The Problem with Worms

I am a novice gardener. In fact, I have fallen in love with playing in the dirt. Today I was doing a little prep work for the garden that will be planted in just a few weeks. That's when I noticed that my peach trees were changing from bloom to bud. And I noticed the worm balls on the branches. 

Last year it was too late when I noticed the worms. When the fruit came in we had to battle for every bite of peach. I am determined this year to win the battle before the first bite. So off to the Feed Store I go. 

I love the Feed and Seed almost as much as I do playing in the dirt. Ours is locally owned and operated one with the best service in the world. The family that owns and runs it are all long friends of mine. We used to go to the same church. They always know exactly what I need and how to use it. And this time was no different. With in a couple of minutes I had the right pesticide and the right instructions. I was off to defend my trees. 

That's when the Lord flung a message on me. The Problem with Worms! Now as you read further you will see that I've left this in outline form. I hope you enjoy this and that it can encourage you to be a real fruity follower of Christ. If you like it pass it on. If you are a preacher preach it (I will be in the morning!). If you are teacher teach it. But whatever you do please get rid of those worms! 

The Problem with Worms

Here’s the deal – as a believers we are to be fruity ---- Matthew 7 17 Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.

Romans 7: 4 So, my brothers, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit to God.

The Problem with Worms

1 Peter 5:8  Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. (NLT)

·         Attack when the buds are small

·         Attack when the flower blooms

·         Sets up and waits – worms are patience to get in at the right time (Screw tape letters)

·         Sneak attack from below

Worms destroy the fruit (the ultimate goal is total conquest)

Worms contaminate the fruit (causes it to not be fit to eat)

Worms defile the fruit (causes it to be useless to humans and animals)

1 Peter 5: 9 Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your Christian brothers and sisters* all over the world are going through the same kind of suffering you are. (NLT)

 Defense against worms

·         Get them before they get the fruit (Prayer for protection, victory, and growth)

o   Colossians  1:10 And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience,

·         Get them as they slip along the branches (Bible Study for personal protection, victory, and growth)

o   2 Timothy 3:14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15 and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

·         Get them as they sneak around the roots (Hang around with other fruit bearing believers – be careful here to hang out with believers that will bring you up and not bring you down, bring you help not bring you hurt, bring you strength not bring you sour)

What we are doing is not for the faint at heart…this is difficult hard work – the worm is trying to destroy. But we can WIN!

Galatians 5: 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Always Enthusiastic, 

Dr. Rusty Newman