I am the true vine

I have been in a "funk" for the last few days and have not been able to figure out why. Life has its ups and downs. Sometimes we feel up and sometimes we feel down. I woke up this morning to Jackie's alarm at 4:30. She had to be to work at 5:00 am. I couldn't go back to sleep so I got up to read. I thought I'd like to be taught so I randomly opened the New Testament and found myself in John 15 where Jesus says, "I am the vine, ye are the branches" (Jn 15:5). I recently started reading Preach My Gospel. We have been encouraged to read it by our Stake leaders. President Wamsley taught us recently in a ward counsel meeting that it was the "Fifth standard work." So I have been reading it sometimes in the morning. In one of the early chapters it asks the missionaries to read John 15:1-5 to learn how the Lord expects them to work hand in hand with him. (PMG, 5)

I read John 15 then decided I'd look at the rest of what the Savior taught at this last teaching opportunity with His disciples and see what he had to say that would help me to feel more joy in my life. (Don't misunderstand--I'm not seriously depressed. I'm just feeling that I'm missing something. I'm just kind of in a "funk.") So I wrote as a heading, "looking for keys to joy in Him."

Here is what I noticed. (this is a shortened list)

John 12:36 Believe in the light (Jesus & his teachings) to become children of the light
John 13:2-17 He washed the disciples' feet
John 13:14 Ye ought to wash one another's feet. [I was taught once that this was considered one of the most degrading jobs that anyone could do. Which helps us to understand Peter's reaction. In serving one another we must be willing to do things we would not normally want to do.]
John 13:17 Happy are ye if ye do these things.
John 13:34 A new commandment -- love one another as I have loved you.
John 14:6 Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. We come to the Father by Him.
John 14:15 If ye love me keep my commandments.
John 14:21 If you have my commandments and keep them it shows you love Me and I will love you and you'll by loved of our Father.
John 14:23 Heavenly Father & Jesus will come to us and abide in us.
John 14:27 Peace comes from Christ
John 15:2-5 Jesus is the vine. We're the branches. We must bear fruit.
John 15:6-7 We must abide in Him.
John 15:10 If we keep His commandments we will abide in His love.
John 15:11 These things were spoken that your joy may be full.
John 15:12 Love one another as I have loved you.
John 15:13 Lay down your life (sacrifice) for your friends.
John 15:18-21 The world will hate you.
John 15:26-27 The Comforter will testify of me. Ye shall also bear witness of me.
John 16:23 Ask the Father in my name & it will be given you.
John 16:33 In me ye might have peace. I have overcome the world.

From these verses I made the following list of things that will lead to peace and joy.

* We must believe in Christ and abide in Him.
We must always remember Him and connect with Him.
Prayer and scripture study are important ways to do this.
*We must keep His commandments and follow the Spirit's promptings.
(Like Him--He always did/said what Father gave Him to do/say.)
*We must love one another.
Serve one another.
Sacrifice for one another.
*We must pray for the strength/guidance/help to do these things.
*We must stand true even when it is hard.
Must be willing to stand with Him even if we are persecuted.
*We must testify of Him.

And if we do these things ...
* We will be happy
* We will have joy
* We will feel peace
* We will be led
* Heavenly Father and Jesus will abide with us
* We will feel their love

"If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them" (John 13:17)