A Nugget from New Life Network
Scripture for the Day (March 23, 2017)
Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you. (James 4:8)
John Wesley was born in Epworth, England in 1703 and died in London, England in 1791. He was prolific preacher that is known as the founder of Methodism. He was ordained an Anglican Priest in 1728 but was not saved until well after his ordination.
In 1735 John Wesley departed on a ship from England to Savannah, Georgia. He was to take over a ministry position in Savannah. In the middle of the trip a fierce storm arose, broke the ship’s mast, and started flooding the ship. All the Englishmen aboard started to panic. However, there was a group of Moravian missionaries onboard with their families that did not panic or get into fear. Instead they just sang songs to God and prayed. That experience changed John Wesley forever. He saw that they had
something that he did not have. They had a personal relationship with God and had no fear.
John Wesley became close friends with the Moravians after that ship episode and was later saved at Aldersgate. From that time on John Wesley was on fire for God and became known as an “enthusiast”. We would probably call him a “Jesus Freak” today. As a result, all the doors of the Anglican Church were shut to him so he started preaching in the streets. His response to all the closed doors was as follows:
“I look upon all the world as my parish; thus far I mean, that in whatever part of it I am, I judge it meet, right, and my bounden duty to declare unto all that are willing to hear, the glad tidings of salvation.”
John Wesley is a great example of the vast difference between religion and relationship. Here he was an ordained Anglican Priest, who had been educated his whole life in the scriptures, but did not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. He later said in one of his writings, “Religion, and Jesus for that matter, is not a research topic or a theological puzzle – but a personal experience.”
We have consistently tried in our devotionals to emphasize the point that Jesus wants a personal relationship with you and I. He wants to talk to us. He wants to heal us. He wants to prosper us. He wants to show us the way. He wants to give us wisdom and direction.
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: (John 10:27)
If you do not have that type of close relationship with Jesus we encourage you today to pray this simple prayer. Lord, I want to know you. I want to be able to hear your voice. I have been caught up in religion and I now recognize that I need a relationship with you. Lord, I believe that you are the Son of God. I believe that you were raised from the dead. I believe that you are the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Forgive me Lord of all my sins and come into my heart and be my Lord and Savior. Thank you Lord!!
Now, read Romans 10:8-13 and Romans 8 and tell the devil you are a new creation in Christ and that he has no more place in your life. Hallelujah!!!
