August 25, 2022

Hello Advent Family,

Have you ever had an enemy? Not merely someone who didn’t like you or who you didn’t get along with, but someone who was actively working toward your destruction. It can be unnerving to think that someone is doing that but the Bible reminds us that, in fact, we all have an enemy. Satan is at work to attack us. Let’s look together at I Peter 5 today.

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. 10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 11 To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Peter tells us to be alert, be ready for the attack. He tells us to resist and stand firm and that God, Himself, will make us strong, firm, and steadfast. That means not only do we have an enemy, but more importantly an ally. If God is with us we can stand up to anything that Satan may throw at us. To me that gives so much confidence. It’s like going into battle knowing we have already won. The key for us is to lean into God’s strength and not try to rely on our own. When we fight alone we will inevitably fail at times but when we lean into God’s strength we will overcome. 
 
In His Grip,
Pastor Dave

Read more

August 24, 2022

Hello Advent Family,

Peter is a man of action. He leaps and then looks where he is leaping. I love that his writing is so action oriented as well. He doesn’t beat around the bush or waste time with long explanations his just says what he wants to say. Let’s look at a few verses in chapter 4 where he tells us how we should be living as followers of Jesus.

The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. 8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

He is basically saying get to work. Pray, make sure to love God and others it’s the most important thing. Use the gifts God has entrusted you with. He doesn’t feel the need to motivate us into action, he is basically a Nike commercial saying just do it. Something about that resonates with me. It is almost as if for Peter using your gifts to build the church is a no brainer. For many of us over the years following Christ has become a more intellectual or emotional connection than one of action. Perhaps we could all use a little more of the spirit of Peter. May we be people that live, act, and love as Jesus calls us to, using our gifts to build His kingdom.
 
In His Grip,
Pastor Dave

Read more

August 23, 2022

Hello Advent Family,

Have you ever faced opposition because of your faith?  I can think of several occasions throughout my life but nothing like the early church faced regularly.  In the midst of such opposition they still shared their faith boldly with others.  Our example in this is Jesus who suffered for us, and died so that we might have life.  Let’s look together at what Peter says about this in I Peter 3.

Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” 15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 17 For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. 18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit.

Even in the face of persecution Peter tells his readers to always be prepared to give a reason for the hope that you have.  In other words always be ready to talk to others about Jesus.  Peter reminds us to do it with gentleness and respect but to take advantage of those chances.  I think that God regularly puts these opportunities in front of us and sometimes we simply miss them.  Pray that God would give you the eyes to recognize those opportunities and the boldness and the words to take advantage of those opportunities when they come to you. 

In His Grip,
Pastor Dave


Read more

August 22, 2022

Hello Advent Family,

Have you ever thought of yourself as special or set apart?  Do you know that God tells us in His word that is exactly what we are.  We are His chosen people His special possession.  Created by Him and for Him.  What does that practically mean for our lives?  Let’s look at what I Peter 2 says about this together today.

 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 11 Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. 12 Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.

Peter reminds us that we are special and set apart for a purpose.  To bring glory to God and to stand out in the world such that others will be drawn to God as well.  We have a blessing, honor, and responsibility to share God’s love with the world.  When I think of being special I think of a unique talent or ability that someone may possess beyond the normal.  God has blessed us all with gifts but He is reminding us that we are special simply because we are His.  God loves you and calls you His special possession and that certainly makes us all special!

In His Grip,
Pastor Dave


Read more

August 19, 2022

Hello Advent Family,

Have you ever travelled to another country or area where the culture and customs were completely different?  Maybe you jumped right in or maybe you felt a bit uncomfortable.  It is interesting that time and again the Bible talks about us being aliens and strangers or foreigners whose home is heaven and who are only here on earth temporarily.  What does that idea mean for our life?  Let’s look at what Peter says about it in 1Peter 1.

Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. 14 As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” 17 Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear. 18 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. 20 He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. 21 Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.

Peter tells us to live out our time here in reverent fear.  In other words our time on earth is very temporary compared to our eternal home.  We should make the most of our time and live and love the way Jesus has taught us to but we also should not embrace this world as our home.  We should be different because we have a different home.  We are heirs to the kingdom of Heaven and should live as such. 

In His Grip,
Pastor Dave


Read more

August 18, 2022

Hello Advent Family,

How powerful do you believe prayer is? I have a feeling that we often underestimate the power and significance of prayer.  The Bible certainly doesn’t.  We are given many examples of just how powerful prayer is.  James gives us a reminder of this truth in chapter 5.  Let’s look at it together today. 

 Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. 14 Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. 16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. 17 Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. 18 Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.

Prayer isn’t like rubbing a magic lamp and asking to have a wish granted.  Often prayer works to put our desires in line with God’s desires.  There are clearly times when God answers big prayers beyond our wildest dreams.  Jesus even repeatedly makes it a point to go away and pray.  He teaches His disciples how to pray.   Thanks to the work of Jesus on the cross we are told to boldly go before the throne of God in prayer and cry out to Him.  I find that the more I pray and the bolder I pray the more I become certain that however God answers I will be ok because God is with me.  Today pray boldly and watch and see what God does in your life.

In His Grip,
Pastor Dave


Read more

August 17, 2022

Hello Advent Family,

I remember as a youth hearing a Pastor say that the root of all of our sin is selfishness.  He said it comes from putting our own desires in the place that God alone deserves in our lives.  James takes a similar approach in chapter 4.  Let’s take a look at it together today.

What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. Or do you think Scripture says without reason that he jealously longs for the spirit he has caused to dwell in us? But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says :“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”  Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.

One of my favorite videos to watch is the marshmallow challenge.  It could be a cookie or a marshmallow or any good treat but the principal is that a parent places a treat down in front of their child and says don’t eat or even touch this until I get back and then leaves the room.  Of course there is a camera rolling to film the inevitable battle that goes on in the child.  They really want the treat but also have a desire to listen to their parent.  That is an illustration of the warring desires we often have going on in our lives.  I love that James gives us a way to combat these desires in the end of this passage.  He says resist the devil and he will resist you, draw near to God and He will draw near too you.  The reality is God is always near to us but when we actively pursue Him we feel closer to Him and it is easier to stand against those warring desires within us.  I pray that God would help us all to draw near to Him.  Maybe then we will do a little bit better at resisting the marshmallows in our life.
 
In His Grip,
Pastor Dave

Read more

August 16, 2022

Hello Advent Family,
 
Have you ever really put your foot in your mouth? Maybe you said something without thinking and immediately regretted it. Maybe you have hurt someone that you really care about with your words in the heat of the moment. Words are powerful and yet often we use them carelessly. James speaks to this in chapter 3 of his letter. Let’s look at it together today.
 
When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 4 Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. 5 Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. 7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. 11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 12 My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.
 
James reminds us of the critical importance of how we use our tongues. While we often use our words to praise God and to encourage and build each other up we can also use them carelessly and tear others down. When we stop and think about the power of words in our lives it makes us be more intentional about how we use them. Think about the times when others have truly used their words to build you up and show you love. I’m sure you can also easily remember words that have hurt. Make it a practice to seek to use your words to build up someone today. You may be surprised at how significant that can be in someone’s life.
 
In His Grip,
Pastor Dave

Read more

August 15, 2022

Hello Advent Family,
 
What is something that you truly believe in? The thing about believing in something is that it affects your behavior inevitably. You believe you can accomplish something so you go out and do it. You are afraid of something so you avoid it. What we believe affects how we live. James talks a lot about this in his letter. Let’s look at chapter 2 together today. 
 
What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. 18 But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. 19 You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.
 
Of course our faith should be followed by works. James is not saying that it is our works that save us. He is pointing out that if, in fact, our faith is genuine it will of course be accompanied by works. When you love someone of course you want to please them. When we love God we want to follow His word by loving others. When we live lives of love our lives are filled with good works. We serve others, we help and encourage others, and we meet each other’s needs. When we authentically believe God and His word we do something about it. Today and every day let’s seek to live out our faith by being people of love – it’s why we are here!
 
In His Grip,
Pastor Dave

Read more

August 12, 2022

Hello Advent Family,
 
The book of James is a book of action. Some think of it as flying in the face of the idea of grace, but a better reading of it is calling us to action because of God’s amazing grace. James doesn’t pull punches and essentially tells us that real faith requires action. Let’s look together at a section of chapter 1 together today. 
 
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. 21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. 22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do. 26 Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. 27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
 
Be quick to listen and slow to speak and slow to become angry. Wow that would certainly make for a lot less arguments in our world today. He goes on to tell us to listen to the word of God but also to act on it. If we are acting on the word our lives will be a blessing, if we are not our faith will be dead. James tells it like it is. May we all be challenged by a journey through James in the coming days.
 
In His Grip,
Pastor Dave

Read more