Pastor Bob DuPar
November 1, 2008

Journal Entry



Scripture

Ezekiel 1:1-3:15; Hebrews 3:1-19; Psalm 104:1-23; Proverbs 26:24-26

Observation

“Above the expanse over their heads was what looked like a throne of sapphire, and high above on the throne was a figure like that of a man. I saw that from what appeared to be his waist up he looked like glowing metal, as if full of fire, and that from there down he looked like fire; and brilliant light surrounded him. Like the appearance of a rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day, so was the radiance around him. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. When I saw it, I fell facedown, and I heard the voice of one speaking.”
Ezekiel 1:26-28

“…the house of Israel is not willing to listen to you because they are not willing to listen to Me, for the whole house of Israel is hardened and obstinate.” Ezekiel 3:7

“I came to the exiles who lived at Tel Abib near the Kebar River. And there, where they were living, I sat among them for seven days – overwhelmed.”
Ezekiel 3:15

“See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.”
Hebrews 3:12-13

Application

I wish I could keep the image of Ezekiel 1:26-28 burned in my mind in such a way that I would daily guard myself against the temptation to worship lesser things. Someday when I stand before God’s throne I’ll wonder how I ever found anything else beautiful, attractive, or enticing.

Ezekiel 3:7 is a good reminder that our failure to carry out the message of God’s servants is ultimately an act of disobedience against God Himself.

Ezekiel 3:15 underscores the reality that sometimes the awesomeness of what God reveals to us and teaches us, coupled with the enormity of the task that lies before us, leaves us feeling overwhelmed. In times like this sometimes we just need to rest and collect our thoughts as we prepare for the ministry ahead.

The only way which we guard ourselves against “a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God” is by daily responding to the conviction and challenge of God’s Word, and by daily encouraging one another to ‘stay the course.’

Prayer

“Lord, daily remind me of the glory to come, of Your beauty and awesomeness. May I be consumed with You. May I daily respond to You in obedience and love.”

Pastor Bob DuPar
October 31, 2008

Journal Entry



Scripture

Lamentations 4:1-5:22; Hebrews 2:1-18; Psalm 103:1-22; Proverbs 26:23

Observation

“We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. For if the message spoken by angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard Him. God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to His will.”
Hebrews 2:1-4

“But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels...”
Hebrews 2:9a

Jesus was “made” (temporarily in His humanity, not “made” in the sense of “created”) a little lower than the angels.

“Because He Himself suffered when He was tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted.” Hebrews 2:18

“Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits— who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him.” Psalm 103:2-5, 11-13

“Like a coating of glaze over earthenware are fervent lips with an evil heart.” Proverbs 26:23
Application

It’s easy to drift away from God when we don’t pay close attention to what we’ve been taught. This drift begins when our actions don’t match our convictions and beliefs.

God often confirms the truth of His Word and the truth of the gospel with signs and wonders.

Prayer

“Lord, thank You for Your compassion and mercy. Thank You for satisfying my desires with good things. Help me to seek after those ‘good things’ and not to substitute lesser things.”

Pastor Bob DuPar
October 30, 2008

Journal Entry



Scripture

Lamentations 2:20-3:66; Hebrews 1:1-14; Psalm 102:1-28; Proverbs 26:21-22

Observation

“Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. I say to myself, ‘The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for Him.’ The Lord is good to those whose hope is in Him, to the one who seeks Him.” Lamentations 2:21-25

“Why should any living man complain when punished for his sins? Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord.”
Lamentations 2:39-40

“The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being, sustaining all things by His powerful word.” Hebrews 1:3a

“…when God brings His firstborn into the world, He says, ‘Let all God’s angels worship Him.” Hebrews 1:6

“The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to a man’s inmost parts.” Proverbs 26:22

Application

I say that the Lord is my portion, but then many times I rely upon other things for comfort, satisfaction and security. I prove that God is my all-in-all by waiting upon Him – for His answers in His timing.
God never tolerates worship of anyone or anything other than Himself. Yet, He commands His angels to worship the Son. Could this mean that Jesus is God?!

Gossip is so appealing, so enticing – it tastes so good, and even seems to satisfy our appetite. But, the after taste, the upset stomach that follows is proof of its destructive nature.

Prayer

“Lord, help me not to be impatient over the unresolved issues in my life. Help me to wait for Your answers, rather than my ‘quick fixes’ which invariably fail. Help me to also wait for Your perfect timing, rather than the timing which seems to make sense from my limited, human perspective.”

Pastor Bob DuPar
October 29, 2008

Journal Entry



Scripture

Lamentations 1:1-2:19; Philemon 1:1-25; Psalm 101:1-8; Proverbs 26:20

Observation

“I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ. Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints.” Philemon 1:6-7

“Without wood a fire goes out; without gossip a quarrel dies down.”
Proverbs 26:20
Application

Philemon 1:6 can be translated two different ways: either that as we share our faith we become more aware of our blessings in Christ (“every good thing we have in Christ”), or that as we become more aware of every good thing we have in Christ it will motivate and inspire us to share our faith more. Whichever the case is, the application is both obvious and exciting.

If we understood gossip as a raging, destructive fire (which it is) perhaps we would all make more of an effort to eliminate it from our lives. Maybe we should start referring to each other as “verbal arsonists!” That might help to keep us in touch with the severity of gossip.

Prayer

“Lord, help me to share my faith, my experience with You. May my evangelistic efforts be both fueled and enhanced by Your goodness in my life.”

Pastor Bob DuPar
October 28, 2008

Journal Entry



Scripture

Jeremiah 51:54-52:34; Titus 3:1-15; Psalm 100:1-5; Proverbs 26:18-19

Observation

Jehoiachin’s experience of mercy at the hands of Babylonian King Evil-Merodach in Jeremiah 52:33 sounds a lot like what God has done for us,

“So Jehoiachin put aside his prison clothes and for the rest of his life ate regularly at the king’s table.”

“When the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy.”
Titus 3:4-5a
Application

Too often I take off my prison clothes, eat at the King’s table, and then return to putting my prison clothes back on again. God finds me dumpster-diving (living in sin, trying to provide for myself); and, He cleans me up, prepares a meal for me, dines and fellowships with me, and offers me unlimited access to Him. Yet, it’s not long until I’m back in the dumpster again. God’s kindness has appeared to me in the person of Jesus Christ. I need to daily live in His presence and feast at His table – no more attempts at self-preservation.

Prayer

“Lord, it’s Your kindness that leads me to repentance (Rom. 2:4). Help me not to presume on the riches of Your mercy and patience. May I do something with the treasure You’ve entrusted to me.”

Pastor Bob DuPar
October 27, 2008

Journal Entry



Scripture

Jeremiah 51:1-53; Titus 2:1-15; Psalm 99:1-9; Proverbs 26:17

Observation

“And you…must be an example…by doing good works of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching. Teach the truth so that your teaching can’t be criticized. Then, those who oppose us will be ashamed and have nothing bad to say about us.”
Titus 2:7-8

“We are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed.” Titus 2:12-13

“Interfering in someone else’s argument is as foolish as yanking a dog’s ears.”
Application

My actions should reflect the integrity and seriousness of my teaching. They should be consistent with the truth of Scripture. If I do this, people will have nothing negative to say about Christ, His followers or me.

Prayer

“Lord, once again help me to live with anticipation and eagerness as I look forward to Your return. And, may the hope and assurance of this blessed reality transform my thoughts and actions.”

Pastor Bob DuPar
October 26, 2008

Journal Entry



Scripture

Jeremiah 49:23-50:46; Titus 1:1-16; Psalm 97:1-98:9; Proverbs 26:13-16

Observation

“An elder must live a blameless life. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered; he must not be a heavy drinker, violent, or dishonest with money. Rather, he must enjoy having guests in his home, and he must love what is good. He must live wisely and be just. He must live a devout and disciplined life.” Titus 1:7-8

“Everything is pure to those whose hearts are pure. But nothing is pure to those who are corrupt and unbelieving, because their minds and consciences are corrupted. Such people claim they know God, but they deny Him by the way they live. They are detestable and disobedient, worthless for doing anything good.” Titus 1:15-16

Application

Beyond living a blameless life, an elder must love people, love what is good, live wisely, and be disciplined. Not one of us is perfect, but this list of characteristics is our standard. And, the point of living life in this way is not to draw attention to ourselves and say, “Hey, look at me! I’m next to perfect!” The goal of living in this manner is so that Christ might be more visible in us and through us – because there’s less of us that gets in the way.

Titus 1:16 teaches us that if our mind and actions always gravitate toward what is impure, corrupt and dishonorable, then although we might claim to know God, we deny Him by the way we live. Wow! There’s a heavy dose of practical and convicting truth! No matter what we claim or think, our actions tell the real story.

Prayer

“Lord, help my walk to match my talk. I want to honor You with my life. I want to enjoy the joy and fulfillment in life that You intended for me to experience. And, I want others to see You in my life.”