Pastor Bob DuPar
December 20, 2008

Journal Entry



Scripture

Haggai 1:1:2:23; Revelation 11:1-19; Psalm 139:1-24; Proverbs 30:15-16

Observation

“Now this is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘Give careful thought to your ways. You have planted much, but have harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it.”
Haggai 1:5-6

“The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and He will reign for ever and ever.” Revelation 11:15b

Application

Haggai 1:5-6 describes the futility, the vanity, of trying to live life and discover fulfillment apart from God. I’m especially convicted by the phrase: “You have planted much, but have harvested little.” This can only mean that the wrong things were planted, since God always oversees and blesses seeds which are sown in His name and for His glory. “Planting much, and harvesting little” has to do with self-serving, empty pursuits which are incapable of bearing lasting fruit.

I want to spend my life working toward the realization of this world becoming the kingdom of our Lord!

Prayer

“Lord, search me. Know my heart. Test my anxious thoughts. Reveal the things which offend You and displease You. And, lead me in Your everlasting way.”

Pastor Bob DuPar
December 19, 2008

Journal Entry



Scripture

Zephaniah 1:1:3:20; Revelation 10:1-11; Psalm 138:1-8; Proverbs 30:11-14

Observation

Nineveh’s arrogant claim in Zephaniah 2:15, “I am, and there is none besides me,” is the exact same boastful mentality that led to Babylon’s destruction in Daniel.

Later, God says in Zephaniah 3:12, “But I will leave within you the meek and humble, who trust in the name of the Lord.”

“The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17

“The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me; Your love, O Lord, endures forever – do not abandon the works of Your hands.” Psalm 138:8

Application

Today’s reading is the fulfillment of many verses which I’ve read over the last week about how God deposes the proud but gives grace and blessing to the humble.

It’s encouraging that God will fulfill His purpose in me. This reminds me of Philippians 1:6, “For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you, will bring it to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” I need to trust God from start to finish. He always has a plan and purpose.

Prayer

“Lord, I’m awestruck by the fact that You ‘delight’ in me and rejoice over me with singing. It’s exciting and humbling to be the object of Your overwhelming love.”

Pastor Bob DuPar
December 18, 2008

Journal Entry



Scripture

Habakkuk 1:1:3:19; Revelation 9:1-21; Psalm 137:1-9; Proverbs 30:10

Observation

“Look at the nations and watch – and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe even if you were told.” Habakkuk 1:5

“Of what value is an idol, since a man has carved it? Or an image that teaches lies? For he who makes it trusts in his own creation; he makes idols that cannot speak.” Habakkuk 2:18

“Lord, I have heard of Your fame; I stand in awe of Your deeds, O Lord. Renew them in our day, in our time make them known; in wrath remember mercy.” Habakkuk 3:2

“Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.” Habakkuk 3:17-18

Application

I have heard so many people quote Habakkuk 1:5 over the years, asking God to do something amazing in our time, ignoring the fact that the “amazing thing” God did (in the context of Hab. 1:5) was to use a foreign nation (Babylon) to discipline His people. Oh! Now that doesn’t sound so good! Maybe I won’t hang that verse on the fridge!

Habakkuk 3:17-18 doesn’t fully “hit home” for most of us with the images which are mentioned. But, allow me to translate it into modern English:

“Though the stock market looks ‘bearish’ and there are no jobs to be had, though commodities have tanked and crops are dying to frost, disease and the economy in general, though there is no money left in checking or savings, YET I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.”

Does that strike a more familiar chord? It does for me.

Prayer

“Lord, I do stand in awe of Your miraculous works. Please renew them in our day. You know what I/we need. Have Your way! Be sovereign! I will find joy in You alone, my God and Savior.”

Pastor Bob DuPar
December 17, 2008

Journal Entry



Scripture

Nahum 1:1:3:19; Revelation 8:1-13; Psalm 136:1-26; Proverbs 30:7-9

Observation

Twenty-six times (once in each verse) the psalmist repeats the line, “His love endures forever,” in Psalm 136. These verses describe both God’s blessing and His judgment. But, still the response is: “His love endures forever.” God’s love is more than emotional, more than a warm fuzzy - it’s an extension of His character, His righteousness.

“…give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the Lord? Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.”
Proverbs 30:8-9

Application

To say that God’s love endures forever is to affirm that His justice prevails from generation to generation. The task of parents and leaders is to continually highlight this enduring love, and remind people of God’s faithfulness.

Striking a balance between poverty and riches is no small feat. Abundance can breed complacency and self-sufficiency, while want can lead to envy and discontent. Peace comes from trusting God – believing that He knows our need and will supply it.

Prayer

“Lord, help me to be content rather than complacent. Help me to be diligent to know when and how to play my part, and when to back-off and rest in You. Thank You for personally validating that “Your love endures forever” in my life over the last 44 years.”

Pastor Bob DuPar
December 16, 2008

Journal Entry



Scripture

Micah 5:1:7:20; Revelation 7:1-17; Psalm 135:1-21; Proverbs 30:5-6

Observation

“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times. …He will stand and shepherd His flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord His God. And they will live securely, for then His greatness will reach to the ends of the earth. And He will be their peace.” Micah 5:2, 4

“He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8

“But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.” Micah 7:7

“…and He who sits on the throne will spread His tent over them. Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst… For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; He will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”
Revelation 7:15b-17

Application

God is our Shepherd. He is our peace. He is the One who gives us true security. I need to live according to His rules and not mine. I need to demonstrate mercy and to live in humility. God alone is my hope; and, I need to patiently wait upon His will and His timing.

Prayer

“Lord, help me to trust You, to wait upon You, and to rest in Your sovereignty. Thank You that a day is soon coming when You will wipe away every tear.”

Pastor Bob DuPar
December 15, 2008

Journal Entry



Scripture

Micah 1:1:4:13; Revelation 6:1-17; Psalm 134:1-3; Proverbs 30:1-4

Observation

“In the last days the mountain of the Lord’s temple will be established as chief among the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and peoples will stream to it. Many nations will come and say, ‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us His ways, to that we may walk in His paths.’ The law will go out from Zion, the Word of the Lord from Jerusalem.” Micah 4:1-2

Application

In the last days not only will God’s house (the temple) be reestablished, but it will also draw people from all nations who will come to seek the Lord’s counsel. As people get desperate for a religion/God that works, they will gravitate to the One true God, who alone has the power to answer prayer.

Prayer

“Lord, thank You that You see the beginning from the end. Nothing takes You by surprise. Nothing ruins Your plans and purposes. You hold the future in the palm of Your hand.”

Pastor Bob DuPar
December 14, 2008

Journal Entry



Scripture

Jonah 1:1:4:11; Revelation 5:1-14; Psalm 133:1-3; Proverbs 29:26-27

Observation

It’s interesting that not only was Jonah in the belly of the whale for three days (as Christ was in the tomb three days), but Jonah also fell asleep in a boat in the midst of a violent storm.

I’m struck by the Ninevites repentance. They believed God, declared a fast, and the greatest to the least sought God for forgiveness.

“Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs.”
Jonah 2:8

“But the Lord said, ‘You have been concerned about this vine, though you did not tend it or make it grow. It sprang up overnight and died overnight. But Nineveh has more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left, and many cattle as well. Should I not be concerned about that great city? Jonah 4:10-11

Once again, the fact that the Lamb (as well as God the Father “who sits on the throne”) is worshipped points to the fact that Jesus is God, since God never tolerates worship of anyone other than Himself (God).

“Many seek an audience with a ruler, but it is from the Lord that man gets justice.” Proverbs 29:26

Application

So often I’m concerned about the wrong things, insignificant things, like Jonah. I’m thankful that God is always concerned about the things which matter, and that no one is insignificant in His eyes. “120,000 people who cannot tell their right hand from their left” is thought to be referring to children.

Prayer

“Lord, You are the audience that I seek. Thank You for taking notice of me and caring for every detail of my life. Thank You for showing me in so many ways lately that You care about even the small things in my life.”