January 4, 2023

Hello Advent Family,

I have always been fascinated by the word therefore in the Bible.  It certainly is not a commonly used word but it does occur often in Scripture.  I had a youth Pastor tell me many years ago that when you see a therefore you need to know what it is there for. In Hebrews 10 we have a therefore that refers back to the work of Jesus as our great High Priest.  Defeating sin once for all and offering us access to God forever.  Let’s look at it together today. 

19 Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

We are given several things to do because of that therefore.  We are to hold unswervingly on to our hope.  We are called to spur one another on toward love and good deeds.  We are told to not stop gathering together to worship and encourage one another.  These are all crucial parts of our ongoing relationship with God and are all things that help us to become more and more like Him. Jesus, our great High Priest, has left us with work to do.  By His strength may we all do it well.

In His Grip,

Pastor Dave



January 3, 2023

Hello Advent Family,

For a short while when I lived in Atlanta I had a friend who worked for the Atlanta Hawks.  The Hawks were not very good back then and my friend could get me seats right behind the team’s bench often.  It was so cool to be able to be right there close to the action.  I could often hear what the coach said and even knew what play they were going to try and run after time outs.  I was only able to have that kind of special access because of my friend.  It makes me think of the access we have to God through Jesus.  Let’s look together at Hebrew 9 today.

11 But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that are now already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made with human hands, that is to say, is not a part of this creation. 12 He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption. 13 The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. 14 How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!

The Priest would offer a sacrifice so that he then could go and enter the Most Holy Place and speak to God on behalf of the people.  Jesus, however, has given us direct access to God through His once for all time sacrifice on the cross for our sins.  This is the best special access any of us could ever hope for.  We have the opportunity to go directly to God with our praise, our hopes, our hurts, and our thanksgiving.  Jesus has given us the best back stage pass ever.  May we all take advantage of our special and unlimited access to God.

In His Grip,

Pastor Dave



December 30, 2022

Hello Advent Family,

Have you ever finished a job and been very satisfied?  Maybe you took on a difficult project and when you brought it to completion it was very rewarding.  Perhaps you attempted something new and completed it.  It truly is rewarding when you finish something.  Look with me today at Hebrews 7 and let’s talk about what God has finished.

23 Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; 24 but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. 25 Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. 26 Such a high priest truly meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. 27 Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself. 28 For the law appoints as high priests men in all their weakness; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever.

When Jesus uttered the words, “It is finished”  it meant so very many things.  His time with a weak, earthly body was ending.  His walking through life with his disciples and family was at an end.  He was quite literally dying.  He also had accomplished the payment once and for all for sins.  He was the final sacrifice.  He gave us all 365/24/7 access to God.  He reconciled us to Himself once for all time.  If it is satisfying to finish a project imagine the satisfaction in accomplishing all of that at once.  Sure there was a little work to be done with His resurrection and a few final goodbyes but He truly was finished. Today and every day thank Jesus for His finished work and for the fact that He isn’t finished with you.  He will continue to make you more and more like Him until you join Him in Heaven.

In His Grip,

Pastor Dave



December 29, 2022

Hello Advent Family,

What is there in this world that you can trust or depend on 100%? Even the people very closest to us will occasionally let us down. The author of Hebrews reminds us that there is one and only one who will never let us down.  Let’s look together at Hebrews 6.

13 When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater for him to swear by, he swore by himself, 14 saying, “I will surely bless you and give you many descendants.” 15 And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised. 16 People swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument. 17 Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. 18 God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged. 19 We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, 20 where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.

I love the statement that it impossible for God to lie.  When we are little lying is one of our first impulses.  “Who broke the lamp?”  “I don’t know.”  “Did you neat the cake I told you not to touch?” a chocolate covered face responds. “No!”  God, because of who He is, because of His nature and character, is truth.  When He makes us a promise we can depend upon that promise totally and completely.  In a world of uncertainty that is a great truth that we can be certain of!

In His Grip,

Pastor Dave



December 28, 2022

Hello Advent Family,

Isn’t it comforting to know that someone is praying for you.  The thought that another person is lifting you up in prayer to God is always a blessing.  The people of Israel used to find comfort knowing that the priest was making intercession on their behalf to God.  The author of Hebrews reminds us that we now have a great high priest who does the very same thing in the person of Jesus.  Let’s look together today at Hebrews 5. 

Every high priest is selected from among the people and is appointed to represent the people in matters related to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray, since he himself is subject to weakness. This is why he has to offer sacrifices for his own sins, as well as for the sins of the people. And no one takes this honor on himself, but he receives it when called by God, just as Aaron was. During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him 10 and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek.

If we find comfort in knowing another person is praying for us how much more comforting should it be to know that Jesus, Himself, is offering intercession on our behalf.  Jesus lived as a human so He understands our struggles yet knows perfectly how to intercede for us being God.  The next time you feel alone in your struggle know that Jesus is next to God the Father offering prayers on your behalf and know that you are never alone. 

In His Grip,

Pastor Dave



December 23, 2022

Hello Advent Family,

Have you ever been to the beach and seen the professional sand castle builders there?  I always loved building sand castles.  I have never managed anything much better than a few upside-down buckets of sand packed well surrounded by a deep moat.  The things these professionals can build is truly amazing.  The first time I saw something like that I felt that it had to be fake it was so amazing.  Then I was even more amazed when I saw someone actually making one.  I was fascinated even more by the builder.  The author of Hebrews uses this analogy when Jesus is being compared to Moses.  Let’s look at the analogy together today. 

Therefore, holy brothers, you who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession, who was faithful to him who appointed him, just as Moses also was faithful in all God’s house. For Jesus has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses—as much more glory as the builder of a house has more honor than the house itself. (For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God.) Now Moses was faithful in all God’s house as a servant, to testify to the things that were to be spoken later, but Christ is faithful over God’s house as a son. And we are his house, if indeed we hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope.

There are certainly many heroes of the faith found throughout the Bible.  Moses is definitely one of them, yet compared to Jesus he is my sand castle compared to one of those amazing ones.  When Hebrews was written many Jewish people esteemed Moses at an incredibly high level and the author is simply trying to let us all know just how amazing Jesus truly is.  He exceeds all of our expectations.  This Christmas watch for Jesus to exceed your expectations as well!

In His Grip,

Pastor Dave



December 22, 2022

Hello Advent Family,

Sometimes in the business and fun of Christmas we can forget about the reason we celebrate in the first place, Jesus.  The author of Hebrews reminds us of the importance of not letting this happen not simply during the Christmas season but in life in general.  Let’s look at Hebrews 2 together today.

Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard, while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will. For it was not to angels that God subjected the world to come, of which we are speaking. It has been testified somewhere,“What is man, that you are mindful of him, or the son of man, that you care for him? You made him for a little while lower than the angels; you have crowned him with glory and honor, putting everything in subjection under his feet.” Now in putting everything in subjection to him, he left nothing outside his control. At present, we do not yet see everything in subjection to him. But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.

We are given the challenge to pay much closer attention.  I think that is a good reminder for us all this Christmas season.  Pay much closer attention to Jesus.  Pay much closer attention to the reason we celebrate.  Pay much closer attention to the fact that God became human so that He could save us.  Pay much closer attention to that incredible act of love and go out and share that incredible love with others.  

In His Grip,

Pastor Dave



December 21, 2022

Hello Advent Family,

The book of Hebrews has always been a favorite of mine.  It was written specifically to Jewish followers of Jesus as a way to emphasize how Jesus is greater than anything else.  It needs to be read and understood in this context. I think it is particular important in today’s world where Jesus and faith have been increasingly marginalized.  Not by Moses or Angels or religious traditions but by so many different things in our lives.  Let’s look together at the introduction in Hebrews 1.

Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,

These words set the table for the book stressing the importance and role of Jesus in all of our lives.  We are told that Jesus created and upholds the world.  That He alone is responsible for our salvation and that He is God.  If that isn’t enough to stress the importance of Jesus the following chapters go on to make that point again and again.  The reminder for us today is not how intellectually important to we consider Jesus but rather how do we prioritize Him in our daily lives.  Do we treat Him as the creator, sustainer, and savior of our lives who wants a relationship with us?  Or do we simply fit Him into our lives where it is convenient?  As we walk together through the book of Hebrews consider ways in which you can reprioritize Jesus’ significance in your daily life.

In His Grip,

Pastor Dave



December 20, 2022

Hello Advent Family,

Can you think of a person, who when you are around them you just feel better?  That have a way about them that just refreshes you.  I can think of several people like this in my life and the key seems to be their love for Jesus that comes through their life.  Paul noticed that Philemon had this affect on others.  Let’s look at his words together today. 

Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our beloved fellow worker and Apphia our sister and Archippus our fellow soldier, and the church in your house: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God always when I remember you in my prayers, because I hear of your love and of the faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints, and I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ. For I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you.

Paul writes this letter to make a request of Philemon but his words in the introduction are significant as well.  Philemon has a church that meets in his house and of which he seemingly is serving as the leader.  Paul takes particular notice of Philemon’s affect of refreshing the hearts of others in his life.  This is a goal that we should all strive for.  How can we help to refresh the hearts of those in our life?  Sometimes it is a simple word of encouragement.  Other times it may be sharing something that God is teaching us in our own life that can help someone else.  It could be by asking someone how we can pray for them.  I find that sometimes it is as simple as listening to another person. Today and every day may we seek to be people of refreshment and encourage each other along this journey of faith and life. 

In His Grip,

Pastor Dave



December 19, 2022

Hello Advent Family,

What motivates you? What gets you to do things that you otherwise wouldn’t do on your own?  Do you go to the gym because you want to be healthy or because you want to look good?  Do you eat foods primarily for the taste or do you eat for the nutritional or health value of the foods?  Motivation is an interesting thing.  It is different for different people.  Yet Paul says that we have a common motivator that should lead us to godliness in our lives.  Let’s look together at his words in Titus 2.

11 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

Grace should be and is a motivating factor in our lives.  When we reflect upon what God has done for us we are motivated to live our lives to please Him.  When we understand the depth of His great love for us and the grace He has extended to us we offer our lives in return.  This side of Heaven we will all still struggle with the battle of sin in our lives.  The more we remain connected to Jesus and His grace the more we will experience victory over that sin.  Today reflect on God’s amazing grace and allow it to motivate you toward godliness. 

In His Grip,

Pastor Dave