Wesley Covenant Service

Worship with Grace Des Moines UMC

Covenant Service at Grace Des Moines

Posted by GraceDesMoines on Sunday, January 2, 2022

January 3 – 8, 2022

Click on the day to expand the guide.

Monday, January 3

Read – John 3:3-17

Notice – Wesley’s question, “Is Jesus real to me?” may be the most important. Wesley wanted Christians to make sure that we are not simply following a religion, but experiencing a relationship with Jesus. When Jesus is real to us, that reality shows itself to us and others through its impact on our words, actions, disciplines and practices. Discipleship, the spiritual growth process of becoming a deeply committed Christian, isn’t about outward piety. Rather, discipleship in the way of Jesus is about experiencing a person. When has Jesus seemed the most real to you in your life? The least real? What were those circumstances?

Pray – Jesus, please give me a strong inner nudge (or an outward one, if I need it) to move me in the direction of making you and my commitment to you more real. Amen.

Tuesday, January 4

Read – Luke 11:1-4

Notice – Am I enjoying prayer? To enjoy prayer is to simply have a good prayer experience. Prayer, experienced occasionally, daily, or hourly, is meant to be an enriching, even enjoyable, experience. To pray, and enjoy it, is to regularly engage in the practice of prayer, and as a result find a deeper understanding of God, self, others and the world. Commit to establishing a prayer routine. Pick a quiet place in your home or office. Pray at the same time each day. Start simply, dedicating just a few minutes at first. Pray in a way that works for you. If you enjoy writing, you may want to write out your prayers. You may want to pray out loud. You can pray as you walk or exercise. Consider downloading a prayer app or sign up for a daily devotional email. Find the ways that lead you to richer experiences

Pray – Answer me when I call to you, my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; have mercy on me and hear my prayer. Amen. (Psalm 4:1)

Wednesday, January 5

ReadPhilippians 4:8-9

Notice – Do I insist upon doing something about which my conscience is uneasy? Do you have areas of your life that are causing you an uneasy conscience? What are these weaknesses? Dig deeply—what is driving these temptations in your life? What steps can you put into place to combat the temptations you are facing?

Pray –  God, you alone know the true condition of my heart. I may be able to trick others with my words and actions, but you know the truth and are not fooled. Lead me to do and say only what is pleasing in your sight. Amen.

Thursday, January 6

Read – Deuteronomy 5:32-33, Acts 5:27-32

Notice – Did I disobey God in anything? When we don’t do what God intends we must choose to confess our actions (or lack of actions) and ask for forgiveness. Confession taps into God’s forgiveness, and forgiveness gives us a fresh start. God’s love is always greater than your biggest mistake. In what areas of my life am I choosing my own desires over God’s desires? Where can I find help in overcoming my shortcomings? In what ways do you think Jesus models for us the way God intended for humans to live?

Pray –  God, you gladly and graciously forgive all who repent and turn toward you. Thanks for your promise of enduring and redeeming grace! May I strive to be as Christ is, so that I might reveal my love for you to the world around me. Amen.

Friday, January 7

Read – Luke 12:13-15

Notice – Do I pray about the money I spend? To pray about the money we spend means that we go to God realizing that we do not possess any money of our own. Rather, we are simply holding God’s money for the purposes of God’s work in the world. What inner reactions did you have to Wesley’s statement, “Gain all you can, save all you can, give all you can”? Which dimensions of Wesley’s guideline most surprised or challenged you? How does this approach to handling money match up with advice you get from financial publications, web sites or advisers? In what ways does it differ?

Pray – God, I want to be a sensible steward of all you have provided. Protect me from an attitude marked by greed. May I grow toward faithful generosity, spending whatever money you entrust to me in a way that brings glory to you. Amen.

Saturday, January 8

Read – Hebrews 4:11-13

Notice – Do I give time for the Bible to speak to me every day? Wesley didn’t ask this question to create more for Christians to do. He wanted us to look at our efforts to daily engage the Bible as a way for God to speak to us to shape us. Do you struggle with finding the time to read the Bible each day? Is your challenge more with understanding and interpreting what you read?

Pray – God, stir in me a passion to read the Bible daily, and meditate on what I read. Give me the ability to understand, so that I can put your teachings into practice. Amen.

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