[Faith-talk] Fwd: SF Daily Devotional - The Time for Evangelism

[eric calhoun]

--- Streaming Faith Daily Devotionals
<devotionals at streamingfaith.com> wrote:

> Date: Sat, 29 Dec 2007 05:11:23 -0500 (EST)
> From: Streaming Faith Daily Devotionals
> <devotionals at streamingfaith.com>
> To: chargerdodger at yahoo.com
> Subject: SF Daily Devotional - The Time for
> Evangelism
> 
> Saturday, December 29, 2007
> 
> 
> The Time for Evangelism
> 
> John 3:16 - For God so loved the world that he gave
> his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him
> shall not perish but have eternal life. (NIV) 
> 
> John 14:6 - Jesus answered, "I am the way and the
> truth and the life. No one comes to the Father
> except through me." (NIV)
> 
> At this time of year, we often hear people say,
> "Let's keep the Christ in Christmas", or "Remember
> the real meaning of Christmas". But what is the real
> meaning of Christmas? Has anyone ever asked us? Even
> if they haven't asked, do they see the real meaning
> of Christmas in how we act?
> 
> Why would I choose the verses I've chosen for today
> for this time of year? John 3:16 is easy. Of course,
> Christmas is the time we talk about Jesus being sent
> to us. But what else do we talk about at Christmas?
> We talk of hope and peace and joy and love. About
> that love thing -- of course we mean God's love for
> us, but we also mean our love for our fellow man.
> Compassion -- that's it. We think of compassion for
> others at this time of year.
> 
> Let's look for a moment at Samaritan's Purse and
> their "Operation Christmas Child" -- isn't that a
> neat way to show our compassion for those kids?
> Franklin Graham, who oversees the operation, is
> quick to say that the purpose of "Operation
> Christmas Child" is evangelism. The folks at
> Samaritan's Purse take those shoeboxes and then have
> a church distribute them to the kids. What the
> children get, along with a shoebox, is the Gospel.
> Franklin Graham makes it very clear that the purpose
> of "Operation Christmas Child" is to spread the Good
> News. (It is a great ministry to the people who make
> the boxes as well.) "Operation Christmas Child" is
> just one part of the ministry of Samaritan's Purse.
> Common to all parts is the purpose to draw people to
> them because of some act of giving -- a shoebox,
> health-care, construction assistance, water
> purification assistance, etc. -- and then to take
> the opportunity to further witness and proclaim the
> Gospel.
> 
> That's what I mean when I asked if people see the
> real meaning of Christmas in how we act. Do we show
> compassion? Are we witnesses for the love of Jesus?
> If we are, are we then taking the opportunity to
> further witness? It has to do with what real
> compassion is. Love of our fellow man expressed at
> this time of year by acts of compassion is not
> enough. This is where John 14:6 comes in. If we
> really love our fellow man, if we really have
> compassion for each of them, how can we let them be
> doomed? For they are doomed if they don't know
> Jesus. We must not just "keep the Christ in
> Christmas", but work to bring people to Christ at
> Christmas. If the way we act brings people to us
> this time of year, let us help bring them to Christ.
> 
> Prayer: Dear God and Father of us all, help us not
> just to show love at Christmas but to show the love
> of Jesus at Christmas. Show us what to do to make
> people want to know more and, with the guidance of
> your Holy Spirit, help us to help them know more --
> help us to help them know Jesus. Amen. 
> 
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