Controlled Burn
Every spring a friend of mine intentionally burns a part of his 70 acre native prairie grass field. It's called a controlled burn. After the fire the burnt landscape is bare, black and ugly. However, in just days, new green grasses and plants start to emerge and by the end of summer this burnt field has more new growth then the unburned portion.
In Luke 12:49 when Jesus says, "I came to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!"; the fire Jesus is talking about is transformative fire. The fire that Jesus brings is the fire that clears the forest of what needs to go and makes way for new life.
God's fire consumes impurities and sinful nature, allowing us to become holy. We read in 1 Peter 1:7: that when our faith is tested with fire, it refines our character to be more valuable than gold.
In 1 Corinthians 3:13-15 we read that fire is a test of our work. If the work is burned up, the person is saved but refined, allowing for new, enduring work.
Sometimes fire destroys and sometimes fire brings new life.
Today's prayer: "Heavenly Father, I come to You in surrender, offering every part of my past life. I leave behind what belongs to yesterday and turn my face towards tomorrow and Your new season. Thank You for making a path in the wilderness and bringing new growth from Your controlled burn. Amen"
Thank you Joel Raygor
Help achieve the mission - GIVE today
Click the button to sign up for Dean’s Daily Devotional. FREE and delivered daily.