At the core of our being, all of us are following someone. But who are we trusting to lead us well? Our default answer is that we trust ourselves, yet that was not how God designed us to live, and that becomes evident when we lead ourselves into a disaster. Those disasters are opportunities for us to learn and look for a better leader. We need look no further than Jesus, for he is the best person to lead us because of what he has done, is doing and will do in the future for us. (Based on Col. 1:15-23)

Feeling lonely is not unusual, but sometimes it feels like that's all there is. Jesus has something more for us: a life where we are created and gifted to be part of something much bigger than ourselves, where our unity is not based on sameness, but on our common connection to our Lord. Together we can do far more than any of us can do on our own. This new life is what we were made for. It's life in the Body of Christ and it is a gift. (Based on 1 Cor. 12:12-20.)

Memories are often a source of comfort or encouragement to us, but they are more important than we realize. They can even direct our decisions and actions. Jesus is calling us to remember that he suffered, died and rose again for that memory helps us see our life in a new way: we are new creation people living in a hidden new creation world. Keeping that Good News at the top of our memory pile will help us to more fully live the new life that Jesus has given us. (Based on Luke 24:1-35.)

Surprise parties can be great because they reveal unexpected affirmations of love which fill us with joy. Can we live our lives based on such surprises? During the days before and after his journey to the cross, Jesus surprised people with unexpected revelations that he was our Messiah, Redeemer and Savior. Perhaps most surprising of all, he has chosen each of us to be a beloved, forgiven child of God through whom he works to surprise others with his grace. (Based on Mt. 21:1-11.)

Our tendency to be selfish is fed by a hard-wired desire for glory. But Jesus gives us new life as a beloved, forgiven child of God and helps us to become the person he always meant us to be. Then we live in the glory of who we really are in Jesus, and we are content. (Based on John 12:20-36.)

We live in a time of strong opinions. But are opinions all that is, or is there such a thing as absolute reality? If there is, how can we see and live in that reality? With the new birth we have from Jesus, we are able to live a new life in which we can see things as they really are. With Jesus’ love filling our heart, we reflect his life-giving love out into the world around us and we have hope for an even better life in the future. (Based on John 3:1-21.)

From time to time, what’s in our soul spills out before others. It can be embarrassing when that happens. Of greater concern is the fact that our soul is always transparent before God. So how messy is your soul and how can a messy soul be cleaned up? Jesus will do that for us. As we trust him to do that, he transforms us into holy temples of God that reflect his life-giving love into the world around us. (Based on John 2:13-22.)

It is natural for us to think that we can approach God and live a good life by doing the right things. But God knows that that approach will never work. Instead, he offers us the free gift of new life through faith in his Son, Jesus Christ. Repentance is an important part of our new life with Jesus because repentance is what clears away the soul garbage that prevents us from receiving the fullness of that rich, full, abundant life. (Based on Mt. 3:1-17.)

It is hard when things that we intend for good turn out to be terrible. But Jesus is the Messiah who came to redeem us lost and broken sinners and bring us into God’s kingdom. Loved and encouraged by Jesus in the midst of our emptiness and suffering, we become more like him. Enlivened and directed by him, we step into the opportunities he gives us to love and encourage others who suffer. (Based on Mark 8:27-38.)

Relationships can be tricky to navigate. But with the new identity that Jesus has given us, and with the love that he pours into our heart, we are able to love others selflessly & sacrificially so they may have the greatest gift of all: a living relationship with the loving God. (Based on Colossians 3:18-4:6.)