Complete Joy ~ Spring is in the air, finally

It is time for all you gardeners to get that seed or seedling in the ground so we will have something to gather come harvest time.
Several years ago I wrote something on Joy and Gardening and would like to share it with you today if I may;
In the Gospel of John chapter 15, verse 11, the word of the Lord says, “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be made complete.” Complete Joy.

What is it that he told us so that we can have this? We must go back a bit in the Gospel of John to find this out. John Chapter 15 explains how Jesus taught about the Vine and the Branches, it is an excellent illustration for us today;

Jesus said that He was the Vine and that His Father is the Gardner, who would not want God as
their Gardner?
With the Father being the Gardner imagine all the care we would get. I know how
I take care of my little garden, In our garden we have many different herbs growing and we
have 3 different types of tomatoes growing, of course there is one of them that my daughter has
laid claim to and rightfully so. Well anyone who has ever tended to a garden before knows about
sucker branches. Sucker branches appear and you think ahhhhhhhhh green growth,
I’m a Gardner.
Then they really take off, growing like crazy, before you know it they are like a foot long and you think WOW I am really good at this. They look good on the outside and you have a tendency to overlook them sometime and before you know it those sucker branches have really sucked the life out of the rest of the plant which is actually the best part of the plant; the part that will produce the “fruit”. So then you realize opps all that looks good and pretty isn’t always good. You have to go get the shears or as in my case the big ol knife and whack that sucker branch right off, it will improve the plant and the plant will produce good fruit. So our job as earthly little gardeners are a little like what our Father God the big Gardner does. He looks at the vine (Jesus) and those that live through him, the little branches and when ever a sucker branch comes along to destroy the other branches He has to cut it off. Sometimes those that are good even need a little pruning back to get it better grounded on the vine.
You know though when he does that to us, most of the time it is because we are trying to suck the life right out of our own selves. We forget where we get our life from and try to set out on our own or in a different direction, one that is not good for us. So sometimes we have to be reshaped so we can become well nourished. Our Father knows what is ahead for us and knows which direction we should be growing. He is so loving to us to guide us in that direction. He sent his son to show us the way. He sent the Holy Spirit to give us counsel and comfort along the way.
He has done every thing to give us every opportunity to live the best life we could have.
Jesus tells us I am the Vine and you are the Branches. If any man remains in me and I in him, he will produce much fruit, apart from me you can do nothing, if you do not remain in me, then you become like the branch that is cut off and thrown away. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. THIS is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourself to my disciples. As my Father loves me, I love you, now remain in my love. If you obey my commands you will remain in my love as I have obeyed my Fathers command I remain in his love. I HAVE TOLD YOU THIS THAT MY JOY MAY BE IN YOU AND THAT YOUR JOY BE MADE COMPLETE.
Now, look to your left, look to your right, look to the front again. Now, close your eyes for just a moment and while you have them closed listen to this, remember keep your eyes closed.
Chapter 15 verse 12, My command is this; love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his own life for his friends. With your eyes still closed…ask yourself this, would I lay my life down for the person next to me? Do not say anything; just think about it, would you? You can open your eyes now.

My command is this; Love each other as I love you, greater love has no one than to lay down his life for his friends.


YOU are my friends if you do as I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know the business of the Master. Instead, I have called you friends, for EVERYTHING that I learned from my Father, I have made known to you. WOW!
Everything that Jesus has learned he has made known to us.
So, what is that complete joy?
Remaining in his love, loving one another, bearing lasting fruit

What is it to you?

You know we can walk in this all the time, if we only will! That is our decision.
Where are you?
Are you a branch that is flourishing?
Are you a branch that is doing ok but needs some pruning?
Are you a sucker branch?
Please take this time just a moment now to think about that, I invite you to come to His altar for some nourishment that only the Father Gardner can provide. Just you and Him …
If you have never made a decision to give your life to Christ and would like to do that right now. He is waiting for you!
Received ~ Summer 2006

Blessings~ Hope you are full of Complete Joy and have a great garden this year!