Our Comprehensive Equipment

OUR COMPREHENSIVE EQUIPMENT

 

This rather different expression showed up in the devotional article in ODB today Jan 1, 2015, and caught my attention. It was listed as a quote from

J. B.Phillips who wrote a version of the NT. The author David McCasland was quoting from (2 Tim 3:1-5, 10-17), apparently from this translation. This is a very interesting passage of scripture, that we should all be aware of, especially verses 16-17, "All scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip His people to do every good work". NLT This is part of Paul's instructions to his young assistant Timothy, and certainly contains important information for all of us today who are followers of Jesus. Many people want to know at the start of a new year, what we will hold to? Will it be better or worse than last year? Only God knows what the future holds, but He has given some things to look for in His Word. And this passage gives us some insight as to what lies ahead of us this year.

 

Take time to read this whole chapter carefully and see what Paul told Timothy to expect. Paul warns of the things we can expect to happen in these last days, but we can know what he tells in (1 Cor 10:13) which is encouraging "The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful; He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, He will show you a way out so that you can endure". NLT This truth applies to any and all situations that may come your way in the future. Our author states "as the spiritual darkness of our world grows deeper, the light of Christ shines more brightly through all those who know and love Him. Jesus is our joy and hope—today, tomorrow, and forever". This is certainly a true scriptural truth that we can depend on, and share freely with others. Our author then includes this prayer "Heavenly Father, the trouble in this world can divert our eyes from You. Thank You for Your Word that helps us stay focused. May we find our delight in Your love and share it with others today". Then he ends his article with these words "The powers of evil around you are no match for the power of Jesus within you". To this I add my AMEN!!

Sincerely submitted.

Dave Jamer                                         01/01/15                                                                                      

Simple Truth About End Times

SIMPLE TRUTH ABOUT END TIMES

Our Creator knew we would be interested in knowing about what would happen in the future, so He had a Book written called the Bible which tells us all we need to know. He chose certain people from all walks of life, and had His Holy Spirit to inspire them to just use the words He wanted them to say, (2 Tim 3:16). He chose to use Hebrew and Greek as the languages to have His Word written in, so consequently most of us have to depend on translations to know and understand His Word. He chose special people like Moses to record the first 5 chapters, called Genesis which means "beginning", and certain men like Isaiah and Daniel to write what we refer to as "The Old Testament" (OT), and people like John and Paul to record part of "The New Testament" (NT). It seems He chose Daniel to write about what will happen just before life on this planet will come to an end.

 

Our tiny Planet called Earth was created to sustain life of all kinds, but especially "human" life, because He tells us in (Gen 1:26) "God said let us make human beings in our image, to be like us". (NLT) As we said it would appear that God chose Daniel to be the OT prophet to whom He revealed more information to about the "end times" of life on earth. Daniel was a young teenager when he was taken to Babylon from his home in Jerusalem. He was a faithful worshipper of his God while in Babylon, and won favor with King Nebuchadnezzar because of his God given wisdom. He was the only one who could tell the king what his strange dream meant. In chapter 9 he started a long prayer to God confessing the sins of his people, and in verses 20-27 we read about the angel Gabriel being sent from God to give Daniel the answer to his prayer. It concerned a period of 70 years, divided up into 7 years plus 62 years for a total of 69 that would pass and then a period of 7 years which we refer to as "Daniel's Seventieth Week" would come sometime later. And we know from reading (Matt 24:4-14) and certain sections of Revelation plus part of Paul's letters, what will happen during this important 7 year period. All signs point to this period of 7 years as being the final 7 years of life on our planet, and it starts when a certain man who pretends to be a "man of peace" signs a treaty with Israel for 7 years, but at the "mid-point" he will reveal his true identity as the "man of lawlessness" as Paul calls him in (2 Thess 2:1-12), or in other words The Antichrist. Only Father God knows when all this will happen, but He has warned us through His servant Daniel what to expect, and when it will happen. So look for the signing of this treaty in the future!!

Sincerely submitted.

Dave Jamer                                                                                                                          05/08/14

A Quite Rest A QUIET REST We read in (Mark 6:30-32) where Jesus and His disciples had been busy ministering to the crowds “Then Jesus said let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile. He said this because there were so many people coming and going that Jesus and His disciples didn’t even have time to eat”. Actually David Roper was the author of a devotional article in ODB on Jan 25, 2015, where he told a story of helping a friend move some equipment to a backcountry ranch in Idaho. The road was not passable for a truck so they were using a wagon pulled by team of mules. There was no electricity or phone service to the ranch, only a satellite radio. When asked about how the rancher made out in the winter, and how he endured it, his reply was simply “I find it right peaceable”. How often do we feel like we need to draw back to some quiet and peaceful place to get rid of the constant noise and confusion of our world? If Jesus and His disciples needed to do this, then so d

A QUIET REST

 

We read in (Mark 6:30-32) where Jesus and His disciples had been busy ministering to the crowds "Then Jesus said let's go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile. He said this because there were so many people coming and going that Jesus and His disciples didn't even have time to eat". Actually David Roper was the author of a devotional article in ODB on Jan 25, 2015, where he told a story of helping a friend move some equipment to a backcountry ranch in Idaho. The road was not passable for a truck so they were using a wagon pulled by team of mules. There was no electricity or phone service to the ranch, only a satellite radio. When asked about how the rancher made out in the winter, and how he endured it, his reply was simply "I find it right peaceable".

 

How often do we feel like we need to draw back to some quiet and peaceful place to get rid of the constant noise and confusion of our world? If Jesus and His disciples needed to do this, then so do we. In (Matt 11:28-30) "Then Jesus said come to me all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light". We can depend on Jesus to follow through with his promises since he returned to His Father in heaven (Ps 110:1) and They sent the Holy Spirit to take His place on earth. Now the Holy Spirit is available to every person who has by faith received Jesus as Lord and Savior, to be their indwelling guide, who promised to "never leave us nor forsake us".

 

In (Ps 4:7-8) the Psalmist David gives us these encouraging words "You have put gladness in my heart, more than in the season when their grain and wine have increased. I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me to dwell in safety". With promises like these from both Jesus and King David, why would we ever refuse to accept them? The only reason I can think of is the chance that you have never yet put your faith and trust in Jesus as Lord and Savior. And if you have not done that yet, you can do so today by simply recognizing your need of confessing your sins (1 John 1:9), and receiving forgiveness!!

Sincerely submitted.

Dave Jamer                                                                                                                          26/01/15

 

 

A Thousand Years as a Day

A THOUSAND YEARS AS A DAY

 

We find this expression in (Ps 90:4) "For a thousand years in your sight are like yesterday when it is past. And like a watch in the night". Then in (2 Peter 3:8) we read "But beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day". We can only assume that Peter was probably referring to Psalm 90 verse 4 when he made this statement. A few years ago one day I was trying to understand the difference between time and eternity. I took a new piece of white paper and drew a circle in the middle of it, and called that circle our "Time and Space World" and the rest of the sheet of paper I called Eternity. As I understand scripture our "Creator God", who has always existed as Father, Son, Holy Spirit, or in other words a "Triune" being we refer to as "The Trinity". From His position in eternity whenever He views our world He sees things that took place thousands of years ago, as well as those things that only happened today. For that matter because of His "Foreknowledge", He knows what will happen in the future! This little diagram helped me to understand certain scriptural passages, like (Rev 20:1-10) where John tells of a vision he saw in which the Devil was bound for 1000 years, and afterward released for a little season. As soon as he is released he goes out to deceive the nations to cause a mighty army to come together to attack God's people and the holy city of Jerusalem. But God sent "fire from heaven" and consumed them all, after which the Devil who deceived them, plus the Beast and the False Prophet were thrown into the "fiery lake of burning sulfur" (hell) for ever and ever. This event is often confused with the thousand year reign of the Lord called the Millennium which happens after the end of the 7 year period that is known as Daniel's seventieth week". This period in (Rev 20:1-10) leads up to the "Battle of Armageddon" which comes near the end of the 7 year period prophesied by Daniel in (Dan 9:24-27).

 

That is why Revelation cannot be read like Acts, where every chapter fits together one after the other, and this is why we need the help of the Holy Spirit to make sense of this wonderful book that God uses to close out His Divine Book we call the Bible. But is the "summary" so to speak, of everything out Creator wanted us to know. So when we read the Bible we should always ask the Holy Spirit to tell what He told the authors, and why He chose the words He told them to use. (2 Tim 3:16)!!

Sincerely submitted.

Dave Jamer                                                                                                          27/08/14

My Big Problem

MY BIG PROBLEM

 

I confess to having a problem that seems to be getting bigger every day, since I started to spend more time studying the Bible several years ago. It has to do with certain well known Bible teachers teaching doctrines that according to my new understanding of scripture are not true. I used to believe and teach these same doctrines for years, but since changing the way I have been approaching scripture lately, God has been showing me a different way of understanding certain passages. I had been taught they meant certain things by my leaders, but once I started using a "Face Value" method of understanding scripture, and laying aside what I had been told, the scriptures suddenly came alive to me! I have been given more "illumination" on certain well known scriptures by the Holy Spirit, that changes the meaning all together. And my problem centers around the area of "why do these experienced teachers" still keep spreading the same old lies to their hearers? This is the basis of my problem!

 

All I did was to realize that the same Holy Spirit who inspired the authors of scripture, (2 Tim 3:16-17), is the same Holy Spirit that indwells me as a simple follower of Jesus, and I could just ask Him to show me what He had in mind when He told them what words to use. It is a very simple process, and the results have been surprising, giving me a completely different understanding of passages that I thought I knew what they meant. Then I have to be bold enough to make public this new understanding, which often comes against the doctrines of "long standing" in our churches! This can result in you being considered a "rebel" or perhaps a "heretic", or worse. Everyone desires to be well thought of by their peers, and I am no exception, so it is still hard to dispute the doctrines that have been accepted, and taught, in our church circles for years, without being challenged. This is also part of my problem, and I will have to settle it with the Holy Spirit as to what to do with the new things He is showing me. So I would ask you to remember me in prayer, that I might have humility and wisdom as I try to introduce some of the results of this new "illumination" that God has been bringing to me   that are quite a bit different from what we have been taught. I certainly do not consider myself any sort of an expert on Bible interpretation, but simply a follower of Jesus, trying to walk in such a way that my life, and my actions might please the Father. I believe this should be the goal of all of us who claim to be followers of Jesus!

Sincerely submitted.

Dave Jamer                                              30/11/15

Our ComprtehensiveEquipment

OUR COMPREHENSIVE EQUIPMENT

 

This rather different expression showed up in the devotional article in ODB today Jan 1, 2015, and caught my attention. It was listed as a quote from

J. B.Phillips who wrote a version of the NT. The author David McCasland was quoting from (2 Tim 3:1-5, 10-17), apparently from this translation. This is a very interesting passage of scripture, that we should all be aware of, especially verses 16-17, "All scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip His people to do every good work". NLT This is part of Paul's instructions to his young assistant Timothy, and certainly contains important information for all of us today who are followers of Jesus. Many people want to know at the start of a new year, what we will hold to? Will it be better or worse than last year? Only God knows what the future holds, but He has given some things to look for in His Word. And this passage gives us some insight as to what lies ahead of us this year.

 

Take time to read this whole chapter carefully and see what Paul told Timothy to expect. Paul warns of the things we can expect to happen in these last days, but we can know what he tells in (1 Cor 10:13) which is encouraging "The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful; He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, He will show you a way out so that you can endure". NLT This truth applies to any and all situations that may come your way in the future. Our author states "as the spiritual darkness of our world grows deeper, the light of Christ shines more brightly through all those who know and love Him. Jesus is our joy and hope—today, tomorrow, and forever". This is certainly a true scriptural truth that we can depend on, and share freely with others. Our author then includes this prayer "Heavenly Father, the trouble in this world can divert our eyes from You. Thank You for Your Word that helps us stay focused. May we find our delight in Your love and share it with others today". Then he ends his article with these words "The powers of evil around you are no match for the power of Jesus within you". To this I add my AMEN!!

Sincerely submitted.

Dave Jamer                                                                                                                             01/01/15

Remember The Wrapping

REMEMBER THE WRAPPING

 

I was impressed by the devotional message from Joe Stowell in the ODB today Dec 22, 2014. He called it "Remember The Wrapping", he was referring to what Jesus chose as His divine wrapping when He came to earth to be "The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world", (John 1:29). He and Father could have chosen a completely different introduction of God the Son to our world. They could have made it a celestial show of glory, but instead made it a humble birth in a lowly animal trough in a stable outside an inn in the village of Bethlehem. See (Phil 2:6-7) NLT for the details of the wrapping that was chosen for Jesus, when He took upon Himself the "likeness of a human being". Remember what God said in (Gen 1:26) "Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us". And we know that Adam and Eve were the first specimens of the new species created in the image of God, as perfect human beings. And of course they were deceived by our enemy Satan into disobeying God and allowing sin and death to enter creation, and it became a "fallen world". (Rom 5:12-21).

 

Why is this "wrapping" that Jesus chose to come to earth in so important to us? Because Jesus humbled Himself and became a human like us He knows every sort of emotion that we might experience. He was unjustly accused, and abandoned and betrayed by friends, scripture tells us that "He was tempted in everyway like us, and yet without sin". Because He was the one and only "God/Man" who was 100% God yet was also 100% man, so His death on the cross was the only adequate payment to settle the debt we all owed because of the inherited sin of our original parents, plus all the other sins we have committed in our lifetime (Rom 6:23). As Paul states so clearly in (Rom 3:9-26), Jesus who knew no sin became sin for us humans, so we could take on His righteousness. (2 Cor  5:17-21). This is the main point of the "good news" of the gospel of the Kingdom of God. This is why it is so important to understand the miracle of Christmas that Jesus became one of us, in order that He could give His life as a sacrifice on the cross on Mount Calvary some 2000 years ago, (no one killed Jesus). He freely gave up His Spirit, so that we who are sinners can be saved by placing our faith and trust in the finished work of the cross. What a wonderful Savior is Jesus Christ our Lord, Praise His wonderful Name!!

Sincerely submitted.

Dave Jamer                                                                                                                                  22/12/14