Pastor Bob DuPar
October 25, 2008

Journal Entry



Scripture

Jeremiah 48:1-49:22; 2 Timothy 4:1-22; Psalm 95:1-96:13; Proverbs 26:9-12

Observation

“Preach the Word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching. For the time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. They will reject the truth and chase after myths.”
2 Timothy 4:2-4

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me – the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me on the day of His return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to His appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:7-8

“An employer who hires a fool or a bystander is like an archer who shoots at random.” Proverbs 26:10

Application

God’s Word is appropriate and helpful in any situation, at any time. We live in a time where people flock to hear “health, wealth & prosperity” messages – not what they need, but what they want to hear. The challenge is to continue to faithfully preach the Word (in its entirety), whether it’s received or not.
I long to finish the race, to come to the end of my life, and be able to say, “I have remained faithful.” I don’t live “longing for His appearing” like I should either. I get too caught-up in my day to day routine. I need to remind myself what really matters – what’s eternal and what’s temporary.

Hiring an employee or team member should be a purposeful, intentional choice, and not a random selection.

Prayer

“Lord, help me to anticipate Your coming with excitement and longing the same way I look forward to petty activities and events of this life. Help me to remember that Your coming will far surpass anything I have ever experienced, anything I can even imagine.”

Pastor Bob DuPar
October 24, 2008

Journal Entry



Scripture

Jeremiah 44:24-47:7; 2 Timothy 2:22-3:17; Psalm 94:1-23; Proverbs 26:6-8

Observation

“Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth. Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil’s trap. For they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants.” 2 Timothy 2:25-26

“…in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. …They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!”
2 Timothy 3:1-2, 5

“Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.” 2 Timothy 3:12

“How long, O Lord? How long will the wicked be allowed to gloat? …They crush Your people, Lord, hurting those You claim as Your own. ‘…The Lord isn’t looking,’ they say, ‘and besides, the God of Israel doesn’t care.’ Think again, you fools! When will you finally catch on? Is He deaf—the One who made your ears? Is He blind—the One who formed your eyes? He punishes the nations—won’t He also punish you? He knows everything—doesn’t He also know what you are doing?” Psalm 94:3, 5, 7-10

“When doubts filled my mind, Your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer.” Psalm 94:19

Application

Gentle instruction rather than pushy obnoxiousness softens the hearts of those who oppose the truth. It helps to point out to unbelievers that they are not really free; they are held captive to fulfill Satan’s desires, not theirs.

It sounds like we’re in the last days by the description found in 2 Timothy 3:1-5. I’m convicted by the question, “Am I someone who acts religious, but rejects the power which is able to make me godly?”

Prayer

“Lord, when will I catch on? You do see all, and You require more of me, more from me, than the scraps of obedience which I bring to the altar.”

Pastor Bob DuPar
October 23, 2008

Journal Entry



Scripture

Jeremiah 42:1-44:23; 2 Timothy 2:1-21; Psalm 92:1-93:5; Proverbs 26:3-5

Observation

“You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others.” 2 Timothy 2:2

“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a workman who need not be ashamed, handling accurately the Word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15

“But God’s truth stands firm like a foundation stone with this inscription: ‘The Lord knows those who are His.’ And ‘All who belong to the Lord must turn away from evil.” 2 Timothy 2:19

“If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work.” 2 Timothy 2:21

“Your throne, O Lord, has stood from time immemorial. You yourself are from the everlasting past. The floods have risen up, O Lord. The floods have roared like thunder; the floods have lifted their pounding waves. But mightier than the violent raging of the seas, mightier than the breakers on the shore—the Lord above is mightier than these!”
Psalm 93:2-4

“Don’t answer the foolish arguments of fools, or you will become as foolish as they are.” Proverbs 26:4

Application

Discipleship involves handing off the baton of faith to people who will be reliable to hand it off to other people. There’s nothing more frustrating than running a relay race, and having someone on your team blow it on their leg.

Being diligent to present ourselves approved to God as students and teachers of His Word is a lifelong assignment – and hopefully a lifelong passion.

2 Timothy 2:21 makes a connection between purity and usefulness, between purity and readiness for the opportunities that come our way to be used of God.

Prayer

“Lord, purify me for Your service. Refine my heart of the dross that displeases You and is not worthy of You.”

Pastor Bob DuPar
October 22, 2008

Journal Entry



Scripture

Jeremiah 39:1-41:18; 2 Timothy 1:1-18; Psalm 90:1-91:16; Proverbs 26:1-2

Observation

“He (King Nebuchadnezzar) made Zedekiah watch as they slaughtered his sons and all the nobles of Judah. Then they gouged out Zedekiah’s eyes, bound him in bronze chains, and led him away to Babylon.” Jeremiah 39:6-7

I’m guessing that Zedekiah did not surrender as Jeremiah warned him. Fleeing is not the same as surrendering. This could have been Zedekiah’s fate:

“You won’t be handed over to them if you choose to obey the Lord. Your life will be spared, and all will go well for you. But if you refuse to surrender…” Jeremiah 38:20-21a

“I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice. And I know that same faith continues strong in you.” 2 Timothy 1:5

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7

“…Christ Jesus, our Savior …broke the power of death and illuminated the way to life and immortality through the Good News.” 2 Timothy 1:10

“I know the One in whom I trust, and I am sure that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until the day of His return.” 2 Timothy 1:12b

“Satisfy us each morning with Your unfailing love, so we may sing for joy to the end of our lives. Give us gladness in proportion to our former misery! Replace the evil years with good.” Psalm 90:14-15

Application

Obedience always leads to a better outcome than when we make decisions on our own, based on fear.

Faith is a generational passing of the baton. May we be faithful to raise up a future generation that loves God, honors Him and carries forward the legacy of His faithfulness.

I’m claiming 2 Timothy 1:7 as it relates to evangelistic opportunities which God gives to me, and my response to them.

Prayer

“Lord, would You satisfy me each morning with Your unfailing love, so I might sing for joy for the rest of my life.”

Pastor Bob DuPar
October 21, 2008

Journal Entry



Scripture

Jeremiah 37:1-38:28; 1 Timothy 6:1-21; Psalm 89:38-52; Proverbs 25:28

Observation

Jeremiah was persecuted in Jeremiah 38 simply for being faithful to “truthfully” proclaim God’s Word, rather than to tell people what they want to hear. He was accused of “discouraging the soldiers” and “not seeking the good of the people, but rather their ruin.” But, sometimes truth is discouraging. Discouraging truth that leads to our well being is much better than encouraging lies that set a trap for our destruction. Jeremiah was faithful to God, and yet he ended up in a smelly, muddy pit (cistern).

Jeremiah’s bitter sarcasm in 38:15 is understandable,

“Promise you won’t kill me if I give you a truthful answer; because I’m not motivated to give you counsel at all since you never listen anyway.”
(My wording)
I was struck by the phrasing of 1 Timothy 6:5,

“…men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the Truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.”

“But, godliness with contentment is great gain.” 1 Timothy 6:6

“Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” 1 Timothy 6:12

“Don’t be arrogant and don’t put your hope in wealth, which is so uncertain (stock market, economy!). But, put your hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. …Do good, be rich in good deeds, be generous and willing to share. In this way you will lay up treasure for yourselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that you may take hold of the life that is truly life.” 1 Timothy 6:17-19

(I took the liberty of changing the pronouns from 3rd person to 2nd person to personalize Paul’s command as also applying to us and not just a group of Jews 2,000 years ago.)

“Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control.” Proverbs 25:28

Application

Sometimes I interpret trials and tough times as a sign that God is frustrated with me or that I am out of His will. Yet, Jeremiah ended up in a pit (no fault or sin of his own). Again, I’m reminded of Philippians 1:29,

“For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake.”

How am I taking hold of the eternal life to which I have been called? In part, I believe it involves a fight – fighting the good fight: living without compromise, living obediently. Again, in verse 19 Paul says, “Take hold of the life that is truly life.”

When I lose my self-control in any area of my life, I am like a city without walls – vulnerable to attack and seizure.

Prayer

“Lord, I don’t want to merely ‘seize the day,’ I want to seize life – ‘the life that is truly life!’ Please help me not to settle for lesser things. Guard me against selling out for immediate gratification rather than the rewards which come through faithful obedience to You.”

Pastor Bob DuPar
October 20, 2008

Journal Entry



Scripture

Jeremiah 35:1-36:32; 1 Timothy 5:1-25; Psalm 89:14-37; Proverbs 25:25-27

Observation

“Jonadab son of Recab ordered his sons not to drink wine and this command has been kept. …But I (the Lord) have spoken to you again and again, yet you have not obeyed Me.” Jeremiah 35:14

Problem:
“Perhaps when the people of Judah hear about every disaster I plan to inflict on them, each of them will turn from is wicked way; then I will forgive their wickedness and their sin.” Jeremiah 36:3

Response:
“Whenever Jehudi had read three or four columns of the scroll, the king cut them off with a scribe’s knife and threw them into the firepot, until the entire scroll was burned in the fire. The king and all his attendants who heard all these words showed no fear, nor did they tear their clothes.”
Jeremiah 36:23-24

Result:
“I will punish him (King Jehoiakim of Judah) and his children and his attendants for their wickedness; I will bring on them and those living in Jerusalem and the people of Judah every disaster I pronounced against them, because they have not listened.” Jeremiah 36:31

“The sins of some men are obvious, reaching the place of judgment ahead of them; the sins of others trail behind them. In the same way, good deeds are obvious, and even those that are not cannot be hidden.” 1 Timothy 5:24-25

“I will punish their sin with the rod, their iniquity with flogging; but I will not take My love from them, nor will I ever betray My faithfulness.”
Psalm 89:32-33

“Like a muddied spring or a polluted well is a righteous man who gives way to the wicked. It is not good to eat too much honey, nor is it honorable to seek one’s own honor.” Proverbs 25:26-27

Application

What a tragedy when we are better at following “earthly” orders than “heavenly” commands.

God wants so desperately to forgive our wickedness. He stalls punishment, hoping that we will repent and change. Jeremiah 36 is a good example of the costliness of bad leadership. The people wanted to respond to God, but the leadership was unrepentant and therefore incurred judgment on everyone! There is a huge responsibility that goes with leading. Good leadership can lead to a tremendous outcome; bad leadership can produce devastating consequences. This reminds me of yesterday’s verse:

“Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.” 1 Timothy 4:16

Finally, I thought that Psalm 89 was such a beautiful picture of the balance between God’s justice and love. He punishes us (for our good – and with redemption in mind) and yet He never takes away His love or betrays His faithfulness. This makes me want to be more faithful and obedient to my Savior and Lord!

Prayer

“Lord, help me to be a wise leader. Help me to honor You, to faithfully follow You, and to lead others to You.”

Pastor Bob DuPar
October 19, 2008

Journal Entry



Scripture

Jeremiah 33:1-34:22; 1 Timothy 4:1-16; Psalm 89:1-13; Proverbs 25:23-24

Observation

“This is what the Lord says, He who made the earth, the Lord who formed it and established it – the Lord is His name: ‘Call to Me and I will answer you tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” Jeremiah 33:2-3

This verse reminds me of Romans 11:33,

“Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!”

“The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.” 1 Timothy 4:1

“…Train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” 1 Timothy 4:7b-8

“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. …Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.”
1 Timothy 4:12-13, 16

Application

What an awesome promise that as I pursue God He will share “great and unsearchable things” which I do not know.

An investment in godliness is an eternal investment!

Paying close attention to how we live our life and what we believe is not just a personal safeguard, but it also provides protection and benefit to those who listen to us and follow our example.

Prayer

“Lord, grant me the wisdom and desire to pursue You everyday – not in an obligatory, mechanical manner, but passionately and wholeheartedly.”