One of the scariest things to do as followers of Jesus is tell our story, that is to tell others about our faith in Jesus.  As we consider how we partner together to share the Good News with others this week, it may seem that no one can help us tell our story to others.  Actually, others CAN help us.  Here's how: they can listen to us, so we have the opportunity to tell our stories in a safe environment, before we take it to those in the world.  I love today's key verse:  "Listen and I'll tell you what God has done for me." Psalm 66:16 (NCV) 

The best person to get to listen to your story is someone who is already a brother or sister in the Lord.  As I mentioned on Sunday, telling your story to your LIFE group would be a great place to start if you've never told anyone your story.  Remember, people are willing to hear you story.  They just don't want to hear your st-o-o-o-r-y, the complete and unabridged version!  I recommended that you write out your story so you can get it to a two to three minute retelling of what you were like before you knew Jesus, and how He has been changing you since you've known him.  That could be something dramatic like, "I used to be an alcoholic, but since I met Jesus, He has been giving me the strength to stay sober." Or something less dramatic, "Before I met Jesus I was so impatient with everyone and everything in my life.  Since I trusted Him as my Savior and Lord, He has been empowering me to live with greater patience in every area of my life."  Obviously, you'll want to fill in some details, but the general format of before I knew Jesus I was _______, but now He's helping me to be ______ is effective and interesting.

So, who are you going to get to partner with you by having them listen to your story of what God has done in your life?  Your LIFE group?  Family members?  An accountability partner?  Take some time right now and commit to telling your story to someone "safe" this week, and then start praying for God to give you the opportunity to tell someone who hasn't yet trusted Jesus how the Good News has impacted your life.

Let's pray:  Heavenly Father, Thank You so much for giving us a story worth telling by  transforming our lives through Jesus' presence in it.  Fill us with Your Holy Spirit that we may have the courage to tell others of Your great love and salvation by telling them our stories.  This we pray in Jesus' name.  Amen.