A Call To Comfort Others

A CALL TO COMFORT OTHERS

 

When we read (2 Cor 1:3-11) we see the Apostle Paul offering some good advice on how to express comfort and encouragement to anyone going through a time of loss. When we know someone who has recently endured the loss of a loved one through death, or some other tragedy, this is a good passage to turn to. Bible scholar W. E. Vine, who wrote "Vine's Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words", says the Greek word that is translated as "comfort" in this passage means "A calling to one's side". Paul uses this word several times in this passage, for example in verse 7 we read "We are confident that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in the comfort God gives us". So in other words when we take time to share in another person's suffering, we can also share in the comfort we both will receive from God, as Paul expresses it so well in verse 4. "He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us".

 

I recently read a line someone had written, "God comforts us so that we can comfort others". And this is certainly a true statement that we find repeated often in scripture, because our God is defined by the Apostle John in his first letter (1 John 4:8) as [Agape] the Greek word for "love". Actually there are two Greek words that are both translated into English as love. They are [Agape] and [Eros] and have a completely different meaning, [Agape] is the word used for God, but [Eros] is used for sensual or erotic love, the word that the world uses to express love. Sometimes the word used to express the true meaning of Eros is taken from it and is "erotic". It is much used today in our sinful society, and shows the weakness of English as a language compared to either Hebrew or Greek.

 

Our God wants to comfort us in any trouble we might find ourselves in at times, because He loves us with His unending unconditional Agape love. And this is the kind of love and concern for others that He gives us once we become part of His Eternal family when we place our faith and trust in His Son Jesus Christ. When anyone who does this is "born again" as Jesus told Nicodemus he must be in (John 3:1-8). At that moment Father God adopts them into His family, and they become citizens of heaven, and a member of the "the Holy city, the New Jerusalem" that John saw coming down from heaven to earth as recorded in (Rev 21:1-4), our eternal home!!

Sincerely submitted.

Dave Jamer                                                                              26/05/14

A Challenge

A CHALLENGE

I would like to issue a challenge to those believers in Jesus who have been taught that the return of Jesus to earth to receive His Church/Bride could happen at "any moment". This is a very popular belief that is known as the Pretribulation Rapture Theory, which had its roots back in 1832, when what has been often referred to as the "secret rapture" teaching began. This teaching was made popular by John Darby a popular Bible teacher, and later when Dr C.I.Scofield brought out his popular reference Bible in the early 1900's which declared that all of history could be divided into seven dispensations, then when the secret rapture teaching was combined with Dr Scofield's dispensational teaching, apparently the Pretribulation Rapture doctrine was born. So with that brief background, which can be checked out in church history records, here is my challenge. I hereby challenge you to check out three scripture passages, and study them carefully without depending on your preconceived ideas about when the timing of the rapture might be.

1/ (Matt 24:1-36) these were words spoken by Jesus to His disciples, in which He answered two questions they had put to Him. Pay special attention to "time words" like "then", "Immediately after" etc. which helps to follow the sequence. Remember these are the reported words of Jesus, which are definitely true!

2/ (2 Thess 2:1-17) these are words written by the apostle Paul to this church he had planted several years earlier. And like all scripture it is inspired by the Holy Spirit (2 Tim 3:16). Notice how clearly he declares that Jesus can't return until after the "man of lawlessness" (the antichrist) makes his appearance!

3/ (Rev 13:1-10) these words are part of the description of the "antichrist" who will arise at some future date, given by Jesus to John in a vision. Notice some of the expressions he uses about this man being given "authority" to do the things he will do to God's "holy people", often referred to as "saints", or the "Elect". Who gives him this authority? We know from Jesus' statement recorded in (Matt 28:18) "I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth". Could it be that Jesus will give him this authority in order to purify His Church, to make her ready for the rapture? This is the conclusion I have come to after many years of studying these and many other scriptures. What conclusion have you come to?

Sincerely submitted

Dave Jamer                                               25/04/12                                                                                         

A Cornerstone

A CORNERSTONE

 

A common practice in past centuries when constructing a public building like a city hall or library was to have a special stone carved from a permanent type of stone like marble or granite, to build in at the most prominent corner of the building. It was meant to be seen by all who visited that building. There was always a special celebration for the "cornerstone laying ceremony", involving city and political officials. There was always a special metal box containing items of interest of the day that they wanted preserved as a memorial that was built in the wall behind the cornerstone. In Paul's second letter to Timothy in (2 Tim 2:19) we read in the NLT "But God's truth stands firm like a foundation stone with this inscription 'the Lord knows those who are His', and 'All who belong to the Lord must turn away from evil'". As you know a cornerstone has two sides exposed so it can be seen from both directions as long as the building stands! I consider that this simple statement by Paul should be given close attention by all followers of Jesus in our 21^st century. We know that "God's Truth" is a person, His only begotten Son Jesus, made clear by the apostle John in

(John 14:6), a scripture that we should all be aware of.

 

The critical question for us as followers of Jesus is simply how well are we showing forth to the world these two qualities that Paul mentions here? This is probably more important for men to consider, because they are often more exposed to the world in their daily activities than their wives. But these two things mentioned by Paul are equally critical for all to consider. So we must search our hearts continually, to make sure that every little closet or drawer that we all seem to have, where we place little odds and ends that we keep because we might find a use for them in the future, is not concealing articles that are not "pleasing to the Father"! I trust I am not the only guy who has these places, that he doesn't want his wife to clean up, because then he can never find things when he needs them! Right? Well it just might be that some things stored there that you are guarding from your wife's tendency to want to keep everything "in order", just might be items the Father is not pleased with either! We were all given the gift of the Holy Spirit when we received Jesus as Lord and Savior; He will help us in these areas if we ask Him to, according to His Word!!

Sincerely submitted.

Dave  Jamer                                                                                                                         23/01/12

 

 

Wisdom Seekers

WISDOM SEEKERS

 

This was the title of an article in ODB today May 22, 2015 by Joe Stowell that caught my attention. He used (Prov 3:1-18) for his main thoughts,

and university students who are just graduating this time of the year with a head full of knowledge, but not the wisdom to put it to use. In (Prov 3:5-6) we read "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path   to take". NLT The key to success in life will be in wisely applying everything you have learned, in scripture this is called "wisdom", and we are told to seek after it. We read in verse 18 of Proverbs 3 "Wisdom is a tree of life to those who embrace her; (notice the female pronoun) happy are those who hold her tightly". It is interesting to note that wisdom as a noun in scripture is always referred to as a female, that is not meant to imply that the female gender is more important than the male gender, actually when women and men accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior they become one person spiritually "in Christ" (2Cor 5:17).

 

But scripture does have a lot to say about wisdom, for example read from (Rev 5:12) where John records hearing millions of angels "And they sang in a mighty chorus worthy is the Lamb who was slaughtered—to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing". Then from Paul's letter to the Colossians we read (Col 1:15-20) about

"Christ is Supreme" in the NLT version, and in (Col 3:16-17) "Let the message about Christ, in all its riches, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom He gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving through Him to God the Father". There are lots more good passages about wisdom in the NT, but notice they are all about Jesus in one way or another. Jesus is the only begotten Son of Almighty God, who left heaven's splendor to become the only sinless

"God/Man" who was qualified to become "The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world", (John 1:29). Whenever we think of "wisdom", realize it is all possible for any of us as followers of Jesus because of what He did for us on the Cross of Calvary long ago. If you have not yet received Him as Lord and Savior I would suggest that you read (Eph 2:1-10) and follow the Apostle Paul's clear advice on how to be "born again" and become part of God's family!!

Sincerely submitted.

Dave Jamer                                                                            22/05/15

The Divine Inspiration of The Bible

THE DIVINE INSPIRATION OF THE BIBLE

 

We refer to the Bible as "God's word", which indeed it is because it was inspired, or "in breathed" by the Creator Himself! In (2 Tim 3:16-17) we read "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work". It's no wonder that Satan has attempted to destroy the Bible throughout history, by various means! Our Bible does not merely "contain" the word of God, but it "is" the very word of God, in its sum as well as in its parts. This scripture as well as others attest to the fact that God chose certain human authors to actually write the various books that make up our Bible, but He gave them the words to use. This process is referred to as the "plenary verbal inspiration" of the scriptures, meaning every word is inspired by the Holy Spirit of God. For this reason, we who name the name of Christ can place our faith in every word the Bible contains in the way of instructions toward living a life pleasing to our Creator. I often refer to the Bible as "The Creators Manual", comparable to the manual we receive with a new automobile or major appliance. The purpose of these manuals supplied by the manufacturer is to give you, the new owner, instructions as to the proper care of their product in order to obtain "optimum performance" from your new possession. Who should know better than the manufacturer how to care for their product? In like manner God has provided very specific instructions on how we are to live our lives, and relate to Him, as well as others. Other scriptures that directly relate to this subject are (1 Cor 2:9-13), and (2 Peter 1:20-21). Because of the prevailing influence of "secular humanism", and "situational ethics" on our present 21^st century society, it's absolutely necessary that we have a source of defining some "absolutes" in order to set some boundaries for our life. The common philosophy of "if it feels good do it" will never keep you as a follower of Jesus in our day! The only sources of "absolutes" we can live by are found in God's word. Jesus stated clearly in (John 14:6) "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me". Jesus is "absolute truth", we need look no further through any modern philosophies that might present themselves as being able to guide you to some other source of "higher learning". Jesus is fully presented as our only Savior, Redeemer, and soon returning King, in the pages of our Bible, which is the unique and only inspired "word of God". So let us "read" and "heed" what God has given us in His Word!

Sincerely submitted.

Dave Jamer                                                                                                                        8/10/11