Pastor Bob DuPar
September 6, 2008

Journal Entry



Scripture

Song Of Songs 1:1-4:16; 2 Corinthians 8:16-24; Psalm 50:1-23; Proverbs 22:22-23

Observation

The two passages which stood out to me the most today were from Psalms and Proverbs. Psalm 50:21-23 says,

“These things you have done and I kept silence; You thought that I was just like you; I will reprove you and state the case in order before your eyes. Now consider this, you who forget God, Or I will tear you in pieces, and there will be none to deliver. He who offers a sacrifice of thanksgiving honors Me; and to him who orders his way aright I shall show the salvation of God.”

Proverbs 22:22-23 speaks of God’s heart for the poor,

“Do not exploit the poor because they are poor and do not crush the needy in court, for the Lord will take up their case and will plunder those who plunder them.”

Application

It’s dangerous when I start justifying my behavior by thinking that God is just like me. God’s silence is not the same as His approval – if anything it is His mercy and grace and patience. I desire to see the salvation of God. I want my life to be one of praise and thanksgiving to God – one which honors Him.

Prayer

“Lord, help me not to abuse Your patience or take it for granted. Thank You for Your love which never lets me go.”

Pastor Bob DuPar
September 5, 2008

Journal Entry



Scripture

Ecclesiastes 10:1-12:14; 2 Corinthians 8:1-15; Psalm 49:1-20; Proverbs 22:20-21

Observation

Ecclesiastes 10:4 stood out to me,

“If a ruler’s anger rises against you, do not leave your post; calmness can lay great errors to rest.”

And 11:1,

“Cast your bread upon the waters, for after many days you will find it again.”

Ecclesiastes 12:12 reminds me of seminary,

“Of many books there is no end, and much study wearies the body.”

After Solomon has picked apart every area of life and has declared his finding: “Meaningless, meaningless, all is meaningless!” Here is his conclusion,

“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.”

I am thoroughly impressed by the Macedonian churches Paul writes about in 2 Corinthians 8:2-5,
“Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints. And they…gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God’s will.”

And then, 8:9 sums it all up,

“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich.”

Application

The distillation of Solomon’s wisdom is: fear God and keep His commandments. This is success in life. This leads to true fulfillment. Obedience is not always fun, convenient or popular – but, it’s what we are all called to.

I just felt like the example of the Macedonian churches provides such a great model for all of us as we seek to serve God and His followers: Giving ourselves first to the Lord and then to others in keeping with His will. If I give myself first to God He will continually direct me as to where I should serve, and where His presence and love are needed.

Prayer

“Lord, help me to follow You with all of my heart and to act upon the promptings of Your Spirit – to go where You lead and to do all that You ask of me.”

Pastor Bob DuPar
September 4, 2008

Journal Entry



Scripture

Ecclesiastes 7:1-9:18; 2 Corinthians 7:8-16; Psalm 48:1-14; Proverbs 22:17-19

Observation

“Do not say, ‘Why were the old days better than these?’ For it is not wise to ask such questions.” Ecclesiastes 7:10

What a practical verse. And, besides, God is not a God of the past – He is also the God of the present and future. His miraculous works and mighty power are not limited to the past – they are alive and well today. God says in Isaiah 43:18-19,

“Do not call to mind the former things, or ponder things of the past. Behold, I will do something new, now it will spring forth; will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, Rivers in the desert.”

Ecclesiastes 9:11 sounds like a proverb, and is a good reminder,

“The race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong, nor does food come to the wise or wealth to the brilliant or favor to the learned; but time and chance happen to them all.”

9:17, 18 was really good as well,

“The quiet words of the wise are more to be heeded than the shouts of a ruler of fools. …one sinner destroys much good.”

2 Corinthians 7:10 is great teaching on the difference between godly and worldly sorrow,

“Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.”

Finally, I found Psalm 48:14 to be a great encouragement,

“For this God (described in verses 1-9) is our God for ever and ever; He will be our guide even to the end.”

Application

Too often I live life in the rear-view mirror, doubting decisions I’ve made, regretting mistakes I’ve made and ultimately not trusting God that He is able “to do above and beyond all I can ask, think or imagine according to His power at work in me!” (Ephesians 3:20)

“True repentance…leaves no regret.” As I turn away from things that are harmful for me, God promises to fill me with the “new things” that He has for me – so that I won’t miss the “old.” Plus, when I see the “old” as He sees it, I will agree with Him that it was not good for me. It reminds me of the old hymn: “I have decided to follow Jesus…no turning back, no turning back.”

Prayer

“Lord, help me not to doubt Your perfect will for me. Help me to always trust that Your will leads to my greatest joy and fulfillment when I’m tempted to seek short-term, worldly solutions.”

Pastor Bob DuPar
September 3, 2008

Journal Entry



Scripture

Ecclesiastes 4:1-6:12; 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:7; Psalm 47:1-9; Proverbs 22:16

Observation

I have always liked Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, especially verse 12,

“Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”

5:2,5-6 & 7 stood out to me,

“Do not be quick with your mouth; do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few. …It is better not to vow than to make a vow and not fulfill it. Do not let your mouth lead you into sin. …Much dreaming and many words are meaningless. Therefore stand in awe of God.”

The contrast of 5:10 and 5:19 caught my attention,

“Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income…”

“…When God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work – this is a gift of God.”

Finally, 2 Corinthians 6:16, 18 & 7:1 spoke to me,

“…God has said, ‘I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people. …I will be a Father to you, and you will be My sons and daughters… Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.”

Application

Ecclesiastes 4 is a strong challenge and case for living in community rather than trying a “lone ranger” approach to life.

Ecclesiastes 5 is a reminder for me to guard my lips and think twice before I make empty promises to God. God would rather have us live in awe of Him than to talk up a storm about how great He is and then live like He was a senile old man who was ignorant to the incongruity between our words and actions.

The phrase “perfecting holiness” in 2 Corinthians 7:1 means that I am to “finish” or “complete” the course of striving to be like Jesus. Holiness is a choice. It is a conscious, deliberate decision to daily rid my life of sin and to passionately pursue righteousness – that which pleases God.

Prayer

“Lord, may I honor You in my choices. Grant me the power to choose good over evil, Your perfect will over my lustful impulses and selfish desires.”

Pastor Bob DuPar
September 2, 2008

Journal Entry



Scripture

Ecclesiastes 1:1-3:22; 2 Corinthians 6:1-13; Psalm 46:1-11; Proverbs 22:15

Observation

“Meaningless! Meaningless! …Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless.” (Ecclesiastes 1:2)

I’m not certain, but I’m pretty sure that Solomon wrote these words right after he dropped his first daughter off at college!

“For with much wisdom comes much sorrow; the more knowledge, the more grief.” (Ecclesiastes 1:18)

This would make a great theme verse for an institution of higher education. I’m glad no one shared this verse with me when I was going through college and seminary. Actually, it’s not the knowledge that brings the sorrow and grief – it’s the debt you accumulate pursuing the knowledge!

“I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure.”
(Ecclesiastes 2:10)

This sounds like a dangerous game plan – a recipe for disaster! Not everything we desire is healthy for us; and, pleasure doesn’t necessarily bring joy to the heart. 2:24-26 adds that wisdom, knowledge and happiness (enjoyment) come from the hand of God. “To find satisfaction in our work” is a gift from God (3:13). Otherwise, everything is vanity; because as Solomon says – you work hard only to possibly leave what you have worked for in the hands of some fool.

In the end, Psalm 46:10 is great counsel,

“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

Application

I desire to discover the knowledge, wisdom and happiness that God provides and wills for me rather than that which I seek to achieve through my own efforts.

I need to take time – intentional, prolonged time, to rest and be still before God. Jesus did, and in so doing provided a model for us all.

Prayer

“Lord, help me to take time to be still before You. Help me to depend upon You and not get so busy that I forget You altogether. Please be with Amanda as she begins this new chapter of her life. Protect her, guide her and bless her – richly. Thank You that I can rest knowing that You will (continue to) be her Father while we are apart.”

Pastor Bob DuPar
September 1, 2008

Journal Entry



Scripture

Job 40:1-42:17; 2 Corinthians 5:11-21; Psalm 45:1-17; Proverbs 22:14

Observation

Today’s reading was interesting to say the least. Job’s responses to God at this point in the biblical account are very humble:

“I am unworthy – how can I reply to You?” (40:4)

“I know that You can do all things; no plan of Yours can be thwarted. …Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know.” (42:2-3)

Suggestions for the reference to “behemoth” (plural of ‘beast’) in 40:15 are: large cattle (generic use of the Hebrew word in the OT), an elephant, a hippo and a dinosaur. I personally believe the description is of a dinosaur, since a dinosaur is the only beast which matches all the characteristics listed in verses 15-24.

“Leviathan” is a term used 4 times in Scripture: (Job 3:8; Ps. 74:14; 104:26; Is. 27:1). Since this creature lives in the sea among ships (Ps. 104:26), some believe it was a sea monster, possibly an ancient dinosaur. Some feel it was a crocodile, which had scaly hide (v. 15), terrible teeth (v. 14) and speed in the water (v. 32). But crocodiles are not sea creatures, and this one was (v. 31). Some have thought it was a killer whale or a Great White Shark, because he is the ultimate killer beast over all other proud beasts (v. 34). It could also have been some sea-going dinosaur.
(The MacArthur Study Bible)

Personally, I’m not sure what “leviathan” was – especially since verses 15-30 sound like the description of a fire-breathing dragon.

I love Job 42:5,

“My ears had heard of You but now my eyes have seen You.”

I’m sure Job felt vindicated when God chastised his friends and commanded them to offer burnt offerings while having Job pray for them.

Job 42:12 says, “The Lord blessed the latter part of Job’s life more than the first.” And, 42:10 says that “the Lord made him prosperous again and gave him twice as much as he had before.” God doubled Job’s livestock, but Job 1:2 makes it clear that Job started off with 7 sons and three daughters and ended up with 7 sons and three daughters. To me, the loss of Job’s original children could not be replaced by any amount of material blessing.

2 Corinthians 5:15,16-17 & 20 are all great reminders:

“And He (Christ) died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him who died for them and was raised again.”

“So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. …If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!”

“We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: ‘Be reconciled to God.”

Application

I need to view people from God’s perspective rather than from a worldly point of view. Everyone is a potential new creation. I need to be a diligent ambassador for God and let people know that the only way to be reconciled to God is through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Prayer

“Lord, thank You for Your Word. It’s amazing, and it supplies my every need.”

Pastor Bob DuPar
August 31, 2008

Journal Entry



Scripture

Job 37:1-39:30; 2 Corinthians 4:13-5:10; Psalm 44:9-26; Proverbs 22:13

Observation

God’s opening response to Job in 38:1-4 is enough to silence anyone who has an issue with God’s ways,

“Then the Lord answered Job out of the storm. He said, ‘Who is this that darkens My counsel with words without knowledge? Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you will answer Me. Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell Me, if you understand.”

Job 39:9 sounds like an allusion to Jesus’ birth in the stable,

“Will the wild ox consent to serve you? Will he stay by your manger at night?”

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 is one of my favorite passages of Scripture,

“Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”

And 4:9-10,

“So we make it our goal to please Him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.”

Application

Reading through the book of Job is a great reminder to me of how ridiculous it is for me to question God’s judgment and actions. I see things from such a limited (finite) perspective, and I am not privy to a fraction of the knowledge that God bases His decisions upon.

I focus way too much upon finite, temporal things, and not nearly enough upon eternal things (the world to come). True reality has to do with things eternal and not temporary things. I need to remember this. C. S. Lewis understood this principle, and as a result was inspired to call this world “shadow land” in his writings: “These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance (reality) belongs to Christ.” (Colossians 2:17)

Prayer

“Lord, help me to base my reality upon You and not the voices of this world. Help me to choose Your absolute standard of righteousness rather than the subjective measuring sticks of those around me.”