Kindling Fires for Others

"The natives showed us unusual kindness. Since it had begun to rain and was cold, they kindled a fire and welcomed all of us around it"—Acts 28:2, NRSV.

Our planet is a cold place. Sin abounds in no small quantity these days. Indeed, the angels depicted in Revelations 7:1 are working overtime holding back the winds of strife by sea, land and air. Because of our inbred sinfulness, our planet's inhabitants are cold subjects, frozen, and lukewarm at best. Even in the church, spiritual icicles abound. The chilling influences of worldliness and the so-called New Age Movement, has held humanity captive in the vise-grip of godlessness, swear-filled language, and TV's substance-less glitter. As we yield to the power of cold, we first become uncomfortable, next inactive, and then ready to die.

The good news, however, is "… where sin abounded, grace did much more abound"—Romans 5:20. Indeed, warmth is still available in this time of global chill. The word of God is as a fire. Heard or read, it tends to warm the heart.

This fall—October 2-30 —the Seventh-day Adventist Church in North America will conduct one of the most aggressive soul-winning thrusts ever—NET 2004, conducted by Walter Pearson, speaker-director of the Breath of Life Television Ministries. This gospel fire will be hosted at the Miracle Temple church in Baltimore, Maryland, but uplinked by satellite to the entire continent.

How can you kindle fire for others—as the natives did for the Apostle Paul on the island of Malta many years ago? Invite someone to attend your church or home to hear the word of God preached with biblical and soul-stirring passion. All you need is a satellite dish, a receiver, and a desire to invite others to be warmed and welcomed.

Shipwrecked, exhausted, and hungry, the Apostle Paul and company found a gracious welcome by the island natives who built a roaring fire to warm the water-soaked travelers. Notice they kindled the fire even though it was raining and cold. It is not easy to make a fire in such circumstances, and yet it must be done. In the midst of a cold world, we still have work to do to help save souls for eternity.

So won't you join the NET 2004 evangelistic meetings by kindling a fire for others. As you try to get the fire going, you may need to get down on bended knees to nourish the flame, by breathing upon it your warm and hearty supplications. The power of private, social, and family prayer will bring tangible results. Souls will be born for the kingdom.

Truly, then, you will kindle a flame for others and say like the two disciples on their way to Emmaus, "Did not our heart burn within us, while He talked with us by the way?"—Luke 24:32.

Donald G. King is president of the Atlantic Union Conference and chairman of the Atlantic Union College Board of Trustees.

Atlantic Union GLEANER June 2004