Psalm 46 is a reminder that God is our refuge and strength.  Martin Luther's great hymn, "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God" was inspired by this Psalm.  God is our "Mighty Fortress" despite our circumstances and even when we do not feel him near!

This is the introductory message on Paul's prayers for the church.  Paraphrasing from D.A. Carson's, "Praying with Paul," we share some general lessons on prayer.

Then we look at one of Paul's specific prayers for the church, namely Paul thanks God for the members of the churches he has founded.

Why are you cast down?

Put your hope in God.  The God who sustained you and strengthened you in the past can and will do so again!

We reap what we sow.

We are called to "sow to the Spirit."  We're called to sow seed that produces the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

We're called to serve others and be reconciled to others.  So "let us not grow weary in doing good."

If we're going to boast, let us boast in the cross of Christ.  We have nothing to boast of but grace alone.

Paul suggests x necessary ingredients for life in the community of faith:

Restore sinners

Bear one another's burdens; while bearing the weight of our own responsibility.

Do not think too highly of self, but consider neighbor as important if not more important

Guest speaker Bill Wall brings a Father's day message from the great parable Jesus told about a father and his wayward son, Luke 15:11-32

Will we produce works of the flesh (5:19-21)?

or

Will we walk by the Spirit and produce fruit of the Spirit (5:22-25)?

David gives us a pattern that is helpful when we too face struggles.  David gives testimony of God's past deliverance, reflects in the present on God's goodness, and then prays for future deliverance.

Remembering how God has delivered us in the past and has been good to us gives us hope that God will be with us and deliver us in our current struggle.

May the Lord indeed pull you from the miry bog and set your feet on a rock!

In Psalm 39, David invites us to ponder the brevity of life and in doing so to make the most of our lives!