The Desire of Ages--7--As a Child

[Beacon]

"He gained knowledge as we may do, His intimate acquaintance with the Scriptures shows how diligently His early years were given to the study of God's word. And spread out before Him was the great library of God's created works. He who had made all things studied the lessons which His own hand had written in earth and sea and sky."

"Apart from the unholy ways of the world, He gathered stores of scientific knowledge from nature. He studied the life of plants and animals, and the life of man. From His earliest years He was possessed of one purpose; He lived to bless others." "

"For this He found resources in nature; new ideas of ways and means flashed into His mind as He studied plant life and animal life. Continually He was seeking to draw from things seen illustrations by which to present the living oracles of God. The parables by which, during His ministry, He loved to teach His lessons of truth show how open His spirit was to the influences of nature, and how He had gathered the spiritual teaching from the surroundings of His daily life."

[Pastor Sean Brizendine]

Amen, Brother Beacon!

What a joy it is to receive Christ's character into our lives as we surrender fully to the working of the Holy Spirit! All of the fruits of the Spirit will be seen in our lives without one missing as long as we are abiding in Christ and obeying Him up to the light that He has shown us! Let us ever be ready to serve others like Jesus!

"As a child, Jesus manifested a peculiar loveliness of disposition. His willing hands were ever ready to serve others. He manifested a patience that nothing could disturb, and a truthfulness that would never sacrifice integrity. In principle firm as a rock, His life revealed the grace of unselfish courtesy." {The Desire of Ages, page 68, paragraph 3}

Unselfish courtesy flows from union and communion with Christ, seeing others in the light that streams from Calvary. We are all infinitely valuable to God because He created us for His glory and only made one of us in the universe to uniquely reveal His love! Oh, let us gladly do all we can to woo and win others to Jesus!

[JimB]

Amen brothers! with God's help and our surrender we can be like Him, tender, compassionate, and ready to forgive. This is what got my attention this morning.

He was doing God's service just as much when laboring at the carpenter's bench as when working miracles for the multitude.

If this doesn't speak volumes! As a friend commented to me how does that compare to miracles? Honestly I'm not completely sure but its my thoughts that if you are where God wants you, carpenter shop or otherwise and you're conducting yourself in a way that meets His approval that you are just as much doing God's will as Christ was doing God's will when working miracles. And being in His will is the best place to be.

[Richard Myers]

Amen my dear brothers!!  We all found a wealth of information about our Savior as He grew in character. There is so much in today's reading.

  Throughout His life on earth, Jesus was an earnest and constant worker. He expected much; therefore He attempted much. After He had entered on His ministry, He said, "I must work the works of Him that sent Me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work." John 9:4. Jesus did not shirk care and responsibility, as do many who profess to be His followers. It is because they seek to evade this discipline that so many are weak and inefficient. They may possess precious and amiable traits, but they are nerveless and almost useless when difficulties are to be met or obstacles surmounted. The positiveness and energy, the solidity and strength of character, manifested in Christ are to be developed in us, through the same discipline that He endured. And the grace that He received is for us. 

Yes, the grace that saves is the grace that empowers sinners to become saints.

[Dorine]

Jesus is our example. There are many who dwell with interest upon the period of His public ministry, while they pass unnoticed the teaching of His early years. But it is in His home life that He is the pattern for all children and youth. The Saviour condescended to poverty, that He might teach how closely we in a humble lot may walk with God. He lived to please, honor, and glorify His Father in the common things of life. His work began in consecrating the lowly trade of the craftsmen who toil for their daily bread. He was doing God's service just as much when laboring at the carpenter's bench as when working miracles for the multitude. And every youth who follows Christ's example of faithfulness and obedience in His lowly home may claim those words spoken of Him by the Father through the Holy Spirit, "Behold My Servant, whom I uphold; Mine Elect, in whom My soul delighteth." Isaiah 42:1.

If parents would take their children to Jesus from infancy they would find such help from the Holy Spirit in guiding and teaching them through out their lives. I hear parents say that they are too young to understand. That's not the point. The parent's connection with Jesus opens up the avenue for the Holy Spirit to work in that baby's life as well as their own. If we wait until we think the child is old enough to understand then the training will be much harder; for the child's character will already be set. Raising a child for Jesus should be a pleasure and a joy as we watch the Holy Spirit work in every phase of their lives. Even through the challenges of each personality it's amazing to watch God work.

[Dorine]

  Jesus carried into His labor cheerfulness and tact. It requires much patience and spirituality to bring Bible religion into the home life and into the workshop, to bear the strain of worldly business, and yet keep the eye single to the glory of God. This is where Christ was a helper. He was never so full of worldly care as to have no time or thought for heavenly things. Often He expressed the gladness of His heart by singing psalms and heavenly songs. Often the dwellers in Nazareth heard His voice raised in praise and thanksgiving to God. He held communion with heaven in song; and as His companions complained of weariness from labor, they were cheered by the sweet melody from His lips. His praise seemed to banish the evil angels, and, like incense, fill the place with fragrance. The minds of His hearers were carried away from their earthly exile, to the heavenly home.   

How I love this chapter. It lifts me above the stresses of life and a sweet peace permeates my soul. I sense Him close by my side as through the Holy Spirit and heavenly angels He gives me strength and motivation to strive to please Him by a total submission to His will. What a difference it makes in our attitudes. We see and smell more of the roses and less of the thorns. 

Speaking of thorns....When I hung the bird feeder out early this morning a long wild black berry vine had grown (I'm sure overnight) right where I needed to be. As I brought my hand back from placing the feeder some thorns caught me in several places on my hand. Blood surfaced immediately. It hurt but I knew the solution which was more pain from the Cayenne pepper I put on it but it did the trick and in no time there was no trace of blood or pain.  So instead of focusing on the thorns I enjoy the wonderful fruit it bears and thank God that in spite of sin He has preserved an abundance for our happiness and health. Even as a child Jesus had pain, suffering and childish trials but He found joy in relieving the pain and discouragement of others and ignoring the thorns that pricked His life. Like Jesus lets keep a song in our hearts, to lift not only our own hearts but that the words we speak to others will lift them up also.

[Beacon]

"It was in His home life that He is the pattern for all children and youth."

"The Saviour condescended to poverty, that He might teach how closely we in a humble lot may walk with God."

"He lived to please, honor, and glorify His Father in the common things of life. His work began in consecrating the lowly trade of the craftsmen who toil for their daily bread."

"He was doing God's service just as much when laboring at the carpenter's bench as when working miracles for the multitude." "And every youth who follows Christ's example of faithfulness and obedience in His lowly home may claim those words spoken of Him by the Father through the Holy Spirit," "Behold My Servant, whom I uphold; Mine Elect, in whom My soul delighted. Isaiah 42:1."

I want to be Like Jesus -- Don't You??

[Richard Myers]

Amen my dear brother and sister. Jesus is our example even in His childhood. He was still God even as He learned from His parents, inspired scrolls, and nature. He grew in strength of character. At age ten He could not carry the sins of the world. He learned obedience by the things which He suffered.

      Wonderful in its significance is the brief record of His early life: "The child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon Him." In the sunlight of His Father's countenance, Jesus "increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man." Luke 2:52. His mind was active and penetrating, with a thoughtfulness and wisdom beyond His years. Yet His character was beautiful in its symmetry. The powers of mind and body developed gradually, in keeping with the laws of childhood......"He gained knowledge as we may do, His intimate acquaintance with the Scriptures shows how diligently His early years were given to the study of God's word. And spread out before Him was the great library of God's created works. He who had made all things studied the lessons which His own hand had written in earth and sea and sky."

We glory in our tribulation because it makes us more patient, gives us an experience that prepares us for what is coming, and more than this the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts. All of the fruits of the Spirit are the life of the baby Christian, but God is going to grow each one of them through our suffering. Each fruit will become more abundant. So it was with Jesus. His character also grew in the same manner. It was through His suffering that He became strong to carry the sins of the whole world. He never used His divine power for strength. It was His continual dependence upon His Father that He was empowered to obey. His faith in His Father got Him through Gethsemane and Calvary. Through His obedience He was sanctified to a higher level, obedience when tempted in all ways even as we are.

[Richard Myers]

  Every child may gain knowledge as Jesus did. As we try to become acquainted with our heavenly Father through His word, angels will draw near, our minds will be strengthened, our characters will be elevated and refined. We shall become more like our Saviour. And as we behold the beautiful and grand in nature, our affections go out after God. While the spirit is awed, the soul is invigorated by coming in contact with the Infinite through His works. Communion with God through prayer develops the mental and moral faculties, and the spiritual powers strengthen as we cultivate thoughts upon spiritual things. 

[Dorine]

Jesus lived in a peasant's home, and faithfully and cheerfully acted His part in bearing the burdens of the household. He had been the Commander of heaven, and angels had delighted to fulfill His word; now He was a willing servant, a loving, obedient son. He learned a trade, and with His own hands worked in the carpenter's shop with Joseph. In the simple garb of a common laborer He walked the streets of the little town, going to and returning from His humble work. He did not employ His divine power to lessen His burdens or to lighten His toil.

This description of Jesus is so comforting to me. To think that the king of the universe, creator of all would stoop to becoming a servant to the very ones that rejected Him. It overwhelms my heart with joy and gratitude for I do not deserve a speck of mercy.

[Dorine]

Throughout His life on earth, Jesus was an earnest and constant worker. He expected much; therefore He attempted much. After He had entered on His ministry, He said, "I must work the works of Him that sent Me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work." John 9:4. Jesus did not shirk care and responsibility, as do many who profess to be His followers. It is because they seek to evade this discipline that so many are weak and inefficient. They may possess precious and amiable traits, but they are nerveless and almost useless when difficulties are to be met or obstacles surmounted.The positiveness and energy, the solidity and strength of character, manifested in Christ are to be developed in us, through the same discipline that He endured. And the grace that He received is for us.

[Richard Myers]

Amen dear Sister. And so it will be with our children if they will walk in the path of Jesus.

Yet Jesus shunned display. During all the years of His stay in Nazareth, He made no exhibition of His miraculous power. He sought no high position and assumed no titles. His quiet and simple life, and even the silence of the Scriptures concerning His early years, teach an important lesson. The more quiet and simple the life of the child,--the more free from artificial excitement, and the more in harmony with nature,--the more favorable is it to physical and mental vigor and to spiritual strength.

Jesus is our example. There are many who dwell with interest upon the period of His public ministry, while they pass unnoticed the teaching of His early years. But it is in His home life that He is the pattern for all children and youth. The Saviour condescended to poverty, that He might teach how closely we in a humble lot may walk with God. He lived to please, honor, and glorify His Father in the common things of life. His work began in consecrating the lowly trade of the craftsmen who toil for their daily bread. He was doing God's service just as much when laboring at the carpenter's bench as when working miracles for the multitude. And every youth who follows Christ's example of faithfulness and obedience in His lowly home may claim those words spoken of Him by the Father through the Holy Spirit, "Behold My Servant, whom I uphold; Mine Elect, in whom My soul delighteth." Isaiah 42:1. 

[Philip T]

  Every child may gain knowledge as Jesus did. As we try to become acquainted with our heavenly Father through His word, angels will draw near, our minds will be strengthened, our characters will be elevated and refined. We shall become more like our Saviour. And as we behold the beautiful and grand in nature, our affections go out after God. While the spirit is awed, the soul is invigorated by coming in contact with the Infinite through His works. Communion with God through prayer develops the mental and moral faculties, and the spiritual powers strengthen as we cultivate thoughts upon spiritual things.