Share Your Faith This Summer

Do you have big plans this summer? Maybe the beach. Perhaps travel. Or how about staying up late and sleeping in? Whatever you do, remember to place sharing your faith at the top of the list. 

Sharing is to split. It is to divide up the bounty of God's goodness in your own life and then offer it to someone else. This makes room for God to replenish you. The more you share, the more He fills you with His Spirit.  

Three Tips on How to Share about God

1. Be authentic.

There is only one you. You are just the person your neighbor or friend needs. 

What is your personal story? How has the Lord Jesus touched your life? This is unique to you. 

As you are authentic in your faith, a special opportunity will unfold for you to reveal Christ's love. Be genuine as you tell others who God is to you. Romans 12:9 says, "[Let your] love be sincere (a real thing). Amplified Bible. 
 
2. Show, don't tell.

Your life is a moving illustration of the power of God. Your salvation proves Him. In Romans 5:8, we see the price God paid for us to have this freedom. 

"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." 

Jesus didn't say, "I love you". He showed his love for us. Romans 3:25-26 says, "God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood... he did it to demonstrate his justice..." (NIV) 

Try looking for creative ways that you can demonstrate love to others. Perhaps a food drive or youth car wash. When you think about it there are all kinds of ways to let others in on the cool things God is doing in your life. Do you have musical talent? You can share your faith by playing the piano at youth camp. Are you a good writer? You can share your faith by helping your church secretary with the weekly bulletin.
 
3. Feel compassion.

Compassion is concern mixed with kindness. Compassion acts on heart felt interest and reaches out with hands that care. In Matthew 20:34, we are told that "Jesus had compassion." 
 
This summer, allow yourself to be moved to make a difference. Colossians 3:12 encourages us, "As God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion." (NIV)
 
Ephesians 4:32 also encourages, "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." (NIV) Within your heart you can say, I may want to hold a grudge against someone, but instead I am going to release the resentment and be a friend. It's your choice to put away coldness and allow your heart to feel tenderness for others.  
 
God's Glory Revealed

Through you, God makes Jesus’ death on the Cross and resurrection life known. You are an important part of God's glory being revealed in the earth today. Isaiah 40:5 gives us a promise that "the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all mankind together will see it". 
 
Be filled with confidence as you speak of your salvation. God's Word doesn't return void. It accomplishes what He pleases and Heaven's intended purpose. Your unique testimony will bring wholeness to the listener. And you never know what cool miracles will happen because of your faithfulness to share. 

 
~ Jackie O.