This page was last updated on September 12, 1999.
Click here to receive a daily devotional from the International Bible Society.

A page from John Wesley's Diary reads as follows:  Sunday morning, May 5, preached in St. Ann's, was asked not to come back anymore.  Sunday p.m., May 5, preached at St. John's, deacons said, "Get out and stay out."  Sunday a.m., May 12, preached at St. Jude's, can't go back there either.  Sunday p.m., May 12, preached at St. George's, kicked out again.  Sunday a.m., May 19, preached at St. somebody else's, deacons called special meeting and said I couldn't return.  Sunday p.m., May 19, preached on the street, kicked off the street.  Sunday a.m., May 26, preached in meadow, chased out of meadow as a bull was turned loose during the services.  Sunday a.m., June 2, preached out at the edge of town, kicked off the highway.  Sunday p.m., June 2, afternoon service, preached in a pasture, 10,000 people came to hear me. 

Have circumstances discouraged you from doing what God has called you to do?  There are many things that can distract us from our calling.  One thing that has distracted me from fulfilling my calling has been the whole process of raising support.  I can certainly relate to what John Wesley must have felt being rejected time after time by fellow "Christians."  Yet, Wesley persevered with what strength he had.  God eventually rewarded his perseverance. 

God not only calls individuals to persevere, He also calls churches to the same faithfulness.  The two churches in the book of Revelation who did not receive a rebuke from the Lord were Smyrna and Philadelphia.  The church in Smyrna was commended for its graceful suffering and the church in Philadelphia was commended for persevering in faith keeping the Word of Christ and honoring His name.  Will you persevere like Wesley and the church of Philadelphia?

Revelation 3:7-13   

And to the angle of the church in Philadelphia write, These things says He who is holy, He who is true, "He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens":  "I know your works.  See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word; and have not denied My name.  Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie--indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you. Because you have kept my command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.  Behold, I am coming quickly!  Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown.  He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more.  I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God.  And I will write on him My new name.  "He who has an ear let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."