Hello Advent Family,

Have you ever had an enemy in your life?  Someone who intentionally and persistently was seeking out your downfall.  Playing sports my whole life you have rivalries where you try to defeat each other on the field but then you shake hands afterwards and even respect each other.  I’m talking about a true enemy.  The Bible tells us that we do have an enemy.  One who is actively seeking our undoing.  Let’s look together at Peter’s words about this today.

6 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.

Our enemy prowls around like a lion looking to devour us.  This image is one that should put us on alert.  Too often I think we walk through life without thinking this way.  This is why hearing about people falling into temptation is so common.  They were not on alert.  You would never walk into a field casually if you knew there was a hungry lion prowling around there.  We need to remain alert and resist the temptations that the devil sends our way.  One of his biggest schemes is to get us to not think about him at all.  To live lives as followers of Jesus that are casual and passive.  We are called as Jesus’ followers to love God and love others with everything we have got.  We are called to share Jesus’ message with the world.  We are called to be the church, to be Jesus’ representatives for the world.  The more we live this kind of life the more our enemy will try and attack.  So be aware, be bold, be those Jesus has called us to be.

In His Grip,
Pastor Dave