Pastor Bob DuPar
January 6, 2009

Journal Entry



Scripture

Genesis 13:5-15:21; Matthew 5:27-48; Psalm 6:1-10; Proverbs 1:29-33

Observation

“So Abram said to Lot, ‘Let’s not have any quarreling between you and me, or between your herdsmen and mine, for we are brothers. Is not the whole land before you? Let’s part company. If you go to the left, I’ll go to the right; if you go to the right, I’ll go to the left.” (Genesis 13:8-9) Of course Lot picked the land that was well-watered, “like the garden of the Lord.” But, then there’s the interesting side note: “This was before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.”

“After this, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision:

‘Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward!”
Genesis 15:1

“Abram believed the Lord, and He credited it to him as righteousness.”
Genesis 15:6

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: ‘Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. …If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?” Matthew 5:43-44, 46-47

Application

If I had been in Abram’ shoes I would have been pretty tweaked that my brother chose the good land. But, God sovereignly protected Abram. Who would want to raise a family in Sodom & Gomorrah? (Genesis 19 is an indication of the lack of morality in S. & G. when Lot has to offer his daughters to the homosexuals in order to protect his guests.) And, it would not be long until S. & G. (Lot’s inheritance) would be erased from the landscape! (Incidentally, it’s sad that some of the most beautiful places to live end up being some of the most sinful environments to live!)

I desire to have a faith and trust in God like Abram’s – to take God at His word.

Matthew 5 has me asking myself how often I befriend those who are hurtful to me or who have nothing to offer me.

Prayer

“Lord, thank You for being my shield and my very great reward. Help me to keep this perspective: that You are my reward and not earthly treasures.”

Pastor Bob DuPar
January 5, 2009

Journal Entry



Scripture

Genesis 11:1-13:4; Matthew 5:1-26; Psalm 5:1-12; Proverbs 1:24-28

Observation

“The Lord said, ‘If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them. Come let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other.” Genesis 11:5-7

“I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. …all the peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” Genesis 12:2-3

“Say you are my sister, so that I will be treated well for your sake (at your expense) and my life will be spared because of you.” Genesis 12:13

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.”
Matthew 5:6, 8

“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”
Matthew 5:14-16

Application

Genesis 5:11ff has always bothered me. The wording of the passage makes it sound like God was fearful or even threatened by the unified ambitions of mankind. Nothing could be further from the truth! Paul affirms in 1 Corinthians 1:25 that,

“The foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.”

Genesis 11 is simply one of those passages (like Genesis 3:22-23) in which God is saving us from ourselves – saving us from the consequences of our sin. Nothing good ever results from a dream or ambition which begins with a motivation like: “Come let us make a name for ourselves…” (11:4)

Matthew 5:8 challenged me to look at holiness and purity as a means to seeing God! Often, I/we only look at a subject like holiness in terms of the negative consequences of not obeying God’s commands.

Prayer

“Lord, help my light to shine for all to see. May others see You in me; and, may they trust You as Savior and Lord, giving You all the glory.”

Pastor Bob DuPar
January 4, 2009

Journal Entry



Scripture

Genesis 8:1-10:32; Matthew 4:12-25; Psalm 4:1-8; Proverbs 1:20-23

Observation

“I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth.” Genesis 9:13

“Know that the Lord has set apart the godly for Himself; the Lord will hear when I call to Him. …Many are asking, ‘Who can show us any good?’ Let the light of Your face shine upon us, O Lord. You have filled my heart with greater joy than when their grain and new wine abound.” Psalm 4:3, 6-7

Application

Psalm 4:6 challenges me to always make sure to give God the credit for the good in my life, the blessing which I enjoy. Many in the world are asking, “Where’s the good in these messed-up times in which we live?” We as Christians, of all people, should find it very easy to answer that question. When I fail to give testimony to God’s goodness in my life, I miss a crucial opportunity to see an unbeliever drawn to the Giver of every good and perfect gift.

Prayer

“Lord, may I give testimony to Your goodness each and every day of my life. You have filled my heart with joy. Thank You for hearing me when I call.”

Pastor Bob DuPar
January 3, 2009

Journal Entry



Scripture

Genesis 5:1-7:24; Matthew 3:7-4:11; Psalm 3:1-8; Proverbs 1:10-19

Observation

Just about everyone knows that Methuselah lived longer than anyone else in history: 969 years. His name means, “When he dies it will come.” And, when he died the great flood came. I had forgotten, however, that Jared lived almost as long as Methuselah – 962 years! I also think it’s hilarious that Noah did not start having kids until he was 500 years old! Talk about being embarrassed at back-to-school night: “Hey, is Father Time your dad?!”

Genesis 2:4 is just plain weird! Is this Scriptural support for the gods of mythology: Hercules, Zeus,.. This is a sketchy and isolated proof text – not worth building an argument or theory upon, but interesting nonetheless.

“Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.” Matthew 3:8

“It is written…It is written…It is written…” Matthew 4:4-10

Application

Matthew 3:8 is one of those passages which convicts and challenges me no matter how many times I read it. Does my life give evidence of true repentance? Is there visible, tangible proof of my gratefulness for my salvation – seen through the fruit of my life? I hope so! I am certainly not to keep sinning that grace may abound (Romans 6:1). I am to bear fruit in keeping with repentance.

Each time Jesus was tempted and confronted by Satan He responded by quoting Scripture. The Word of God is “living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword…” (Hebrews 4:12) Scripture is definitely the best way to ward off temptation and stand strong against the enemy’s attacks. Reason #1,000 for committing God’s Word to memory; and, for reading through the Bible on a daily basis!

Prayer

“Lord, thank You for Your Word. Thank You for the power, protection and wisdom of Your Word. Help me to be ‘diligent to present myself approved, as a workman who need not be ashamed, handling accurately Your Word of Truth.”

Pastor Bob DuPar
January 2, 2009

Journal Entry



Scripture

Genesis 3:1-4:26; Matthew 2:13-3:6; Psalm 2:1-12; Proverbs 1:7-9

Observation

“Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden?’ ‘…You will not surely die,’ the serpent said to the woman. ‘For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” Genesis 3:1b, 4-5

“At that time men began to call on the name of the Lord.” Genesis 3:26b

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.” Proverbs 1:7

Application

Satan begins to tempt us and confuse us by first causing us to doubt God’s Word: “Did God really say…” He exaggerates the restriction in order to play upon our sense of injustice: “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree…” Next, he questions the consequences of sin: “You will not surely die.” Finally, he makes us think that God is holding-out on us: “God knows that…you will be like (Him),” never mind the fact that the knowledge of evil was the worst thing for Adam and Eve (and all of us!)

May 2009 be a year when men (and women) begin to call upon the name of the Lord!

Prayer

“Lord, help me to always trust that You know what is best for me; and, that if You have commanded something in Your Word, it is for my own good. Grant me strength, discipline and passion to follow You faithfully in 2009!”

Pastor Bob DuPar
January 1, 2009

Journal Entry



Scripture

Genesis 1:1-2:25; Matthew 1:1-2:12; Psalm 1:1-6; Proverbs 1:1-6

Observation

“Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, in our likeness… So, God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him: male and female He created them.” Genesis 1:26a, 27

“The man said, ‘This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called ‘woman,’ for she was taken out of man.’ For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.” Genesis 2:23-24

“But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of My people Israel.” Matthew 2:6

“Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked… but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on His law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.” Psalm 1:1a-2
Application

God spoke of raising up a shepherd for His people in Matthew 2:6. I love that this term is used. First and foremost we need(ed) a Messiah. But, God knew we also would need a shepherd. As leaders of God’s people we must never forget God’s heart: He wants shepherds – not dictators or CEO’s, but shepherds who care and have an investment in the sheep.

Prayer

“Lord, thank You that You are my shepherd. I lack nothing in You. Draw me to Yourself. Lead me in green pastures. Restore my soul. Comfort me with Your rod and staff. May I live in Your presence, both now, and forever more.”

Pastor Bob DuPar
December 31, 2008

Journal Entry



Scripture

Malachi 3:1-4:6; Revelation 22:1-21; Psalm 150:1-6; Proverbs 31:25-31

Observation

“Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing Me! But you say, ‘How have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings. You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing Me, the whole nation of you! Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this,” says the Lord of hosts, ‘if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows.”
Malachi 3:8-10

“You have said harsh things against Me,’ says the Lord. Yet you ask, ‘What have we said against You?’ You have said, ‘It is futile to serve God. What did we gain by carrying out His requirements and going about like mourners before the Lord Almighty?” Malachi 3:13-14

“There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.” Revelation 22:5

“I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues which are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city, which are written in this book. He who testifies to these things says, ‘Yes, I am coming quickly.’ Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.”
Revelation 22:18-20

“Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.” Proverbs 31:30


Application

Sometimes we feel like it’s futile to serve God. But, this is because we measure the “gain” according to earthly standards. We don’t serve God to secure all the things we ever wanted. We serve God because He is worthy of our praise - even if we never receive any recognizable benefit; and, because only our Creator knows the means to our greatest fulfillment.

Prayer

“Lord, I can’t comprehend the future glory spoken of in the book of Revelation. I look forward to that day. Help me to be faithful now – to do my part. Thank You for Your promises, Your presence and the strength which You supply.”