Benescke Janse van Rensburg

A few weeks ago, California in America, like Knysna, experienced one of the worst fires in decades. Rescue workers struggled to get the 8442 reported fires under control. Hundreds of people lost their homes and 42 people lost their lives.

In the process of trying to control the fires, the rescue workers sent out a modified Boeing 747, filled with a flame-retardant powder. The powder was sprayed over areas in the vicinity of the fires to prevent the fires from spreading and causing further damage to the vineyards. It was a precaution and it worked. The moment the fires reached the powder, it was partly extinguished.

Every day we have three cans in front of us: a can of oil, a can of sand and a can of powder. Whena "fire situation" crosses our paths in the form of someone flirting with us outside our marriage, a conflict situation in the workplace or at home, or if people tell you there is no hope for our country, we can either blow up the situation by putting oil on the fire or we can put sand on it to extinguish it.

Then there is the can of powder. Just as the modified Boeing 747 sprayed the powder to stop the fire from spreading, we also need to make a few “prior choices”. We must decide in advance how we will act if a "fire situation" crosses our path. How will we handle it if someone offends us today? Or if colleagues at work complain about working conditions? What will you do if someone tells you a good gossip or if someone flirts with you outside of your marriage? What will be our response if a business partner proposes a transaction that will compromise your integrity? And what will be your response the next time someone says there is no hope for our country? Will you remember that God is in charge of our lives and our country's future?

In Matthew 5: 9 we read: “God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.” Also in Romans 12:18, it is written, “Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.” And in Hebrews 12:14 we read: “Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord.”

We each have our three cans today: Oil, Sand and Powder. Let's pick up the sand and extinguish the fires before they can cause massive destruction. Let’s throw the powder by making the preventativedecisions. Prevention is always better than cure. God bless. 

Father God, thank you very much for Your Word and promises. Please help me to be a peacemaker and make the right decisions in "fiery situations". Also please forgive me for throwing oil on fire by worsening situations in the past. I ask this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

See picture of the specially modified Boeing 747 at www.benescke.co.za.

• Assignment for the day: What difficult situations are there in your life? Let's choose today how we will handle it next time.

• Feedback: Also share your testimony of God's breakthroughs in your life with me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. You can also just give feedback if you want. It's always nice to hear from you. Benescke