Pastor Bob DuPar
November 22, 2008

Journal Entry



Scripture

Ezekiel 44:1-45:12; 1 Peter 1:1-12; Psalm 119:17-32; Proverbs 28:8-10

Observation

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.”
1 Peter 1:3-9

“Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in Your law. …Let me understand the teaching of Your precepts; then I will meditate on Your wonders.” Psalm 119:18, 27

Application

I’ve been born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Do I consistently display this hope in my life and in my interactions with others? No. I need to allow the reality of this hope to transform my perspective and attitude more. I have an eternal inheritance reserved for me which is imperishable and protected by God’s power. How much better could things be? If that doesn’t bring hope, nothing will!

Prayer

“Lord, continually open my eyes that I might see You in Your Word. Strengthen me according to Your Word.”

Pastor Bob DuPar
November 21, 2008

Journal Entry



Scripture

Ezekiel 42:1-43:27; James 5:1-20; Psalm 119:1-16; Proverbs 28:6-7

Observation

“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” James 5:16

“How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to Your Word. I seek You with all my heart; do not let me stray from Your commands. I have hidden Your Word in my heart that I might not sin against You.” Psalm 119:9-11

“I delight in Your decrees; I will not neglect Your Word.” Psalm 119:16

Application

James 5:16 is a great reminder of the power of intercessory prayer. We miss out on this power and healing when we fail to be vulnerable and honest with each other about our struggles.

The best antidote against sin is hiding God’s Word in our heart. If I consistently seek God with all my heart I won’t struggle as much or stray as often away from His will.

Prayer

“Lord, help me not to neglect Your Word. Thank You for giving me a guide to follow. Thank You for revealing Yourself to me through Your Word. Thank You for meeting me as I seek after You.”

Pastor Bob DuPar
November 20, 2008

Journal Entry



Scripture

Ezekiel 40:28-41:26; James 4:1-17; Psalm 118:19-29; Proverbs 28:3-5

Observation

“What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, ‘If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” James 4:14-15

“Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins.”
James 4:17

Application

So often I make plans without consulting God. So often I presume upon tomorrow. I assume that life will continue to be as it has always been. I take things for granted. And, I develop an unconscious entitlement mentality with God. I need to thank Him for each breath, each new day, each opportunity and each relationship He blesses me with.

God holds me accountable to my knowledge of His Word. I cannot claim ignorance when I sin. I know better. “To whom much is given, much is required.” (Luke 12:48)

Prayer

“Lord, thank You for all of Your blessings. May I never become complacent with Your goodness. Help me to prayerfully order my day (Your day) and not run off on my own.”

Pastor Bob DuPar
November 19, 2008

Journal Entry



Scripture

Ezekiel 39:1-40:27; James 2:18-3:18; Psalm 118:1-18; Proverbs 28:2

Observation

“You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that – and shudder.” James 2:19

“Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness, and he was called God’s friend.” James 2:23

“Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. …the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.”
James 3:13, 17-18

Application

Unless I act upon my beliefs my faith is no different than that of the demons! That’s a pretty sobering wake-up call. When we are in sin, we are at enmity with God. When “God made Him (Christ) who knew no sin to become sin on our behalf that we might become the righteousness of God through Him;” (2 Cor. 5:21) then, we became God’s friends. I believe God is friends with those who take Him seriously, those who take Him at His Word.

Prayer

“Lord, please grow me in Your wisdom. May I be more considerate, submissive, merciful, impartial, sincere and peace-loving. May my life display the fruit of Your Spirit.”

Pastor Bob DuPar
November 18, 2008

Journal Entry



Scripture

Ezekiel 37:1-38:23; James 1:19-2:17; Psalm 117:1-2; Proverbs 28:1

Observation

“Do not merely listen to the Word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” James 1:22

“If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” James 1:26-27

Application

If I neglect to act upon my knowledge of God’s Word I deceive myself. Knowing God’s Word and doing God’s Word are two very different things. True religion involves meeting needs – meeting the needs of those who are powerless over their situation or circumstances. True religion is about making a difference in the world without becoming polluted by the world.

Prayer

“Lord God, help me to practice what I preach, to live-out the things which I know to be true. Thank You for Your patience and grace.”

Pastor Bob DuPar
November 17, 2008

Journal Entry



Scripture

Ezekiel 35:1-36:38; James 1:1-18; Psalm 116:1-19; Proverbs 27:23-27

Observation

“I will cleanse you from all your iniquities and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you the heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put My Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.”
Ezekiel 36:25-27

“Then you will remember your evil ways and wicked deeds, and you will loathe yourselves for your sins and detestable practices. I want you to know that I am not doing this for your sake, declares the Sovereign Lord. Be ashamed and disgraced for your conduct, O house of Israel!
Ezekiel 36:32

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:2-4

“Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.” James 1:12

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”
James 1:17

“The Lord is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion. The Lord protects the simplehearted; when I was in great need, He saved me.”
Psalm 116:5-6

“Be sure you know the condition of your flocks; give careful attention to your herds…” Proverbs 27:23

Application

Ezekiel 36:32 reminded me of the verse in Romans which says,

“God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance…” Romans 2:4

In Ezekiel 36:32 God says, “I am not doing this for your sake…” I believe what is meant here is that God’s blessings are not reward for righteous living (which is how we often interpret them) but rather God’s mercy in giving us what we don’t deserve as He calls us back to obedience.

I wish there was a road or path to becoming “perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” which did not involve trial and suffering. I need to look at more of the trials in my life from a redemptive, purposeful viewpoint rather than from a punitive, senseless vantage point.

Prayer

“Lord God, thank You for each and every one of Your perfect gifts and blessings in my life – even the ones I miss. The ones which sometimes come wrapped inside a trial.”

Pastor Bob DuPar
November 16, 2008

Journal Entry



Scripture

Ezekiel 33:1-34:31; Hebrews 13:1-25; Psalm 115:1-18; Proverbs 27:21-22

Observation

“…This is what the Sovereign Lord says: ‘Woe to the shepherds of Israel who only take care of themselves! Should not shepherds take care of the flock? …You have not strengthened the weak or healed the sick or bound back the strays or searched for the lost. You have ruled them harshly and brutally. …Therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the Lord: as surely as I live declares the Sovereign Lord, because My flock lacks a shepherd… and because my shepherds did not search for my flock but cared for themselves rather than for the flock… I will hold them accountable for my flock. I will remove them from tending the flock so that the shepherds can no longer feed themselves. I will rescue My flock from their mouths, and it will no longer be food for them. …I myself will search for My sheep and look after them. …I will rescue them from all the places where they are scattered… I myself will tend My sheep and have them lie down… I will search for the lost and bring back the strays. I will bind up the injured and strengthen the weak… I will shepherd the flock with justice.”
Ezekiel 34:2-16

“Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels with knowing it.” Hebrews 13:2

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Hebrews 13:8

“Not to us, O Lord, not to us but to Your name be the glory…”
Psalm 115:1

Application

Those who shepherd God’s sheep are to do so just as God would. Spiritual shepherds must never forget that the sheep belong to God. The goal of shepherding is not to manipulate the sheep to meet the needs of the shepherd. The goal of shepherding is to feed the sheep, protect the sheep and to safely lead them to a determined destination.

Prayer

“Lord God, thank You that You never change. You are faithful and trustworthy. Help me to bring glory to You every day.”