March 15, 2024

Hello Advent Family,

What brings you peace?  Maybe there is a person or a place that makes you feel incredibly comfortable.  Perhaps you feel peace when you accomplish goals or tasks.  True peace only comes when we are reconciled in the relationship we were created for through Jesus.  Let’s look at Romans 5 together today as we think about the source of true peace.  

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

We have been given an incredible gift – peace with God through Jesus.  What’s more is that it isn’t a gift we earned or deserved.  Verse 8 reminds us that while we were sinners Jesus died for us to give us this peace.  In other words in the very midst of our own selfishness and sin Jesus looked at us with love and decided to offer His life for us.  He gave us the very thing we needed.  He reconciled us to God and gave us peace.  When we were powerless to find peace on our own Jesus simply gave His life so that we might have it.  What an incredible act of love and grace and what an amazing gift!  Today and everyday thank Jesus for this and rest in the peace that He alone can offer.  

In His Grip,

Pastor Dave


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March 14, 2024

Hello Advent Family,

Paul continues the theme of grace into chapter 4 of Romans.  He uses perhaps the most revered figure in Jewish culture, Abraham as an example that we are not made right with God by our acts but by grace through faith.  Let’s look at what he has to say together today from Romans 4. 

What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, discovered in this matter? If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about—but not before God. What does Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift but as an obligation. However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness. David says the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of the one to whom God credits righteousness apart from works: 7 “Blessed are those whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord will never count against them.”

Paul uses the strongest argument that he can come up with in the person of Abraham.  If Abraham can’t be good enough to earn favor with God through his own righteousness than how can any of us try and do that.  He even throws in David’s words as well to further make his point.  This is a good reminder for us all because while we all probably know the truth of being reconciled to God by grace and not works, we can slip into faulty thin king at times.  It is easy finding yourself trying to “do” to earn favor with God.  Our “doing” always needs to be done out of love for God and others not out of a sense of needing to earn God’s approval.  This is hard because everything else in life is based on performing to earn approval.  Today rest in the truth that your approval is already there not because of you but because of Jesus.  That frees us to live the kind of lives where we boldly share the love of Christ wherever we go. 

In His Grip,
Pastor Dave


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March 13, 2024

Hello Advent Family,

Have you ever seen part of something and you totally missed what the whole thing was?  My friend once got a tattoo that meant something to him.  He showed it to me after it was finished and it was a star.  I asked him what the star meant and he got upset with me.  He asked if I really didn’t get it, to which I responded that I didn’t.  He went on to tell me this elaborate story about Van Gogh and how this was one of the stars from Van Gogh’s starry night and it meant that he was one part of God’s beautiful masterpiece.  It was quite a beautiful picture once he explained it but to me I just saw a star.  I think that can happen to us when it comes to God sometimes as well.  We just see a small piece of what He is doing or saying and miss the beauty of the whole picture.  Let’s look at Romans 3 together today and try and see the bigger picture. 

What shall we conclude then? Do we have any advantage? Not at all! For we have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under the power of sin. 10 As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands;  there is no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless;
there is no one who does good, not even one.” “Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit.” “The poison of vipers is on their lips.”  “Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness. “Their feet are swift to shed blood; ruin and misery mark their ways, and the way of peace they do not know.” “There is no fear of God before their eyes.” But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 22 This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 25 God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— 26 he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.

Romans 3 is often thought of as a chapter that focuses on our sin and our need for God.  This is true but there is also a beautiful picture in the midst of this chapter of God’s amazing grace. Romans 3:23 may be the most famous verse in this passage but what about Romans 3:24 – We are justified freely by the grace and redemption of Jesus.  What a powerful truth!  Yes we are all sinners.  Yes we all fail to measure up.  God’s grace is bigger than our sin though.  This bigger picture changes everything.  We now can seek to live for God without fear.  We share His love all the more boldly because of how incredible His love and grace is.  My friends star was fine, but starry night is amazing.  The whole picture of God’s story in our lives is the most amazing thing ever. 

In His Grip,
Pastor Dave


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March 12, 2024

Hello Advent Family,

Have you ever found yourself feeling judgmental about others.  I think that we probably all have felt that at some time or another.  It is interesting how much the Bible and particularly Jesus speak about this.  I think that Jesus wanted us all to be aware of our need for Him and that we are all equal in that need.  As we walk through the book of Romans, Paul certainly pieces up on this theme.  Let’s look at a section of Romans 2 together today.  

You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. 2 Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. 3 So when you, a mere human being, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment? 4 Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?

Paul reminds us that Jesus calls us not to judge others.  He wants us to simply know and appreciate God’s great love and grace given to us and when we see others to point them to that grace instead of judging them.  When we walk with Jesus in life He works to change us from the inside out from the work of the Holy Spirit in each and every one of our lives.  We all have a tendency to spot the very things in others lives that we struggle with as well.  The next time you find yourself in that situation be reminded of God’s great love, grace, and patience in your own life and take a moment to thank Him.  I know in my own life that helps me to be even more motivated to tell others about Jesus.  If He can use a wretch like me He can use any and all of us!

In His Grip,

Pastor Dave


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March 11, 2024

Hello Advent Family,

Do you have someone in your life who encourages you simply by how they live?  A person who follows Jesus in such a way that by simply watching them you want to follow Jesus better yourself.  This is one of the beautiful things about the church.  We can encourage one another by our own faith.  Let’s look at Paul’s words about this from Romans 1 together today.  

11 I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong— 12 that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith. 13 I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, that I planned many times to come to you (but have been prevented from doing so until now) in order that I might have a harvest among you, just as I have had among the other Gentiles. 14 I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish. 15 That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are in Rome. 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. 17 For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”

Maybe there is someone who encourages you by the way that they worship.  Perhaps someone encourages you by the way that they serve others.  Maybe someone just greets others and has a way to make everyone feel special.  Maybe you are built up by watching the way someone else studies Scripture.  Perhaps you know a prayer warrior who faithfully prays for others.  The thing is that we all have different areas where our faith excels and others where we might struggle at times.  The beautiful thing is that in the church we can be encouraged by each other’s faith in areas where we might not be as strong.  Make it a point to notice the strong areas of others faith in your community and thank them for helping you in your own faith journey. 

In His Grip,

Pastor Dave


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March 9, 2024

Hello Advent Family,

Today concludes our spirit week here at Advent EMS.  It has been a great week and the students have learned and had a lot of fun.  One of the main focuses has been on the power of Jesus to work in our lives when we need Him the most.  We all go through things in life that are challenging and Jesus is always there right beside us and sometimes even carrying us through.  Let’s look at another story of this found in Luke 7 together today.

Soon afterward, Jesus went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went along with him. 12 As he approached the town gate, a dead person was being carried out—the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the town was with her. 13 When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, “Don’t cry.” 14 Then he went up and touched the bier they were carrying him on, and the bearers stood still. He said, “Young man, I say to you, get up!” 15 The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother. 16 They were all filled with awe and praised God. “A great prophet has appeared among us,” they said. “God has come to help his people.” 17 This news about Jesus spread throughout Judea and the surrounding country.

I can’t read the mind of Jesus but my guess is that this healing was less about the boy or even the large crowds that were around Him or in the funeral march.  I would guess that this miracle was simple about easing a woman’s pain and suffering.  Here is a widow, who has already lost her husband and now she faces the loss of her son as well.  Jesus’ first words to her are don’t cry, which to me shows that he is focused on her and her pain.  He then goes and touches the bier which is holding the son and tells him to get up.  That’s the thing about Jesus He loves us and cares about our pain.  When you are walking through a hard time and feeling hurt or alone, Jesus is with you.  He wants to tell you not to cry and wipe away your tears.  He doesn’t always take the pain right away but He is with us every step of the way through it.  Next time you feel alone in your hurt remember this story and thank Jesus that you are never alone.  He is right there with you.

In His Grip,

Pastor Dave


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March 7, 2024

Hello Advent Family

During Jesus’ time on earth He did lots of amazing things.  One thing He did quite a few times was to drive demons out of people.  He did it simply by speaking and telling them to leave.  This is a huge contrast to the Hollywood “exorcism” process that some people may think of when it comes to this.  I remember being afraid as I thought about this as a teenager.  Spiritual forces are real and can be frightening. I was watching the Chosen last night and one such occasion occurred.  Jesus simple said, “Leave him”.  Let’s look at one of these encounters in Luke 11 together today. 

14 Jesus was driving out a demon that was mute. When the demon left, the man who had been mute spoke, and the crowd was amazed. 15 But some of them said, “By Beelzebub, the prince of demons, he is driving out demons.” 16 Others tested him by asking for a sign from heaven. 17 Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them: “Any kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and a house divided against itself will fall. 18 If Satan is divided against himself, how can his kingdom stand? I say this because you claim that I drive out demons by Beelzebub. 19 Now if I drive out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your followers drive them out? So then, they will be your judges. 20 But if I drive out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. 21 “When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own house, his possessions are safe. 22 But when someone stronger attacks and overpowers him, he takes away the armor in which the man trusted and divides up his plunder. 23 “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.

There are lots of things in this life that we can find that might bring us fear.  Certainly spiritual forces are real and should be taken seriously.  We can rest comfortably however knowing how much more powerful Jesus is.  He simply overcomes these forces with a single word.  To me that is extremely comforting.  No matter what scary things we face in this life, spiritual forces or emotional stress or even anything physical, Jesus is with us and is far more powerful.  He can overcome any obstacles in front of us.  Rest in His loving and protecting arms today.  Knowing that He can take care of any problem with a single word.

In His Grip,
Pastor Dave


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March 6, 2024

Hello Advent Family,

Who do you have in your life that you know would do just about anything for you?  Do you have people that would make significant sacrifices simply for your own good?  My guess is that most of you have even more people than you realize that love you enough to do this. Jesus encountered a crippled man once who had some really good friends like that.  Let’s look at the account today found in Luke 5. 

17 One day Jesus was teaching, and Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there. They had come from every village of Galilee and from Judea and Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was with Jesus to heal the sick. 18 Some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus. 19 When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus. 20 When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.” 21 The Pharisees and the teachers of the law began thinking to themselves, “Who is this fellow who speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” 22 Jesus knew what they were thinking and asked, “Why are you thinking these things in your hearts? 23 Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? 24 But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the paralyzed man, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” 25 Immediately he stood up in front of them, took what he had been lying on and went home praising God. 26 Everyone was amazed and gave praise to God. They were filled with awe and said, “We have seen remarkable things today.”

While the healing of this man is incredible and the interaction with the Pharisees is significant and important as Jesus reveals that He can forgive sins.  The thing that I’d like to focus on today is this man’s friends.  First of all in that time and culture.  Those that were sick or crippled were often looked down upon.  There was a belief that this person’s sins had caused their affliction.  Yet these men take their friend to Jesus.  When they see the large crowds and realize that they can’t make their way to Him they come up with a bold plan.  They climb onto the roof of the house Jesus is in and open up the roof and lower their friend down to where Jesus is.  They have now made a huge statement.  They have carried this sinner and obviously touched him.  They have broken someone’s roof and have gone through a tremendous amount of work simple to get their friend to Jesus.  Two questions come to my mind.  How important is it to have friends like that in our life that bring us to Jesus?  The second question is what lengths do we go to to bring others to Jesus?  I hope that we all can say that we might not give up when things get challenging but that we would do whatever it takes to bring others to Jesus.  These friends certainly did!

In His Grip,
Pastor Dave


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March 5, 2024

Hello Advent Family,

This week is Spirit week here at Advent.  Each day we begin with Chapel and I will be sharing the texts that we are using with the students in chapel each day.  Each day has a theme and the students have all kinds of special activities.  Please be in prayer this week for God to do a special work in the lives of our students.  This morning we will look at Mark 4 when Jesus calms the storm.  Let’s look at it together today. 

35 That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, Let us go over to the other side.” 36 Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. 37 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, Teacher, dont you care if we drown?” 39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. 40 He said to his disciples, Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”41 They were terrified and asked each other, Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”

Does it ever feel like Jesus is asleep as the storms of life come at you?  I know I have felt that way before.  The disciples did not understand and sometimes we fail to as well that as the storms of life are battering our “boats” Jesus is there with us and, as always, He is in control.  Whatever storm you are facing today know that Jesus is right there in the boat with you and when it is the right time according to His timing He will spring into action.  Remember this truth today and when you are staring the storms of life in the face.  He never leaves us even if it feels like He is sleeping on the job. 

In His Grip,
Pastor Dave


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March 4, 2024

Hello Advent Family,

Have you ever been really hungry?  I mean hungry to the point where you can’t think straight and you are actually experiencing real stomach pain.  During Jesus ministry there was a time when He was ministering to people and they had not eaten for quite some time.  It was a large crowd and Jesus wanted to feed them.  The disciples were tired and cranky and probably hungry as well but they wanted to send the people away because they didn’t have nearly enough food for such a large crowd.  Let’s look at the story together today from Matthew 14. 

13 When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. 14 When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick. 15 As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.” 16 Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.” 17 “We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered. 18 “Bring them here to me,” he said. 19 And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. 20 They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. 21 The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.

I love how this passage starts Jesus is going through a hard time.  He has just heard about John the Baptist’s death and He withdraws to be alone.  People follow Him and He has compassion on them.  Often when we are in the midst of our own struggles and pain we only think about ourselves.  Jesus does the opposite He heals and teaches and feeds the masses because His heart goes out to them.  This is such a great model for us all of how to love others.  Even when Jesus had a lot going on and was going through His own struggles He was focused on others.  I pray that God might grant all of us an others focused heart as well.  That we might share His love with the world no matter what struggles we are walking through ourselves.

In His Grip,
Pastor Dave


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