Who are the people that have invested in your life?  For every Timothy, an important leader in the early church, there are many who have invested time in that person. Without those investments Timothy certainly wouldn’t have become the man that he did.  Let’s look together at Paul’s words in 2 Timothy 1 together today.

2 To Timothy, my dear son: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. 3 I thank God, whom I serve, as my ancestors did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. 4 Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy. 5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.

Paul invested much in Timothy.  Two of the books in the Bible are written to support and encourage him.  He took Timothy on journeys with him.  He sent Timothy on important missions.  He invested time in teaching and mentoring Timothy.  Not only that, but Timothy had others who influenced him greatly as well.  Here Paul mentions the faith of his Grandmother, Lois and his mother, Eunice as creating a legacy of faith for Timothy as well.  The point of all of this is that we have all had people who have influenced and guided us along this journey of faith in our lives.  Take time today and thank them for the impact they have had in your life.  Perhaps more importantly think of those that you can impact in their faith journey as well.  Who can you encourage?  Who can you be an example to?  Who can you invite to join you at church or a Bible study?  You never know what Timothys are out there waiting for your influence to push them along.

In His Grip,

Pastor Dave

I remember when I was a young kid we used to play a game on the playground, boys chase girls.  It may or may not have been a precursor of things to come in our lives.  There was one girl who was faster than all the boys and we also thought she was the cutest.  I finally caught her one day and thought, now what?  Our nature as humans is to chase after and pursue things in our life.  Maybe we pursue success, wealth, achievement, popularity, glory, or perhaps we pursue things of faith.  Paul encourages Timothy in this direction.  Let’s look at his words together today.  

11 But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 13 In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you 14 to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 which God will bring about in his own time—God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16 who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen.

We tend to chase after that which is most important to us.  Success, wealth, achievement, popularity, fame, none of that is bad.  It can be a blessing.  It’s only when we chase after that instead of what God tells us we truly should be pursuing, righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness.  This is what we need to be chasing after in life.  When we pursue the things of faith we tend to be content with our other circumstances no matter what they may be.  My prayer is that we would all pursue Jesus and the things of faith in out lives. 

In His Grip,

Pastor Dave

I always have believed that you can tell a lot about a person by watching how they treat others.  Especially how they treat others who may be in need.  Paul gives Timothy instructions about this for him to give to the church.  Let’s look at his words in I Timothy 5 together today.

Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers, 2 older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity. 3 Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need. 4 But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God. 5 The widow who is really in need and left all alone puts her hope in God and continues night and day to pray and to ask God for help. 6 But the widow who lives for pleasure is dead even while she lives. 7 Give the people these instructions, so that no one may be open to blame. 8 Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.  If any woman who is a believer has widows in her care, she should continue to help them and not let the church be burdened with them, so that the church can help those widows who are really in need.

We are given explicit instructions to care for those in need, first as family members, second as brothers and sisters in Christ, and finally as members of the same church body.  When we care for others we are sharing with them the great love that Jesus has shown toward us.  There’s a particular emphasis on caring for our own relatives which can often be a challenge.  I have an increasing large group of friends who are currently caring for elderly parents more and more.  Pray that God would give us all the grace and love to do this task lovingly and well after all our parents have certainly cared for us plenty over the years.  May we all look to love each other well and help to carry one another’s burdens as we share the love of Jesus and walk through the journey of life.

In His Grip,

Pastor Dave

Hello Advent Family,

My whole life, at least as far back as I can remember in my 49 years sports have been an important part of my life.  I love watching, participating in and coaching them.  To be at your best in a sport you need to be coachable and work hard to improve both your skill and your fitness to compete.  It is interesting that Paul talks to Timothy about the importance of training yourself in such a way for godliness.  Let’s look at his words in I Timothy 4 together today.  

If you point these things out to the brothers and sisters, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished on the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed. 7 Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. 8 For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. 9 This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance. 10 That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe. 11 Command and teach these things. 12 Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. 13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. 

Athletes that make it to the top level of their sport have put in countless hours training themselves and improving their skills at their sport.  Imagine what our lives might look like if we dedicated ourselves to that level of training in our spiritual lives.  I think about the retreats and days of solitude and prayer that I have participated in during my life.  Without fail when we focus on God and spend that level of time with Him, He does a great work in our lives.  Today look to participate in an activity that is dedicated time to train yourself for godliness.  Repeat that every day and watch and see what God does in your life!

In His Grip,

Pastor Dave

Hello Advent Family,

One of the important things in the early church is how they established leadership.  They were just getting started with this new thing and the church grew rapidly.  They needed instruction on how to organize as they formed churches in cities all over.  Paul was one of the primary church planters and therefore establishes this structure in churches he plants.  Let’s look together at his words to Timothy, a young church planter, about leadership.  

Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task. 2 Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4 He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect. 5 (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?) 6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. 7 He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap. 8 In the same way, deacons are to be worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. 9 They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. 10 They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons.

Paul’s qualifications for leadership are significant.  Our leaders are so important to the health and success of a church.  The Pastors and staff handle the day to day of the church but any church will tell you they live and die on the strength or weakness of their leaders.  God calls all of us to lead and serve in one way or another and the church is at its best when everyone is doing this.  Today pray about how God wants to use you to help lead His church.  He wants to use you!  He simply asks us to be willing, He will provide the strength.

In His Grip,

Pastor Dave

Hello Advent Family,

Are there people in your life that you can’t seem to see eye to eye with?  In Paul’s letter to Timothy he addresses this very issue.  There was much debating and arguing, disputes and conflicts going on in the church and community.  Paul had an answer for them.  Let’s look together at what he says in I Timothy 2.

I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time. 7 And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle—I am telling the truth, I am not lying—and a true and faithful teacher of the Gentiles. 8 Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing.

Paul’s answer is for them to pray.  He even encourages them to pray together without being angry or disputing.  Can you imagine stopping an argument to pray?  I suspect your attitude would change pretty quickly.  It is hard to be mad at someone while praying with them.  Paul also says to pray for our leaders and those in authority.  We may disagree with them or their decisions but we are told to pray for them.  Again, it changes your attitude and mindset when you pray for someone you disagree with.  May we all be a people of love and of prayer.  The next time you find yourself disagreeing or criticizing someone take a moment and pray for them  you probably won’t change your opinion but you most likely will change you attitude and perspective.  

In His Grip,

Pastor Dave

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you received something so significant, special, or valuable that you really wanted to in some meaningful way express your gratitude?  Maybe you wanted to give something back or tell others about the person’s deeds. Paul feels that way about the grace he has received and encourages us to do the same.  Let’s look together at his words to Timothy today. 

I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service. 13 Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. 14 The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. 16 But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. 17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Paul is so overwhelmed with God’s grace and forgiveness that he wants his life to be sharing that with others and demonstrating just what God can do. The truth is we should all feel the very same way.  Paul is encouraging both Timothy and us today to thank God for His immense gift of grace by offering our lives in return.  We are called to share His gift of grace and love with the world in our response of gratitude.  May we all be reminded today of the magnitude of the gift we have been given by Jesus.

In His Grip,

Pastor Dave

Have you ever had a really big job in front of you?  It can look overwhelming.  If others pitch in and help it becomes more manageable.  When everyone pitches in the job becomes easy.  Paul emphasizes the need for everyone to give and serve and use their gifts repeatedly in the early church.  Let’s look at one such occasion in 2 Thessalonians 3 together today.

In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers and sisters, to keep away from every believer who is idle and disruptive and does not live according to the teaching you received from us. 7 For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, 8 nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. 9 We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you to imitate. 10 For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.” 11 We hear that some among you are idle and disruptive. They are not busy; they are busybodies. 12 Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the food they eat. 13 And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good.

Paul’s words may seem harsh to us but the context is important.  The church was all working together and would gather and share in all of their meals.  There were some who simply stopped contributing and working at all because they thought Jesus would return any minute.  Paul is sternly reminding them of the importance of everyone participating and contributing because that is when the church functions best.  He used his own work as an example.  For us today the same basic principle holds true.  The church functions best when everyone is contributing.  When we all are using our time, talents, and treasures to build His church.  The more people “pitching in” the easier the job becomes of sharing God’s love with the world.  I pray that God would lead, guide and direct us all on how we can best pitch in to build His church.

In His Grip,

Pastor Dave

Hello Advent Family,

I can remember as a child playing a game at the beach.  We would send about shin to knee deep in the water and bury or secure our feet under the sand then we would try to see who could stay standing in that one place without moving the longest.  The waves would come and beat against us and eventually knock us down or move us but the better our feet were buried the longer we would stand.  Paul talks about a similar concept in our faith life.  Let’s look at it together in 2 Thessalonians 2.

13 But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you as first fruits to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. 14 He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15 So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter. 16 May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, 17 encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.

Paul is reminding the church to stand firm, to hold fast to what they have been taught.  This is such an important concept in our rapidly changing world.  We have truth from God’s word that we are told to stand firm and hold fast to.  The “waves” of life will certainly beat against us time and again.  It seems that the more firmly we are planted in God’s word, the more closely we are following the example of Jesus’ life the better chance we will have to stand firm.  The other advantage we have is others who stand firm with us to help hold us up.  Another standing with us helps us even more to stand up to the “waves” of life.  I pray that we would all be firmly rooted and stand firm on the teachings of our God.

In His Grip,

Pastor Dave

I remember hearing a Pastor ask his congregation many years ago if they were on trial for being a Christian would there be enough evidence to convict them.  Paul starts his second letter to the Thessalonians church by indicating that concept exactly.  He is grateful for them and particularly for the evidence of their faith.  Let’s look at his words together today.

3 We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing. 4 Therefore, among God’s churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring. 5 All this is evidence that God’s judgment is right, and as a result you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering.

It seems that the key item of evidence for Paul is the increase of their faith which is evidenced by their love for one another.  It is like the words of the old hymn – They shall know we are Christians by our love by our love.  Our love for each other, our love for those that are different than us, our love for our friends and particularly our enemies.  That’s what should set the followers of Jesus apart.  The way we treat the people that we don’t particularly like.  The Thessalonians were demonstrating love for others even as they were being persecuted by them.  That’s the kind of love that Jesus modeled for us and the kind of love we are called to.  May we all be a people who are found “guilty” of love.

In His Grip,

Pastor Dave