I just finished another great men’s retreat weekend and for those of you who read this every day, yes we caught fish.  It was a time of encouragement, refreshment, fun and some great study and accountability.  I always leave struck by some of the great faith insights that our men have.  I left the weekend thinking about the following words from Philippians 1.  These hold true not just for the retreat but for all of our church family.  Let’s look at the words together today. 

 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. 7 It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. 8 God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. 9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.

I pray that for all of our Advent family.  I know that God is at work here and His promise is that He will faithfully continue that work.  I believe that God is ready to do a great work through the people of Advent.  He wants us to faithfully seek to add to our love and watch what He does with that.  One of my biggest takeaways from the weekend was the untapped gifts that we have in our Advent family.  One of the men joked that instead of a retreat we should call it a men’s advance, because God calls us to advance in our faith not to retreat.  I agree, God wants us all to be activated and to use our gifts to build each other up in the faith.  I pray that God would activate all of us and do amazing things in and through all of our lives for His glory.

In His Grip,
Pastor Dave

Yesterday I went fishing.  I was out there on an amazing boat in beautiful water surrounded by fish.  A good group of guys enjoyed the water and fellowship together, we had a great time.  the trouble is that, while we caught blue runners, jacks, and even sharks, we didn’t get the fish that we were looking for.  Let’s just say that if we wanted dinner we needed Jesus to be the chef.  I’m certain that today will yield better results (look for an update in Monday’s devo).  That’s the way it is sometimes with fishing.  Many of Jesus’ disciples were fishermen and they had days like that as well.  Let’s look at their first experience fishing with Jesus together today.

One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God. 2 He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. 3 He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat. 4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.”5 Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” 6 When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. 7 So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.8 When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” 9 For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, 10 and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” 11 So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.

Imagine giving up your life’s work in the blink of an eye.  That must have been some catch.  Peter, James, John, and Andrew were never the same after that encounter with Jesus.  My prayer for this men’s retreat is not that we will catch fish (although that would be a nice add on).  My prayer is that all of our men will encounter Jesus in a fresh way.  When we truly encounter Jesus it is a life altering thing.  Much like the disciples, our priorities change and we become more focused on building Jesus’ kingdom than our own.  Today make it a point to seek to encounter Jesus in a fresh way.  Through His word, through His creation, through prayer, or simple through singing His praises.  Now Jesus about that fishing spot…

In His Grip,
Pastor Dave

This morning I woke up early and sat outside on the point down in Key Colony Beach.  It’s a little bit breezy today but the morning sky is absolutely beautiful.  My view is facing the wrong direction for the sunrise but the sky is still amazing.  I looked around for a bit and saw a bird sitting on the pools edge enjoying the view as well.  I got to spend some time reflecting on the beauty of God’s creation and just how awesome and powerful God is.  It brought to mind Psalm 19.  Let’s look at it together today.

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.  Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge.  They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them.  Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the end of the world.  In the heavens God pitched a tent for the sun.  It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, like a champion rejoicing to run his course.  It rises on one end of the heavens and makes it’s circuit to the other; nothing is deprived of it’s warmth.  

The beauty of the world which God has made is all around when we take a moment to look for it and notice it.  In a world where we hear so much about war, division, crime, and injustice it is important to reflect upon the beauty that God has made as well.  We have a job to share God’s love in our beautiful world which has been marred by the stain of sin.  Take time today to notice, appreciate, and thank God for the beauty of creation.  Then reflect on that beauty and share the love of the one who made it with the world.  

In His Grip,

Pastor Dave

Sometime today I will head down to our annual men’s retreat.  For me, it is one of my yearly highlights as it includes some of my favorite activities.  I love digging in and studying God’s word.  I love fishing and boating.  I love getting to hang out and fellowship with other men.  I also think that it is one of the most important things we do in men’s ministry all year as we get to build each other up.  Let’s look at the wise words of Solomon today as he talks about the importance of having others pour into our lives. 

There was a man all alone;
    he had neither son nor brother.
There was no end to his toil,
    yet his eyes were not content with his wealth.
“For whom am I toiling,” he asked,
    “and why am I depriving myself of enjoyment?”
This too is meaningless—
    a miserable business!

Two are better than one,
    because they have a good return for their labor:

If either of them falls down,
    one can help the other up.
But pity anyone who falls
    and has no one to help them up.

Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
    But how can one keep warm alone?

Though one may be overpowered,
    two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

Solomon’s point is that we are better together.  We help each other in life and in our relationships with God.  As much fun as the men’s retreat is that is always my big takeaway every year.  Men, sitting around a table, encouraging each other and building each other up.  This is so important in our lives that we have this type of encouragement and accountability.  Our retreat officially starts Friday.  Please pray that God would do a great work in all of the men who can attend.  If you are not signed up we have a few slots left!  

In His Grip,

Pastor Dave

I will always remember taking my first preaching class at Covenant.  Each student was asked to prepare and deliver a sermon which was our final exam.  I received an A for my preparation and felt good about how I delivered the sermon.  My professor started off very complementary and said many kind things and encouraged me going forward that He thought I had a future doing this.  He then gave me a grade of incomplete.  I was surprised and asked why, since as far as I knew I had completed the assignment.  I will never forget his response.  He said that we don’t know how good a sermon it was until we see how people go out and live as a result.  I began to argue that wasn’t that the Holy Spirit’s part of the job to which he agreed but I soon realized that this was just a teachable moment.  His point was that the most important part of any message happens after the sermon is over.  Jesus had the exact same point to the most famous sermon ever, the Sermon on the Mount.  Let’s look at His closing words to that sermon together today. 

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” 28 When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, 29 because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.

I truly love preparing and preaching sermons.  Often I feel like God teaches me as much or more than anyone else through the process.  It is humbling to grasp on to my professor, and Jesus’ truth that it is the hearer who has the most important job in the process.  Whenever I listen to a sermon I take the approach of asking what is the one thing God wants me to walk away with from this message?  The next question then is what do I need to do as a result of this truth?  Occasionally someone will come up to me and say Pastor Dave that sermon was just for me wasn’t it.  If we take this approach then every sermon is just for us.  I have found this approach incredibly helpful in my life.  I hope it helps you as well.

In His Grip,
Pastor Dave

Jesus concludes His great sermon on the mount with some warnings.  He warns against false prophets and false disciples.  It is interesting to me how He chooses to tell us to spot them.  We are told to spot them not based on their message but based on their lives.  We are told to look at the fruit that comes from their life.  True prophets and disciples lives should be evidenced by the fruit of the spirit.  False disciples and prophets will not have this evidence in their lives.  Let’s look at Jesus’ words together today. 

“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. 21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’

This is an important message for us today in this age of massive information.  We all have access to nearly limitless resources in the palm of our hand.  How do we filter truth from fiction?  Good messages from those that are false.  Jesus’ answer to us is that we look at the fruit produced in the life of the sender of the message.  When we don’t have that clearly that is when we must rely upon the spirit within us.  The Holy Spirit’s still small voice speaks truth into our lives as well.  If we get a sense that something is off perhaps we should stay clear of it.  Finally our ultimate guide is the word of God.  Any message that is contrary to Scripture should be discredited.  Messages that are confirmed by Scripture should be embraced.  Thanks be to God for Jesus’ words so many years ago that help us today!

In His Grip,
Pastor Dave

Have you ever persistently asked a loved one for something that you wanted?  Maybe it was a gift or a trip or even an activity you wanted to do. They might not give in to your request but they aren’t going to give you something awful instead.  Jesus gives this as an example of praying to the Father in Heaven.  Let’s look at what He has to say together today. 

 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. 9 “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! 12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

When we ask God for things in prayer He hears us and answers us.  Jesus does not say that He will give us exactly what we ask for in prayer.  He tells us that God has good gifts for us.  Sometimes we must wait and others His answer is no.  As the great theologian Garth Brooks once said, “Some of God’s greatest gifts are unanswered prayer.”  I would argue that a bit because God always answers our prayers He just sometimes gives us something different than what we specifically asked for.  God’s promise to us is that He will ultimately use what He gives us for our good.  I have found that at times in my life I was disappointed with how God answered my prayers.  Then when I looked back at that I was able to see how He used that circumstance or situation for my ultimate good.  The important thing is that Jesus tells us to ask God when we have requests.  Go to Him boldly and consistently knowing that He has our good in store. 

In His Grip,

Pastor Dave

The Sermon on the Mount is a wonderful sermon full of so much.  Jesus is speaking to some who are truly seeking to learn and follow Him, and others who are looking for Him to slip up in something He says or does so that they can discredit Him.  They are the religious leaders of the day who thought that they had it all together.  Jesus goes to great lengths to show them that, in fact, they do not.  They often would judge those around them for not being as righteous as they were.  We can all fall into that trap at times and Jesus reminds us of the danger of that in Matthew 7.  Let’s look at it together today.

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. 3 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. 6 “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.

It is important for not just the Pharisees but all of us to realize the importance of looking at ourselves and our own hearts before judging others.  If I see a brother or sister struggling I have a responsibility to come alongside them and help them.  I first need to be sure that my heart is not one of judgement but one of love and restoration.  For the Pharisees this was never the case but for us it should always be.  The key for this is the character and nature of our hearts.  We all will struggle at times in life and I hope and pray that we have others that care enough to come along side us and help us.  No one needs to be condemned when they struggle however.  That is God’s job alone.  I pray that God might help all of us to become His agents of reconciliation and restoration here on earth. 

In His Grip,
Pastor Dave

Jesus gives us an interesting section in the sermon on the mount towards the end of chapter 6.  He talks about money and treasure.  Not pirates treasure but treasure being the things that we possess.  Jesus does not say that money or possessions are bad.  His focus is on what drives us and motivates us in life.  If we are driven by money and possessions then our priorities have become out of whack.  When God and building His kingdom are our priorities then we are in a good place.  Let’s look at His words together today. 

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness! 24 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

It is good and even godly to work hard and provide for your family.  This does not interfere with your ultimate priority to love God and our neighbors and to share His love with the world.  In fact it often takes money to help and accomplish that.  The problem is when our drive for money becomes the thing that is most important.  It is like Jesus’ encounter with the rich young ruler.  Jesus tells him to sell all he has and give to the poor and then come follow Jesus.  He says this not because money is bad but because for this man it has become what is most important.  Jesus knows our hearts and was showing this man where his heart truly was.  I pray that our hearts would keep God where He belongs, as our priority, our first love. I pray that not money or anything else would take the place of what should be first for all of us. 

In His Grip,

Pastor Dave