Pastor Bob DuPar
April 25, 2008

Journal Entry


Scripture

Judges 4:1-5:31; Luke 22:35-53; Psalm 94:1-23; Proverbs 14:3-4.

Observation

Deborah’s role of leadership over Israel is one which certainly needs to be considered when deciding upon the role of women in ministry today. Some commentators like John MacArthur say that she is an exception to the standard and was only in this position of leadership because Barak shrugged his leadership role. But, a careful reading of the text reveals that she was in leadership (established in this role) long before the passage mentions Barak’s cowardice and need for Deborah’s support. I am not taking sides – merely observing that the issues aren’t as clear-cut and simplistic as we are sometimes led to believe.

Luke 22:45 is interesting because the passage says that the disciples were “exhausted from sorrow.” The exhaustion of sorrow is more physically taxing and draining than any exhaustion that comes from physical exertion.

I love Psalm 94:18-19:

“When I said, ‘My foot is slipping,’ Your love, O Lord, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, Your consolation brought joy to my soul.”

What a beautiful statement of David’s personal experience which also expresses what we as believer’s find to be true in our own personal walk.

Finally, the wisdom and humor of Proverbs 14:4,

“Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty, but from the strength of an ox comes an abundant harvest.”
You can live a neat, clean life – with no messes – cattle-free, or you can learn to get along with the mess and enjoy abundant harvests! Some trials and challenges come with the territory, but they also include hidden (and unhidden) benefits.

Application

I would like to make God’s love and consolation my sustaining power, support & joy – not just in tough times, but all the time. Proverbs is a good reminder for me as well that some of life’s most fruitful and successful endeavors can be messy. I need to learn to live with more messes.

Prayer

“God, thank You that You are always enough. You are always faithful. You are always there. As the famous old hymn says, ‘I need Thee, Oh I need Thee! Every hour I need Thee. Oh, bless me now my Savior, I come to Thee.”

Pastor Bob DuPar
April 26, 2008

Journal Entry

*22 years ago on 4-26-86 Denise & I had our 1st date!


Scripture

Judges 6:1-40; Luke 22:54-23:12; Psalm 95:1-96:13; Proverbs 14:5-6.

Observation

There are times when each one of us feels like Gideon in Judges 6:13,

“If the Lord is with us (me), why is all of this happening? Where are His wonders that our fathers told us about?”

We never know, however, when God wants to wage a war and bring about victory through us – no matter how insecure or inferior we may feel.

Judges 6:27 is both humorous and helpful. It’s better to tear down idols at night rather than not at all. We’re all fearful at some point, but it’s the follow-through that’s important. When the people came to Joash (Gideon’s father) wanting to kill Gideon for destroying their false idols and altars, I love the wisdom and sarcasm of Joash:

“If Baal really is a god, he can defend himself when someone breaks down his altar.” (Judges 6:31)

I never noticed Luke 23:12 before:

“That day Herod and Pilate became friends – before this they had been enemies.”

How sad (and shallow) it is when evil is the foundation and common ground between so called “friends.”

Application

Gideon is a great example for me of someone who had his flaws and yet followed-through with God’s will. Obedience is obedience, whether by night or with great fear.

Prayer

“God, may I be obedient in all things and trust You for the outcome.”

Pastor Bob DuPar
April 24, 2008

Journal Entry


Scripture

Judges 2:10-3:31; Luke 22:14-34; Psalm 92:1-93:5; Proverbs 14:1-2.

Observation

I was afraid this verse would come:

“After that whole generation had been gathered to their fathers, another generation grew up, who knew neither the Lord nor what He had done for Israel. Then the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord and served the Baals.” (Judges 2:10-11)

I wonder how many times Satan desires to sift you and I like wheat the way he petitioned God on behalf of Peter in Luke 22:31. We never know the divine intercession (and human for that matter) which is waged on our behalf.

Application

I need to pray more intentionally for the leaders, friends & family in my life. It’s humbling and scary to think that their success or failure could be influenced or affected by my prayers – for good or for bad. I know that God’s plan for each one of us is bigger than any one person’s responsibility. But, we never know how God intends to use us and what He desires to accomplish through us.

Prayer

“God, give me the discipline and faithfulness to pray for others the way that I should. May I not forget that we are in the midst of a spiritual battle, unseen to the human eye, yet deadly powerful.”

Pastor Bob DuPar
April 23, 2008

Journal Entry


Scripture

Judges 1:1-2:9; Luke 21:29-22:13; Psalm 90:1-91:16; Proverbs 13:24-25.

Observation

Sounds like cutting off thumbs and big toes was a popular form of punishment in OT times! Adoni-Bezek himself admitted to doing this to 70 other kings. And finally, justice met-up with him. I guess it was pretty hard to hold a sword or maneuver in battle without thumbs and big toes. Bummer!

Luke 21:37-38 is further proof (in my opinion) that Jesus only cleansed the temple once; and, that He did this at the end of His ministry. I don’t see how the Jewish authorities would have allowed Him to daily teach at the temple if He had started off His ministry by overturning the tables of the moneychangers.

I have always loved Psalm 91 – resting “in the shadow of the Almighty” and the image of God covering us with His wings and providing refuge and shelter. The protection and security that God promises is difficult to understand at times because it does not mean that Christians are immune to suffering and pain. But, God says that He will show us His salvation which is able to satisfy us and sustain us through any circumstance.

Application

My takeaway from today can be summed up through the words of a contemporary worship song by Chris Tomlin:

All of You is more than enough for all of me
For every thirst and every need
You satisfy me with Your love
And all I have in You is more than enough
You are my supply
My breath of life
And still more awesome than I know
You are my reward
worth living for
And still more awesome than I know
All of You is more than enough for all of me
For every thirst and every need
You satisfy me with Your love
And all I have in You is more than enough
You’re my sacrifice
Of greatest price
And still more awesome than I know
You’re my coming King
You are everything
And still more awesome than I know
More than all I want
More than all I need
You are more than enough for me
More than all I know
More than all I can say
You are more than enough for me

Prayer

“God, this song is my prayer as well. May this song be more than just words on paper, or noise from my lips, but rather – reality in my life. May I find You to be enough, every moment of every day.”

Pastor Bob DuPar
April 22, 2008

Journal Entry


Scripture

Joshua 24:1-33; Luke 21:1-28; Psalm 89:38-52; Proverbs 13:20-23.

Observation

Joshua 24:14-15 is timeless wisdom:

“Now fear the Lord and serve Him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your forefathers worshiped… then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve… But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord!”

Joshua 24:31 is a testimony to Joshua’s life and ministry:

“Israel served the Lord throughout the lifetime of Joshua and of the elders who outlived him and who had experienced everything the Lord had done for Israel.”

But, it’s a foreboding verse because you just know that in a few chapters the text is going to say that Israel wandered because of weak leadership and because a generation arose that did not remember God’s mighty acts.

I’m always challenged and convicted by the widow in Luke 21 who gave all that she had to live on. What faith & trust! This is a level of trust in God that dwarfs my faith by comparison.

Finally, I love the image in Luke 21:28 of standing up and lifting our heads, especially as times get tougher, because we know that our redemption is drawing near!

Application

I want to lift my head and stand in times of trial! What a witness and testimony to the victorious power of God at work in our lives. I want to display joy in the midst of suffering and God’s strength in the midst of my weakness and brokenness.

Prayer

“God, may I never forget that my redemption is drawing near. It’s purchased, promised and reserved for me. May I live with a passion and purpose that results from the confidence of this reality.”

Pastor Bob DuPar
April 21, 2008

Journal Entry


Scripture

Joshua 22:21-23:16; Luke 20:27-47; Psalm 89:14-37; Proverbs 13:17-19.

Observation

I will never cease to be amazed by the Sadducees who came to Jesus with a question involving relationships after the resurrection when the text explicitly states that they did not believe in the resurrection. This was clearly an unsuccessful attempt to play “Let’s stump Jesus.”

Application

How often I am like these Sadducees, hung-up over things that don’t really matter, and about things that don’t even line-up with my beliefs and convictions. Sometimes it’s an attempt to delay obedience. Other times it’s just plain denial of what’s rational, common sense and biblically true.

I need to follow-up my beliefs with actions that affirm those beliefs.

Prayer

“God, may I not be consumed and busied with meaningless questions and worthless pursuits. I want to be used for things eternal and practical.”

Pastor Bob DuPar
April 20, 2008

Journal Entry


Scripture

Joshua 21:1-22:20; Luke 20:1-26; Psalm 89:1-13; Proverbs 13:15-16.

Observation

I wonder if Israel realized the blessing of Joshua 21:44 that God “gave them rest on every side, just as He had sworn to their forefathers. Not one of their enemies withstood them; the Lord handed all their enemies over to them. Not one of all the Lord’s good promises to the house of Israel failed; every one was fulfilled.” How many times they took this peace, this rest for granted. How many times we do the same.

Joshua 22:20 is a good reminder that sin affects everyone: “Did not wrath come upon the whole community of Israel? Achan was not the only one who died for his sin.” Our sin touches the lives of others. How often sins that are perceived to be private turn out to have very public consequences.

I love the phrasing of Luke 20:17 & 23: “Jesus looked directly at them. …He saw through their duplicity.” And the outcome in verse 26: “They were unable to trap Him in what He had said there in public. And astonished by His answer, they became silent.”

Application

May it not take times of turmoil and war to remind us to be diligent to preserve the things that make for peace. May our obedience (my obedience) not be in reaction to negative consequences but rather a lifestyle, a conscious choice and desire to experience God’s best for us. May we silence critics by displaying Godly wisdom in all of our interactions with people and by not allowing ourselves to be drawn into arguments or traps.

Prayer

“God, help me to live a life that leads to peace and blessing. May I use Your wisdom in each choice that I make and may I realize the importance of my choices in shaping my life.”