Our Final Blog Together

Dear Friends and Family,
     This will be my last blog with you.  It has been a wonderful extension of my ministry these last several years.  Dr. Brian Gilliland had the vision for this project.  I am most appreciative of him and his patience with me as I learned to blog.  I want to thank you for your prayers and support of my ministry.  I will be focusing on facebook now.  My son will be creating a "business page" where you can still enjoy Bible teaching, Prophetic parables from time to time as well as teaching from other ministers and ministries that I find profitable for my own growth in the Lord.  May God richly bless you and your families during this Holy Feast of Christmas Tide.  The Lord be with you and with your spirit.  Amen
In the Love of Jesus,
James Wesley

More Wisdom from Pastor Bill Johnson...from "FACE to FACE with GOD", The Ultimate Quest To Experience His Presence.

Dear Friends and Family,

     A friend gave me this book while in N.Ireland.  I haven't been able to put it down.  May you be blessed with a little portion of this wonderful writing by Pastor Bill this morning for our devotional time together.

     Hunger for God is one of the greatest signs of life a person can have.  It reveals an inner awareness of the existence of greater destiny and personal fulfillment.  Some people have a theological concept about God's presence being with them, but they are stuck with no true interaction or experience.  We must press past intellectual awareness to hunger for heartfelt encounters that change and transform.

     The desire itself is testimony that here there is more, and the fact that we possess this desire to seek God should encourage us to pursue these encounters.  It is nearly impossible to hunger for something that does not exist.  I crave sweets only because sweet things exist.  In the same way, my heart cries out for God because I was created to find complete fulfillment in Him alone.  And the more I come to know Him, the more I become sure that He will be faithful to satisfy the desire He put in me.

     One of Jesus's most important promises was given to His disciples just prior to His death.  "He who loves Me  I will love him and manifest Myself to him" (John 14:21 NKJV, emphasis added).  He promised that they would see Him again.  This is clearly not merely a promise that they would see Him in heaven, because that was a given.  It was also not a promise for these disciples only, but rather FOR ALL WHO LOVE HIM.  (Otherwise we might think that this promise only referred to the appearance Jesus made to His disciples before He ascended.)

     My friends, are you truly hungry to be able to receive the promises given to His disciples in the NOW of your life?  This is not a theological theme to be "reasoned" with.  Many are only "thinking" they have an intimate relation with the Lord.  It is your choice.  Pastor Bill has made it plain to us.  These promises were for every generation of believers.  He will make Himself conspicuous to us and we surely will see Him again and again!  Great news for you this morning!

In the Love of Jesus,

James Wesley

    
    

(Psalm 143:1) "HEAR MY PRAYER, O LORD, GIVE EAR TO MY SUPPLICATIONS: IN THY FAITHFULNESS ANSWER, AND IN THY RIGHTEOUSNESS."

Dear Friends and Family,

     Our devotional is from Sis. Gwen Shaw's "DAY BY DAY, A Daily Praise Offering".  Be blessed as the Psalm chosen comes alive with Father's faithfulness to fulfil His promises to His children.

     The Psalmist had it right.  the only way I can constantly, at all times, and under all conditions, give ear to your supplications and answer you is because of My faithfulness and My righteousness.

     If the answer to your prayers depended on your faithfulness and your righteousness, many times your prayers would go unheard and unanswered. 

     It is in My Name you pray, not in your own.  It is as My ambassador you enter the Throne Room of the Father.  Because I have accepted you, you are My representative from earth's populace.  My Father recognises you as belonging to Me.  It is this mark of ownership which gives you recognition before the royal court of the King.  You are accepted through My righteousness and not your own.

     Neither is it because of your faithfulness that you have any standing before the Father.  You are often unfaithful.  Your heart makes promises today which it breaks tomorrow.  My child, I call you to look away from your own faithfulness as the source of your goodness or credentials of worthiness, for as long as you look upon that, you will have no faith nor hope.  You will find yourself not even expecting Me to answer your prayers.

     Look rather to My faithfulness and My righteousness and have courage; for remember, "If we believe not, yet He abideth faithful:  He CANNOT deny Himself."  (11 Timothy 2:13)

     Release your faith in our Father's promises.  They are yes and amen for your at this very moment.  Begin to praise the Lord for all the benefits of them.  This is my prayer today for you, my friends.

In the Love of Jesus,
James Wesley

LOVED LIKE NEVER BEFORE! CAN YOU IMAGINE IT? You will today!!!

Dear Friends and Family,

     This morning I present a portion of  "LOVED LIKE NEVER BEFORE" by my friend from N.Ireland Ken Symington.  I quote, "It is easy to know God's love in the mind, but for many it is difficult to believe it in the heart.  This book is for those who want to feel the real love of God but can't."  Please consider ordering this book.  It could change your concept of the Love of God for ever.  You can order on www.sovereignworld.com  It is a wonderful book for Pastors to read and share with their flock.

      His hand so soft and gentle, He led me to a book, "Come on, My child, My daughter; it's time to take a look."  Again my head fell down in shame, for I knew all about my sin, and the dread rose up inside, what would He do when he looked in?  He found the page that bore my name, from His grip I tried to pull.  But on that page in great big words:  "THIS DEBT IS PAID IN FULL!"

     I fell down so exhausted from the past that haunted me and sobs rang out so loudly...at last I could be free.  At last I had a Daddy, I no longer felt alone, and when it was time for me to die, I knew that He would call me home!  Through tears of joy I realised the stains that held my dress together were now white, no longer like a battered outcast, but a princess in His sight.  No longer feeling fearful for I knew that I belonged to Him, because His love was such for me, He sent His Son my soul to win.

     The Father scooped right down and lifted me, held me in His arms of love, and I realised that we fit just right...like a hand inside a glove!

     Ken says, " God's Love is a love that yearns for you, and desires only your love in return.  Beloved be loved.  You truly are loved like never before.!"

In the Love of Jesus,
James Wesley
    

PHILIPPIANS

Navigating Your Destiny Through The Bible:

PHILIPPIANS – The Story Behind The Story…What You’ll Miss Without It!

In our hectic multi-tasking world, it’s easy to quickly grab a scripture that sounds good and quote it without realizing the drama that lies behind that passage. But without careful research, the pathos of human suffering that surrounds why a passage was written can be overlooked. In addition, the depth of what it meant to the writer and its recipients can be lost. Here’s what I’m talking about:

Confined by Rome as a prisoner of the state, the aging apostle picked up his pen and began to write. Not certain of his fate, Paul wrote, “Christ will even now, as always, be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Philip. 1:20-21). He who had given his life for the Gospel was ready to die for the faith. Yet, in this gentle letter to the Philippian church that he had planted 10 years prior, his desire was to commend and encourage them, not himself. Who among us would have been as totally selfless as this great giant of the Christian Faith? Now, let’s look at the behind-the-scene stories that surround some of our familiar passages.

1. “He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philip. 1:6). Sounds encouraging, doesn’t it? But what you may not realize is that while Paul was imprisoned, other Christian Preachers were dancing on his grave! (Philip. 1:15-17). Yet in spite of this deplorable reality, Paul rejoiced that, regardless of evil motives, the Gospel was being preached (Philip. 1:12, 18). Paul was convinced that God really does work all things together for good.

2. “Work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure” (Philip. 2:12-13). This describes the anxiety a person rightly has when he distrusts his own ability to meet the requirements of salvation, even though he tries. What we forget is that Paul’s messenger, Epaphroditus, risked his life and nearly died in his journey to encourage the church with the message of Christ (Philip. 2:25-30). What was the message worth dying for? God helps you to do what pleases Him…even when you can’t.

3. “Forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philip. 3:13-14). Many use this passage as encouragement when starting over from a failure. But that wasn’t Paul’s point. He tenaciously fought against religious leaders who drew Christians into Jewish Law requiring circumcision for salvation (Philip. 3:2). Paul left behind his confidence in keeping the Law in order to receive True Righteousness that comes only from Christ!

4. “Be anxious for nothing… I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am…I can do all things through Him who strengthens me” (Philip. 4:6, 11, 13). Oh how casually we use these scriptures to refer to “inconvenient” tasks that we have to endure. But here’s the real drama: Paul wrote this comforting chapter knowing that at any moment he may be beheaded! Paul’s sufferings were beyond our wildest imagination (2 Cor. 11:23-28). Yet the earnest desire of his apostolic heart was to encourage and comfort others. What a Giant in the Christian Faith!

So what am I saying? The Bible tells us stories of real human beings who laughed, cried, loved, suffered and died…just like you and me. So take some time out of your busy schedule to discover the “Story Behind Their Story.” When you do, the passage you read will grip your soul and help you to properly apply its meaning to your own life. Now, read the Paul’s letter to the Philippians one more time (it’s only 4 chapters). This time get inside the hearts of those who gave their lives so you can have the Bible.

Dan Rhodes

DO WHAT YOU LOVE, LOVE WHAT YOU DO

Dear Friends and Family,

    Exekiel 11;39 (NIV) says:  "I'll give them an undivided heart"

     Successful people allow their God-given passion and talent to guide them in life.  They have a single focus and an undivided heart.  God doesn't create you to be talented in an area, then ask you to give yourself to some unrelated area.  There's always a potential alignment of talent and passion, if you have the courage to pursue your life's purpose and take risks.  Po Bronsons, author, starts with the question, "What should I with my life?"  Yes, that's right...people don't succeed by migrating to a "hot" industry or by adopting a particular career-guiding mantra.  They thrive by focusing on the question of who they really are and connecting to work they truly love (and, in so doing, unleashing a productive and creative power they never imagined)"  Carly Fiorina said, "Love what you do, or don't do it...Make the choice to do something because it engages your heart as well as your mind.  Make the choice because it engages all of you".

     Don't become a slave to someone else's dream because once you own a dream that dream will own you.  Being a slave to someone else's dream quickly becomes a NIGHTMARE.  Paul writes:  "But they are only comparing themselves with each other...How ignorant...We will boast only about what has happened within the boundaries of the work God has given us" (Cir, 10L12-13 NLT).  If you are confused, out of focus or going in circles, pray, "Lord, give me a clear vision and an undivided heart."  THAT'S A PRAYER GOD WILL ANSWER!

THE IMPARTIAL POWER OF GOD...THE OPPOSITION OF THE NATURAL...THE OFFERING OF THE NATURAL

Dear Friends and Family,

     Welcome to my blog this morning.  I pray you will be encouraged, informed and renewed in mind and spirit by our devotional time together with OSWALD CHAMBERS - "My Utmost for His Highest".

THE IMPARTIAL POWER OF GOD  (Hebrews 10:4)  "By one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified."  No matter who or what we are, God restores us to right standing with Himself only by means of the death of Jesus Christ.  God is just in saving bad people only as He makes them good.  The atonement by the Cross of Christ is the propitiation God uses to make unholy people holy.

THE OPPOSITION OF THE NATURAL  (Galatians 5:24)  "Those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires."  Once we come to understand that natural moral excellence opposes or counteracts surrender to God, we bring our soul into the center of its greatest battle.  The cost to your natural life is not just one or two things, but everything.  Beware of refusing to go to the funeral of your own INDEPENDENCE.

THE OFFERING OF THE NATURAL  (Galatians 4:22)  "It is written that Abraham had two sons: the one by a bondwoman, the other by a free woman."  Paul was not dealing with sin in this chapter of Galatians, but with the relation of the natural to the spiritual.  The natural can be turned into the spiritual only through sacrifice.  This is not God's perfect will, but His permissive will.  god's perfect will is for the natural to be changed into the spiritual through OBEDIENCE.  Sin is what made it necessary for the natural to be sacrificed.

     Such a blessing to be with you again while I'm finishing my ministry trip to Ireland Sunday night.  Mighty movings of the Spirit of the Living God.  The Travail of the Lord was in full operation in each and every gathering.  New ministry teams were commissioned and released into their "seasonal" giftings and callings.  Thank you for your prayers for me during my time here.  The Lord repay you for your faithfulness.

In the Love of Jesus,

James Wesley