Strangely Warmed
by Rev Ivan Homer 24 May 2022
Calendar dates mark the passing of time and events. We all have birthdays. When I was three, my mother, so I have been told, took me to the wall at the back of our cottage garden, where she lifted me over to a young Sunday School teacher from the nearby Methodist New Connexion Chapel. There I first heard stories of Jesus. Later in the Youth Club and the young people's Bible Class, I came to faith. This could not have happened without the events of 24th May 1738 when John Wesley went to a Christian meeting in Aldersgate Street, London. Afterwards he wrote in his journal, “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 evermore, and saved me from the law of sin and death.”
Can you thank God for significant dates in your spiritual journey?
Today's hymn was written by John's younger brother, Charles, in May 1739 under the title “For the anniversary day of One's conversion”. Originally there were eighteen verses, but we only sing five in this version. Please raise your voice to sing “O for a thousand tongues, to sing my great Redeemer's praise.”
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Prayer
Almighty God, thank you for when you have made us aware of your presence, as you did for John and Charles Wesley. May we know the joy of serving you in the time before us to your glory.
In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen