Several years ago my husband and I planted a small garden in our backyard. As beginners, that first year the pickin’s were slim.
Yet, by the third season our little garden began to really produce, especially our tomato plants.
Now, even though I grew up on a small farm, I didn’t pay much attention to the details. So for us, it was a “learn as you grow” experience.
But that season, all the plants were beautiful!
Each morning and afternoon I doted over them, as I watched the fruit of our labor ripen full and juicy. I thoroughly enjoyed our little tomato plants!
Well, one morning as I walked the rows inspecting and admiring their progress I happened to turn a leaf over and discovered a huge green worm munching away! (I had refrained from using too many pesticides, trying home remedies instead.)
I quickly killed it and began a closer inspection, sure enough, there were more rascals scattered throughout and several tomatoes were already destroyed. In just one night!
War was declared!
Every day I pulled up a small stool and examined each leaf for the disgusting intruders. At one time I had looked forward to spending time in my garden, but that turned to dread after the first assault. Many nights I lay awake imagining all the damage being done.
Our little plants produced a few good tomatoes, but not nearly the crop we had hoped for. My heart was so sad over our losses that season.
Flash forward a few weeks later when I was getting dressed for an event and my heart was heavy for another reason. I was seeing destructive things going on in the lives of people I love, and I hurt for them. As I was finishing getting ready I asked the Lord, “How do YOU want me to see this?”
I will never forget His response.
“Stop looking for the worms, or you will miss the fruit.”
Someone needs to hear this today.
Your situation seems hopeless because you have been looking too long at the influences/damage of the Devil, instead of at the God of hope who is always for you and not against you.
“Finally, brethren, whatever things are TRUE,
whatever things are NOBLE,
whatever things are JUST,
whatever things are PURE,
whatever things are LOVELY,
whatever things are of GOOD report,
if there is any VIRTUE and if there is anything PRAISEWORTHY- mediate on these things.
The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.” Philippians 4:8-9 NKJV
There is always a “good” report in every situation. Because the word of God IS the GOOD report.
If you are facing a divorce, praise Jesus; the Lord will never divorce you. “For your Maker is your husband, the Lord of hosts is His name; and your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel; He is called the God of the whole earth.” NKJV
“Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.” Deut. 31:6, Heb. 13:5-8NKJV
Or if someone is sick the word declares that, “by His stripes you WERE healed.” 1 Peter 2:24
“… He Himself took our infirmities and bore our sicknesses.” Matt: 8:17 (There are over 100 verses regarding physical healing in the Bible.)
Are you about to lose your job? What about these good reports … “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want …” Psalm 23.
“And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 NKJV
“And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, always having All sufficiency in ALL things, that you may have an abundance for every good work.” 2 Cor. 9:8.
And in the AMP translation, Isaiah 46:4 says, “Even to your old age I am He, and even to your advanced old age I will carry you! I have made you, and I will carry you; be assured I will carry you and I will save you.”
In regards to that matter I mentioned earlier in the column, the Lord also gave me this verse, and He said my name when I was reading it. He even cut in the middle of the verse. LOL!
“Brenda, … but I want you to be wise in what is good, and simple concerning evil. And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen!” Romans 16:19-20 NKJV
Romans 2:11 declares that “God is no respecter of persons,” meaning He does not favor one over another.
So you can put your name there also, and speak it out loud, _______, but I want you to be …… “
We can produce good fruit even in the midst of problems, calamities, or heartbreak, because if you know Jesus, the Holy Spirit lives in your new born-again spirit and brought fruit that will never spoil, or become infested with worms.
We can choose to stop looking for the worms, and by faith, plant the word of God in our hearts, and change will happen from the inside out.
“But fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such, there is no law.” Gal. 5:22-23
(Caps mine.)
Contact Brenda Groves at: bkgroves1996@yahoo.com
