Share Your Story

1 Peter 2:9-10, The Message

"But you are the ones chosen by God, 

chosen for the high calling of priestly work, 

chosen to be a holy people, 

God's instruments to do His work and speak out for Him, 

to tell others of the night-and-day difference He made for you--

from nothing to something, from rejected to accepted."

I want to hear your God-stories, the story of your salvation in Jesus Christ.  And then I'd like to share it.

I've extended my 200th Post Giveaway to March 31st. The reason is that I don't want to rush the process. Excuse me while I repeat myself: THERE IS SO MUCH POWER IN OUR SALVATION STORIES. I know I've said that a bunch, but almost every time I go to the book of Acts, I'm reminded. Paul shared his story over and over and over. My favorite is in Acts 26, especially verses 28 & 29: "Then Agrippa said to Paul, 'Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?' Paul replied, 'Short time or long--I pray God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.'"

Don't you just love that? I highly doubt any of our testimonies are quite as exciting as Paul's, but the point is that at least a half a dozen times (that's what I counted), he chose to use his personal transformation to tell others about Christ. We have a story to share, too, and I know the Lord wants us to use any method of communication we've been given to tell it.

"For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, 

but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. 

So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord...

but join with me in suffering for the gospel, 

by the power of God, who has saved us and called us to a holy life--

not because of anything we have done, 

but because of His own purpose and grace."

2 Timothy 1:7-9a, NIV

You don't have to be a writer, speaker or preacher to do this...just reflect and share on these questions: 

How old were you when someone first told you about Jesus?

When did you become open to the gospel?

What compelled you to give your life over to Jesus?

What Scriptures were particularly meaningful to you?

If you were saved at a young age, when did you finally start living it? What changed inside of you?

How do you think your life is different since you made Jesus the Lord of it?

It also doesn't have to be long or too detailed with the circumstances. The most important part of a testimony, I believe, is that Jesus is glorified, and that it is clear that HE is responsible for the transformation in you. In other words, we want Him to receive all the glory!

My plan is to publish some of these testimonies on my blog on Easter week. If I get a bunch of them, I may extend it. Just let me know if you are open to me publishing it or not. Feel free to send me an email, post it as a note on Facebook, post it on your blog or website, or whatever. I will enroll you in my book and CD giveaway as well, which I mentioned on my 200th post. Just remember, the deadline is March 31st.

So pray about it. Pause. Ponder. Then if you feel led by the Holy Spirit, take a moment to send me your testimony. We'll praise Him for it.

"Do you know that all over the provinces of both Macedonia and Achaia believers look up to you? The word has gotten around. Your lives are echoing the Master's Word, not only in the provinces but all over the place. The news of your faith in God is out. We don't even have to say anything anymore--you're the message! People come up and tell us how you received us with open arms, how you deserted the dead idols of your old life so you could embrace and serve God, the true God. They marvel at how expectantly you await the arrival of His Son, whom He raised from the dead--Jesus, who rescued us from certain doom."

1 Thessalonians 1:7-10, The Message

If you haven't yet read mine, I wrote it in short-story fiction format HERE,and I plan to write it again "conversational style" in the next few weeks.