Pastor Bob DuPar
June 28, 2008

Journal Entry



Scripture

2 Kings 13:1-14:29; Acts 18:23-19:12; Psalm 146:1-10; Proverbs 18:2-3.

Observation

2 Kings 13:2-6 is typical of the pattern with Israel’s kings and people:

“He (Jehoahaz) did evil in the eyes of the Lord… So God’s anger burned against Israel …Jehoahaz sought the Lord’s favor …the Lord listened… The Lord provided a deliverer for Israel …So the Israelites lived in their own homes as they had before. But, they did not turn away from the sins of the house of Jeroboam …they continued in them.”

The story of the dead man who was buried accidentally with Elisha is amazing. The man touches Elisha’s bones and springs up to life! I was hoping there would be more commentary on this, but then it was back to the story of the king of Aram. This whole excerpt seems out of place.

The account of the Apostle Paul in Acts 19:11-12 sounds similar to Elisha:

“God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them.”

Finally, I thought Proverbs 18:2-3 offered practical wisdom:

“A fool …delights in airing his own opinions. …and with shame comes disgrace.”

Application

So much of my repentance and seeking after God is like Israel – conditional according to the present crisis in my life. How quickly I forget God’s goodness, and how quickly I get off-track. Once again, I guess it comes back to following God completely in all things, at all times.

Prayer

“Lord, help me to faithfully follow You. May my obedience not be conditional. Grant me the passion and wisdom to follow You at all times – not just when I get into trouble and need Your help and mercy.”

Pastor Bob DuPar
June 27, 2008

Journal Entry



Scripture

2 Kings 10:32-12:21; Acts 18:1-22; Psalm 145:1-21; Proverbs 18:1.

Observation

I forgot to mention yesterday in reference to 2 Kings 10:27 – how fitting that the former temple of Baal became an outdoor latrine/outhouse! God has a funny sense of humor.

Jehosheba was wise to hide Joash from Athaliah for the six years she was in power. It’s hard to imagine a seven year old becoming king of Israel/Jerusalem. But, Jehoiada the priest was watching out for Joash and instructing him with wise, godly counsel. Joash reigned for 40 years and did what was right in the eyes of the Lord. But, he didn’t tear down the high places so his people continued to sacrifice and burn incense and stumble.

I like the Lord’s encouragement to Paul in Acts 18:9-10,

“Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.”


Application

Once again in the reading we’re confronted with incomplete obedience. It’s shocking and hard to understand when we look at it objectively. Yet, once again, we are guilty of the same thing. I am guilty of the same thing.

I need to be bold for the Lord, realizing that He has many followers to advance His kingdom and protect His fellow-servants.

Prayer

“Lord, as Jehoiada covenanted with king Joash and the people – may we be Your people. May we serve You and act like Your people.”

Pastor Bob DuPar
June 26, 2008

Journal Entry



Scripture

2 Kings 9:14-10:31; Acts 17:1-34; Psalm 144:1-15; Proverbs 17:27-28.

Observation

Jehu was one clever guy in ridding the land of idolatry – especially when he lured all the prophets of Baal into their own temple. But, why didn’t He follow God completely? We read verses like:

“So Jehu destroyed Baal worship in Israel. However, he did not turn away from the sins of Jeroboam…” (2 Kings 10:28-29)

“Yet Jehu was not careful to keep the law of the Lord, the God of Israel, with all his heart.” (2 Kings 10:31)

Jehu went to so much work and effort to cleanse Israel of idols, why stop short? He had good motives. What happened?

I like the description of the Bereans in Acts 17:11, “…they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.”

Finally, Acts 17:30 really stood out to me:

“In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now He commands all people everywhere to repent.”

Application

I’m confused by Jehu’s incomplete obedience. But, then I look at my own life and see all the areas in which I follow the Lord in one thing, and in another I do what I want. Doesn’t make any more sense.

The Bereans are a model for all of us. We should receive God’s Word with excitement and eagerness; and, examine everything we hear to make sure that it is Truth.

Finally, Acts 17:30 challenges me that I might have committed past sins in ignorance, but now God calls me to repentance and change.

Prayer

“Lord, thank You that in You I live and move and have my being.”
(Acts 17:28)

Pastor Bob DuPar
June 25, 2008

Journal Entry



Scripture

2 Kings 8:1-9:13; Acts 16:16-40; Psalm 143:1-12; Proverbs 17:26.

Observation

It must have been hard to be a prophet. Sometimes I have envied their knowledge of future events without considering the emotional burden that goes along with this knowledge. I guess I have viewed prophets as merely messengers, devoid of feelings relating to the consequences of their predictions. But, as we see with Elisha in 2 Kings 8:11, it’s heavy to have foreknowledge of devastation and carnage.

Elisha’s words to his fellow prophet about anointing Jehu as king of Israel are pretty funny: “Call him inside, anoint him king of Israel, and then run like there’s no tomorrow!”

The ministry opportunity for Paul and Silas following the violent earthquake and their release in Acts 16 is exciting. The jailer prompts the question for them, “What must I do to be saved?” (16:30) He and his whole household come to faith in Christ and are baptized. It doesn’t get any better than that!

Paul’s words to the officers in 16:37ff. are a good example of how as Christians we are still called to hold others accountable for their actions rather than just letting them walk all over us. The officials were pretty scared to learn that they had beaten Roman citizens without cause or trial. Finally, I love how Paul & Silas were singing hymns and praising God in prison before the earthquake; and then, immediately upon their release they went to Lydia’s house to encourage the Christians there. These guys were an indomitable source of joy and energy!

Application
I need to look for those times in my life when God does amazing things and use them for His glory evangelistically. Christians are known for artificial, contrived, and awkward attempts at sharing their faith. And, it’s really unfortunate because God gives us so many natural opportunities in the course of our day and life.

Prayer

“Lord, open my eyes to the opportunities You bring my way each day. May I be tuned-in enough to world events and people’s lives to be sensitive to the leading of Your Holy Spirit.”

Pastor Bob DuPar
June 24, 2008

Journal Entry



Scripture

2 Kings 6:1-7:20; Acts 15:36-16:15; Psalm 142:1-7; Proverbs 17:24-25.

Observation

In today’s OT reading the king of Aram suspects disloyalty in his ranks since his attempts to ambush the king of Israel keep failing. When he confronts his officers, one of them tells him that it’s Elisha who is supplying the king of Israel with the information:

“Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the very words you speak in your bedroom.”

I love Elisha’s words of comfort and inspiration to his servant in 2 Kings 6:16-17,

“Don’t be afraid. Those who are with us are more than those who are with them. Then Elisha prayed, ‘O Lord, open his eyes so he may see.’ Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.”

Application

I wonder how many times I’m like Elisha’s servant – only able to see the physical circumstances and details around me rather than the reality of what God is doing in the spirit realm.

Prayer

“Lord, grant me eyes to see beyond the superficial. Help me to catch what You’re doing, and to see how You’re at work. Lord, please open my eyes.”

Pastor Bob DuPar
June 23, 2008

Journal Entry



Scripture

2 Kings 4:18-5:27; Acts 15:1-35; Psalm 141:1-10; Proverbs 17:23.

Observation

Naaman didn’t just want to be healed; he wanted the healing to follow the proper procedure which he had envisioned. Thank goodness he had wise servants who talked sense into him. Basically the servants counseled Naaman that he was too concerned with the method of the healing and he should have been more focused on the results which were promised. At least he had the maturity to seek Elisha out afterward to thank him and acknowledge that there is “no God in all the world except in Israel.” (5:15)

Elisha’s servant Gehazi was definitely caught up in the wrong things. He wanted to profit materially from Elisha’s ministry. In fact, he was frustrated with Elisha for not capitalizing on opportunities to be recompensed for his services. I don’t think Gehazi got the fact that God was the one doing the miracles. How could Elisha charge for what God was doing?

I liked Peter’s speech/sermon in Acts 15, especially in verses 8-11:

“God, who knows the heart, showed that He accepted them (the Gentiles) by giving them the Holy Spirit… He made no distinction between us and them, for He purified their hearts by faith. …We believe that it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.”

Application

Too often I get more focused on the process than the outcome. As long as God is honored in the process, who cares what it looks like or how unconventional it seems?
Prayer

“Lord, keep me focused on the big picture of what You’re doing in individual lives and in the world. May I not miss seeing Your mighty hand at work because it doesn’t fit my preconceptions or expectations.”

Pastor Bob DuPar
June 22, 2008

Journal Entry



Scripture

2 Kings 3:1-4:17; Acts 14:8-28; Psalm 140:1-13; Proverbs 17:22.

Observation

Elisha certainly wasn’t worried about being politically correct when he addressed the king of Israel: “If I did not have respect for the presence of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, I would not look at you or even notice you!” It’s nice to know that even men of God spoke their mind from time to time and expressed their true feelings.

I never knew what an “Elisha Room” was until I served at my first church: Calvary Baptist of Pasadena (2 Kings 4:8-10).

The Apostle Paul’s words to the Lycaonians in Acts 14:15 serve as timeless wisdom for all generations:

“We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made heaven and earth and sea and everything in them.”

Acts 14:22 caused me to reflect upon the need for Christian leaders who will strengthen other disciples by encouraging them to remain true to the faith. We forget, as Paul said, that “we must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God.”

Finally, I enjoyed the practical wisdom of Proverbs 17:22, “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”

Application

I have need to “turn from worthless things to the living God.” And, when put in those terms, it makes me wonder why I chase after “worthless things” rather than God Almighty. I guess it’s because sometimes “worthless things” just seem more tangible and appear to fill a “temporary” need or desire. I feel an ongoing battle between short-term gratification and long-term fulfillment. I know the choice I need to make. The problem is – it’s not a one time choice, but rather a daily, moment-by-moment choice.

Prayer

“Lord, help me to turn to You. Help me to make choices that honor You and which ultimately benefit me.”