Pastor Bob DuPar
November 15, 2008

Journal Entry



Scripture

Ezekiel 31:1-32:32; Hebrews 12:14-29; Psalm 113:1-114:8; Proverbs 27:18-20

Observation

“See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.” Hebrews 12:15

“Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.’ The words ‘once more’ indicate the removing of what can be shaken – that is, created things – so that what cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.” Hebrews 12:26b-29

“From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the Lord is to be praised.” Psalm 113:3

“As water reflects a face, so a man’s heart reflects the man.”
Proverbs 27:19

Application

I’m reminded that everything on earth is temporary as fires burn out of control across southern California. I forget that one day God will create a new heaven and a new earth. Sometimes I hold on too tightly to the things of this world. I need to focus on, and put my hope and trust in, the things which cannot be shaken – eternal things.

Prayer

“Lord God, would you please intervene with these devastating fires. Would you please draw alongside of individuals and families in a healing, comforting way. Please mend hearts and provide strength and resources for lives to be rebuilt. I pray that Your children would also rise to this challenge and be Your hands and feet on earth.”

Pastor Bob DuPar
November 14, 2008

Journal Entry



Scripture

Ezekiel 29:1-30:26; Hebrews 11:32-12:13; Psalm 112:1-10; Proverbs 27:17

Observation

“Egypt will no longer be a source of confidence for the people of Israel but will be a reminder of their sin in turning to her for help. Then they will know that I am the Sovereign Lord.” Ezekiel 29:16

“Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”
Hebrews 12:1-3

“Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in His holiness.”
Hebrews 12:10

“Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for the gracious and compassionate and righteous man. Good will come to him who is generous and lends freely, who conducts his affairs with justice. Surely he will never be shaken; a righteous man will be remembered forever. …but the longings of the wicked will come to nothing.” Psalm 112:4-6, 10b

“As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” Proverbs 27:17


Application

When we place our confidence in anyone or anything other than God, we live to regret it. It becomes a painful reminder of our sin.

Fixing my eyes upon Jesus not only helps me to run the race of faith well, it also keeps me from losing heart and growing weary. I’m reminded of Isaiah 40:28-31.

God’s discipline prepares me to share in His holiness. If I would only see discipline in this light rather than as punishment or as a sign of abandonment.

We need to live in relationship with one another and guard Christian community because we help to challenge and sharpen one another.

Prayer

“Lord, help me to run with endurance. I get so easily discouraged and side-tracked. Help me to stay on course, complete the race, and honor You in the process.”

Pastor Bob DuPar
November 13, 2008

Journal Entry



Scripture

Ezekiel 27:1-28:26; Hebrews 11:17-31; Psalm 111:1-10; Proverbs 27:15-16

Observation

“The Word of the Lord came to me: ‘Son of man, take up a lament concerning the king of Tyre and say to him: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: ‘You were the model of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. You were in Eden, the garden of God… Your heart became proud on account of your beauty, and you corrupted your wisdom because of your splendor. So I threw you to the earth; I made a spectacle of you before kings.” Ezekiel 28:11-13a, 17

“By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had received the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, even though God had said to him, ‘It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.’ Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and figuratively speaking, he did receive Isaac back from death.”
Hebrews 11:17-19

Application

Most understand the Ezekiel 28:11ff. passage to be describing more than a human. It best fits Satan, as the one who motivated the king of Tyre and who was also in the Garden of Eden. Satan’s heart became proud because of his beauty, and as a result he used his wisdom for corruption. This sounds like a description of people throughout the generations who have allowed power, fame and influence to go to their head.

I am struck by the enormity of Abraham’s obedience in being willing to sacrifice his only son. On one hand, he knew God’s promise would be fulfilled through his son. But, so great was his trust in God that He was willing to take away his only hope of realizing this promise, believing that God still had an inalterable plan.

Prayer

“Lord, I pray that You would grow a faith in me that trusts You despite circumstances which might call into question Your faithfulness. Thank You that nothing in heaven or earth is able to render You powerless. Nothing is able to hinder Your plans.”

Pastor Bob DuPar
November 12, 2008

Journal Entry



Scripture

Ezekiel 24:1-26:21; Hebrews 11:1-16; Psalm 110:1-7; Proverbs 27:14

Observation

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1

“By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.” Hebrews 11:3

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.” Hebrews 11:6

“He (Abraham) considered Him faithful who had made the promise.”
Hebrews 11:11b

“All these people (exhaustive list of chapter 11) were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are… longing for a better country – a heavenly one.” Hebrews 11:13-16

“If a man loudly blesses his neighbor early in the morning, it will be taken as a curse.” Proverbs 27:14

Application

Hope translates into certainty and conviction. Hope means that the invisible, intangible things which God has promised are more certain and sure than anything we experience in this physical world. Hope assures us that “reality” is so much bigger than what we see, touch, smell, hear and taste. God’s reality is not limited by our human inability to perceive it.

Prayer

“Lord, I believe in a land, a country, that is infinitely superior to my present experience. I believe that You are faithful to keep all of Your promises. And, I believe that You will become my ever-increasing reward as I seek You.”

Pastor Bob DuPar
November 11, 2008

Journal Entry



Scripture

Ezekiel 23:1-49; Hebrews 10:18-39; Psalm 109:1-31; Proverbs 27:13

Observation

“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another o toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:23-25

“So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised.” Hebrews 10:35-36

“We are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved.” Hebrews 10:39

Application

Our encouragement and motivation to hold on strong to our faith is because our Lord is faithful. He will not change. He will remain true to His Word, fulfilling every promise. One way which we hold to the hope of our profession is by stimulating each other to love and good deeds, fellowshipping together, with greater intensity and frequency as we anticipate Christ’s return.

Sometimes I’m tempted to throw away my confidence. But, following God’s will leads to a rich reward – the attainment of all He has promised.

True believers don’t shrink back from faith, obedience and salvation, because “greater is He that is in them than he that is in the world.”

Prayer

“Lord, may I never stop anticipating Your return. May I not get so caught-up in this life that I start living and acting like ‘this is it.”

Pastor Bob DuPar
November 10, 2008

Journal Entry



Scripture

Ezekiel 21:1-22:31; Hebrews 10:1-17; Psalm 108:1-13; Proverbs 27:12

Observation

“I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before Me in the gap on behalf of the land…” Ezekiel 22:30

“The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming – not the realities themselves. For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship.” Hebrews 10:1

“…we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” Hebrews 10:10

“The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it.” Proverbs 27:12

Application

God is still looking for men and women today who will build rather than tear down, people who will stand in the gap on behalf of their land and on behalf of truth and justice.

Only Jesus can make us perfect. He is reality and not merely a shadow. What keeps me from consistently drawing near to Him in worship?

Prayer

“Lord, I am humbled when I realize that the reason I don’t draw near to You as often as I should is because I get too wrapped-up in self. Free me from self-centeredness that I might serve You with all of my heart and soul.”

Pastor Bob DuPar
November 9, 2008

Journal Entry



Scripture

Ezekiel 20:1-49; Hebrews 9:11-28; Psalm 107:1-43; Proverbs 27:11

Observation

“Then I said, ‘Ah, Sovereign Lord! They are saying of me, ‘Isn’t he just telling parables?” Ezekiel 20:49

“How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God.”
Hebrews 9:14

“…without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” Hebrews 9:22

“For Christ did not enter a man-made sanctuary that was only a copy of the true one; He entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God’s presence. …Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and He will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.” Hebrews 9:24, 28

Application

Sometimes people receive the message which God gives us as if it were a myth – merely a story. It’s difficult to relate the truths of Scripture with those who view God’s Word as simply optional advice.

Yesterday’s reading in Hebrews 9:9 told us that the old sacrificial system was unable to “clear the conscience of the worshiper.” Today we read in Hebrews 9:14 that the blood of Christ is able to cleanse our consciences “so that we may serve the living God.” The purpose of a clean/clear conscience is not so we can indulge deeper in sin with no remorse, but rather that we might serve the living God!

Christ is superior to the earthly high priests because: 1. He never needs to be replaced since He lives forever to eternally intercede for us. 2. His sacrifice is perfect. 3. His sacrifice is Himself and not an animal. 4. His sacrifice is “once-for-all” and never needs to be repeated. 5. He intercedes for us in God’s very presence rather than in a man-made structure. 6. His sacrifice cleanses our conscience.

Prayer

“Lord, I am waiting for You to bring Your promised salvation. How awesome it will be to be forever in Your presence – never to be separated.”