Wildfires

Due to the drought and winds, it seems like we have had more Texas wildfires than in the past.  It was difficult to watch the news about the fires burning in other states, but now they were here.  Fires had been the cause of death or displacement for people, pets, and wildlife and had destroyed homes, trees, plants and land.  The firefighters were working nonstop.  It seemed that just as they had one fire contained, more would ignite.  We had relatives and friends who were part of a mandatory evacuation.  Some subdivisions were completely destroyed.  Others had only a few homes remaining.  It was difficult to see the pictures of devastation on the news and hear the stories from the people who had suffered so much loss.  When questioned, it was interesting to hear what treasures the people collected before leaving.  Time and again, the people interviewed would tell how grateful they were that all of their family made it out alive.  Some even boldly stated that God would help them make it through the ordeal.

Fire can be beneficial if used in the correct way and for the right purposes: to furnish light, supply heat for cooking, and to provide warmth.  But when it is out of control, fire can be destructive and cause burning, scars, and even death.  Over these weeks, the wildfires have given much room for thought.

* What would I take if we needed to evacuate?

* What do I consider necessary; what is extra?

* Am I choosing for my words to be gifts or destructive like 

   fire?

* Do I desire the fire of God’s Spirit to burn in me and spread

   like wildfire so others can know Him, too?

According to Bible Gateway, the New International Version mentions fire 437 times.

Proverbs 26:21

As charcoal to embers and as wood to fire,
   so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.

James 3:5,6

⁵ Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. ⁶ The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.

But there is one type of fire that we should never extinguish and that is the Holy Spirit working within us.

Luke 3:16

John answered them all, “I baptize you with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.

Acts 2:1-3

When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. ² Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. ³ They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them.

I Thessalonians 5:19

Do not put out the Spirit’s fire;

Health Update:  Continuing to pray and wait for the fat cells to expand.