The Desire of Ages--20--Except Ye See Signs and Wonders

[JimB]

The nobleman longed to know more of Christ. As he afterward heard His teaching, he and all his household became disciples. Their affliction was sanctified to the conversion of the entire family. Tidings of the miracle spread; and in Capernaum, where so many of His mighty works were performed, the way was prepared for Christ's personal ministry.

Our times of trouble can lead to blessings if we will allow it and follow Christ. Whether we brought it on ourselves by our poor choices or it was allowed to come upon us the answer is the same. Look to Christ, trust Him, depend on Him, He will take care of you.

Romans 8:28 28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

[Richard Myers]

He who blessed the nobleman at Capernaum is just as desirous of blessing us. But like the afflicted father, we are often led to seek Jesus by the desire for some earthly good; and upon the granting of our request we rest our confidence in His love. The Saviour longs to give us a greater blessing than we ask; and He delays the answer to our request that He may show us the evil of our own hearts, and our deep need of His grace. He desires us to renounce the selfishness that leads us to seek Him. Confessing our helplessness and bitter need, we are to trust ourselves wholly to His love. 

How is one saved?  It is out of selfishness that we come to Him. All are selfish until converted.

[JimB]

Like Jacob he prevailed. The Saviour cannot withdraw from the soul that clings to Him, pleading its great need. "Go thy way," He said; "thy son liveth." The nobleman left the Saviour's presence with a peace and joy he had never known before. Not only did he believe that his son would be restored, but with strong confidence he trusted in Christ as the Redeemer.

Our need, our lack, our corrupt and undesirable nature is exactly what allows us to make claim on Christ's offered grace. As brother Richard has pointed out we having nothing but selfishness in us until we come to Christ.

[Richard Myers]

Before we can do the work entrusted to us, we must first see how evil we are. We must see our continual need of God's grace and then do something about it. If we do not hold on to Jesus, if we take our eyes off of Him, we shall sin. Our only hope is to love Him so much we will not let go. It  is a hard lesson to learn, especially when surrounded by those who profess to love Him, but are themselves blind to their continual need of Him.

      Like a flash of light, the Saviour's words to the nobleman laid bare his heart. He saw that his motives in seeking Jesus were selfish. His vacillating faith appeared to him in its true character. In deep distress he realized that his doubt might cost the life of his son. He knew that he was in the presence of One who could read the thoughts, and to whom all things were possible. In an agony of supplication he cried, "Sir, come down ere my child die." His faith took hold upon Christ as did Jacob, when, wrestling with the Angel, he cried, "I will not let Thee go, except Thou bless me." Genesis 32:26.
     Like Jacob he prevailed. The Saviour cannot withdraw from the soul that clings to Him, pleading its great need.

We must look past our sins and focus on Him and His great love for us and the love, joy, and peace we can have if we will continue to watch and pray day by day and moment by moment.

[Beacon]

And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou maAreyest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne." (Revelation 3:14-21).[/color

Are "WE" willing to Repent ??

[JimB]

We must look past our sins and focus on Him and His great love for us and the love, joy, and peace we can have if we will continue to watch and pray day by day and moment by moment.

When I ran across the following letter today I immediately thought of this post. This whole letter although long will be posted in the "tempted to be discouraged" thread.

Arise in the strength of Jesus, for you have no strength, and be free. Has the Lord Jesus spoken truth to you from the Word, or falsehood? Your feelings have not to do with this matter. Have you faith? Look and live. Where, you may say, shall I look? Away from your miserableness, away from the serpent’s sting, to an uplifted Saviour who declares, They “that cometh unto Me I will in no wise cast out.” [John 6:37.] Behold Jesus. Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. No longer make your feelings your ideal, and bow your soul and entire will and all your powers to serve your feelings, and worship your feelings as God. 8LtMs, Lt 98, 1893, par. 16

“Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve.” Matthew 4:10. Christ has borne your sins, for God laid on Him the iniquity of us all. You are under shelter of the sure refuge, under shelter of the atoning sacrifice. 8LtMs, Lt 98, 1893, par. 17

Said Christ in response to the accusation of the Scribes and Pharisees, “Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners?” “I am come not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” Matthew 9:11, 13. 8LtMs, Lt 98, 1893, par. 18

If you feel yourself to be the greatest sinner, Christ is just what you need, the greatest Saviour. Lift up your head and look way from yourself, away from your sin, to the uplifted Saviour; away from the poisonous venomous bite of the serpent to the Lamb of God who taketh away the sin of the world. What will it avail all your groaning, shrieking in your agony, torturing your soul. You may study and entertain your ideas, what will condemn, and what will save. Put your thoughts away. God’s thoughts, God’s words, amount to much. 8LtMs, Lt 98, 1893, par. 19