CLICK HERE FOR Wildfires Part I: The Condition

CLICK HERE FOR Wildfire Part II: The Cause

Please enjoy the final devotion in this series below…….Wildfire Part III: The Countermeasure.

Wildfire defined: an unplanned fire (unexpected and unforeseen).

But WE as Christians know that trials and tribulations will come. We don’t have to be caught unprepared. NO, we shouldn’t walk around fearful and full of forebodings, but we should not be ignorant either.  John 10:10 tells us the exact purpose of our enemy: to steal and to kill. Peter plainly tells us, “do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you” (1 Peter 4:12).

So now that we know, how should we should prepare?

1. Avoid spiritual drought conditions which puts us at a much higher risk.
2. Avoid spiritual carelessness. Live carefully. Keep your guard up because, “Your enemy, the devil, is like a roaring lion, sneaking around to find someone to attack” (1Peter 5:8).
3. Make a pre-emptive strike: Fight fire with fire!!!

Firefighters often employ a countermeasure called a Controlled Burn or a Prescribed Burn: it’s more of an offensive move than a defensive one. This tactical approach doesn’t wait for a fire storm to spread out of control.

This countermeasure is also referred to as a fire of restoration (repair, rebuilding, and renewal). When we get saved, our hearts and minds are renewed in Christ. But there’s more: the baptism of the Holy Spirit. John the Baptist said that when Jesus comes, “He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire” (Luke 3:16).

The Holy Spirit in us gives us fire power!

If you want to know what the power of the Holy Spirit looks like, take a look at the disciples. Firstly, Jesus taught and trained them. Then, the Holy Spirit empowered them (Acts 2). Through them, the power of God healed people, raised the dead, and cast out demons. Jesus said that every believer would be able to do what He did and even more because He was sending us the Holy Spirit (John 14:12). Wow! Remember Luke 3:16: that Jesus will baptize us with the Holy Spirit and with fire! We can fight fire with fire!!

Not only do we have offensive power, but we have defensive power when we put on the whole armor of God. Ephesians 6:16 tells us that the shield of faith will quench the destructive fire of our enemy.

Thank God that He loves us enough to give us the power to overcome. Yes fire storms will come, but we can rest assured that God is on our side, working all things for our good. He even said that trials will perfect us, make us whole and we will lack nothing (James 1:2-4) much the way a Controlled Burn brings restoration and renewal.

Fight fire with fire! We are not powerless!