogen in my system or if it’s the fact that I live with 4 girls/women, but I cannot read the climax of the story of Joseph and his brothers without crying. I have read it 100 times and it gets me every time. I can’t help but think of the parallels with Christ as well. Someday when we see Jesus He will say, “Come close to me! Do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for sending Me to the cross, because it was to save lives that God sent Me ahead of you.”

And, what an awesome grasp of God’s sovereignty which Joseph possesses: “So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God!”

It cracks me up when he sends them away to bring back their father. He says to them, “Don’t quarrel on the way!” This conjures up in my mind a 3 Stooges picture where they are hitting each other and poking each other’s eyes all the way back to Canaan saying, “I told you not to throw him in the pit! Well, you’re the one who thought of selling him to the slave traders!..”

And then, what beautiful words are recorded when the sons tell their father Israel that Joseph is still alive. The text says that Jacob “revived” and said, “I will go and see Joseph before I die.”

NT:
Jesus amazes me. John the Baptist has just died and Jesus goes away to a “solitary place” to mourn. The crowds are like the Paparazzi and they follow Him in search of healing. If I were Jesus (which I’m obviously not!) I would have sent them away and said, “Can’t you see I’m grieving. Get away!” But, instead the passage says that He felt compassion for them and healed their sick! Amazing!

Then, the disciples come and suggest that He send the people packing to go look for their own food. Even then, Jesus doesn’t send them away and He makes His disciples take ownership in the situation when He replies, “You give them something to eat.” He follows this with the great miracle of the feeding of the 5,000 (really probably more like 20,000).

But, what really impresses me is that after Jesus has fed them and has met their needs, He goes back to doing what He was doing before they interrupted Him: “After He had dismissed them, He went up on a mountainside by Himself to pray.” What focus! He knew He needed that time with His Father. He knew that He needed to recharge His batteries in His human state. And, then He goes right back to doing what He does best: walking on water, calming storms, healing the sick, and miracles in general!

Application

I need to always be available to people and their needs. Yet, I also need to be aware of my own needs and guard my alone time with God. I would also like to have Joseph’s perspective on God’s sovereignty – that I would trust God with my life and my circumstances and not blame my situation on others or on misfortune.

Prayer

“God, thank You for always having time for me. Thank You for modeling, through the example of Jesus, that people matter to You. Help me to stay close to You and to feed upon Your Word that I might have the energy and resources to be able to meet the needs of others without depleting myself.”

Pastor Bob DuPar
January 21, 2008

Journal Entry


Scripture

Genesis 42:18-43:34; Matthew 13:47-14:12; Psalm 18:16-36; Proverbs 4:7-10.

Observation

I love the story of Joseph. The tension and drama in the text gets me every time. I like what Joseph’s steward says to the brothers, “Don’t be afraid. Your God, the God of your father, has given you treasure in your sacks.”

Matthew’s comment in 13:58 convicts me and challenges me,

“And He did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith.”

The story of John the Baptist strikes me as very sad. What a humble servant of God who constantly pointed the attention toward Jesus – saying things like “I must decrease; He must increase,” and “I am unworthy even to unlatch the tie of His sandals.” You would like to think that if you give your life to the Lord in faithful, humble service that there is some sort of protection that comes along with that. But, tragically his life ends with his head displayed on a platter because King Herod is enamored with some young, cute little airhead.

I loved the following portions of the Psalms:

“He brought me out into a spacious place; He rescued me because He delighted in me.” (What a concept that God delights in me! That blows my mind.)

“You, O Lord, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light.”

“As for God, His way is perfect; the Word of the Lord is flawless.” (Makes me think of the Word in our study of John)

And finally, “It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect.”

Application

May I not lack in faith. I want to see your miracles Lord. I feel like the man who said, “I believe. Help my unbelief!” I also need to understand that many times service to the Lord comes without honor and appreciation – especially from those closest to one’s ministry.

Prayer

“God, please build in me a consistent faith and trust. May I never doubt that ‘Your way is perfect and Your Word is flawless.’ I pray that you would ‘arm me with strength and make my way perfect’ according to your promise.”

Pastor Bob DuPar
January 20, 2008


Journal Entry


Scripture

Genesis 41:17-42:17; Matthew 13:24-46; Psalm 18:1-15; Proverbs 4:1-6.

Observation

I almost laughed when Joseph says to Pharoah, “And now let Pharoah look for a discerning and wise man and put him in charge of the land of Egypt.” I wonder who he’s going to pick! Joseph’s trust and patience in God finally really pays off.
It has always amazed me that Jesus sows the seed on all of the different types of soil even though he knows that only 1 out of the 4 will produce fruit. It’s also interesting that the parable differs from earlier in Matthew 13 in that earlier the seed is the Word of God, and later it’s Christians that are sown in the world to make a difference and reap a harvest.
The story of the man who found treasure in the field and went and sold everything he had so that he could buy that field has always excited me and convicted me at the same time!

Application

I need to bloom where I’m planted and bear fruit in good circumstances and in bad. I need to trust the Lord of the Harvest to use me and to be patient when God’s timing is not my timing. I also need to remember that Satan’s deception is oh so subtle and sometimes not noticeable until the very end.

Prayer

“God, please use me to make a difference in the world. Help me to trust your sovereign plan – that I am where you intend for me to be. And, that you will use me to touch the lives of those around me.”