Pastor Bob DuPar
March 15, 2008

Journal Entry


Scripture

Numbers 22:21-23:30; Luke 1:57-80; Psalm 58:1-11; Proverbs 11:12-13.

Observation

The interaction between Balaam and his donkey has got to be one of the most humorous passages in all of Scripture. Makes you wonder what our animals would say to us if they could talk. I guess maybe we’ll find out in the millennial kingdom. Balak also serves as an example of when we keep going through the motions of seeking God only to hear what we want to hear.

I love Zechariah’s inspired words spoken to his son, John the Baptist, through the Holy Spirit:

“And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare His ways; to give to His people the knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, with which the sunrise from on high will visit us, to shine upon those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.”
Luke 1:76-79

Application

How often I persist in prayer desiring for God to affirm my will rather than His. Outwardly I seek God’s counsel through others, but secretly I only listen to those who say what I’m looking to hear; and then, I proclaim these people to be wise, and thank them for their Godly wisdom. How sad – another ugly look in the mirror that I referred to yesterday.

On a positive note, Zechariah’s words perfectly describe why I’m in the ministry: “to give people the knowledge of salvation by forgiveness of their sins, because of God’s tender mercy.” What a purpose for living! That’s a vision, a goal, I can be passionate about for the rest of my life!

Prayer

“Lord, thank You for the privilege of being in the ministry – for the thrill of knowing You, and making You known.”

Pastor Bob DuPar
March 14, 2008

Journal Entry


Scripture

Numbers 21:1-22:20; Luke 1:26-56; Psalm 57:1-11; Proverbs 11:9-11.

Observation

How many times can the Israelites complain about leaving Egypt only to die in the wilderness? Apart from Moses and Aaron’s petitions to God on their behalf this grumbling would have been a self-fulfilling prophecy. The fiery serpents that God sent as punishment were evidence that God’s patience was spent. I love the tie-in with this story which the Apostle John gives us in John 3:14-15,

“As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up; so that whoever believes will in Him have eternal life.”

I had forgotten that these two verses were the build-up to John 3:16! I can’t wait until we get to this passage in our Sunday AM study of John.

I’ve always liked Gabriel’s powerful response to Mary’s questions: “For nothing will be impossible with God.” (Luke 1:37)

Application

Reading the exhausting repetition of the Israelites’ complaints and lack of faith is kind of like catching a shocking reflection of myself in the mirror and being sickened by what I see! Thank you Lord for grace and growth in character. I need to constantly be reminded that nothing is too difficult for God. I have a tendency to unconsciously put limits on my perception of God’s ability.

Prayer

“Lord, thank You for Your miraculous power, and for Your desire and ability to transform the old into the new. Thank You for patience. Thank You for grace. Thank You for never giving up on me.”

Pastor Bob DuPar
March 12, 2008

Journal Entry


Scripture

Numbers 16:41-18:32; Mark 16:1-20; Psalm 55:1-23; Proverbs 11:7.

Observation

I’m amazed at Israel’s rebelliousness in following God/Moses – especially when Moses and Aaron always pleaded with God to spare the people when God was going to wipe them all out. We’re really not that different though; and, I wonder how many times we are spared as a result of the prayers of faithful saints.

I love Psalm 55:22:

“Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous fall.”

Reminds me of 1 Peter 5:7,

“Casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.”

How quickly we can forget that God cares. And, impulsive we are to blame Him for everything that goes wrong. Even when we blame others for unfavorable circumstances and hardships we demonstrate a lack of trust in God’s sovereignty. Shadrach, Meshach & Abednego put it perfectly, “Our God is able to deliver us! …But, even if He does not…” (Daniel 3:16-18)

Application

I need to trust God with my worries and cares – more as a first course of action rather than as a last result, “when all else fails” option. Too often I am “sustained” by things other than God. And, this causes me to call into question whether I am truly sustained or whether I just think that I am. I also need to grow in my awareness of and trust in God’s sovereignty.

Prayer

“Lord, thank You for allowing me to cast my petty cares and concerns upon You. You are all sufficient. Thank you that the minute details of my life don’t get lost in the cosmic shuffle of things. Thank You that You are not only able to deal with my “stuff,” but also that You care.”

Pastor Bob DuPar
March 11, 2008

Journal Entry


Scripture

Numbers 15:17-16:40; Mark 15:1-47; Psalm 54:1-7; Proverbs 11:5-6.

Observation

Today’s reading was pretty intense. A guy is stoned to death for gathering wood on the Sabbath day – and I’m thinking, “Wow! I’ve mowed my lawn before on the Sabbath.” I’m glad that we are not under the law but grace. And, I’m glad that Jesus’ teachings on the Sabbath have given us a greater understanding of the Sabbath, the reason why it was instituted, and the Spirit of the law.

It’s interesting to me that the origin of wearing tassels on garments was to remind the people to follow God’s commands. By the time of the Pharisees in the NT it had become a status symbol – a “hey, look at me! My tassels are bigger and brighter than yours!” Sad.

The incident with Korah intrigues me. Obviously God got a little “incensed” with the people (250 of them) holding the censers. I don’t quite understand why some of those who opposed Moses were swallowed alive by the earth and others (with the censers) were torched from heaven. But, they were all judged and all died.

Finally, it’s alarming that Pilate knew that the chief priests handed Jesus over to him out of “envy” (Mark 15:10) and yet he still allowed Him to be crucified.

Application

The main thing I got out of today’s reading is how things that are designed to point us to God can end up being used for self-promotion. How sad it is whenever we/I divert the focus from God to ourselves. Also, I continually am impressed by the fact that I need to follow God (and His commands) explicitly, whether they make sense or not.

Prayer

“Lord, thank You for Your Word. Thank You for speaking personally through Your Word. Thank You that whenever I read Your Word I always get something helpful and practical and uplifting from it. Thank You that You are the One thing in all the universe that never gets old, that never loses appeal.”

Pastor Bob DuPar
March 10, 2008

Journal Entry


Scripture

Numbers 14:1-15:16; Mark 14:53-72; Psalm 53:1-6; Proverbs 11:4.

Observation

How disheartening that the Israelites would want to choose new leadership to lead them back to Egypt. If I were Moses I probably would have said, “You have my blessing! Don’t let the flap of your tent hit you as you leave.” Joshua takes an amazing leadership stand in 14:9 encouraging the people to have faith and trust God for the victory, and they respond by talking about stoning him! Those are the kind of people you want on your team! I love it that God finally appears to all the people at the Tent of Meeting. That’s a great way to silence ignorance and rebelliousness. God’s words to Moses regarding the people are convicting to anyone who has ever doubted the Lord:

“How long will these people treat me with contempt? How long will they refuse to believe in Me, in spite of all the miraculous signs I have performed among them?” (14:11)

God’s words to Moses describing His punishment for disobedience in 14:20-24 are a needed reminder that forgiveness for sin does not always take away the consequences of sin. God says, “I have forgiven them… but not one of them will ever see the land I promised to their forefathers. No one who has treated me with contempt will ever see it.” God adds this in 14:34, “…You will suffer for your sins and know what it is like to have Me against you.” Wow! That’s something I don’t want to experience!

Finally, Jesus’ words to the high priest about “sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven” were seen as blasphemous because only Yahweh rode upon the clouds and no one short of deity is worthy of sitting at God’s right hand.

Application

I tend to forget that sin has consequences though forgiven. Not only should I not sin that grace might abound; I also should not sin because of the consequences and the missed blessings/opportunities. Grace keeps me in good standing with God, but it is not a magic eraser which follows me around “righting” all my wrongs. My sin leaves an impact just as my righteousness (in Christ) makes a difference.

Prayer

“Lord, help me to see more clearly how all of my actions make a difference for good or for bad. Help me to follow You like Caleb with a ‘different Spirit’ and ‘wholeheartedly.”

Pastor Bob DuPar
March 9, 2008

Journal Entry


Scripture

Numbers 11:24-13:33; Mark 14:22-52; Psalm 52:1-9; Proverbs 11:1-3.

Observation

Moses really seemed to have a good attitude about “shared leadership” when
Joshua complained to him about Eldad and Medad (Num. 11:29). And, I don’t remember ever reading Numbers 12:3 that Moses was more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth. That’s quite a statement!

Numbers 12:8 helps bring more resolution to the issue earlier of God speaking with Moses face-to-face and yet also saying that no one could look at Him and live:

“With him (Moses) I (God) speak face to face, clearly and not in riddles; he sees the form of the Lord.” The form of the Lord was clearly something short of God in His full radiance and glory.

I love it when Caleb takes a leadership stand in Num. 13:30 and silences the negativity and cowardice of the other leaders. It’s a golden moment – even though in the next verse the men go right back to their pessimistic conversation! All of us have been in situations like that. And, sometimes we are the ones who are guilty of contributing to the undercurrent.

The scene in Gethsemane where Jesus comes back three times only to find the disciples sleeping each time is one of the saddest passages in all of Scripture in my opinion. Jesus poured His life into these guys for 3 years and they can’t come through for Him in His hour of need. And then, when Jesus is arrested the text says that they deserted Him and fled (Mark 14:50). As sad as this is, I probably would have acted the same.

Finally, what a proverb: “The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.” (11:3)

Application
I want to be a person of faith who constantly focuses on God’s ability rather than the perceived impossibility of any situation. I also would like to be the one who shuts down negative talk rather than the one who contributes to it. I have a lot of room for growth in this area.

Prayer

“Lord, thank You that You are bigger than any situation and that nothing is too difficult for You. Help me to be a leader who points people to Your sufficiency & Power rather than my limited ability.”