There is a new post on the Luke SOAP journaling blog at http://b4lukejournal.blogspot.com/
In the meantime, as we finally experience the summer heat, here is a classic bulletin devotional updated just for you!
Fire
Danger
"Now
if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood,
hay, straw, each one's work will become clear; for the Day will declare it,
because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one's work, of
what sort it is. If any one's work which he has built on it endures, he will
receive a reward. If any one's work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he
himself will be saved, yet so as through fire." (1 Corinthians
3:12-15—NKJV)
“Caution!
Extreme Fire Danger!” warned the sign as we drove into the Central Oregon
forest. I still can't read those signs without hearing Smokey Bear preaching
safety in his gruff bass voice, "Only you can prevent forest fires."
I remember the reports of past summers’ terrible brush fires in Southern California,
Arizona, New Mexico, this summer’s in Colorado where so many people lost their
homes. I particularly remember a few years ago when the helicopter-mounted
cameras showed the smoldering aftermath . . . whole subdivisions burned to the
ground. And standing right in the middle of the devastation was a large white
house seemingly untouched by the fire. The media made quite a story out of it.
The man who lived there had built it himself over six years and had used only
non-combustible materials—concrete, adobe, tile—and it survived when the houses
on either side were burned to their foundations. As he was building it, people
thought that he was crazy, but he foresaw the danger and wisely prepared for
it.
God's
Word says a lot about how we should build our metaphorical houses (our lives,
our marriages, our ministries) so they will last no matter what we face.
However, too many in prideful independence choose to disregard God's loving
instructions and take their chances with the fire. Isaiah 47:14 warns that when
God's fiery judgment comes upon the world, it will not be a cozy little fire to
be warmed by or to sit in front of and roast marshmallows.
If
we know we will be tested by the floods of this life and the fire of God's
coming judgment, why would we build our lives with so many combustible
materials—the things, wisdom, attitudes, and motivations of a sinful world? Do
we do it for the sake of appearance (whatever looks good), convenience
(whatever is easier), or cost (underestimating the price to be paid)? In
light of passages like 1 Corinthians 3:12-15 and 2 Peter 3:10-13 what should we
do to fireproof our lives and our works?
1) Build on the Rock—Matthew
7:24-27; Luke 7:46-49; 1 Peter 2:6.
2) Build with
Rock—Philippians 2:5-9; Isaiah 33:14-16; 1 Peter 4:7-11.
3) Be built by the
Rock—Ephesians 2:10; 1 Peter 2:5; Jude 1:24-25.
Long
ago, God destroyed the world with a flood, but saved Noah and his family. God
has now graciously provided us with Jesus Christ—the only way to escape the
fiery Day of the Lord. To the degree that we respond to His love and our lives
and works consist of Him we will one day be able to sing with the Psalmist who
wrote, "We went through fire and water; but you brought us out to rich
fulfillment." (Psalm 66:12b—NKJV)
Rebuilding
my house,
Pastor Greg
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