In the Fruit Garden, Find JOY!

            Have you had your JOY JUICE today?  If you can’t find any, just go to the Fruit Garden where there’s always a fresh batch!

            In the Old Testament the grapevine and the abundant harvest of grapes from a single vine symbolized Israel’s fruitfulness in doing God’s work on the earth.  At the Passover meal, the fruit of the vine symbolized God’s goodness to his people.  Now, listen to the words of Jesus in John 15. 

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.  He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, so that it will be even more fruitful…

    “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

How can we bear spiritual fruit?  By remaining in Christ and allowing Him to dwell in us.  These verses tell us that our Father cuts off the branches that bear no fruit…and that even those that do bear fruit, he prunes so that they will be even more fruitful.  Cutting or pruning symbolizes pain.  Being a follower of Christ requires separating ourselves from some of the influences of our past…allowing Christ to take the place of old desires and pleasures. 

This isn’t a sad thing because the joy we experience from a genuine relationship with Jesus far outweighs anything that the enemy can offer!

            Remain in Jesus and allow Him to dwell in you.  You’ll be amazed at how much fruit will blossom and develop because of The Master Gardener’s tender love and care!