“But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them?” (Romans 10:14 NLT)

 

I don’t know about you, but I’m a big fan of hearing people’s stories. When I choose books to read on vacation, they’re generally biographies. Maybe that’s because, for me, the best kind of story is a true story.

When it comes to sharing your faith, one of the most effective tools at your disposal is your personal testimony—the story of how you came to faith and how Jesus has transformed your life.

The apostle Paul wrote, “But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them?” (Romans 10:14 NLT).

The founding fathers of our nation certainly weren’t shy about sharing their stories of faith. Thomas Jefferson wrote, “I am a real Christian, that is to say, a disciple of the doctrines of Jesus.” He also said in a different letter, “I have little doubt that our whole country will soon be rallied to the unity of our Creator and, I hope, to the pure doctrine of Jesus also.” Despite his flaws, our third president understood the importance of sharing personal testimony and the power of faith for a nation.

A testimony builds bridges. It’s a way to connect with others so they can see how you came to be the person you are and why you believe what you believe. It’s also a way to help people see how they can come to faith as well.

Another great thing about sharing your testimony is that you can indirectly preach the gospel to someone. For example, instead of just walking up to a person and saying, “You’re a sinner, you need to repent, and Christ died for you,” you can share your testimony.

It might go something like this: “You know, before I was a Christian, my life was going nowhere. I had a sense of emptiness, and I wondered what was wrong, what was missing. Then one day I went to a church service and heard the pastor say . . .”

That’s how you can preach the gospel while you tell your own story. And then you can ask, “What do you think about that? Have you ever heard that before? Have you ever considered who Jesus is?”

Every believer has a testimony, and every testimony matters. Of course, some testimonies are more dramatic than others. But when you really get down to it, everyone’s testimony is essentially the same: “I was lost. I was separated from God and was guilty and lonely and afraid to die. And I was on my way to Hell. But Jesus Christ, in His grace, intervened in my life and transformed me.”

Sharing how the flame of Christ was lit in you can lead to the flame being lit in other people’s lives as well. And as various flames are stoked, the conditions become ripe for all-out revival. That’s the power of a personal testimony.

 

Reflection question: Which parts of your personal testimony might resonate with other people? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship!

Join Greg Laurie for the Annual Jesus Revolution Baptism at Pirate's Cove on July 18.

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The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."

 

All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie.

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&ldquo;But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them?&rdquo; (Romans 10:14 NLT)
&nbsp;
I don&rsquo;t know about you, but I&rsquo;m a big fan of hearing people&rsquo;s stories. When I choose books to read on vacation, they&rsquo;re generally biographies. Maybe that&rsquo;s because, for me, the best kind of story is a true story.
When it comes to sharing your faith, one of the most effective tools at your disposal is your personal testimony&mdash;the story of how you came to faith and how Jesus has transformed your life.
The apostle Paul wrote, &ldquo;But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them?&rdquo; (Romans 10:14 NLT).
The founding fathers of our nation certainly weren&rsquo;t shy about sharing their stories of faith. Thomas Jefferson wrote, &ldquo;I am a real Christian, that is to say, a disciple of the doctrines of Jesus.&rdquo; He also said in a different letter, &ldquo;I have little doubt that our whole country will soon be rallied to the unity of our Creator and, I hope, to the pure doctrine of Jesus also.&rdquo; Despite his flaws, our third president understood the importance of sharing personal testimony and the power of faith for a nation.
A testimony builds bridges. It&rsquo;s a way to connect with others so they can see how you came to be the person you are and why you believe what you believe. It&rsquo;s also a way to help people see how they can come to faith as well.
Another great thing about sharing your testimony is that you can indirectly preach the gospel to someone. For example, instead of just walking up to a person and saying, &ldquo;You&rsquo;re a sinner, you need to repent, and Christ died for you,&rdquo; you can share your testimony.
It might go something like this: &ldquo;You know, before I was a Christian, my life was going nowhere. I had a sense of emptiness, and I wondered what was wrong, what was missing. Then one day I went to a church service and heard the pastor say . . .&rdquo;
That&rsquo;s how you can preach the gospel while you tell your own story. And then you can ask, &ldquo;What do you think about that? Have you ever heard that before? Have you ever considered who Jesus is?&rdquo;
Every believer has a testimony, and every testimony matters. Of course, some testimonies are more dramatic than others. But when you really get down to it, everyone&rsquo;s testimony is essentially the same: &ldquo;I was lost. I was separated from God and was guilty and lonely and afraid to die. And I was on my way to Hell. But Jesus Christ, in His grace, intervened in my life and transformed me.&rdquo;
Sharing how the flame of Christ was lit in you can lead to the flame being lit in other people&rsquo;s lives as well. And as various flames are stoked, the conditions become ripe for all-out revival. That&rsquo;s the power of a personal testimony.
&nbsp;
Reflection question: Which parts of your personal testimony might resonate with other people?&nbsp;<a href="https://disciple.harvest.org/spaces/17592429/feed?utm_source=DD&amp;utm_medium=podcast&amp;utm_campaign=HarvestDiscipleship">Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship!</a>
Join Greg Laurie for the <a href="https://harvest.org/resources/gregs-blog/post/greg-laurie-jesus-revolution-baptism-information/">Annual Jesus Revolution Baptism at Pirate's Cove</a> on July 18.
&mdash;
The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology.&nbsp;This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."
&nbsp;
All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie.
<a href="https://go.pddr.app/glpodcast">Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast</a>
<a href="https://harvest.org/harvest-partner/?utm_source=DD&amp;utm_medium=podcast&amp;utm_campaign=HarvestPartners">Become a Harvest Partner</a>

If you want to be successful in the Christian life, you must have a mind full of God’s Word. Refresh your mind with it daily, right here. Each day, you'll receive a verse and commentary from Pastor Greg Laurie, who offers biblical insight through humor, personal stories, and cultural commentary. Start listening and hear what God has to say to you. 

*The audio production of this podcast utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."

All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie.

If you want to be successful in the Christian life, you must have a mind full of God&rsquo;s Word. Refresh your mind with it daily, right here. Each day, you'll receive a verse and commentary from&nbsp;<a href="https://harvest.org/about-greg-laurie/">Pastor Greg Laurie</a>, who offers biblical insight through humor, personal stories, and cultural commentary. Start listening and hear what God has to say to you.&nbsp;
*The audio production of this podcast utilizes Generative AI technology.&nbsp;This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known." All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie.

Greg Laurie provides commentary on the day's Bible verse.

Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions

Your personal testimony is one of the most powerful witnessing tools available to you.