For a good friendship, you need intimacy, intentionality, and investment.

"I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you." John 15:15

Friendships are essential for identity, belonging, emotional support, self-worth, social skills, and spiritual growth.

You live in the unshakable kingdom of God. The kingdom is not in trouble, and neither are you!

His followers had an idea of what the coming kingdom would look like, but Jesus wasn't interested in the same kingdom. He was interested in the greater, eternal, spiritual kingdom. They wanted the benefits of the kingdom without the King.

Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. Zechariah 9:9

"Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time He may exalt you." 1 Peter 5:6

"Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.'" 1 Peter 5:5

He made himself nothing by serving. He humbled himself by becoming obedient to death on the cross. Jesus's core mission was to serve others.

Voluntary surrender is hard, but easier when you remember who you're surrendering to.

People who think they can save themselves on their own can't.

"Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?" Luke 14:27-28

We experience seasons where it feels like life is falling apart, but God shows up at just the right time to put it together. We're never abandoned and we're never alone.

Life with Jesus looks like letting go of some things and embracing others. It comes with struggle and suffering along the way. But it's as easy as hard gets.

Does Jesus only belong where life is comfortable and predictable, and when you're among the majority?

God doesn't force people to follow Him, but He works in their lives (and through us) to show them who He really is. None of us will play the music well every day but don't be someone's reason for not coming to Jesus.

To get an accurate picture of the song, look at those who play the music (live out following Jesus) how it should be played.

If we're wanting to reach people, it's critical that we understand the times we're living in and know the issues our neighbors face. They won't understand us if we're speaking a different language.

God loves to answer our prayers, but the better answer is sometimes no. He calls us to respond to Him and His promises with faith.

Tests reveal proficiency. While we may think an ideal life doesn't include problems, the truth is that God makes us stronger (and proves His strength) through them.