Come and See

Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. John 1:45.
Philip called Nathanael…. If Nathanael had trusted to the rabbis for guidance, he would never have found Jesus. It was by seeing and judging for himself that he became a disciple. So in the case of many today whom prejudice withholds from good. How different would be the result if they would “come and see”! …
Like Nathanael, we need to study God’s word for ourselves, and pray for the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit. He who saw Nathanael under the fig tree will see us in the secret place of prayer. Angels from the world of light are near to those who in humility seek for divine guidance.
With the calling of John and Andrew and Simon, of Philip and Nathanael, began the foundation of the Christian church. John directed two of his disciples to Christ. Then one of these, Andrew, found his brother, and called him to the Saviour. Philip was then called, and he went in search of Nathanael. These examples should teach us the importance of personal effort, of making direct appeals to our kindred, friends, and neighbors….
There are many who need the ministration of loving Christian hearts. Many have gone down to ruin who might have been saved if their neighbors, common men and women, had put forth personal effort for them. Many are waiting to be personally addressed. In the very family, the neighborhood, the town, where we live, there is work for us to do as missionaries for Christ. If we are Christians, this work will be our delight. No sooner is one converted than there is born within him a desire to make known to others what a precious friend he has found in Jesus. The saving and sanctifying truth cannot be shut up in his heart….
Now that Jesus has ascended to heaven, His disciples are His representatives among men, and one of the most effective ways of winning souls to Him is in exemplifying His character in our daily life…. A consistent life, characterized by the meekness of Christ, is a power in the world.
Conflict and Courage p. 280
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Prayer Requests
—–Please pray for Denise and Jesse and their newborn baby who was born at 27 weeks and weighs 2 pounds 8 ounces. Jenny
—–Pray for Michael who was in an accident with an 18-wheeler. He suffered neck injuries and bleeding in the brain. Jenny
—–Kindly pray from my friend who has decided to be baptized but there is something still holding her. That Holy Spirit may convict her to decide for Christ. She is Sylvia. Tobias
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Dear Friends,
When I was in my late teens, my mother and I took the train to Gatlinburg, Tennessee for our vacation. It was a tourist town even then, but not as large or as commercialized as it is today. Nestled within the Smokey Mountains, the scenery was breathtaking to someone from the lowlands of Michigan. We spent many happy hours visiting every gift shop and craft shop in that tiny town.
One day, we took a taxi a little way out of town to Christus Gardens, a wax museum on the life of Christ. As we entered the place, we felt like we were actually going back to the time when our Dear Saviour lived upon this sinful, old planet. The wax figures were so life-like that it was hard to believe they were not alive. Our hearts were stirred within us as we viewed each scene of His life of toil and sacrifice. Especially moving was the scene of His crucifixion. It was an experience that I will never forget.
One day, Jesus gave Peter, James, and John an experience that they never forgot. “Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him. Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles, one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased, hear ye him. And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid.” Matt 17:1-6 What a privilege that was! To see Jesus glorified, to hear the voice of the Great Creator of the Universe Himself, to listen as Moses and Elijah spoke encouraging words to our Dear Saviour must have thrilled their very being.
Years later, Peter speaks of this exciting experience: “For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount. We have also a more sure word of prophecy, whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” 2 Peter 1:16-21 Think of it! As he remembered what he had experienced upon the Mount of Transfiguration, Peter pointed us to a more lasting and life-changing experience that can be ours . God’s Word far surpasses what the eye can see or what the ear can hear. It has power to mold us into the image of our Loving Redeemer. Paul tells us, “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” 2 Cor 3:18 The more we read its words, the closer we get to its Author. “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” Ps 119:9-11
“Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” Isa 55:6-11
Praise the Lord for His Holy Word! May we daily “study to show [ourselves] approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Tim 2:15 May we ever count it a joy to meditate upon its precepts. May we lay aside all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save our souls and be doers of the word, and not hearers only is my prayer. < James 1:21,22>
Rose