How to Share Your Faith

Many of us are timid when it comes to sharing our faith. Yet this very important job shouldn't be left to someone else. God calls all of us who know him to share the knowledge of him with others. Very likely, he has put people in your path that need him. So check this lens for some ideas about how you can share God with others!

"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

"Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you.." Matthew 28:19, 20

Many people bristle when you try to tell them about your church, or your religion. They don't want to be converted and they don't want you telling them what to do! But people are more open to hearing about God, so he should be your focus.

Like Jesus, you can share Father God's love for others, reaching out to help the sick, suffering, the lost, the needy, and meeting them in their need. By doing so, you build trust and you may have opportunities to share your knowledge of God, as Jesus did.

"A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench," it says of Jesus in Matthew 12:20.

Here are more tips about how you can help build the kingdom of God.

* Wherever you go, meet people in their need for friendship, love, compassion and forgiveness.

* Be committed. Stick by them even in trying times, giving them a friendly ear and helping hand. If they ask for advice, you can give that, too.

* Pray for those around you who do not seem to have a relationship with the living God. If you are unsure, pray anyway. Pray they will know God and grow spiritually. Pray God will give you a chance to share what you know, if it is his will.

* Take advantage of opportunities to share what you know about God -- without pushing your religion or church.

* Be open about your relationship with God. Bring him into your conversations. For example, talk about how God blessed you with something, or how God wanted you to do something. This makes God more real to them. They may want to know how you knew God wanted you to do something. Then you can share how God communicates with you and even more importantly why: Because you have asked him into your life!

* Share your faith through clothing, posters and other Christian products which are good conversation starters about God. Let it be an expression about who you are: A son or daughter of the most high God.

You'll likely find most people will respect your beliefs. They'll expect you to respect theirs, too.

So give them respect, be sensitive to their personal boundaries and you won't be percevied as pushy. Recognize they probably were taught what they believe as a child by their parents or others they trust. They may not want to change. Even if they chose their religion later in life, you can't expect to win them over, because they chose it.

But if they are hurting and need God, be ready to help. God may want to use you to bring much needed relief -- and bring them closer to himself. That's the most important thing.

Does sharing your faith leave you cold? Do you tire of trying to help when others turn a deaf ear?

Don't you wish you could drag Jesus by the arm saying, "I'd like you to meet my friend, Jesus?"

Take a moment and imagine what it must have been like for Peter -- hanging out with Jesus, eating all that fresh fish, and listening to all that wisdom hour after hour.

Whenever he came across someone who needed help, he could just grab Jesus by the arm and introduce him. Or take him to visit.

Remember Peter's mother-in-law who was sick at her house? One visit from Jesus and she was up and at-em, fixing a meal for her guests.

It seems much tougher these days. A lot of times we are misunderstood, and we can become discouraged. If you struggle in that area, why don't you say a prayer, and share this column I wrote with someone?

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For all those who are facing tough times, whose lives seem empty and without purpose, I would like to take a little time -- and space -- to introduce you to my friend, Jesus.

I used to feel like you -- alone and scared. Life posed many questions and challenges I knew I lacked the wisdom to face.

But all that has changed now that I know Jesus. I could not want for a better friend in the entire world.

That's because he is God and he is love. He knows everything and can do everything. I know he is on my side and ready to help, whenever I call.

Because of my friend, Jesus, I do not have to fear my mistakes and their consequences. I do not have to fear facing my maker when I die.

I know Jesus has already taken care of that for me.

I don't have to fear facing tomorrow and whatever challenge it may bring. I know Jesus will see me through it.

No, I can't drag Jesus by the arm to introduce him to to you, like Peter could. But, I assure you, he is with me. And I don't have to drag him!

I know because I asked him into my heart and life. I know because I enjoy his sweet presence, his peace, and his comfort.

I know he is blessing me with wisdom and all I need every day.

The good news is he wants to do the same for you. All you have to do is ask.

"For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

"For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.

"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." Romans 10:11-13

Share your faith by telling others about my website, where they can read about new Christian Books that build faith. They can read inew book announcements, book excerpts, devotions, and features of interest to readers and writers here.

Share Just Like Jonah Wail Tales

Reach out to youngsters with this book of exaggerated tales of woe, Just Like Jonah Wail Tales. In this modern day Jonah-style storybook, kids get in a heap of trouble for making the wrong choices, but when they fall God heeds their call for help.

These fictitious stories deal with issues preteens and young teens face, such as lying, fear, selfishness, and vanity. It deals with sickness and lust for popularity and power. In each of the stories, the youths reach out to God in their misery and he changes their circumstances.

Just Like Jonah Wail Tales is available at my website and at other online retailers.

Finding God: Biblical Answers to Questions about Our Maker is a short ebook I wrote to answer some very basic questions: Who is God, who is Jesus what does God expect of us, how to find God and how to accept the gift of salvation. It is a book you can use to share your faith with others.

"I realized how vulnerable we are to lies without a relationship with God, so I wrote this ebook to help folks build that most important relationship in our lives, the relationship with God.

I came to know God through a devastating immune disorder, Environmental Illness. When I surrendered my life to God, he healed me and changed her life.

The ebook is available on my website and through various online retailers including Amazon, Apple, Barnes and Noble and Smashwords.

Sometimes the subtle approach is best. Wear a T-shirt proclaiming you trust in God, that God is love, or something similar. When you go shopping, or to the beach, or wherever there will be a crowd, just put on the shirt. Pray first for God to use you if he wants!

At work, you might drink out of a special mug, or even use a mousepad with Scripture to encourage yourself as well. If someone asks about it, you can tell them what God has down for you!

At my Zazzle store, I have lots of unique, faith-buildling products. You'll find them here.

Open Your Hymnal

Open Your Hymnal: Devotions That Harmonize Scripture With Song by Denise Loock. $2.95 from Smashwords.com

Do you ever catch yourself singing a song in church without paying attention to the words? Open Your Hymnal is a collection of thirty devotions that transport the wisdom of classic hymns and gospel songs into the twenty-first century. Introduce yourself to the rich spiritual heritage that hymnals contain or gain a new perspective on songs you've sung since childhood.

Scriptural Pattern of The Holy Spirit by Rodney Mire. $5.99 from Smashwords.com

The Holy Spirit dwells in us 24 hours a day 7 days a week. We should find out everything we can about this Spirit. God gives us the Holy Spirit as a gift. All we need to do is receive and enjoy.

This book helps prepare preteens and teens for the reality of high school: bullying, peer pressure, substance abuse, and more.

• Fast Track to Victory, A Christian Guidebook

  Fast Track to Victory, A Christian Guidebook is a book you can give to those who want to know more about God, are new in the Christian faith, or need victory in some area of their life. This book consists of 40 short devotions, with Bible quotes and encourages people to spend time daily with God.

• A More Excellent Way

  A More Excellent Way, a book by Pastor Henry Wright, is for those suffering from spiritually rooted disease -- which is 80 percent of disease -- or those hungry to know more about the things of the Lord. This book exposes the way our enemy, the devil, can make us sick -- and how to defeat him.

• Share your faith with a child...

  Making Choices, Life is Like Acorns is a book about a mother and baby squirrel which teaches things are not always what they appear to be. As the squirrel learns some acorns look good but are rotten inside, the children learn evil can be deceptive. Teach your children when they are young so they won't fall for the enemy's traps.

• Finding God: Biblical Answers to Questions About our Maker

  Finding God: Biblical Answers to Questions about Our Maker is an ebook answering important questions like who is God, who is Jesus, what God expects of us, and what is the path to salvation. Share this with others and help them build the most important relationship of their life.

  These books are all available at my website and at various online retailers like Amazon, Apple, Barnes and Noble and Smashwords.

  
  

  * You can share the Word of God with music lovers through Scripture songs. I share my original Scripture songs at www.songsfromtheword.com

The language of love is universal, but why not reach out to Spanish speakers in their native tongue? These gifts were designed by your lensmaster, Cheryl Rogers, using verses from La Reina Valera 1909. If you don't understand Spanish and need help choosing the right Scripture, please inquire!