Have you ever felt left out or not included? In the early church the Gentile believers felt this way.  Most of the leaders of the Way had their background in Judaism.  This led to the Gentiles being “outsiders” and at times looked down upon.  This new religion which was beginning was really just Judaism where the Messiah had come.  Many Gentiles, led by the missionary work of Paul, began to comer to faith.  Through the work of Jesus on the cross these two groups became one group.  Let’s look at Paul’s words about this from Ephesians 2.

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 15 by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, 16 and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. 17 He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. 19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

Through the work of Jesus on the cross peace has been made between us and God and also between Jew and Gentile. Our God is a God who makes broken things and broken people whole again.  One day soon we will all worship Him together in unity and in His presence.  Just as God brought us “outsiders” in we should reach out to those who often find themselves in the margins of society.  Loving the least and the lost is what Jesus did and it’s what He calls us to as well.  Today and everyday make it a point to intentionally show love to someone who might be on the outside.  Who knows you just may point them to Jesus

In His Grip,

Pastor Dave

Have you ever really poured yourself into something.  Maybe it was a project for work or a home improvement project.  Maybe you built something yourself.  Perhaps you made a work of art.  When you pour yourself into something like that you feel a sense of pride and ownership in what you have done.  You have made a masterpiece.  In Ephesians 2 we are told that we are God’s masterpiece.  Let’s look at that passage together today. 

And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

The Greek language used here in verse 10 which we translate handiwork means the skilled work of a master craftsman.  That’s what you are from God.  You are His masterpiece.  Created by Him to do good works which he has prepared in advance for you to do.  These works do not earn us favor with God but are a result of the work He has already done in our lives found in the previous verses.  God has a plan and a job for you that He specifically designed and created you to do.  You were made with a purpose.  I don’t know about you but to know that I am God’s masterpiece created for a purpose makes me want to get to work fulfilling that purpose.  Go out and be the masterpiece that you are!

In His Grip,

Pastor Dave

Today is Halloween.  A day where people put on costumes and transform into something new.  It is also Reformation Day.  A day when we celebrate Martin Luther nailing 95 theses to the Wittenberg door and starting the Protestant Reformation.  It led to a return of the understanding and significance of God’s amazing grace.  Let’s look at Ephesians 2 where there is a bit of a combination of these two ideas. 

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.

Paul reminds us that while we were dead in our sins and living by the flesh, we now put on the spirit and are made alive in Christ.  This is possible not because of our own doing but simply because of the amazing grace of God in our lives which we receive through faith.  We are called to live by the spirit not to earn favor with God but simply out of gratitude for what He has already done and continues to do in our lives.  So today whether you put on a costume or watch the Luther movie (it’s really good) reflect on God’s grace in your life.  Thank Him for that great gift and live your life for Him in response.

In His Grip,

Pastor Dave

This morning I woke up early and went for a little walk.  I found myself feeling incredibly grateful for you!  The people of Advent truly are a blessing.  I thought of this prayer in the opening chapter of Ephesians as I reflected upon our church so I thought I’d share it as it is my prayer for you all.

15 For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, 16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. 17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

The Faith and Love of the people of Advent truly is amazing.  I pray that God would use each and every one of you to do things for Him that are beyond your wildest imagination.  I pray that we might all have a fresh and renewed sense of the incredible love that God has for us.  I pray that through His power we might share that love with others.  I pray that God would strengthen us all for the journey we face and that we might sense His presence each day as we walk through life. 

In His Grip,

Pastor Dave

Hello Advent Family,

Do you have people in your life who you know have your back no matter what?  People that you know will not let you fail.  It is a blessing and comfort to have people like that.  People who will walk through life with you, encourage you, challenge you, and be with you through your highs and lows.  David and Jonathan had a relationship like this.  David could trust Jonathan to determine if his life was safe with King Saul or not (turns out it wasn’t).Let’s look at one such account of this found in I Samuel 20.

Then Jonathan said to David, “I swear by the Lord, the God of Israel, that I will surely sound out my father by this time the day after tomorrow! If he is favorably disposed toward you, will I not send you word and let you know? 13 But if my father intends to harm you, may the Lord deal with Jonathan, be it ever so severely, if I do not let you know and send you away in peace. May the Lord be with you as he has been with my father. 14 But show me unfailing kindness like the Lord’s kindness as long as I live, so that I may not be killed, 15 and do not ever cut off your kindness from my family—not even when the Lord has cut off every one of David’s enemies from the face of the earth.” 16 So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, “May the Lord call David’s enemies to account.” 17 And Jonathan had David reaffirm his oath out of love for him, because he loved him as he loved himself. 18 Then Jonathan said to David, “Tomorrow is the New Moon feast. You will be missed, because your seat will be empty. 19 The day after tomorrow, toward evening, go to the place where you hid when this trouble began, and wait by the stone Ezel. 20 I will shoot three arrows to the side of it, as though I were shooting at a target. 21 Then I will send a boy and say, ‘Go, find the arrows.’ If I say to him, ‘Look, the arrows are on this side of you; bring them here,’ then come, because, as surely as the Lord lives, you are safe; there is no danger. 22 But if I say to the boy, ‘Look, the arrows are beyond you,’ then you must go, because the Lord has sent you away. 23 And about the matter you and I discussed—remember, the Lord is witness between you and me forever.”

It is of great comfort to know that whatever challenge we face in life God is with us through thick and thin.  It is also a blessing to have others walk through life’s journey as well.  Sometimes people like that are hard to find.  I encourage you, be that type of person for others.  When you are that type of person you inevitably attract others to be that for you in your life as well.  Be a Jonathan to the David’s in your life and soon you will find that others will have your back as well.  Life is better together. 

In His Grip,
Pastor Dave

Have you ever had to work or prepare for a while for something important?  Maybe it was a presentation at work or a sales pitch.  Perhaps you can remember preparing for an exam or test.  Maybe your job requires certifications that you must prepare for.  Maybe you have prepared for an athletic endeavor or competition.  We prepare for things so that we are ready when it matters.  Have you ever thought about your spiritual life in that way?  Paul addresses this idea in his writings to Timothy.  Let’s look at 2 Timothy 3 together today.

14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15 and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Paul wants to remind Timothy to be prepared and thoroughly equipped.  He wants him to be ready for whatever life might throw at him.  Paul’s solution to this preparation is Scripture.  When we read, study, and even memorize Scripture it is an incredibly powerful tool for us on your journey of life.  When we recall it, utilize it, and live according to its teachings life just tends to go better.  We are more effective in our battle against sin and in our ministry of sharing God’s love with the world.  I pray that we all would be prepared.  Dig in to God’s word, it truly helps!

In His Grip,
Pastor Dave

Have you ever felt overwhelmed by life?  Maybe it just seems like one challenge after another just keeps heading your way.  Yesterday I was having a conversation with a friend who is going through such a stretch right now.  He brought up 2 Corinthians 12 as being of comfort to him through this time so I thought I would share it with you today.

Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

We don’t know what this thorn was for Paul.  It could have been a regular every day annoyance or it could have been something much more significant.  That is not the point. The point is that Paul reminds us that God’s grace is sufficient for us in our times of struggle.  God’s power is strongest in our lives when we feel the most weak.  I don’t know about you but for me that thought is comforting.  When I feel weak I am truly at my strongest because of God’s strength.  Today whether you are feeling weak or strong rest in the truth that God is with you and His strength is made perfect in your weakness. 

In His Grip,
Pastor Dave

This week at Advent the school is having Red Ribbon Week.  This is a national program to help stop drug use.  With the younger kids we focus on making good and healthy choices.  While this is an important lesson for children it continues to be an important lesson for all of our lives.  The Bible often speaks about it as the difference between living by the flesh and living according to the spirit.  Let’s look at one of those passages found in Romans 8.

Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6 The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. 7 The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. 8 Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God. 9 You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. 10 But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. 11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you. 12 Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. 13 For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.

In this passage Paul talks about what our minds are set on and how that affects how we live.  The thing is that this is not a one-time thing.  It can be an everyday battle in our lives.  It is like the person who is trying to cut out sugar who walks into the bakery and begins to smell and look at the delicious cinnamon rolls.  They are even offered a taste, which it would be rude to say no right?  We all know that they are probably going to cave and eat a cinnamon roll.  That person has their mind fixed on that. When our minds are fixed on God and His word we find it much easier to live by the spirit.  When we walk through life and just absorb whatever is thrown at us we can find our mind fixed on other things, things of the flesh.  Before long we can be making choices based on the flesh instead of the spirit.  Let’s declare a Red Ribbon Week for ourselves and focus on making good choices by living by the spirit.  Fix your minds on Jesus today through His word.  Listen to praise music in the car or as you exercise.  Listen to a sermon or podcast.  I bet that you will notice it to be much easier to live by the spirit when your mind is fixed like that. 

In His Grip,
Pastor Dave

This morning I am sitting in a coffee shop enjoying a nice latte as I write this.  There was a season of my life where that was an everyday occurrence.  Now it’s just a special treat enjoyed every once in a while.  I normally make my coffee at home or even at work.  There is something about a latte at a coffee shop that hits the spot.  I was thinking about how we treat time with God.  Do we treat it like an everyday occurrence or like a special treat enjoyed every once in a while.  Let’s look together at David’s words found in Psalm 34. 

Taste and see that the Lord is good;
    blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.

Fear the Lord, you his holy people,
    for those who fear him lack nothing.

The lions may grow weak and hungry,
    but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.

Come, my children, listen to me;
    I will teach you the fear of the Lord.

Whoever of you loves life
    and desires to see many good days,

keep your tongue from evil
    and your lips from telling lies.

Turn from evil and do good;
    seek peace and pursue it.

The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
    and his ears are attentive to their cry;

Each and every day we should taste and see that the Lord is good.  It is a special treat but it is one that should be indulged in each and every day.  It provides some of the same benefits as morning coffee.  It wakes us up.  Gives us strength for the day and starts us off on the right foot.  Our time with God sets the tone for our day and for our life.  Enjoy your time with God today.  Taste and see. 

In His Grip,

Pastor Dave

Hello Advent Family,

This morning I misplaced my glasses.  I had them when I first got up and then sometime between then and getting in the shower I misplaced them.  I looked all over and couldn’t find them anywhere.  I was frustrated because I am pretty helpless without them.  I can see distances fine but there is no shot I’m going to be able to read and certainly not write this devotional.  I eventually found them right where I left them on the edge of the bedside table and got back to my morning routine.  Sometimes we miss the things that are right there in front of us.  Jesus addresses this in John 4.  Let’s look at it together today. 

“My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work. 35 Don’t you have a saying, ‘It’s still four months until harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest. 36 Even now the one who reaps draws a wage and harvests a crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together. 37 Thus the saying ‘One sows and another reaps’ is true. 38 I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labor.”

Jesus saw what others missed.  He knew there was work to be done and a harvest to reap.  Often we get so caught up in life that we miss the chances to share God’s love with those right in front of us.  I can’t see without my glasses but too often we all miss opportunities because we are not looking for them.  Jesus tells us to open our eyes and see.  Today ask God to give you eyes to see the opportunities that He places in from t of you to share His love with others.  Open your eye and reap the harvest. 

In His Grip,
Pastor Dave