Pastor Bob DuPar
February 9, 2008

Journal Entry


Scripture

Exodus 29:1-30:10; Matthew 26:14-46; Psalm 31:19-24; Proverbs 8:14-26.

Observation

What an awesome thing that God met and spoke with the leaders and people of Israel in the “Tent of Meeting.”

It’s interesting that Jesus took Peter and James and John with Him as He went to pray at Gethsemane – especially if the sons of Zebedee were His cousins.

What a lonely night in Gethsemane: betrayal, anxiety over future pain and suffering, a battle between the flesh and the Spirit that produced drops of blood, broken promises, a drowsy support team, and all this after three years of intense training and discipleship! How frustrating. How disheartening.

The end of the Proverbs passage is talking about “wisdom” not Jesus. Jesus is not created.

Application

This passage makes me wonder what life lessons I’ve missed despite repeated teaching, training and conviction of the Spirit.

How faithful am I? Am I so self-absorbed as to miss the power and significance of what God is doing – in me and others?

Prayer

“Lord, not as I will, but as You will. Help this to be my honest prayer – the genuine fruit of my life, not merely good intentions.”

Pastor Bob DuPar
February 8, 2008

Journal Entry


Scripture

Exodus 28:1-43; Matthew 25:31-26:13; Psalm 31:9-18; Proverbs 8:12-13.

Observation

Matthew 25:41 reminds us that Hell, the “eternal fire,” was prepared for the devil and his angels. It was never created or intended for people. Unfortunately, in rejecting Christ that is the consequence.

What a beautiful picture of being led by the Spirit as the woman with the alabaster jar of “very expensive” perfume pours it over Jesus’ head. To the world – what an odd, senseless random act! She probably had no concept that she was fulfilling Scripture and preparing Jesus for His burial. But, she followed the leading of the Spirit (somehow – the Spirit didn’t indwell people at this point) and accomplished something amazing.

I like Psalm 31:15, “My times are in Your hands.” I wish I acted and lived like I believe this more often.

And, what a clear, practical definition of “the fear of the Lord” – “to hate evil.”


Application

I would like to follow the Spirit’s direction more often and follow through with spiritual inclinations even if they don’t make much sense.

I need to live every day, every moment with the understanding and awareness that my life and times are “in God’s hands.”

I don’t hate evil near as much as I should. This needs to change.

Prayer

“Lord, help me to be more sensitive to the guidance of Your Spirit. Help me to rest more in the assurance and security of Your Sovereignty. And, help me to hate what You hate and to love what You love.”

Pastor Bob DuPar
February 7, 2008

Journal Entry


Scripture

Exodus 26:1-27:21; Matthew 25:1-30; Psalm 31:1-8; Proverbs 8:1-11.

Observation

A few things struck me in today’s reading. In Matthew 25:5 I had forgotten that it says that “all the virgins became drowsy and fell asleep.” The difference was that the wise virgins were prepared ahead of time by bring extra oil. Jesus does not condemn the foolish virgins for falling asleep but for not being prepared.

In the parable of the talents, it says that the owner called his servants and entrusted his property to them “each according to his ability.” I had forgotten that phrasing as well. Jesus knows what we are capable of and does not expect anything more. But, He also doesn’t expect anything less. And, He doesn’t want to hear excuses which place the blame on imagined faults in His character rather than taking personal responsibility for our own laziness, fear or lack of trust.


Application

I need to be fruitful with what God has given to me, knowing that His gifts of entrustment have already taken into account my gifting and abilities.

I want to be ready for the Lord’s return. Now is the time to make preparation.

Prayer

“Lord, help me to be faithful with the things and the people You have entrusted to my care. Help me to live every day as if You died yesterday, rose today and are coming back tomorrow!”

Pastor Bob DuPar
February 6, 2008

Journal Entry


Scripture

Exodus 23:14-25:40; Matthew 24:29-51; Psalm 30:1-12; Proverbs 7:24-27.

Observation

Today was the most difficult day for me so far in the reading. There were a lot of confusing references/verses.

In Exodus 23:20-21 when God refers to His “angel,” I believe that this is a preincarnate appearance of Jesus – especially since He says, “My Name is in him.” “Name” is capitalized and it means God’s attributes are in him.

What an amazing experience to be on a mountain top with God! Moses and Aaron and the 70 elders saw God and ate and drank with Him. And then, Moses was called individually by God further up the mountain, into a cloud, where he met with God for 40 days and 40 nights! Wow!

It’s confusing in Matthew 24:34 when Jesus says,

“I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.”

What Jesus meant was the generation of people living in that future day will see the completion of all the events. Jesus was not referring to the generation listening to Him then, for He had already said the kingdom had been taken from that group (21:43). That first-century generation would experience God’s judgment. But the generation that will be living at the time these signs begin to take place will live through that period and will see Jesus’ coming.

Also, in Matthew 24:36 when Jesus said,

“No one knows about that day or hour (referring to the 2nd coming), not even the angels in heaven, not the Son, but only the Father,” He was referring to the Son (Himself) in His earthly, human, self-imposed limitations state (Philippians 2). For, Jesus is divine and omniscient, and He knows all things.


Application

I need to start anticipating and enjoying my times with God with a greater realization that I am in His presence. I envy Moses’ experience with God. And yet, God promises each one of us as believers the same thing. He’s not only with us, He lives in us! O that I would act like it!

Prayer

“Lord, I desire to spend more time in Your presence – more time listening, less time talking. Help me to crave this time, to guard it, and to come away changed.”

Pastor Bob DuPar
February 5, 2008

Journal Entry


Scripture

Exodus 21:22-23:13; Matthew 24:1-28; Psalm 29:1-11; Proverbs 7:6-23.

Observation

If you are going to defend yourself against a thief, do it before sunrise – especially if you kill him! Wow! I never noticed that verse before.

And, the first verse (that I’m aware of) in Scripture regarding peer pressure:

“Do not follow the crowd in doing wrong. …Do not pervert justice by siding with the crowd.” Exodus 23:2

Matthew 24:12 sounds like the times in which we now live:

“Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.” That really hits me. It doesn’t say, “the love of some,” but rather, “the love of most!” That’s dishearten-ing.

Matthew 24:22 sounds like a mid-tribulation reference to me:

“If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened.”

Finally, Psalm 29:11 is beautiful:

“The Lord gives strength to His people; the Lord blesses His people with peace.”

Application

I don’t want to follow the crowd. I don’t want to do things simply because it’s the popular or accepted thing to do. God, please help me to stand strong for justice and for truth.

I am interested by the connection between an increase in wickedness and people’s love growing cold. This makes sense. Lord, please guard me against sin and keep my love pure and genuine.

Prayer

“Lord, I long for the strength and peace that only You can give. Continue to fill me with Yourself so that I might have an abundance to pour into the lives of others.”

Pastor Bob DuPar
February 4, 2008

Journal Entry


Scripture

Exodus 19:16-21:21; Matthew 23:13-39; Psalm 28:1-9; Proverbs 7:1-5.

Observation

All I can say is that I am glad that we do not still live by the letter of the Law. But, I must admit that I liked two of the Laws:

“Anyone who attacks his father or his mother must be put to death.”

And, I think that “verbally” should fall under the definition of “attack” as well. And,

“Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.”

Jesus’ words to the Pharisees are strong and convicting:

“Woe to you, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to.”

And later,

“You have neglected the more important matters of the law – justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced these without neglecting the former.”

And what heart-breaking words in Matthew 23:37,

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing.” Wow!

Application

I sincerely hope that I don’t keep people from the Kingdom because of my actions or hypocrisy. What a wake-up call to live a life of integrity and purity!

I also need to be fully obedient with respect to all of God’s commands while not neglecting justice, mercy and faithfulness in the process.

Prayer

“Lord, I echo David’s prayer in Psalm 28:9, ‘Save Your people and bless Your inheritance; be our shepherd and carry us forever!’ That’s the only appropriate response I can think of to a God who ‘longs to gather His children together.”

Pastor Bob DuPar
February 3, 2008

Journal Entry


Scripture

Exodus 17:8-19:15; Matthew 22:34-23:12; Psalm 27:7-14; Proverbs 6:27-35.

Observation

What a picture of teamwork and victory in the image of Aaron and Hur holding up Moses’ hands so that Joshua and the Israelites could win the battle against the Amalekites.

Jethro was certainly a wise father-in-law and had a wealth of wisdom and good advice. What a great strategy of delegation he passed on to Moses. Yet, the strategy also involved teaching: “Teach them the decrees and laws, and show them the way to live and the duties they are to perform.” Good delegation depends upon good instruction and teaching. And, what great criteria for the leaders: “capable men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain.”

What a funny scene in the NT when the Pharisees find out that Jesus put the Sadducees in their place, they choose their best expert in the Law to go head-to-head with the Lord. And, what a predictable and hilarious outcome: “No one could say a word in reply, and from that day on no one dared to ask Him any more questions!”

The Pharisees were the worst kind of leaders who tied up “heavy loads and put them on men’s shoulders, while they themselves were not willing to lift a finger to move them.” This is precisely why Jesus said, “Do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach.”

Application

I need to realize that my effectiveness as a leader hinges upon the team that I train. Team ministry is definitely most effective seeing how God created us to be interdependent. And, the victory and success is even sweeter when it is owned by a team rather than by one person.

God, please help me to practice and live what I preach. Keep me from weighing people down with burdens and expectations which even I am not willing to live up to.

Prayer

“God, humility has been a constant theme today between our lesson on John the Baptist and your words in Matthew about the greatest being your servant and the proud being humbled and the humble being exalted. Please help me to live humbly before You and others, trusting that You see my needs and will provide exactly what I need.”