According to Our Faith

Mary Fletcher (1739-1815) was the wife of John Fletcher, one of the most influential figures of early Methodism. Although Mary is little known today, she was regarded as a paragon of female spirituality during her lifetime.

She wrote in her journal that she had not been brought fully into the state of love that she desired. Three days later she was thinking about her desire for this fullness of love and a thought came to her mind. You wait and plead to be brought into another state: Abide in Jesus! That is the way to love.

Mary weighed it over in her mind and saw that it was true. She realized, "I have Jesus!" and so she had all she needed in Him. She thought of 1 Corinthians 1:30: "You are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God; that is, our righteousness, holiness, and redemption."

Mary recognized that if she did not grow in love, it was "because I do not abide every moment in a quiet peaceable confidence, believing the Lord."

Her husband encouraged her to believe God saying, "You cannot expect or believe too much; for Christ is always ready to set His hand to every bill that faith draws."

Jesus does for us moment by moment all we trust Him to do.

Thank You, Jesus, that when I abide in You, You provide all I need. I claim You as my wisdom, righteousness, and holiness.

"If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you" (John 15:7).

(If you would like to receive Aletha's daily devotionals by email, please visit cometothefire.org to subscribe).