Pastor Bob DuPar
February 23, 2008

Journal Entry


Scripture

Leviticus 14:1-57; Mark 6:30-56; Psalm 40:1-10; Proverbs 10:11-12.

Observation

If we can make it through the book of Leviticus we can make it through any book of the Bible! “Left hand, right hand, big toe, right forefinger, right earlobe…” I would have been offering sacrifices to cover my forgetfulness in fulfilling the laws to the letter.

I love it when Jesus says to His disciples, “Come with Me by your selves to a quiet place and get some rest.” (Mark 6:31) I don’t know if the disciples ever got a chance to eat or rest before the crowds descended upon them again, but Jesus feels compassion for the people and tells the disciples to take ownership and feed them. Matthew doesn’t include this verse in Mark 6:31 and so it just sounds like the disciples are trying to chase the crowds away. But, they had good reason. Also, Matthew tells us that this event occurred right after the death of John the Baptist. How amazing that Jesus attended to the needs of the disciples and the people even though He was grieving.

But, what a sad statement at the end of the feeding of the 5,000:

“The disciples were completely amazed for they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened.” (Mark 6:52)

Application

I hope that I learn from God’s work in my life. I want to be able to give of myself as Jesus gave of Himself. As Jesus modeled alone time with God, I need to continually take time to be in prayer and in God’s Word. What a perspective Jesus had to see needy, self-centered people as “sheep without a shepherd.” The only way that I will ever be like that is for God to give me His heart.

Prayer

“Lord, would You give me Your eyes to see others as You see them. Would You give me Your heart to love others as You love them? Help me to draw strength from You and not rely upon my own limited resources. Help me to take time to seek You and find You in quiet, solitary places.”

Pastor Bob DuPar
February 22, 2008

Journal Entry


Scripture

Leviticus 13:1-59; Mark 6:1-29; Psalm 39:1-13; Proverbs 10:10.

Observation

In regard to today’s reading, all I can say is, “Yuck!” I’m so glad that people with boils, and festering sores and infectious skin diseases go to a doctor today and not a priest/pastor! Between that and all of the slaughtering of animals I don’t know how the priests ever stayed healthy. Besides all of these concerns, the Israelites are out in the desert – where did they find enough water to continually wash and cleanse themselves of all of this impurity?

What a sad statement in Mark 6:5 that Jesus was prevented from doing more miracles because of the people’s lack of faith.

Application

I constantly have a renewed appreciation, not only for the salvation which Jesus purchased for me on the cross, but also for all of the tedious, gross laws which He saved me from having to fulfill.

I am convicted when I examine my life, wondering how many miracles I miss seeing for lack of faith.

Prayer

“Lord, may I never put You in a box, quench Your Spirit, or reduce You to what the world says that You are able to do. Please increase my faith.”

Pastor Bob DuPar
February 21, 2008

Journal Entry


Scripture

Leviticus 11:1-12:8; Mark 5:21-43; Psalm 38:1-22; Proverbs 10:8-9.

Observation

The list of laws and regulations in Leviticus exhausts me. I cannot imagine having to live by the letter of the Law.

I am struck with the reality that the woman with the issue of blood in Mark 5 had been suffering with this problem for every year that Jairus’ daughter had been alive: 12 years! It’s interesting how God has juxtaposed the stories of Scripture.



Application

I need to be continually guard myself from slipping into a “cheap grace” mentality in my Christian life.

I need to follow Jesus’ words “don’t be afraid; just believe” on a regular basis.

Prayer

“Lord, may I trust You to do above and beyond all that I can ask, think or imagine according to Your power at work in me (Eph. 3:20).”

Pastor Bob DuPar
February 20, 2008

Journal Entry


Scripture

Leviticus 9:7-10:20; Mark 4:26-5:20; Psalm 37:30-40; Proverbs 10:6-7.

Observation

The experience of Aaron’s sons dying is tragic. Exodus 10:3 describes a posture in approaching God that I believe I/we have lost as NT Christians:

“Among those who approach Me I will show myself holy; in the sight of all the people I will be honored.”

It’s amazing to me that the disciples could be with Jesus and yet miss the reality of who He was/is. I guess we do the same thing. But, when Jesus calms the storm and they ask, “Who is this that even the wind and the waves obey Him?” Jesus’ response is convicting: “Do you still have no faith?”

The demon possessed man from Gerasene is an interesting story. Jesus asks him his name and he responds, “Legion, for we are many.” A Roman legion was made up of 6,000 soldiers! I don’t know if this man had 6,000 demons in him, but however many he had – he was in extreme bondage. It’s interesting also that Jesus tells the man to spread his testimony – quite the opposite of the majority of passages where Jesus says don’t tell anyone. Perhaps it was because the people asked Jesus to leave their region (and the NT never mentions Him in this region again), and Jesus left this man as His representative.

I like Psalm 37:37b, “There is a future for the man of peace.”

Application

I need to be careful to not be so grace-oriented that I lose sight of the fact that God is holy and I am to approach Him with reverence. I am convicted that my faith is shallow and weak after all that God has done in my life and the life of my family. I would like to grow in trust.

Prayer

“Lord, I pray the words of the famous hymn: ‘May I trust in You, may I take you at Your Word, may I rest upon Your promise, and would You please grant me faith to trust You more.”

Pastor Bob DuPar
February 19, 2008

Journal Entry


Scripture

Leviticus 7:28-9:6; Mark 3:31-4:25; Psalm 37:12-29; Proverbs 10:5.

Observation

Well, I don’t have much to say about today’s reading. The thing that stands out to me the most is the all-too-familiar parable of the seed and the Sower. The seed represents the Word. The soil represents the condition of our heart. The Sower is God. And, the thorns and other obstacles to growth are Satan. I can’ help but notice that the Sower sows the seed even in places where He knows it will not grow. But, to me, it is just another example of how God’s heart is that everyone might have an opportunity to respond to the Word.

I like Psalm 37:23:

“If the Lord delights in a man’s way, He makes his steps firm; though he stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with His hand.”

This verse grabs me because it’s a twist from verse 4 of Psalm 37. This time it’s if God delights in us, and in our way, He will make our steps firm. God delights in all of us by the fact that we are His creation. But, He does not always delight in our ways – especially when our ways are contrary to His will. So, God promises to under gird the steps of those who follow Him.

Application

I need to constantly check my ways to make sure they align with God’s will and are not merely the result of my self-centered ambitions or even a careless tangent.

What a thought to be the object of God’s delight. What an inspiration to live passionately for Him.

Prayer

“Father, may I feel Your delight over me. Please help me to be aware of my actions, and to always strive to be pleasing to You. May Your great love for me motivate me to live a holy life.”

Pastor Bob DuPar
February 18, 2008

Journal Entry


Scripture

Leviticus 6:1-7:27; Mark 3:7-30; Psalm 37:1-11; Proverbs 10:3-4.

Observation

Well, we’ve been reading and journaling now for a little over a month! Have you noticed any benefits in your life and Christian walk? I know that I have.

I wondered today as I read the passage in Mark about the evil spirits falling down before Jesus and crying out, “You are the Son of God,” whether this was a visual manifestation or an audible one, or both. Something tangible happened (beyond the spirit world) for Mark to witness it and record it.

We read today about Jesus choosing the 12 disciples/apostles. Luke 6:12-13 adds to Mark’s account in telling us that prior to this “choosing” Jesus spent the night in prayer:

“And it was at this time that He went off to the mountain to pray, and He spent the whole night in prayer to God. And when day came, He called His disciples to Him; and chose twelve of them, whom He also named apostles.”

I’ve never thought about it before, but think if you didn’t make the cut! I wonder how the disciples felt who did not make the top 12. We never hear about the “B” team!

Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit in Mark 3:29, which is spoken of as an eternal sin which will never be forgiven is when someone takes the things of God, or the works of God, and attributes them to Satan. Similarly, I believe the unpardonable sin to be the sin of unbelief. God will forgive every sin except for the sin of refusing to acknowledge Jesus as Savior and Lord.

I love Psalm 37, and yet I often hear it quoted like the genie in the bottle passage: “Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.” I think we spend a lot more time thinking about the “desires of our heart” than we do about what it truly means to “delight” ourselves in the Lord. I suspect that if we truly delighted ourselves in God that we would find that our desires were more in line with His desires.

Application

I need to spend more time in prayer, not just over important decisions, but in general. I am guilty of seeing God as the Great Wish Fulfiller. I desire to grow in the knowledge of what it means to delight in my Savior.

Prayer

“God, would you teach me what it means to delight in You, to have my thoughts and focus wrapped-up in You rather than myself. Would you please speak to me during prayer? I desire to pray more, but I must confess that too many times it just feels like a one way conversation. Please help me to grow in my awareness of Your presence and my listening skills.”

Pastor Bob DuPar
February 17, 2008

Journal Entry


Scripture

Leviticus 4:1-5:19; Mark 2:13-3:6; Psalm 36:1-12; Proverbs 10:1-2.

Observation

Wow! What a bunch of laws. The law that hit me was in Lev. 5:1 – not speaking up for the truth of what one has witnessed or learned about. That person will be held responsible.

How often we forget that it’s the sick who need a doctor. I spend most of my time with healthy people.

Jesus’ encounter with the Pharisees and the man with the shriveled hand is heartbreaking. What a tragedy to be so shortsighted as to not have compassion for this man and his situation. It’s not often that the Bible mentions that Jesus was angry and deeply distressed.

I love Psalm 36:9b: “In Your light we see light.” What a neat verse and thought especially in light of all that we’ve been studying in John about light and enlightenment.

Application

I need to spend more time with lost people, sick people and people who are searching. Mark 2:15 says that there were many (lost people) who followed Jesus. I want to develop relationships with those who are unsaved and a reputation for loving and caring as Jesus did.

Prayer

“Lord, please forgive my stubborn heart and help me to see people as You see them and love them as You love them.”