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Here is an extract from The Age newspaper,
26 Dec 2006:
"For three weeks, locals and fire-fighters
have sat trapped, ringed by fire, alone and vulnerable at the top
of Mount Buller.
Day after day, the bush burned in the valley below, the flames
making charge after charge up the slopes, fanned by hot winds.
But then, at Christmas time, it happened. The winds eased, the
prayed-for rains came, and the fire threat abated...
On Christmas Day itself, it snowed. A miracle.
Lightly at first, but stronger as the day progressed, coating the
mountaintop in an unseasonal white blanket.
Luke Corbett said the rain and snow had
been the break everybody needed. "It's been pretty hard, the fire
was burning out there, but there was smoke everywhere so you
didn't know exactly where it was, it was hot and windy. This
(weather) has come at the exactly the right time."
Elsewhere around the state, similar thanks were being
given to a higher authority as the rain and cooler
weather eased the fire threat."
Click here for full story.
What then are these Signs of the Times?
Fire
Our sins are like scarlet before God, who is
a consuming fire (Heb 12:29). Jesus said: "But I will
show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the killing of
the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear
him" (Luke 12:5).
In Jude 1:7 the Bible says: "In a similar
way, Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns gave themselves
up to sexual immorality and perversion. They serve as an
example of those who suffer the punishment of
eternal fire."
The bushfires that burnt out over 220,000
hectares in Victoria could not be stopped by man. They serve as a
reminder that in life we contend with forces much great than
ourselves. These forces call us to humility before almighty God.
They serve as a warning against the arrogance of any person who
spurns or miss-judges the living God. They remind us of certain
death by fire ahead... apart from the gift of salvation in Christ.
The knowledge of the coming fire of the
wrath of God also call us to evangelism. In Jude 1:23 the bible
says: "snatch others from the fire and save them; to others
show mercy, mixed with fear - hating even the clothing stained by
corrupted flesh."
My friends, God is not joking. He has put
this in writing in His book for our warning and guidance.
Snow
In Isaiah 1:18 the prophet says: "Come now,
let us reason together," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like
scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as
crimson, they shall be like wool."
In the midst of the bushfires - in the midst
of summer - on Jesus birthday, the sign of salvation was given as
represented by snow: Jesus died on the Cross in our place to make
payment for our sin. He made a payment that we can never make -
his perfect life substituted for our crimson guilt under the laws
of God.
Yet this year on Christmas day love divine
again extended a miraculous sign of extraordinary grace.
Undeserved snow blanketing the fires. In a similar way our sins
can be requited by the blood of Jesus Christ: his life blood
poured out to blanket our sins.
Christmas Prayer
'Heavenly Father, our sins are scarlet
before you. Apart from your grace we also will be extinguished by
a fire that blazes beyond our control. We have no control of the
future. We have not earned any right to eternity. Your justice is
righteous and a guilty verdict is deserved.
Therefore dear Lord please forgive me my
sins according to the transaction Jesus made on our behalf - his
perfect life offered to you on the Cross as full payment for our
offences.
Lord all I can do is receive this truth in
humility before you. Please accept my beginners faith as entrance
into salvation through your son Jesus Christ.
And Lord in the days remaining, would you
fill my heart with compassion for those around me who have not
yet put their trust in you. Would you work through me (as per
Jude 1:23) for the salvation for others around me.'
If you have prayed this prayer we would
appreciate your emailing back this good news.
Blessings to you this Christmas season,
Peter
OnWatch
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