The Desire of Ages--34--The Invitation

[Richard Myers]

Amen my dear brothers!!  Such a promise Christ has offered us!  Just learn of Him and His great love!

  The Elder Brother of our race is by the eternal throne. He looks upon every soul who is turning his face toward Him as the Saviour. He knows by experience what are the weaknesses of humanity, what are our wants, and where lies the strength of our temptations; for He was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. He is watching over you, trembling child of God. Are you tempted? He will deliver. Are you weak? He will strengthen. Are you ignorant? He will enlighten. Are you wounded? He will heal. The Lord "telleth the number of the stars;" and yet "He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds." Psalm 147:4, 3. "Come unto Me," is His invitation. Whatever your anxieties and trials, spread out your case before the Lord. Your spirit will be braced for endurance. The way will be opened for you to disentangle yourself from embarrassment and difficulty. The weaker and more helpless you know yourself to be, the stronger will you become in His strength. The heavier your burdens, the more blessed the rest in casting them upon the Burden Bearer. The rest that Christ offers depends upon conditions, but these conditions are plainly specified. They are those with which all can comply. He tells us just how His rest is to be found. 

[Beacon]

Are you tempted? He will deliver. Are you weak? He will strengthen. Are you ignorant? He will enlighten. Are you wounded? He will heal. The Lord "telleth the number of the stars;" and yet "He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds." "

"Psalm 147:4, 3. "Come unto Me," is His invitation. Whatever your anxieties and trials, spread out your case before the Lord. Your spirit will be braced for endurance. The way will be opened for you to disentangle yourself from embarrassment and difficulty."

The weaker and more helpless you know yourself to be, the stronger will you become in His strength. The heavier your burdens, the more blessed the rest in casting them upon the Burden Bearer." "

"The rest that Christ offers depends upon conditions, but these conditions are plainly specified. They are those with which all can comply. He tells us just how His rest is to be found."

Amen ---Jesus is the Answer --- Let's make HIM LORD OF LORDS IN OUR DAILY LIFE!!

===========================

"
1
The Lord knows all that frustrates thee;
Your every weakness, He can see.
When there is no one you can tell,
This is His word: I know it well.
2
He knows what trials you can face;
He knows how much you need His grace;
He foreknew all that happens here;
He is your Lord; why doubt or fear?
3
Though many mock and ridicule,
Loved ones forsake, friends misconstrue,
All of these things, the Savior knows,
So be at peace, in calm repose.
4
Cast all your burdens on the Lord;
All of your sighs on Him outpour.
His heart of love your sorrow knows;
He cares for you and grace bestows.
5
Since the Lord knows, my heart’s at peace!
Since the Lord knows, my joy’s complete!
Since the Lord knows, my rescue’s sure!
Since the Lord knows, I am secure.

Lyrics:Adapted
Music:Henry Bake

[JimB]

  "Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest."
     These words of comfort were spoken to the multitude that followed Jesus. The Saviour had said that only through Himself could men receive a knowledge of God. He had spoken of His disciples as the ones to whom a knowledge of heavenly things had been given. But He left none to feel themselves shut out from His care and love. All who labor and are heavy-laden may come unto Him.

We have 2 choices. We can keep the current burdens that we carry or we can exchange them for His burdens. His yoke is easy and light but there is still a burden to carry. In the backpacking world it is well known that your pack (burden) is as heavy as your fears. Christ wants to relieve us of our fears and lighten our load. The narrow and steep path of righteousness requires a custom fitted pack hand made by Christ just for you. So you may keep your pack full of fears or you can accept one from Christ minus the fears and worries and only filled with what is  absolutely necessary for you to finish the good fight.

[Beacon]

"He was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. He is watching over you, trembling child of God. Are you tempted? He will deliver. Are you weak? He will strengthen. Are you ignorant? He will enlighten. Are you wounded? He will heal."

"The Lord "telleth the number of the stars;" and yet "He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds." Psalm 147:4, 3".

"Come unto Me," is His invitation. Whatever your anxieties and trials, spread out your case before the Lord. Your spirit will be braced for endurance. The way will be opened for you to disentangle yourself from embarrassment and difficulty."

"The weaker and more helpless you know yourself to be, the stronger will you become in His strength. The heavier your burdens, the more blessed the rest in casting them upon the Burden Bearer." "The rest that Christ offers depends upon conditions, but these conditions are plainly specified." "

They are those with which all can comply. He tells us just how His rest is to be found."

Come unto Me all ye who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest.

Are "WE" willing to surrender ALL TO JESUS

=====================
1
All to Jesus I surrender,
All to Him I freely give;
I will ever love and trust Him,
In His presence daily live.
 
I surrender all,
  I surrender all.
All to Thee, my blessed Savior,
    I surrender all.
2
All to Jesus I surrender,
Humbly at His feet I bow,
Worldly pleasures all forsaken;
Take me, Jesus, take me now.
3
All to Jesus I surrender,
Make me, Savior, wholly Thine;
Let me feel Thy Holy Spirit,
Truly know that Thou art mine.
4
All to Jesus I surrender,
Lord, I give myself to Thee;
Fill me with Thy love and power,
Let Thy blessing fall on me.
5
All to Jesus I surrender,
Now I feel the sacred flame.
Oh, the joy of full salvation!
Glory, glory to His name!

Lyrics:Judson W. Van de Venter (1855-1939)
Music:Winfield Scott Weeden (1847-1908)

[Richard Myers]

Amen my dear brothers!! If we keep our eyes upon Jesus, we have precious promises!

Those who take Christ at His word, and surrender their souls to His keeping, their lives to His ordering, will find peace and quietude. Nothing of the world can make them sad when Jesus makes them glad by His presence. In perfect acquiescence there is perfect rest. The Lord says, "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee." Isaiah 26:3. Our lives may seem a tangle; but as we commit ourselves to the wise Master Worker, He will bring out the pattern of life and character that will be to His own glory. And that character which expresses the glory--character--of Christ will be received into the Paradise of God. A renovated race shall walk with Him in white, for they are worthy.   

[Dorine]

Those who take Christ at His word, and surrender their souls to His keeping, their lives to His ordering, will find peace and quietude. Nothing of the world can make them sad when Jesus makes them glad by His presence. In perfect acquiescence there is perfect rest. The Lord says, "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee." Isaiah 26:3. Our lives may seem a tangle; but as we commit ourselves to the wise Master Worker, He will bring out the pattern of life and character that will be to His own glory. And that character which expresses the glory--character--of Christ will be received into the Paradise of God. A renovated race shall walk with Him in white, for they are worthy. 

The chapter may be short but what a wealth of encouragement and hope. May God grant to each one a peace that passes all understanding. The world does not know it. There was a time in our lives when we did not know it but praise God all that changed when we gave our hearts totally to Him. Be watchful and prayerful that we do not lose it by taking our eyes off of Jesus even for a moment. This time spent with Jesus each and every day will prepare us for the unknowns in our path and will keep us from falling. Our witness will bring others to the feet of Jesus.

[Pastor Sean Brizendine]

Amen, Brother Beacon, Brother Jim, Brother Richard and Sister Dorine!

Happy Sabbath! Rest in Christ by trusting His word, being fully surrendered to Him and the working of the Holy Spirit! All of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing are the sure result of union and communion with Christ!

"It is the love of self that brings unrest. When we are born from above, the same mind will be in us that was in Jesus, the mind that led Him to humble Himself that we might be saved. Then we shall not be seeking the highest place. We shall desire to sit at the feet of Jesus, and learn of Him. We shall understand that the value of our work does not consist in making a show and noise in the world, and in being active and zealous in our own strength. The value of our work is in proportion to the impartation of the Holy Spirit. Trust in God brings holier qualities of mind, so that in patience we may possess our souls." {The Desire of Ages, page 330, paragraph 4}

True godliness with contentment is great gain because our treasure is in heaven, rooted in Christ as our "exceeding great reward" (Genesis 15:1). What a privilege and joy to be able to have Christ enthroned in our hearts today as we serve in the way He leads us--for in this experience, we have true rest and peace that passes all human understanding. God's blessings are far deeper than what we can see with the eye--they reach the depths of our souls!