He..gave me a firm place to stand Psalm 40:2

• DAY 8 MORNING PSALM 38-40

• DAY 8 EVENING PSALM 41- 43

The change in John Wesley’s preaching after his conversion in 1738 was very clear. In ‘The principles of a Methodist father explained ‘(1746) Wesley supplied a summary of his preaching,

'1.From the year 1725 to 1729 I preached but saw no fruit for my labour. Indeed it could not be that I should; for I neither laid the foundation of repentance nor of believing the gospel; taking it for granted, that all to whom I preached were believers, and that many of them them ‘needed no repentance’.

2.From the year 1729 to 1734 laying a deeper foundation of repentance I saw a little fruit…but it was only a little …

3. From 1734 to 1738, speaking more faith in Christ I saw more fruit of my preaching and visiting from house-to-house, than ever I had done before; though I know not if any of those who were outwardly reformed were inwardly and thoroughly converted to God

4.From 1738 to this time speaking continually of Jesus Christ, laying Him only for the foundation of the whole building, making Him all in all, the first and the last; preaching only on this plan, ’the kingdom of God is at hand; repent ye and believe the gospel; the ‘word of God ran’ as fire among the stubble; it was glorified more and more; multitudes crying out “what must we do to be saved?” and afterwards witnessing “By Grace are we saved through faith.”’

Wesley had been encouraged before his conversion by the Moravian Peter Bohler to preach faith before he had it in order that he would then preach faith because he had it. Bohler’s counsel had produced its desired effect. Wesley’s sense of destiny was strengthened and his urge to communicate was intensified by his experience at Aldersgate. Straightaway Wesley wanted to tell the society meeting that his heart had been strangely warmed. He ‘testified openly to all there what I now first felt in my heart.’

• We thank you for the Godly foundations that have been laid in our land by our spiritual forefathers. We pray that the cutting edge of the Gospel… the challenge to repent and believe… would be restored again and the word of God would run again as fire among the stubble. Today newspapers reported that the Magistrates' Association will discuss changes to the act of swearing on the bible in courts as ‘no-one takes seriously’ the bible oath. When the foundations are being destroyed in our land Lord… WE THANK YOU THAT YOU HAVE GIVEN US A FIRM PLACE TO STAND IN PRAYER….and we stand in the gap for our nation and call out to you on behalf of this land to restore the honour of your name … restore the authority of your word in our land, we pray.

REFERENCES

Skevington-Wood, A. The burning heart John Wesley: Evangelist,Cliff College Publishing, 71-73

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2448011/Scrap-Bible-oath-takes-seriously-Magistrates-Association-discuss-changes-act-swearing-tell-truth-court.html#ixzz2h4hZSToo