Have you ever had to give someone bad news?  It is certainly not a pleasant thing.  Imagine being one of the prophets of Israel in the Old Testament.  Your job is to go to the King or ruler of the land and tell them how they have fallen short and then tell them how God was going to judge them.  Every once in a blue moon the prophet would bring good news but mostly it wasn’t pleasant.  Let’s look today at the words of Micah found in chapter 1.

 The word of the Lord that came to Micah of Moresheth during the reigns of Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, kings of Judah—the vision he saw concerning Samaria and Jerusalem Hear, you peoples, all of you,
    listen, earth and all who live in it,
that the Sovereign Lord may bear witness against you,
    the Lord from his holy temple. Look! The Lord is coming from his dwelling place;
    he comes down and treads on the heights of the earth.  The mountains melt beneath him
    and the valleys split apart,
like wax before the fire, like water rushing down a slope. All this is because of Jacob’s transgression, because of the sins of the people of Israel.
What is Jacob’s transgression?
    Is it not Samaria?
What is Judah’s high place?
    Is it not Jerusalem?  “Therefore I will make Samaria a heap of rubble,  a place for planting vineyards.
I will pour her stones into the valley
    and lay bare her foundations.

Micah faithfully delivered a difficult message to the people.  I think that is the biggest takeaway from this scripture for me.  God often calls us to do things that may be difficult or challenging.  I’m certain that Micah didn’t look forward to this task.  Yet, God called him to deliver the message and he did it faithfully.  What difficult task is God calling you to today?  Maybe it’s sharing your faith with a friend or neighbor.  Maybe it’s repairing a relationship that is broken.  Whatever difficult task God has in store for you, remember the example of Micah and other prophets who faithfully followed God and did difficult things.

In His Grip,
Pastor Dave

Have you ever had to wait for something and it felt like it was taking forever.  Maybe something as simple as a package to be delivered.  Maybe you have waited on an answer about a job you were seeking.  We all have waited on a person to get ready, waited in line for something, or waited on a repairman to show up at the house.  What about waiting on God?  Have you been waiting on God for something?  While it may seem like a long time the beauty is that you know that God will never let you down.  Waiting on Him is a sure thing.  Let’s look at how God tells us to wait upon Him in Zephaniah 3.

Therefore wait for me,”
    declares the Lord,
    “for the day I will stand up to testify.
I have decided to assemble the nations,
    to gather the kingdoms
and to pour out my wrath on them—
    all my fierce anger.
The whole world will be consumed
    by the fire of my jealous anger.

“Then I will purify the lips of the peoples,
    that all of them may call on the name of the Lord
    and serve him shoulder to shoulder.

From beyond the rivers of Cush
    my worshipers, my scattered people,
    will bring me offerings.

On that day you, Jerusalem, will not be put to shame
    for all the wrongs you have done to me,
because I will remove from you
    your arrogant boasters.
Never again will you be haughty
    on my holy hill.

But I will leave within you
    the meek and humble.
The remnant of Israel
    will trust in the name of the Lord.

They will do no wrong;
    they will tell no lies.
A deceitful tongue
    will not be found in their mouths.
They will eat and lie down
    and no one will make them afraid.”

Sing, Daughter Zion;
    shout aloud, Israel!
Be glad and rejoice with all your heart,
    Daughter Jerusalem!

The Lord has taken away your punishment,
    he has turned back your enemy.
The Lord, the King of Israel, is with you;
    never again will you fear any harm.

God is telling Israel that while the process may take time and even be painful, He will bring them back to follow Him and He will protect them.  Perhaps you are waiting on God for something now.  Remember His promises and know that while the process can feel slow and painful He has your very best in His plan.  Nothing can separate us from His love and grace.  Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord!

In His Grip,

Pastor Dave

Hello Advent Family,

Today is Columbus Day.  Christopher Columbus is a fascinating and controversial figure in history.  He often went back and forth between hero and outcast even in his own lifetime.  He died thinking that he had discovered a trade route to the Indies and a faster way to Japan and China.  He is credited with discovering the Americas which he never intended to do nor realized he had done.  He sort of reminds me of the disciples.  They also played an important role without really quite figuring it out.  Let’s look at a passage that illustrates this in Matthew 16.

5 When they went across the lake, the disciples forgot to take bread. 6 “Be careful,” Jesus said to them. “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”7 They discussed this among themselves and said, “It is because we didn’t bring any bread.”8 Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked, “You of little faith, why are you talking among yourselves about having no bread? 9 Do you still not understand? Don’t you remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? 10 Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? 11 How is it you don’t understand that I was not talking to you about bread? But be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” 12 Then they understood that he was not telling them to guard against the yeast used in bread, but against the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees 13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”15 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. 18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.

The disciples were often confused and missing the point throughout the gospels.  They faithfully followed Jesus and of course were used in amazing ways to build His church once Jesus ascended to Heaven.  This proclamation by Peter is the first evidence of them sort of getting it.  Even after this Peter has his struggles and still doesn’t get it sometimes but God still uses him in amazing ways.  God wants to use you in amazing ways too.  Even if we don’t see the whole picture like Columbus or Peter didn’t, God wants to use us to do amazing things.  He just asks that we be willing, we abide in Him and we faithfully go where He calls us. 

In His Grip,

Pastor Dave

This morning I am about to board a plane to head to Asheville, North Carolina.  I get to do a wedding for two people that I love very much.  I love weddings and all of the celebration involved in the whole event.  Sometimes I think that we don’t quite celebrate God the way that we should.  One of the things that strikes me as I read through Psalms is the celebration of God and His works.  Let’s look together today at Psalm 81 which is meant to be a celebration of God. 

Sing for joy to God our strength;
    shout aloud to the God of Jacob!

Begin the music, strike the timbrel,
    play the melodious harp and lyre.

Sound the ram’s horn at the New Moon,
    and when the moon is full, on the day of our festival;

this is a decree for Israel,
    an ordinance of the God of Jacob.

When God went out against Egypt,
    he established it as a statute for Joseph.

I heard an unknown voice say:

“I removed the burden from their shoulders;
    their hands were set free from the basket.

In your distress you called and I rescued you,
    I answered you out of a thundercloud;
    I tested you at the waters of Meribah.

Hear me, my people, and I will warn you—
    if you would only listen to me, Israel

You shall have no foreign god among you;
    you shall not worship any god other than me.

I am the Lord your God,
    who brought you up out of Egypt.
Open wide your mouth and I will fill it.

Celebrating God was actually a decree or law.  I’m not saying that should be the case for us but for Israel it was so significant that they made it a law.  Celebrating a wedding truly is a wonderful event.  I am excited to be a part of this weekend.  The next time you enjoy a celebration take a moment to pause and think about celebrating all the things that God has done for you and in your life. 

In His Grip,

Pastor Dave

Hello Advent Family,

Have you ever been so thirsty that even a full glass of water doesn’t quench your thirst.  I can remember many times during a summer baseball double headers where you almost couldn’t drink enough water to keep from being thirsty.  Since our bodies are approximately 60% made up of water staying hydrated is very important.  As humans we may be 60% water but we are 100% created in the image of God for relationship with Him.  Do we “thirst” for God.  We often strive after many different things in life but it truly only God who will fill that need.  David speaks to this in Psalm 63, let’s look at it together today.

You, God, are my God,
    earnestly I seek you;
I thirst for you,
    my whole being longs for you,
in a dry and parched land
    where there is no water.

I have seen you in the sanctuary
    and beheld your power and your glory.

Because your love is better than life,
    my lips will glorify you.

I will praise you as long as I live,
    and in your name I will lift up my hands.

I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods;
    with singing lips my mouth will praise you.

The truth is that when we develop this type of mindset and hunger and thirst for God other things that we might chase after in life become less important.  When we stay “spiritually hydrated”  life just functions better.  We respond better to struggle.  We share Christ’s love are regularly.  We are living the lives we were created tom live.  So take a nice long drink this morning.  It’s gonna be a hot day. 

In His Grip,

Pastor Dave

Hello Advent Family,

Do you ever feel overwhelmed by the pressures of life?  Family, work, school, health, finances.  It can all feel like a little too much at times.  King David often felt this way, in fact, he usually did.  The one constant for him was God.  One of David’s most common statements is that God is his refuge, his safe place.  Let’s look together at his words in Psalm 62. 

Yes, my soul, find rest in God;
    my hope comes from him.

Truly he is my rock and my salvation;
    he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.

My salvation and my honor depend on God;
    he is my mighty rock, my refuge.

Trust in him at all times, you people;
    pour out your hearts to him,
    for God is our refuge.

Surely the lowborn are but a breath,
    the highborn are but a lie.
If weighed on a balance, they are nothing;
    together they are only a breath.

Do not trust in extortion
    or put vain hope in stolen goods;
though your riches increase,
    do not set your heart on them.

One thing God has spoken,
    two things I have heard:
“Power belongs to you, God,

    and with you, Lord, is unfailing love”;
and, “You reward everyone
    according to what they have done.”

Where is your safe place?  I think that we all know that the right answer is God but where do you actually turn?  Is is decompressing in front of the TV?  Maybe it means filling up the wine glass a few times.  Perhaps it is escaping for a moment through a hobby or even work around the house.  David reminds us that the only true safe place or refuge for us is found in God.  When we learn to turn consistently to Him the pressures of life are a little less overwhelming.  Remember that no matter what life throws at you.  God loves you and is always with you. 

In His Grip,

Pastor Dave

Hello Advent Family,

Psalm 51 is written by David when he is confronted by the prophet Nathan over his adultery with Bathsheba.  There are several things I think are important lessons for us from this passage so let’s look at it together today.

Have mercy on me, O God,
    according to your unfailing love;
according to your great compassion
    blot out my transgressions.

Wash away all my iniquity
    and cleanse me from my sin.

For I know my transgressions,
    and my sin is always before me.

Against you, you only, have I sinned
    and done what is evil in your sight;
so you are right in your verdict
    and justified when you judge.

Surely I was sinful at birth,
    sinful from the time my mother conceived me.

Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb;
    you taught me wisdom in that secret place.

Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;
    wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

Let me hear joy and gladness;
    let the bones you have crushed rejoice.

Hide your face from my sins
    and blot out all my iniquity.

Create in me a pure heart, O God,
    and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Do not cast me from your presence
    or take your Holy Spirit from me.

Restore to me the joy of your salvation
    and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

While it is not found in this particular Psalm, I think it is very important to note how valuable it is to have those in your life who can call us out on our sins and flaws.  Nathan is able to go to David, his king, and call him out on his sins.  David is immediately broken over his own sinfulness and writes this Psalm.  When we have people like that in our lives and give them permission to speak into our lives it helps us as we seek to live lives pleasing to God.  When David does hear from Nathan he is immediately broken over his sin and repents.  He doesn’t make excuses about Bathsheba being naked outside or his rights as the king, he simply repents.  He cries out to God seeking forgiveness and more than that he wants God to help give him a clean heart.  David longs for a heart that finds its satisfaction in God alone and therefore is not tempted to stray.  That should be all of our prayers when we struggle with sin.  That we would be so satisfied with God that we don’t seek other things to find fulfillment in.  David certainly isn’t perfect but his response to sin sure is close to it.  May we all have a heart like David that hates it when we sin against God and longs to be restored with a clean heart.

In His Grip,

Pastor Dave

Hello Advent Family,

Psalm 49 is a reminder to us of both God’s work in our lives and our responsibility to tell others about His work.  This Old Testament passage really describes the work of Jesus rescuing us from sin and death.  Let’s look at it together today.

Hear this, all you peoples;
    listen, all who live in this world,

both low and high,
    rich and poor alike:

My mouth will speak words of wisdom;
    the meditation of my heart will give you understanding.

I will turn my ear to a proverb;
    with the harp I will expound my riddle:

Why should I fear when evil days come,
    when wicked deceivers surround me—

those who trust in their wealth
    and boast of their great riches?

No one can redeem the life of another
    or give to God a ransom for them—

the ransom for a life is costly,
    no payment is ever enough—

so that they should live on forever
    and not see decay.

For all can see that the wise die,
    that the foolish and the senseless also perish,
    leaving their wealth to others.

Their tombs will remain their houses forever,
    their dwellings for endless generations,
    though they had named lands after themselves.

People, despite their wealth, do not endure;
    they are like the beasts that perish.

This is the fate of those who trust in themselves,
    and of their followers, who approve their sayings.

They are like sheep and are destined to die;
    death will be their shepherd
    (but the upright will prevail over them in the morning).
Their forms will decay in the grave,
    far from their princely mansions.

But God will redeem me from the realm of the dead;
    he will surely take me to himself.

The Psalmist reminds us that God does for us what we can not do for ourselves.  He also points out that no one else can rescue us it is something that God alone can do.  The last verse is the key, God will redeem me and take me to Himself.  That is exactly what God does through the work of Jesus’ death burial and resurrection.  Be encouraged today by the great love that God has for you that He would go to such lengths to rescue you.  embrace that act of lover and share that message of love with the world. 

In His Grip,

Pastor Dave

Hello Advent Family,

When we speak of the attributes of God often words fail us.  We can say that God is loving, or righteous, or gracious, or faithful but that seems to simply fall short.  When we are describing something so far beyond us we often struggle with how to even describe it.  David attempts to address this in Psalm 36.  Let’s take a look at it together today

Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens,
    your faithfulness to the skies.

Your righteousness is like the highest mountains,
    your justice like the great deep.
    You, Lord, preserve both people and animals.

How priceless is your unfailing love, O God!
    People take refuge in the shadow of your wings.

They feast on the abundance of your house;
    you give them drink from your river of delights.

For with you is the fountain of life;
    in your light we see light.

Continue your love to those who know you,
    your righteousness to the upright in heart.