Pastor Bob DuPar
August 23, 2008

Journal Entry



Scripture

Job 8:1-11:20; 1 Corinthians 15:1-28; Psalm 38:1-22; Proverbs 21:28-29

Observation

I liked Job 8:13-15,

“Such is the destiny of all who forget God; so perishes the hope of the godless. What he trusts in is fragile; what he relies on is a spider’s web. He leans on his web, but it gives way; he clings to it, but it does not hold.”

In 1 Corinthians 15:14-19 Paul clearly explains the importance of Christ’s resurrection,

“If Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. …And, if Christ has not been raised, you are still in your sins. …Those who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. If only for this life we have hoped in Christ, we are of all men most to be pitied.”

Finally, I thought 1 Corinthians 15:26, 28 was powerful,

“The last enemy to be destroyed is death. …When He has done this, then the Son Himself will be made subject to Him who put everything under Him, so that God may be all in all.”

Application

Those who forget God may prosper for a season but there success will be quickly blown away; and, they will be forgotten – they will leave no legacy.

Our hope in Christ is not that everything will work-out to our liking in this life, but rather it is knowing that this life pales in comparison to the life to come. “He is no fool who gives what he can’t keep to keep what he cannot lose!” (Jim Elliott – martyred missionary to the Auca Indians) I need to base my hope more upon this life to come instead of this present life.

Finally, Christ will be made subject to God the Father in the last days, not because He is inferior or less than fully equal with God, but because that is the divine role He will assume. I need to view roles of submission as wonderful opportunities to obey God and not as statements of my worth or importance.

Prayer

“Jesus, thank You that You did rise from the grave, our faith is not in vain, and we are not still dead in our sins. Thank You for being obedient to death and securing our salvation and victory over sin. Amen.”

Pastor Bob DuPar
August 22, 2008

Journal Entry



Scripture

Job 4:1-7:21; 1 Corinthians 14:18-40; Psalm 37:30-40; Proverbs 21:27

Observation

Job’s pain and anguish is intense, especially in chapter 7,

“…My eyes will never see happiness again. …I despise my life …My days have no meaning.” (vss. 7, 16)

And, Job doesn’t hold anything back in his prayer to God in 7:19-20. It’s real and honest,

“Will you never look away from me, or let me alone even for an instant? If I have sinned, what have I done to You, O Watcher of Men? Why have You made me Your target? Have I become a burden to You?”

I like Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 14:20,

“In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults.”

I don’t fully understand Paul’s teaching regarding women in 1 Corinthians, but it seems that the admonition for them to remain silent in church has to do with the interpretation of prophetic utterances since he has just said in 1 Corinthians 11:5 that he permits a woman to pray and prophesy as long as her head is covered.


Application

It’s hard to understand why God allows suffering in our lives. But, we know that God never wastes any experiences. He doesn’t play games with us and test us to see how much we can take, because He already knows our limits. And, as Paul says in Romans 8:28, “God causes all things to work together for good.” I need to trust God more, particularly during times when the hurt in my life seems pointless and not resulting in any greater good.

Prayer

“God, thank You that You are sovereign and that everything You do involves a purpose and a plan – nothing is capricious. Thank You that You love me, more than I will ever comprehend, and that everything You do is guided by this love. Help me to trust You and rest in this trust. Amen.”

Pastor Bob DuPar
August 21, 2008

Journal Entry



Scripture

Job 1:1-3:26; 1 Corinthians 14:1-17; Psalm 37:12-29; Proverbs 21:25-26

Observation

Job was “the greatest man among all the people of the East.” (Job 1:3) That’s quite a statement. Satan’s accusation was that Job only feared and served God because of God’s blessing and protection. I’m assuming that this exchange between God and Satan happened after Satan was cast from heaven. But, I’m confused as to how Satan is allowed in God’s presence along with the other angels (1:6). Are these all the angels, including the ones that fell with Satan? Or, are these the good angels plus Satan? It’s hard to know for sure.

Also, it’s troubling that God allows Satan to torment Job simply to prove his integrity. God Himself admits in 2:3, “You have incited Me against him to ruin him without any reason” though in God’s own words Job is “blameless, upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.” Job’s sons and daughters weren’t living godly lives. But, the text repeatedly affirms Job’s righteousness and purity before God. Four messengers come before Job and in very short order basically convey that his whole life has changed. Yet, in Job’s response/reaction and his grieving the Bible says that “Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.” (1:22)

Even after Satan gets permission to inflict Job with painful sores from his head to his feet, and Job’s own wife counsels him to “curse God and die” – still Scripture states that “Job did not sin in what he said.” (3:10)

As much as we like to bag on Job’s three friends and their advice, they did sit on the ground in silence with him for seven days and seven nights because “they saw how great his suffering was.” I don’t know how many of us would go to these lengths to identify with our friends in their suffering.

Finally, I liked the whole Proverbs passage,

“The sluggard’s craving will be the death of him, because his hands refuse to work. All day long he craves for more, but the righteous give without sparing.”

What a contrast!

Application

I am challenged by Job’s words in 2:10,

“Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?”

My application is to remain true and faithful to God in good times and bad. I pray that I might be able to weather tough times without sinning against God. Also, as I said, as much as I have criticized Job’s friends, I have a lot to learn from them. I have never empathized with any of my friends in pain to the degree that these guys did. And, yet I have still given advice. I need to work on listening more, and demonstrating my love through silence as well as words.

Prayer

“God, I hope and pray that my life never looks anything like Job’s, but help me to love You and be faithful to You despite my circumstances.”

Pastor Bob DuPar
August 20, 2008

Journal Entry



Scripture

Esther 8:1-10:3; 1 Corinthians 12:27-13:13; Psalm 37:1-11; Proverbs 21:23-24

Observation

Esther 8:1, 3 reveals the justice of God:

“That same day King Xerxes gave Queen Esther the estate of Haman, the enemy of the Jews. …And Esther appointed him (Mordecai) over Haman’s estate.”

Esther 8:16-17 speaks of a rare moment in Israel’s history:

“For the Jews it was a time of happiness and joy, gladness and honor. …And many people of other nationalities became Jews because fear of the Jews had seized them.”

1 Corinthians 13 teaches that speaking someone’s language is not enough. If we lack love there is still a communication barrier. Love is the universal language. Someday when we see God face to face we will finally know Him as well as He knows us! That’s mind boggling.

Psalm 37:4,

“Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart,”

Is actually not a promise that God will give us whatever we want, but rather a promise that as we delight ourselves in Him we will want what He wants. So, in the end, it’s a promise that God will fulfill His will through us.

Application

The story of Esther is a testimony to the fact that God honors those who honor Him, and God looks out for those who stand for justice. I have room to grow in this area. I need to get out of my comfort zone a little more. I also long to understand more fully what it means to “delight myself in the Lord.” I love God, always have, but so many of the things that I delight in are not things that He delights in. As I grow in my knowledge of God and His Word I will understand better what He delights in. From this point it then becomes an issue of obedience.

Prayer

“God, I want to delight in You – more than I do. Would You please transform my heart to crave the things You desire.”

Pastor Bob DuPar
August 19, 2008

Journal Entry



Scripture

Esther 4:1-7:10; 1 Corinthians 12:1-26; Psalm 36:1-12; Proverbs 21:21-22

Observation

In Esther chapter 4 we read about the tradition of never coming into a king’s presence unless summoned. And, that if a man or woman did so without being invited it resulted in death. The only exception to this practice was if the king happened to extend his scepter – meaning that the person had found favor with the king, and their life would be spared.

I’m impressed by Mordecai’s faith in God’s sovereignty as reflected in his advice to Esther in 4:14,

“For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place …but, who knows that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?”

Esther’s plan to fast for 3 days and her resolve to put her life on the line for her people is inspiring: “I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.” (4:16)

I am humbled by the account of how God caused King Xerxes to be restless in his sleep; and, how He led Xerxes to choose the book of the chronicles of his reign for leisure reading – thus resulting in Mordecai’s life being spared!

The fact that justice caught-up with Haman and that he was hung on the very gallows which he had built to execute Mordecai, is proof that God has a sense of humor.

As I was reading Psalm 36:1-4 in today’s reading I felt like I was reading a description of Haman:

1 An oracle is within my heart concerning the sinfulness of the wicked:
There is no fear of God before his eyes.
2 For in his own eyes he flatters himself too much to detect or hate his sin.
3 The words of his mouth are wicked and deceitful; he has ceased to be wise and to do good.
4 Even on his bed he plots evil; he commits himself to a sinful course
and does not reject what is wrong.

Finally, I loved Psalm 36:8-9,

“They feast on the abundance of Your house; You give them drink from Your river of delights. For with You is the fountain of life; in Your light we see light.

Application

Through Jesus we have the privilege and ability to come before God at any time, knowing that we will be received and will find favor in His eyes. This truth is affirmed in Hebrews 4:16,

“Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

I would love to have Esther’s courage to put my life on the line for God and His people. Mordecai’s words, “For such a time as this,” remind me that leadership and position are not merely blessings to be enjoyed personally; they are divinely appointed platforms from which we fight for justice & God’s will.

Psalm 36 really spoke to me, especially the following phrases:

“…in his own eyes he flatters himself too much to detect or hate his sin. …he has ceased to be wise and to do good. …He commits himself to a sinful course and does not reject what is wrong.”

Arrogance and self-absorption blind us from even seeing our own sin, with the result that we cease to be wise and we lose the ability to do good. That’s scary! When we commit ourselves to a sinful course it’s hard to reject things which are wrong and sinful. We lose discernment, judgment, common sense.

Prayer

“God, would you allow me to ‘drink from Your river of delights’ this week? This year? For the rest of my life? Thank You for Your love which reaches to the heavens, for Your faithfulness and righteousness which are eternally unshakeable.”

Pastor Bob DuPar
August 18, 2008

Journal Entry



Scripture

Esther 1:1-3:15; 1 Corinthians 11:17-34; Psalm 35:17-28; Proverbs 21:19-20

Observation

I thought it was interesting in Esther 2:12 that the girls which were chosen by King Xerxes as possible replacements to be his queen had to undergo 12 months of beauty treatments before they were brought into his presence. And, in Esther 3:15 after King Xerxes and Haman order the extermination of the Jews in all the provinces under Xerxes rule, they “sat down to drink.” Not much of a conscience or understanding of the ramifications of what had been decreed.

In 1 Corinthians 11:26 the phrase “you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes” means that every time we participate in communion we testify that there is salvation in no other name, no other sacrifice, no other god.

Application

The application which I drew today came from the story of King Xerxes and Haman in Esther. A leader must know the facts and be more informed before he or she makes sweeping decisions and edicts which affect the lives of others. Xerxes trusted Haman explicitly – too much. He should have gathered more information and facts on the matter before he ignorantly wielded his power in senseless destruction.

Prayer

“God, thank You for stories like Esther which remind me of Your sovereign ability to work through all situations, circumstances and people for Your glory.”

Pastor Bob DuPar
August 17, 2008

Journal Entry



Scripture

Nehemiah 12:27-13:31; 1 Corinthians 11:3-16; Psalm 35:1-16; Proverbs 21:17-18

Observation

In today’s reading I found the account of how Nehemiah rebuked the men who married foreign wives and who let their sons and daughters intermarry with foreigners very humorous. The text says that he “called curses down on them, beat some of the men and pulled out their hair.” (Nehemiah 13:25)

Nehemiah’s disciplinary practices don’t sound very pastoral! I can only imagine how the church would respond if I dealt with people in this way.

I have heard people respond to Paul’s treatment of men and women in 1 Corinthians 11, particularly the phrase “the head of the woman is man,” by arguing that the Greek word for “head” Kephalemeans “source” rather than “head.” But, the Greek does not support this translation. This word occurs 76 times in the New Testament, and each time it is translated as “head.” I am very sensitive to the biblical issues relating to women, but they are not solved by stretching a word beyond its original meaning.

Application

God cares very much who we marry because there is a generational ripple effect in the values and beliefs which are passed on. God is a jealous God – jealous in the sense of possessive of what is His. He does not tolerate anything which leads us away from Him.

Prayer

“God, thank You for Your Word. Thank You for Your unconditional love, and for Your patience with me.”