Pastor Bob DuPar
October 3, 2008

Journal Entry



Scripture

Jeremiah 1:1-2:30; Philippians 4:1-23; Psalm 75:1-10; Proverbs 24:17-20

Observation

“The Word of the Lord came to me saying, ‘Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” Jeremiah 1:4-5

“Has a nation ever changed its gods? (Yet they are not gods at all.) But my people have exchanged their Glory for worthless idols. Be appalled at this, O heavens, and shudder with great horror,’ declares the Lord. ‘My people have committed two sins: they have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water.”
Jeremiah 2:11-13

“Have you not brought this on yourselves by forsaking the Lord your God when He led you in the way? …Your wickedness will punish you; your backsliding will rebuke you. Consider then and realize how evil and bitter it is for you when you forsake the Lord your God and have no awe of Me,’ declares the Lord, the Lord Almighty. …Where then are the gods you made for yourselves? Let them come if they can save you when you are in trouble! For you have as many gods as you have towns, O Judah.”
Jeremiah 2:17,19, 28

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

“I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.” Philippians 4:11

“I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13

“And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19

“…the evil man has no future hope…” Proverbs 24:20

Application

I forsake God all too often and seek for satisfaction in things that are broken and empty. I need to consistently come to God to meet my needs and stop looking for worldly quick fixes.

Often I present my requests to God without praise or thanksgiving, but I’m struck by the fact that the “praise/thanksgiving” precedes the “peace” in Philippians 4:6-7.

I am not content enough. In fact, I’m discontent with how content I am! No seriously, my emotions are too dependent upon good circumstances. I need to seek for the joy which God provides rather than the happiness which merely results from good “happenings.”

Prayer

“Lord, help me to learn to draw upon Your strength and not my own. Help me to trust You to provide for all my needs.”

Pastor Bob DuPar
October 2, 2008

Journal Entry



Scripture

Isaiah 66:1-24; Philippians 3:4b-21; Psalm 74:1-23; Proverbs 24:15-16

Observation

Paul’s words in Philippians 3:7-14 are both beautiful and challenging,

“But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

Paul’s words in Philippians 3:20-21 about the nature of our true citizenship are a healthy reminder and source of encouragement,

“But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables Him to bring everything under His control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like His glorious body.”

Application

How much have I given up in order to follow Christ? When Paul says, “For whose sake I have lost all things,” I’m convicted because my personal sacrifice has been minimal. I want to press on toward the prize of Jesus. I don’t want to look back or live life with regrets. I don’t want to live life in the rearview mirror. Knowing God and pursuing Him has to be my highest priority and greatest ambition.

Prayer

“Lord, may I pursue You with even a fraction of the passion and intensity with which You pursue me. May I count all things a loss in order to obtain You and know You more intimately.”

Pastor Bob DuPar
October 1, 2008

Journal Entry



Scripture

Isaiah 62:6-65:25; Philippians 2:19-3:4a; Psalm 73:1-28; Proverbs 24:13-14

Observation

Paul’s description of Timothy in Philippians 2:20 is not just high praise but also a model for Christian service,

“I have no one else like him, who takes a genuine interest in your welfare. For everyone looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.”

In Psalm 73 David is honest about his jealousy/envy of the wicked. He verbalizes what many of us feel at times, but don’t dare to articulate. Why do the wicked seem to prosper? Why is it that they don’t appear to suffer consequences for their sin? They just seem healthy, wealthy and struggle-free. And, their attitude is insulting. They act like God has no knowledge of their behavior and activities (73:11). This leads David to exclaim,

“Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure; in vain have I washed my hands in innocence.” Psalm 73:13

This was David’s mindset and perspective until he “entered into the sanctuary of God.” Then, he understood “their final destiny.” (73:17)

Finally, I love the words of Psalm 73:23-28,

“Yet I am always with You; You hold me by my right hand. You guide me with Your counsel, and afterward You will take me into glory. Whom have I in heaven but You? And earth has nothing I desire besides You. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Those who are far from You will perish; You destroy all who are unfaithful to You. But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all Your deeds.”

Application

I hope I have genuine interest in the welfare of others and that I’m not just wrapped-up in self-absorption. Paul’s teaching is that to have the interests of Christ is to have a heart for others.

Psalm 73 teaches me that I find perspective when I come into God’s presence. I don’t find perspective by immersing myself deeper in the ways of the world. I need to spend more time in God’s presence: in His Word, praying, times of solitude when I just listen…

Prayer

“Lord, thank You for Your abiding presence in my life. Thank You for Your nearness, Your guidance, Your counsel – for being my portion. Thank You for securing my eternal destiny. You are awesome and good.”

Pastor Bob DuPar
September 30, 2008

Journal Entry



Scripture

Isaiah 60:1-62:5; Philippians 1:27-2:18; Psalm 72:1-20; Proverbs 24:11-12

Observation

Where did September go?

Isaiah 61:1-4 is Messianic in that it foretells the mission of the Messiah, Jesus. It’s interesting that all three members of the Trinity are referred to in verse 1: the Sovereign Lord, the Spirit & the Messiah. Jesus quotes part of this passage, in reference to Himself, in Luke 4:18-19. It also provides a picture of what true ministry/religion should look like,

“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor
and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor. They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations.”

Philippians 1:29 isn’t a “warm fuzzy” verse. It’s not the kind of verse that we “name & claim” and put on our refrigerator in multicolored splendor, but it is a hard truth we don’t often face. Suffering for Christ is a privilege:

“For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on Him, but also to suffer for Him.”
The Kenotic passage (“self-emptying of Christ) in Philippians 2:1-11 is one of the most beautiful passages in all of Scripture, not just in its description of what Jesus went through on our behalf but also in its ramifications for believers.

In Philippians 2:12 the Apostle Paul tells the believers at Philippi to “work out” their salvation with “fear and trembling” not to “work for” their salvation. There’s a big difference between these two phrases. Some scholars and commentators translate “salvation” as “deliverance” and apply the exhortation to mean deliverance from their situation of trial and persecution rather than their personal salvation (or corporate salvation - as a body of believers).

Whatever the case, Paul gives us the encouraging promise that “it is God who is at work in us both to will and to work for His good pleasure.” (2:13) And, the challenge that we are to “shine like stars” amidst a “crooked and depraved generation” as we “hold out” or “hold forth” the Word of life.

Application

I have to ask myself, “Am I preaching the Good News? Binding-up the brokenhearted? Proclaiming freedom to captives? Releasing prisoners from darkness? Comforting those who mourn and grieve?” These things constitute real ministry and accurately reflect our Father’s heart.

I don’t welcome suffering; and, I’m not at a point of spiritual maturity in which I view it as a privilege. But, I do acknowledge that some of my most powerful experiences of God/Christ have been in times of suffering.

Growing up in the Church, an overemphasis upon grace and a message of condemnation regarding works has caused me to undervalue the importance of bearing fruit (“works as a result of salvation”).

Prayer

“Lord, thank You for promising me both the desire and the power to fulfill Your will in my life.”

Pastor Bob DuPar
September 29, 2008

Journal Entry



Scripture

Isaiah 57:14-59:21; Philippians 1:1-26; Psalm 71:1-24; Proverbs 24:9-10

Observation

Isaiah 58:3-10 is one of my favorite passages in all of Scripture!

“Why have we fasted,’ they say, ‘and you have not seen it? Why have we humbled ourselves, and you have not noticed?’ Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please and exploit all your workers. Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife, and in striking each other with wicked fists. You cannot fast as you do today and expect your voice to be heard on high. Is this the kind of fast I have chosen, only a day for a man to humble himself? Is it only for bowing one’s head like a reed and for lying on sackcloth and ashes?
Is that what you call a fast, a day acceptable to the Lord? Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—
when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you,
and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard. Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.
“If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk, and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness,
and your night will become like the noonday.”

I love the phrase, “if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed…” This fits right in with what we talked about Sunday - about working and investing in things eternal rather than things which are temporal.

Philippians 1:6 is a great reminder,

“Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

I totally identify with Psalm 71:5-6,

“For You have been my hope, O Sovereign Lord, my confidence since my youth. From birth I have relied on You; You brought me forth from my mother’s womb. I will ever praise You.”

Finally, Proverbs 24:10 really caught my attention and convicted me,

“If you falter in times of trouble, how small is your strength!”

Application

Christianity is so much more than pious religiosity – of numbly going through the motions without allowing God’s Truth to engage and transform our hearts and minds into action. A true relationship with God is also more than just social justice – of doing the “right thing” or even things in God’s name, and yet not personally knowing Him and operating out of His power. Saving faith is knowing Jesus personally and allowing Him to energize us through His Holy Spirit to reach a world in need – both physically and spiritually.

Prayer

“Lord, empower me to spend my life on behalf of the hungry and oppressed. I pray the words of Paul in Philippians 1:9-11: ‘May Your love abound in me more and more in knowledge and insight so that I might be able to discern what is best and might be pure and blameless until the day of Your return, filled with the fruit of Your righteousness that comes through Your Son Jesus – to Your praise and glory!”

Pastor Bob DuPar
September 28, 2008

Journal Entry



Scripture

Isaiah 54:1-57:13; Ephesians 6:1-24; Psalm 70:1-5; Proverbs 24:8

Observation

Isaiah 54:10 is a great promise to hold on to in these uncertain times,

“Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet My unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor My covenant of peace be removed.”

God’s question to His people in Isaiah 55:2 is even more astounding when seen through the lens of His incredible offer in the preceding verse (55:1),

“Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to Me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare.” Isaiah 55:2

“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost.” Isaiah 55:1

These verses, coupled with Isaiah 55:11, are even more amazing in light of Jesus’ claim in John 6:35 to be the “Bread of Life”,

“My Word that goes out from My mouth will not return to me empty, but will accomplish the purpose for which I sent it.” (55:11)

Isaiah 57:1 offers an interesting perspective on why God often takes wonderful Christian people “prematurely” (from our perspective),

“…Devout men are taken away, and no one understands that the righteous are taken away to be spared from evil.”

“Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men” (Ephesians 6:7), and “Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power (by) putting on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” (Ephesians 6:10-11)

Application

I need to focus on God (my Rock) more, and less on my circumstances, during times of uncertainty. I realize that I often go into battle unarmed, or at the most – partially armed. I need to take advantage of God’s gracious offer to equip me for spiritual warfare.

Prayer

“Lord, may I love You with an ‘undying love’ (Ephesians 6:24).”