Pastor Bob DuPar
June 21, 2008

Journal Entry



Scripture

2 Kings 1:1-2:25; Acts 13:42-14:7; Psalm 139:1-24; Proverbs 17:19-21.

Observation

God’s rebuke to King Ahaziah through Elijah in 2 Kings 1:3 is convicting:

“Is there no God in Israel that you are going off to seek after other gods?”

How often we/I chase after every option but God – looking for answers in empty places. I don’t know why Ahaziah wastes 60 men and two captains to get Elijah to come and change God’s judgment upon him. When he finally succeeds in getting Elijah to come, Elijah merely conveys the same message his messengers reported to him before all the needless bloodshed.

By the way, how would you like to be the third captain and set of men to approach Elijah knowing that the previous groups/attempts were barbequed by fire from heaven? I would have at least changed my greeting with Elijah! The third captain’s wisdom, diplomacy and humility saved his own life and the life of his men.

I’m with Elisha (2:9) – I’d like to inherit a double-portion of Elijah’s spirit.

The closing verses of our OT reading are a good warning for any youth who tease their youth pastor or leaders – especially those who are follicly challenged!

In Acts 13 the teaching of Paul and Barnabas was powerful and fruitful. The reaction of the Jews, however, was pathetic. The Jewish leaders were filled with jealousy. They incited and stirred up persecution and trouble for Paul and Barney; and, they “poisoned the minds” of new Gentile converts. What a legacy of leadership to be proud of!

Psalm 139 is one of my favorite chapters of Scripture, and one which I never get tired of. God knows us “completely, intimately, wonderfully and fearfully.” How precious are His thoughts toward us (vs. 17).

Application

It doesn’t do any good trying to seek a different answer from God – especially when we have sown seeds of sinfulness and disobedience.

When ministry becomes a popularity contest, we know that we’re in the ministry for the wrong reasons.

Prayer

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalm 139:23-24)

Pastor Bob DuPar
June 20, 2008

Journal Entry



Scripture

1 Kings 22:1-53; Acts 13:16-41; Psalm 138:1-8; Proverbs 17:17-18.

Observation

Ahab puzzles me. As king of Israel, I would want the truth rather than flattery. Also, what good is it to inquire of God if you don’t follow the advice anyway? What good are prophets who just parrot back to you what you want to hear? Ahab says in 1 Kings 22:8, “I hate him (Micaiah the prophet) because he never prophesies anything good about me, but always bad.” This news should have been a reality check for Ahab that he was seriously out-of-step with God’s will and needed some major life adjustments.

Even though Ahab disguises himself later in the passage and goes to battle against Micaiah’s warning, a random arrow hits him between his armor and kills him. This is a perfect fulfillment of yesterday’s verse about our sin finding us. What are the chances of this happening apart from God’s divine sovereignty?

Verses 41-44 tell us that Jehoshaphat followed God and did not “stray from the eyes of the Lord; he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord.” But, he didn’t remove the high places committed to idol worship and his people continued to chase after deception and futility. What good is it as a leader to have your “stuff” together, but not take action to ensure that those following you also achieve victory?

Words spoken about King David in Acts 13:36 would make a wonderful epitaph for any Christian seeking to leave a legacy:

“He served God’s purpose in his own generation.”
I love the wording of Acts 13:39 because it is the essence of the Gospel:

“Through Him (Jesus) everyone who believes is justified from everything you could not be justified from by the law of Moses.”

Finally, I’ve always liked the inspiration of Acts 13:41:

“Look, you scoffers, wonder and perish, for I am going to do something in your days that you would never believe, even if someone told you.”

Application

The fact that many times God’s Word(s) is contrary to what we want is confirmation that It is His Word and not our creation.

There’s no hiding from sin or God. We will be found and there will be consequences.

Jehoshaphat’s life serves as an example that pleasing God involves not just keeping our life pure before the Lord, but also not tolerating sin around us that provides opportunities for others to stumble.

Prayer

“Lord, forgive me for underestimating the work which You are doing all around me, which I am mostly blind to. Help me to accomplish Your purpose for me and my life in my generation.”

Pastor Bob DuPar
June 19, 2008

Journal Entry



Scripture

1 Kings 20:1-21:29; Acts 12:24-13:15; Psalm 137:1-9; Proverbs 17:16.

Observation

If a prophet told me to strike him with a weapon I don’t think that I would obey either. I would think it was a trick. Yet, the man who disobeyed this request in 1 Kings 20:35-36 was dismembered by a lion as punishment.

Ahab’s wife cracks me up. She rebukes Ahab for his moodiness and says, “Is this how you act as king over Israel? Get up and eat! Cheer up!” I can hear Cher in Moonstruck saying, “Snap out of it!” Yet, Jezebel’s advice and actions turned out to be very costly for Ahab. Elijah’s words to Ahab before he died echo with authority and a sense of warning to all generations:

“I have found you because you have sold yourself to do evil in the eyes of the Lord.” (21:20)

Ahab’s last minute contrition and humility helped save his sorry self from judgment; but, what a bummer for his progeny – since they would bear the punishment for his evil and sinfulness.

Finally, I love Saul’s (Paul’s) boldness in setting Elymas the sorcerer straight. Saul’s words are biting and direct:

“You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right! (That’s a good opening line, and pretty comprehensive at that!) You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery. Will you never stop perverting the right ways of the Lord?” (Acts 13:10)

Application
The words of Acts 21:20 hit me the most today. When we sin, our sin finds us out. God in fact leads people to us, to expose us and hold us accountable. The phrasing of the charge is so graphic and condemning as well: “you have sold yourself to do evil.” I wonder if we/I would sin as much if we thought of sin in those terms – “selling ourselves to evil.” For, that is in fact what it is, and what we do!

Prayer

“Lord, I’m reminded of Your challenge in Deuteronomy 30:19-20, “I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants, 20 by loving the Lord your God, by obeying His voice, and by holding fast to Him; for this is your life and the length of your days,” Help me to choose life. Help me to express my love to You through obeying Your voice. Help me to hold fast to You. Please hold fast to me and never let me go!”

Pastor Bob DuPar
June 18, 2008

Journal Entry



Scripture

1 Kings 19:1-21; Acts 12:1-23; Psalm 136:1-26; Proverbs 17:14-15.

Observation

I have felt like Elijah before when he sat under the broom tree and told God, “I have had enough.” God responded by telling Elijah to get up and eat because the journey ahead was too much for him. Twice God told Elijah to “get up and eat.” Finally, strengthened by this food, Elijah traveled 40 days and 40 nights.

On more than one occasion Elijah felt like he was the only one left who loved God and was serving Him. But, God tells Elijah later on in 1 Kings 19:18, “I have reserved 7,000 in Israel whose knees have not bowed down to Baal, and whose mouths have not kissed him.”

All too often I miss the “gentle whisper” of God’s voice. I get caught up in the “wind,” and the “fire” and the “earthquake,” and miss God’s voice.

It’s neat that the church was earnestly praying for Peter’s release from jail in Acts 12. Yet, when he shows up at their door in verses 12-17 they can’t believe it’s him.

Acts 12:22-23 is a startling warning for those who steal worship and praise that is intended for God:

“…because Herod did not give praise to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died.”

Finally, I thought Proverbs 17:14 was really cool and practical:

“Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.”

Application

We need the spiritual food of God’s Word to strengthen us for the journey ahead. I need to spend more time listening for the “gentle whisper” of God. The church in Acts is a great example of faithfulness in prayer but also a lesson in expecting great things when we pray. Lastly, I need to “drop” matters before disputes break out.

Prayer


“God, strengthen me daily through Your Word. Give me spiritual ears to hear Your voice. Give me the faith to pray for great things and to fully believe that You will answer. And, grant me the fortitude to absorb conflicts and to be a peacemaker.”

Pastor Bob DuPar
June 17, 2008

Journal Entry



Scripture

1 Kings 18:1-46; Acts 11:1-30; Psalm 135:1-21; Proverbs 17:12-13.

Observation

When Elijah orders the execution of the prophets of Baal in 1 Kings 18:40 I’m wondering who helped with this. Israelite bystanders who just happened to be there for the showdown? Or, perhaps was it the 400 prophets of Asherah mentioned in 1 Kings 18:19? And, if it was the prophets of Asherah then why were they not killed as well?

What a classic line in 18:24, “The god who answers by fire – He is God!”
Baal gave no response, no answer, and paid no attention (vs. 29). The God of heaven sent down fire which burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones, the soil, and also licked up the water around the trench of the altar!

The people’s response is priceless: “The Lord – He is God! The Lord – He is God!” (vs. 39)

I love the fact that Elijah not only requests of God to answer his prayer that the people might know the one true God, but also in praying this way puts everything on-the-line. There’s no saving face if God does not answer.

I like how Peter silences the criticism of the circumcised believers in Acts 11 by saying to them, “If God gave them (the uncircumcised gentiles) the same gift as he gave us, who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could oppose God?”

The text says in Acts 11:18 that when they heard this they had no further objections and praised God, saying, “So then, God has granted even the Gentiles repentance unto life.”
Psalm 135:15-18 sums up the impotence of false gods made of silver and gold and the futility and vanity of those who worship them:

“The idols of the nations are but silver and gold, the work of man’s hands. 16 They have mouths, but they do not speak; they have eyes, but they do not see; 17 they have ears, but they do not hear, nor is there any breath at all in their mouths. 18 Those who make them will be like them, Yes, everyone who trusts in them.”

Application

I need to step out in faith more, believing that God will respond. I play it safe too much. If I believe that God will work a miracle and if I declare to others that He’s going to work a miracle, then as I said – there’s no saving face if He doesn’t answer of respond. I stop short of being outspoken in public because of my uncertainty as to whether I’m truly hearing God’s voice and because of my desire to not be embarrassed if things don’t work out like I had thought. I need boldness to get beyond my fear of the “what ifs.”

Prayer


“God, help me to be sensitive to and conscious of Your leading. When I sense Your Spirit prompting me help me to be faithful to follow-through with obedience.”

Pastor Bob DuPar
June 16, 2008

Journal Entry



Scripture

1 Kings 15:25-17:24; Acts 10:23b-48; Psalm 134:1-3; Proverbs 17:9-11.

Observation

Elijah’s instructions to the widow would have been very difficult to carry out. If the widow only had enough food to feed herself and her son and was seriously expecting that they both would die of starvation – what faith it would have taken to “first” make Elijah a small cake of bread. This test of faith is like so many others that we find throughout Scripture which require obedience & trust before the answer or solution is within sight.

I wish that all of my ministerial efforts yielded the same result as the widow’s response to Elijah’s resurrection of her son:

“Now I know that you are a man of God and that the Word of the Lord from your mouth is the Truth.” (1 Kings 17:24) What a blessing it would be if unbelievers saw the true God in all our actions.

I love Peter’s revelation from God recorded in Acts 10:34-35,

“I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear Him and do what is right.”

Application

I definitely have many areas in my life in which I need to step out in faith, trusting God to provide, instead of withholding action until I see solutions.

Prayer


“God, grant me the faith to trust You in all things. May I lean not on my own understanding, but acknowledge You in all my ways.”

Pastor Bob DuPar
June 15, 2008

Journal Entry



Scripture

1 Kings 14:1-15:24; Acts 10:1-23a; Psalm 133:1-3; Proverbs 17:7-8.

Observation

I love it that God gave the prophet Ahijah foreknowledge that Jeroboam’s wife would visit in disguise. Ahijah is old and blind and Jeroboam thinks he is going to trick him and pull a fast one on him. But, God arms Ahijah with advance knowledge and he confronts J’s wife from the moment they meet with the words, “Why the pretense?”

Peter’s vision in Acts 10 is neat. I wish that there were more experiences like this today where people heard God’s clear direction and guidance.

Psalm 133: 1 is a favorite verse of mine:

“How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity.”

Unity is becoming increasingly rare, but it is still so desperately needed within the Church and our world today. Unity begins with leaders.

Application

My challenge is to strive for unity with other leaders, not by ignoring our distinctions, but by seeking common ground and by modeling Christian love in the process.

Prayer

“God, help me to love like You love.”