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Blessed is the man who doesn't walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the way of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers; But his delight is in Yahweh's law; On his law he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree planted by the streams of water, That brings forth its fruit in its se... -
Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus toward you. Don't quench the Spirit. Don't despise prophesies. Test all things, and hold firmly that which is good. Abstain from every form of evil. 1 Thessalonians 5:16'22 WEB.While travelin...
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When he came down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him. Behold, a leper came to him and worshiped him, saying, "Lord, if you want to, you can make me clean." Jesus stretched out his hand, and touched him, saying, "I want to. Be made clean." Immediately his leprosy was cleansed. Matthew 8...
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The Gardener
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Jesus said to her, Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking? Supposing Him to be the gardener, she said to Him, Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away. Jesus said to her, Mary. She turned and said to him in Aramaic, Rabboni! (which means Teacher). John 20:15 ESV
Mary Magdalene came to the tomb of Jesus to grieve but found it empty. As she turned back, a man was there she did not recognize. She thought that He was the gardener. Yet, when Jesus called her by her name, she knew Him immediately.
In a way, Mary was right. God planted the original garden of Eden, and the tomb itself was in a garden. Jesus often met with His disciples in the garden of Gethsemane (John 18:1). Parables of Jesus tell of a caretaker that prunes and fertilizes (John 15:2, Luke 13:6).
Sometimes the Lord can be working in our life and we do not recognize Him. Later, we know that it is Him, just like He said that His sheep would (John 10:3). He is always there to care for us with fertilizing to make us grow, or pruning us back to make us bear even more fruit (John 15:2).
We often see it from the plants perspective and can see no logical reason why the Gardener would be cutting off our branches. That person that is standing in front of you, building you up, or tearing you down, may be used by the Lord for His purpose in the long run. Trust the Gardener, He has your best interest at heart.
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Lucas Napo
__________amen Pastor Todd_________
May 7, 2015
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Lissy Verghese
Thank you Pastor for the great message!
May 7, 2015
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J D Williams
INDEED HE DOES WHY WOULD HE HAVE SENT HIS SON TO RECONCILE US BACK UNTO HIMSELF FROM THE BEGINING GOD HAS ALWAYS HAD A PLAN FOR US A PLAN FOR GOOD AND NOT FOR EVIL WE MUST TRUST HIM HE'S GOT THIS.......
May 7, 2015
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Valerie King
Amen
May 7, 2015
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Mike OBryan
In Him only I realize when the pruning comes!!!! It can hurt be unfomfortable! but by knowing Him His ways we are greatfull for the acitivity not angry!!!!!!!
May 7, 2015
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Lorna Smetak
Perfect timing! Brought tears to my eyes.
May 7, 2015
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Deborah Alexander
Amen, an on time message
May 7, 2015
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Pam Stauffer
Pruning certainly hurts....But sometimes it needs to be done. With God walking us through it...it will be worth the pain....Thanks Pastor Dion
May 7, 2015
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Jeannine Foster
Loved this message!!!!! Thank you Pastor Dion for the encouring words from God.
May 7, 2015
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Jeannine Foster
encouraging..... (not a great typist) ;)
May 7, 2015
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Debra lynn Hubbard
All I can say is praise God.... I've placed my life in the gardener perfect plan...what an awesome word of truth...thanks pastor Dion
May 7, 2015
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Penelope Rhome
I am listening Lord I hear what can i do for you today Hallelujah
May 7, 2015
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Karen Juhl
Unless the Lord does a miracle this will be my eighth Mothers Day without my children. They abandoned me after their father went to be with the Lord in November 2007. Two live in the same city I live and one is less than 40 miles away.
May 7, 2015
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Rose Sicilia
God bless you pastor Dion sometimes we don't understand but as Jesus said My thinking and ways are higher than yours. I praise The Lord for pruning or cutting off branches so I may grow spiritually. That's where the faith and trust in the Lord comes in. Thank you. May the Lord continue to work on us all. All praise and glory to the Lord. Amen.
May 7, 2015
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Kathy Banfield
I wish I could find more info on Mary Magdelene. Jesus purged her of demons, and then she was blessed! She must have been an amazing woman! Thanks for sharing!
May 7, 2015
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Gail Sellu
Lord I trust you, you are my author and finisher in my life! Thank you for loving, keeping, strengthening and empowering me each day!
May 7, 2015
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Lucille Jordan
I will be still and know you are GOD: https://youtu.be/z3wwWFsSlNQ
May 7, 2015
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Alane Grosz
I'm praying for you Karen, may God bless you and make you a blessing.
May 7, 2015
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Alane Grosz
May God's will for me be accomplished, use me Lord for good. I trust in you, even when the pruning is painful.
May 7, 2015
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KathyMaria Badalamenti
Thank you you for reminding me who is "The Master Gardner".
May 7, 2015
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Adrian Labuschagne
Thank you for this amazing word! In times of trouble it is difficult to live in the reality that we of a part of the "vine". Without consistent pruning and nurturing we will not yield our full potential. The pruning is often painful and we miss Christ at work - sometimes even when we are bearing more fruit!!.
May 7, 2015
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Twila Stierwalt
God sees the full picture, we only see in part. Thank You, God for being in charge of my life, and when I don't understand things to trust You, that You do know what You are doing.
May 7, 2015
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Carol Pady
I know that God closes doors for our good. Often we try to keep them open, but God will prevail. He will slam them shut and lock the door and toss away the key. He loves us this much.
May 7, 2015
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Marilyn DeJongh
Yes, God is the Gardener. Thank you for reminding me that I'm not in charge, tho' I often make that mistake of trying, and failing, because I didn't ask for His help. Great words, Pastor Todd.
May 7, 2015
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Deleted Member
Yes, sometimes Jesus has to prune us to make out lives bloom a little brighter for Him.
May 7, 2015- Edit- Delete
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Deleted Member
Amen.
May 7, 2015- Edit- Delete
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Deleted Member
Yes, many times I do forget to ask for help, because I am going about my day as if I am handling everything, but Jesus is there even when I don't realize pruning, fertilizing me, to help me grow in His grace. Because in this life we do nothing on out own. We may make mistakes, but if we truly put it all in HIs Hands, He will surely pick us up, dust us off, and prune us and fertilize us again to make us bloom for Him.
May 7, 2015- Edit- Delete
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Deleted Member
Amen, I am so glad He closed doors that I don't need to go through, because he knows what is best for us. He will be there for us like He was for Mary, even when we don't recognize Him, if we only listen to that still small voice we will hear and know that it is Him speaking to us.
May 7, 2015- Edit- Delete
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Deleted Member
Amen, it is so wonderful to know that God is in charge of our lives as long as we put our trust in Him, we have nothing to fear. Satan may try to send fear in our lives, because when Mary went to the tomb and it was empty, I imagine she felt a sense of fear of where they had taken Him, but to realize He was right there in the garden with her. What an amazing God.
May 7, 2015- Edit- Delete
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Deleted Member
Amen, I am so thankful for the times He has pruned me to make me a better Christian, even when its been painful, it was for my good. And that I am truly thankful for because He loves me so much, He is not willing to let us go.
May 7, 2015- Edit- Delete
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Deleted Member
Yes, Praise God, He is the Master Gardner and he prunes us and fertilizes us and shapes us into the beautiful flower or tree so we can bloom for Him.
May 7, 2015- Edit- Delete
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Deleted Member
That is so true Helena. He works in His mysterious ways, because the plans He has for us is far greater than anything we could ever imagine. They will be greater than anything we ever planned for ourself. Even when we may go through the pruning process and it may hurt, it will be for our good. Praise God:)
May 7, 2015- Edit- Delete
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Deleted Member
Alane, that is a beautiful prayer, may we all feel that way so God can use us for His glory. God bless you.
May 7, 2015- Edit- Delete
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Deleted Member
Amen
May 7, 2015- Edit- Delete
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Deleted Member
Amen, He writes the story of our lives and if we are a willing vessel, He will work His perfect will in us. He will love us, keeps us, strengthen us and empower us. We will shine for Him.
May 7, 2015- Edit- Delete
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Deleted Member
Yes, Jesus brought her a long way. She became a vessel for HIm. Her desire was to truly serve Him. It is amazing what God can do with any of us, if we are willing.
May 7, 2015- Edit- Delete
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Deleted Member
Amen, I am so glad He continues to work on me, even when I feel low in spirit and don't always understand what He is doing. But I have learned in all the years that I have been a Christian, that Jesus knows what He is doing and I will be okay. He will never leave me nor forsake me. Praise God He is always right there for us.
May 7, 2015- Edit- Delete
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Deleted Member
Karen, I pray over this for you and I believe that God is more than able to perform a Miracle for you. Many times we don't understand, but I am asking in Jesus Name that He will give you comfort and peace. A true calmness in your spirit. I pray that your children will see they need to be their for their Mom. I pray all the pain you feel in your heart, peace will replace it in Jesus Name. Amen.
May 7, 2015- Edit- Delete
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Deleted Member
Penelope that is beautiful, because many times I find myself asking Jesus what can you do for me today, instead of what can I do for You. Thank you so much for sharing.
May 7, 2015- Edit- Delete
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Deleted Member
Praise The Lord, isn't that a wonderful feeling we you can place your life in God's Hand and believe for His perfect will. (Beautiful)
May 7, 2015- Edit- Delete
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Deleted Member
Yes this word so touched my heart too. I needed to hear this today.
May 7, 2015- Edit- Delete
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Deleted Member
Yes, sometimes pruning us does hurt, but I am so thankful that He loves us so much that He will shape us to be what He wants us to be. I surely have been through a lot of pruning for reasons beyond my understanding, but Jesus knows all about it. I Praise HIm through it all.
May 7, 2015- Edit- Delete
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Deleted Member
Yes it truly was an on time message for me too.
May 7, 2015- Edit- Delete
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Deleted Member
Amen, it was perfect timing for me as well. Thank you Jesus and Pastor Dion for this message today.
May 7, 2015- Edit- Delete
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Deleted Member
Yes, it may be uncomfortable or hurt for awhile, but He is doing it for our greater good. Thank You Jesus.
May 7, 2015- Edit- Delete
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Deleted Member
Amen, Praise The Lord it was right on time.
May 7, 2015- Edit- Delete
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Deleted Member
Amen. He truly has got this.
May 7, 2015- Edit- Delete
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Deleted Member
Yes, Lissy, I too am so thankful for this great message. I needed to hear this today. God bless you:)
May 7, 2015- Edit- Delete
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Deleted Member
Yes, Jesus knows exactly what He is doing when He prunes us for the better. We may feel pain or be uncomfortable for awhile, but He is doing all this for us to make us bloom brighter for Him. Thank You Jesus:)
May 7, 2015- Edit- Delete
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Mahlet Tsegaye
Amen! I trust you Lord my Gardener help me to be fruitful.
May 7, 2015
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Deng Tembreza
Trust the LORD GOD for HE IS MIGHTY AND RIGHT AND ALL GOOD THINGS COMES
FROM THE LORD
GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME
May 7, 2015
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Paul f
She knew that it was Jesus when he called her by name. The gardener became the teacher. And the tomb was empty. I tried to memorize me some scripters today, and just sat and read over and over. My head is not able to recall too much yet. I will contuine to read them over and over.
May 7, 2015
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Rena Morris
Amen and praise God. My family and I are going through some stuff right now. I know there are going to rainbows and sunshine after the storm.
May 7, 2015
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Ticardo Williams
Amen. Praise God! Thank you! "Lord prepare me..."
May 8, 2015
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Theresa Smith
Amen
May 11, 2015
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Patty Martin
Again, a wonderful message Pastor! It is sad that when we don't know God's word, we think He is punishing us during our struggles and trials, and we blame Him for that. But once we grow spriritually by learning His word, trusting Him, and following His lead, we thank Him for the struggles because we understand that He is teaching us by providing opportunities in which to grow. He is getting us ready for something better; something in His plans and not our own. It's amazing how we begin to understand the things of our Father vs. the things of the enemy. Thankful today that I have learned to follow God's lead and trust Him through the storms of life. I know that good things await because God always keeps His promises!
May 17, 2015
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Nancy Cavataio
This was eye opening. Thank you Pastor! A real help for me.
May 22, 2015