Ordinary means

Our pastor has been talking a lot lately about the "ordinary means of grace."  

"The outward and ordinary means whereby Christ communicateth to us the benefits of redemption, are his ordinances, especially the word, sacraments, and prayer."  -The Westminster Shorter Catechism (1647), Question 88

In other words, spectacular miracles don't generally create faith; Christ works in hearts through everyday, "ordinary" means, such as the Word of God read and preached.  Scripture is the "power of God for salvation" (Romans 1:16).

What extraordinary blessing to have this "ordinary" means of grace:  the very Word of God, at our fingertips, read aloud in our homes, preached freely on Sundays, opened to us by faith and the irresistible beckon of His Spirit.

May God bless the reading and hearing of His Word, for us and for our children.

Laden with guilt and full of fears

I fly to Thee, my Lord

And not a glimpse of hope appears

But in Thy written Word

The volumes of my Father's grace

Does all my griefs assuage

Here I behold my Savior's face

In every page

This is the field where hidden lies

The pearl of price unknown

That merchant is divinely wise

Who makes the pearl his own

Here consecrated waters flow

To quench my thirst of sin

Here the fair tree of knowledge grows

No danger dwells within

This is the judge that ends the strife

Where wit and reason fail

My guide to everlasting life

Throughout this gloomy vale

O may Thy counsels, mighty God

My roving feet command

Nor I forsake the happy road

That leads to Thy right hand

"Laden With Guilt," by Isaac Watts