Abiding   January 1 is the official beginning of the New Year, but I think spring is when my motor begins to rev up. April is the month when I think of landscaping projects and new ideas for ministry. Spring is a time for renewal, rebirth, and doing.   But God’s still small voice is calling me to first abide.   Abide in My Word “Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples” (John 8:31)   Abide in My Love “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love.” (John 15:9-10)   Abide in Me “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.” (John 15:4)   I have been helped to abide in the word for many years. In my daily morning Bible readings, in Sunday worship services, and in small group studies, I have had an enriching meaty diet of solid teaching from the inspired word of God. The Spirit has not only helped me to read and study the word regularly, He has also revealed Jesus in the word.   In the past four years, “God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit” (Romans 5:5) and I have been seeking to abide in His love. Throughout my pilgrimage following Jesus, I have had tastes, experiences, and glimpses of His grace, but now am living and abiding in His love in a new and more consistent manner. God has graciously taught me to have regular times of stillness, when I wait and marinate in His care and affection.   Abiding in the word has been life changing. Abiding in His love has been transforming. Abiding in Me, calls me to develop a personal relationship with the living God which is new, and a little scary.   Perhaps I am reticent to have a close connection with God because I have been hurt by relationships in my past. Maybe my innate sense of self preservation makes it hard for me to depend on another person or being. While I am aware no one is truly self sufficient, leaning and abiding, even if on the breast of a faithful loving God, is new territory for me.   The command to abide in Me is more than a daily meeting each morning, then off to the races. It is a continual living in His presence. As I ponder this call to my heart, I am comforted by what I know of God in His word. His faithfulness, His love, His mercy, and the assurance that He never changes. He is love. He is light. He is good.   Knowing in a deeper way than ever before, that He created me, formed me in my mother’s womb, knew me before the foundation of the world, loves me unconditionally, and is praying for me, certainly helps.   Now to rest in Him, abide in Him, know Him in richer ways, is the next great adventure. Have a blessed Spring of new beginnings with your Heavenly Dad.   “May the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.” (2 Thessalonians 3:16)   Steve  

BFF News and Updates   Our “Trek to Jerusalem” concluded today. Over 150 participants encouraged one another in our daily Bible reading. With each chapter equal to one mile, we extended our original objective to Jerusalem by continuing east until we circumnavigated the world. As a team, we read 28,954.6 chapters(miles) in 96 days.   I hope you can join us for phase 2 when we leave St Louis on Monday April 11 to traverse South America and Africa. Learn more about our recent adventure and discover how you can join up as an individual or as a family HERE  

New Books   Last weekend in Cincinnati, the first two books appeared in print. I sold all of them and a new order has been sent to the printer. Speaking the Truth in Love and Transformed in Love will be available online soon or at an upcoming conference near you!   Next weekend Knowing God’s Love will be available at the Ottawa Conference. I am doing the final edits on Crisis to Christ and hope to have this one done by the end of the month. Many many thanks to the incredible readers of this newsletter who volunteered to review and give me feedback. They provided valuable insights which significantly improved the quality of these resources.  

5 Most Important Truths to Teach Your Children {Video}   Watch one my talks from last year here.