The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well

[Beacon]

"The gospel invitation is not to be narrowed down, and presented only to a select few, who, we suppose, will do us honor if they accept it."

"The message is to be given to "ALL"

"Wherever hearts are open to receive the truth, Christ is ready to instruct them."

"He reveals to them the Father, and the worship acceptable to Him who reads the heart. For such He uses no parables."

To them, as to the woman at the well, He says, "I that speak unto thee am He."

Like a mighty army God is calling His Representors to spread the Good News about His Saving Grace. Are "WE" willing to help spread The Good News??

==========================
1
Stand up! stand up for Jesus!
  Ye soldiers of the cross;
Lift high His royal banner,
  It must not suffer loss:
From vict’ry unto vict’ry
  His army shall He lead,
Till every foe is vanquished
  And Christ is Lord indeed.
 
Stand up for Jesus
Ye soldiers of the cross;
Lift high His royal banner,
  It must not, it must not suffer loss.
2
Stand up! stand up for Jesus!
  The trumpet call obey;
Forth to the mighty conflict
  In this His glorious day.
Ye that are men, now serve Him
  Against unnumbered foes;
Let courage rise with danger.
  And strength to strength oppose.
3
Stand up! stand up for Jesus!
  Stand in His strength alone;
The arm of flesh will fail you;
  Ye dare not trust your own.
Put on the Gospel armor,
  And, watching unto prayer,
Where duty calls, or danger,
  Be never wanting there.
4
Stand up! stand up for Jesus!
  The strife will not be long:
This day the noise of battle,
  The next the victor’s song;
To him that overcometh
  A crown of life shall be;
He, with the King of glory,
  Shall reign eternally.

Lyrics:George Duffield (1818-1888)
Music:Adam Geibel (1855-1933)

[Dorine]

In the words spoken to the woman at the well, good seed had been sown, and how quickly the harvest was received. The Samaritans came and heard Jesus, and believed on Him. Crowding about Him at the well, they plied Him with questions, and eagerly received His explanations of many things that had been obscure to them. As they listened, their perplexity began to clear away. They were like a people in great darkness tracing up a sudden ray of light till they had found the day. But they were not satisfied with this short conference. They were anxious to hear more, and to have their friends also listen to this wonderful teacher. They invited Him to their city, and begged Him to remain with them. For two days He tarried in Samaria, and many more believed on Him.

We never know the miraculous, wide spread results of our simple sincere testimony of what Jesus has done for us. May our light shine amidst the darkness of this world like a lighthouse on a hill warning of danger and bringing each ship through dangerous waters guiding them to safety.

[Richard Myers]

Amen!!  We all have a story to tell.


   As soon as she had found the Saviour the Samaritan woman brought others to Him. She proved herself a more effective missionary than His own disciples. The disciples saw nothing in Samaria to indicate that it was an encouraging field. Their thoughts were fixed upon a great work to be done in the future. They did not see that right around them was a harvest to be gathered. But through the woman whom they despised, a whole cityful were brought to hear the Saviour. She carried the light at once to her countrymen.
     This woman represents the working of a practical faith in Christ. Every true disciple is born into the kingdom of God as a missionary. He who drinks of the living water becomes a fountain of life. The receiver becomes a giver. The grace of Christ in the soul is like a spring in the desert, welling up to refresh all, and making those who are ready to perish eager to drink of the water of life.

[Beacon]

"He Must Increase. None of us should feel we "must" have a certain teacher, pastor, or leader in order for us to know what is right. God is calling us higher."

"If they have been led by God, praise the Lord! But they are still finite, and must depend on God moment by moment for guidance and grace in order to fulfill His will in true conversion manifesting the fruits of the Spirit without one missing."

"The lives of those who are in harmony with God's law, while they are a blessing, are but a reflection of the One to whom we are to look always for guidance in each situation."

"He clearly promises: "I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with Mine eye" (Psalm 32:. Are you willing to let God lead you? Be prepared for Him to equip you for mission service--where He knows is best!"


Are "WE" willing to believe God's promises as stated above??

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

1
Come, every soul by sin oppressed,
  There’s mercy with the Lord;
And He will surely give you rest
  By trusting in His Word.
 
Only trust Him! Only trust Him!
  Only trust Him now!
He will save you! He will save you!
    He will save you now!
2
For Jesus shed His precious blood
  Rich blessings to bestow;
Plunge now into the crimson flood
  That washeth white as snow.
3
Yes, Jesus is the Truth, the Way,
  That leads you into rest;
Believe in Him without delay,
  And you are fully blest.
4
Come then, and join the holy band,
  And on to glory go;
In Christ’s redemption take your stand,
  And all His goodness know.

Lyrics:John Hart Stockton (1813-1877)
Music:John Hart Stockton (1813-1877)

[Dorine]

The Saviour is still carrying forward the same work as when He proffered the water of life to the woman of Samaria. Those who call themselves His followers may despise and shun the outcast ones; but no circumstance of birth or nationality, no condition of life, can turn away His love from the children of men. To every soul, however sinful, Jesus says, If thou hadst asked of Me, I would have given thee living water.   
The gospel invitation is not to be narrowed down, and presented only to a select few, who, we suppose, will do us honor if they accept it. The message is to be given to all. Wherever hearts are open to receive the truth, Christ is ready to instruct them. He reveals to them the Father, and the worship acceptable to Him who reads the heart. For such He uses no parables. To them, as to the woman at the well, He says, "I that speak unto thee am He."

No wonder the poor and needy loved Jesus so much. He gave them hope with promises of a better life if they would just accept Him into their hearts and lives. He is yearning to give all an abundant life of blessings. Heavy yokes and burdens He will remove and He will place His yoke upon each one that opens their heart to Him. His yoke is easy and His burden is light. Those who believe Him know from experience that this is true. We are given the assignment of going into the highways and byways, villages and cities to search for those crying for help but do not know where to find it. May we never be guilty of turning anyone aside.

[Richard Myers]

Amen dear brother and sister! Jesus is indeed doing the same work today that He did at the time of the woman at the well. There is something that happened that few have understood. What was that work?  The Samaritans were denied their request to help rebuild Jerusalem after their 70 year captivity. Yet, here we read that many Samaritans were seeking the coming of their Messiah. The woman at the well was converted. What was work that was being done by Jesus that is the same today? It was a strange thing that these Samaritans believed much of what the Jews believed. Is that true today? Are their others who we do  not understand hold in common many truths as we do and will gladly accept the soon coming of the Savior of the world? Yes, there are groups who hold much in common with us, but who we have not understood that many of them will indeed be anxious to hear more about the coming of the Savior of the world.

     In the words spoken to the woman at the well, good seed had been sown, and how quickly the harvest was received. The Samaritans came and heard Jesus, and believed on Him. Crowding about Him at the well, they plied Him with questions, and eagerly received His explanations of many things that had been obscure to them. As they listened, their perplexity began to clear away. They were like a people in great darkness tracing up a sudden ray of light till they had found the day. But they were not satisfied with this short conference. They were anxious to hear more, and to have their friends also listen to this wonderful teacher. They invited Him to their city, and begged Him to remain with them. For two days He tarried in Samaria, and many more believed on Him.
     The Pharisees despised the simplicity of Jesus. They ignored His miracles, and demanded a sign that He was the Son of God. But the Samaritans asked no sign, and Jesus performed no miracles among them, save in revealing the secrets of her life to the woman at the well. Yet many received Him. In their new joy they said to the woman, "Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard Him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world."
     The Samaritans believed that the Messiah was to come as the Redeemer, not only of the Jews, but of the world. The Holy Spirit through Moses had foretold Him as a prophet sent from God. Through Jacob it had been declared that unto Him should the gathering of the people be; and through Abraham, that in Him all the nations of the earth should be blessed. On these scriptures the people of Samaria based their faith in the Messiah. The fact that the Jews had misinterpreted the later prophets, attributing to the first advent the glory of Christ's second coming, had led the Samaritans to discard all the sacred writings except those given through Moses. But as the Saviour swept away these false interpretations, many accepted the later prophecies and the words of Christ Himself in regard to the kingdom of God.

Which groups today who hold in common with us many truths found in our Bible? Many professing Protestants, Catholics, Jews, and Muslims. Yes, Muslims. All of these groups have many who are expecting the coming of a Savior spoken of in their religion teachings. What teaching can be found in these people's teachings? Adam, Abraham, Moses, and the Savior of the world. I experienced this with Muslims as I shared from the Bible these common truths when in Turkey. Many young men were open to hearing about these Bible truths. There is a great work for us to do today, the very same as Jesus was doing with the Samaritan women He found at the well.

[Dorine]

This woman represents the working of a practical faith in Christ. Every true disciple is born into the kingdom of God as a missionary. He who drinks of the living water becomes a fountain of life. The receiver becomes a giver. The grace of Christ in the soul is like a spring in the desert, welling up to refresh all, and making those who are ready to perish eager to drink of the water of life.

We may not be able to go to foreign lands to take the gospel of Jesus but our mission is just as important just where we are. There is no greater mission assignment than that of parents in the training of their children. As they grow the field opens up into larger territories. Saved souls are just as important where we are as in distant lands. God has a work for each one of us and He calls us to where He can use us the best.

[JimB]

Amen Dorine! what you brought out and and my thoughts are fall into the same vain.

The disciples saw nothing in Samaria to indicate that it was an encouraging field. Their thoughts were fixed upon a great work to be done in the future. They did not see that right around them was a harvest to be gathered. But through the woman whom they despised, a whole cityful were brought to hear the Saviour. She carried the light at once to her countrymen.

Christ said that the harvest is ripe and right next to us in our friends, family, neighbors, co-workers and in the organizations that we belong to are people ready to hear. Lets pray for discernment to know who.

[Beacon]

" In the words spoken to the woman at the well, good seed had been sown, and how quickly the harvest was received."
 
"The Samaritans came and heard Jesus, and believed on Him."

"Crowding about Him at the well, they plied Him with questions, and eagerly received His explanations of many things that had been obscure to them." "As they listened, their perplexity began to clear away. They were like a people in great darkness tracing up a sudden ray of light till they had found the day."

" But they were not satisfied with this short conference. They were anxious to hear more, and to have their friends also listen to this wonderful teacher. They invited Him to their city, and begged Him to remain with them. For two days He tarried in Samaria, and many more believed on Him."

Are "WE" that Hungary to learn more about Jesus?

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

1
More about Jesus would I know,
More of His grace to others show;
More of His saving fulness see,
More of His love who died for me.
 
More, more about Jesus,
More, more about Jesus;
More of His saving fulness see,
  More of His love who died for me.
2
More about Jesus let me learn,
More of His holy will discern;
Spirit of God my teacher be,
Showing the things of Christ to me.
3
More about Jesus; in His Word,
Holding communion with my Lord;
Hearing His voice in every line,
Making each faithful saying mine.
4
More about Jesus; on His throne,
Riches in glory all His own;
More of His kingdom’s sure increase;
More of His coming, Prince of Peace.

Lyrics:Eliza Edmunds Hewitt (1851-1920)
Music:John Robson Sweney (1837-1899)[/color

[Richard Myers]

Amen my dear brothers and sister!  All who love the Lord do not have to be taught to be evangelists, they want to tell others of Jesus.

  The Saviour did not wait for congregations to assemble. Often He began His lessons with only a few gathered about Him, but one by one the passers-by paused to listen, until a multitude heard with wonder and awe the words of God through the heaven-sent Teacher. The worker for Christ should not feel that he cannot speak with the same earnestness to a few hearers as to a larger company. There may be only one to hear the message; but who can tell how far-reaching will be its influence? It seemed a small matter, even to His disciples, for the Saviour to spend His time upon a woman of Samaria. But He reasoned more earnestly and eloquently with her than with kings, councilors, or high priests. The lessons He gave to that woman have been repeated to the earth's remotest bounds. 

[Richard Myers]

     As soon as she had found the Saviour the Samaritan woman brought others to Him. She proved herself a more effective missionary than His own disciples. The disciples saw nothing in Samaria to indicate that it was an encouraging field. Their thoughts were fixed upon a great work to be done in the future. They did not see that right around them was a harvest to be gathered. But through the woman whom they despised, a whole cityful were brought to hear the Saviour. She carried the light at once to her countrymen.
     This woman represents the working of a practical faith in Christ. Every true disciple is born into the kingdom of God as a missionary. He who drinks of the living water becomes a fountain of life. The receiver becomes a giver. The grace of Christ in the soul is like a spring in the desert, welling up to refresh all, and making those who are ready to perish eager to drink of the water of life. 

Often we read about a program put together to encourage church members to get involved in evangelism. What we read today reveals these programs are not necessary. All who love the Lord our God do not need to be encouraged to tell others about Jesus. All who are truly born again of the  Spirit will immediately want to tell others of His love and power.

[Dorine]

Jesus did not convey the idea that merely one draft of the water of life would suffice the receiver. He who tastes of the love of Christ will continually long for more; but he seeks for nothing else. The riches, honors, and pleasures of the world do not attract him. The constant cry of his heart is, More of Thee. And He who reveals to the soul its necessity is waiting to satisfy its hunger and thirst. Every human resource and dependence will fail. The cisterns will be emptied, the pools become dry; but our Redeemer is an inexhaustible fountain. We may drink, and drink again, and ever find a fresh supply. He in whom Christ dwells has within himself the fountain of blessing,--"a well of water springing up into everlasting life." From this source he may draw strength and grace sufficient for all his needs.

Amen and amen is what my heart sings this morning. What a Saviour, what a friend. I want to bold the whole paragraph. It speaks to my weary heart. We may be cut off from all earthly support but God promises to provide our every need. So instead of fretting about the trials let us walk by faith and believe His every word and our witness will uplift others to put their full trust in Him. Thoughts will be redirected from self to others and searching for ways to be a comfort and help to them.

Each day I spend hours in an atmosphere where souls have lost their independence and many have given up. Some have no loved ones to come to see them. Most are being neglected by staff and failing fast mentally and physically. Some are angry. It is such a sad atmosphere. It is only the time I spend with Eric, doing for him what staff are not doing and reading and praying with him that is keeping him from utter depression. His coordination is gone, he can not walk anymore and his reasoning has left him. He knows it and all he has to hang on to is his love for God and my visits. When it comes time to leave I feel guilty because I have freedom to come and go and make decisions while he lays in a prison bed with curtains pulled around him for privacy because there are men and women in the same room.  Don't ever take life for granted and be mindful of those who are losing their independence. Become a volunteer to visit the lonely and forsaken in hospital or nursing homes. Jesus was always searching for those who needed Him not only spiritually but physically as well. He is our example of what it means to love others.

[Richard Myers]

Amen dear Sister Dorine! It is very sad to see the way these facilities care for their guests. And so very many have no one to visit them. There is so much to do and so few to do it. It will soon be forever over.

I love this chapter!  It reveals what a truly converted Christian looks like. We want to find those who are open to hearing the truth. What a joy that is!

Here is declared the same truth that Jesus had revealed to Nicodemus when He said, "Except a man be born from above, he cannot see the kingdom of God." John 3:3, margin. Not by seeking a holy mountain or a sacred temple are men brought into communion with heaven. Religion is not to be confined to external forms and ceremonies. The religion that comes from God is the only religion that will lead to God. In order to serve Him aright, we must be born of the divine Spirit. This will purify the heart and renew the mind, giving us a new capacity for knowing and loving God. It will give us a willing obedience to all His requirements. This is true worship. It is the fruit of the working of the Holy Spirit. By the Spirit every sincere prayer is indited, and such prayer is acceptable to God. Wherever a soul reaches out after God, there the Spirit's working is manifest, and God will reveal Himself to that soul. For such worshipers He is seeking. He waits to receive them, and to make them His sons and daughters

Like never before do we see a great multitude that are reaching out after God!! God is working in mighty way that we might be blessed to  find these precious souls.

[Dorine]

The stay of Jesus in Samaria was designed to be a blessing to His disciples, who were still under the influence of Jewish bigotry. They felt that loyalty to their own nation required them to cherish enmity toward the Samaritans. They wondered at the conduct of Jesus. They could not refuse to follow His example, and during the two days in Samaria, fidelity to Him kept their prejudices under control; yet in heart they were unreconciled. They were slow to learn that their contempt and hatred must give place to pity and sympathy. But after the Lord's ascension, His lessons came back to them with a new meaning. After the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, they recalled the Saviour's look, His words, the respect and tenderness of His bearing toward these despised strangers. When Peter went to preach in Samaria, he brought the same spirit into his own work. When John was called to Ephesus and Smyrna, he remembered the experience at Shechem, and was filled with gratitude to the divine Teacher, who, foreseeing the difficulties they must meet, had given them help in His own example.  

We see the change that took place in the lives of these men because of the example of Jesus. Everyday we too are witnessing the life of Jesus as we come together to read these inspirational chapters. Changes are taking place in the hearts of those who are submitting their lives to Christ.  There is no power but God's that can miraculously transform a sinners heart into the image of God.

[Richard Myers]

Amen dear Sister Dorine!  It is interesting how Jesus led the woman at the well to surrender her heart to God. As we do the same, we will also receive the same joy that filled Jesus as she drank of the Living Water.


     Here is declared the same truth that Jesus had revealed to Nicodemus when He said, "Except a man be born from above, he cannot see the kingdom of God." John 3:3, margin. Not by seeking a holy mountain or a sacred temple are men brought into communion with heaven. Religion is not to be confined to external forms and ceremonies. The religion that comes from God is the only religion that will lead to God. In order to serve Him aright, we must be born of the divine Spirit. This will purify the heart and renew the mind, giving us a new capacity for knowing and loving God. It will give us a willing obedience to all His requirements. This is true worship. It is the fruit of the working of the Holy Spirit. By the Spirit every sincere prayer is indited, and such prayer is acceptable to God. Wherever a soul reaches out after God, there the Spirit's working is manifest, and God will reveal Himself to that soul. For such worshipers He is seeking. He waits to receive them, and to make them His sons and daughters
     As the woman talked with Jesus, she was impressed with His words. Never had she heard such sentiments from the priests of her own people or from the Jews. As the past of her life had been spread out before her, she had been made sensible of her great want. She realized her soul thirst, which the waters of the well of Sychar could never satisfy. Nothing that had hitherto come in contact with her had so awakened her to a higher need. Jesus had convinced her that He read the secrets of her life; yet she felt that He was her friend, pitying and loving her. While the very purity of His presence condemned her sin, He had spoken no word of denunciation, but had told her of His grace, that could renew the soul. She began to have some conviction of His character. The question arose in her mind, Might not this be the long-looked-for Messiah? She said to Him, "I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when He is come, He will tell us all things." Jesus answered, "I that speak unto thee am He."   
     As the woman heard these words, faith sprang up in her heart. She accepted the wonderful announcement from the lips of the divine Teacher.
     This woman was in an appreciative state of mind. She was ready to receive the noblest revelation; for she was interested in the Scriptures, and the Holy Spirit had been preparing her mind to receive more light. She had studied the Old Testament promise, "The Lord thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto Him ye shall hearken." Deuteronomy 18:15. She longed to understand this prophecy. Light was already flashing into her mind. The water of life, the spiritual life which Christ gives to every thirsty soul, had begun to spring up in her heart. The Spirit of the Lord was working with her......That which had been withheld from the Jews, and which the disciples were afterward enjoined to keep secret, was revealed to her. Jesus saw that she would make use of her knowledge in bringing others to share His grace......As His words to the woman had aroused her conscience, Jesus rejoiced. He saw her drinking of the water of life, and His own hunger and thirst were satisfied. The accomplishment of the mission which He had left heaven to perform strengthened the Saviour for His labor, and lifted Him above the necessities of humanity. To minister to a soul hungering and thirsting for the truth was more grateful to Him than eating or drinking. It was a comfort, a refreshment, to Him. Benevolence was the life of His soul.     

[Philip T]

     Jesus did not convey the idea that merely one draft of the water of life would suffice the receiver. He who tastes of the love of Christ will continually long for more; but he seeks for nothing else. The riches, honors, and pleasures of the world do not attract him. The constant cry of his heart is, More of Thee. And He who reveals to the soul its necessity is waiting to satisfy its hunger and thirst. Every human resource and dependence will fail. The cisterns will be emptied, the pools become dry; but our Redeemer is an inexhaustible fountain. We may drink, and drink again, and ever find a fresh supply. He in whom Christ dwells has within himself the fountain of blessing,--"a well of water springing up into everlasting life." From this source he may draw strength and grace sufficient for all his needs.

May this be our plea to Jesus, "More of Thee, as they Hymn More about Jesus says to u.

More About Jesus

More about Jesus I would know, More of His grace to others show.
More of His saving fullness see, More of His love who died for me
More, more about Jesus, More, more about Jesus,
More of His saving fullness see, More of His love who died for me.

More about Jesus let me learn, More of His holy will discern,
Spirit of God my teacher be, Showing the things of Christ to me.
More, more about Jesus, More, more about Jesus;
More of His saving fullness see, More of His love who died for me.

More about Jesus; in His word, Holding communion with my Lord,
Hearing His voice in every line, making each faithful saying mine.
More, more about Jesus, More, more about Jesus,
More of His saving fullness see, More of His love who died for me.

More about Jesus, on His throne, riches in glory all His own,
More of His kingdom's sure increase; More of His coming, Price of Peace.
More, more about Jesus, More, more about Jesus,
More of His saving fullness see, More of His love who died for me.