In this episode of the Abide series, we explore what it really means to follow Jesus as we go—beyond quiet moments of faith and into everyday life. From John 15:12–17, we see that abiding with Jesus looks like friendship with Him, obedience expressed through love, and living on mission in a way that bears lasting fruit.

Jesus makes it clear that obedience is not the entrance into His love but the expression of remaining in it. Obedience is how love takes shape in real life — in choices, habits, relationships, and desires. When we abide in His love, obedience stops feeling like religious rule-keeping and becomes partnership with the heart of God. Jesus calls us friends, not servants, because He reveals His heart and invites us into His work. Obedience is the fruit of intimacy: listening, trusting, and walking with Jesus daily in the ways He leads.

From our "Abide" series • Danny Strange

In this message from John 15:9–11, Danny Strange explores what it means to move beyond simply knowing that God loves us to actually living in that love. Through the images of family, apprenticeship, and home, we see how drift happens—and how Jesus invites us back into delight, closeness, trust, and partnership with the Father. Abiding joy, Jesus says, is found not in performance, but in remaining in His love.

Jesus invites us to remain—not in fear, shame, or performance—but in the same love that the Father has always had for Him. This means God’s posture toward us is not reluctant or fluctuating but steady, joyful, and overflowing. Remaining in His love reshapes our spiritual life from striving to resting, from insecurity to assurance, from duty to delight. The result, Jesus says, is true and lasting joy — the unmistakable fruit of a life rooted in God’s affection

From our "Abide" series • Danny Strange

In this message, Austin Payne slows us down beneath outcomes and effort to recover Jesus as the true source of life. Rooted in John 15, the conversation reframes abiding not as a spiritual technique or performance metric, but as a grace-fueled posture of dependence on a Person. As pressure lifts, we’re invited to remain—learning that lasting fruit grows from connection to Christ, not control of our lives.

We begin the year by grounding our entire faith in the reality that every Christian is now in Christ — united with Him, joined to His life, and sustained by His presence. Jesus’ image of the vine and branches shows that Christianity is not just believing what Jesus said or imitating what Jesus did; it is receiving His very life. To “abide in Him” means staying connected, dependent, and receptive to the life Jesus already gives. Our identity is not achieved but received, and everything God will grow in us this year begins with this simple, essential command: remain in Me.

From our "Abide" series • Austin Payne

What if lasting change doesn’t come from trying harder, but from staying connected? In this message from John 15:16, Danny Strange explores what it means to bear “fruit that will last” and why true transformation flows from abiding in Jesus, not personal effort. Discover how identity, environment, community, and small, consistent reconnection shape a life that grows real fruit over time.

When Jesus speaks of “fruit that will last,” He isn’t talking about momentary inspiration or temporary spiritual highs, but the kind of transformation that comes from His life flowing through ours. Lasting fruit is the evidence of real union with Christ - character shaped into His likeness, obedience born from love, and lives that point others toward Him. This is the invitation for 2026: not to try harder, but to remain in Jesus so His life bears fruit in us that truly lasts.

From our "Abide" series • Danny Strange

In this episode, Larry walks through 1 John 5:1–21, reminding believers that eternal life is not a distant hope but a present assurance secured in Jesus. As Advent comes to a close, we’re invited to step into the new year abiding in Christ—grounded in His truth, His presence, and His unshakable promise.

As the year draws to a close, John offers believers the gift of confidence — you can know you belong to God. Eternal life isn’t a wishful hope but a present reality secured in Jesus. Advent ends not with uncertainty, but with assurance that Christ has come, is with us, and will keep us. We step into a new year abiding in His truth, His presence, and His promise.

"God With Us" series • Larry Vold