John 15:12-17

"[Jesus continued,] "I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn't confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you..."

"[Jesus continued,] "I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! This is my commandment: Love..."

How do we make life among our friends more enjoyable? Friends can help friends if they love them and minister to them.

"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends."

"You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit — fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my..."

Inspirational illustration of John 15:16 -- You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit--fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.

Love e-card of John 15:12 - Love One Another.

Inspirational illustration of John 15:13 -- Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.

Do you have an "any weather" friend? Jesus is a friend for all seasons, but so many of our friends are only fair weather friends.

"Dear Friend, Before I ascended to the Father, I promised My disciples that I would send the Spirit. I promised I would pour out the Spirit on people...."

What would you do in your last moments with those you love? Phil Ware continues his series on the unpredictable Savior and reminds us of the upper room discourses where Jesus demonstrates and teaches what is most important to him to those who are most important to him, his disciples, his friends, those he loves.

Sometimes what we need most is a friend! Phillip Morrison writes to remind us that the Ferguson tragedy is not new, but a repeated wound or scar, and we need trusted friends to help address the issue, and the same is true with our lives and Jesus our friend.

As followers of Jesus, we are blessed to have forever friends from all over the world! Phil Ware reminds us that in Jesus, we are friends, and our friendships reach around the world, across cultures, and unite us in one family.

How deep is the darkness where you shine your light? Phil Ware continues his dialogue on darkness and light and emphasizes the importance of shining our light in the darkness and

Jesus said that there is no greater love! Phillip Morrisson reminds us of four men of great courage and compassion who gave all they had to help others find God and survive tragedy.

How can we so easily forget such sacrifice? Phil Ware shares some Scriptures on sacrifice, love, remembering, and friendship.

What would you not do to save the life of a friend? Phil Ware talks about four friends who dig a hole in the roof to get their friend to Jesus so he could be healed; so what would we be willing to do to get our friends to Jesus to be saved?

So who are you based on your living? Danny Sims takes a weird mixture of folks and reminds us that we are what we are, so look at your life and see if that is who you want to be!

When's the last time you welcomed someone in? We have been brought into the circle of God's grace and we must graciously bring others in as well.

Imagine never being picked last! Paul Faulkner reminds us that God chose us, and still chooses us, every time for his team.

Who would you try to make contact with? Russ Lawson emphasizes that we shouldn't be motivated out of fear, but urgency and love, and mend our relationships.

What happened to Jesus' promise? Ron Rose writes about unanswered prayers and letting God find us and us having conversations with our heavenly Father.

What can make my joy complete? Tom Norvell talks about his son's wedding and how everyone sacrificed to do what the bride and groom wanted and this allowed complete joy to bless everyone.