I don’t know about you but there is something special about knowing that someone is praying for you.  It provides a level of comfort and peace to know that someone cares enough to pray and also that they are speaking to God on your behalf.  Praying for someone is one of the best ways that you can care for them.   In Romans 8 we learn that the Holy Spirit is actually praying to God on our behalf and in addition that God is at work in each and every situation in our life working for our own good.  Let’s look at those words together today.  

26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. 28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

God is praying for you!  Think about that for a moment.  The Holy Spirit, part of the triune God, is praying to the Father on your behalf.  That is how much you are loved and cared for by God.  God is at work in your life right now.  Whatever you have going on, whatever you may be facing, God is at work and is working for your ultimate good.  Rest in that truth today.  It is a great feeling when a good friend lifts you up in prayer.  How much more knowing that the Holy Spirit is always searching your mind and heart and lifting you up as well.  

In His Grip,
Pastor Dave

Today we look at Romans 7.  It is a famous chapter in the Bible where Paul talks about his struggle with wrestling between his desire to follow God and his sinful nature.  I want to focus on the end of chapter 7 and the very beginning of chapter 8 which I have included as well.  Let’s take a moment to look at them together today.

21 So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22 For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; 23 but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. 24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? 25 Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!  Chapter 8 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.

The realization that Paul comes to is that we can never win this battle through our own strength.  When he asks who will rescue him he knows the answer, it is only Jesus.  Jesus did for us what we were powerless to do on our own.  He rescues us.  He redeems us.  He reconciles us to the Father.  Only Jesus is capable of defeating sin and giving us life anew.  As we approach this coming Easter I pray that we would all reflect on the amazing work of Jesus in our lives.  Jesus offers us a life different from the life that this world pursues.  He offers us a kingdom life, a life built around love for God and others.  A life of putting others before yourself.  I pray that we might embrace this life that is offered to us and get off the hamster wheel that this world gives us.

In His Grip,
Pastor Dave

Hello Advent Family,

One of the most significant questions of life that we all ask in our lives is what is our purpose.  Everyone wants to have a purpose in life.  A purpose gives us a reason to get up in the morning and attack the day.  Paul reminds us all that we do indeed have a purpose and it is in fact the very same purpose that Jesus had here on earth.  Let’s look together today at a passage from Romans 6.

5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. 6 For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin— 7 because anyone who has died has been set free from sin. 8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. 9 For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. 10 The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God.

The lives we live should have the same purpose as Jesus.  Our lives should be to live for God.  Paul says this in other ways throughout his letters.  We are united to Jesus through His death and resurrection and should also be united with Him in our purpose.  In life we will all have lots of different goals, pursuits, and dreams.  In the end throughout all of that our ultimate purpose should be loving God and sharing His love with the world.  It is what Jesus modeled for us and it is the task He left us with.  Face today and each day with a sense of purpose.  Jesus has given us one!

In His Grip,
Pastor Dave

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, 2 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. 3 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 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. 7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. 8 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

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? 2 If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about—but not before God. 3 What does Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”4 Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift but as an obligation. 5 However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness. 6 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

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

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

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

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

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