Good morning,
Fire Proof!
In the space of a few months, those of us who live in America have experienced a series of events that have been considered historic and seriously disruptive. The God of Creation has sent a series of wind and water events that have destroyed thousands and thousands of homes, businesses, and jobs that seemed safe and secure when the summer began. Until just a week ago, those of us who live in California were wondering why the Lord had skipped us in his serious warnings of his power and presence. Then without warning, the Lord sent strong winds that started fires all up and down our entire state that are still burning a week later. Presently they tell us that more than 5,000 homes have been burned and that tens of thousands of people have had to flee for their lives. The fires have been so intense that we still don’t know how many people have died in the roaring flames. The fire has been the most destructive fire event in the history of our state. We still don’t know how all this will end, but we do know something about God that helps us to know that this isn’t just an accident. The God of the Bible is still in control of his world, and when the people of the world refuse to trust and love and obey him, he will warn us that we are making the wrong choices that need to be changed. We know that God is loving and holy and just and that in any event of our lives he is there with each one of us individually.
God tells us that for his children there are many parallels with our present situation that will affect us a lot like these fires. When Jesus returned to heaven after his resurrection, he told his disciples that he would be back again, when he was ready, to call up his genuine followers to join him in heaven. He has told us that there will be no warning. Paul tells us that, It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed.(1Cor.15:52) Without warning, everything about the lives of God’s family here on earth will be changed. Our new bodies will live forever and we will be welcomed by the Lord Jesus himself. What’s easy for us to forget is the reason why God has given us this relationship with him while we are here. We are told, Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ.(Col3:23,24) Satan does his best to steal our inheritance by getting us to spend our lives here thinking about ourselves and what we want instead of willingly obeying our Savior and Lord. The Lord has reminded us that God’s children will be given our inheritances based on our faithful responses to Jesus’ directions for our lives. Paul tells us, Anyone who builds on that foundation may use a variety of materials–gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or straw. But on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person's work has any value. If the work survives, that builder will receive a reward.(1Cor.3:12,13) What we must remember is that God can not reward us for what we have not done. The next verse goes on to say, But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss. The builder will be saved, but like someone barely escaping through a wall of flames.(v.14) Dear Father, please help us to be found faithful when you come for us or call us suddenly home. Thank you that willing obedience will make us fire proof.
1 Corinthians 15:58 So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.
Roy Wisner
