Pastor Bob DuPar
March 8, 2008

Journal Entry


Scripture

Numbers 10:1-11:23; Mark 14:1-21; Psalm 51:1-19; Proverbs 10:31-32.

Observation

I think if I had lived in OT times I would have failed to keep God’s commands merely from lack of memory to remember all of them. I can see myself sounding the trumpet and then calling out in panic, “Sorry! False alarm! We’re not being invaded or going off to battle – I was just blowing the trumpet to acknowledge the evening sacrifice! My bad. Sorry!”

It’s interesting how God says that He will “take of the Spirit who is upon Moses and will put Him upon them (the 70 elders)” in Numbers 11:17. God’s Spirit rested upon leaders for the purpose of ministry in the OT; He did not indwell people at this time (pre-Pentecost). That’s why, later in our reading, David prays in Psalm 51, “And take not Your Holy Spirit from me.” David was praying that God would not take his ministry away from him, his mantle of leadership and authority, following his sin with Bathsheba. These 70 elders in Numbers 11 were now going to share the leadership authority and responsibility with Moses over the Israelites.

I love God’s response to Moses when Moses asks God how in the world He is going to feed 2 million Jews in the desert with meat for 30 days:

“Is the Lord’s power limited? Now you will see whether My word will come true for you or not?” (Num. 11:23)

I’m also impressed by David’s wisdom to understand that when we sin, ultimately our sin is first and foremost against God:

“Against Thee, Thee only I have sinned, and done what is evil in Thy sight…” (Ps. 51:4)

Application

What a great reminder that God’s power is not limited to our faith of human understanding. I feel like God has this conversation with me a lot: “You watch and see whether My word comes true for you or not.” For me, it’s not just an issue of trusting in God’s ability, it’s also knowing His will. I believe God can heal anyone. But, when I go and pray over sick and dying people – I never know whether God will choose to heal them or not. That’s my struggle in limiting God’s power.

Prayer

“Lord, help me to never limit Your power, to take You at Your word. Help me to remember that when I sin it is against You. Thank You for Your perfect sacrifice. Thank You for Your grace.”

Pastor Bob DuPar
March 7, 2008

Journal Entry


Scripture

Numbers 8:1-9:23; Mark 13:14-37; Psalm 50:1-23; Proverbs 10:29-30.

Observation

The picture of the Israelites moving and stopping according to whether the pillar of cloud moved or stopped is a great picture of what it means to stay in-step with God.

God ‘s words in Psalm 50:21 are powerful: “These things you have done, and I kept silence; you thought that I was just like you.” Sometimes we deceive ourselves into thinking that God is just like us – especially in times where He is silent. We have a tendency to want to pull God down to our level.

Thank goodness the days of the tribulation will be cut short! (Mark 13:20)

Application

I need to see God as the God of the Bible and not the god of my imagination who condones my selfish ambitions and sinful behavior.

Prayer

“Lord, help me to stay in step with you and seek to know You as You are revealed in the Bible.”

Pastor Bob DuPar
March 6, 2008

Journal Entry


Scripture

Numbers 6:1-7:89; Mark 12:38-13:13; Psalm 49:1-20; Proverbs 10:27-28.

Observation

I love the prayer of blessing which Aaron and his sons were to say to the Israelites as they blessed them:

“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.” (Numbers 6:24-26)

A framed wrought-iron sign hangs in my office which has the first part of this verse. I t was given to me as a going-away present when I left Ventura Missionary Church. I love God’s comment about this blessing which follows: “So they (Aaron & his sons) will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.” (Num. 6:27) That word “put” has the idea of “depositing.” God’s name represents His person and character and the priests were to deposit it in the people. So, this was more than just a prayer of protection, covering and blessing. It’s a ministry of investing.

The rest of our passage in Numbers reads like the “12 days of Christmas” song: “On the first day of offering this tribe brought to Me…”


Application

The story of the widow who gave all that she had in Mark 12 convicts me every time I read it. Do I give God all that I have, all that I am – or, do I simply give to God a small portion of my abundance?

Prayer

“Lord, help me to surrender more and more to You. I want to grow in the area of giving. I know that I can’t out-give You. Help me to trust You to provide for my needs and the needs of my family as I give sacrificially to You.”

Pastor Bob DuPar
March 5, 2008

Journal Entry


Scripture

Numbers 4:1-5:31; Mark 12:18-37; Psalm 48:1-14; Proverbs 10:26.

Observation

I don’t recall ever reading about the test and associated curse for the unfaithful wife. Sounds kind of voodoo to me!

Today’s NT passage intrigued me the most. Mark 12:18 and 12:23 present a glaring inconsistency on the part of the Sadducees:

“Then the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to Jesus with a question. …At the resurrection whose wife will she be, since the seven were married to her?”

The Sadducees did not believe in the resurrection and yet they’re asking a question about the resurrection. Do you think they were really interested in the answer? Or, were they simply interested in trying to stump Jesus and discredit His teaching and authority? Jesus’ reply is perfect: “You don’t understand the Scriptures or the power of God.” (Mk. 12:24) Mark’s commentary a little bit later in the passage is priceless: “From then on no one dared ask Him any more questions.” (Mk. 12:34)

Application

Today’s reading causes me to reflect on how many times I throw questions to God that, a. I already know the answer to, and b. I use as an excuse for procrastination in obeying Him or following through on my convictions. Jesus’ response to the Sadducees is a great analysis of why people in general are “in error” – they don’t understand the Bible/God/God’s will and they don’t understand God’s power. This is a helpful insight and bottom line for me.

Prayer

“Lord, thank You for Your Word and the opportunity and privilege, through it, to learn more of Your power and glory. Thank You that Your “divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.” (2 Peter 1:3)

Pastor Bob DuPar
March 4, 2008

Journal Entry


Scripture

Numbers 2:1-3:51; Mark 11:27-12:17; Psalm 47:1-9; Proverbs 10:24-25.

Observation

Well, like I said yesterday, “Numbers is called, ‘Numbers’ for a reason!”

It hit me today in the Mark passage how masterful Jesus was with fielding questions and discerning the ulterior motives behind them. When the teachers of the law feign ignorance and say, “We don’t know,” you would expect Jesus to respond, “Well then, I don’t know either.” But, if He had said this not only would He have been lying, but also people probably would have “read-into” this statement and drawn inaccurate theology.

I also noticed that the actions of the chief priests, teachers of the law and elders (Mk. 11:27) were continually motivated by fear rather than doing the right thing or the godly thing:

“They feared the people, for everyone held that John really was a prophet.” (11:32) “But, they were afraid of the crowd; so, they left Him and went away.” (12:12)

And, yesterday’s reading:

“The chief priests and the teachers of the law heard this and began looking for a way to kill Him, for they feared Him, because the whole crowd was amazed at His teaching.” (Mk. 11:18)

Application

My actions are motivated by fear more than I would like to admit – fear of what others might think, how others might react, what they might say… Most of the time it’s not popular to do the right thing, but I need to follow God’s example despite any consequences.

Prayer

“Lord, help me to continually keep my focus on You and not get caught up in trying to be a people-pleaser. I’m reminded of a verse You taught me at age 7 at Hume Lake Christian Camps: ‘When a man’s ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.”

Pastor Bob DuPar
March 3, 2008

Journal Entry


Scripture

Leviticus 27:14-Numbers 1:54; Mark 11:1-25; Psalm 46:1-11; Proverbs 10:23.

Observation

Well the lists of men from the 12 tribes who were counted for Israel’s army made for invigorating reading today! I guess they call it “Numbers” for a reason. It is pretty impressive that 603,550 men came together to register (Num. 1:46) – especially when you consider that they probably had family members with them. That’s a lot of people.

I found the pairing of Scripture passages quite humorous today, particularly Mark 11:23 with Psalm 46:2-3:

“I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him.” (Jesus speaking)

“Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.”

We won’t fear we’ll just know that someone is testing out the power of prayer. Kind of reminds me of Bruce Almighty when Jim Carey is testing his miraculous powers in seemingly random ways with tragic consequences.

Application

I have room for growth in the area of praying without doubt. And, I guess the only way to overcome doubt is to regularly pray for “larger than life” things that only God can do. So, that when my prayers are answered, I gain confidence in God’s ability and grow in faith through first-hand experience and knowledge of God’s power. Most of what I pray for is too tame. I need to pray for more things that won’t happen unless God wills them to happen.

Prayer

“God, help me to have a vision for the extraordinary rather than the ordinary, for the impossible vs. the possible, for the supernatural rather than the natural. I can’t pray for what I don’t see. Help me to see through Your eyes.”

Pastor Bob DuPar
March 2, 2008

Journal Entry


Scripture

Leviticus 25:47-27:13; Mark 10:32-52; Psalm 45:1-17; Proverbs 10:22.

Observation

How simple and beautiful was God’s original plan: “I will walk among you and be your God, and you will be my people… You will no longer be slaves to the Egyptians; I broke the bars of your yoke and enabled you to walk with heads held high.” (Lev. 26:12-13) But, unfortunately God had to make a provision and lay out a consequence for the people if they did not follow Him. And, as God spells-out that plan in the verses that follow I was struck with the amazing patience of God. How many warnings and chances could God give His people?

“But if you will not listen to me and carry out all these commands, and if you reject My decrees… (26:14) If after all this you will not listen to me… (26:18) If you remain hostile toward me and refuse to listen to me… (26:21) If in spite of these things you do not accept my correction… (26:23) If in spite of this you still do not listen to me but continue to be hostile toward me…” (26:27) Who says there was no grace in the OT! Even after all this, God says, “But if they will confess their sins… I will remember My covenant… and I will remember the land.” (26:40-42)

In Mark 10 the disciples never cease to amaze me (unfortunately in bad ways!) Jesus describes his betrayal and arrest, the fact that He will be beaten, mocked, spit upon and killed… And James and John respond to this news by saying, “Teacher, can You do us a favor? We want to sit on Your left and right hand in glory.” Unbelievable! This reminds me of a few days ago when they were arguing as they journeyed over who was the greatest. Needless to say, this was not the kind of response Jesus expected and needed following His passionate disclosure of future events soon to be a reality in His life. How often I am so blinded with self interest and consumed with my plans that I miss the important details of not only the future, but also how God wants to use me in that future.

Application

In reading today’s OT passage I’m reminded of Romans 2:4, “It’s God’s kindness that leads us to repentance;” and, Paul’s words in Romans 6:1 that we are not to sin that grace might abound. All too often I abuse grace. I need to allow grace to be a loving reminder of where I need to be and the man I need to be rather than to use grace as license to sin without consequences. Every sin has a consequence. Every sin leaves a scar. Granted those sins are forgiven. But, all too often I deceive myself into thinking that sin has no consequence.

And, once again I am reminded of the necessity of putting God’s interests before my own.

Prayer

“God, thank You for Your grace. Thank You for second chances. May my walk and my faith be motivated by love for You and not fear of consequence. Help me to continually see the blessing of following Your plan rather than mine.”