The King of Kings => The Desire of Ages => Topic started by: wigina on August 08, 2013, 01:37:02 AM
Title: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: wigina on August 08, 2013, 01:37:02 AM
Chap. 19 - At Jacob's Well
Listen to At Jacob's Well
On the way to Galilee Jesus passed through Samaria. It was noon when He reached the beautiful Vale of Shechem. At the opening of this valley was Jacob's well. Wearied with His journey, He sat down here to rest while His disciples went to buy food. The Jews and the Samaritans were bitter enemies, and as far as possible avoided all dealing with each other. To trade with the Samaritans in case of necessity was indeed counted lawful by the rabbis; but all social intercourse with them was condemned. A Jew would not borrow from a Samaritan, nor receive a kindness, not even a morsel of bread or a cup of water. The disciples, in buying food, were acting in harmony with the custom of their nation. But beyond this they did not go. To ask a favor of the Samaritans, or in any way seek to benefit them, did not enter into the thought of even Christ's disciples. As Jesus sat by the well side, He was faint from hunger and thirst. The journey since morning had been long, and now the sun of noontide beat upon Him. His thirst was increased by the thought of the cool, refreshing water so near, yet inaccessible to Him; for He had no rope nor water jar, and the well was deep. The lot of humanity was His, and He waited for someone to come to draw. A woman of Samaria approached, and seeming unconscious of His presence, filled her pitcher with water. As she turned to go away, Jesus asked her for a drink. Such a favor no Oriental would withhold. In the East, water was called "the gift of God." To offer a drink to the thirsty traveler was held to be a duty so sacred that the Arabs of the desert would go out of their way in order to perform it. The hatred between Jews and Samaritans prevented the woman from offering a kindness to Jesus; but the Saviour was seeking to find the key to this heart, and with the tact born of divine love, He asked, not offered, a favor. The offer of a kindness might have been rejected; but trust awakens trust. The King of heaven came to this outcast soul, asking a service at her hands. He who made the ocean, who controls the waters of the great deep, who opened the springs and channels of the earth, rested from His weariness at Jacob's well, and was dependent upon a stranger's kindness for even the gift of a drink of water. The woman saw that Jesus was a Jew. In her surprise she forgot to grant His request, but tried to learn the reason for it. "How is it," she said, "that Thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria?" Jesus answered, "If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give Me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of Him, and He would have given thee living water." You wonder that I should ask of you even so small a favor as a draught of water from the well at our feet. Had you asked of Me, I would have given you to drink of the water of everlasting life. The woman had not comprehended the words of Christ, but she felt their solemn import. Her light, bantering manner began to change. Supposing that Jesus spoke of the well before them, she said, "Sir, Thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast Thou that living water? Art Thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself?" She saw before her only a thirsty traveler, wayworn and dusty. In her mind she compared Him with the honored patriarch Jacob. She cherished the feeling, which is so natural, that no other well could be equal to that provided by the fathers. She was looking backward to the fathers, forward to the Messiah's coming, while the Hope of the fathers, the Messiah Himself, was beside her, and she knew Him not. How many thirsting souls are today close by the living fountain, yet looking far away for the wellsprings of life! "Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:) or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.) . . . The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: . . . if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." Romans 10:6-9. Jesus did not immediately answer the question in regard to Himself, but with solemn earnestness He said, "Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: but whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life." He who seeks to quench his thirst at the fountains of this world will drink only to thirst again. Everywhere men are unsatisfied. They long for something to supply the need of the soul. Only One can meet that want. The need of the world, "The Desire of all nations," is Christ. The divine grace which He alone can impart, is as living water, purifying, refreshing, and invigorating the soul. 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. As Jesus spoke of the living water, the woman looked upon Him with wondering attention. He had aroused her interest, and awakened a desire for the gift of which He spoke. She perceived that it was not the water of Jacob's well to which He referred; for of this she used continually, drinking, and thirsting again. "Sir," she said, "give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw." Jesus now abruptly turned the conversation. Before this soul could receive the gift He longed to bestow, she must be brought to recognize her sin and her Saviour. He "saith unto her, Go, call thy husband, and come hither." She answered, "I have no husband." Thus she hoped to prevent all questioning in that direction. But the Saviour continued, "Thou hast well said, I have no husband: for thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: in that saidst thou truly." The listener trembled. A mysterious hand was turning the pages of her life history, bringing to view that which she had hoped to keep forever hidden. Who was He that could read the secrets of her life? There came to her thoughts of eternity, of the future Judgment, when all that is now hidden shall be revealed. In its light, conscience was awakened. She could deny nothing; but she tried to evade all mention of a subject so unwelcome. With deep reverence, she said, "Sir, I perceive that Thou art a prophet." Then, hoping to silence conviction, she turned to points of religious controversy. If this was a prophet, surely He could give her instruction concerning these matters that had been so long disputed. Patiently Jesus permitted her to lead the conversation whither she would. Meanwhile He watched for the opportunity of again bringing the truth home to her heart. "Our fathers worshiped in this mountain," she said, "and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship." Just in sight was Mount Gerizim. Its temple was demolished, and only the altar remained. The place of worship had been a subject of contention between the Jews and the Samaritans. Some of the ancestors of the latter people had once belonged to Israel; but because of their sins, the Lord suffered them to be overcome by an idolatrous nation. For many generations they were intermingled with idolaters, whose religion gradually contaminated their own. It is true they held that their idols were only to remind them of the living God, the Ruler of the universe; nevertheless the people were led to reverence their graven images. When the temple at Jerusalem was rebuilt in the days of Ezra, the Samaritans wished to join the Jews in its erection. This privilege was refused them, and a bitter animosity sprang up between the two peoples. The Samaritans built a rival temple on Mount Gerizim. Here they worshiped in accordance with the Mosaic ritual, though they did not wholly renounce idolatry. But disasters attended them, their temple was destroyed by their enemies, and they seemed to be under a curse; yet they still clung to their traditions and their forms of worship. They would not acknowledge the temple at Jerusalem as the house of God, nor admit that the religion of the Jews was superior to their own. In answer to the woman, Jesus said, "Believe Me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews." Jesus had shown that He was free from Jewish prejudice against the Samaritans. Now He sought to break down the prejudice of this Samaritan against the Jews. While referring to the fact that the faith of the Samaritans was corrupted with idolatry, He declared that the great truths of redemption had been committed to the Jews, and that from among them the Messiah was to appear. In the Sacred Writings they had a clear presentation of the character of God and the principles of His government. Jesus classed Himself with the Jews as those to whom God had given a knowledge of Himself. He desired to lift the thoughts of His hearer above matters of form and ceremony, and questions of controversy. "The hour cometh," He said, "and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship Him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth." 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. The plain statement made by Christ to this woman could not have been made to the self-righteous Jews. Christ was far more reserved when He spoke to them. 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. When the disciples returned from their errand, they were surprised to find their Master speaking with the woman. He had not taken the refreshing draught that He desired, and He did not stop to eat the food His disciples had brought. When the woman had gone, the disciples entreated Him to eat. They saw Him silent, absorbed, as in rapt meditation. His face was beaming with light, and they feared to interrupt His communion with heaven. But they knew that He was faint and weary, and thought it their duty to remind Him of His physical necessities. Jesus recognized their loving interest, and He said, "I have meat to eat that ye know not of." The disciples wondered who could have brought Him food; but He explained, "My meat is to do the will of Him that sent Me, and to accomplish His work." John 4:34, R. V. 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. Our Redeemer thirsts for recognition. He hungers for the sympathy and love of those whom He has purchased with His own blood. He longs with inexpressible desire that they should come to Him and have life. As the mother watches for the smile of recognition from her little child, which tells of the dawning of intelligence, so does Christ watch for the expression of grateful love, which shows that spiritual life is begun in the soul. } The woman had been filled with joy as she listened to Christ's words. The wonderful revelation was almost overpowering. Leaving her waterpot, she returned to the city, to carry the message to others. Jesus knew why she had gone. Leaving her waterpot spoke unmistakably as to the effect of His words. It was the earnest desire of her soul to obtain the living water; and she forgot her errand to the well, she forgot the Saviour's thirst, which she had purposed to supply. With heart overflowing with gladness, she hastened on her way, to impart to others the precious light she had received "Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did," she said to the men of the city. "Is not this the Christ?" Her words touched their hearts. There was a new expression on her face, a change in her whole appearance. They were interested to see Jesus. "Then they went out of the city, and came unto Him." As Jesus still sat at the well side, He looked over the fields of grain that were spread out before Him, their tender green touched by the golden sunlight. Pointing His disciples to the scene, He employed it as a symbol: "Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest." And as He spoke, He looked on the groups that were coming to the well. It was four months to the time for harvesting the grain, but here was a harvest ready for the reaper. "He that reapeth," He said, "receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together. And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth." Here Christ points out the sacred service owed to God by those who receive the gospel. They are to be His living agencies. He requires their individual service. And whether we sow or reap, we are working for God. One scatters the seed; another gathers in the harvest; and both the sower and the reaper receive wages. They rejoice together in the reward of their labor. Jesus said to the disciples, "I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labor: other men labored, and ye are entered into their labors." The Saviour was here looking forward to the great ingathering on the day of Pentecost. The disciples were not to regard this as the result of their own efforts. They were entering into other men's labors. Ever since the fall of Adam Christ had been committing the seed of the word to His chosen servants, to be sown in human hearts. And an unseen agency, even an omnipotent power, had worked silently but effectually to produce the harvest. The dew and rain and sunshine of God's grace had been given, to refresh and nourish the seed of truth. Christ was about to water the seed with His own blood. His disciples were privileged to be laborers together with God. They were coworkers with Christ and with the holy men of old. By the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, thousands were to be converted in a day. This was the result of Christ's sowing, the harvest of His work. 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. Jesus had begun to break down the partition wall between Jew and Gentile, and to preach salvation to the world. Though He was a Jew, He mingled freely with the Samaritans, setting at nought the Pharisaic customs of His nation. In face of their prejudices He accepted the hospitality of this despised people. He slept under their roofs, ate with them at their tables,--partaking of the food prepared and served by their hands,--taught in their streets, and treated them with the utmost kindness and courtesy. In the temple at Jerusalem a low wall separated the outer court from all other portions of the sacred building. Upon this wall were inscriptions in different languages, stating that none but Jews were allowed to pass this boundary. Had a Gentile presumed to enter the inner enclosure, he would have desecrated the temple, and would have paid the penalty with his life. But Jesus, the originator of the temple and its service, drew the Gentiles to Him by the tie of human sympathy, while His divine grace brought to them the salvation which the Jews rejected. 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. 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." When Jesus sat down to rest at Jacob's well, He had come from Judea, where His ministry had produced little fruit. He had been rejected by the priests and rabbis, and even the people who professed to be His disciples had failed of perceiving His divine character. He was faint and weary; yet He did not neglect the opportunity of speaking to one woman, though she was a stranger, an alien from Israel, and living in open sin. 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. 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.
This is the power of personal ministry. I must continually endeavor to seek to drink from Him who has the living waters! What Joy these words would fill the dependents of Jesus.
More about Jesus would I know! More of His loving fullness see more of his love who died for me!
Many lessons from the well that cannot be exhausted! Imagine the saviour thirsting and the devil was right there telling Him how thirsty He was and how many angels were ready to draw for Him the water?, yet His whole being is simply devoted to doing his fathers will and He simply sits there and wait... For the Samaritan woman!? How often do we ask Gold to provide divine intervention when we can in reality employ our own humanity? Jesus says that the hour cometh when we will no longer worship in our revered churches! Can we see this? It apples to us even more directly now. are we prejudiced against or fellow human kind? Have we endeavored to take the gospel boldly to them?
Jesus showed the way which we must follow.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: wigina on August 08, 2013, 01:52:16 AM
Seventh day adventists are flocking to evangelical gatherings to see miracles performed! This is alarming and yet not so for the great physician so it happen and admonished them, the then adventists, "except ye see signs and wonders! Beware what spirit of healing you ascribe to. For these will be the downfall of many. Watch says the Amen! The deception will be so close it will be real! The build up has started. Pope Francis is wooing the world like never before. The world is already wandering after the beast, will the miracle seekers be spared? Hold first to what you got! The Lord is a practical physician who gives healing to all in the same measure of belief. Lord teach me to believe in you and you only. Let me not be wooed by seemingly miraculous deeds which you have not sanctioned. For I know that at this hour of great knowledge we have to test them by the word and by the spirit. Above all Lord give me to overcome all till that great day prophesied by Enoch.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: Richard Myers on February 07, 2016, 08:51:37 AM
This is a wonderful chapter. There is much light in it. This one truth here, if accepted, will begin a revival in the church that will lead to the second coming of Christ.
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.
Amen!! Notice what many object to. Jesus will at the point of conversion (the new birth) purify the heart and renew the mind. This is what gives us a "willing obedience to all of His commandments." In and of ourselves we can do no good thing, but when filled with His Spirit we will do all He asks of us. In order to continue to obey God's law, we must continue to be filled with His Spirit. We must be connected to Christ in order to do any good thing.
This is contrary to much of what is being preached from pulpits and printed on our presses. There is no reason to remain in a Laodicean condition. Christ has made ample provision for His church to manifest His character in the lives of its members.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: JimB on May 07, 2016, 05:33:28 AM
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.
Here is a thought that some might object to maybe. I'm not sure if any of you have ever experienced this but have you ever run across someone who is always talking about the blessings of years gone by? At the beginning of their experience they were miraculously delivered from several bad habits. Every chance she/he gets they talk about this experience from 30, 40 years ago. After a while you've heard it 30 times. It is indeed a wonderful encouraging testimony but about todays blessings or maybe just last week? Here we find a passage that says we will constantly long for more. Our good Lord is willing to give us more and the more we receive the more we can give to others.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: Pastor Sean Brizendine on May 07, 2016, 06:40:44 AM
I hear what you are saying, Jim. While many may reiterate their experience of being delivered from a life of sin/evil habits, are not the precious revelations of Jesus' love that we experience with Him infinitely greater? I see that Jesus is inviting us to recount to others the great things He is teaching us of His character! These will be ever fresh and new, and we will continually long for more!
I love how Jesus gives us the capacity to experience divine things: "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." {DA 189.2} I am so grateful that when this takes place, He fills us with all the fruits of the Spirit, so that not one will be missing!
I was contemplating last night about just what "everlasting life" really means--the greatest, deepest joy we find in fellowship with Christ and in winning souls to Him, in fellowship with our fellow believers and in seeing Christ work miracles of heart-change is but a foretaste of a heaven of bliss where the deepest joys, longings, and aspirations of the renewed heart will find highest pleasure! Hallelujah! Sabbath is a heavenly day--and like the woman at the well, I continually long for more, for a deeper draft of the divine life, the living water flowing from Christ by His Spirit.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: Richard Myers on May 07, 2016, 09:23:29 AM
Amen, Pastor Sean! "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." There is no greater blessing than receiving a fresh revelation of that grace. Then the next best blessing is being able to share it with someone who is open to see the loveliness of Jesus!! And as both you and Jim have pointed out, we may have a new revelation each day!!
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: JimB on August 02, 2016, 05:01:12 AM
The plain statement made by Christ to this woman could not have been made to the self-righteous Jews. Christ was far more reserved when He spoke to them. 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.
There is so much in this chapter but this stood out to me this morning. Christ only reveals what we are ready to hear and can handle. Even Christ withheld knowledge from the disciples because they weren't ready. We also need to be careful when dealing with others how much and what to say. I know there have been times when I badly wanted to reveal something that I knew from SOP or from the Bible but I knew how it would be treated and I didn't want to close a mind prematurely.
I also realize there are times to speak the truth and let it cut without worrying about the consequences but when dealing with people one on one we need to be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: Pastor Sean Brizendine on August 02, 2016, 06:34:49 AM
The woman whom Jesus met reveals that Jesus can transform any life--no matter how sinful. The underlying need is for a soul to be receptive and open to Christ, to His leading by the Spirit!
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.
May we also become true missionaries because we have experienced true conversion, the renewing influence of the Holy Spirit!
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: Richard Myers on August 02, 2016, 07:40:06 AM
Amen and amen!! Amazing grace! Blind eyes have been opened!! We were once blind and naked, but now we are clothed with the righteousness of Christ and can see!!! Jesus is coming soon!!!
Jim, what a thought! We all need to understand. "Christ was far more reserved when He spoke to them (God's chosen people).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.
Are there things we need to withhold from church members that we can tell to some in the world? Absolutely. I do it all the time. Most church members do not want to know many things. And, so it is in the world. But, as with the Samaritan women, there are those seeking wisdom. Because Jesus did speak truth to the Jews, they put Him to death. We may find those in the church who are open, but we need to be very reserved, as was Jesus.
How do we know whom to share with, and when to share it? We are dependent upon the Holy Spirit's leading. He inspires His servants with the message and the timing. And without the Holy Spirit opening the eyes of the heart of the hearer, nothing would be understood. This is the light given to us in Scripture and the Spirit of Prophecy. Pastor Sean shared this truth with us. "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."
Grace received not only makes the one who has received the grace, wanting to share it, but the Spirit will bring the giver and receiver together and open the heart of the seeker making him "eager to drink the water of life"(grace). We are wholly dependent upon Christ, through the Spirit, for our understanding of truth. He is the One who cleanses the heart and takes possession of it when we have received the grace. "If we have not His Spirit, we are none of His." Romans 8:9. Read the verse in context to better understand what is means to be "born of the Spirit".
Grace is everything to us. It is God's grace, His unmerited favor shown to us while we were yet sinners, that saves us. And we need a fresh supply each day! And, here we are receiving It! Praise our God!
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: Richard Myers on October 28, 2016, 05:39:35 AM
Again and again as we read through this most wonderful Book, we find the truth about what it means to be a Christian, a converted born again believer.
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
Yes, just as Jesus revealed to Nicodemus what one must be in order to enter heaven, so again we are told in such a simple manner what we must be if we want to glorify God and have peace in this world today. We must be born of the Spirit. And this means that the heart will be purified from sin, not at the end of life, but at conversion. And, not only the 144,000, but the thief on the cross and all who will make a full surrender of the heart. When we love Jesus with all of the heart, then we are converted. This is the greatest miracle God can perform! And it is only through grace this can take place.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: Pastor Sean Brizendine on October 28, 2016, 07:05:13 AM
Again and again as we read through this most wonderful Book, we find the truth about what it means to be a Christian, a converted born again believer.
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
Yes, just as Jesus revealed to Nicodemus what one must be in order to enter heaven, so again we are told in such a simple manner what we must be if we want to glorify God and have peace in this world today. We must be born of the Spirit. And this means that the heart will be purified from sin, not at the end of life, but at conversion. And, not only the 144,000, but the thief on the cross and all who will make a full surrender of the heart. When we love Jesus with all of the heart, then we are converted. This is the greatest miracle God can perform! And it is only through grace this can take place.
Amen! Amen Richard! I marvel at the unity of spirit here in our forum today! I was about to post and comment on the SAME EXACT QUOTE! It is so powerful that I WILL repeat it, because it is so beautiful and presents the truth of the everlasting gospel in such clearness, beauty, and simplicity!
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 I reflect on this and its meaning for us today, it means that a full surrender to Christ will bring a pure heart and mind (a renewed character), and that the new being created in the image of God will be willing to obey all that God reveals!
Now I wanted to share another thought the Holy Spirit showed me this morning as I was reading this AMAZING chapter...and it is about John the disciple:
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.
Is it not significant that we have not only the blessing of realizing that the woman at the well and the people of Samaria were blessed, but that JESUS HAD IN VIEW the blessing of the gospel that His EXAMPLE would mean to His disciples! I picked out John because my mind was drawn to the fact that we KNOW the fruit of His labors by reading of these two churches in the Bible. If you ever want to read a powerful, amazing letter in the New Testament, read what the Apostle Paul was inspired to write to the church at Ephesus, in Ephesians. Such sublime truths--and we see that it is filled with encouragement--different from how Paul was deeply stirred by the problems in Galatia, for example. But apparently, in time, Ephesus lost sight of Jesus, and we see the following counsel given in Revelation 2:
1 Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; 2 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: 3 And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. 4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. 5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. 6 But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitanes, which I also hate. 7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.
John's ministry to Ephesus understandably led them at the first to be filled with the love of Jesus--but then Jesus through John would later give this message. There is a lesson here for us as well--it is not enough to start out well with Jesus--we need Him continually to abide in the heart, the evidence of whose abiding is that all of the fruits of the Spirit are seen in the life without one missing!
Then look at the church at Smyrna, another place where John ministered after he learned how Jesus freely ministered to those who were Gentiles:
Revelation 2 8 And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; 9 I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan. 10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. 11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.
No reproof is uttered--only words of counsel and encouragement to endure in faithfulness. This church represents also the church that would face persecution--and the purity of their faith was a blessing of which the Lord could say they were "rich" (in faith working by love), which is a sharp contrast to the Laodicean church that receives not a single commendation:
Revelation 3 14 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; 15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. 17 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: 18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. 20 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. 21 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.
What a contrast! Smyrna, the church whose faith had a lot to do with John's faithful labors and ministry, was "rich," but Laodicea thinks that she is rich, but is so far from that! Both churches needed Jesus continually--Smyra learned the lesson, and Laodicea needs to learn the lesson!
In bringing these thoughts out today that go beyond the thoughts in the chapter we read, I have endeavored to share how POWERFUL it is when we minister to even one person by sharing the TRUE GOSPEL and allow the influence of that to reach others and still others. Let us be of good courage even if it seem that only a few are open to Christ and the message that calls for a full surrender of the heart so Christ can make us new in His image! God is SO SO GOOD!!!
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: JimB on January 23, 2017, 06:30:19 AM
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.
I realize that this is yet early in the ministry of Christ and the disciples had a lot to unlearn but it seems that Peter still struggled with this because Paul to rebuke him in Acts. Our Savior is indeed long suffering towards our (my) dull minds.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: colporteur on January 23, 2017, 06:59:59 AM
It is interesting regarding Paul. If he were alive today as Saul we would write him off as a "terrorist." To have Christians dragged from their homes and stoned is terrorism. It is ISIS. However, God saw through this ISIS soldier and reached him to be a mighty soldier for God. We ought not write anyone off.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: Richard Myers on January 23, 2017, 07:11:42 AM
Amen, cp. No matter how far gone they appear, we cannot judge where the heart will be tomorrow. Saul was on his way to persecute the Christians when he ceased resisting the pricks upon his heart. It is the love of Jesus that the sinner sees manifested in the lives of those who love as Jesus loves that reveals the character of our Savior. It was this that led to the conversion of Saul.
Yes, Jim, Peter was not that far removed from his great sin of denying Jesus. But, his conversion and work for God placed him in a much different place than many of us are today. His sin that Paul reproved is little different from the sin of Moses at the end of his life, or the sin of Elijah, nor the sin of Job when he condemned God that he might be righteous (Job 40:8 ). Sin, no matter which one, comes about when our minds are no longer possessed by the Spirit of God. When Moses sinned, it was pride and anger. It is true that the character is changed. Moses did not kill anyone that day, but it was sin never the less. None of the fruits of the Spirit are in the life of one who separates from God, no matter how long they have been converted. Love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance are gone the moment we let go of Jesus. Moses nor we, will ever obtain the victory over pride and anger when we are not abiding in Christ. It is not a progressive work as many have been taught. What is progressive is the strength of character which we obtain when in Christ. God can allow more temptations to come as we develop a stronger character. It is also progressive in terms of what we know is sin.
I noticed in my reading this morning, something about the disciples you quoted. "They were slow to learn that their contempt and hatred must give place to pity and sympathy." They had no idea what the gospel was all about. They thought their hatred of the Samaritans was acceptable to God. Have we learned this lesson yet? Do we understand that evidence of conversion is seen when we love those who despitefully use us? Do we understand that his love comes to the baby Christian at the moment he gives his whole heart to Christ? God will not allow us to be tempted beyond what we can bear. We will be given a new heart that loves our neighbor, even if a Samaritan. When James and John wanted to bring fire from heaven to destroy the Samaritans, it made no difference that they did not understand the gospel, they did not have salvation when their hearts were not filled with love for their neighbor. This is something that we as a people need to learn. Ignorance of the truth does not excuse all sins. We may keep the wrong day, eat the wrong food, but we may not lack any of the fruits of the Spirit and retain eternal life. They all come when the Spirit takes possession of the heart. And, when He leaves the heart, he takes each one of the fruits with Him.
I was impressed also with the knowledge the Samaritans had regarding the truth about second coming of Christ. Why did they reject most of the Old Testament, the latter prophets. They only held as sacred the writings of Moses. Why? Because they understood the Jews to whom the oracles of God had been entrusted had perverted the teaching on the coming of Christ.
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.
Amazing! The Samaritans had it right. They understood this truth when even the disciples after being with Jesus for 3 1/2 years did not yet understand Jesus was not going to sit on an earthly throne. How is it today? Do we look upon those in Babylon as did the Jews look upon the Samaritans....when we do not yet understand the gospel ourselves? Is it possible there are more Babylonians who are converted and understand the foundation of our faith than many pastors in God's church? Could it be that the Laodicean condition really does apply to the church today? Could it be that the blind are leading the blind in the same manner Nicodemus and Saul were leading the Jews prior to their conversion? Israel is an ensample for those whom the end of the world is come upon. That ought to cause us pause to consider what could be.
Jesus stands at the door of many hearts, knocking. He offers the same "Living Water" that He offered to the woman at the well. Are we tired of the things of this world and ready to be refreshed as was the woman? Then, let us heed the counsel of the True Witness and buy of Him gold tried in the fire. We may obtain that if we will spend a thoughtful hour a day contemplating the life of Christ. It is a promise. Read 2 Cor. 3:18.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: Pastor Sean Brizendine on January 23, 2017, 01:56:03 PM
Amen, Richard! The thoughts you brought out are so important for us to consider--for we need to realize that others who have had less light may have more honestly understood what little they had, like the Samaritans--even though they had mixed idolatry into their worship. Jesus reads the heart. He knows who is open to truth--and the woman of Samaria became a disciple in a matter of MINUTES! Many are going to come into God's church and learn in months what it took others years to learn--but the Holy Spirit can teach us more in a moment than we can learn in a lifetime if we do not have Jesus! We need Him!
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.
Let us DRINK!
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: JimB on April 20, 2017, 05:43:04 AM
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.
How often this is the case that we don't recognize there is a mission field surrounding us. We don't need to travel over seas to be a missionary. I'm not saying that God doesn't call some to travel, for indeed He does! But for the majority the mission field is much closer. For some the mission field might be in their own household. This can also prove to be some of the most rough mission field there is to plow. Maybe for others it is their work place or the organizations they belong to.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: Richard Myers on April 20, 2017, 06:58:37 AM
Amen, Jim. Our first work in within our own home. This applies to the minister also. Many families of ministers are neglected. Our neighbors and friends will see a radical difference between the truly converted Christian and the world. This will be attractive to those seeking peace and something better than the world has to offer. We have been counseled to heal the sick among us. The health message is to be the "right arm" of the gospel. We are to reveal our love for our neighbors and friend by ministering to their physical needs.
I love this chapter. The Samaritan woman was open to truth. There are so many lessons in how Jesus ministered to her. I especially like the object lesson of the "living water." If we will allow this living water to indwell our hearts, it will flow out to others. I also like the truth revealed that He did not speak in parables to this woman nor His disciples. And, there is the important truth that even though the Jews were shortly going to put Him to death, He told the woman at the well, "salvation is of the Jews." This is a "present truth" for God's church today. Many fail to understand that even a Laodicean church is God's and we are to understand what is so important about God's "organized church."
When the temple at Jerusalem was rebuilt in the days of Ezra, the Samaritans wished to join the Jews in its erection. This privilege was refused them, and a bitter animosity sprang up between the two peoples. The Samaritans built a rival temple on Mount Gerizim. Here they worshiped in accordance with the Mosaic ritual, though they did not wholly renounce idolatry. But disasters attended them, their temple was destroyed by their enemies, and they seemed to be under a curse; yet they still clung to their traditions and their forms of worship. They would not acknowledge the temple at Jerusalem as the house of God, nor admit that the religion of the Jews was superior to their own. In answer to the woman, Jesus said, "Believe Me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews."
Why would Jesus point the woman to the Jews who were plotting to kill Him, and why would the Jews not allow the Samaritans to help rebuild the temple?
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: Pastor Sean Brizendine on April 20, 2017, 07:05:56 AM
Amen, Jim! Our mission field starts in our home sphere, then it extends to our neighborhood, our village, town, or city, our county, our state, our country, and our world. A thought came to me even as I was sharing this--how even in heaven we will be given a wider sphere of ministry--not to convert souls from sin to righteousness, but to testify of what the grace of Christ has done in our lives! We will wing our flight to the worlds afar throughout the universe and give a story and song that will be an eternal testimony of God's grace and mercy. I am so so thankful for Jesus and His living water (grace) that imbues our souls with the divine nature!
And....Amen, Richard! There are a trove of lessons in how Jesus spoke and interacted with this Samaritan woman. We see the Seventh-day Adventist Church is in a Laodicean condition, but this is in no way to discourage us from sharing in a loving, tactful way that the truth for this time, the "present truth" has been entrusted to God's remnant church. Sacramento is named "Sacramento" because of the name of the river that runs through it, flowing out of it. Just as the city is named for the water flowing through it, so God's church will be recognized for the truth that flows through it, the truths entrusted to it from the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy, even if some or many of those who profess to be Seventh-day Adventists do not put them into practice. But God can reach more souls with the living water who WILL PRACTICE the truth because it is SO PRECIOUS! Be not discouraged! God's church will go through in these trying times!
Jesus did not immediately answer the question in regard to Himself, but with solemn earnestness He said, "Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: but whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life." He who seeks to quench his thirst at the fountains of this world will drink only to thirst again. Everywhere men are unsatisfied. They long for something to supply the need of the soul. Only One can meet that want. The need of the world, "The Desire of all nations," is Christ. The divine grace which He alone can impart, is as living water, purifying, refreshing, and invigorating the soul.
People are dissatisfied in this world if they have not Christ--no matter how much they may think the temporal things satisfy. We need Jesus in the soul in order to have true satisfaction, and yet in beholding the loveliness and perfection of Him will we continually sense our deeper and deeper need that ONLY HE can supply!
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: Richard Myers on July 16, 2017, 06:34:46 AM
Amen Pastor Sean!
What is this living water that Jesus speaks of? Where can we find a well with this living water?
I believe that We have found a well from which we can drink daily! Are we not refreshed as we drink of this living water each day? And does it not become a well of Living Water springing up within us? What a blessing to be able to take to others this Living Water each day!
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: Pastor Sean Brizendine on July 16, 2017, 08:04:02 AM
Amen, Richard! The living water is none other than the grace of Christ accessible to us by beholding His loveliness and brought to us by the Holy Spirit. Once we have surrendered our hearts and minds entirely to Him, we will long for nothing more than to have more of Jesus!
I love the repetition of the truth of the gospel that we see so clearly in our reading today:
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.
Only when the heart and mind are renewed are we born from above. We are made partakers of the divine nature, and Christ keeps our flesh under. The evidence that Christ has all of the heart and all of the mind is that all of the fruits of the Spirit are seen in our lives without one missing. We will gladly follow in all of the light that is shining upon our life pathway, and we will gladly receive more from Jesus as He imparts to us by His Spirit!
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: Richard Myers on October 11, 2017, 04:37:01 AM
Amen, Pastor Sean. I noticed this also this morning. How important that our brothers and sisters understand the heart must be purified before we have eternal life. Some think and teach that the heart of the converted may still retain pride or other sins that are unknown. Such excuses for pride and sin are not accepted into heaven. The heart must be purified from pride and sin. And, it is when we make a full surrender of it to Christ.
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.
This is conversion, this is eternal life. Jesus will give this to all who come to Him, who learn of Him, who love Him with the whole heart, not 99% of it. The woman at the well 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.
Notice carefully what it is that transforms the life, the character, the very nature of man. It is the grace of Christ that is taken into the soul that turns sinners into saints.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: Pastor Sean Brizendine on October 11, 2017, 05:01:52 AM
Amen, Richard! Jesus Christ's grace alone has power to transform our hearts from being sinful and polluted, to become pure and holy, renewed with the divine nature to love and serve Him wholeheartedly! I am so thankful that Jesus seeks souls who are in sin so He can make them His channels of grace. We can be thankful that Jesus sought us, personally, and this inspires us to go forth to seek others--no matter how sinful they may be!
When Jesus sat down to rest at Jacob's well, He had come from Judea, where His ministry had produced little fruit. He had been rejected by the priests and rabbis, and even the people who professed to be His disciples had failed of perceiving His divine character. He was faint and weary; yet He did not neglect the opportunity of speaking to one woman, though she was a stranger, an alien from Israel, and living in open sin. {The Desire of Ages, page 194, paragraph 3}
Let us not grow weary in sharing the good news with others as we allow Christ to work in and through us today!
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: Richard Myers on January 06, 2018, 07:45:01 AM
Amen. Even when tired, Jesus was always seeking ways to reach out to poor sinful humanity. So it ought to be with us. We must have wisdom from on high to know how to reach a particular individual. In today's reading we see divine wisdom in how Jesus blessed and reproved the woman at the well. He did not just want to save her, but for her to be an evangelist. Not, years down the road, but an immediate evangelist.
He achieved the desired goal. Filled with "living water" her heart could not help but share what she had found.
The woman had been filled with joy as she listened to Christ's words. The wonderful revelation was almost overpowering. Leaving her waterpot, she returned to the city, to carry the message to others. Jesus knew why she had gone. Leaving her waterpot spoke unmistakably as to the effect of His words. It was the earnest desire of her soul to obtain the living water; and she forgot her errand to the well, she forgot the Saviour's thirst, which she had purposed to supply. With heart overflowing with gladness, she hastened on her way, to impart to others the precious light she had received "Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did," she said to the men of the city. "Is not this the Christ?" Her words touched their hearts. There was a new expression on her face, a change in her whole appearance. They were interested to see Jesus. "Then they went out of the city, and came unto Him."
Have we found the same truth? Do our hearts burn within that we want to share such a wonderful message? If not, then keep reading from this most wonderful revelation of God your heart will be overfilled with the grace of Christ. You will be transformed in character, the character of our God.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: Dorine on January 06, 2018, 07:48:30 AM
My heart is thrilled as I read this story and watch Jesus move through this conversation with this Samaritan woman. What tact, patience and love He portrays. He read the secrets of her heart yet she felt that He was her friend.
If Satan tempts me with feelings of condemnation of the past, this story dispels all fear. Jesus longs to be my friend. It matters not where we have been He is yearning for our hearts and wants to bestow His grace to us and save us if we will just surrender our whole hearts to Him. The problem comes when we want Him and the world at the same time. It does not work.
"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 daughter."
May we always be faithful, willing to worship Him in spirit and in truth, letting Him work through us to bring lost souls to Him with tact, patience and love.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: Richard Myers on January 06, 2018, 08:13:15 AM
Amen, dear Sister! He will purify the heart of all who love Him supremely!
Look at the woman at the well. I love this story. She was indeed a sinner, but when she heard the gospel truth, she was transformed. The past was gone. She was a new creature in Christ. Her conversion led to her being a better evangelist than His disciples, no matter what she had been a few hours before!
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.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: Pastor Sean Brizendine on January 06, 2018, 08:58:03 AM
Amen, Sister Dorine and Richard!
God is faithful to make us missionaries as soon as we have tasted of the love of Christ, and drunk of the living water that refreshes and renews the soul into His image. Without Jesus in the heart, we are in need of a missionary to come to us--but as soon as Christ imputes and imparts His righteousness to us, we will reveal His divine presence within us--all of the fruits of His Spirit will be revealed, and not one will be missing. This is the true missionary spirit, and that is what transformed the forlorn and lost woman at the well into a converted daughter of God, adopted into His family, born again of His Spirit!
"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." {The Desire of Ages, page 195, paragraph 2}
Let us go forth to impart of the grace of Christ we have received!!
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: Pastor Sean Brizendine on April 03, 2018, 03:07:42 AM
“The disciples wondered who could have brought Him food; but He explained, ‘My meat is to do the will of Him that sent Me, and to accomplish His work.’ John 4:34, R. V. 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.” – {The Desire of Ages, page 190, paragraph 5}
As we surrender fully to Christ like Jesus did continually to His Father, we will experience the true food God gives—unselfish love flowing in and through us to refresh all around us. Today as I travel, Lord willing, from Philadelphia to Berrien Springs, Michigan with my friends Victoria Mandigo, Moriah Mandigo, Jessica Mandigo, and Michael Troyanosky III, I’m praying for Christ’s experience to be ours in blessing many souls like Jesus did with divine appointments to impart living water!!!
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: JimB on April 03, 2018, 05:17:22 AM
Amen pastor Sean! your thoughts are line in what I noticed this morning.
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.
When we know Christ and His beauty we will desire that others experience it also and will share what "little" or "much" that we do know about Him.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: Richard Myers on April 03, 2018, 06:35:03 AM
Amen Jim. We see this same principle working in our lives as in Jesus and the woman at the well.
“To minister to a soul hungering and thirsting for the truth was more grateful to Him than eating or drinking.
As we surrender fully to Christ like Jesus did continually to His Father, we will experience the true food God gives—unselfish love flowing in and through us to refresh all around us.
The woman at the well was so excited she had to share the truth immediately. I enjoy her excitement, especially the fact that she forgot her water that she had drawn from the well.
The woman had been filled with joy as she listened to Christ's words. The wonderful revelation was almost overpowering. Leaving her waterpot, she returned to the city, to carry the message to others. Jesus knew why she had gone. Leaving her waterpot spoke unmistakably as to the effect of His words. It was the earnest desire of her soul to obtain the living water; and she forgot her errand to the well, she forgot the Saviour's thirst, which she had purposed to supply. With heart overflowing with gladness, she hastened on her way, to impart to others the precious light she had received
So it is with all who receive spiritual truth, Living Water, it must be taken to others seeking truth about God.
The plain statement made by Christ to this woman could not have been made to the self-righteous Jews. Christ was far more reserved when He spoke to them. 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.
So few wanting to know of God that they may give to others! The harvest is white. let us pray the Lord send workers into His village.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: Dorine on April 03, 2018, 07:47:21 AM
I love the heart of Jesus. Hardly mindful of His own needs; He joyfully gives of Himself for all humanity but few appreciate or accept it.
What lessons the disciples were observing but not comprehending; at least not until after Pentecost. I can only imagine the joy in Jesus' heart when He saw the crowd from Samaria coming to find Him.
We may never know on this earth the results of sharing Jesus with just one person. What joy awaits us to see those we have never met but are there because of that some one we shared Jesus with.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: Pastor Sean Brizendine on June 29, 2018, 03:20:20 AM
Jesus loves to draw sinful souls to Himself. You may feel too sinful to come to Christ, but remember that it was sinners for whom He died. He waits not for us to seek Him--He seeks us! When we behold His matchless love, the sight of Him attracts, and we respond to His invitation as did the woman at the well. No matter what your current situation, no matter how many faults and failures you may have, you can come to Christ just as you are, depending upon His divine grace to renew and purify your soul, and you will become a partaker of His divine nature, which He pours forth as living water--a sweet water full of love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance! All of the fruits of the Spirit (not one will be missing when there is a full surrender!) make the draft of living water just what we need--and we shall continually long for more of Christ who imparts His grace to us moment-by-moment!
"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 Desire of Ages, page 194, paragraph 1}
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: Richard Myers on June 29, 2018, 07:26:15 AM
Amen, Pastor Sean! And the theme continues, the great joy in life is not just receiving the Living Water of Life, but in giving it to others. What did the woman at the well do that she forgot her water pot?
The woman had been filled with joy as she listened to Christ's words. The wonderful revelation was almost overpowering. Leaving her waterpot, she returned to the city, to carry the message to others. Jesus knew why she had gone. Leaving her waterpot spoke unmistakably as to the effect of His words. It was the earnest desire of her soul to obtain the living water; and she forgot her errand to the well, she forgot the Saviour's thirst, which she had purposed to supply. With heart overflowing with gladness, she hastened on her way, to impart to others the precious light she had received
Do we today have this same zeal to impart to others this Living Water? We do if we have been drinking from the Well. If we are feeding upon Jesus, drinking His blood and eating His flesh, then we are filled with the Spirit and there is a well within that we cannot hold back!
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.
Amen!!
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: Pastor Sean Brizendine on September 24, 2018, 04:09:50 AM
I love Jesus, and I love that He is our perfect Savior, and He offers us in ministry and life His perfect example. When we learn of Him, and have a new heart and a new mind because we drink of His divine grace that brings us into harmony with the divine nature, imbuing us with all of the fruits of the Spirit so that not one is missing (the inevitable and spontaneous result full surrender to Him in conversion), we will gladly follow Jesus' example of ministry to the souls all around us!
"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." {The Desire of Ages, page 193, paragraph 4}
May we be filled with pity and sympathy for those around us, no matter what their station in life. The most sinful souls can, through full surrender to Christ, become powerful missionaries, because "every true disciple is born into the kingdom of God as a missionary." {The Desire of Ages, page 195, paragraph 2} May it be our prayer, "Here I am Lord, send me!"
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: Dorine on September 24, 2018, 04:41:29 AM
"Our Redeemer thirsts for recognition. He hungers for the sympathy and love of those whom He has purchased with His own blood. He longs with inexpressible desire that they should come to Him and have life. As the mother watches for the smile of recognition from her little child, which tells of the dawning of intelligence, so does Christ watch for the expression of grateful love, which shows that spiritual life is begun in the soul."
As I read the above quote this morning it touched a tender chord in my heart. He wants to use me today to reach someone for Him. What an awesome thought that we can play a part in relieving Jesus' hunger and thirst by introducing someone to Him. We are His hands, His mouth, His feet to do the work He did while on earth.
"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."
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: JimB on September 24, 2018, 06:11:10 AM
Amen and Amen! Your post Dorine, reminded me of this text...
Isaiah 52:7How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: JimB on December 20, 2018, 07:41:28 AM
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.
This is good new for those who feel more comfortable dealing with people one on one or in small groups. Not everyone is called to be a preacher or an evangelist but who knows that maybe the next person you interact with might become a great evangelist or even so lead others to Christ. The ripple effect has no bounds. I also find it interesting that it seems like when a woman in the key figure in the story (at least in the gospels) there is special significance in what they've done or said is especially commented on in a very positive way by Christ himself or SOP. I think of the window who gave her last two mites. I think of Mary who lavished the perfume on Christs feet both of which whose influence has been good for who knows how many people and generations. I think of the touch of faith of the woman who touched Christ's hem, the Samaritan woman with a demon possessed daughter. And today the woman at the well. Where would be without these events in the gospels?
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: Dorine on December 20, 2018, 08:43:06 AM
Jim, I appreciate your thoughts and observations from today's reading. What a lesson for us. A couple of paragraphs before your quote also spoke plainly to me.....
"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 hast asked of Me, I would have given thee living water."
What a message of hope we have to offer the world. There are even professed Christians that do not grasp this. There are still Pharisees among us that believe if you are friendly to a sinner you are condoning their sin. I wonder what they do with this chapter. May God cleanse our hearts from any form of discrimination. By God's grace we are to live in the world but not of the world.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: Pastor Sean Brizendine on December 20, 2018, 03:59:07 PM
Amen, Jim and Doreen! I am so thankful for Jesus and how He renews our hearts and minds by His grace. He loved the woman of Samaria, and it is being like Jesus for us to reach out a loving interaction to those in sin--to offer them hope, grace, and healing. Jesus loves to give us a new beginning and to encourage us heavenward. And that is what happened for the woman of Samaria. She became a missionary because she realized who Jesus was--the Messiah who came not to condemn her sin, but to save her from it!
"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." {The Desire of Ages, page 195, paragraph 2}
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: Beacon on March 16, 2019, 08:18:28 PM
"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. 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."
What a great example of tender compassionate love to someone who felt soo unworthy and because of this non condemning approach to one whom the Jews despised, He awakened great hope and desire. We need to be filled with this same spirit and be open to sharing the Good News with all of God's children, even when in need of food and water
"When the disciples returned from their errand, they were surprised to find their Master speaking with the Samaritan woman. He had not taken the refreshing draught that He desired, and He did not stop to eat the food His disciples had brought. When the woman had gone, the disciples entreated Him to eat. They saw Him silent, absorbed, as in rapt meditation. His face was beaming with light
In Luke 10:2 Jesus said to His disciples..."The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He would send forth laborers into His harvest." That invitation is to all whom claim to be His disciples today. When Jesus comes again I want to be able to hear His voice say..." Well done, thou good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of your Lord." Don't You??
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: Richard Myers on March 17, 2019, 06:45:24 AM
Amen brother Beacon! Grace has power to transform the character ! "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."
Who was this woman at the well? She was a Samaritan. Samaria is spoken of in the Old Testament. Samaria was in Israel. Ahab was the king. But, because of their unrepented sins, God ceased to protect them from their enemies. Their religion was infected with the beliefs of their conquerors. But, many still believed in the God of heaven. in today's reading this is clarified.
Patiently Jesus permitted her to lead the conversation whither she would. Meanwhile He watched for the opportunity of again bringing the truth home to her heart. "Our fathers worshiped in this mountain," she said, "and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship." Just in sight was Mount Gerizim. Its temple was demolished, and only the altar remained. The place of worship had been a subject of contention between the Jews and the Samaritans. Some of the ancestors of the latter people had once belonged to Israel; but because of their sins, the Lord suffered them to be overcome by an idolatrous nation. For many generations they were intermingled with idolaters, whose religion gradually contaminated their own. It is true they held that their idols were only to remind them of the living God, the Ruler of the universe; nevertheless the people were led to reverence their graven images.
She was the child of Israel. What did she believe? It is interesting her people rejected much of what Israel then taught. Amazing! In this respect they understood more than the Jews did regarding the work of their Messiah.
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.
Over many years, what has become of the children of Israel who lived in the northern kingdom? Are not some of them warring against apostate Juda (Israel)? In the end, there will be only two groups of people left in the world. Those who love Jesus supremely, and those who do not. It is our privilege to find those who still can be grafted back into the vine from which they were broken.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: Pastor Sean Brizendine on March 17, 2019, 07:48:57 AM
Amen, Brothers Beacon and Richard!
Beholding the grace of Christ has miraculous power to change the most dissolute sinner into a renewed saint! The same God who can make a glorious man (Adam) from the dust can do a greater miracle--He can take the dust of our humanity that has been degenerated by thousands of years of sin and still transform such beings as us into converted saints who reveal His divine nature when Christ abides in the heart, thus revealing all of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing! Our little part in this is yielding the whole heart to Him, cooperating with Him at each step as His gracious hands mold and fashion us into His image to reveal from glory to glory more of His grace!!
As I contemplate Jesus' experience at the well where He met the woman who became a near instant missionary to Samaria, I am reminded of how in our own experience of character building we find victory over the clamors of our weak, fallen nature. How Jesus was lifted above the "everyday" human needs gives us insight into how we can be lifted above the degenerate pull of our fallen nature. "Strength to resist evil is best gained by aggressive service." {The Acts of the Apostles, page 105, paragraph 2}. In light of this, I am moved by Jesus' experience:
"The disciples wondered who could have brought Him food; but He explained, 'My meat is to do the will of Him that sent Me, and to accomplish His work.' John 4:34, R. V. 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." {The Desire of Ages, page 190, paragraph 5}
As we feed the divine nature (like Jesus experienced in ministering to a soul desiring truth) we find power to overcome hereditary and cultivated tendencies that would make our physical life (personal life, food, water, sleep, etc.) more absorbing than the spiritual life of winning souls, which is the highest and purest joy this side of heaven!! What a joy to behold our divine-human Savior and to find strength and grace from Him to have an experience like His!!
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: Dorine on March 17, 2019, 09:21:23 AM
"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."
And we know this to be true as we submit our lives to Jesus, spend time in study and prayer each day, sharing what Jesus has done for us. Then others like the woman at at the well will find the same to be true for them. This living water is free to all but so many are dying of thirst. Some by choice but many because no one has introduced them to the Source of life. They are waiting to be found. Like needles in a hay stack we are through the guidance of the Holy Spirit to search until they are found.
It may be a family member, a church member, a neighbour. We may not be able to go to foreign lands but we can give our liberal offerings to send those that can go. There are so many ways we can be missionaries for Jesus. He is our perfect example.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: Beacon on June 11, 2019, 06:06:05 PM
"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."
Many years ago I worked as a health care administrator. I found myself living in a small rural town with a population of under 5,000. After settling into my new facility I became impressed that it would be good to see if there would be any spiritual interest in that community. There was one other family who attended the nearest SDA church, which was in another community, that lived very close to us. So we invited them home for supper and I shared my conviction that we should offer some type of spiritual guidance to the people of our own community but I would need their help. The husband of this couple owned a music store and also did piano tuning and he knew a lot of the local people and he offered to be the greeter.
So we prayed about it, set a date, and they agreed to help us by designing a simple brochure which was mailed to all the postal area of our community Our home had a large finished basement with a very large table which could comfortably seat 12-14 people and lots of room for parking. So we sent out invitations and used their name as the one's to contact. After that the wife of this couple took me aside and said,. " I just want you to know that my husband is not a member of our SDA church but he attends church with me and plays the organ and piano for church services. It was a surprise but I told her it would be no problem.
As the date for the meetings drew near we had zero response from community. The four of us had been meeting and praying together for the Holy Spirit to convict the open hearts in our community but everybody remained silent. One night just before "opening night" we gathered again to pray and after the prayers I felt convicted to say to this cordial music man..." Listen...If no one comes, I think it would still be good for us to go ahead with our Bible Study as planned...what do you two think about that? They readily agreed. To make a long story short. When we were finished with our studies I asked this very talented and friendly man "How would you feel about taking your stand for Jesus and officially become a member of God's remnant church? Without hesitation he said. YES!! I was hoping you would ask!! It was very happy day at their baptism to see them united in the Lord.
It seemed like a small harvest but I want to tell you that he and his wife became involved with Maranatha International and were involved in many mission trips to many parts of the world taking God's message of love, hope and salvation to those with special needs and today they are still faithful attending and supporting their local home church. Some day it will be so wonderful to see how God used what seemed to be a failure and how many people around the world might be in heaven because of their commitment. To God be the Glory.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: Pastor Sean Brizendine on June 12, 2019, 02:05:46 AM
Amen, Brother Beacon! One soul is worth more than worlds, and we are never to become discouraged as we faithfully share the message! I just was on a mission trip in the Iron River area of Michigan, and while only one man from the community came, one precious soul who already was active in that church realized the Lord was calling for her rebaptism! As I rebaptized her on June 6, 2019, there was such joy in her heart, and another young person of only 12 years of age again confirmed that he wanted to be baptized. Often the "souls" we are seeking to reach are RIGHT AROUND US (maybe even in our family, or already attending our local church, or on the mission trip we are experiencing!). We know Jesus wants to reach all, and thus the gospel is to go to the ones both near and afar!!
The gospel is to go to the world. Everyone is to have the opportunity not only to have access to the words of Scripture, but to see the gospel wrought out in the life of those who know and live the character of God. Christ came to Samaria because it was God's will. The gospel produced fruit there because the woman that He met at the well sensed her need, and Jesus could readily supply the need of her soul because she was open to what He wanted to impart to her and willing to turn from her sin to have something infinitely better. So it is with us. We are in a continual need of Jesus. Only by surrendering the whole heart to Him and letting Christ lead in all aspects of our lives are we enabled to overcome the world, the flesh and the devil that so readily seek to cause us to turn from Jesus. We can rejoice in how Jesus' ministry produced fruit in the lives of the Samaritans because of how He ministered to them, and as we follow His method of mingling with people as one who desires their good, ministering to their needs, showing sympathy for them, winning their confidence, and then bidding them to follow Jesus, we also will see Christ work to bring many sons and daughters to glory!
"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.'" {The Desire of Ages, page 194, paragraph 2} "When Jesus sat down to rest at Jacob's well, He had come from Judea, where His ministry had produced little fruit. He had been rejected by the priests and rabbis, and even the people who professed to be His disciples had failed of perceiving His divine character. He was faint and weary; yet He did not neglect the opportunity of speaking to one woman, though she was a stranger, an alien from Israel, and living in open sin." {The Desire of Ages, page 194, paragraph 3}
God sees the possibilities of every soul in ways we cannot even imagine. Each of us was uniquely created by God to glorify His name. Sin has marred that revelation, but like trying to put water in a gas tank in a car, sin does not empower the life to go forward, but causes ruin and stalling, leading to the ultimate destruction. As we learn that only the fuel of unselfish love--the grace of God that we may receive by faith--is the way by which we are to live, we will have strength to overcome, and the evidence that Christ does have our whole heart will be very evident: all of the fruits of the Spirit will be seen in our lives, and not one will be missing as we gladly follow every ray of light of truth revealed from God's law of love and go wherever His Spirit leads!! Hallelujah!!!
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: Dorine on June 12, 2019, 06:00:58 AM
"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"
What a profound revelation for those who are struggling with sin and searching for something better. And for those who have accepted Christ and are renewing their relationship every day they will grow in God's love and grace and be beacons of light to those that do not know Him. God's mercy has a mighty drawing power to bring hope to the hopeless. It doesn't matter where you have been or what you have done He is waiting for you to reach out to Him. He wants to make you His sons and daughters. Oh the mercy of God is beyond our reasoning but I'm so very thankful for it.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: Beacon on September 04, 2019, 06:44:50 PM
"The woman had been filled with joy as she listened to Christ's words. The wonderful revelation was almost overpowering. Leaving her waterpot, she returned to the city, to carry the message to others. Jesus knew why she had gone. Leaving her waterpot spoke unmistakably as to the effect of His words. It was the earnest desire of her soul to obtain the living water; and she forgot her errand to the well, she forgot the Saviour's thirst, which she had purposed to supply. With heart overflowing with gladness, she hastened on her way, to impart to others the precious light she had received. 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.
The Bible tells us that when the two disciples who were walking and talking with Jesus on the road to Emmaus realized that it had been Jesus with whom they were speaking..." THEIR HEARTS BURNED WITH-IN THEM " ...they turned around and made their way with haste back to the other disciples to "SHARE THE GOOD NEWS THAT JESUS WAS ALIVE." i want that experience to be mine everyday at home, at church or in the marketplace.!! How about You??
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: Pastor Sean Brizendine on September 05, 2019, 08:31:45 AM
Let us give the message to all who are open to receive it--the message of the loveliness of Jesus and His grace that transforms sinners into saints! By beholding Him day by day in that beautiful "thoughtful hour" meditating on His life point by point, we are experiencing a transformation as we yield unreservedly to Him! As we, like the woman at the well, come to drink of the grace of Christ by a personal experience, we can invite others to receive the living water that refreshes and invigorates the soul!!
"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.'" {The Desire of Ages, page 194, paragraph 2}
Jesus reads the hearts of everyone in the world. May we be willing to give the message to anyone God brings to us--just as Jesus was willing to minister to the woman at the well who may have outwardly seemed "uninterested." But God knows what the soul needs, and He prepares us to have divine appointments to bless others. May Christ's experience be ours today, for He lived to bless others!
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: Richard Myers on September 05, 2019, 08:43:51 AM
Amen Pastor Sean and Brother Beacon! What a privilege we have to share this good news with the world! Like the woman at the well we ought to be as excited about knowing God, His Son, and the gospel message. What is missing in the church, the church which is modern day Israel? The "living water" is not drunk by too many including ministers. The heart has not been purified. We are surrounded by grace as thick as the air we breathe. But, if we do not spend time with Jesus, if we do not spend a thoughtful hour a day beholding God's grace, it does us no good.
He who seeks to quench his thirst at the fountains of this world will drink only to thirst again. Everywhere men are unsatisfied. They long for something to supply the need of the soul. Only One can meet that want. The need of the world, "The Desire of all nations," is Christ. The divine grace which He alone can impart, is as living water, purifying, refreshing, and invigorating the soul.
We are saved by grace. Jesus longs to impart that grace to us each and every day.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: Beacon on November 29, 2019, 07:59:29 PM
"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."
To the early Christian church the death of Stephen seemed like a monumental loss of leadership, But from the shed blood of Stephen, witnessed by Saul of Tarsus, there arose a born again Christian who's name became " PAUL " Who after meeting Jesus on the road to Tarsus became one of the most powerful witnesses for Jesus and who's writings make up a large share of our New Testament. We should never underestimate the value and potential influence of ONE SOUL who having accepted the Forgiving Redeeming Blood of Jesus becomes an active witness in behalf of the King of Kings. Remember that Jesus would have come and sacrificed His Life if only one soul could be saved!
We belong to a church with over 20 million members. Just think what would happen if each members would bring even ONE soul to Jesus every year....How quickly the work would be finished and we could go to our eternal home to be with Jesus forever!
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: Pastor Sean Brizendine on November 30, 2019, 04:09:09 AM
Praise the Lord, Brother Beacon! One soul is worth more than worlds! We are to see each person with the potential Jesus sees in them--each as one for whom He gave His life and has gone to prepare a place for them in heaven! Let us look for souls and believe that God is working to save ALL!
"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.'" {The Desire of Ages, page 194, paragraph 2}
We are to share Jesus wherever He opens the opportunity! And we are to believe that there are souls who will respond with the whole heart and be converted, becoming fruitful Christians who manifest in the life all of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing! Jesus loves us so much that He draws us with His love, so we, having experienced His love, may invite others to "Come and see" Jesus!
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: Dorine on November 30, 2019, 06:52:47 AM
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.
The contrast between the results Jesus had with the Jewish nation with that of the testimony of one lone infamous woman we are reminded of the tremendous power and influence of just one persons personal tesitmony. This is such an inspiring story to keep before us as we come in contact with all sorts of unfavorable people and situations. Let's see all people through Jesus' eyes; potential kings and queens for the kingdom. Jesus is with us today no less then He was when He walked the earth. We need to remember that we do not walk by sight but by faith.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: Richard Myers on November 30, 2019, 08:41:03 AM
Amen dear Sister! The lessons here are for us today. We are entrusted with the sacred oracles of God, just as were the Jews. Have we done any better than they? Do we truly love and pity out enemies? The example we see in today's reading is for us to follow. But, we cannot unless we are born of the Spirit. After the woman at the well discovered her Savior, she loved Him whom Samaritans hated.
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
If we want to glorify God, then we need to born of the Spirit. And when we love Jesus supremely because we know Him and trust Him with all we are and all we have, then the heart will be purified and the carnal mind renewed. We will gladly obey all we know to be the requirements of God. When does this happen, at the end of our experience with God, or at the beginning, when truly converted? So very many fail to understand what it means to be converted, born of the Spirit. They believe that when converted they begin a process that one day will give them victory over sin. But, here they err. It is a long protracted process of wooing by the Spirit that leads to a true conversion where the heart is wholly given to Christ and the sinner becomes a saint living in fallen flesh. We become partakers of the divine nature because it is God who sits on the throne of the heart. Then we shall not be tempted beyond what we can bear.
There are pastors in God's church who are starting to understand they have not come to the point of teaching that one known sin reveals a separation between man and God. Until they believe this with the whole heart, they hold back teaching the simple truth of the power of grace to transform the life at the beginning of our conversion. So many are trying to do right, but do not know they have not yet arrived. They have not yet given their whole heart to Christ because they are unwilling to trust Him with all they are and all they have. Why? Because they do not spend a thoughtful hour a day wanting to know Him. They do not love Him with all the heart, mind, soul, and strength, because they have not experienced His love and power. When they do love Him supremely it is because they have seen that He first loved us.
Many read here in this forum. We pray that as you come to understand our need to behold Jesus daily, that you will join with us in reading of His love for us daily and share with us what Jesus is revealing to you. We know that before Jesus comes there will be many who will increase our numbers greatly. Jesus is coming soon, so we know this will be happening very soon!
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: Beacon on February 25, 2020, 06:22:14 AM
"When Jesus sat down to rest at Jacob's well, He had come from Judea, where His ministry had produced little fruit. He had been rejected by the priests and rabbis, and even the people who professed to be His disciples had failed of perceiving His divine character. He was faint and weary; yet He did not neglect the opportunity of speaking to one woman, though she was a stranger, an alien from Israel, and living in open sin."
What a great lesson this is...showing the importance of not letting rejection and disappointment cause one to cease looking for opportunities to share God's love, but blossom and grew wherever we are planted and to press on in the proclamation of the Good News. We will often experience similar things in our activities of dally living and also perhaps even within our own church fellowship. But if we follow the example of Jesus and continue to be aware of the limitless possibilities around us we can blossom and grow where ever our life's path takes us.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: Richard Myers on February 25, 2020, 07:27:56 AM
Amen Brother Beacon! What lessons we learn from the life of Christ. The disciples later remembered how Jesus dealt with those who they perceived of little value. I like the closing of this chapter.
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.
Notice that when we are truly born again (converted) we do not have to try to be an evangelist, we are born a missionary. How can this be? We are filled with "living water" that wells up to refresh others who are "eager to drink of the water of life." We do not have to be pressured or persuaded to be an evangelist, we are already wanting to share the grace of Christ with anyone who is open to being saved. If you have lost that first love, then being pressured to work for Christ will not work, we must drink again from the fountain of life. God does not give grace for tomorrow. Each day we must drink anew. Each day we must feed upon the Bread of Life, the Manna from Heaven. It would be well to spend a thoughtful hour a day contemplating the life of Christ. For that is where we find this "living water." It is where we behold the grace of God. It is by beholding the stripes that He took that belonged to us that we are healed.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: Pastor Sean Brizendine on February 25, 2020, 09:20:44 AM
Amen, Brother Beacon and Brother Richard!!
What a blessing to find strength in the same way Jesus found it--by receiving life from God to impart to others! As we behold Jesus in His infinite loveliness, we find joy in imparting the grace we have received! We cannot be silent for our Savior lives in us!
"The disciples wondered who could have brought Him food; but He explained, 'My meat is to do the will of Him that sent Me, and to accomplish His work.' John 4:34, R. V. 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." {The Desire of Ages, page 190, paragraph 5}
In a complete surrender of the whole heart to Christ we experience the love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance that are the fruits of the divine nature welling up in our souls! We love to bless others as Jesus did, for it is Him living out His life in us that makes the life a truly attractive witness for Him!
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: Beacon on May 21, 2020, 06:54:33 PM
"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.'"
"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."
DO WE REALLY REALIZE WHAT AN HONOR AND SACRED TRUST IS EXTENDED TO EACH OF US - TO BE ON GOD'S TEAM OF MESSENGERS?
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: Dorine on May 22, 2020, 05:22:04 AM
He who seeks to quench his thirst at the fountains of this world will drink only to thirst again. Everywhere men are unsatisfied. They long for something to supply the need of the soul. Only One can meet that want. The need of the world, "The Desire of all nations," is Christ. The divine grace which He alone can impart, is as living water, purifying, refreshing, and invigorating the soul.
Those who have given their hearts to Christ know from experience that this is truth. Those who do not know Christ have a continual hunger and thirst for something they can not find; peace and contentment through all circumstances. It's with rejoicing that I start my day with Jesus. It's spiritually exciting to walk with Him all day, to watch Him at work in my own heart and through the ways in which He brings good out of difficult situations. He loves us beyond our imagination.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: Pastor Sean Brizendine on May 22, 2020, 05:26:12 AM
Praise the Lord, Brother Beacon, for the privilege we have of being laborers together with God!! And what unity we see here! The very same paragraph I was blessed by this morning, you also are sharing, Sister Dorine!! Praise the Lord for the truly satisfying relationship we may have with Christ!! Amen!!
When we come to the point of realizing that nothing in this life will satisfy us, we have the privilege of going to Jesus in our absolute need, and we then have the freedom to stop seeking the unsatisfying, earthly things. We leave our waterpot like the woman at the well. We have found "something better"!! We stop wasting our time on things that are temporary and unfulfilling, and we experience by the power of the grace of God a new heart and a new mind imbued with all of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing! We gladly obey God's commandments because they are our delight! When we have this genuine experience, even the blessings that God gives us in life will not absorb our attention and focus to detract from the rightful focus and worship of the Giver--the Savior, the Living Water who alone can purify and renew our souls and give us lasting, eternal satisfaction in His presence where we find fullness of joy forevermore!!!
"He who seeks to quench his thirst at the fountains of this world will drink only to thirst again. Everywhere men are unsatisfied. They long for something to supply the need of the soul. Only One can meet that want. The need of the world, 'The Desire of all nations,' is Christ. The divine grace which He alone can impart, is as living water, purifying, refreshing, and invigorating the soul." {The Desire of Ages, page 187, paragraph 2}
Do you desire to drink of the Living Water? Come each day and spend a thoughtful hour upon the life of Christ, letting your imagination really grasp and appreciate what Christ has done for you. Think upon His sacrifice on Calvary, contemplate His infinite love, and you may find that not only does Christ quench the longing of your soul, but He expands your soul to desire EVEN MORE of Him! As we drink of the genuine experience Christ offers us, we will long to drink more of His love, and the more we drink, the more we will receive to impart to bless others!!
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: Richard Myers on May 22, 2020, 07:48:39 AM
Amen Pastor Sean and Sister Dorine! And this water Jesus pours out upon us is not a one day affair. Once we taste of His grace, we shall want more and more. And, it is a good thing we will want more, for we must die to self daily.
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.[/color
Amen Brother Beacon! I too was impressed with this truth: "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."
We will have to continue to lived in fallen flesh, but it is not an excuse for sin. The Holy Spirit reveals God's grace to us each day as we behold the life of Christ. It purifies the heart and renews the mind that we will be witnesses of the power of God to transform sinners into saints. It is indeed the work of the Holy Spirit!
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: Beacon on August 16, 2020, 12:04:16 PM
"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."
MAY OUR HEARTS BE OPEN TO THE CALL OF OUR LORD AND MAY WE WILLING TO MINISTER TO ALL THOSE WHOM THE HOLY SPIRIT BRINGS US IN CONTACT WITH -- ALWAYS REMEMBERING THAT JESUS CAME TO SEEK AND TO SAVE "ALL" THAT WERE LOST.
Hymn 573 SDA Hymnal ---I'll Go Where You Want Me to Go.
V1. "It may not be on the mountain height,Or over the stormy sea, It may not be at the battle’s front My Lord will have need of me. But if, by a still, small voice he calls To paths that I do not know,I’ll answer, dear Lord, with my hand in thine:I’ll go where you want me to go."
[Chorus]
I’ll go where you want me to go dear Lord,Over mountain or plain or sea;I’ll say what you want me to say, dear Lord;I’ll be what you want me to be.
V2. Perhaps today there are loving words, Which Jesus would have me speak;There may be now in the paths of sin, Some wand’rer whom I should seek. O Savior, if thou wilt be my guide,Tho dark and rugged the way,My voice shall echo the message sweet:I’ll say what you want me. to say.
V3. There’s surely somewhere a lowly place In earth’s harvest fields so wide, Where I may labor through life’s short day, For Jesus, the Crucified. So trusting my all to thy tender care, And knowing thou lovest me, I’ll do thy will with a heart sincere:I’ll be what you want me to be.
Text: Mary Brown, 1856–1918
Music: Carrie E. Rounsefell, 1861–1930
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: Dorine on August 17, 2020, 05:36:14 AM
"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"
I love to meditate on how Jesus loves the sinner. It doesn't matter how low the person descends into sin Jesus neglects no opportunity to reach their hearts. When He sees an opening He carefully and tactfully enters into communion with them. That's where we come in. We are to be vessels filled with the Holy Spirit to bring comfort and hope to all especially the worst of sinners. This work demands sacrifices and sometimes hardships and I wonder how many opportunities I have missed to serve because it would put me out. I want more of Thee dear Lord to direct my path today.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: Pastor Sean Brizendine on August 17, 2020, 06:39:05 AM
Are you satisfied? If you are looking for anything in this world to supply that sense of want, it will always prove to be unsatisfying. Nothing earthly can satisfy us, because we were made in the image of God. Only as we receive the faith that comes from God will there be true satisfaction. We need to realize our continual need of Jesus and yield the whole heart to Him so He can truly satisfy us, keeping every earthly blessing--even water and food--in their proper place. Then, with heart yielded to Him totally, all of the fruits of the Sprit will be seen in the life without one missing, for the life-giving Spirit flowing in the converted soul is the living water that truly does satisfy--and gives us a new capacity and desire for more and more from God that we may also impart to others!! "Therefore with joy shall ye draw waters from the well of salvation" (Isaiah 12:3).
"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." {The Desire of Ages, page 187, paragraph 3}
Let us go to Christ just as we are--no matter how satisfied we are with what He is to us now or how unsatisfied we may feel. He is the ANSWER in the drought of this world's desert!
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: Richard Myers on August 17, 2020, 07:01:55 AM
Amen, amen, and amen!! We need new stores of grace each day. When we see God's love for us, what shall we withhold from Him....nothing. And, do we need to be told to be His witnesses or to do evangelism? No! It is the great joy of our lives to tell others about our God!!
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.
If this is not your experience, then join with us daily as we feed upon Jesus. And, you will have a testimony to share with the church and the world!!
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: Pastor Sean Brizendine on November 12, 2020, 04:16:22 AM
Start right where you are. Share what Jesus has done for you! As you behold His loveliness of character and yield the whole heart to Him, He will imbue you with all of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing and cleanse your soul from all sin by His atoning blood!
"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." {The Desire of Ages, page 194, paragraph 4}
Then as you start in the very place where you are with the people you can share with of what Jesus has done, it will spread like wildfire as others "taste and see" that the Lord is good by a personal experience! Like the woman at the well in John 4, you may be a missionary with what God has revealed to you of His everlasting love! Go and share Jesus' love and let other hearts be melted and transformed by the revelation!
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: Dorine on November 12, 2020, 05:39:20 AM
"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."
Praise God! I have tasted of His living water. It brings spiritual health and happiness to everyone who drinks of it. Every day we need new drafts of the clear refreshing water which is symbolic of His life and character that He imparts to every contrite heart. Then out of a heart of love and gratitude we in turn share our testimony to all who will listen. Today is our opportunity to do just that.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: Richard Myers on November 12, 2020, 06:32:14 AM
Amen dear sister! Each and every day we may taste of this Living Water!! And what is our response? We are to rejoice as we labor to save precious souls for whom Christ died. As Pastor Sean has pointed out, we are to start right where we are and the gospel message will spread as wildfire!! And what is our reward?
"He that reapeth," He said, "receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together. And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth." Here Christ points out the sacred service owed to God by those who receive the gospel. They are to be His living agencies. He requires their individual service. And whether we sow or reap, we are working for God. One scatters the seed; another gathers in the harvest; and both the sower and the reaper receive wages. They rejoice together in the reward of their labor.
Not only do we gain eternal life in a world without sin, we experience great joy in this world whether we reap or whether we sow!
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: Beacon on November 12, 2020, 07:01:48 AM
"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 OUR HEARTS BE OPEN TO THE CALL OF OUR LORD AND MAY WE WILLING TO MINISTER TO ALL THOSE WHOM THE HOLY SPIRIT BRINGS US IN CONTACT WITH -- ALWAYS REMEMBERING THAT JESUS CAME TO SEEK AND TO SAVE "ALL" THAT WERE LOST.
Hymn 573 SDA Hymnal ---I'll Go Where You Want Me to Go.
V1. "It may not be on the mountain height,Or over the stormy sea, It may not be at the battle’s front My Lord will have need of me. But if, by a still, small voice he calls To paths that I do not know,I’ll answer, dear Lord, with my hand in thine:I’ll go where you want me to go."
[Chorus]
I’ll go where you want me to go dear Lord,Over mountain or plain or sea;I’ll say what you want me to say, dear Lord;I’ll be what you want me to be.
V2. Perhaps today there are loving words, Which Jesus would have me speak;There may be now in the paths of sin, Some wand’rer whom I should seek. O Savior, if thou wilt be my guide,Tho dark and rugged the way,My voice shall echo the message sweet:I’ll say what you want me. to say.
V3. There’s surely somewhere a lowly place In earth’s harvest fields so wide, Where I may labor through life’s short day, For Jesus, the Crucified. So trusting my all to thy tender care, And knowing thou lovest me, I’ll do thy will with a heart sincere:I’ll be what you want me to be.
Text: Mary Brown, 1856–1918
Music: Carrie E. Rounsefell, 1861–1930
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: Dorine on February 07, 2021, 05:29:59 AM
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.
This is such a precious truth. Only those who have allowed Christ into the heart and trust what He says will know that this is so. There is such sweet peace and satisfaction to the soul in accepting the Water of life continually. I'm especially touched by this sentence; "He who tastes of the love of Christ will continually long for more; but he seeks for nothing else." I know it to be absolutely true for that is my experience as each day I bring my weak, hungry and thirsty soul to Him. He never fails to deliver what He has promised if we are eager to accept the conditions.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: Beacon on February 07, 2021, 07:14:00 AM
"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."
Jesus would have come and paid the price for our redemption even if were for only one. Should we not value each soul in the same manner?
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: Richard Myers on February 07, 2021, 07:51:23 AM
Amen Brother Beacon and Sister Dorine! God leaves us on this Earth, the dark spot in the universe that His glory may be revealed in us. And the great joy God gives to us is to find those who are seeking truth. This is why we live, to give glory to God and to minister to others.
For many years I have been impressed with a truth about the Samaritans that I have not addressed very well. Today I am impressed to do so. The Samaritans were in some ways more advanced than the in regards to the Old Testament Truth. How is it that the woman at the well could be converted so quickly and have such a response from her fellow Samaritans? Did we pick up on the fact that she was looking for the coming of the Messiah? There is more light in this chapter on the history of the Samaritans that have not seen elsewhere.
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.
What a blessing!! They would not look to false interpretations so widely taught in Israel, but only the writing of Moses. Yet, they too had perverted the truth as Jesus told her "salvation is of the Jews," even though they were about to kill their Messiah. The Samaritan woman had been studying the subject of the coming of the Messiah, yes there were priests in Samaria teaching such things. And, they unlike the Jews did not teach that Jesus was going to rule from an earthly throne as all of the Jews had been taught.
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."
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: Philip T on February 07, 2021, 08:03:10 AM
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.
When a person finds and believes in Jesus, they spread the knowledge they have to those who are seeking. The Samaritan women immediately went into the city and shared her witness with those within, and they were drawn to Jesus, so we should be effected by Jesus love and grace towards us. We need to treat whoever we come in contact with. With the love and kindness of our example Jesus, so we can carry the light of Jesus to those around us.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: Richard Myers on February 07, 2021, 08:08:33 AM
Amen Brother Philip, we do not have to be beat over the head to share Jesus with others, it is our great desire to do so!! And how is it that we can gain this experience? We must be born again of the Spirit. We must receive a new heart that has been purified from sin. We must learn of God's grace, then we will love Him supremely and want to tell others what we have found, a loving and long-suffering Savior who will forgive us and cleanse us from the burden and guilt of sin. This we can claim He will do for us if we will spend a thoughtful hour a day contemplating the life of our Savior.
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.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: Pastor Sean Brizendine on February 07, 2021, 09:11:09 AM
Amen, Sister Dorine, Brother Beacon, Brother Richard, and Brother Philip!
What are you looking for? What is the deepest longing of your soul? Where can we go to be truly satisfied?
"He who seeks to quench his thirst at the fountains of this world will drink only to thirst again. Everywhere men are unsatisfied. They long for something to supply the need of the soul. Only One can meet that want. The need of the world, 'The Desire of all nations,' is Christ. The divine grace which He alone can impart, is as living water, purifying, refreshing, and invigorating the soul." {The Desire of Ages, page 187, paragraph 2}
By grace we are saved through faith. We can look upon Jesus and live. Then as we come to Him in true repentance, confessing and forsaking our sins, He blots our out sins by His atoning blood and fills us with the Holy Spirit, so that all of the fruits of the Spirit will be seen in our lives without one missing. There is no limit to what God can do with one soul who is truly abiding in Jesus continually!
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: Philip T on May 05, 2021, 05:02:52 AM
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.
Once we find Jesus and his love, we thirst for more and more, one drink will not be enough, we will seek Jesu through His word, though prayer, being transformed through faith in Him, and we will be overflowing with love for him, and it will spill forth to those around us. As it did with the Women at the well,, as she went into the city sharing with all she met.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: Pastor Sean Brizendine on May 05, 2021, 07:39:19 AM
Amen, Brother Philip!
The woman at the well experienced true conversion and went to bless others because she became a partaker of the divine nature, receiving in her own life the promises that led her to true repentance and a willingness to let Christ be all in all! As we surrender the whole heart to Christ, He fills us with all of the fruits of the Spirit so not one will be missing, and then we can gladly go forth to bless others and share with them what Christ is to us!
"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." {The Desire of Ages, page 195, paragraph 2}
May this be your experience today in Christ!
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: Richard Myers on May 05, 2021, 09:38:09 AM
Amen Pastor Sean and Brother Philip! No need to push anyone into evangelism, no it comes when we love the Lord our God with the whole heart. As do all of the fruits of the Spirit, not one missing! What a God we serve!! Let us tell the story to those who have never heard!
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
Yes, when truly converted God gives us "a willing obedience to all His requirements." We have become a partaker of His divine nature. This happens when we are converted, born again of the Spirit. As Nicodemus was instructed we must be born of the Spirit, then we are filled with the Holy Spirit. When we are truly converted, the Holy Spirit will "purify the heart and renew the mind." Don't pay any attention to those who have a carnal heart and want you to believe you have one also after you are converted. The carnal heart walk after the flesh, the heart which has been purified is holy and causes one to walk after the Spirit (Romans 8:1 ).
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: Beacon on May 05, 2021, 10:36:46 AM
"]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."
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.
Jesus would have come and paid the price for our redemption even if were for only one. Should we not value each soul in the same manner?
Lord lay some soul upon my heart & Love that Soul through me and may I humbly do my part to win that soul for THEE.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: Dorine on May 05, 2021, 02:08:43 PM
"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."
Many do not know their need until their condition is revealed to them. Just as Jesus lived to relieve the burdens of others we too will be doing our part in carrying on the work He has left for us to do. Let us work while we still have many freedoms left. They are quickly being taken from us and the work will be so much more difficult.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: Pastor Sean Brizendine on July 31, 2021, 03:58:47 AM
Happy Sabbath!! Are you thirsty? Of course you are! We were all designed by God to need water, and just as this is true in our physical nature, so we were created by God to thirst for the living water, the grace of Christ that will renew our hearts and minds in His image! Then as we surrender in humble faith to Jesus and receive His grace to renew our will, all of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing will be our experience because we keep abiding in Him so our lives reflect Him!
He who seeks to quench his thirst at the fountains of this world will drink only to thirst again. Everywhere men are unsatisfied. They long for something to supply the need of the soul. Only One can meet that want. The need of the world, "The Desire of all nations," is Christ. The divine grace which He alone can impart, is as living water, purifying, refreshing, and invigorating the soul.
Christ will live in us as an abiding guest, and we will affectionately obey God because we are created anew in His image of relational love as seen in Jesus' life and expressed in the Ten Commandments!
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: Dorine on July 31, 2021, 06:50:17 AM
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 time around reading this chapter caused a thrill of goose bumps. By putting myself into the story I joined in the experience as if I was there. How do you choose a particular quote when the whole chapter is so important? So much is happening here. Not only does this Samaritan woman living in open sin find a trusted friend in a hated Jew but Jesus in His hunger and thirst from the long trip was completely refreshed by her acceptance of Him. Jesus accomplished so much in this simple meeting at the well. A town was changed by the testimony of one woman of ill repute. The disciples were being taught a lesson that they didn't really comprehend until after the resurrection. It was interesting to me that Jesus did not perform one miracle while staying with them and they believed Him just the same.
So much more to the story but the important part is that we learn from what Jesus did. He will guide and direct us as we minister to those that some feel are beyond help.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: Richard Myers on July 31, 2021, 08:42:25 AM
Amen dear Sister Dorine! The heart of the lesson is that Christ loves us and will direct and guide us daily as we drink of that "living water." As Pastor Sean has shared, we cannot expect to drink once and leave it at that. No, we need to feed upon Jesus daily else we will forget Him and what He has done for us. And, once we drink of this "living water," we shall want to drink again, and again!
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.
This is a most wonderful chapter. I love the story of the woman at the well, there are so many lessons!!
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: Beacon on July 31, 2021, 09:07:03 AM
"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."
Jesus said in Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
On this His Holy Sabbath Day & all through the week ---Are "WE" earnestly seeking? And If not - why not? On this His Holy Sabbath day and everday we " MUST " be seeking to know and to share the wonderous story of our salvation. HAPPY SABBATH.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: Pastor Sean Brizendine on October 26, 2021, 05:26:23 AM
Where are you looking for satisfaction?
"He who seeks to quench his thirst at the fountains of this world will drink only to thirst again. Everywhere men are unsatisfied. They long for something to supply the need of the soul. Only One can meet that want. The need of the world, "The Desire of all nations," is Christ. The divine grace which He alone can impart, is as living water, purifying, refreshing, and invigorating the soul." {The Desire of Ages, page 187, paragraph 2}
If we look to Jesus and surrender the whole heart to Christ, we find true satisfaction and restoration to God's plan for us as free moral agents! Only in Christ is true satisfaction. Let us surrender fully to Christ so He can give us a new heart and a new mind, imbued with all of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing, so we can abide in His love and obey God's law of love to the extent that He has revealed it to us by His grace!
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: Dorine on October 26, 2021, 06:18:34 AM
"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."
What a joy it is to know the love of God and to share it with those that do not know Him. There are so many who need to hear the story of Jesus. Lives will be touched like the woman at the well in overwhelming joy. They will waste no time in sharing with family and all who will listen to the truths they have heard. And many will be saved for the kingdom of God.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: Beacon on October 26, 2021, 09:54:41 AM
"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."
Quote from Pastor Sean, ===================================================================== "Start right where you are. Share what Jesus has done for you! As you behold His loveliness of character and yield the whole heart to Him, He will imbue you with all of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing and cleanse your soul from all sin by His atoning blood!" =====================================================================
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: Richard Myers on October 26, 2021, 09:11:17 PM
If we want to encourage church members to get involved in evangelism, what shall we say? The answer is always the same. They need to eat His flesh and drink His blood just as we learn from the lesson of the woman at the well. We nor others can give to others what we do not have. We must first drink of the living water that we might be able to give that living water to others, just as we read of the Samaritan woman at Jacob's well.
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. 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.
As we open our hearts and minds to God's grace each morning, we are indeed drinking from that great Fountain opened to at great expense!
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: Beacon on January 20, 2022, 08:29:58 PM
"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."
What a great lesson for us today regarding our ideas as to who might be a candidate for the kingdom and may we be willing to--- "Blossom where we are planted " , leaving the harvest up to Jesus.
Sowing in the morning, sowing seeds of kindness, Sowing in the noontide and the dewy eve; Waiting for the harvest, and the time of reaping, We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves. Bringing in the sheaves, bringing in the sheaves, We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves; Bringing in the sheaves, bringing in the sheaves, We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves. 2 Sowing in the sunshine, sowing in the shadows, Fearing neither clouds nor winter’s chilling breeze; By and by, the harvest and the labor ended, We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves. 3 Going forth with weeping, sowing for the Master, Tho’, the loss sustained, our spirit often grieves; When our weeping’s over, He will bid us welcome, We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves.
Lyrics:Knowles Shaw (1834-1878) Music" Unknown
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: Dorine on January 21, 2022, 06:27:54 AM
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.
I love this part of the story. What an amazing result came out of just one person showing kindness and respect to one that probably felt she didn't deserve it. Such a lesson for us as we meet and interact with people. We are to start where we are and work outward around us. Many are hungering and thirsting for a better way. We must find them.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: Philip T on January 21, 2022, 07:34:42 AM
The disciples wondered who could have brought Him food; but He explained, "My meat is to do the will of Him that sent Me, and to accomplish His work." John 4:34, R. V. 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. Our Redeemer thirsts for recognition. He hungers for the sympathy and love of those whom He has purchased with His own blood. He longs with inexpressible desire that they should come to Him and have life. As the mother watches for the smile of recognition from her little child, which tells of the dawning of intelligence, so does Christ watch for the expression of grateful love, which shows that spiritual life is begun in the soul.
I have been reading Patriarchs and Prophets, and I just read chapter 19, it provides some background to Jacobs well. It was here that Abraham that Abraham set his first camp upon entering Caanan, erecting an alter to God. It was here Jacob purchased land from Hamor, Shechem's father for 100 pieces of money, and dug the well, that was known as Jacobs well, He also erected an alter to God there, this is where he resided when Simeon and Levi, revenged Deborah's rape by the king's daughter through deception. In this reading we see the importance of winning souls to Jesus Kingdom, it was more important that food to Jesus who is our example. It is food for thought to see as much as Jesu loves us, died for us, when He did not have to that He longs for His love to be returned to Him by us, He longs for us to accept Him as our Redeemer and savior accepting His blood given freely for us, that we may share eternity with Him. Jesus longs to see us grow spiritually as we walk the path of Sanctification in our lives.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: Richard Myers on January 21, 2022, 08:08:54 AM
Amen! The harvest fields are ripe!! There are many like the woman at the well seeking truth. When we find Jesus and surrender the whole heart, what does He do for us right then and there?
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
What more can we ask for. We want to lead others to Christ. Satan has stolen a march on the church. He has worked hard to deceive us as He did Israel. But, here we, day after day, are given bright beams of light that tell us the power of the gospel message. We can obey all that God asks of us. Satan claims God is unfair in asking us to keep His law. All who sin support this claim. But, we know better. When we discover we are evil by nature and captive to the law of sin and death, we seek for One who can deliver us from this body of death. It is only God who can do this. When will He do it? When we surrender the whole heart, He will cleanse it whiter than fresh fallen snow. "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." Over and over in the pages of this book we read the same promise, He will give us a hatred for sin. If we will truly confess our sins He will cleanse us (the heart) from all unrighteousness. Multitudes are seeking to be delivered from sin. The more clearly we see Jesus, the more clearly we shall see how vile and evil we are apart from Him who gave all that we might experience the love and joy that can only come from a full heart surrender to Him. Let us today rightly represent Him in a world soon to perish.
Does not this chapter remind us of the joy that Cleopas and his friend felt when they met Jesus on their walk to Emmaus? We too may experience this joy as we seek to share the love of God with those seeking to know Him.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: Beacon on April 17, 2022, 08:00:49 PM
"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.
"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."
"Through the woman whom they despised, a whole city 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."
Have " WE " become a Fountain of Living Water to those around us?? If Not - Why Not!! Let us pray, Dear Jesus...
=======================
Take my life, and let it be Consecrated, Lord, to Thee; Take my moments and my days, Let them flow in ceaseless praise, Let them flow in ceaseless praise. 2 Take my hands, and let them move At the impulse of Thy love; Take my feet and let them be Swift and beautiful for Thee, Swift and beautiful for Thee. 3 Take my voice, and let me sing Always, only, for my King; Take my lips, and let them be Filled with messages from Thee, Filled with messages from Thee. 4 Take my silver and my gold; Not a mite would I withhold; Take my intellect, and use Every power as Thou shalt choose, Every power as Thou shalt choose. 5 Take my will, and make it Thine; It shall be no longer mine. Take my heart; it is Thine own; It shall be Thy royal throne, It shall be Thy royal throne. 6 Take my love; my Lord, I pour At Thy feet its treasure-store. Take myself, and I will be Ever, only, all for Thee, Ever, only, all for Thee.
Lyrics:Frances Ridley Havergal (1836-1879) Music:Henri Abraham Cesar Malan (1787-1864)
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: Dorine on April 18, 2022, 05:19:46 AM
"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." When Jesus sat down to rest at Jacob's well, He had come from Judea, where His ministry had produced little fruit. He had been rejected by the priests and rabbis, and even the people who professed to be His disciples had failed of perceiving His divine character. He was faint and weary; yet He did not neglect the opportunity of speaking to one woman, though she was a stranger, an alien from Israel, and living in open sin."
When we follow Jesus on His daily journeys and witness the patience, compassion and love He showed to all, we can not avoid the lessons He is teaching us. As Jesus reigns in our hearts and lives we will think of others above ourselves. Their eternal salvation will be uppermost in our minds. There are many who would respond as did the woman at the well if we would just bring Jesus to them.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: Pastor Sean Brizendine on April 18, 2022, 08:15:44 AM
Amen, Brother Beacon and Sister Dorine!!
When grateful love begins in your soul as you behold the loveliness of Jesus and surrender fully to Him, it means so much to Him! Let us bring a smile to Jesus today and gratefully love Him back for all the love He has shown to us! Such an experience of grateful love is in perfect harmony with all of the fruits of the Spirit being in our lives without one missing as we gladly obey God from a new heart given us!
"Our Redeemer thirsts for recognition. He hungers for the sympathy and love of those whom He has purchased with His own blood. He longs with inexpressible desire that they should come to Him and have life. As the mother watches for the smile of recognition from her little child, which tells of the dawning of intelligence, so does Christ watch for the expression of grateful love, which shows that spiritual life is begun in the soul." {The Desire of Ages, page 191, paragraph 1}
As we grow in grace, we learn new ways to please and honor the Lord and bless others, too! May God bless you in being a blessing this day in His appointed plan!
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: Richard Myers on April 18, 2022, 08:24:23 PM
What an exciting chapter!! One of my favorites, seeing how Jesus ministers to those seeking truth. And, watching her leave her pot behind!! :) We do not have to push people to share Jesus with the world. It comes naturally to all who truly love Jesus with the whole heart. We want to tell the world about our Jesus!
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.
Yes, this is how we come to love our Lord and Savior with the whole heart. We take into our hearts His divine grace which surrounds us as thick as the air we breathe.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: Beacon on July 13, 2022, 08:00:30 PM
"He who tastes of the love of Christ will continually long for more."
"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. "
"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."
There is an old adage that says " You Cannot Share - What you haven't Received. "
Jesus invites us to experience His Love & Joy and Receive His Grace & Pardon from sin.
Psalm 34:7-9 King James Version. 7 "The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them. 8 O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him. 9 O fear the Lord, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him."
May Our Prayer always be.."More About Jesus I would know. More of His grace to others show."
============================
"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."
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: Dorine on July 14, 2022, 05:49:50 AM
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."
Applying this to today the thought that occurred to me this morning is the last sentence. It wasn't what she said that convinced them but that they had personally heard for themselves. When we bring the truth of the gospel to others they may accept it but if they do not go to scripture and find out for themselves they will not be convinced. The same is true for those who have been in the church for many years, maybe all their lives and have accepted what they hear as truth without searching the scriptures to see if these things are so. That is the only way to be anchored in the truth.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: Pastor Sean Brizendine on July 14, 2022, 06:03:21 AM
Amen, Brother Beacon and Sister Dorine!
What a blessing it is to know Jesus, the source of true satisfaction, and ever go to Him afresh for strength and grace for all His providence assigns as best for us!
"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." {The Desire of Ages, page 187, paragraph 3}
When we live by faith on the Son of God, all of the fruits of the Spirit will be seen in our lives without one missing and we are empowered to obey God from the new heart given us in true conversion! Jesus calls us to receive Him in ever-increasing measure as the living water that alone can satisfy us! May we reflect Christ to others in a way that invites them to know and love Him in whom our hope of eternal life is centered!
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: Richard Myers on July 14, 2022, 11:15:07 AM
Amen my dear friends!!! So very much to learn and share in today's reading. Where do we go! While many have been called into full time ministry, this truth is for all of us. 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 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.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: Beacon on October 08, 2022, 08:04:47 PM
"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."
"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."
What comforting reassurances are promised by the One who gave His life and made provision for our salvation.
=============================== 1 Standing on the promises of Christ my King, Through eternal ages let His praises ring, Glory in the highest, I will shout and sing, Standing on the promises of God. Standing, standing, Standing on the promises of God my Savior; Standing, standing, I’m standing on the promises of God. 2 Standing on the promises that cannot fail, When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail, By the living Word of God I shall prevail, Standing on the promises of God. 3 Standing on the promises I now can see Perfect, present cleansing in the blood for me; Standing in the liberty where Christ makes free, Standing on the promises of God. 4 Standing on the promises of Christ the Lord, Bound to Him eternally by love’s strong cord, Overcoming daily with the Spirit’s sword, Standing on the promises of God. 5 Standing on the promises I shall not fall, List’ning every moment to the Spirit’s call. Resting in my Savior as my All in all, Standing on the promises of God.
Lyrics & Music by Russell Kelso Carter (1849-1928)
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: Richard Myers on October 09, 2022, 03:11:42 AM
Amen Brother Beacon!! Such promises we may stand on!! This morning I was impressed with so very much, but above all the working of God's grace.
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.
In all of our Sabbath School lessons, the questions always ask how we can do this or that, including the push to to evangelism. Here we see the truth. When truly converted you do not have to tell people to share the love of Jesus with others. It is something that the receiver of living water wants to give to others. In other words, we do not ask what or how can we do this are that. We are to share the truth we read here. " 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." Who is it that automatically becomes a missionary? Those who are "true disciples." Those who are born again of the Spirit (converted).
In the days of the prophet in our church it was rare to find one who was a "true disciple." "The new birth is a rare experience in this age of the world. This is the reason why there are so many perplexities in the churches. Many, so many, who assume the name of Christ are unsanctified and unholy. They have been baptized, but they were buried alive. Self did not die, and therefore they did not rise to newness of life in Christ (Manuscript 148, 1897)."
So it is today. It is rare to find those who have truly experienced the new birth. So very many have been buried alive, self did not die. Is it possible to be sanctified and holy? Many have been taught that it is not possible, thus the Laodicean condition continues in God's church. Many, so many assume that it is the Christian experience to be unsanctified and unholy. Thus we see the results of religious leaders in the destruction of Israel of old. So it is today. We see the results of teachers who have taught false gospels. Shortly after the church was formed it was backslidden. In 1888, many of the church leaders rejected the gospel message. This has continued on until today we see rebellion at the highest levels in God's church. The world has come into the church.
Be encouraged the church will see revival and reformation. There will not be another church. It was prophesied that the seventh church would be in a Laodicean condition. It is also prophesied that this filthy church will be revived by the Spirit of God. He is today pouring clean water upon all who receive it. The wind is blowing over the dead dead dead bodies in His church. Can they live again? Is the power of grace strong enough to reform His church? Not all will be converted, but He will have a church that keeps His commandments and have the faith of Jesus!!
As we read this morning "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." The small part we play in our salvation if to behold God's grace and allow it into the heart so that we will die to self daily that we can keep our wretched bodies under, less we be castaways. God loves us and is working to cleanse His church today! Let us drink of the living water continually that we will continually have power to do God's will.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: Dorine on October 09, 2022, 05:12:08 AM
"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."
This truth thrills my soul for I have proved it to be true. Day after day we are reminded of the grace of God and this story in particular brings such hope to those who are searching for something better but are burdened with the guilt of sin. When we meet Jesus with a listening heart and realize the grace offered to us we too will constantly want more of Jesus. No matter how many times we read of His life it never becomes old or stale. Each chapter holds me in more awe and gratitude than the reading before. What a privilege we have to be able to share our own experiences with others who are struggling. We too have had our struggles and our story will encourage others to put their complete trust in Him.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: Pastor Sean Brizendine on October 09, 2022, 05:23:57 AM
Praise the Lord, Brother Beacon, Brother Richard and Sister Dorine!
What can we learn from the woman at the well in John 4?
"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." {The Desire of Ages, page 195, paragraph 2}
When we accept Christ as a personal Savior and let Him be Lord of our life, a full yielding of the heart to Him allows the Holy Spirit to change us and to empower us to live above the pull of sin from our past or present. We become true missionaries who love to bless others! When the whole heart is offered to Christ in happy worship, all of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing will be manifest in our lives and we will be enabled to obey God up to the glorious light He has shown us in His law of unselfish love!
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: Philip T on October 09, 2022, 07:06:42 AM
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
Clearly true worship and conversion is not accomplished by works, it is full surrender, allowing and accepting the guidance of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Falling on our knees at the cross and repenting of our sins. I liked the statement, "The religion that comes from God is the only religion that will lead to God." It is only through Jesus that we are redeemed, sin forgiven, heart and character transformed. With the Holy Spirit working within us we can acquire all the fruit of the Spirit within us.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: Beacon on January 03, 2023, 08:07:10 PM
"He who tastes of the love of Christ will continually long for more."
"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."
"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."
What a powerful statement is the one just above!! and just think, all we need to do with an honest and sincere heart is to " ASK " Jesus said " Ask and Ye Shall Receive " Are "WE" willing to take Him at His word and "ASK" ?
===================
1 Living for Jesus a life that is true, Striving to please Him in all that I do; Yielding allegiance, glad-hearted and free, This is the pathway of blessing for me. O Jesus, Lord and Savior, I give myself to Thee, For Thou, in Thy [redemption],* Didst give Thyself for me; I own no other Master, My heart shall be Thy throne, My life I give, henceforth to live, O Christ, for Thee alone. 2 Living for Jesus who died in my place, Bearing on Calv’ry my sin and disgrace; Such love constrains me to answer His call, Follow His leading and give Him my all. 3 Living for Jesus wherever I am, Doing each duty in His holy name; Willing to suffer affliction and loss, Deeming each trial a part of my cross. 4 Living for Jesus through earth’s little while, My dearest treasure, the light of His smile; Seeking the lost ones He died to redeem, Bringing the weary to find rest in Him.
Lyrics:Thomas Obediah Chisholm (1866-1960) Music:Carl Harold Lowden (1883-1963)
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: Dorine on January 04, 2023, 05:00:25 AM
"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."
When we pray and ask God to guide us and give us wisdom to share Him with the lost souls around us, opportunities will open up for us. Before Christmas my husband had a strong impression to do something very different and unusual. Where we live we do not have a church. On our way to and from town we pass a United church and a Baptist church. He slipped some money into two envelopes and called on each of the churches. He explained that he was a Seventh-day Adventist and that seeing we do not have a church in the area he would like to donate some funds to poor families that they are aware of to help give them a nice Christmas.
The reaction was interesting and very different from each other. The lady pastor of the United church was very welcoming and appreciated his donation. However the lady pastor of the Baptist church seemed scared of him and said she couldn't take it. Why? She didn't know where it came from. So hubby gave her his name, address, phone # and email address and after a pause she took it. The next day he got an email from each of them. Both very appreciative and a big apology from the Baptist pastor. We are praying that, that simple contact will be an opening for the Holy Spirit to work. Maybe they will be curious to know more about these Seventh-day Adventists and do some research. We will keep praying. Jesus met a woman at a well and made a simple contact by asking for a cup of water. The rest of the story is amazing. God is waiting to do incredible things for eternity using uncomplicated ways through us.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: Pastor Sean Brizendine on January 04, 2023, 08:24:26 AM
Amen, Brother Beacon and Sister Dorine!
In reading about the woman at the well in John 4, what is a key lesson to learn from her experience that is an example to us? Once she surrendered fully to the grace of Christ, her heart was converted and she left her sinful past, gladly obedient to God and empowered to reveal all of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing! Such a missionary experience is available to each of us through complete, continual surrender to Christ!
"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." {The Desire of Ages, page 195, paragraph 2}
As we go forth by God's grace to bless others, we find the joy of salvation so wonderful that our experience will overflow to bless others!
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: Richard Myers on January 04, 2023, 10:46:29 PM
Amen my dear friends. We all thirst for more of this "Living Water."
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.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: Beacon on March 30, 2023, 08:31:13 PM
"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."
Where is our daily focus? What are "WE" spending our time Listening to, Watching or Reading? Satan knows his time is short. Do "WE" realize what a short time we have left?
======================= 1 Just as I am, without one plea, But that Thy blood was shed for me, And that Thou bid’st me come to Thee, O Lamb of God, I come! I come! 2 Just as I am, and waiting not To rid my soul of one dark blot; To Thee whose blood can cleanse each spot, O Lamb of God, I come, I come! 3 Just as I am, though tossed about With many a conflict, many a doubt; Fightings within, and fears without, O Lamb of God, I come, I come! 4 Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind; Sight, riches, healing of the mind; Yes, all I need, in Thee to find, O Lamb of God, I come, I come! 5 Just as I am, Thou wilt receive, Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve; Because Thy promise I believe, O Lamb of God, I come, I come! 6 Just as I am, Thy love unknown Has broken every barrier down; Now, to be Thine, yea, Thine alone, O Lamb of God, I come, I come!
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: Pastor Sean Brizendine on March 31, 2023, 09:04:02 AM
If you would have met her at the well, you might not have thought of her as a powerful soon-to-be missionary, but Jesus saw what she could be (that's grace) and revealed Himself to her (that's love) and then she was so transformed by surrendering to what she learned of the Messiah that she wanted to share with others (that's evidence of true conversion!)!! When we yield the WHOLE heart to Christ, not only will all of the fruits of the Spirit be seen in our lives without one missing, not only will we gladly be obedient to the light of God's holy law as He has helped us to understand it by His grace, but we will YEARN to share with others so they can know the INCREDIBLE news about Jesus as Savior who can make our messy lives into miracles that reflect Him!! Oh, let's be true missionaries by letting Jesus, the great Missionary abide in us!!
"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." {The Desire of Ages, page 195, paragraph 2}
The good news about Jesus gets clearer and clearer as we approach His second coming! His Three Angels' Messages of Revelation 14 are given to prepare the world to meet Him in the clouds of glory as He returns very soon, and we can be SO GRATEFUL that He has so many more souls to be gathered into His fold before He returns! Let us help hasten the return of Christ by sharing with others so they can be ready! Praise the Lord!!
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: Richard Myers on March 31, 2023, 08:06:48 PM
Amen my dear brothers!! Such is the power of grace. It is indeed "living water." "Here is the patience of the saints: here [are] they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus." Rev. 14:12.
Patiently Jesus permitted her to lead the conversation whither she would. Meanwhile He watched for the opportunity of again bringing the truth home to her heart..... In answer to the woman, Jesus said, "Believe Me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews." Jesus had shown that He was free from Jewish prejudice against the Samaritans. Now He sought to break down the prejudice of this Samaritan against the Jews. While referring to the fact that the faith of the Samaritans was corrupted with idolatry, He declared that the great truths of redemption had been committed to the Jews, and that from among them the Messiah was to appear. In the Sacred Writings they had a clear presentation of the character of God and the principles of His government. Jesus classed Himself with the Jews as those to whom God had given a knowledge of Himself.
And so it is today. As was Israel blessed with truth, the sacred oracles of God, so has the Seventh-day Adventist Church has been blessed with great light, the knowledge of God and the plan of salvation. What responsibility rests on our shoulders, most especially those ordained as ministers in His church. Let us hasten His soon coming by receiving and then sharing the "living water" spoken of His today's reading.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: Richard Myers on June 26, 2023, 05:12:00 AM
What is conversion? It is a transformation of nature. A new creature that wants to give to others what God has given to them. There is no need to teach one who is born of the Spirit how to take the gospel to the world. It is their greatest desire.
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.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: Richard Myers on June 26, 2023, 05:19:59 AM
He who seeks to quench his thirst at the fountains of this world will drink only to thirst again. Everywhere men are unsatisfied. They long for something to supply the need of the soul. Only One can meet that want. The need of the world, "The Desire of all nations," is Christ. The divine grace which He alone can impart, is as living water, purifying, refreshing, and invigorating the soul.
Those who have given their hearts to Christ know from experience that this is truth. Those who do not know Christ have a continual hunger and thirst for something they can not find; peace and contentment through all circumstances. It's with rejoicing that I start my day with Jesus. It's spiritually exciting to walk with Him all day, to watch Him at work in my own heart and through the ways in which He brings good out of difficult situations. He loves us beyond our imagination.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: Pastor Sean Brizendine on June 26, 2023, 06:44:19 AM
Amen, Brother Richard! While a converted person will gladly share the gospel, we can be thankful for the church body that is organized for service in reaching others! Let us pray that each person in God's remnant church will respond to the call of Jesus in Revelation 3:14-22, as He can give us victory to overcome sin and be faithful witnesses!
Praise God for Sister Dorine's post that you re-posted, Brother Richard!
Only Jesus can satisfy us. Only He, the Truth, is the way of salvation. And in Him we can experience life and life more abundantly! As we surrender fully to Him, all of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing will be revealed in our characters. Christ, abiding in us, makes it possible to truly obey God from the heart!
"He who seeks to quench his thirst at the fountains of this world will drink only to thirst again. Everywhere men are unsatisfied. They long for something to supply the need of the soul. Only One can meet that want. The need of the world, 'The Desire of all nations,' is Christ. The divine grace which He alone can impart, is as living water, purifying, refreshing, and invigorating the soul." {The Desire of Ages, page 187, paragraph 2}
Praise God for what His divine grace can do in our souls! With Jesus, all things are possible for this life and the life to come!
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: Philip T on June 26, 2023, 11:21:14 AM
The woman had not comprehended the words of Christ, but she felt their solemn import. Her light, bantering manner began to change. Supposing that Jesus spoke of the well before them, she said, "Sir, Thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast Thou that living water? Art Thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself?" She saw before her only a thirsty traveler, wayworn and dusty. In her mind she compared Him with the honored patriarch Jacob. She cherished the feeling, which is so natural, that no other well could be equal to that provided by the fathers.[b] She was looking backward to the fathers, forward to the Messiah's coming, while the Hope of the fathers, the Messiah Himself, was beside her, and she knew Him not. How many thirsting souls are today close by the living fountain, yet looking far away for the wellsprings of life! "Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:) or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.) . . . The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: . . . if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." Romans 10:6-9. [/b]
Reading this morning I was struck with this paragraph, she was speaking with the Messiah, and felt He was revealing things of importance to her, yet she was occupied with looking backwards to her fathers, and forward to the 1st advent, yet she could not comprehend who she was talking with, she knew not the Messiah. Today are we looking back at the 1st advent of Christ and forward to the 2nd Advent of Christ and not focusing on Him now? We need to be totally focused on Christ and his calling, and the last commission given in Matthew 28. Are we planting seeds in this world to reach those who are near to God yet are struggling to find him. I pray we have a close one on one relationship with Jesus and are allowing Him to complete the work He began in us.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: Beacon on September 20, 2023, 08:21:53 PM
"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."
"He seeks for nothing else"
"The constant cry of his heart is, More of Thee."
"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."
"WE" should be soo thankful that Jesus is an inexhaustible fountain of blessings. Jesus said come unto Me all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. [/color]
============================ 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.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: Dorine on September 21, 2023, 04:52:39 AM
"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."
These words I will meditate upon through out this day. They bring hope, promise and life. May they inspire us to share them with others through our words and our actions.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: Pastor Sean Brizendine on September 21, 2023, 04:54:58 AM
Amen, Brother Beacon and Sister Dorine!!!
It is possible to be born again, to receive the living water, and to have Christ abiding in us to produce in the life all of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing as we are empowered to obey the law of God up to the light He has revealed! Look to Jesus, and surrender all, and let His miraculous grace do a mighty work in you as you cooperate with Him moment-by-moment!
"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." {The Desire of Ages, page 189, paragraph 2}
There is no greater need than to be born again and walk in truth. Let us do all we can to help others come to this experience, like Jesus who met the woman at the well and offered her something better than anything this world can offer.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: Richard Myers on September 21, 2023, 04:56:27 AM
Amen my dear brother and sister! The hymn tells of the joy we can have daily by drinking of this Living Water.
The hatred between Jews and Samaritans prevented the woman from offering a kindness to Jesus; but the Saviour was seeking to find the key to this heart, and with the tact born of divine love, He asked, not offered, a favor. The offer of a kindness might have been rejected; but trust awakens trust. The King of heaven came to this outcast soul, asking a service at her hands. He who made the ocean, who controls the waters of the great deep, who opened the springs and channels of the earth, rested from His weariness at Jacob's well, and was dependent upon a stranger's kindness for even the gift of a drink of water.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: Richard Myers on September 21, 2023, 04:59:40 AM
Amen Pastor Sean! After drinking His Living Water, we have something to give to others who in turn will have something to bless others. We get to see into the heart of human soul seeking truth.
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..... The woman had been filled with joy as she listened to Christ's words. The wonderful revelation was almost overpowering. Leaving her waterpot, she returned to the city, to carry the message to others. Jesus knew why she had gone. Leaving her waterpot spoke unmistakably as to the effect of His words. It was the earnest desire of her soul to obtain the living water; and she forgot her errand to the well, she forgot the Saviour's thirst, which she had purposed to supply. With heart overflowing with gladness, she hastened on her way, to impart to others the precious light she had received
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: rahab on September 21, 2023, 12:12:48 PM
Live how Jesus reveals Himself to her as the Messiah.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: Beacon on December 16, 2023, 08:17:15 PM
"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."
"Light was already flashing into her mind."
"The woman had been filled with joy as she listened to Christ's words. The wonderful revelation was almost overpowering."
"Leaving her waterpot, she returned to the city, to carry the message to others."
"Jesus knew why she had gone. Leaving her waterpot spoke unmistakably as to the effect of His words. It was the earnest desire of her soul to obtain the living water; and she forgot her errand to the well, she forgot the Saviour's thirst, which she had purposed to supply. With heart overflowing with gladness, she hastened on her way, to impart to others the precious light she had received."
Oh that we would have the same reacton as this women who heart burned with desire to " Share " the Good News!
==============================
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
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: Richard Myers on December 16, 2023, 08:22:40 PM
Amen Brother Beacon!! When we are truly converted, we do not have to be told to tell others of Jesus, neither do we need to be taught to do so. It is something that comes from our hearts and minds. And, we truly find that it is more blessed to give than to receive.
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.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: Pastor Sean Brizendine on December 17, 2023, 03:43:44 AM
Amen, Brother Beacon and Brother Richard!
Is Jesus thirsty?
"Our Redeemer thirsts for recognition. He hungers for the sympathy and love of those whom He has purchased with His own blood. He longs with inexpressible desire that they should come to Him and have life. As the mother watches for the smile of recognition from her little child, which tells of the dawning of intelligence, so does Christ watch for the expression of grateful love, which shows that spiritual life is begun in the soul." {The Desire of Ages, page 191, paragraph 1}
When we respond to the grace of God in full surrender, all of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing are revealed in our lives as we come into obedience to all of the light of His truth that we have come to understand and know. We can be so grateful for the goodness of God that leads us to repentance and the strength given us in Him! He is the living water to satisfy our souls!
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: Dorine on December 17, 2023, 06:59:46 AM
"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."
When we make Jesus first in our hearts and lives there will be an outpouring of divine love and compassion for all who are in need of spiritual healing. Sacrifices will be made to bring joy and salvation to all who are hungering for truth. We have the best teacher anyone could ever have. May we follow His example in all things.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: Philip T on December 17, 2023, 07:01:13 AM
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.
What great comfort there is in this, I think of the conversion of Charles Spurgeon, the great English evangelist, one rainy day he sought shelter from the storm in a church along the road, a deacon spoke as the priest was absent, he stammered and struggled through his whole message, but he touched the soul through the holy spirt, of one person that day Charles Spurgeon. Who won thousands to Christ. Jesus is our example, He will help us present His words to others when we lean on Him totally. Are we willing to do so?
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: rahab on December 18, 2023, 05:53:30 PM
Thank you Philip for sharing the story of Charles S.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: Beacon on March 11, 2024, 08:09:25 PM
"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."
Are "WE" living each day as Born Again Missionaries for Jesus??
======================== 1 The love of God is greater far Than tongue or pen can ever tell. It goes beyond the highest star And reaches to the lowest hell. The guilty pair, bowed down with care, God gave His Son to win; His erring child He reconciled And pardoned from his sin. O love of God, how rich and pure! How measureless and strong! It shall forevermore endure— The saints’ and angels’ song. 2 When hoary time shall pass away, And earthly thrones and kingdoms fall; When men who here refuse to pray, On rocks and hills and mountains call; God’s love, so sure, shall still endure, All measureless and strong; Redeeming grace to Adam’s race— The saints’ and angels’ song. 3 Could we with ink the ocean fill, And were the skies of parchment made; Were every stalk on earth a quill, And every man a scribe by trade; To write the love of God above Would drain the ocean dry; Nor could the scroll contain the whole, Though stretched from sky to sky.
Lyrics & Music Frederick Martin Lehman (1868-1953)
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: Dorine on March 12, 2024, 06:48:32 AM
"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."
Jesus never fails. For those who have tasted of what the Lord offers knows the deep peace that comes with it and is completely satisfied. But just as we must partake of our daily food to survive and be healthy we must daily partake of the living word to maintain that connection with Jesus and live an abundant, joyful life. If this is not our experience how will we ever draw others to Christ?
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: Richard Myers on March 12, 2024, 06:54:24 AM
Amen my dear brother and sister! When we find Jesus, the first thing we want to do is to share His love with others!! The fact that the Samaritans believed the Messiah was to come as the Redeemer of the world, is similar to what many in Islam believe. And like the Samaritans, they believe much of the writings of Moses, but not the writings of other prophets. God used Islam to protect the Protestant Reformation by punishing Rome. Luther prayed for protection from Islam, but it was Islam that caused the King of Spain to turn his army away from the reformation to protect Spain from the Ottomans who were entering Spain.
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.
There are many among Islam that are sincere in their belief in God, as there are in Catholicism. Despite what they have been taught many will accept the truth and the Author of that Truth. The seventh trumpet is blowing loudly and many will be called out of Rome and her children's churches. And those who will not come out of her, will again feel the punishing power of the Ottomans. God uses sin to punish sin. And like the Samaritans, Islam believed Abraham to be their father. We of all people are able to minister to Muslims because we share much in common with them that others Christians do not. Pray for contacts with Muslims, for those who are seeking truth.
Title: Re: The Desire of Ages--19--At Jacob's Well
Post by: Pastor Sean Brizendine on March 12, 2024, 07:36:07 AM
Amen, Brother Beacon, Sister Dorine, and Brother Richard!
God yearns for each of us to be involved in His service, for it is the service of love that He values! Our involvement in God's service grows our character, and we experience the greatest blessing possible for God to bestow upon us! The woman of Samaria responded to the gospel of the grace of Christ, and she gladly shared with others about the Messiah! She revealed that when the heart is fully yielded to Christ, there will be fruit! The fruit of the Spirit will be seen in the life without one attribute of the divine nature missing, and true obedience to all of God's commandments will be the soul's highest delight! Walking in the light, we will invite others to share the joy we have found in Jesus!
"There is nothing insignificant in the work of God, and the faithfulness with which the work is done rather than the amount decides the reward of each. The work of the one who has but one talent is as valuable in the sight of God as the one who has five talents." {This Day with God, page 80, paragraph 5}
"'He that reapeth,' He said, 'receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together. And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth.' Here Christ points out the sacred service owed to God by those who receive the gospel. They are to be His living agencies. He requires their individual service. And whether we sow or reap, we are working for God. One scatters the seed; another gathers in the harvest; and both the sower and the reaper receive wages. They rejoice together in the reward of their labor." {The Desire of Ages, page 191, paragraph 5}
Look to Jesus, and let Him lead you in His service to bless others! The gospel is to go to the whole world!!