Today's Scripture

2 Peter 3:18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

Knowledge and the ability to acquire knowledge has vastly increased over the past three to four decades. Radio came bringing information faster around the world. Telegraph, telephone and television brought increasing speed to the spread of knowledge. Then the Internet came multiplying the spread of knowledge.

A person can listen to news on the radio and television just about anywhere. The Internet is accessible just about anywhere. Cell telephones transmit millions of calls every minute of the 24 hour day. Text messages go out, according to one estimate, more than the population of the world. All the media are useful in spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ. For one, however, to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ requires much more than technical media. In fact these technical means of transmitting knowledge can be a distraction to growing in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ.

Nothing takes the place of a personal ongoing relationship with Jesus. Only the Holy Spirit can lead one further and further into the grace and knowledge of Jesus. Yes, there are helps that make study easier. I would not want to go back to trying to find references in large books and digging through stacks to get information when it is readily available online or on a CD or DVD.

Yet, there must be time for the Christian to get "alone" with Jesus to meditate, pray, worship and hear Him. Every Christian needs "closet" time with the Lord. My mother, who turned 79 this past March, tells me that she actually gets in her closet at different times when she prays. That may sound "old fashioned" and simplistic but if it works for her that is what matters.

Versions of the Bible other than the King James uses terms such as, inner chamber, private room, inner room to describe the private place of prayer. Wesley's notes says, "do it with as much secrecy as possible." Prayer can be offered in our hearts and minds without others knowing when, where and what we are praying. Yet, the Father knows and hears our prayers and our desire to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus. May the Holy Spirit help us continue growing in Him.