A few weeks ago, I planted four large flowerpots at the front of our offices with petunias. I love gardening and these flowers have such bright colors. They make me smile.
Now each morning before I go inside, I stop at each pot and “dead head” the blooms. They need to be pruned so that new buds can continue to produce. They are an example of daily living to me.
“ Jesus said, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch of mine that does not produce fruit. He also trims every branch that produces fruit to prepare it to produce even more. 3 You have already been prepared to produce more fruit by the teaching I have given you. 4Stay joined to me and I will stay joined to you. No branch can produce fruit alone. It must stay connected to the vine. It is the same with you. You cannot produce fruit alone. You must stay joined to me.
5 “I am the vine, and you are the branches. If you stay joined to me, and I to you, you will produce plenty of fruit. But separated from me you won’t be able to do anything. 6 If you don’t stay joined to me, you will be like a branch that has been thrown out and has dried up. All the dead branches like that are gathered up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 Stay joined together with me, and follow my teachings. If you do this, you can ask for anything you want, and it will be given to you. 8 Show that you are my followers by producing much fruit. This will bring honor to my Father.”
9 “I have loved you as the Father has loved me. Now continue in my love. 10 I have obeyed my Father’s commands, and he continues to love me. In the same way, if you obey my commands, I will continue to love you. 11 I have told you these things so that you can have the true happiness that I have. I want you to be completely happy. 12 This is what I command you: Love each other as I have loved you. ” John 15: 1-12 ERV
Do you see how many times in these few verses Jesus repeats “stay joined to me”? Go back and read it again and let it sink in.
Stay Joined to Me!
When we are joined to Him, we produce beautiful blossoms just like on the petunias. Our fruit, love for one another, brings beauty into the world and brings joy into our lives. There are things that need to be pruned so that we continue to grow in a healthy way.
Stay Joined to Me!
Jesus isn’t separating from us. In fact, we have His promise in Hebrews that He will NEVER, no, NEVER leave us or abandon us.
“Let your character [your moral essence, your inner nature] be free from the love of money [shun greed—be financially ethical], being content with what you have; for He has said, “I will never [under any circumstances] desert you [nor give you up nor leave you without support, nor will I in any degree leave you helpless], nor will I forsake or let you down or relax My hold on you [assuredly not]!” 6 So we take comfort and are encouraged and confidently say,
‘The Lord is my Helper [in time of need], I will not be afraid. What will man do to me?’” Hebrews 13:5-6 AMP
We don’t have to be greedy and selfish when we are joined to Him. The vine supplies all we need for a good and healthy and prosperous life.
Never under any circumstances will He desert, abandon, forsake or let us down! Never!
What does your day have in store? There may be a little pruning but it’s for our benefit.
Stay Joined to Him because He’ll never let us down and we can say the Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?
What an encouraging message. A wonderful reminder of God’s goodness and faithfulness. Thanks Kristi.
I so appreciate you and your faithfulness in following God’s path.