Share Your Story and... Share Christ

Acts 16:25-31 But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed. 27 And the keeper of the prison, awaking from sleep and seeing the prison doors open, supposing the prisoners had fled, drew his sword and was about to kill himself. 28 But Paul called with a loud voice, saying, “Do yourself no harm, for we are all here.”29 Then he called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. 30 And he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”31 So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.”

Upon reading God's word this afternoon, I was reminded of a conversation I had earlier this morning at a baby shower for a woman who also recently adopted a year-old child. I was asked to share my adoption story with several ladies from my new church family and how the Lord had orchestrated the deliverance of our children from a Russian orphanage. During the past 2 ½ years, my adoption story has often been a catalyst by which I can share the Lord with non-believers.

As I read through Acts 16, I thought...WOW! What an incredible and powerful testimonial this Roman guard now has to share with others when he has the opportunity to share the Gospel. In these verses we see Paul and Silas who accompanied the Roman guard to his home and "33At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his family were baptized. 34The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole family."

I am reminded that our faith and conversion in Christ is not only based upon the great things we have heard or read in God’s word or other Christian publications, but what wonderful things the Lord has done for us, on our behalf. We must also not base our faith solely upon the miracles or other great things we have observed in the lives of our Christian brothers and sisters. Our faith should be reinforced by what the Lord had accomplished on the cross and with His resurrection, as well as what He has accomplished in our individual life through His divine intervention.

I think the Lord gives each of us a unique story to share with others about how God has been a powerful influence in our lives. All Christians, (a.k.a. Christ followers, Believers) have an individual testimony and God will provide opportunities for us to share it and the Gospel with others. I wonder just how many people had the privilege of hearing this Roman soldier’s powerful, unique and distinctive story. Just as our Lord once said, "Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you" (Mark 5:19)

I pray the Lord will continue to give my friends the Howards and their mission team in Slovenia, the opportunities to share their personal stories with those who yet need to hear the greatest story ever told.

Where will you find the next opportunity to share your story of faith in Jesus Christ?

Amazed by His unending love, grace and mercy,
Kathy