Pastor Bob DuPar
October 18, 2008

Journal Entry



Scripture

Jeremiah 31:27-32:44; 1 Timothy 3:1-16; Psalm 88:1-18; Proverbs 25:20-22

Observation

“The time is coming,” declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant
with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. It will not be like the covenant I made with their forefathers when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they broke my covenant, though I was a husband to them,” declares the Lord. This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time,” declares the Lord. “I will put my law in their minds
and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying,‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest,” declares the Lord. “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.” Jeremiah 31:31-34

“If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you.” Proverbs 25:21-22

Application

God has put His law in our minds and has written it upon our hearts through the Holy Spirit. Not only is God’s law internal rather than external, but we also have the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit to obey God’s law.

Proverbs 25:21-22 is quoted by Paul in Romans 12:20. Many times people interpret “heaping burning coals” on an enemy’s head as an act of revenge. But, in ancient times a person’s fire would go out and they would need to borrow some live coals to restart their fire. This was no easy task since burning coals were usually found only outside the city gates where perpetual fires would burn. People would transport the coals from these fires to their home by carrying them in baskets upon their head. Making that trip for a neighbor (not to mention an enemy) was seen as an extreme act of kindness.

I have to ask myself, “Have I gone the extra mile recently to show God’s kindness and love – especially to someone who may not be a friend?” I need to look for opportunities.

Prayer

“Lord, help me not to miss the opportunities You send my way each day to show others Your love. Help me to seize these moments and to respond as You would.”

Pastor Bob DuPar
October 17, 2008

Journal Entry



Scripture

Jeremiah 30:1-31:26; 1 Timothy 2:1-15; Psalm 87:1-7; Proverbs 25:18-19

Observation

“The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying, ‘I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with lovingkindness.”
Jeremiah 31:3

“I will turn their mourning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow.” Jeremiah 31:13b

“I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint.” Jeremiah 31:25

“…God our Savior…wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men…”
1 Timothy 2:3-6

Application

What a deal: the opportunity to trade our sorrow for comfort and joy and our mourning for gladness. God offers refreshment to the weary and satisfaction to the faint. Our search is over. Who else offers us a promise like this?

In my opinion, 1 Timothy 2:3-6 is a strong argument against a view of election in which God pre-selects some and rejects others. Paul teaches that God “wants all men to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth,” and that He “gave Himself as a ransom for all men.” Not everyone responds to this offer; but the offer is still available to all people nonetheless.

Prayer

“Lord, Thank You for loving me with an everlasting love, Your everlasting love. Thank You for continually, day-by-day ‘drawing’ me with Your lovingkindness.”

Pastor Bob DuPar
October 16, 2008

Journal Entry



Scripture

Jeremiah 28:1-29:32; 1 Timothy 1:1-20; Psalm 86:1-17; Proverbs 25:17

Observation

I frequently hear Jeremiah 29:11-13 quoted and claimed,

“For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”

I never hear any mention of the previous verse (29:10),

“This is what the Lord says: ‘When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my gracious promise to bring you back to this place.”

My point? God’s blessings were preceded by 70 years of punishment and discipline.

“…instruct certain men not to teach strange doctrines, nor to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies, which give rise to mere speculation rather than furthering the administration of God which is by faith. But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. For some men, straying from these things, have turned aside to fruitless discussion…” 1 Timothy 1:3-6

“But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display His unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on Him and receive eternal life.” 1 Timothy 1:16
“Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house – too much of you, and he will hate you.” Proverbs 25:17

Application

Sometimes we must endure the inevitable consequences of our sin before we can enjoy and experience God’s promised blessing. We need to remember that even God’s punishment is redemptive in nature. He uses everything to shape us and mold us into His image.

I thought Paul’s words in 1 Timothy 1:5 made a great philosophy of ministry statement for each one of us to live by:

“…the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.”

Paul’s comment in 1 Timothy 1:16 made me realize that God’s “unlimited patience” in my life, through my sinfulness and shortcomings, can be sovereignly used to draw others to salvation.

The message of Proverbs 25:17 is straight forward & humorous:

“Don’t overstay your welcome!”

Prayer

“Lord, energize me and equip me to love from a pure heart, and a good conscience and a sincere faith.”

Pastor Bob DuPar
October 15, 2008

Journal Entry



Scripture

Jeremiah 26:1-27:22; 2 Thessalonians 3:1-18; Psalm 85:1-13; Proverbs 25:16

Observation

“We hear that some among you are idle. They are not busy; they are busybodies. …as for you, brothers, never tire of doing what is right.”
2 Thessalonians 3:11, 13

“If anyone does not obey our instructions in this letter…take special note of him. Do not associate with him, in order that he may feel ashamed. Yet, do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.”
2 Thessalonians 3:14-15

Application

2 Thessalonians 3:11 is interesting in its phrasing: “those who are busybodies but not busy.” The point is that some people are busy but not in respect to accomplishing anything which is useful, productive or helpful for others. I can think of a few characters on television who fit this description! On the other hand, Paul encourages us,

“Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” 1 Corinthians 15:58

I also like 2 Thessalonians 3:13, “…never tire of doing good.” The Greek word for “tire” means “to become discouraged.” Often our weariness is not physical but rather emotional – we lose heart, lose hope.

Finally, what great advice in 2 Thessalonians 3:15 with respect to church discipline. We are to hold people accountable yet with brotherly love. Those who sin are not the enemy. We all sin. We are called to balance without erring on one extreme or the other: turning our head the other way and tolerating sin, or excommunicating people from the loving help they need.

Prayer

“Lord, help me to be productive in things that make a difference. Guard me from spinning my wheels in uselessness.”

Pastor Bob DuPar
October 14, 2008

Journal Entry



Scripture

Jeremiah 23:21-25:38; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-17; Psalm 84:1-12; Proverbs 25:15

Observation

Jeremiah’s words in 23:25-26, 30-31, 32 are not only a condemnation of the prophets of his day, but they also ring true as a biting commentary of some contemporary pastors,

“I have heard what the prophets say who prophesy lies in My name. They say, ‘I had a dream! I had a dream!’ How long will this continue in the hearts of these lying prophets, who prophesy the delusions of their own minds? …Therefore, I am against the prophets who steal from one another words supposedly from Me. Yes, I am against the prophets who wag their own tongues and yet declare, ‘The Lord declares.’ …They do not benefit these people in the least,’ declares the Lord.”

“And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of His mouth and destroy by the splendor of His coming.” 2 Thessalonians 2:8

“…they perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.” 2 Thessalonians 2:10b-12


Application

As we enter into the end times it’s increasingly important for us to spend time in God’s Word so that we will be able to distinguish between truth and error. As Paul says (2 Thessalonians 2:9), the “lawless one” (the antichrist) will perform “all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders.” We live in a culture that seeks power, a touch of the miraculous (not unlike biblical times), and we need to be cautious that we don’t assume that someone is from God just because they perform extraordinary acts. Satan also gives power to his followers – power to deceive, confuse and destroy. And, God allows a “powerful delusion” to come upon those who refuse to believe the truth.

Prayer

“Lord, protect us from deception. May Your Word guide and guard our hearts and minds in Your truth.”

Pastor Bob DuPar
October 13, 2008

Journal Entry



Scripture

Jeremiah 22:1-23:20; 2 Thessalonians 1:1-12; Psalm 83:1-18; Proverbs 25:11-14

Observation

“Woe to shepherds who are destroying and scattering the sheep of My pasture!’ declares the Lord. ‘…Because you have scattered My flock and driven them away and have not bestowed care on them, I will bestow punishment on you for the evil you have done,’ declares the Lord. ‘I Myself will gather the remnant of My flock out of all the countries where I have driven them and will bring them back to their pasture, where they will be fruitful and increase in number. I will place shepherds over them who will tend them, and they will no longer be afraid or terrified, nor will any be missing,’ declares the Lord.” Jeremiah 23:1, 2b-4

“We constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of His calling, and that by His power He may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith. We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.” 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12

“Like clouds and wind without rain is a man who boasts of gifts he does not give.” Proverbs 25:14

Application

When shepherds neglect to care for their flock, the sheep are inevitably scattered. God appoints shepherds and God is able to remove and replace bad shepherds.

2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 could be used as one of those “name-it-&-claim it” passages: “We pray…that His power…may fulfill every good purpose of yours.” Fortunately, Paul follows-up on this verse with godly parameters: “That the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in Him.” Many of our good intentions and purposes don’t bring glory to God; and, this ultimately should be the goal and end result of answered prayer – that God receives the glory!

Prayer

“Lord, may You be glorified in my life today and every day.”

Pastor Bob DuPar
October 12, 2008

Journal Entry



Scripture

Jeremiah 19:1-21:14; 1 Thessalonians 5:4-28; Psalm 82:1-8; Proverbs 25:8-10

Observation

“He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with Him.” 1 Thessalonians 5:10

“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. …Do not put out the Spirit’s fire. …Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16-19, 21-22

“Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed. Rescue the weak and needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.” Psalm 82:3-4

Application

What security to know that our future has been secured by God. Nothing can ever separate us from God. This gives me great confidence and peace as I struggle through difficult and unstable times.

Perhaps Paul is saying in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 that the way to be “joyful always” and to “give thanks in all circumstances” is to stay connected with/to our life source by “praying continually.”

Prayer

“Lord, bless me with opportunities to make a difference in the lives of those who are poor and needy. Thank You for providing for me. May I be able to provide for others with what You have shared with me.”