Pastor Bob DuPar
May 3, 2008

Journal Entry


Scripture

Judges 17:1-18:31; John 3:1-21; Psalm 104:1-23; Proverbs 14:20-21.

Observation

John 3:16, the greatest and most beautiful truth ever spoken. And yet, how sad that it has fallen on deaf ears today. We view salvation as something that will always be there for us when we’re ready to finally surrender. Or, we view salvation as something we just tack-on to our life, which provides protection while requiring no life change. How could we ever come to such conclusions in light of the costliness of this gift? Like the great hymn writer wrote: “Love so amazing, so divine, demands my heart, my soul, my all.”

John 3:18-20 is profound as well, yet often overlooked in view of 3:16:

“He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 “This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. 20 “For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.”

We hate the light because it exposes and reveals our darkness. Light brings conviction, and it’s hard to enjoy sin when we’re living under constant conviction. So, we choose the darkness a little longer, and tolerate our sin.

Application

It seems that the most practical way to eliminate darkness and sin from our lives is to spend as much time in the light as possible.

Prayer

“God, thank You for sending me Jesus who brought light to my darkness; and, who continues to seek & save me when I wander back into places of darkness.”

Pastor Bob DuPar
May 2, 2008

Journal Entry


Scripture

Judges 15:1-16:31; John 2:1-25; Psalm 103:1-22; Proverbs 14:17-19.

Observation

Samson was a pretty amazing guy when “the Spirit of the Lord came upon him in power.” Killing a thousand Philistines with a donkey’s jawbone is a legendary accomplishment. I can just hear the stories that were told about his exploits. He was definitely the “Terminator” of his day, or the “Rambo!”

I am dumbfounded by Samson’s ignorance with Delilah. Why did he confide in her after all of the obvious traps that she put before him. I have a hunch that it was his pride. Samson seems like he enjoyed putting on a good show. Women, take note of Delilah’s skillful technique in getting what she wanted out of Samson:

“With such nagging she prodded him day after day until he was tired to death!” (Judges 16:16)

I know, I can hear all of the women respond, “There has to be an easier way to get the lawn mowed or the house cleaned!”

I love Psalm 103:11-13:

“For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His love for those who fear Him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him.”

Application

Samson is a great object lesson in using our gifts for God’s glory rather than self glorification. It’s easy for us to become prideful and forget where our strength and gifts come from.

Prayer

“God, thank You that You have removed my sin. Thank You that You are a compassionate Father.”

Pastor Bob DuPar
May 1, 2008

Journal Entry


Scripture

Judges 13:1-14:20; John 1:29-51; Psalm 102:1-28; Proverbs 14:15-16.

Observation

It’s interesting to me that the name of Samson’s mom is never mentioned, nor the name of the angel for that matter (which many scholars believe to be a preincarnate appearance of Christ.)

I love the description of Samson in his formative years: “He grew and the Lord blessed him, and the Spirit of the Lord began to stir in him…” (Judges 13:24-25)

Proverbs 14:15 spoke to me: “A simple man believes anything, but a prudent man gives thought to his steps.” What a great description of forethought: “giving thought to our steps!”

Application

I would love to experience the “stirring” of God’s Spirit within me on a regular basis. I want to be less impulsive and more Spirit-lead.

Prayer

“God, may I give thought to my steps. May You influence my choices and direct my actions.”

Pastor Bob DuPar
April 30, 2008

Journal Entry


Scripture

Judges 11:1-12:15; John 1:1-28; Psalm 101:1-8; Proverbs 14:13-14.

Observation

Jephthah was sounding like a pretty sharp guy until he made that crazy vow to God. I can’t even imagine! And, his daughter sounds incredibly supportive and understanding. I want to hear what the mom/wife had to say about this impulsive, foolish vow.

I love the pronunciation test in Judges 12:5-6 for determining whether someone was a true Ephraimite or not. I think we should come up with our own version of this for the church – something like, “Can you say, ‘Jesus is God?” Or, “The Bible is divinely inspired & inerrant?” And, if the person stutters or hesitates – they are weeded out.

The NT reading looked vaguely familiar. I think I’ve read it before or heard it in a sermon series somewhere!

Proverbs 14:13 struck me as profoundly deep: “Even in laughter the heart may ache.” There are a lot of people that hide a lot of hurt with a pretty smile or a cheerful front. And, my point is not to direct judgment to these people but rather to alert the rest of us to make efforts to probe beneath the surface – to engage people beyond the superficial.

Application

I need to strive to get to know people well enough that when they are hurting or struggling I can discern that and perhaps love them and be sensitive to them. People all too often put on a happy face because they believe it’s what others expect of them, or because it’s easier than opening up about deep hurt or messy personal issues.
Prayer

“God, help me to know when to probe deeper in relationships and conversations. Help me to take the time to truly listen. May I communicate that I care – by words and also in silence.”

Pastor Bob DuPar
April 29, 2008

Journal Entry


Scripture

Judges 9:22-10:18; Luke 24:13-53; Psalm 100:1-5; Proverbs 14:11-12.

Observation

Our OT reading today is certainly evidence of the fact that God doesn’t let people get away with evil. Jotham’s curse proved to see fulfillment. And, I find it humorous that God allowed Abimelech’s death to come about through the hands of a woman – one of the most humiliating circumstances for a warrior at this time, in this culture. God certainly has a sense of humor.

God’s words in Judges 10:13-14 are powerful and convicting:

“But you have forsaken Me and served other gods, so I will no longer save you. Go and cry out to the gods you have chosen. Let them save you when you are in trouble.”

Judges 10:16 reveals the tender side of God’s character: “And He could bear Israel’s misery no longer.”

Luke 24:45 intrigues me: “Then He opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.” I wonder what this involved and looked like.

Application

I find it interesting that the consequences of Abimelech’s sin did not come about until 3 years after the fact. Sometimes we think (or are deceived into thinking) that sin has no consequences. But, very often we miss the perspective of seeing how things play-out.

Prayer

“God, please open my mind, daily, to see & understand Your Scripture – to understand You!”

Pastor Bob DuPar
April 28, 2008

Journal Entry


Scripture

Judges 8:18-9:21; Luke 23:44-24:12; Psalm 99:1-9; Proverbs 14:9-10.

Observation

Judges 8:27 is alarming. Gideon collects 1700 shekels of gold (not counting ornaments & pendants). 1700 shekels is about 43 pounds. So, with gold at $1,000 an ounce – that’s $688,000 in today’s economy. And, he fashions the gold into an ephod, an outer garment worn by the priests. But, no one wears it. Instead it gets put on display in the middle of town and people “prostituted themselves by worshipping it there; and it became a snare to Gideon and his family.”

What a sad lesson on how blessings can quickly become a curse if used improperly. And, the fact that Gideon’s son, Abimelech, was so power-hungry that he did not mind mowing down his seventy brothers to reign over the people, is a testimony to the consequences of this idolatry - not to mention Gideon’s polygamy and resulting huge family which was dysfunctional and anything but close.

Finally, Proverbs 14:9 spoke to me:

“Fools mock at making amends for sin…”

Application

The daily decisions and choices we make which seem small and insignificant can be compared to a ship at sea, just a few degrees off course. A few degrees off now, in the present, translates into real trouble down the road. This is my application with Gideon. I’m increasingly impressed not just by a leader’s impact and accomplishments while living, but also their legacy after they are gone. Do their children follow the Lord? Are there any lasting (visible) results of their achievements? Did they hand-off the baton to other leaders? Did they groom future leaders?

Prayer

“God, grant me the wisdom to see things long term – to have an eternal perspective. Help me to influence and bring about lasting change. May the people I invest in today become the leaders of tomorrow.”

Pastor Bob DuPar
April 27, 2008

Journal Entry


Scripture

Judges 7:1-8:17; Luke 23:13-43; Psalm 97:1-98:9; Proverbs 14:7-8.

Observation

Judges 7:2 is a perspective changer:

“You have too many men for me to deliver Midian into your hands. Otherwise Israel will boast that her own strength has saved her.”

This reminds me of the old saying: “Attempt a goal that’s so big that it will only be achievable if God is in the midst of it.”

Judges 8:10 tells us that Gideon’s small army of warriors conquered 135,000 enemies! That’s quite a victory. One that would have been impossible had God not won the battle for Israel.

Application

I need to listen for God’s voice and follow His direction and leading so that I don’t look at things from merely a human perspective. I often quench God’s Spirit. Too many times I judge situations from the surface instead of asking God what He sees and wants.

Prayer

“God, The victory is already Yours! You don’t need my assistance to win any battles. May I trust You to secure success.”