As we look around to the world we live in, we find many things that shake us up. Headlines from social media, and around the clock news coverage alert us to what’s wrong in the world. We move from tragedy to tragedy, feeling all the while more unsteady than perhaps ever before. Many times we recognize that our lives aren’t that much steadier. We often don’t know what’s waiting for us around life’s corner. Too often we find ourselves bombarded by an unforeseen struggle. However, God’s Word offers us solid ground to stand on–an anchor in the midst of the storm–so that we might look to Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who provides for us an Unshakable Kingdom. This weekend we find our bearings in Jesus; and through the life and forgiveness He provides, we are better prepared to engage this unsteady world with the good news of Christ!

In the race of life there are many things that we intentionally and unintentionally hold on to that slow us down and make us weary. Yet there is one who ran a perfect race not to show us how to do it but to do it in our place so that through Jesus we may have victory! Our eyes are on him so that we too can run and not grow weary because the race we are running can have an eternal impact on others!

Worry, Fear, Anxiety. There are so many things to be concerned about! Fortunately Jesus knows this too and speaks words of PEACE into our lives as He invites us to find in him a peace that passes all understanding.

One day Jesus was teaching a very large crowd about how they could have boldness and peace to confess Him as the Savior of mankind. In the midst of this important teaching, a man made a request that was focused not on Jesus and His Kingdom, but rather on the gains of this temporary world. Jesus used the opportunity to teach an important lesson about the focus of our life’s work. As we continue to focus on the words of Just Jesus, we find a model that encourages us to labor joyfully each day for the life and the Kingdom without end!

One of Jesus’ Disciples once asked Him how His followers should pray. Jesus not only only gave His followers what we have come to call the Lord’s Prayer, but he also told a story that invites us to call upon Our Father in all times of trouble, joy, thanksgiving, and praise! What we find in Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, is that not only are we able to pray boldly about everything, but the giver of all good gifts hears our prayer, and is faithful to answer is ways that exceed our expectations. Jesus has given us a Prayer Without Boundaries!

Does Jesus care? That's the question Martha raises when things aren't going the way she wants and in order to show that Jesus cares she has a pretty specific demand. We too can fall into the same temptation by trying to determine if God cares by simply looking at our circumstances. It is only when we stop and rest and rest at the feet of Jesus do we realize sure and certain answer to the question found at the cross.

"What shall I do to inherit eternal life?" and "Who is my neighbor?" In response to both of those questions Jesus tells a story in which he illustrates the incredible mercy and love that is available to all, no matter how undeserving a person may be

When Jesus sends out the 72, the first thing he asks them to do is to pray earnestly for more laborers in the harvest field to carry out the critical and important task of being agents of peace and bringing the Kingdom of God near to those far from him. That is the mission of the church today as well and the fields are ripe for harvest as we have privledge to continue to carry out his work and mission today and impact eternity!

Through faith in Jesus Christ we are Children of God. As sons and daughters of Our Father in heaven, we have received the freedom and eternal life that comes from forgiveness of sins, and life in Jesus. This week in worship we are encouraged by God’s Word to use our freedom to positively affect the lives of others, and to direct them to the same Lord and Jesus Christ who has made us forgiven and free!

We are thankful for our earthly fathers. Through good times and bad, fathers care for us through their love and guidance. But our fathers need something that they themselves cannot provide; and it’s the same thing each and every one of us need: A Savior! Our Father in Heaven has provided all we need for eternal life in His name by giving the gift of His only son. Through Jesus Christ, we are no longer slaves to our sin, but we are called a new name: We are Children. We are Children of the Father!