Universal Utterings

for May 22, 2025

A Godcast

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05-22-25 John 15 v0914 Your Joy May Be Complete

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The Gospel of John Chapter 15 Verses Nine thru Fourteen

9 As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. 11 “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete. 12 This is my commandment: love one another as I love you. 13 No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you.”

In John 15:9-14, Jesus speaks profoundly about the nature of love and obedience within the context of His relationship with the Father and with His followers. He emphasizes the importance of abiding in His love, just as He abides in the Father’s love, revealing that true joy is found in living according to God’s will. When we live in this way—following Christ and embracing His teachings—our joy becomes complete, transcending mere happiness and entering a deeper, more fulfilling state of being.

To abide in Christ's love is to recognize the sacrifice He made for us, one that continues to deepen our understanding of love's true essence. In verse 13, Jesus makes an incredible statement: “No one has greater love than this; to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” This is not merely a call to martyrdom but a challenge to examine the depth of our love and commitment to those around us. We are invited to reflect on our willingness to sacrifice for our neighbors, our children, or our spouses.

Are you prepared to lay down not just your life, but your time, your comfort, and your desires for the benefit of others? This is an example of the love Christ demonstrated. By answering this call, we align ourselves with the heart of God and find that joy becomes not just a fleeting emotion but a lasting state of being rooted in His presence.

As you navigate your days, remember that true joy comes from following God’s will and calling upon Christ as your Savior. In doing so, you cultivate a love that transforms not only your life but the lives of those around you. Amen.

Join me as we pray our daily prayer of forgiveness. The Lord’s Prayer.

At the Savior's command and formed by divine teaching, we dare to pray:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. Deliver us, Lord, we pray, from every evil, graciously grant peace in our days, that, by the help of your mercy, we may be always free from sin and safe from all distress, as we await the blessed hope and the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ. For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours now and forever.

I am sorry Lord. I believe You died and rose for me. Please forgive me as I forgive others. I share You as my Lord and Savior seeking to live your Will in all things. Prayers for wife Toni and my mother Betty pray for our children especially our two oldest Alexandra & Allen Son in Law Mark Stern; Julian, Gabriel and Jeffrey and our grandchildren Oliver, Julian and Elliott. We pray for those we’ve said we’d pray for and those who’ve asked us to pray for them. We pray for the dying as we do each day Lord give them peace in their last breath. We pray for Holy Mother Church. Our prayers for our niece Brittany. Novena Johnny Day eight. In Jesus Precious Blood by His Name we pray. Amen.

I am a poet obedient to Christ,

Catholic Evangelist Thomas Cruz†Wiggins

†Spirit led God inspired Christ fed†®

Ephesians 6:17-20

05-22-25 John 15 v0914

**Your Joy May Be Complete**

In love divine, He calls us near,

“Abide in Me, cast off all fear.

As Father loves, so I love you,

In joy complete, your hearts renew.”

No greater gift, no deeper call,

To lay down self, to give our all.

For friends we stand, for family too,

In love’s embrace, our lives hold true.

With every bond, through trials faced,

In sacrifice, our love is graced.

To serve each other, hearts entwined,

In Christ we find peace, intertwined.

So heed His voice, let love be shown,

In every act, let kindness be sown.

With joy complete, our spirits soar,

For in His love, we live forevermore. Amen.

© Thomas Joe Cruz†Wiggins

May 22, 2025 @ 04:22 AM EST

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