This week I thought that we might do something a little bit different.  The following prayer found in Philippians 1 will be our text all week.  I encourage you to read the entire chapter or even the book of Philippians but for the next several days we will focus on verses 3-11.  This is one of my favorite prayers so let’s dig in!

I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. 7 It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. 8 God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. 9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.

Today I want to focus on partnership.  When you have a partnership there are people who are working alongside you and pitching in different ways.  I am thankful for the partnership of the people of Advent in the ministry of the gospel as well.  From inviting friends to church, to giving to support the ministry, to serving on Sunday morning, or leading or hosting a small group.  You all play an important partnership role in what happens at Advent.  I often think of all of the different things that come together to make Advent work.  Yesterday we celebrated the retirement of Roberto who has in many ways literally kept this place up and running for so many years through the maintenance work he has done.  I am truly grateful for all of you and your partnership in this incredible ministry.  May we continue to share the love of Christ through God’s strength in amazing ways. 

In His Grip,
Pastor Dave