Fire in Winter

It’s easy to become complacent in life. Whether we like a situation or not, if it endures long enough we get used to it and it ceases to disturb us as much as it once did. God is not pleased with complacency. He wants us to stay on the alert, open to what is going on around us, and mindful of His voice. I would love to hear your comments! 

 

 

2MefromHim Devotionals

So you also must be ready… Matthew 24:44

I laughed when I saw a forest service sign proclaiming “moderate” fire danger covered in snow. Here in the desert southwest, it’s not an uncommon sight. Winter snow pack should lend a hint of safety where forest fires are concerned. Where I live, it signals safe conditions for prescribed burning to prevent summer fires.

Our snow often has such low moisture content that it has the texture of Styrofoam and evaporates more than melts, leaving little to nourish the parched vegetation. Fire restrictions were in place for the rest of the year starting in February, leaving us on the edge of our seats at all times. A sudden bolt of lightning, a careless smoker, or woodcutter with a chainsaw could begin a conflagration that could destroy our home.

A lot of snow on the ground makes us complacent, which lends itself to comfort. We begin to feel at ease and free from worry, putting us in danger of being caught off guard by a fire in winter.

The people of Noah’s day were complacent. They listened to the preaching of that godly man for 100 years and never believed a word he said. Matthew 24:38 tells us, “For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away.” Why? It had never rained before. Noah’s warnings sounded like the ravings of a crazy man, so they laughed and mocked but failed to heed his warning. When the rain began to fall and the floodwaters to rise, they realized much too late that all Noah said was true.

Jesus used the story of Noah to warn that He will  come again

Jesus used the story of Noah to warn that He will  come again and wants to find His followers prepared. We are to be living in obedience to Christ in order to avoid judgment and spend eternity in heaven. Our world has become complacent, lulled by the idea that God doesn’t exist, everyone goes to heaven, and judgment will never come.

Our world has become complacent

Like the forest service warning that snow is no guaranty of fire protection, we need to be certain of our relationship to Jesus Christ. We need the commitment and courage of Noah to warn others, even when our warnings go unheeded.

Who do you know that needs a warning today?

© Norma Gail Thurston Holtman, March 7, 2016

Who do you know that needs a warning today?

About the author:

Norma Gail is the author of the contemporary Christian romance,  Land of My Dreams. A women’s Bible study leader for over 21 years, her devotionals and poetry have appeared at ChristianDevotions.us, the Stitches Thru Time blog, and in “The Secret Place.” She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Romance Writers of America, and the New Mexico Christian Novelists. Norma is a former RN who lives in the mountains of New Mexico with her husband of 40 years. They have two adult children.

Connect with Norma:

Website: www.normagail.org

Amazon Author page: http://www.amazon.com/Norma-Gail/e/B00ILHXBAK/

Book trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQbZIoC_JSE

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorNormaGail

Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/+NormaGailwrites

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Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7874459

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/Norma_Gail

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/norma-gail-thurston-holtman/42/71a/3b2

Book Links:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Land-My-Dreams-Norma-Gail/dp/1941103170

Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas Bookstore: http:// lpcbooks.com/product/land-of-my-dreams/