Pastor Bob DuPar
August 7, 2008

Journal Entry



Scripture

Ezra 5:1-6:22; 1 Corinthians 3:5-23; Psalm 29:1-11; Proverbs 20:26-27

Observation

When Tattenai, governor of Trans-Euphrates, and Shethar-Bozenai approached the elders of the Jews and asked them their names so they could report back to their leaders, I love the response they got:

“We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth, and we are rebuilding the temple…” Ezra 5:11

I was struck by a number of verses in 1 Corinthians today:

“Neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who makes things grow.” (3:7)

“For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.” (3:11)

“Do not deceive yourselves. If any one of you thinks he is wise by the standards of this age, he should become a ‘fool’ so that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight.” (3:18)

Finally, I liked Proverbs 20:27,

“The lamp of the Lord searches the spirit of a man; it searches out his inmost being.”


Application
I would like to follow the example of the Jewish elders and refer to myself as a “servant of the God of heaven and earth,” rather than seeking name recognition.

My job is to plant and water. God’s job is to bring about growth.

People lay foundations all the time, other than Jesus, but they don’t last. May we not attempt to build anything except that which is built upon the foundation of Christ.

Prayer

“Lord, search my heart, my inmost being, and fix what is broken and displeasing to You.”

Pastor Bob DuPar
August 6, 2008

Journal Entry



Scripture

Ezra 3:1-4:24; 1 Corinthians 2:6-3:4; Psalm 28:1-9; Proverbs 20:24-25

Observation

I love Ezra 3:3, “Despite their fear of the people around them, they built an altar…offered both morning and evening sacrifices” and honored God by their obedience.

It would have been pretty discouraging to lay the foundation of the new temple while the older priests are weeping because it pales in comparison to Solomon’s temple. That would be just a little demotivating to say the least.

What a blessing that God’s wisdom, previously hidden but now revealed through Christ, has been “destined by God for our glory before time began.
(1 Corinthians 2:7)

What a beautiful promise in 2:9,

“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him.”

And, 2:10-2:16,

“The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. …no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. …For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ!”

Finally, what a wonderful prayer and picture in Psalm 28:9,

“Save Your people and bless Your inheritance; be their shepherd and carry them forever.”

Application

Obedience and blessing often result when our actions are not influenced or restricted by our fear of people.

There’s a huge blessing and accountability that comes with having the mind of Christ. Jesus said that to whom much is given much is required.

Prayer

“Lord, thank You that we are Your inheritance, Your children, Your prized possession. Be our Shepherd and carry us forever – even when we don’t want to be carried or feel that we’re too big to be carried.”

Pastor Bob DuPar
August 5, 2008

Journal Entry



Scripture

Ezra 1:1-2:70; 1 Corinthians 1:18-2:5; Psalm 27:7-14; Proverbs 20:22-23

Observation

The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing. To the saved it is the power of God. God’s economy and wisdom is not the same as man’s. Even God’s foolishness (if there were such a thing) is wiser than man’s wisdom, and His weakness stronger than man’s strength (1 Corinthians 1).

The world would never choose to be represented by foolish and shameful and weak things, yet God does. God chooses “lowly” and “despised” people to communicate His power “so that no one may boast before Him. As Christians, Christ is our righteousness, holiness, redemption and wisdom.

Application

I need to understand that God’s wisdom will not always make sense to me. As Paul says later in Corinthians, God’s power is made perfect in weakness. How humbling to realize that we bring nothing to the table. In fact, God’s true power is magnified in the face of my weakness. It shines all the more.

Prayer

“Lord, I’m so grateful that You are not limited by my weakness and inadequacy. Thank You for Your grace. Thank You for Your mercy. Thank You for Your faithful love.”

Pastor Bob DuPar
August 4, 2008

Journal Entry



Scripture

2 Chronicles 35:1-36:23; 1 Corinthians 1:1-17; Psalm 27:1-6; Proverbs 20:20-21

Observation

I’m puzzled by the events surrounding Josiah’s death. Josiah has just finished leading the Israelites in a renewed celebration of Passover
and then God allows him to be killed by Neco king of Egypt. Neco claims to have been commissioned by God, and he warns Josiah not to interfere (presumably with God’s judgment through Neco against the people at Carchemish on the Euphrates.) I guess this is just an example of Josiah getting involved in a battle that wasn’t his business – a case of misplaced zeal, and misdirected energy.

In 1 Corinthians 1:17 the Apostle Paul warns against emptying the cross of Christ of its power by muddying our message with human wisdom rather than the wisdom of God.

Application

One practical way that I can “gaze upon the beauty of the Lord” is by spending time in His Word to discover more of who He is.

My lesson from Josiah is to keep focused upon what God has for me and not to get swept-up by diversions or distractions.

Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 1:17 are a challenge to me to preach God’s Word and not use the pulpit or my title to further my own personal opinions, agendas, or biases.

Prayer

“Lord, thank You for the glimpses of Your beauty which shine through the pages of Your Word.”

Pastor Bob DuPar
August 3, 2008

Journal Entry



Scripture

2 Chronicles 33:14-34:33; Romans 16:8-27; Psalm 26:1-12; Proverbs 20:19

Observation

What an interesting comment in passing about Amon: “Unlike his father Manasseh, he did not humble himself before the Lord; Amon increased his guilt.” When we fail to follow the Lord, we only increase our guilt.

How could Amon have a son like Josiah? Even though Josiah was extremely young he followed God and did what was right in God’s eyes. 2 Chronicles 34:33 is a testimony to Josiah’s leadership:

“…He had all who were present in Israel serve the Lord their God. As long as he lived, they did not fail to follow the Lord, the God of their fathers.”

That’s leadership! Leading by example and leading in such a way that those under your charge follow your example.

Paul’s statement in Romans 16:18 is strong but accurate: “those who cause divisions in the body of Christ are not serving the Lord, but rather their own appetites. And, I love 16:19-20, “I want you to be wise about what is good and innocent about what is evil. (Was that not the state of the Garden of Eden before the Fall?) The God of peace will soon crush satan under your feet.”

Finally, Proverbs 20:19 is golden advice:

“A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid a man who talks too much.”

Application
What a blessing it would be if people under my care “did not fail to follow God during my lifetime.” I don’t think a leader could have a better legacy than that!

I desire to be innocent in the things that are evil. That means limiting and restricting my exposure to things that are questionable or simply not edifying.

I love to be around people who are funny with words and easy to talk to – people who are “the life of the party.” But, I’m not going to trust them with my secrets or confidential matters.

Prayer

“Lord, I would love for You to crush satan under my feet on a daily basis. Thank You for all the times that You protect me that I’m not even aware of.”

Pastor Bob DuPar
August 2, 2008

Journal Entry



Scripture

2 Chronicles 32:1-33:13; Romans 15:23-16:7; Psalm 25:16-22; Proverbs 20:16-18

Observation

I love Hezekiah’s encouragement to the Israelites in the face of Sennacherib’s intimidation:

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged because…there is a greater power with us than with him. With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles.”
2 Chronicles 32:7-8

And, what a powerful response from God when Hezekiah and Isaiah call out to Him:

“The Lord sent an angel, who annihilated all the fighting men and the leaders and officers in the camp of the Assyrian king. So he withdrew to his own land in disgrace. And, when he went into the temple of his god, some of his sons cut him down with the sword.”

Manasseh was a character. He did evil in God’s eyes, followed the detestable practices of the nations, erected altars to the Baals and made Asherah poles, built altars to the starry hosts, practiced sorcery, divination and witchcraft, and to top it all off – sacrificed his sons in the fire! But, other than these things he was a pretty good guy! Ya!

The biblical record (2 Chron. 33:9) makes this editorial comment about M.

“Manasseh led Judah and the people of Jerusalem astray, so that they did more evil than the nations the Lord had destroyed before the Israelites!”

God allowed M. to be captured and taken off into bondage in Babylon with a ring through his nose. But, even after all of M’s sin, when he cried out to the Lord – God “was moved by his entreaty and listened to his plea,” bringing him back to Jerusalem and to his kingdom.

The end result was that M. learned that the Lord is God through this experience!

Application

Don’t mess with God! Don’t compare Him to other gods! Don’t call into question His ability to deliver! Don’t limit His power or quench His Spirit. And, certainly don’t elevate your own power and ability over His!

The battle belongs to the Lord! The angel of the Lord slaughtered the whole Assyrian army without Hezekiah and his men having to even lift a finger! God is not dependent upon or limited to “visible” solutions to problems.

God’s grace to M. after all he did it a testimony to the fact that no one is beyond the reach of God’s redeeming mercy!

Prayer

“Lord, thank You for Your grace. “Grace, grace, God’s grace,
grace that will pardon and cleanse within; grace, grace, God’s grace,
grace that is greater than all our sin.”

Pastor Bob DuPar
August 1, 2008

Journal Entry



Scripture

2 Chronicles 30:1-31:21; Romans 15:1-22; Psalm 25:1-15; Proverbs 20:13-15

Observation

What a wonderful thing it would be if we as a people would “set our heart(s) on seeking God – the Lord.” (2 Chron. 30:19)

I wonder what it looked like in 2 Chron. 30:27 when the “priests and Levites stood to bless the people.” Did they simply stand and pray for the people? Did they lay hands on them, one-by-one individually? Whatever the case it’s neat to see this dimension of shepherding going on.

I like Romans 15:1-2,

“We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please his neighbor for his own good, to build him up.”

And also 15:4, 13,

“Everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. …May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Finally, I love David’s request in Psalm 25:4-5,

“Show me Your ways, O Lord, teach me Your paths; guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are God my Savior, and my hope is in You all day long.”

A few verses later in 25:14 comes the compliment,

“The Lord confides in those who fear Him; He makes His covenant known to them.”

Application

Hope is hard to come by now days. Romans 15 tells us that hope comes from Scripture. What a call to spend more time in God’s Word! I could certainly use more “joy and peace as I trust in Him” also.

I want to obey God more and more. The promise that He will “confide” in me as I fear/obey Him is incredible motivation!

Prayer

“Lord, thank You for the hope that You give, the hope that comes from knowing You. Thank You that I can live with certainty and confidence as I trust in Your promises.”