Evangelism

​Behold the Fatwood—“Nature’s Greatest Firestarter!”  From the stump of the pine tree comes wood rich with resin that burns with intensity and is excellent for making fires in the ol’ fireplace.  We can learn a lot from Fatwood.

When we try to win people to Christ on hype or with emotion we are like those attempting to ignite logs with lots of twigs.  The little sticks look good at first in their high burn.  But they die far before the logs are truly lit creating worthless smoke.

Evangelism is not about creating gimmicks to lure souls to Jesus.  Seven stanzas of Just As I Am may seem like the best song to coax a sinner forward, but if that’s what we’re relying on and not the Holy Spirit, we’re guilty of manipulation at worst, poor judgment at best. What happens when people are so consumed with creating the perfect match that they forget how to build a fire?  
The gospel is the simple message:
"If you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.  One believes with the heart, resulting in righteousness, and one confesses with the mouth, resulting in salvation. Now the Scripture says, Everyone who believes on Him will not be put to shame." (Romans 10:9-11). 
​
It only takes the Fatwood to get the fire going!  Only God’s word can kindle the heart to create the faith that leads to eternal life.  Therefore, evangelism must “resinate” with the right stuff so God can blast the hell out of those who were lost to bring them home!  Glory!!!
 
Meditation
Acts 13:48--When the Gentiles heard this, they rejoiced and glorified the message of the Lord, and all who had been appointed to eternal life believed.
 
Inspiration
So long as he remains in this world, every Christian has two responsibilities. The first is to put on the mind of Christ; the second is to carry that mind into the post-Christian public square—into whatever is public, whether that should mean media, marketplace, or profession, or include university, association, or Congress.—J. Budziszewski in The Revenge of Conscience
Sow the Word of God, and everyone who listens will get to God.  If you sow vows, resolutions, aspirations, emotions, you will reap nothing but exhaustion.—Oswald Chambers in The Servant as His Lord
 
©1998 Daniel York  ARR. Reveration is the weekly devotional ministry of First Cause.  If you would like to receive these devotionals go to www.firstcause.org and click on the “Click here to receive weekly devotionals” box.  Unlimited permission to copy this devotional without altering text or profiteering is allowed subject to inclusion of this copyright notice.      
 
Ecclesiastes 12:10-The Teacher sought to find delightful sayings and to accurately write words of truth.  (Holman CSB)