In the Fire, Not the Smoke

Wenatchee Canyon Fire, Photographer unknown

Acts 2:19-21 New International Version (NIV)

19 I will show wonders in the heavens above

    and signs on the earth below,

    blood and fire and billows of smoke.

20 The sun will be turned to darkness

    and the moon to blood

    before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.

21 And everyone who calls

    on the name of the Lord will be saved.’[a]

The sky was hazy overhead as we left church this morning and there remains a red moon above.  Smoke from wildfires (not the fire pictured) north of us have altered what was expected to be a bright and sunny day.  The air quality is bad and our normal sea breezes aren't enough to dissipate the smoke.  So this Scripture from Acts and these Leonard Ravenhill quotes seem especially appropriate for this Fifth of July.  It is far better to live in the fire of God's moral authority than in the smoke of cultural tolerance; for it is there that the church, the bride of Christ, is being made ready.

Ephesians 5:27 English Standard Version (ESV)

27 so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.[a]

Pure Bride - Leeland