WesleyGospel Ministries

Truth is fallen in the street.
–Isaiah 59:14 (KJV)–

Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past,
through the forbearance of God.
–Romans 3:25 (KJV)–

The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit,
that we are the children of God.
–Romans 8:16 (KJV)–

Did not our heart burn within us,
while he talked with us by the way,
and while he opened to us the Scriptures?
–Luke 24:32 (KJV)–

Holding faith, and a good conscience;
which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck.
–1 Timothy 1:19 (KJV)–

In the evening I went very unwillingly to a society in Aldersgate Street, where one was reading Luther’s Preface to the Epistle to the Romans. About a quarter before nine, while he was describing the change which God works in the heart through faith in Christ, I felt my heart strangely warmed. I felt I did trust in Christ, Christ alone, for salvation; and an assurance was given me that he had taken away my sins, even mine, and saved me from the law of sin and death. –John Wesley, Journal for May 24, 1738

W. Kostlevy, ed. Historical Dictionary of the Holiness Movement (Rowman, 2025).

John Wesley, A Plain Account of Christian Perfection (Beacon Hill Press, 1966).

—. Calvinism Calmly Considered (Schmul, 2001).

—. Wesleyana (Allegheny Publications, 1979).

Adam Clarke, Christian Theology (Schmul, 1990).

Charles Finney, Lectures to Professing Christians (J. S. Taylor, 1837).

A. W. Tozer, The Pursuit of God (Christian Publications, 1993).

Dr. Thomas C. Oden, John Wesley’s Scriptural Christianity (Zondervan, 1994).

Dr. Harald Lindström, Wesley and Sanctification (Zondervan, 1998).

Dr. Kenneth J. Collins, Wesley on Salvation (Zondervan, 1989).

In a dream, a preacher was riding in a car in the passenger’s seat of a popular female Christian podcaster. At one point he said, “I like you,” and then she got out of the car and ran away to be faithful to her husband (see Gen. 39). After reflecting on this dream for a week or so, I now believe that this is the popular pastor often being interviewed by her now. –J.B.

As we sit around watching days go by
Afraid to ask the questions ’cause the answers we might find
COMFORT BREEDS CONTENTMENT
Confrontation fosters resentment and slowly we grow cold
As we watch ourselves implode

YOUR CYNICISM IS NOT A SIGN OF INTELLIGENCE
DENY THE SPIRIT, A CRIME OF NEGLIGENCE
Pushing back what has been given
Come to terms with the way we’re living

Observing the light’s dying glow
As we watch ourselves implode

Mocking what we don’t understand
Biting off the giving hand
Our poorest questions answered in fact
Never think of offering back

WE MUST BE SCARED OF CONTEMPLATION
Our will to search, lost in isolation
Work!
And so it goes
And so we go
And so it goes along and so we move along

Cut the nose
Spite the face
On this road without a trace
Without a trace

–Stretch Arm Strong, “Kill the Light”–

—

For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence,
    for my hope is from him.
–Psalm 62:5 (ESV)–

Be still, and know that I am God.
–Psalm 46:10 (ESV)–

Be not rash with your mouth,
nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God,
for God is in heaven and you are on earth.
Therefore let your words be few.
–Ecclesiastes 5:2 (ESV)–

Pray then like this:

“Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come,
your will be done,
    on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our debts,
    as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
    but deliver us from evil.”
–Matthew 6:9-13 (ESV)–

And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping.
And he said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with me one hour?”
–Matthew 26:40 (ESV)–

Today, if you hear his voice,
do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.
–Hebrews 3:15 (ESV)–

Seek the Lord while he may be found.
–Isaiah 55:6 (ESV)–

—

St. Teresa of Avila, The Way of Perfection (Image Books, 1964), chs. 27-42.

St. Athanasius, The Life of Antony (Paulist Press, 1979).

Savinien Louismet, Mysticism: True and False (Burns & Oates, 1918), chs. 8-9.

—. Divine Contemplation for All (Burns & Oates, 1921).

Augustin Poulain, The Graces of Interior Prayer (Kegan Paul, 1910).

Richard J. Foster, Prayer: Finding the Heart’s True Home, ch. 14: “Contemplative Prayer.” (HarperCollins, 1992).

—. Streams of Living Water, ch. 2: “The Contemplative Tradition: Discovering the Prayer-Filled Life.” (HarperCollins, 1998).

Thomas C. Oden, Classic Christianity: A Systematic Theology (HarperCollins, 2009).

A. W. Tozer, The Pursuit of God (Christian Publications, 1948).

Robert Tuttle, Mysticism in the Wesleyan Tradition (Zondervan, 1989).

The Cloud of Unknowing (Paulist Press, 1981).

Brother Lawrence, The Practice of the Presence of God (Whitaker House, 1982).

Thomas Dubay, Fire Within (Ignatius Press, 1989).

—

This recording is a collection of extracts from the other Charles Spurgeon recording on “Christ’s Connection with Sinners the Source of His Glory.”

In a place of peace and confidence
Bring us to complete unity

Adopted, chosen – seekers of light

May all be one, like You are one
So we can see the glory of the Son

Conversion – a new perception of reality
Relinquish – in pursuit of relief, unyielding peace
Despised, rejected – for the sake of a name

Wisdom, vigor – transposed to the willing
Unveiling the obscure – the concealed truth
Anticipated Messiah – visible in the flesh
Believing, accepting – inseparable Father and Son

May all be one, like You are one
So we can see the glory of the Son

Guidance and strength – provided to endure
Alienated, separated – yet part of the scheme
Purified by blood – protected from malice
Enabled to testify – declaring eternal life

In a place of peace and confidence
Bring us to complete unity
You have overcome the world
A new way for humanity

–Extol, “Unveiling The Obscure”–

In a fevered dream
Code was shown to me
By disembodied
Tongues clear and clean

You’ll see it, not with your eyes
Obscured through mortal disguise

The maze-like depths
Of the haunting pools

If one were to arrive
Below the line
Pulled by the tide
One can’t come out

This code the tongues have spoken
“It was broken when we found it
(We found it like that)”

–Zao, “Haunting Pools”–

 These all look to you,
    to give them their food in due season.
When you give it to them, they gather it up;
    when you open your hand, they are filled with good things.
When you hide your face, they are dismayed;
    when you take away their breath, they die
    and return to their dust.
When you send forth your Spirit, they are created,
    and you renew the face of the ground.
–Psalm 104:27-30 (ESV)–

Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? 
And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. 
But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. 
Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.
–Matthew 10:29-31 (ESV)–

—

The Gospel Coalition, “Review: P. T. Forsyth, Positive Preaching and the Modern Mind.”

D. R. McConnell, A Different Gospel (Hendrickson Publishers, 1995).

Law and Gospel blended.
Mercy triumphs over judgment for the children of God.
–J.B.–