Pastor Bob DuPar
December 27, 2008

Journal Entry



Scripture

Zechariah 10:1-11:17; Revelation 18:1-24; Psalm 146:1-10; Proverbs 30:33

Observation

“…the Lord, who remains faithful forever, He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry. The Lord sets prisoners free; the Lord gives sight to the blind; the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down; the Lord loves the righteous. The Lord watches over the alien and sustains the fatherless and the widow, but He frustrates the ways of the wicked.”
Psalm 146:6b-9

Application

God’s faithfulness is described in Psalm 146 in terms of His heart for the oppressed: the hungry, the prisoner, the blind, the discouraged, the alien, the fatherless and the widow. I have to ask myself, “How much of my time, my day, is devoted to helping people in these categories?” It’s not just about pleasing my heavenly Father by doing good deeds, it’s about seeking to be His presence here on earth by doing the things He would do if He were here.

Prayer

“Lord, help me to be faithful to those who need an advocate. Help me to defend those who can’t defend themselves. Thank You for being faithful to me and for helping me in my helplessness.”

Pastor Bob DuPar
December 26, 2008

Journal Entry



Scripture

Zechariah 9:1-17; Revelation 17:1-18; Psalm 145:1-21; Proverbs 30:32

Observation

“Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” Zechariah 9:9

“They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because He is Lord of lords and King of kings – and with Him will be His called, chosen and faithful followers.” Revelation 17:14

“The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth.”
Psalm 145:18

Application

Psalm 145:18 says that “The Lord is near to all who call on Him.” But, then it qualifies this statement with: “To all who call on Him in truth.” God does not demand moral perfection in order to hear our prayers, but He does require sincerity. “Calling on God in truth” also means approaching Him biblically – in the manner in which His Word has prescribed.

Prayer

“Lord, thank You for being a God who is near and not distant. I look forward to the day You will overcome those who wage war against You. How reassuring it is to know that I’m on the winning side.”

Pastor Bob DuPar
December 25, 2008

Journal Entry



Scripture

Zechariah 8:1-23; Revelation 16:1-21; Psalm 144:1-15; Proverbs 30:29-31

Observation

I was struck by the fact that those who experience God’s wrath during the end times still refuse to repent and turn to God. Revelation 16:9 says, “They were seared by the intense heat and they cursed the name of God, who had control over these plagues, but they refused to repent and glorify God.” And, the end of 16:11says, “…but they refused to repent of what they had done.” It’s unfortunate that God’s punishment solidifies the stubborn rebelliousness of the unbelieving. One would hope that these end time events would break through any residual shred of disbelief and provide an opportunity for redemption.

“Behold, I come like a thief! Blessed is he who stays awake and keeps his clothes with him, so that he may not go naked and be shamefully exposed.”
Revelation 16:15

Application

This passage in Revelation adds new perspective to Hebrews 4:7b,

“Today if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.”

Hebrews 3:12-13 is also pertinent with respect to our reading in Revelation:

“Take care, brethren, lest there should be in any one of you and evil, unbelieving heart, in falling away from the living God. But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called ‘Today,’ lest any one of you be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.”
All I can say about Revelation 16:15 is that the Apostle John definitely seems to be recommending that people sleep clothed!

Prayer

“Lord, thank You once again for the blessing of family and extended family who know You and have a saving relationship with You. Help me to spend my time pointing others to the hope and salvation which is only found in You.”

Pastor Bob DuPar
December 24, 2008

Journal Entry



Scripture

Zechariah 6:1-7:14; Revelation 15:1-8; Psalm 143:1-12; Proverbs 30:24-28

Observation

“This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the alien or the poor. In your hearts do not think evil of each other.”
Zechariah 7:9

“When I called they did not listen; so when they called I would not listen,’ says the Lord Almighty.” Zechariah 7:13

“I spread out my hands to You; my soul thirsts for You like a parched land. …Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God; may Your good Spirit lead me on level ground.” Psalm 143:6, 10

Application

Zechariah 7:13 is one of those verses that calls us out in our hypocrisy. Why should I/we expect God to listen to our prayers and desires if we blatantly disregard His Word and commandments.

I love the wording of Psalm 143:10: “lead me on level ground.” I think of the image of a shepherd leading sheep where they need to go, yet sensitively choosing level terrain.

Prayer

“Lord, lead me where I need to go. I would love for the road to be level and the journey enjoyable, but I trust You. Lead on O King Eternal. Thank You for Your birth, for Your sacrifice, and for Your unconditional love which encompasses me every moment of every day.”

Pastor Bob DuPar
December 23, 2008

Journal Entry



Scripture

Zechariah 4:1-5:11; Revelation 14:1-20; Psalm 142:1-7; Proverbs 30:21-23

Observation

“This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.” Zechariah 4:6

“This calls for patient endurance on the part of the saints who obey God’s commandments and remain faithful to Jesus.” Revelation 14:12

Application

Zechariah 4:6 is a great reminder that it’s all about God’s power and Spirit, not my feeble efforts. If I really believed this I would spend more time in prayer and less time worrying and striving.

Revelation 14:12 repeats and follows-up on Revelation 13:10,

“If anyone is to go into captivity, into captivity he will go. If anyone is to be killed with the sword, with the sword he will be killed. This calls for patient endurance and faithfulness on the part of the saints.”

The end time tribulation is going to really test the patience and faithfulness of believers (however much of the tribulation we end up going through.) I’m thankful that Revelation 13:8 makes it sound like believers will be protected from receiving the mark of the beast:

“All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast – all whose names have not been written in the book of life belonging to the Lamb that was slain from the creation of the world.”

Prayer

“Lord, protect me. Keep me faithful. Grant me Your patience to endure whatever hardships You send my way. And, help me to have the wisdom to trust You in the midst of my trials, knowing that nothing is without a purpose and that You ‘work all things together for good.”

Pastor Bob DuPar
December 22, 2008

Journal Entry



Scripture

Zechariah 2:1-3:10; Revelation 13:1b-18; Psalm 141:1-10; Proverbs 30:18-20

Observation

“One of the heads of the beast seemed to have had a fatal wound, but the fatal wound had been healed. The whole world was astonished and followed the beast. Men worshipped the dragon because he had given authority to the beast, and they also worshipped the beast and asked, ‘Who is like the beast? Who can make war against him?” Revelation 13:3-4

“He also forced everyone, small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on his right hand or on his forehead, so that no one could buy or sell unless he had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of his name. This calls for wisdom. If anyone has insight, let him calculate the number of the beast, for it is man’s number. His number is 666.”
Revelation 13:16-18

“Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips. Let not my heart be drawn to what is evil…” Psalm 141:3-4a

“But my eyes are fixed on You, O Sovereign Lord; in You I take refuge – do not give me over to death.” Psalm 141:8

Application

It’s amazing how easily we are deceived, how quickly we worship the sensational: “The whole world was astonished and followed the beast.” Psalm 141 is perfect advice and wisdom for facing the end times: “My eyes are fixed on You, O Sovereign Lord; in You I take refuge!” If I consistently keep my eyes fixed on Jesus now, I won’t be distracted by things that glitter later.

Prayer

“Lord, help me to keep my gaze fixed upon You. Ground me in Your Word that I might always be able to discern between truth and deception.”

Pastor Bob DuPar
December 21, 2008

Journal Entry



Scripture

Zechariah 1:1-21; Revelation 12:1-13:1a; Psalm 140:1-13; Proverbs 30:17

Observation

“Therefore tell the people: This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘Return to Me,’ declares the Lord Almighty, ‘and I will return to you,’ says the Lord Almighty.” Zechariah 1:3

“Therefore rejoice, you heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has gone down to you! He is filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short.” Revelation 12:12

Application

When God says, “Return to Me and I will return to you,” I don’t think that this suggests that He has abandoned us or has been unfaithful to us. I believe it has to do with our experience of God. When we wander from Him and go against His will, we feel distant from Him. But, it’s like the old saying: “If God seems distant, guess who moved?”

Revelation 12:12 intrigues me because it plainly states that Satan knows that his time is short to deceive and undermine God’s work; and, this makes him furious. On a positive note, this means that the endless evil of the world is more temporal than it often appears. The intensity of evil and sin which we experience today is indicative of Satan’s desperation.

Prayer

“Lord, help me to redeem the time – to make the most of it. Take away my desire to ever leave You, and any satisfaction that I might seem to derive from sin. Increase my appetite for You.”