Have you ever gone to a movie because you heard someone talk about how good it was? Or maybe you have gone out and bought a book because someone said it was a must read! I know I have gone to restaurants because people have recommended them. Recently I had friends who were going to run in the New York Marathon. They asked for some suggestions for good restaurants to try while in New York City. I gave them a few and then sent them to a friend, who goes to New York more than I do, for some suggestions.
There are even websites such as Angie’s List where people give recommendations in the form of personal testimonies and experiences. If you are looking for reputable people to hire for repairs or remodeling, the sites list different companies and services with reports from people who have used those services.
This approach is called “word of mouth” advertising!! It is the best form of advertising you could ever want or desire. A personal story of a positive experience can sell more food, books and movies than anything else. I can personally say that I have never read a book that I liked without telling other people about it. If I really liked it, sometimes, in fact many times I go buy extra copies to give to people.
Just like telling people about your favorite movie, book or restaurant and having people go, have you ever considered telling others of your experience of knowing Jesus and what He has done in your life????? Other people’s stories of how they came to know the Lord or what God has done in their life never gets old to me. In fact, it is invigorating.
Recently I shared on Facebook a story of a Fox News Reporter, Kirsten Powers, who was a known atheist, and her story of how she became a Christian!! I loved it and even though I know Jesus and experience Him every day in my life, stories like hers encourage and inspire me. If you know Jesus, did you know you have a story? That story should be shared!!!! Do not believe the “lie” that it is not powerful, because it is!! You do not have to be on TV to have a story that can be used to encourage or inspire someone to know Jesus. IF you have the courage to share, I promise God will meet you and multiply your efforts in the lives of others. Do not hide your story “under a rock”. It is meant to be shared!!!!!
I love the story of Rahab the “prostitute” found in Joshua. Joshua sent two spies to scope out the “promise land” that God had promised to give them. They were going to have to take it by force, with God’s help of course. Joshua 2:1, “And Joshua the son of Nun sent two men secretly from Shittim as spies, saying, “go view the land, especially Jericho: and they went and came into the house of a prostitute whose name was Rahab and lodged there.” The king got wind of the spies and sent men to Rahab to seize the spies. Rahab hid the spies on her roof. Rahab believed in God. She had heard the “word of mouth” testimonies of others about what the Lord had done. It moved her to house and hide the spies!! Look at what she said to the spies in verse 19, “For we have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea before you and when you came out of Egypt and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan, to Sihon and Og, whom you devoted to destruction. And as soon as we heard it, our hearts melted, and there was no spirit left in any man because of you, for the Lord your God, he is God in the heavens above and on the earth beneath.”
Rahab’s testimony of her heart melting, along with the hearts of others, was the point when she realized, not only was there a God, but He was the true God of heaven and Earth!! Her faith in God was so strong afterwards. She risked her own life to “hide the spies”. The very neat thing about Rahab is two-fold here. First, she was a prostitute who believed in God. Second, when she stepped out in faith for God, risking her own life, it actually saved her life when Joshua overtook Jericho!!!! How powerful is that???????
I encourage you, if you know Jesus, share your story with others!!! You cannot control the outcome or how people will receive it. Leave that up to God!!! Let Rahab’s strong faith and courage give you the courage to step out and RISK what other people would think and their reaction. Take the risk to see What GOD WILL DO!!!!!! I believe, and can honestly say from my own personal experience, the blessings will far outweigh anything you can imagine!! Remember a “personal testimony” is yours. It is your story and is irrefutable because it is yours!!!!
Bless others today with your “personal testimony!!!!”
Psalm 40:9-10, “I proclaim your saving acts in the great assembly; I do not seal my lips, Lord, as you know. I do not hide your righteousness in my heart; I speak of your faithfulness and your saving help. I do not conceal your love and your faithfulness from the great assembly.”