Pastor Bob DuPar
November 7, 2008

Journal Entry



Scripture

Ezekiel 16:43-17:24; Hebrews 8:1-13; Psalm 106:13-31; Proverbs 27:7-9

Observation

“But they soon forgot what He had done and did not wait for His counsel. In the desert they gave in to their craving; in the wasteland they put God to the test.” Psalms 106:13-14

Application

How quickly I forget God and all that He has done in my life. Instead of waiting for His counsel I rush ahead with my own plans. I give in to my cravings. And, I constantly put God to the test as I wander through spiritual wastelands.

What’s the solution? First, I need to remember God in all that I do, in every moment of my life. Second, I must wait upon Him for His perfect timing and for His will to be done. I cannot second-guess Him, or become impatient when His timing does not match mine (it rarely does!) I need to resist the cravings of my sinful flesh which put my agenda and ambitions ahead of God’s. Finally, I need to stop putting God to the test by abusing His grace and presuming upon “forgiveness-on-demand.”

Prayer

“Lord, how often I wander through wastelands – places that are dry and dead, devoid of You and outside of Your will. Draw me to Yourself. Satisfy my cravings in You.”

Pastor Bob DuPar
November 6, 2008

Journal Entry



Scripture

Ezekiel 14:12-16:42; Hebrews 7:18-28; Psalm 106:1-12; Proverbs 27:4-6

Observation

“But you trusted in your beauty and used your fame to become a prostitute. …you increased your promiscuity… but even with this you were not satisfied.” Ezekiel 16:15, 29

“So in your prostitution you are the opposite of others; no one runs after you for your favors. You are the very opposite, for you give payment and none is given to you.” Ezekiel 16:34

“…a better hope is introduced by which we draw near to God. …Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant. …because Jesus lives forever, He has a permanent priesthood. Therefore He is able to save completely those who come to God through Him, because He always lives to intercede for them.” Hebrews 7:19, 22, 24-25

“Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.” Proverbs 27:5-6


Application

Sin is taking our gifts and blessings and using them to promote our agenda rather than God’s. Indulging in sin does not lead to satisfaction; it only leads to a greater appetite – an insatiable appetite which cannot be satisfied.

What a true picture of the price of sin in Ezekiel 16:34: giving payment while none is given to you. When we sin, we pay a price, and there is no remuneration – no recompense.

I like the NIV version of Hebrews 7:25 because it stresses the totality of salvation: “He is able to save completely those who come to God through Him (Jesus)…” Salvation is past, present and future: justification, sanctification and glorification. The application that I draw from this is that I never stop needing Christ as my Savior!

Friends tell us what we may not want to hear, yet need to hear. Friends have the relational clout to be brutally honest with us. They have earned our trust. They have proven that they love us and have our best interests in mind. Enemies have to fake love and concern by multiplying kisses.

Prayer

“Jesus, thank You for saving me every minute of every day! I’m reminded of the words of the old hymn: ‘I need Thee, O I need Thee. Every hour I need Thee. O bless me now my Savior. I come to Thee.”

Pastor Bob DuPar
November 5, 2008

Journal Entry



Scripture

Ezekiel 12:1-14:11; Hebrews 7:1-17; Psalm 105:37-45; Proverbs 27:3

Observation

“This is what the Sovereign Lord says, ‘Woe to the foolish prophets who follow their own spirit and have seen nothing! …Their visions are false and their divinations a lie. They say, ‘The Lord declares,’ when the Lord has not sent them; yet they expect their words to be fulfilled.” Ezekiel 13:3, 6

“If perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood …why was there still need for another priest to come – one in the order of Melchizedek, not in the order of Aaron? …He of whom these things are said… has become a priest not on the basis of a regulation as to his ancestry but on the basis of the power of an indestructible life!”
Hebrews 7:11, 13, 16

Application

So many people today claim to have a word from the Lord. They carelessly toss this phrase around circles like a verbal trump card. Who’s going to argue with a word from the Lord? Who am I to say that God did not tell you this or that? Yet, the validity of the vision or word from the Lord is whether or not it is fulfilled. If not, then it’s just misguided thoughts or worse yet – a lie.

How awesome to have a high priest who holds His office/role on the basis of “the power of an indestructible life!” We have been granted “indestructible life” from this high priest through His resurrection from the dead!

Prayer

“Jesus, thank You for the gift of life – indestructible life! Help me to live this life, use this life, for You!”

Pastor Bob DuPar
November 4, 2008

Journal Entry



Scripture

Ezekiel 10:1-11:25; Hebrews 6:1-20; Psalm 105:16-36; Proverbs 27:1-2

Observation

“It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened…to be brought back to repentance, because to their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting Him to public disgrace.” Hebrews 6:4-6

“We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.” Hebrews 6:12

“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf.” Hebrews 6:19-20

“Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth. Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; someone else, and not your own lips.” Proverbs 27:1-2

Application

It’s impossible for me to feel remorse for my sin and turn from it if I treat repentance and forgiveness like rights of entitlement, and if I act like sin doesn’t leave scar tissue.

Proverbs 27:1 reminds me of James 4:13ff. I need to trust God with my future and plans and not presume anything.

Prayer

“Lord, help me to ‘imitate those who through faith and patience inherit Your promises.”

Pastor Bob DuPar
November 2, 2008

Journal Entry



Scripture

Ezekiel 3:16-6:14; Hebrews 4:1-16; Psalm 104:24-35; Proverbs 26:27

Observation

“When I say to a wicked man, ‘You will surely die,’ and you do not warn him or speak out to dissuade him from his evil ways in order to save his life, that wicked man will die for his sin, and I will hold you accountable for his blood.” Ezekiel 3:18

“Therefore, since the promise of entering His rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it. For we also have had the gospel preached to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because those who heard did not combine it with faith.” Hebrews 4:1-2

“For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12

“Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Hebrews 4:14-16


Application

Contagious Christianity caused me to look at Ezekiel 3:18 from an evangelistic perspective for the first time. I am accountable for what I do with opportunities to “dissuade” someone from their sinful ways, for attempts I make (or fail to make) to save a life.

Unless we combine the gospel with faith and action, it is of little value. Entering God’s rest is not about works; but, it is about owning and personalizing the “work” which has already been accomplished on our behalf. And, we “own” and “personalize” our faith by surrendering our life to God’s truth (not merely intellectually assenting) and allowing this truth to transform our character and behavior.

Prayer

“Lord, I know I need to approach Your throne with boldness and confidence – with greater frequency. I need Your grace and help. May I not allow my sin to keep me from coming to You for help.”

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.”