Mid-Week Message - Sharing His Story

"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations [help the people to learn of Me, believe in Me, and obey My words], baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always [remaining with you perpetually—regardless of circumstance, and on every occasion], even to the end of the age."   Matthew 28:19-20 (AMP)

I have told the story before of Betty Allen, the lovely lady that took me to church for the first time and introduced me to the Lord.  From that time on, I have felt the need and desire to include Him in my life.  In fact, there is a song by Big Daddy Weave called "My Story" that says, "To tell you my story is to tell of Him."  I cannot talk about my life, or really much else either, without speaking of Jesus.  It just doesn't seem natural to me to live or speak without including Him because He has been, is now, and will always be, the most important person and my greatest influence.  It amazes me that it isn't that way for everyone.  

I can remember a time in my childhood when I told my best friend about the importance of having Jesus as her personal Savior.  She told her family and her family replied that one's relationship with God is to be kept private.  That happened again during my teenage years.  I took part in a city-wide campaign to share the gospel.  One night I sat in my front yard and witnessed to my neighbor who was a couple of years younger than I was.  He prayed to accept Jesus and I was so excited.  However, when he told his parents, they were angry and said the same thing "one's relationship with the Lord is to be kept private."  I was flabbergasted!  I couldn't understand how someone could have a relationship with the Living God and not want to share it with everyone around.  

I have learned a lot through the years.  I have watched as this nation has declared sharing the gospel something to be cautious of, and at times even ashamed of.  Sharing the "Good News" is becoming more and more frowned upon.  I fear that the day is coming when it will be outlawed as it is in some other countries.  However, this wouldn't be the first, nor the last time that the enemy has attempted to silence the Truth.  And, just as it has never worked in the past, it will not work in the future.  

During the Olympic games in China, the scriptures were transported into the country even though it was illegal to do so.  Believers would download them onto memory sticks and leave them in bathrooms and other places where they were sure to be found.  There will always be those who are dedicated to sharing His story and will find a way to do so, no matter what, even if that means going to prison or losing their own lives.  

One's relationship with Almighty God is not something that is to be kept private.  Jesus told us to go and make disciples of all nations, and that includes everyone.  That relationship is one to shout from the rooftops, to allow to gush forth. Not everyone will want to hear it but it has to be told.  Even though America is traditionally a Christian nation, there are millions that do not know Jesus.  My challenge for everyone this week is to examine how we each share how He has worked in our own lives and how we obey the command to tell that story.  God bless you.