Wednesday May 4, 2022

Today is Wednesday, May 4 and we are exploring what the bible says about the Means of Grace.

As I enter a time of prayer, I pause and become still. I calm my thoughts and silence my mind. I breathe deeply and slowly, and center myself upon the presence of God.

Pause and Pray

Holy and loving God, in these first fifteen minutes of my day, I long to experience your presence. Come Holy Spirit, reveal what you want me to know about the power of sanctifying grace in my life. Enable me to hear the unique message you have for me in the name of Jesus Christ, my Lord. Amen.

I praise God for his goodness and thank him for the holy scriptures with the words of Psalm 119.

Praise be to you, Lord; teach me your decrees. With my lips I recount all the laws that come from your mouth. I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches. I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways. I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word. Psalm 119:12-16

Pause and Pray

The early Methodists practiced what are called the Means of Grace. Throughout the course of their lives, believers progress in Christian maturity and increase in holiness by the power of God’s grace, not by individual abilities or good works. The Means of Grace are ordinary activities that God uses as channels for his transforming power to work in Christ followers. These are tangible practices I can participate in often in order to avail myself of the Spirit’s work in me. I can make these practices holy habits in my life. The six Means of Grace are – the public worship of God, the ministry of the Word either read or expounded, the Lord’s Supper, family and private prayer, searching the scriptures, and fasting or abstinence. Today, let’s consider the practice of searching the scriptures.

Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:7-9

In John Wesley’s sermon The Means of Grace he says all who desire the grace of God are to wait for it in searching the scriptures. Jesus instructs us to search the scriptures because they testify to the truth about him (John 5:39). He directed unbelievers to search the scriptures so that they might come to belief. In Acts 17, the faithful Bereans, after hearing Paul speak, search the scriptures daily to find God’s evident truth. Timothy knew the scriptures from a child and recognized they conveyed deep wisdom and understanding. Wesley says that hearing, reading and meditating are all included under the general term of searching the scriptures and we are to do so frequently. (John Wesley, The Means of Grace)

Ask: What is my current practice of reading scripture? What might I do to increase the amount of time I spend in the bible?

Pause and Pray

Holy Lord God, thank you for your gift of the holy bible and the unhindered access I enjoy in reading your word. Inspire me to spend increasingly more time studying and searching for your wisdom and truth. Open the scriptures to me and use them as an avenue for the Holy Spirit to work in my life guiding me to grow in love and knowledge. I read the words from Joshua again and listen for the message you have for me.

Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:7-9

Ask: What image, word or phrase stands out to me when I slowly read this passage? What is God trying to say to me through these words of scripture?

Pause and Pray

God wants to speak to me today about reading the bible. Searching the scriptures is a Means of Grace and a place where I can plug into the power of the Holy Spirit at work in my life. I reflect on the entirety of my Christian journey and how I have read and studied the bible through the years. Perhaps I have experienced the power of God’s grace working in me through the words of scripture or discovered messages the Holy Spirit revealed to me through the biblical text. Maybe God is inviting me to explore new ways of being in his word on a more frequent basis.

Pause and Pray

Come, Holy Spirit, I invite the power of your grace to work in me. Speak to me through the sacred texts of God’s holy word. Teach me new ways to find understanding and receive revelation when I open my bible. Inspire me to make fresh commitments to study for myself and search the scriptures with you as my guide. Amen.

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Hebrews 4:12

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17

As I leave this time of prayer, I go with new inspiration to share God’s truth and show God’s love to others.

Amen